EP1486454B1 - Machine for treating containers comprising a closed space - Google Patents

Machine for treating containers comprising a closed space Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1486454B1
EP1486454B1 EP04005232A EP04005232A EP1486454B1 EP 1486454 B1 EP1486454 B1 EP 1486454B1 EP 04005232 A EP04005232 A EP 04005232A EP 04005232 A EP04005232 A EP 04005232A EP 1486454 B1 EP1486454 B1 EP 1486454B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
processing machine
machine according
inlet
container processing
Prior art date
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Expired - Lifetime
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EP04005232A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1486454A1 (en
Inventor
Volker Till
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KHS GmbH
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KHS GmbH
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
    • B67C7/0073—Sterilising, aseptic filling and closing
    • B67C7/0086—Sterilisation being restricted to the area of application of the closure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65B31/022—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas the chambers moving in an endless path
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65B31/027—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers closed by a stopper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C2003/2688—Means for filling containers in defined atmospheric conditions
    • B67C2003/2697—Means for filling containers in defined atmospheric conditions by enclosing the container partly in a chamber

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a container treatment machine referred to in the preamble of claim 1 Art.
  • Container treatment machines are z. As filling machines, capping machines, rinsers and the like. With higher performance, they are designed in a rotating design, wherein the receiving treatment stations are arranged on the circumference of the carousel and circumferentially take the containers during the treatment.
  • the DE 199 11 517 A1 shows a rotating filling machine, which is generally arranged in a tightly enclosing housing on all sides, which is determined by the size of the machine and therefore also of considerable volume.
  • the DE 198 35 369 C1 shows an embodiment in which container treatment machines protrude with their arranged below treatment stations from above sealed in a room with special atmosphere. This room is equipped walkable below the machine.
  • a disadvantage of the constructions according to the prior art is consequently the considerable volume of the space subjected to a special atmosphere.
  • the room In the event of malfunctions, the room must be opened. He is then filled with normal ambient air and germinated accordingly. The subsequent cleaning of the room before re-operation is essentially determined by its surfaces and the total volume. In the known large rooms, therefore, business interruptions, which are necessary due to malfunction or required machine changes and the unavoidable cleaning several hours.
  • the enclosed space is formed as a ring tunnel surrounding the filling machine carousel, which is enclosed by the closed surfaces of the carousel and ring bowl on the one hand and by the stationary surfaces on the other hand, wherein the carousel and stationary surfaces forming the tunnel have concentric seals - or seal each other.
  • the present invention has the object to reduce the conditional upon the integration of the transfer or transport stars clean room volume.
  • the clean room is reduced to an extremely small volume, whereby a considerably more economical filling of related beverages is ensured.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a belonging to the prior art machinery for rinsing, filling and sealing of containers, eg. B. PET bottles.
  • the containers are fed to the machinery by known, not shown transporters and brought by a Einteilschnecke 1 on division.
  • a star conveyor 2 passes the container initially to a rinser 3.
  • the PET bottles shown in this embodiment described with a suitable treatment liquid, eg. B. sterile water or a disinfecting liquid, rinsed outside and inside.
  • a suitable treatment liquid eg. B. sterile water or a disinfecting liquid
  • the in a vessel treatment plant of the previously used components such as rinser 3, 5 filler, capper 7 and transport stars 2, 4, 6 are of known design and can be of various types.
  • the peripheral part of the filling machine is surrounded by a non-circulating, ie stationary cladding 10.
  • the upper end of the panel forms an annular channel 11, which surrounds the entire rotor and is separated from it by a narrow annular gap 12.
  • the lining 10 in conjunction with the geometric shape of the rotating rotor of the filling machine forms a treatment chamber, wherein the lining 10 is designed so that at its lower end between the lining 10 and circumferential Spinner of the filling machine only a small, the entire roundabout of the filling machine enclosing gap 14 remains.
  • the annular channel 11 is acted upon by at least one supply line 13 with a pressurized process gas, wherein it is z. B. may be sterile air, CO2 or other suitable gas or gas mixture.
  • a pressurized process gas wherein it is z. B. may be sterile air, CO2 or other suitable gas or gas mixture.
  • the clean room according to the invention over the designated 11 known annular space only from a part of the beverage container 16 at least with its mouth region 17 enclosing space 15. It is preferably at the surrounding with the Gremankarussell lower horizontal wall surface 18 directly the recordings, supports and centering 19 arranged for the bottle mouths. These can therefore be made of simple semi-circular openings. However, other versions may be provided for this purpose. Thus, it is conceivable, on a rotating wall of the room specially trained support or staple fingers u. Like. Provide that can be controlled in the inlet and outlet areas for receiving and transfer. The outer centering of the circulating containers or their mouth regions is ensured by a surrounding space part 20 surrounding the filling machine.
  • This space part 20 is executed at right angles and forms a preferably vertically upstanding outer wall 21 and the inwardly facing centering wall 22, which may also be provided with a seal for sealing the annular gap.
  • the centering wall 22 may also be slightly sloping for better cleaning.
  • the inlet and outlet area of such a filling machine is, as already stated, formed by rotating stars 4, 8. These are according to the invention in 3 and 4 made of a flat disc 23 with corresponding recesses, supports and / or centering 24. These disks are surrounded by an upper fixed hood part 25, the rotating disk surface forming part of the lower space boundary.
  • the container mouths are fed to the star pockets or centerings 24 at a narrow inlet and outlet opening 27 or removed from the latter after completion of the treatment.
  • feeds or nozzles 13 may be provided at various locations in order to maintain as constant as possible and everywhere effective low pressure in the clean room.
  • the mouths or their areas receiving supports and / or centering 24 may be stored, for example, folded outwardly or downwardly.
  • the relevant folding mechanism 25 can be held on swivel joints 26 with torsion springs 27.
  • controllable and / or flexible openings for the container mouths are preferably provided on the lower cleanroom side. In this way, the mouth area is introduced from below into the clean room and surrounded by it.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Behälterbehandlungsmaschine der im Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 genannten Art.The invention relates to a container treatment machine referred to in the preamble of claim 1 Art.

Behälterbehandlungsmaschinen sind z. B. Füllmaschinen, Verschließmaschinen, Rinser und dergleichen. Bei höherer Leistung werden sie in rotierender Bauart ausgebildet, wobei die die Behälter aufnehmenden Behandlungsplätze am Umfang des Karussells angeordnet sind und umlaufend die Behälter während der Behandlung mitnehmen.Container treatment machines are z. As filling machines, capping machines, rinsers and the like. With higher performance, they are designed in a rotating design, wherein the receiving treatment stations are arranged on the circumference of the carousel and circumferentially take the containers during the treatment.

Bei den gehobenen Ansprüchen an die Qualität der abzufüllenden Getränke und deren Haltbarkeit bietet sich eine gattungsgemäße Bauweise an, bei der die Behandlungsplätze in einem abgeschlossenen mit Sonderatmosphäre beaufschlagbaren Raum liegen. Dieser Raum kann mit Inertatmosphäre, z. B. CO2, mit sterilisierender Atmosphäre oder H2O2 beaufschlagt werden und dadurch eine sauerstoffarme und keimarme Behandlung der Getränke sicherstellen, was für deren Abfüllqualität von vorrangiger Bedeutung ist. Derartige Behandlungsmaschinen sind in der Getränkeindustrie in vielfältiger Bauweise bekannt. Die DE-PS 696 569 zeigt eine solche Konstruktion, bei der eine Füllmaschine in einem geschlossenen Gehäuse angeordnet ist. Der dadurch gebildete Raum wird durch die Gesamtgröße der Maschine bestimmt und ist von erheblichem Volumen. Die DE 199 11 517 A1 zeigt eine rotierende Füllmaschine, die insgesamt in einem allseitig eng umschließenden Gehäuse angeordnet ist, dass von der Größe der Maschine bestimmt und daher ebenfalls von erheblichem Volumen ist. Die DE 198 35 369 C1 zeigt eine Ausbildung, bei der Behälterbehandlungsmaschinen mit ihren unten angeordneten Behandlungsplätzen von oben in einen Raum mit Sonderatmosphäre abgedichtet hineinragen. Dieser Raum ist unterhalb der Maschine begehbar ausgerüstet.In the high demands on the quality of the drinks to be bottled and their durability, a generic construction offers, in which the treatment stations are in a closed with special atmosphere actable space. This space can be used with inert atmosphere, eg. As CO 2, are subjected to sterilizing atmosphere or H 2 O 2 and thereby ensure a low-oxygen and low-germ treatment of the drinks, which is of importance for their filling quality. Such treatment machines are known in the beverage industry in a variety of construction. The DE-PS 696 569 shows such a construction, in which a filling machine is arranged in a closed housing. The space thus formed is determined by the overall size of the machine and is of considerable volume. The DE 199 11 517 A1 shows a rotating filling machine, which is generally arranged in a tightly enclosing housing on all sides, which is determined by the size of the machine and therefore also of considerable volume. The DE 198 35 369 C1 shows an embodiment in which container treatment machines protrude with their arranged below treatment stations from above sealed in a room with special atmosphere. This room is equipped walkable below the machine.

Eine weitere Lösung ist in der DE 197 31 796 offenbart. Bei dieser technischen Ausgestaltung werden Füll- und Verschließmaschine in einem Reinraum angeordnet, dessen Volumen so knapp bemessen ist, dass nur der für Wartungsarbeiten an Füll- und Verschließmaschine erforderliche Arbeitsraum vorhanden ist. Durch die Reduzierung des Reinraumvolumens soll eine Senkung der Betriebskosten der Anlage erreicht werden. Zusätzlich ist ein Tauchbadsterilisator direkt am Reinraum angeordnet. Durch diese Maßnahme soll im Vergleich zur EP 0120 789 der zweite Rinser und die mit ihm verbundenen Betriebs- und Anschaffungskosten eingespart werden. Insgesamt haftet dieser Lösung der Nachteil an, dass auch hier ein Reinraum vorgesehen ist, der sowohl Füll- als auch Verschließmaschine als ganzes umschließt, was einen großen Platzbedarf und hohe Bau- und Betriebskosten bedingt. Die in dieser technischen Lehre angestrebte, möglichst weitgehende Reduzierung des Bauvolumens des Reinraumes bringt aufgrund der eingeschränkten Zugänglichkeit bedeutende Nachteile bei den auszuführenden Wartungsarbeiten mit sich.Another solution is in the DE 197 31 796 disclosed. In this technical embodiment, filling and closing machine are arranged in a clean room, whose volume is so tight that only the required for maintenance work on filling and closing machine workspace is available. By reducing the clean room volume, a reduction in the operating costs of the system should be achieved. In addition, a dipping bath sterilizer is arranged directly on the clean room. By this measure is intended in Compared to EP 0120 789 the second rinser and the associated operating and acquisition costs are saved. Overall, this solution has the disadvantage that even here a clean room is provided which encloses both filling and closing machine as a whole, which requires a large amount of space and high construction and operating costs. The aim in this technical teaching, as far as possible reduction of the volume of the clean room brings due to the limited accessibility significant disadvantages in the work to be carried out with it.

Nachteilig bei den Konstruktionen nach dem Stand der Technik ist demzufolge das erhebliche Volumen des mit Sonderatmosphäre beaufschlagten Raumes. Bei Betriebsstörungen muss der Raum geöffnet werden. Er ist dann ausgefüllt mit normaler Umgebungsluft und entsprechend verkeimt. Die anschließende Reinigung des Raumes vor erneuter Betriebsaufnahme ist wesentlich von dessen Oberflächen und vom Gesamtvolumen bestimmt. Bei den bekannten großen Räumen dauern daher Betriebsunterbrechungen, die durch Betriebsstörungen oder erforderliche Maschinenumstellungen nötig sind und die unvermeidbare Reinigung mehrere Stunden.A disadvantage of the constructions according to the prior art is consequently the considerable volume of the space subjected to a special atmosphere. In the event of malfunctions, the room must be opened. He is then filled with normal ambient air and germinated accordingly. The subsequent cleaning of the room before re-operation is essentially determined by its surfaces and the total volume. In the known large rooms, therefore, business interruptions, which are necessary due to malfunction or required machine changes and the unavoidable cleaning several hours.

Aus der DE 101 45 803 A1 und der DE 297 13 155 U1 ist es schließlich bekannt, dass der abgeschlossene Raum als ein das Füllmaschinenkarussell umlaufender Ringtunnel ausgebildet ist, der von den geschlossenen Flächen des Karussells und Ringkessels einerseits und von den stationären Flächen andererseits umschlossen ist, wobei die den Tunnel bildenden Karussell- und Stationärflächen über konzentrische Dichtungen auf- bzw. zueinander abdichten. Diese bekannten Ausgestaltungen reduzieren den erforderlichen Reinraum bereits erheblich.From the DE 101 45 803 A1 and the DE 297 13 155 U1 Finally, it is known that the enclosed space is formed as a ring tunnel surrounding the filling machine carousel, which is enclosed by the closed surfaces of the carousel and ring bowl on the one hand and by the stationary surfaces on the other hand, wherein the carousel and stationary surfaces forming the tunnel have concentric seals - or seal each other. These known embodiments already reduce the required clean room considerably.

Eine weitere Behälterbehandlungsmaschine mit erheblich vermindertem Reinraum stellt die US 4,729,204 vor. Diese Schrift schlägt die Ausbildung einer Verschließmaschine vor, bei welcher je Behandlungs- oder Verschließstation eine separate, mit einem Inertgas beaufschlagte Kammer vorgesehen ist. Die Wände dieser Kammern werden zum einen aus mit einem Rotor umlaufenden und zum anderen aus ortsfesten, nicht umlaufenden Wandelementen gebildet. Weiterhin ist vorgesehen, dass die zu verschließenden Behälter durch einen Transferstern in die Kammern eingeschoben werden.
Durch die technische Lehre der US 4,729,204 wird ein Reinraum aufgezeigt, dessen Volumen noch weiter reduziert wurde.Another container treatment machine with significantly reduced clean room provides the US 4,729,204 in front. This document proposes the formation of a capping machine in which each treatment or capping station is provided with a separate chamber acted upon by an inert gas. The walls of these chambers are formed on the one hand with a rotor rotating and on the other hand from stationary, non-rotating wall elements. Furthermore, it is provided that the containers to be closed are inserted through a transfer star in the chambers.
Through the technical teaching of US 4,729,204 a clean room is shown whose volume has been reduced even further.

Es entspricht dem Stand der Technik, auch die in vielen Anwendungsfällen notwendigen Transfer- oder Transportsterne mit in die Reinräume zu integrieren, wobei das Reinraumvolumen, bedingt durch die räumliche Gestalt dieser Sterne nicht unerheblich vergrößert wird.It corresponds to the state of the art to integrate the necessary in many applications transfer or transport stars in the clean rooms, the clean room volume, due to the spatial shape of these stars is not negligible.

Bislang wurden keine Vorschläge zur Reduzierung dieses zusätzlichen, durch die Integration der Transfer- oder Transportsterne bedingten Volumens unterbreitet.To date, no proposals have been made to reduce this additional volume due to the integration of the transfer or transport stars.

Ausgehend vom bekannten Stand der Technik liegt der vorliegenden Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, das durch die Integration der Transfer- oder Transportsterne bedingte Reinraumvolumen zu reduzieren.Based on the known prior art, the present invention has the object to reduce the conditional upon the integration of the transfer or transport stars clean room volume.

Diese Aufgabe wird mit den Merkmalen des Anspruches 1 und denen der Unteransprüche gelöst.This object is achieved with the features of claim 1 and those of the subclaims.

Mit der aufgezeigten vorliegenden Erfindung wird der Reinraum auf ein äußerst geringes Volumen reduziert, wodurch ein erheblich wirtschaftlicheres Abfüllen von diesbezüglichen Getränken gewährleistet wird.With the presented present invention, the clean room is reduced to an extremely small volume, whereby a considerably more economical filling of related beverages is ensured.

Weitere Merkmale der Erfindung ergehen aus den Unteransprüchen.Further features of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Im Nachfolgenden wird die Erfindung an Hand von in den Zeichnungen dargestellten Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert.In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

Es zeigen:

Figur 1:
die perspektivische Darstellung einer zum Stand der Technik zählenden Ma- schinenanlage zum Rinsen, Füllen und Verschließen von Behältern mit ei- nem umlaufenden Ringraum, teilweise als Explosionszeichnung
Figur 2:
in einer Detaildarstellung die erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung des Gehäu- ses im Bereich der Füllmaschine und
Fig.3+4
den Einlaufbereich mit Einlaufstern
Figur 5
eine Auswurfeinrichtung für strörungsbedingte Sonderfälle und
Figur 6
Zuführeinrichtungen im Sternbereich.
Show it:
FIG. 1:
the perspective view of a belonging to the prior art machine tool for rinsing, filling and sealing of containers with a circumferential annulus, partially as an exploded view
FIG. 2:
in a detailed representation, the inventive design of the housing in the area of the filling machine and
Figure 3 + 4
the inlet area with inlet star
FIG. 5
an ejection device for special cases and
FIG. 6
Feeding facilities in the star area.

Figur 1 zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung einer zum Stand der Technik gehörenden Maschinenanlage zum Rinsen, Füllen und Verschließen von Behältern, z. B. PET-Flaschen. Die Behälter werden der Maschinenanlage durch bekannte, nicht dargestellte Transporteure zugeführt und durch eine Einteilschnecke 1 auf Teilung gebracht. Ein Transportstern 2 übergibt die Behälter zunächst an einen Rinser 3. Innerhalb des Rinsers werden die in diesem beschriebenen Ausführungsbeispiel dargestellten PET-Flaschen mit einer geeigneten Behandlungsflüssigkeit, z. B. sterilem Wasser oder einer Desinfektionsflüssigkeit, außen und innen abgespült. Bei anderen zweckmäßigen Anlagenkonfigurationen können anstatt eines Rinsers auch andere Reinigungs- bzw. Desinfektionsvorrichtungen wie z. B. Tauchbadsterilisatoren und/oder Plasma-Desinfektionsvorrichtungen der Füllmaschine vorgeschaltet sein. Nachdem die PET-Flaschen den Rinser 3 durchlaufen haben, werden diese durch einen weiteren Transportstern 4 an die eigentliche Füllmaschine 5 übergeben. Im Anschluss an den Füllprozess werden die PET-Flaschen durch einen weiteren Transportstern 6 aus dem Füller 5 entnommen und dem Verschließer 7 übergeben. Abschließend übernimmt ein weiterer Transportstern 8 die PET-Flaschen aus dem Verschließer 7 und übergibt diese einem Transporteur 9, welcher die PET-Flaschen dem nächsten Behandlungsschritt, z. B. einer Etikettierstation, zuführt. Die in einer Gefäßbehandlungsanlage der zuvor verwendeten Komponenten wie z.B. Rinser 3, Füller 5, Verschließer 7 und Transportsterne 2, 4, 6 sind von bekannter Bauart und können unterschiedlichster Ausprägung sein. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a belonging to the prior art machinery for rinsing, filling and sealing of containers, eg. B. PET bottles. The containers are fed to the machinery by known, not shown transporters and brought by a Einteilschnecke 1 on division. A star conveyor 2 passes the container initially to a rinser 3. Within the rinser, the PET bottles shown in this embodiment described with a suitable treatment liquid, eg. B. sterile water or a disinfecting liquid, rinsed outside and inside. In other functional system configurations instead of a rinser and other cleaning or disinfecting devices such. B. Tauchbadsterilisatoren and / or plasma disinfection devices upstream of the filling machine. After the PET bottles have passed through the rinser 3, they are passed through another transport star 4 to the actual filling machine 5. Following the filling process, the PET bottles are removed from the filler 5 by another transport star 6 and transferred to the capper 7. Finally, another transport star 8 takes over the PET bottles from the capper 7 and transfers them to a conveyor 9, which the PET bottles to the next treatment step, z. B. a labeling station, feeds. The in a vessel treatment plant of the previously used components such as rinser 3, 5 filler, capper 7 and transport stars 2, 4, 6 are of known design and can be of various types.

Es handelt sich um eine Füllmaschine umlaufender Bauart. Der umlaufende Teil der Füllmaschine, der so genannte Kreisel, ist mit einer nicht umlaufenden, also ortsfesten Verkleidung 10 umgeben. Den oberen Abschluss der Verkleidung bildet ein Ringkanal 11, welcher den gesamten Kreisel umschließt und von diesem durch einen schmalen Ringspalt 12 getrennt ist.It is a filling machine of rotating design. The peripheral part of the filling machine, the so-called gyroscope, is surrounded by a non-circulating, ie stationary cladding 10. The upper end of the panel forms an annular channel 11, which surrounds the entire rotor and is separated from it by a narrow annular gap 12.

Im übrigen bildet die Verkleidung 10 in Verbindung mit der geometrischen Gestalt des umlaufenden Kreisels der Füllmaschine eine Behandlungskammer, wobei die Verkleidung 10 so ausgestaltet ist, dass an ihrem unteren Ende zwischen Verkleidung 10 und umlaufenden Kreisel der Füllmaschine lediglich ein kleiner, den gesamten Kreisel der Füllmaschine umschließender Spalt 14 verbleibt.Moreover, the lining 10 in conjunction with the geometric shape of the rotating rotor of the filling machine forms a treatment chamber, wherein the lining 10 is designed so that at its lower end between the lining 10 and circumferential Spinner of the filling machine only a small, the entire roundabout of the filling machine enclosing gap 14 remains.

Der Ringkanal 11 wird durch wenigstens eine Zufuhrleitung 13 mit einem unter Überdruck stehenden Prozessgas beaufschlagt, wobei es sich z. B. um sterile Luft, CO2 oder ein anderes geeignetes Gas oder Gasgemisch handeln kann. Durch nicht dargestellte Öffnungen im Ringkanal 11 strömt das Prozessgas zunächst in den oben beschriebenen Behandlungsraum und breitet sich anschließend in Richtung der vorhandenen Öffnungen, also Ringspalt 12 und 14 aus. Da das Prozessgas kontinuierlich aus diesen Öffnungen austritt, wird jedes Eindringen von Keimen und/oder anderer Schmutzpartikel sicher vermieden.The annular channel 11 is acted upon by at least one supply line 13 with a pressurized process gas, wherein it is z. B. may be sterile air, CO2 or other suitable gas or gas mixture. By not shown openings in the annular channel 11, the process gas first flows into the treatment space described above and then spreads in the direction of the existing openings, ie annular gap 12 and 14 from. Since the process gas exits continuously from these openings, any penetration of germs and / or other dirt particles is safely avoided.

Gemäß der in Figur 2 dargestellten Erfindung besteht nun der erfindungsgemäße Reinraum gegenüber dem mit 11 bezeichneten bekannten Ringraum lediglich aus einem nur einen Teil der Getränkebehälter 16 mindestens mit dessen Mündungsbereich 17 umschließenden Raum 15. Dabei sind vorzugsweise an der mit dem Füllmaschinenkarussell umlaufenden unteren horizontalen Wandungsfläche 18 unmittelbar die Aufnahmen, Abstützungen und Zentrierungen 19 für die Flaschenmündungen angeordnet. Diese können demzufolge aus einfachen halbkreisförmigen Öffnungen ausgeführt sein. Allerdings können auch andere Ausführungen hierzu vorgesehen sein. So ist es denkbar, an einer rotierenden Wand des Raumes speziell ausgebildete Stütz- oder Klammerfinger u. dgl. vorzusehen, die in den Ein- und Auslaufbereichen zur Aufnahme und Übergabe angesteuert werden können. Die äußere Zentrierung der umlaufenden Behälter bzw. deren Mündungsbereiche wird von einem die Füllmaschine umgebenden stehenden Raumteil 20 gewährleistet. Dieser Raumteil 20 ist praktisch rechtwinklig ausgeführt und bildet eine vorzugsweise senkrecht aufstehende Außenwand 21 und die nach innen weisende Zentrierwand 22, die auch mit einer Dichtung zur Abdichtung des Ringspaltes versehen sein kann. Die Zentrierwand 22 kann zur besseren Reinigung auch leicht abfallend ausgerichtet sein. Der Ein- und Auslaufbereich einer solchen Füllmaschine wird, wie bereits angeführt, von rotierenden Sternen 4, 8 gebildet. Diese sind gemäß der Erfindung in Fig. 3 und 4 aus einer ebenen Scheibe 23 mit entsprechenden Ausnehmungen, Abstützungen und/oder Zentrierungen 24 ausgeführt. Diese Scheiben werden von einem oberen feststehenden Haubenteil 25 umgeben, wobei die rotierende Scheibenfläche einen Teil der unteren Raumbegrenzung bildet. Zur Zu- und Abführung der Mündung im Übergabebereich der Füllmaschine u. dgl. können Überleiteinrichtungen, Überschubbleche 26 u. dgl. vorgesehen sein, wie dieses an einem Zuführungsbeispiel gemäß Figur 6 erkennbar ist. Vorzugsweise werden die Behältermündungen an einer schmalen Ein- und Auslauföffnung 27 den Sterntaschen bzw. Zentrierungen 24 zugeführt bzw. nach Abschluss der Behandlung aus diesen abgeführt. Zur Eingabe des sterilen Mediums können an verschiedenen Stellen Zuführungen oder Düsen 13 vorgesehen sein, um einen möglichst gleichbleibenden und möglichst überall wirksamen geringen Überdruck in dem Reinraum aufrechtzuerhalten. Es ist aber auch denkbar, die Zuführung des Sterilmediums von der Behältereintrittseite aus vorzunehmen, wobei dieses Sterilmedium bzw. ein Teil davon dann unter Ausnutzung der Rotationsströmung den Reinraum in Drehrichtung zur Behälteraustrittsseite durchströmt.According to the in FIG. 2 illustrated invention is now the clean room according to the invention over the designated 11 known annular space only from a part of the beverage container 16 at least with its mouth region 17 enclosing space 15. It is preferably at the surrounding with the Füllmaschinenkarussell lower horizontal wall surface 18 directly the recordings, supports and centering 19 arranged for the bottle mouths. These can therefore be made of simple semi-circular openings. However, other versions may be provided for this purpose. Thus, it is conceivable, on a rotating wall of the room specially trained support or staple fingers u. Like. Provide that can be controlled in the inlet and outlet areas for receiving and transfer. The outer centering of the circulating containers or their mouth regions is ensured by a surrounding space part 20 surrounding the filling machine. This space part 20 is executed at right angles and forms a preferably vertically upstanding outer wall 21 and the inwardly facing centering wall 22, which may also be provided with a seal for sealing the annular gap. The centering wall 22 may also be slightly sloping for better cleaning. The inlet and outlet area of such a filling machine is, as already stated, formed by rotating stars 4, 8. These are according to the invention in 3 and 4 made of a flat disc 23 with corresponding recesses, supports and / or centering 24. These disks are surrounded by an upper fixed hood part 25, the rotating disk surface forming part of the lower space boundary. For the supply and discharge of the mouth in the transfer area of the Filling machine u. Like. Can transfer devices, Überubbleche 26 u. Like. Be provided as this on a feed example according to FIG. 6 is recognizable. Preferably, the container mouths are fed to the star pockets or centerings 24 at a narrow inlet and outlet opening 27 or removed from the latter after completion of the treatment. To enter the sterile medium feeds or nozzles 13 may be provided at various locations in order to maintain as constant as possible and everywhere effective low pressure in the clean room. However, it is also conceivable to make the supply of the sterile medium from the container inlet side, wherein this sterile medium or a part thereof then flows through the clean room in the direction of rotation to the container outlet side by utilizing the rotational flow.

Gemäß dem in Figur 6 dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel können die die Mündungen bzw. deren Bereiche aufnehmenden Abstützungen und/oder Zentrierungen 24 beispielsweise nach außen oder unten wegklappbar gelagert sein. Hierzu kann der diesbezügliche Klappmechanismus 25 an Drehgelenken 26 mit Torsionsfedern 27 gehalten werden.According to the in FIG. 6 illustrated embodiment, the mouths or their areas receiving supports and / or centering 24 may be stored, for example, folded outwardly or downwardly. For this purpose, the relevant folding mechanism 25 can be held on swivel joints 26 with torsion springs 27.

Sollen die Behälter wie bei den bekannten Füllmaschinen mit Hubelementen von unten nach oben zugeführt werden, so sind vorzugsweise an der unteren Reinraumseite ansteuerbare und/oder flexible Öffnungen für die Behältermündungen vorgesehen. Auf diese Weise wird der Mündungsbereich von unten in den Reinraum eingeführt und von diesem umgeben.If the containers are to be supplied from bottom to top, as in the case of the known filling machines with lifting elements, then controllable and / or flexible openings for the container mouths are preferably provided on the lower cleanroom side. In this way, the mouth area is introduced from below into the clean room and surrounded by it.

Claims (8)

  1. Container processing machine for beverage containers such as bottles and the like, said container processing machine having a carousel that rotates about a vertical axis with processing places disposed at spacings for accommodating the beverage containers, and having inlet and outlet wheels, wherein the processing places are disposed in a substantially closed chamber, which is impinged upon with special atmosphere and comprises rotating and, in contrast, stationary chamber parts, wherein said chamber (15) surrounds at least the mouth region (17) of the beverage containers (16), characterized in that the inlet and outlet star wheels (4, 23) of the rotating processing machine form a part of the lower rotational boundary wall of the clean chamber (15) and are surrounded by an upper fixed dome part (25).
  2. Container processing machine according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one portion of the part of the container (16) facing away from the mouth and/or from the centering means for the bottle mouths remains outside the clean chamber (15).
  3. Container processing machine according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the accommodating means and/or supports and centering means (24) for the bottle mouths are formed by recesses (24) in the rotational lower boundary wall/ wall face (18).
  4. Container processing machine according to Claim 2, characterized in that the accommodating means and/or supports and the centering means (24) for the mouths of the containers (16) are realized at least in the inlet and outlet region so as to be pivoted away.
  5. Container processing machine according to Claim 4, characterized in that the accommodating means and/or supports and centering means (24) are realized so as to be pivotable downward by means of a pivot joint (26) under the effect of spring tension (27).
  6. Container processing machine according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a seal between the rotational and the fixed part of the clean chamber (15) is formed by a single or multiple ring gap.
  7. Container processing machine according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the sterile gas inlet is effected on the container inlet side and the sterile gas is conveyable in the direction of rotation towards the container outlet side using the rotational flow in the clean chamber (15).
  8. Container processing machine according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that where container mouths are insertable from below vertically upwards against the filler valves, the clean chamber (15) has actuatable and/or flexible openings for the container mouths (17) that are to be inserted.
EP04005232A 2003-06-13 2004-03-05 Machine for treating containers comprising a closed space Expired - Lifetime EP1486454B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10326618A DE10326618A1 (en) 2003-06-13 2003-06-13 Container handling machine
DE10326618 2003-06-13

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EP1486454B1 true EP1486454B1 (en) 2009-11-18

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US (1) US7165582B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1486454B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2005001767A (en)
DE (2) DE10326618A1 (en)
PL (1) PL198414B1 (en)
RU (1) RU2342314C2 (en)

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JP2005001767A (en) 2005-01-06
DE502004010381D1 (en) 2009-12-31
RU2004117844A (en) 2006-01-10
PL198414B1 (en) 2008-06-30
RU2342314C2 (en) 2008-12-27
US20050016624A1 (en) 2005-01-27
US7165582B2 (en) 2007-01-23
EP1486454A1 (en) 2004-12-15
PL368476A1 (en) 2004-12-27
DE10326618A1 (en) 2005-01-05

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