EP1647488B1 - Machine for packaging products in a protected environment - Google Patents
Machine for packaging products in a protected environment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1647488B1 EP1647488B1 EP05021918A EP05021918A EP1647488B1 EP 1647488 B1 EP1647488 B1 EP 1647488B1 EP 05021918 A EP05021918 A EP 05021918A EP 05021918 A EP05021918 A EP 05021918A EP 1647488 B1 EP1647488 B1 EP 1647488B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- chamber
- wall
- station
- packaging machine
- lateral
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims description 35
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000000825 pharmaceutical preparation Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229940127557 pharmaceutical product Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000035508 accumulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004320 controlled atmosphere Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005202 decontamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003588 decontaminative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000036512 infertility Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035755 proliferation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
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
-
- 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
- B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
- B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
- B65B55/027—Packaging in aseptic chambers
Definitions
- the present invention relates to packaging of products in a protected environment.
- the invention relates to a machine for filling and closing bottles or similar containers in a protected, sterile environment with high purification level.
- a machine is known e.g. from GB 1 522 654 .
- Such products are packaged in environments formed by chambers, which are kept constantly sterile and without contaminating particles, or at least keeping the presence of these particles within the prefixed limits, which depend on the requirements of the product to be packaged.
- sterile chambers can be obtained by apparatuses, which allow their sterilization, particular absolute filters (HEPA filters - High Efficiency Particulate Air), purifying the air introduced into the environment, as well as the controlled paths for the operators entrance and exit.
- absolute filters HEPA filters - High Efficiency Particulate Air
- the packaging machines working in such environments must be sterilizable and the operation means for feeding the product, transporting the containers and packaging the product must be produced with particular materials and techniques.
- the power means for the above mentioned operation means which could likewise release dust or other contaminating substances, must be entirely sealed, so as to be isolated from the sterile and purified operation environment.
- the packaging machines working therein must be much more reliable than the average, since each failure, requiring maintenance technician's intervention, causes almost inevitably, the necessity to sterilize and purify again the whole sterile chamber and its contents.
- the machines are usually obtained by assembling work stations and transport devices designed separately and then joined together, as it occurs generally with the packaging machines for products, which do not require the above mentioned safety measures.
- the flow of air circulating inside the isolated environments must be as laminar as possible, so as to avoid the creation of turbulence, which could raise the residue particles, which are anyway present in some areas of the packaging machine, and thus could contaminate the packaged product.
- the main object of the present invention is to propose a structure of machine for packaging products in a sterile and/or pure environment, which wholly fulfills the above specified needs.
- Another object of the present invention is to propose a packaging machine, in which the operating devices are easily accessible for maintenance and fault repairing operations and do not contaminate the sterile or clean area.
- a further object of the present invention is to propose a packaging machine, which is particularly compact and accessible.
- the reference numeral 100 indicates the whole of a machine for packaging products into relative containers 1, obtained according to a first embodiment of the invention.
- the machine 100 is particularly suitable for filling and closing containers 1, e.g. bottles, with products, which must be packaged in sterile environment, substantially free of particulate contaminating agents, such as some pharmaceutical products.
- the machine 100 includes a plurality of work stations, situated one after another.
- the machine 100 includes a station 10 for preparing containers 1, e.g. washing station, aimed at cleaning the containers 1 of all potential contaminating agents.
- the above agents are usually powders and residues of the processing, which the containers have undergone previously.
- a sterilization and cooling station 20, situated downstream of the preparation station 10, is aimed at receiving the containers 1, already cleaned but not yet sterilized, in order to heat sterilize them and to prepare them for subsequent filling operations.
- the sterilization and cooling station 20 includes a heat sterilization tunnel 21, connected upstream to the washing station 10, and a containers 1 cooling area, following the tunnel 21 and including substantially a closed environment, which consists of a moving belt 22 and a device of absolute filtering and of cooling air circulation.
- the belt 22 is aimed at conveying the containers 1, substantially in bulk, to an inlet aperture 3 of a controlled atmosphere chamber 50, with an operation rate such as to allow the cooling up to temperatures compatible with the product to be packaged.
- the above mentioned chamber 50 according to the first embodiment is at 90° with respect to the washing station 10 and the sterilization station 20.
- the chamber 50 is aimed at receiving a filling station 30 and a closing station 40 of the containers 1, where the containers cannot get in contact with contaminating agents, both particulate (powder) or biological (microorganisms).
- the chamber 50 is particularly shaped in such a way, as to assure, first, that the contaminating agents do not penetrate thereinside from the outer environment, and second, that there are no accumulations of residues, even minimal, of the above mentioned contaminating agents (with the subsequent proliferation thereof in case of microorganisms), which possibly manage to penetrate into the chamber.
- the chamber 50 is defined by a bottom wall 51, an upper wall 52, a lateral outer wall 53, a front wall 54, a back wall 55, and a lateral, inner, airtight wall 56.
- the latter is made in one body with the filling station 30 and the closing station 40, longitudinal and lateral thereto, and is aimed at isolating the above mentioned work stations from the respective operating means 60.
- the operating means 60 are situated in a longitudinal space 61 of the packaging machine 100, adjacent to the chamber 50 and separated therefrom by the lateral, inner wall 56.
- the operating means 60 are properly connected to the respective work stations, by airtight passages, made in the lateral, inner wall 56.
- the flow generating means 70 situated in a position corresponding to the upper wall 52, are aimed at generating a flow of purified air, substantially laminar, directed to the bottom 51 of the chamber 50, and involving the filling station 30 and the closing station 40.
- the flow generating means 70 include, arranged according to known techniques, fans and HEPA filters of a class suitable to the purification required for the chamber 50, which depends on the requirements of the product to be packaged.
- the fans are aimed at withdrawing air from the outside environment, as well as from a re-circulation conduit 80, in prefixed proportions.
- the re-circulation conduit 80 extends from an aperture 81, made in the bottom wall 51, in the lower part of the packaging machine 100, then along an ascender section, made outside the space 61, up to an inlet 72, made in the flow generating means 70.
- the aperture 81 extends preferably in the bottom wall 51, for most of the longitudinal extension of the chamber 50, and possibly along the whole extension thereof.
- the lateral, inner wall 56 is particularly shaped to convey the laminar flow 71 from the upper part of the chamber 50, through the filling station 30 and the closing station 40, toward the bottom of the chamber 50, offering a minimum resistance to the feeding of the flow and thus minimizing the generation of turbulent motions.
- the lateral, inner wall 56 includes a lower section 56a, substantially vertical, which extends from the bottom wall 51 and defines a minimum width of the chamber 50.
- An intermediate section 56b extends oblique from the lower section 56a, so as to widen gradually the chamber 50 in a region corresponding to the work stations 30, 40.
- An upper section 56c extends vertically from the end of the intermediate section 56b up to the upper wall 51.
- the above described conformation of the lateral, inner wall 56 allows advantageously to house the operating means 60 of the work stations 30, 40, which are contained in the chamber 50, in the space 61, immediately below the intermediate section 56b of the 56.
- the preparation station 10 and the sterilization and cooling station 20 of the packaging machine 100 are aligned with the subsequent filling station 30 and the closing station 40.
- Such a configuration functionally identical to the one described in the first embodiment, allows a reduction of the width of the packaging machine 100, increasing its total length.
- the inlet aperture 3 for the sterilized containers is wider, thus it allows a better flow of the sterilized containers from the sterilization and cooling station 20 to the filling station 30.
- the chamber 50 includes also, for merely constructive reasons, a lateral, inner wall 156 shaped differently.
- the lateral, inner wall 156 includes also an upper section 156c, divided in two different parts, first 157 and second 158, substantially vertical and mutually staggered, so as to further widen the upper part of the chamber 50.
- the first part 157 and the second part 158 are connected by a substantially horizontal plate 159.
- the filling station 30 includes an inlet belt 31, aimed at receiving the containers 1 in bulk, coming from the cooling station 20 through the inlet aperture 3.
- Feeding means 32, 33 are situated downstream of the belt 31 for withdrawing single containers and feeding them orderly.
- FIGS 1 and 5 show feeding means 32, which include a linear screw conveyor of prefixed pitch.
- the packaging machine 100 includes feeding means 33, which are a carrousel feeder, having seats 33a, situated along its edge at a prefixed pitch.
- An endless conveyor 34 having a plurality of seats 34a, arranged with the same pitch as the above mentioned feeding means 32, 33, is situated subsequent thereto, and is operated in step relation therewith, to receive therefrom the containers 1 and to bring the latter below a linear filling device 36, of tracking type, and then near the closing station 40.
- the machine includes also transferring means 35, situated immediately downstream of the conveyor 34 for transferring the containers 1 to the closing station 40 in a prefixed sequence.
- the transferring means include in particular a group of carrousel conveyors 35a, 35b, arranged one after the other and operated to rotate in step relation with the conveyor 34 feeding.
- the closing station 40 includes a cap applying device, with a carrousel, operated continuously and in step relation with the already briefly described means of the filling station 30.
- the closing station includes a screw conveyor 42 for withdrawing the containers 1 from the filling station.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
- Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
- Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to packaging of products in a protected environment.
- In particular, the invention relates to a machine for filling and closing bottles or similar containers in a protected, sterile environment with high purification level. Such a machine is known e.g. from
GB 1 522 654 - It is known that different products, especially pharmaceutical products, must be packaged avoiding any kind of contamination of the product, either by dust particles or others, or by bacteria or other infecting agents.
- Such products are packaged in environments formed by chambers, which are kept constantly sterile and without contaminating particles, or at least keeping the presence of these particles within the prefixed limits, which depend on the requirements of the product to be packaged.
- The above results in the sterile chambers can be obtained by apparatuses, which allow their sterilization, particular absolute filters (HEPA filters - High Efficiency Particulate Air), purifying the air introduced into the environment, as well as the controlled paths for the operators entrance and exit.
- The operators must also undergo dressing, sterilization and decontamination procedures each time they enter the above chamber.
- The packaging machines working in such environments must be sterilizable and the operation means for feeding the product, transporting the containers and packaging the product must be produced with particular materials and techniques.
- The power means for the above mentioned operation means, which could likewise release dust or other contaminating substances, must be entirely sealed, so as to be isolated from the sterile and purified operation environment.
- The packaging operations performed in the above described environments are extremely expensive, difficult and little efficient.
- Actually, the costs of construction and maintenance of the sterile chambers are particularly high.
- The packaging machines working therein must be much more reliable than the average, since each failure, requiring maintenance technician's intervention, causes almost inevitably, the necessity to sterilize and purify again the whole sterile chamber and its contents.
- Moreover, the work of the operators of these machines and carrying out other complementary operations, is rather complicated and hard.
- Some of the above disadvantages are avoided by the widespread packaging machines, in which only the spaces surrounding the means for containers transport and for product packaging are isolated from outside and brought to the necessary sterility and purity conditions.
- This result has been obtained by apparatuses, in which the above means are closed by the walls, usually transparent or semitransparent, fastened tightly to the machine body.
- The machines are usually obtained by assembling work stations and transport devices designed separately and then joined together, as it occurs generally with the packaging machines for products, which do not require the above mentioned safety measures.
- A flow of air, purified with HEPA filters of suitable class and having pressure slightly higher than the atmosphere pressure, circulates inside the so obtained environments, substantially isolated from outside, except for inlet and outlet of containers to fill.
- There are also systems, for sterilizing the isolated environments.
- The flow of air circulating inside the isolated environments must be as laminar as possible, so as to avoid the creation of turbulence, which could raise the residue particles, which are anyway present in some areas of the packaging machine, and thus could contaminate the packaged product.
- However, the creation of a suitable laminar flow during the design of the packaging machine, is not a simple operation.
- The presence of irregular or cantilevered surfaces, the conformation of the transport and packaging devices, as well as the presence of elements connecting different machine work stations or the areas along the path followed by the flow of air, containing mechanisms for operating the above mentioned devices, contribute to disturb considerably the laminar flow.
- Further, the above mentioned mechanisms are often kept inside the packaging machine in positions, which are hardly accessible for the maintenance or fault repairing operations.
- It results obvious from the above explanation that the users need machines for packaging products in sterile and clean environment, which have optimized the circulation of purified air inside the sterile and clean environments, as well as the arrangement of the devices for operating the working and transport stations.
- The main object of the present invention is to propose a structure of machine for packaging products in a sterile and/or pure environment, which wholly fulfills the above specified needs.
- Another object of the present invention is to propose a packaging machine, in which the operating devices are easily accessible for maintenance and fault repairing operations and do not contaminate the sterile or clean area.
- A further object of the present invention is to propose a packaging machine, which is particularly compact and accessible.
- The above mentioned objects are wholly obtained in accordance with the contents of the claims.
- The characteristic features of the invention, as they will result from the claims, are pointed out in the following detailed description, with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:
-
Figure 1 is a schematic, top view of a packaging machine, produced according to the invention, in a preferred embodiment; -
Figure 2 is a schematic, lateral section view, taken along the II - II, of the packaging machine ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the particular X ofFigure 2 ; -
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the particular Y ofFigure 2 ; -
Figure 5 is a schematic view of a different embodiment of the packaging machine according to the invention; -
Figure 6 is a schematic, lateral section view, taken along the VI - VI, of the packaging machine ofFigure 5 ; -
Figure 7 shows a different conformation of the device for feeding containers to the packaging machines ofFigure 1 and6 . - With regard to
Figures 1 and2 , thereference numeral 100 indicates the whole of a machine for packaging products intorelative containers 1, obtained according to a first embodiment of the invention. - The
machine 100 is particularly suitable for filling andclosing containers 1, e.g. bottles, with products, which must be packaged in sterile environment, substantially free of particulate contaminating agents, such as some pharmaceutical products. - In the configuration shown in the above mentioned Figures, the
machine 100 includes a plurality of work stations, situated one after another. - The detailed structure and operation of each of the above work stations are substantially known, and thus they will not be analyzed in the next part of the present description.
- In particular, the
machine 100 includes astation 10 for preparingcontainers 1, e.g. washing station, aimed at cleaning thecontainers 1 of all potential contaminating agents. - The above agents are usually powders and residues of the processing, which the containers have undergone previously.
- A sterilization and
cooling station 20, situated downstream of thepreparation station 10, is aimed at receiving thecontainers 1, already cleaned but not yet sterilized, in order to heat sterilize them and to prepare them for subsequent filling operations. - The sterilization and
cooling station 20 includes aheat sterilization tunnel 21, connected upstream to thewashing station 10, and acontainers 1 cooling area, following thetunnel 21 and including substantially a closed environment, which consists of a movingbelt 22 and a device of absolute filtering and of cooling air circulation. - The
belt 22 is aimed at conveying thecontainers 1, substantially in bulk, to aninlet aperture 3 of a controlledatmosphere chamber 50, with an operation rate such as to allow the cooling up to temperatures compatible with the product to be packaged. - The above mentioned
chamber 50 according to the first embodiment, is at 90° with respect to thewashing station 10 and thesterilization station 20. - The
chamber 50 is aimed at receiving afilling station 30 and aclosing station 40 of thecontainers 1, where the containers cannot get in contact with contaminating agents, both particulate (powder) or biological (microorganisms). - The
chamber 50 is particularly shaped in such a way, as to assure, first, that the contaminating agents do not penetrate thereinside from the outer environment, and second, that there are no accumulations of residues, even minimal, of the above mentioned contaminating agents (with the subsequent proliferation thereof in case of microorganisms), which possibly manage to penetrate into the chamber. - The
chamber 50 is defined by abottom wall 51, anupper wall 52, a lateralouter wall 53, afront wall 54, aback wall 55, and a lateral, inner,airtight wall 56. - The latter is made in one body with the
filling station 30 and theclosing station 40, longitudinal and lateral thereto, and is aimed at isolating the above mentioned work stations from the respective operating means 60. - For this purpose, the operating means 60 are situated in a
longitudinal space 61 of thepackaging machine 100, adjacent to thechamber 50 and separated therefrom by the lateral,inner wall 56. - The operating means 60 are properly connected to the respective work stations, by airtight passages, made in the lateral,
inner wall 56. - The flow generating means 70, situated in a position corresponding to the
upper wall 52, are aimed at generating a flow of purified air, substantially laminar, directed to thebottom 51 of thechamber 50, and involving thefilling station 30 and theclosing station 40. - For this purpose, the flow generating means 70 include, arranged according to known techniques, fans and HEPA filters of a class suitable to the purification required for the
chamber 50, which depends on the requirements of the product to be packaged. - The fans are aimed at withdrawing air from the outside environment, as well as from a
re-circulation conduit 80, in prefixed proportions. - In particular, it is advantageous to re-circulate the most of the already purified air circulating in the
chamber 50 and to allow a certain discharge of air outwards of thechamber 50, reintegrating the missing quantity with taking new air from outside. - For this purpose the re-circulation conduit 80 (see also
Figure 4 ) extends from anaperture 81, made in thebottom wall 51, in the lower part of thepackaging machine 100, then along an ascender section, made outside thespace 61, up to aninlet 72, made in the flow generating means 70. - The
aperture 81 extends preferably in thebottom wall 51, for most of the longitudinal extension of thechamber 50, and possibly along the whole extension thereof. - Thus, the flow of air, which reaches the bottom of the
chamber 50, is extracted without creating turbulences on the bottom or flows of air returning to the work stations. - The lateral,
inner wall 56 is particularly shaped to convey thelaminar flow 71 from the upper part of thechamber 50, through thefilling station 30 and theclosing station 40, toward the bottom of thechamber 50, offering a minimum resistance to the feeding of the flow and thus minimizing the generation of turbulent motions. - The lateral,
inner wall 56 includes alower section 56a, substantially vertical, which extends from thebottom wall 51 and defines a minimum width of thechamber 50. - An
intermediate section 56b extends oblique from thelower section 56a, so as to widen gradually thechamber 50 in a region corresponding to thework stations - An
upper section 56c extends vertically from the end of theintermediate section 56b up to theupper wall 51. - The above described conformation of the lateral,
inner wall 56 allows advantageously to house theoperating means 60 of thework stations chamber 50, in thespace 61, immediately below theintermediate section 56b of the 56. - This makes particularly efficient the positioning of the operating means 60 and their accessibility for maintenance and possible repairs, assuring at the same time an advantageous conformation of the
chamber 50, regarding the conveying of the laminar flow toward the bottom thereof. - According to a second embodiment, shown in
Figures 5 and6 , thepreparation station 10 and the sterilization andcooling station 20 of thepackaging machine 100 are aligned with thesubsequent filling station 30 and theclosing station 40. - Such a configuration, functionally identical to the one described in the first embodiment, allows a reduction of the width of the
packaging machine 100, increasing its total length. - In the above mentioned configuration, the
inlet aperture 3 for the sterilized containers is wider, thus it allows a better flow of the sterilized containers from the sterilization andcooling station 20 to the fillingstation 30. - The
chamber 50 includes also, for merely constructive reasons, a lateral,inner wall 156 shaped differently. - Actually, its lower section 156a and
intermediate section 156b are made as the corresponding sections of thewall 56 according to the first embodiment. - The lateral,
inner wall 156 includes also an upper section 156c, divided in two different parts, first 157 and second 158, substantially vertical and mutually staggered, so as to further widen the upper part of thechamber 50. - The
first part 157 and thesecond part 158 are connected by a substantiallyhorizontal plate 159. - The filling
station 30 includes aninlet belt 31, aimed at receiving thecontainers 1 in bulk, coming from thecooling station 20 through theinlet aperture 3. - Feeding means 32, 33 are situated downstream of the
belt 31 for withdrawing single containers and feeding them orderly. -
Figures 1 and5 show feeding means 32, which include a linear screw conveyor of prefixed pitch. - According to a constructive variant, the
packaging machine 100 includes feeding means 33, which are a carrousel feeder, having seats 33a, situated along its edge at a prefixed pitch. - An
endless conveyor 34, having a plurality ofseats 34a, arranged with the same pitch as the above mentioned feeding means 32, 33, is situated subsequent thereto, and is operated in step relation therewith, to receive therefrom thecontainers 1 and to bring the latter below alinear filling device 36, of tracking type, and then near the closingstation 40. - The machine includes also transferring
means 35, situated immediately downstream of theconveyor 34 for transferring thecontainers 1 to theclosing station 40 in a prefixed sequence. - The transferring means include in particular a group of
carrousel conveyors conveyor 34 feeding. - The closing
station 40 includes a cap applying device, with a carrousel, operated continuously and in step relation with the already briefly described means of the fillingstation 30. - The closing station includes a
screw conveyor 42 for withdrawing thecontainers 1 from the filling station. - The structure of the above described work stations, situated inside the
chamber 50, is known in itself, or anyway protected separately by different and independent patent applications, and it will not be described, because it is not strictly relevant to the objects of the invention. - Therefore, it is understood that different configurations of the
packaging machine 100 according to the present invention, are possible, like the presence of further devices and functional blocks, not described here.
Claims (5)
- Packaging machine for packaging products into containers (1) in a protected environment, the machine including a plurality of work stations, respectively, a station (10) for preparing said containers (1), a station (20) for their sterilization and cooling, a container filling station (30) and a container closing station (40), at least said filling station (30) and closing station (40) being situated aligned one after the other, in a controlled environment chamber (50), said chamber (50) being defined by a bottom wall (51), an upper wall (52), a lateral, outer wall (53), front (54) and back (55) walls, and by a lateral, inner, airtight wall (56, 156), which is situated longitudinally and laterally with respect to the filling station (30) and the closing station (40), for isolating them from respective operating means (60), which are mechanically connected to respective work stations through airtight passages, made in the lateral, inner wall (56, 156), with flow generating means (70) being situated in said upper wall (52) for creating and filtering a laminar flow of air (71), directed to said bottom (51) and involving at least said filling station (30) and the closing station (40), characterized in that said lateral inner wall (56) of said chamber (50) includes a substantially vertical lower section (56a), extending from said bottom wall (51), an oblique intermediate section (56b), extending from said lower section (56a), so as to widen gradually the chamber (50) in a region corresponding to said work stations (30, 40), and a substantially vertical upper section (56c, 156c), extending from said intermediate section (56b) up to said upper wall (52).
- Packaging machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said upper section (156c) being divided into two separated parts, a first part (157) and a second part (158), which are substantially vertical and mutually staggered, so as to further widen the upper part of the chamber (50), said first part (157) and second part (158) being connected by a substantially horizontal plate (159).
- Packaging machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one re-circulation conduit (80) of the purified air introduced into said airtight chamber (50) by said flow generating means (70), which extend from an aperture (81), made in said bottom wall (51), to an inlet (72) of the flow generating means (70), said conduit bringing at least a part of the flow of air circulating inside the chamber (50) back to the inlet of said flow generating means (70).
- Packaging machine, as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said re-circulation conduit (80) extends substantially along the whole length of said airtight chamber (50).
- Packaging machine, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said laminar flow of air (71) inside the chamber (50) is in overpressure with respect to the environment external thereto.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000626A ITBO20040626A1 (en) | 2004-10-13 | 2004-10-13 | MACHINE FOR PACKAGING PRODUCTS IN A PROTECTED ENVIRONMENT |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1647488A2 EP1647488A2 (en) | 2006-04-19 |
EP1647488A3 EP1647488A3 (en) | 2006-04-26 |
EP1647488B1 true EP1647488B1 (en) | 2008-02-27 |
Family
ID=35510943
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP05021918A Expired - Fee Related EP1647488B1 (en) | 2004-10-13 | 2005-10-07 | Machine for packaging products in a protected environment |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060075721A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1647488B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602005004978T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2302109T3 (en) |
IT (1) | ITBO20040626A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITBO20060183A1 (en) * | 2006-03-15 | 2007-09-16 | Pietro Dovesi | METHOD FOR PACKAGING BOTTLES IN A STERILE ENVIRONMENT AND APPARATUS THAT ACTIVES THIS METHOD |
ITBO20060275A1 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2007-10-14 | Arcotronics Technologies Srl | PACKAGING MACHINE |
JP4940944B2 (en) * | 2006-12-28 | 2012-05-30 | 澁谷工業株式会社 | Container filling system |
FR2923474B1 (en) * | 2007-11-13 | 2013-08-16 | Sidel Participations | FILLING UNIT FOR CONTAINERS COMPRISING AN ISOLATOR, IN PARTICULAR FOR A PRODUCTION PLANT |
DE102009040924A1 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2011-03-24 | Khs Gmbh | Plant for the sterile filling of products, in particular of drinks in bottles or similar containers |
IT1399863B1 (en) * | 2010-05-05 | 2013-05-09 | Marchesini Group Spa | CAPPING DEVICE |
EP2420450A1 (en) * | 2010-08-17 | 2012-02-22 | Aseptic Technologies | Apparatus for filling a product into a container under aseptic conditions |
FR3020800B1 (en) * | 2014-05-09 | 2017-08-25 | Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmetique | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ASEPTIC FILLING |
IT201600078604A1 (en) * | 2016-07-27 | 2018-01-27 | I M A Industria Macch Automatiche S P A In Sigla Ima S P A | TRANSPORT GROUP FOR PHARMACEUTICAL CONTAINER PACKAGES |
CN109626307B (en) * | 2019-01-16 | 2023-09-15 | 长沙市中一制药机械有限公司 | Linear tracking type filling and cap screwing integrated machine capable of being cleaned and sterilized on line |
WO2021154894A1 (en) * | 2020-01-27 | 2021-08-05 | Sanfilippo Tech, Llc. | System for aseptic packaging and method of using the same |
Family Cites Families (29)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB862517A (en) * | 1958-03-17 | 1961-03-08 | Holstein & Kappert Maschf | Improvements in or relating to the heating of carbonated beverages |
US3314519A (en) * | 1965-04-14 | 1967-04-18 | Aluminum Co Of America | Container transfer |
US3363539A (en) * | 1966-03-17 | 1968-01-16 | Contamination Control Inc | Exhaust system for ultra-clean laminar flow enclosures |
US3891779A (en) * | 1970-07-08 | 1975-06-24 | Rosini Donald A | Aseptic packaging of foods |
US3899862A (en) * | 1971-04-06 | 1975-08-19 | Lever Brothers Ltd | Sterilization of containers |
FR2290352A1 (en) * | 1974-11-08 | 1976-06-04 | Mach Transformat Plastiques | ASEPTIC PRODUCT PACKAGING PROCESS AND MACHINE INCLUDING APPLICATION |
DE2505355A1 (en) * | 1975-02-08 | 1976-08-19 | Enzinger Union Werke Ag | System for filling and sealing bottles - has rotating star wheel and full bottle transporter with closure device contacting open bottle tops |
US4023473A (en) * | 1976-05-06 | 1977-05-17 | Laboratory Furniture, Inc. | Fume hood |
US4100847A (en) * | 1976-12-20 | 1978-07-18 | Labconco Corporation | Convertible, laminar flow biological safety cabinet apparatus |
US4296068A (en) * | 1979-02-19 | 1981-10-20 | Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha | Apparatus for sterilizing a succession of food containers or the like |
DE3701915A1 (en) * | 1987-01-23 | 1988-08-04 | Finnah Gmbh | Method and machine for the sterile packaging of products in containers |
US4785722A (en) * | 1987-07-28 | 1988-11-22 | Hamilton Industries | Fume hood with step baffles |
SE459730B (en) * | 1987-12-04 | 1989-07-31 | Kabivitrum Ab | APPLIANCES FOR FILLING AND CLOSING BOTTLES CONTAINING A NUMBER OF TREATMENT STATIONS PROVIDED IN A CYCLIC CYCLE |
FR2639321B1 (en) * | 1988-11-18 | 1991-02-22 | Torterotot Roland | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STERILIZING A PACKAGING PLANT FOR FOOD OR PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS |
DE3900448A1 (en) * | 1989-01-10 | 1990-07-12 | Jagenberg Ag | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR STERILIZING STACKED PACKING ELEMENTS, IN PARTICULAR BOWLS, LID OD. DGL. |
DE3927911A1 (en) * | 1989-08-24 | 1991-02-28 | Alfill Getraenketechnik | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FILLING AND SEALING CAN |
US5230203A (en) * | 1992-04-10 | 1993-07-27 | Coors Brewing Company | Apparatus and method for providing sealed containers filled with a liquid |
US5848515A (en) * | 1995-08-11 | 1998-12-15 | Rossi & Catelli S.P.A. | Continuous-cycle sterile bottling plant |
IT1285652B1 (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 1998-06-18 | Marchesini Group Spa | MACHINE FOR FILLING AND CAPPING CONTAINERS |
DE19642987A1 (en) * | 1996-10-18 | 1998-04-23 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance | Method and device for sterilizing and filling packaging containers |
ATE200269T1 (en) * | 1997-01-07 | 2001-04-15 | Gea Finnah Gmbh | METHOD AND MACHINE FOR PREPARING BOTTLES FOR FILLING AND FILLING THE BOTTLES |
DE19731796A1 (en) * | 1997-07-24 | 1999-01-28 | Kronseder Maschf Krones | Method and device for high-purity bottling of beverages |
US6080058A (en) * | 1997-09-26 | 2000-06-27 | Pfizer Inc. | Hood door airfoil |
US5924920A (en) * | 1998-01-15 | 1999-07-20 | Flow Safe, Inc. | Fume hood having a bi-stable vortex |
DE19806520A1 (en) * | 1998-02-17 | 1999-08-19 | Ruediger Haaga Gmbh | Process for sterilization, filling and sealing of product container using low pressure plasma as sterilizing agent |
DE19817735C1 (en) * | 1998-04-21 | 1999-11-11 | Fehland Engineering Gmbh | Beverage filling device |
US6082418A (en) * | 1998-06-10 | 2000-07-04 | Crown Simplimatic Incorporated | Aseptic container filling assembly |
DE19960155A1 (en) * | 1999-12-14 | 2001-06-21 | Hassia Verpackung Ag | Method and device for pre-sterilizing sterile rooms on packaging machines |
US20020083682A1 (en) * | 2000-10-31 | 2002-07-04 | N. E. Consulting Services, Llc | Aseptic bottle filling system |
-
2004
- 2004-10-13 IT IT000626A patent/ITBO20040626A1/en unknown
-
2005
- 2005-10-07 EP EP05021918A patent/EP1647488B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-10-07 ES ES05021918T patent/ES2302109T3/en active Active
- 2005-10-07 DE DE602005004978T patent/DE602005004978T2/en active Active
- 2005-10-11 US US11/248,447 patent/US20060075721A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ITBO20040626A1 (en) | 2005-01-13 |
US20060075721A1 (en) | 2006-04-13 |
DE602005004978D1 (en) | 2008-04-10 |
EP1647488A3 (en) | 2006-04-26 |
DE602005004978T2 (en) | 2009-02-26 |
ES2302109T3 (en) | 2008-07-01 |
EP1647488A2 (en) | 2006-04-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1647488B1 (en) | Machine for packaging products in a protected environment | |
EP2279850B1 (en) | Method and plant for producing, filling and closing containers | |
US5687542A (en) | Isolation module for molding and packaging articles substantially free from contaminants | |
CA2694523C (en) | Active sterilization zone for container filling | |
JP4955924B2 (en) | Equipment for filling liquid filling under aseptic conditions | |
EP1357081B1 (en) | Aseptic filling machine | |
JP5107340B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for feeding product to packaging machine | |
US11434032B2 (en) | Modular aseptic production system | |
US20050042710A1 (en) | Sterility sampling test method and apparatus | |
CN102218424B (en) | Device and method for handling containers | |
JP6463272B2 (en) | Cleaning work device | |
US20090249744A1 (en) | Packing machine | |
CN218704234U (en) | Packing plant of butyronitrile gloves |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B65B 55/02 20060101AFI20060116BHEP Ipc: B65B 43/42 20060101ALI20060309BHEP Ipc: B67C 7/00 20060101ALI20060309BHEP |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20061024 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): DE ES FR IT |
|
R17C | First examination report despatched (corrected) |
Effective date: 20061215 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE ES FR IT |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 602005004978 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20080410 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2302109 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20081128 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 13 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20211110 Year of fee payment: 17 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20211111 Year of fee payment: 17 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20211028 Year of fee payment: 17 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20211026 Year of fee payment: 17 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 602005004978 Country of ref document: DE |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230426 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20221031 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230503 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20221007 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FD2A Effective date: 20231127 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20221008 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20221008 |