EP1755961B1 - Device for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of flexible and soft laminar material - Google Patents

Device for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of flexible and soft laminar material Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1755961B1
EP1755961B1 EP05746601A EP05746601A EP1755961B1 EP 1755961 B1 EP1755961 B1 EP 1755961B1 EP 05746601 A EP05746601 A EP 05746601A EP 05746601 A EP05746601 A EP 05746601A EP 1755961 B1 EP1755961 B1 EP 1755961B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sterilizing
filling
antechamber
container
containers
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.)
Active
Application number
EP05746601A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1755961A1 (en
Inventor
Josep Portoles Cebria
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Volpak SA
Original Assignee
Volpak SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Volpak SA filed Critical Volpak SA
Priority to PL05746601T priority Critical patent/PL1755961T3/pl
Publication of EP1755961A1 publication Critical patent/EP1755961A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1755961B1 publication Critical patent/EP1755961B1/en
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    • 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
    • B65B55/04—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging
    • B65B55/10—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging by liquids or gases
    • 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
    • B65B55/025—Packaging in aseptic tunnels
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/06—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it
    • B65B9/08—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in a longitudinally-folded web, or in a web folded into a tube about the articles or quantities of material placed upon it in a web folded and sealed transversely to form pockets which are subsequently filled and then closed by sealing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of flexible and soft laminar material, which comprises a container preshaping station, followed by a shaping and filling chamber; a container sealing station and a container unloading station.
  • the invention also relates to a procedure for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of flexible and soft material.
  • sterile conditions such as, for example, high temperatures or the use of sterilizing fluids or solutions such as hydrogen peroxide solutions.
  • Patent US 4,992,247 discloses a sterilization system comprising a closed circuit which connects a sterile-air sprinkler to spray a mixture of air, hydrogen peroxide and water vapour maintained at 200°F, said sterilization system being adaptable to a device for the shaping, filling with products and sealing of containers.
  • the mixture of hot air and 35% hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with the containers after they are shaped and before being filled with the product.
  • the system provides for the mixture to be recirculated towards the aforementioned sprinkler.
  • Patent US 6,120,730 discloses an alternative sterilization method for cardboard containers or plastic bottles, especially for containing products which, due to their high acidity level, may be stored without refrigeration.
  • the containers are processed in a shaping, filling and sealing station, and are sterilized once they have been preshaped via successive and alternating stages of hot air injection and gas-phase hydrogen peroxide.
  • the working temperatures needed in the sterilizing tunnel range from between 40°C and 150°C, it being understood that the temperature of hot air injected is between 200°C and 300°C.
  • the high temperatures used which entail high production costs, are needed to prevent the gas-phase hydrogen peroxide from condensing inside the containers. For this same reason, the concentration of gas-phase hydrogen peroxide is kept below 53%.
  • the container to be sterilized is of a plastic bottle or aluminized cardboard type.
  • EP1245493 discloses an apparatus for forming, filling and sealing of flexible containers according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • No effective solutions are known for sterilizing containers made of a flexible laminar material, which is folded and generally soldered by thermofusion to shape the container.
  • the present invention forms a proposal to solve the problems raised above and brings numerous advantages to the state of the art.
  • the device for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of flexible and soft laminar material with a container preshaping station, followed by a filling chamber; a container sealing station and an unloading station for filled containers, is characterized by the features according to claim 1.
  • the temperature in the sterilizing antechamber is equal to or lower than 70°C, and therefore the temperature of the preshaping station, filling tunnel, sealing station and unloading station of the containers is kept at ambient temperature.
  • the temperature of the sterilizing antechamber is preferably between 40°C and 70°C.
  • the temperature in the sterilizing antechamber is preferably between 40°C and 70°C.
  • the device is also characterized in that the pressure in the sterilizing antechamber is greater than the pressure in the preshaping station and lower than or equal to the pressure in the sterile filling tunnel.
  • the pressure in the sterilizing antechamber is lower than the pressure in the preshaping station and the filling tunnel in sterile conditions.
  • the preshaping station and, at least, the sterile filling tunnel have means for supplying air which provide a vertical air flow, perpendicular to the direction in which the containers move.
  • concentration of gas-phase hydrogen peroxide is equal to or lower than 30,000 parts per million (ppm).
  • the device according to the invention is also characterized in that the concentration of gas-phase hydrogen peroxide is equal to or lower than 1,500 parts per million (ppm).
  • the procedure being the object of the invention is also characterized in that the container sterilization stage b) is performed at a temperature equal to or lower than 70°C, preferably between a range of 40°C and 70°C, and more preferably between 45°C and 55°C.
  • the procedure being the object of the invention is also characterized in that in the preshaping stage a), the filling stage c), the sealing stage d) and the unloading stage e), the containers are kept at ambient temperature.
  • the sterile air of the sterilizing antechamber enriched with hydrogen peroxide, is evacuated into the atmosphere prior to transformation of the peroxide into water and oxygen via catalysis.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a device 1, of the type usually used for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of flexible and soft material (101, 102, 103, 104), and wherein the characteristic parts of the invention are represented.
  • the device 1 has been shown truncated, not accounting for the usual, known elements used to perform the shaping, filling and sealing of the containers. It can be seen how the device 1 has a container preshaping station 2, followed by a filling chamber 3; a container sealing station 4 and a container unloading station 5.
  • the filling chamber 3 is divided into two clearly-defined areas, the first consisting in a first sterilizing antechamber 6 and the second in a filling tunnel 7 in sterile conditions.
  • the flexible and soft laminar material 15 coming from a reel 16 is folded and cut accordingly to form a preshaped container 101, which defines a cavity suitable for receiving the product.
  • the laminar material 15 of the base 12 and walls 11 of the containers 101 is soldered by using pressure and heat, consequently forming the watertight cavity which will be filled with the produce in question in the filling tunnel 7 in sterile conditions.
  • means for supplying air 91 are foreseen, which provide a flow (F) of air, vertical and perpendicular with respect to the direction (G) in which the containers 101 move.
  • the sterilizing chamber 6 contains nozzles 8 for injecting, inside the preshaped containers 101 from the preshaping station 2, hot sterile air and gas-phase hydrogen peroxide.
  • Sterile containers 102 are produced in this operation.
  • Fig. 1 three nozzles 8 are shown.
  • the first and third nozzles 81, 83 inject air inside the preshaped containers 101 from the preshaping station 2, to form the sterile containers 102.
  • Said air shown by a dotted arrow (H) is drawn from the atmosphere and filtered by conventional filters 18, such as HEPA filters, and is then heated by normal heating means 17, such as, for example, an electrical resistance.
  • the nozzle 82 injects gas-phase hydrogen peroxide inside the preshaped containers 101, with a concentration that varies according to the relative humidity and temperature of the sterilizing antechamber 6.
  • PHV-type Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide equipment 24, by STERIS, is used to inject hydrogen peroxide gas which, via specific sensors, not shown here, sends humidity and temperature data to a control terminal which, in accordance with said data, carries out the order to inject hydrogen peroxide in non-saturated gas conditions.
  • ambient air is drawn beforehand, which is dehumidified in a drier 19.
  • the temperature inside the sterilizing antechamber 6 is between 40°C and 70°C, and preferably between 45°C and 55°C. Said temperature is what comes from the sterile air injected by the nozzles 81 and 83.
  • the combined effect of the temperature from the soldering equipment used in the preshaping station 2 and the hot air injected from the sterilizing antechamber 6, mean that the antechamber 6 can work up to a range of temperatures of up to 70°C, while also ensuring that the containers 102 are sterilized and made watertight. This is a very important aspect because, in a container type such as the one described, the folded areas of material are critical areas for contamination. Due to the sequence of hot air injection, followed by gas-phase hydrogen peroxide injection, and finally another hot air injection, condensation of the gas-phase hydrogen peroxide is prevented and is eliminated from the inside of the containers 102.
  • the preshaping station 2 the filling tunnel 7, the sealing station 4 and the unloading station 5 of the containers, can be kept at ambient temperature without compromising the organoleptic qualities of the product.
  • the sterilizing antechamber 6 has an evacuating device 20 which comprises a hydrogen peroxide catalyst which transforms the residual hydrogen peroxide in the antechamber 6 into water and oxygen, which can be released into the atmosphere.
  • the filling tunnel in sterile conditions 7, the sealing station 4 and the unloading station 5 have, like the preshaping station 2, means for supplying air 92.
  • These means 92 provide a flow (F) of sterile air, vertical and perpendicular with respect to the direction (G) in which the containers 103 move in the filling tunnel 7, creating in this way a curtain of air which hinders the entry of any particles inside the antechamber of the filling tunnel 7.
  • Added to these means for supplying sterile air 92, is that the resulting pressure in the sterilizing antechamber 6, in the filling tunnel 7 and in the sealing 4 and unloading stations 5 of the containers, is greater than the pressure in the preshaping station 2.
  • the pressure in the antechamber 6 is greater than the pressure in the preshaping station 2, but less than the pressure in the adjoining filling tunnel 7. In this way, any particle from the preshaping station 2 is prevented from entering the antechamber 6 and, at the same time, sterile air from the supply means 92 provided in the filling tunnel 7, enters the sterilizing antechamber 6, ensuring a sterile atmosphere.
  • the pressure in the different stations can be regulated in accordance with the pressure of the atmosphere.
  • the sealing station 4 and the unloading station 5 have means for injecting sterile air (F), in the same way as the filling tunnel in sterile conditions 7, there is the non-exclusive possibility that the sealing 4 and unloading stations 5 have other methods for ensuring a sterile atmosphere, such as ultraviolet radiation lamps, or any other method suitable for sterilizing.
  • F sterile air
  • the filling nozzles 21 are represented diagrammatically in the filling tunnel in sterile conditions 7.
  • the containers 103 are transported to the sealing station 4 which is obviously also sterilized.
  • sealing of the containers is done via heat fusion and pressure on the material on the upper part 13 of the filled containers 103 and a sterile lid 14 is also fitted from a dispenser 22.
  • There are obviously alternative ways of sealing the containers 103 consisting in, for example, sealing by heat fusion and pressure on the material without a lid 14. Other sealing methods are also considered wherein the lid 14 is added before reaching the sealing station 4.
  • the containers 104 are collected in the unloading station 5 and taken to a normal packing station 23 for subsequent distribution.
  • containers of soft and flexible material 101, 102, 103, 104 can be manufactured at an average rate of 60 cycles per minute, more than one container being processed in each cycle.
  • each cycle of preshaping, first injection of sterile air, injection of hydrogen peroxide gas, filling, etc. runs at a rate of, for example, two containers 101, 102, 103, 104 per cycle.
  • Said parameters correspond to the usual ones in this type of device and manufacturing process, in such a way that the added characteristic of sterilizing the containers 101, 102, 103, 104 does not affect their production.
  • this technical solution of providing a first sterilizing antechamber 6 and a second filling tunnel in sterile conditions 7 which allows sterilization at relatively low temperatures and with controlled concentrations of gas-phase hydrogen peroxide applies to any device 1 for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of soft and flexible laminar material without moving away from the object of the invention. It can thus be considered for use with devices 1 and procedures that operate at different rates or which are complemented by a variety of accessories for improving the shaping, filling or sealing of containers 101, 102, 103, 104.
  • the device 1 Prior to its use for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of soft and flexible laminar material, the device 1 according to the invention must be completely conditioned and sterilized in those areas or regions requiring a sterile atmosphere. For this, the device must be washed according to the standard procedures, using, for example, disinfectant solutions and steam, but also, because it has many nozzles 8 for injecting gas-phase hydrogen peroxide, this gas is also used for the prior sterilization of the device stations which must be kept in sterile conditions during operation, which includes, the sterilizing antechamber 6, the filling tunnel 7 and the sealing station 4.
  • a variation of the present invention consists in a device 1 made up by a filling chamber 3, a container sealing station 4 and an unloading station 5, and is a device 1 without the preshaping station 5, but wherein the filling chamber 3 consists in a first sterilizing antechamber 6 and a second filling tunnel in sterile conditions 7.
  • the filling chamber 3 consists in a first sterilizing antechamber 6 and a second filling tunnel in sterile conditions 7.
  • the pressure in the sterilizing antechamber 6 is negative or lower than ambient pressure, while the pressure in the filling tunnel in sterile conditions 7 has a positive value or one greater than atmospheric pressure.
  • the device 1 made up by a filling chamber 3, a container sealing station 4 and an unloading station 5, can be situated in an adjacent position in any area or room, ensuring that the hydrogen peroxide will be taken to the evacuating catalyser device 20 and will not be leaked in the room wherein the device 1 is located.
  • this pressure relationship may itself be applied to a device 1 which comprises a preshaping station 2, this causes the pressure in the sterilizing antechamber 6 to be lower than atmospheric pressure, the preshaping station 2 being joined to the sterilizing antechamber 6 acting as a means of protection against leakage of the gas-phase hydrogen peroxide into the room and, therefore, while it ensures that the pressure in the filling tunnel in sterile conditions 7 is higher than that in the sterilizing antechamber 6, this makes no difference if the pressure in the antechamber 6 is or is not lower than the atmospheric pressure in the preshaping station 2.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)
EP05746601A 2004-06-10 2005-06-01 Device for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of flexible and soft laminar material Active EP1755961B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL05746601T PL1755961T3 (pl) 2004-06-10 2005-06-01 Urządzenie do kształtowania, napełniania i uszczelniania pojemników z elastycznego i miękkiego uwarstwionego materiału

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES200401413A ES2255815B1 (es) 2004-06-10 2004-06-10 Dispositivo y procedimiento para la conformacion, llenado y sellado de envases de material laminar flexible y flacido.
PCT/EP2005/005873 WO2005120960A1 (en) 2004-06-10 2005-06-01 Device for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of flexible and soft laminar material

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1755961A1 EP1755961A1 (en) 2007-02-28
EP1755961B1 true EP1755961B1 (en) 2008-11-26

Family

ID=34968830

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05746601A Active EP1755961B1 (en) 2004-06-10 2005-06-01 Device for the shaping, filling and sealing of containers of flexible and soft laminar material

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1755961B1 (es)
AT (1) ATE415347T1 (es)
DE (1) DE602005011278D1 (es)
ES (2) ES2255815B1 (es)
PL (1) PL1755961T3 (es)
WO (1) WO2005120960A1 (es)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006035963A1 (de) * 2006-08-02 2008-02-07 Khs Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Folienbeuteln
DE102007003334A1 (de) 2007-01-17 2008-08-07 Khs Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur kontinuierlichen Sterilisierung von Beutelverpackungen
DE102007015754B3 (de) 2007-03-30 2008-05-29 Khs Ag Anlage sowie Verfahren zum sterilen Verpacken von Produkten
EP2055638B1 (en) * 2007-11-05 2012-06-06 Proaseptic Technologies S.L.U. Machine with outside chamber for horizontally manufacturing flexible sheet material packagings
SE533904C2 (sv) * 2008-07-22 2011-03-01 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Förpackningsmaskin och förpackningsförfarande
US8176711B2 (en) 2009-01-23 2012-05-15 Proaseptic Technologies S.L.U. Machine for horizontally manufacturing flexible sheet material packagings with outside chamber
AU2010214151B2 (en) 2009-02-13 2015-06-11 Mhm Ip Limited Sterilisation services apparatus and method of sterilisation
SE533798C2 (sv) * 2009-04-01 2011-01-18 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Säkerhetskammare som skall användas i en förpackningsmaskin
EP2448830B1 (en) * 2009-07-03 2016-12-14 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Packaging machine and packaging method
EP2308758A1 (en) 2009-10-07 2011-04-13 IASOPOR - Equipamentos de Embalagem, Umipessoal, Lda Method and apparatus for manufacturing and filling flexible containers as well as the container obtained
CN105934390B (zh) * 2013-09-02 2019-07-12 B.布劳恩医疗公司 柔性容器及其制造系统和制造方法
DE102015122876A1 (de) * 2015-12-28 2017-06-29 Sig Technology Ag Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Sterilisieren bei der Abfüllung vorzugsweise flüssiger Lebensmittel in Packungsbehälter

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3941306A (en) * 1972-06-23 1976-03-02 Weikert Roy J System of interconnected, sealed and unsealed bags
US4992247A (en) * 1989-05-11 1991-02-12 Elopak Systems, A.G. Container sterilization system
GB9022268D0 (en) * 1990-10-13 1990-11-28 Cmb Foodcan Plc Sterilising apparatus
DE69416415T2 (de) * 1993-08-18 1999-09-02 Inpaco Corp. Verfahren und vorrichtung zum herstellen und füllen eines beutels mit einem mundstück
US6039922A (en) * 1997-08-15 2000-03-21 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, Sa UV radiation and vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide sterilization packaging
US6120730A (en) * 1998-06-26 2000-09-19 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, Sa Heat and hydrogen peroxide gas sterilization of container
DE19945500C2 (de) * 1998-09-22 2003-05-22 Sig Combibloc Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Entkeimen von Behältern in einer Füllmaschine
CH695610A5 (de) * 2000-11-06 2006-07-14 Sig Combibloc Int Ag Verfahren und Anlage zum Verpacken von Flüssigkeiten und/oder stückigen Produkten in Standbeutel.
US6779318B2 (en) * 2001-02-21 2004-08-24 The Coca-Cola Company System and method for continuously forming, sealing and filling flexible packages

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2255815B1 (es) 2007-08-01
PL1755961T3 (pl) 2009-04-30
ATE415347T1 (de) 2008-12-15
ES2315871T3 (es) 2009-04-01
DE602005011278D1 (de) 2009-01-08
EP1755961A1 (en) 2007-02-28
WO2005120960A1 (en) 2005-12-22
ES2255815A1 (es) 2006-07-01

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