EP2028108A1 - Remplissage aseptique d'un récipient - Google Patents

Remplissage aseptique d'un récipient Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2028108A1
EP2028108A1 EP08252812A EP08252812A EP2028108A1 EP 2028108 A1 EP2028108 A1 EP 2028108A1 EP 08252812 A EP08252812 A EP 08252812A EP 08252812 A EP08252812 A EP 08252812A EP 2028108 A1 EP2028108 A1 EP 2028108A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chamber
collar
inlet fitting
fitting
housing member
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08252812A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Malcolm Austin Shipway
Clive Antony Shipway
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.)
Flexifill Ltd
Original Assignee
Flexifill Ltd
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 Flexifill Ltd filed Critical Flexifill Ltd
Publication of EP2028108A1 publication Critical patent/EP2028108A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B65B55/022—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages of flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type
    • 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
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • B65B3/045—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles for filling flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the filling of containers in an aseptic manner, and is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with the filling of bag-in-box container assemblies in which the container itself is a flexible bag, usually of plastics material, supported within a box of, for example, cardboard.
  • bag-in-box container systems for foodstuffs such as wine, edible oils, sauces, fruit juices and dairy products.
  • a known aseptic filling system is disclosed in GB 2105291 .
  • bags to be filled are pre-formed and sterilised internally and externally by appropriate means such as gamma irradiation.
  • Each bag has an inlet fitting which is welded to the bag material. Initially, the inlet fitting is sealed by a membrane.
  • the inlet fitting is engaged with a filling head, and the region within the filling head adjacent the membrane is sterilised by the admission of a sterilising fluid.
  • the intended contents of the bag are then supplied to the fitting at a pressure sufficient to rupture the membrane, so that the bag is filled.
  • the fitting is sealed by another membrane at its end inside the bag. Sterilising fluid is again admitted to the filling head so that the region above the new seal is sterilised.
  • sterilisation is achieved using a liquid chemical such as hydrogen peroxide, or by steam, or by a combination of the two. While the use of chemical sterilising compositions is effective, it is important for all traces of the chemical to be removed after each sterilising step. If this is not done, there is the danger that the chemical will contaminate the contents of the bag, or that residues left in the vicinity of the fitting might contaminate the bag contents as they are drawn off for use or consumption.
  • a liquid chemical such as hydrogen peroxide, or by steam, or by a combination of the two.
  • High steam temperatures can be achieved only by maintaining the steam at elevated pressures. So far, this has been achieved only by conducting the filling process in a sealed chamber which accommodates the entire bag and filling equipment. The chamber thus has a large volume, which takes time to reach the required operating pressure. Also, means has to be provided to enable bags to enter and leave the pressurised chamber, and this entails a loss of steam pressure which must be replaced.
  • a method of filling a container with a fluid comprising:
  • the inlet fitting may be provided with a removable cap. If so, means may be provided within the chamber for removing the cap after step (c) to enable filling of the container, and subsequently replacing the cap to close the fitting in step (e).
  • the steam temperature within the chamber in steps (c) and (f) reaches a temperature in excess of 140°C and remains at that temperature for a period not greater than 3 seconds. This entails a steam pressure within the chamber of not less than 400 kPa.
  • Improved sterilisation can be achieved if the steam is delivered to the chamber through at least one nozzle directed at the inlet fitting.
  • the fitting has surface formations which define crevices, or if a cap is provided and there is a crevice at the junction between the inlet fitting and the cap, it can be advantageous to direct the or each steam nozzle towards the crevice.
  • a jet of steam By subjecting the fitting and/or the cap to a jet of steam in this way can serve to dislodge any accumulated contamination, such as bacteria, from the parts against which the steam impinges.
  • the collar may comprise a pair of pivotable jaws which, when closed, define an opening which sealingly receives the inlet fitting.
  • the collar may be sealingly engaged with the housing member by clamping means.
  • the clamping means may engage edge regions or flanges of the collar and the housing member so as to retain the collar and the housing member in sealing engagement with each other.
  • the clamping means may comprise arcuate members which are pivotably movable into and out of engagement with the collar and the housing member.
  • apparatus for performing a filling method as defined above comprising:
  • the filling apparatus comprises a housing member 2 which is supported by a fixed support 4 mounted on a machine frame (not shown).
  • a filling tube 6 is mounted in the housing member 2 in a fluid-tight manner, which permits upwards and downwards movement of the filling tube 6, with respect to the orientation shown in Figure 1 .
  • Within the filling tube 6 there is a valve plunger 8, which is movable upwards and downwardly within the filling tube 6. In the downwards position, the valve plunger 8 sealingly engages a valve seat 10 of the filling tube 6.
  • a cap removal mechanism 12 is mounted on a sliding pillar 14 which can move upwardly and downwardly within the housing member 2, and is also able to rotate about its axis 16.
  • the housing member 2 has a chamber 18 formed in its underside, and the lower end of the filling tube 6 and the cap-engaging mechanism 12 are situated within this chamber 18.
  • a steam port 20 opens into the chamber 18.
  • a guide 22 is situated below the housing member 22 for guiding an inlet fitting 24 of a container in the form of a bag 26 (only partially shown in Figure 1 ) to a position aligned with the centreline 28 of the filling tube 6. Above the guide 22 there is a collar 30 for engagement with the inlet fitting 24.
  • the guide 22 and the collar 30 are mounted on a structure which is movable upwardly and downwardly relatively to the housing member 2.
  • the guide 22 and the collar 30 are in their upper position, in which the collar 30 contacts the bottom of the housing member 2, and is clamped in position by clamping means 32.
  • the structure comprising the guide 22, the collar 30 and the clamp 32 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 4 .
  • the guide 22 comprises a pair of arms 36 which are pivotable about rods 50 by actuators (not shown) connected at respective openings 38. In the closed condition shown in Figures 2 to 4 , the arms 36 contact each other at a parting line 14 and form between them a parallel-sided slot 42 having a width sufficient to receive the fitting 24 which is closed by a cap 62.
  • the collar 30 comprises a pair of jaws 44 which, when closed ( Figure 3 ) meet each other at a parting line 46 to form a substantially closed, circular plate.
  • each jaw 44 has a semi-circular recess 48 so that, when the jaws 44 are closed, the recesses 48 form a circular opening sized to be a close fit around the inlet fitting 24.
  • Sealing means may be provided in the recesses 48 to ensure that the engagement between the jaws 44 and the inlet fitting 24 creates a fluid-tight seal.
  • the jaws 44 are supported on the rods 50 for pivotal movement about the axes of the rods, controlled by actuators which are not shown in the Figures.
  • the motion of the jaws 44 is stabilised by arcuate grooves in the arms 36 which receive followers secured to the jaws.
  • the clamp 32 comprises a pair of arcuate clamp members 52 which are supported by a common pivot (not shown) passing through aligned apertures 54. At the end of each arcuate clamp member 52 away from the aperture 54, there is a lug 56 coupled to a respective actuator (not shown) for pivoting the clamping members 52 about the pivot between open and closed conditions.
  • the guide 22 and the collar 30 are shown in their lowered positions with respect to the housing member 2.
  • the guide 22 is closed, so that the inlet fitting 24 is a close fit between the sides of the slot 42.
  • the collar 30 is open, so that the jaws 44 are pivoted apart from each other.
  • the clamp 32 is also open
  • a supply of bags 26 is fed progressively towards the filling head along a feed-in guide (not shown) which has a slot corresponding in width to the closed slot 42 of the guide 22.
  • the inlet fitting 24 has formations on its cylindrical outer periphery which provide annular grooves for cooperation with different components of the filling device. Bags supplied along the feed-in guide transfer to the guide 22, which cooperates with the lowermost groove on the inlet fitting 24. The bag is displaced forwardly (ie downwardly and to the right as shown Figures 2 to 4 ) along the slot 42 until it is arrested when the slot 42 terminates at the parting line 40.
  • a sensor (not shown) detects when an inlet fitting 24 is in this position, so as to enable initiation of the following steps of the filling process.
  • the jaws 44 of the collar 30 are actuated so as to be pivoted by the rods 50 to close about the inlet fitting 24, to engage the uppermost annular groove of the inlet fitting 24.
  • the arms 36 of the guide 22 are operated to pivot apart from each other to free the inlet fitting 24 from the guide 22, so its subsequent movement is controlled by the collar 30.
  • the structure carrying the collar 30 and the guide 22 is then moved upwardly until the collar 30 makes contact with the housing member 2, as shown in Figure 6 .
  • the arcuate clamp members 52 of the clamp 32 are operated by the actuators connected to the lugs 56 to move inwards to engage the collar 30 and the housing member 2.
  • the clamp members 52 have internal grooves 58 having divergent side walls.
  • the housing member 2 has a peripheral flange 60 which, with the periphery of the collar 30, forms a rib having inclined side walls which are complementary to those of the groove 58. Consequently, radial contraction of the clamping members 52 causes the collar 30 to be forced under pressure into sealing contact with the housing member 2 to ensure adequate sealing by means of the sealing ring 34.
  • the chamber 18 is thus sealed, and steam is then admitted through the ports 20 to sterilise all of the components within the chamber 18, and in particular the inlet fitting 24 and the cap 62.
  • the pressure within the chamber 18 rises to a pressure in excess of 400 kPa.
  • a duration of less than 3 seconds, for example 2 seconds is sufficient for this purpose.
  • the steam ports 20 are disposed to admit steam generally into the chamber 18. However, in a preferred embodiment, for example as shown in Figure 1 , the steam ports are positioned so that the incoming steam is directed at the inlet fitting 24.
  • the cap 62 serves to seal the interior of the bag 26 from the chamber 18, so that the pressure in the chamber 18 can be maintained.
  • the steam ports 20 may be directed at the cap 62 as well as the inlet fitting 24, and in particular to the interface between the cap 62 and the inlet fitting 24, where bacteria and other pathogens can accumulate.
  • the ports 20 may be configured as nozzles so that the steam jets enter the chamber 18 at high velocity so as to ensure that accumulated bacteria are dislodged from the inlet fitting 24 and the cap 22 to ensure that they are destroyed.
  • the nozzles may be distributed around the chamber 18 to ensure that steam impinges on the inlet fitting 24 and the cap 62 substantially all over their surfaces.
  • the cap 62 is removed by the cap engaging mechanism 12.
  • This mechanism comprises an arm 64 extending laterally from the operating rod 16, which arm carries a pair of cap-engaging jaws 66.
  • the jaws 64 are brought into position over the inlet fitting 24, and the jaws 64 are closed to engage the cap 62.
  • the rod 14 is then raised and rotated to remove the cap 62 and to pivot it within the chamber 18, to a position out of alignment with the inlet fitting 24.
  • valve plunger 8 is raised ( Figure 1 ) to allow the intended contents of the bag 26 to flow through the filling tube 6 and the inlet fitting 24 into the bag 26.
  • valve plunger 8 is lowered again to close the filling tube 6, and the filling tube is then raised from the inlet fitting 24.
  • the cap-engaging mechanism 12 is then operated to replace the cap 62, after which the jaws 64 are released and the mechanism 12 returns to the rest position shown in Figure 6 .
  • the steam ports 20 are opened again, to repeat the sterilising operation.
  • the pressure, temperature and duration of the sterilisation operation at this stage may be the same as that described with reference to Figure 6 , but in some circumstances it may be appropriate for different parameters to be used.
  • the relatively small size of the chamber 18 enables the steam pressurisation within the chamber 18 to occur rapidly, so that the sterilisation process takes very little time. Since the collar 30 engages the cylindrical periphery of the inlet fitting 24, it is possible for the cap 62 to be removed and replaced within the chamber 18. The engagement between the collar 30 and the inlet fitting 24, and the clamping of the collar 30 to the housing member 2 by means of the clamp 32, means that the inlet fitting 24 is exposed to the interior of the chamber 18 in a manner which enables the pressure within the chamber 18 to be supported adequately without leakage.
  • control system for example a computer which receives inputs from sensors which are responsive to positional information of the bag 26 and the components of the filling mechanism, and which controls the operation of various actuators which move the components in the required manner.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
EP08252812A 2007-08-22 2008-08-22 Remplissage aseptique d'un récipient Withdrawn EP2028108A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0716374A GB2452055A (en) 2007-08-22 2007-08-22 Aseptic container filling

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2028108A1 true EP2028108A1 (fr) 2009-02-25

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EP08252812A Withdrawn EP2028108A1 (fr) 2007-08-22 2008-08-22 Remplissage aseptique d'un récipient

Country Status (2)

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EP (1) EP2028108A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2452055A (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012172576A1 (fr) * 2011-06-14 2012-12-20 Cft S.P.A. Système destiné au remplissage aseptique de grands récipients dotés d'un orifice de sortie
ITPR20120023A1 (it) * 2012-04-19 2013-10-20 Vemia S R L Apparato di riempimento in macchine riempitrici
WO2014189965A1 (fr) * 2013-05-21 2014-11-27 John Bean Technologies S.P.A. Remplissage aseptique pour produits coulables
WO2015044088A1 (fr) * 2013-09-25 2015-04-02 Fresenius Kabi Deutschland Gmbh Installation de remplissage aseptique d'un récipient
EP2922759A4 (fr) * 2012-11-20 2016-07-13 Ring Container Technologies Llc Appareil pour appliquer un manche à un récipient, et son procédé
EP3353071A4 (fr) * 2015-09-21 2019-04-10 Scholle IPN Corporation Dispositif de remplissage rotatif pour remplissage aseptique de poches
US11352244B1 (en) 2020-12-03 2022-06-07 John Bean Technologies Corporation Sanitary fill head
EP4134315A1 (fr) 2021-08-12 2023-02-15 Smurfit Kappa Bag in Box Dispositif de préhension et de maintien du goulot d'une outre
US11999519B2 (en) 2022-08-04 2024-06-04 Scholle Ipn Corporation Filler assembly and method of filling a pouch

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2787875A (en) * 1954-04-16 1957-04-09 Aseptic Food Fillers Inc Filling head
EP0088735A1 (fr) * 1982-03-10 1983-09-14 EL.PO S.r.L. Appareil pour le remplissage de récipients avec une substance liquide/pâteuse sous des conditions stériles
EP0115963A1 (fr) * 1983-02-04 1984-08-15 Scholle Corporation Machine remplisseuse de conteneurs
DE3510859A1 (de) * 1985-03-26 1986-10-02 Elmar 5024 Pulheim Nilgen Spund fuer connect-system bei bag-in-box containern
US4805378A (en) * 1981-08-18 1989-02-21 Wrightcel Limited Aseptic filling station
EP0911260A1 (fr) 1997-10-21 1999-04-28 Sasib Processing & Seaming Machinery S.p.a. Tête de remplissage pour une machine de remplissage aseptique, en particulier pour des récipients flexibles avec bouchon sous pression
EP1067052A1 (fr) 1999-07-09 2001-01-10 David S. Smith Packaging Limited Appareil et procédé pour remplissage stérile

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2787875A (en) * 1954-04-16 1957-04-09 Aseptic Food Fillers Inc Filling head
US4805378A (en) * 1981-08-18 1989-02-21 Wrightcel Limited Aseptic filling station
EP0088735A1 (fr) * 1982-03-10 1983-09-14 EL.PO S.r.L. Appareil pour le remplissage de récipients avec une substance liquide/pâteuse sous des conditions stériles
EP0115963A1 (fr) * 1983-02-04 1984-08-15 Scholle Corporation Machine remplisseuse de conteneurs
DE3510859A1 (de) * 1985-03-26 1986-10-02 Elmar 5024 Pulheim Nilgen Spund fuer connect-system bei bag-in-box containern
EP0911260A1 (fr) 1997-10-21 1999-04-28 Sasib Processing & Seaming Machinery S.p.a. Tête de remplissage pour une machine de remplissage aseptique, en particulier pour des récipients flexibles avec bouchon sous pression
EP1067052A1 (fr) 1999-07-09 2001-01-10 David S. Smith Packaging Limited Appareil et procédé pour remplissage stérile

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012172576A1 (fr) * 2011-06-14 2012-12-20 Cft S.P.A. Système destiné au remplissage aseptique de grands récipients dotés d'un orifice de sortie
ITPR20120023A1 (it) * 2012-04-19 2013-10-20 Vemia S R L Apparato di riempimento in macchine riempitrici
US9994361B2 (en) 2012-11-20 2018-06-12 Ring Container Technologies, Llc Apparatus for applying a handle to a container and method thereof
EP2922759A4 (fr) * 2012-11-20 2016-07-13 Ring Container Technologies Llc Appareil pour appliquer un manche à un récipient, et son procédé
WO2014189965A1 (fr) * 2013-05-21 2014-11-27 John Bean Technologies S.P.A. Remplissage aseptique pour produits coulables
US10059476B2 (en) 2013-05-21 2018-08-28 John Bean Technologies S.P.A. Aseptic filler for flowable products
CN105579347A (zh) * 2013-09-25 2016-05-11 费森尤斯卡比德国有限公司 用于无菌灌注容器的设备
CN105579347B (zh) * 2013-09-25 2018-03-27 费森尤斯卡比德国有限公司 用于无菌灌注容器的设备
WO2015044088A1 (fr) * 2013-09-25 2015-04-02 Fresenius Kabi Deutschland Gmbh Installation de remplissage aseptique d'un récipient
US10377519B2 (en) 2013-09-25 2019-08-13 Fresenius Kabi Deutschland Gmbh Installation for aseptic filling of a receptacle
EP3353071A4 (fr) * 2015-09-21 2019-04-10 Scholle IPN Corporation Dispositif de remplissage rotatif pour remplissage aseptique de poches
US11261000B2 (en) 2015-09-21 2022-03-01 Scholle Ipn Corporation Rotary filling device for aseptic filling of pouches
US11352244B1 (en) 2020-12-03 2022-06-07 John Bean Technologies Corporation Sanitary fill head
WO2022120061A1 (fr) * 2020-12-03 2022-06-09 John Bean Technologies Corporation Tête de remplissage sanitaire
US11878822B2 (en) 2020-12-03 2024-01-23 John Bean Technologies Corporation Sanitary fill head
EP4134315A1 (fr) 2021-08-12 2023-02-15 Smurfit Kappa Bag in Box Dispositif de préhension et de maintien du goulot d'une outre
FR3126122A1 (fr) * 2021-08-12 2023-02-17 Smurfit Kappa Bag In Box Dispositif de préhension et de maintien du goulot d’une outre.
US11999519B2 (en) 2022-08-04 2024-06-04 Scholle Ipn Corporation Filler assembly and method of filling a pouch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0716374D0 (en) 2007-10-03
GB2452055A (en) 2009-02-25

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