EP2250094B1 - Method for filling a plastic container having a container neck and applying a capsule thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for applying capsules (1) to a plastic container (54) which is aseptically filled with a liquid and which is weld-sealed with a membrane (80). The capsule (1) to be applied, which preferably is constituted of two aluminum foils (2, 6) having a collar (58), is placed on the membrane (80) with a planar surface thereof and the collar is mechanically bent so that it is reliably secured to the container neck (50). The cap (100) is then pressed onto it so that the collar (58) is retained between the container neck (50) and the cap (100) in a form-and in a force-locking connection. The method according to the invention avoids the risk of the capsule being destroyed, which can happen during welding, and the risk of soiling, which can happen during gluing.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for filling a plastic container with neck and attaching a capsule thereon in a filling plant, wherein the capsule is made of plastically deformable material, enclosed therein in the solid, liquid or free-flowing state, to be dispensed into the plastic container materials First, the aseptic filling of the plastic container, and then the container neck is sealed with a membrane, whereupon the capsule is applied to the membrane and a cap or cap is placed over the capsule on the container neck, and that the capsule is made of two welded together aluminum foils , wherein the lower film forms a deep-drawn receiving space and the upper, covering aluminum foil is flat, so that both films together have a flat edge around the receiving space.

More and more are offered in the market containers in which there is a substance, before taking another Substances must be added. This concept has the advantage that substances which are to be delivered in the liquid in which they must finally be dispensed and which are also partly photosensitive, can be supplied in capsules packed on the container, so that the liquid to be dispensed into the containers only from User himself is applied in the liquid. This system is already successfully offered today for a wide variety of mixed milk drinks, pharmaceutical preparations, vitamin-enriched drinks ect.

The capsules used in this case are available on the market in a wide variety of variants and are also produced in many different ways. From the US-A-6823649 for example, a method for the production of capsules is known, as they can be used here. In these capsules, two aluminum foils are fed one above the other, the lower foil pulled deep, so that a receiving space is formed in which the substance to be dispensed is filled in a liquid, solid or free-flowing state. The second aluminum foil is welded over it. This foil therefore remains absolutely flat. The two films to be joined together are supplied in rolls and the capsules are thus produced continuously as endless bands. These endless bands can then be cut into sheets or the capsules are punched out directly from these bands.

In many applications, the liquid filled into the container must be aseptically filled and then sealed directly by means of a membrane. In various methods used today, the capsules are inserted into the caps or closures by means of appropriate handling machines, and these caps loaded with the capsules are delivered to the bottlers. This is extremely problematic because this does not match logistics. In principle, the capsules would have to be used directly in the area of injection molding machines in the plastics processing plants, since otherwise the extremely complex closures in special, very complex handling machines must first be singled, aligned and then the capsules must be inserted and secured therein. The plastic-processed companies are usually not equipped for this purpose. In addition, in this process, there is a risk that the capsules will leak and at the time the closures reach the filled containers, the contents of the capsules have already deteriorated or even completely decomposed. This problem has been identified and accordingly a method has been developed as is known from the WO 2006/056082 is known. In this method, two possibilities are offered, namely in a case in which the capsule formation takes place directly on the bottleneck and in the second solution, which is of particular interest here, is on the first membrane placed on the capsule and connected to this. It was proposed to weld the capsule onto the already existing membrane in the container neck area. On the one hand, this method is relatively slow and, secondly, it has proven to be extremely critical to realize a second welding of the capsule with the membrane over an already existing weld between the container neck and the first membrane, without the first weld being damaged.

In order to avoid these problems, the systems were changed so that the capsules were glued on the first membrane by means of a food-grade adhesive again only in the area above the container neck. While the result is satisfactory, even this process does not allow for increased production speed and, in addition, the adhesive has led to severe contamination of the bottling plants.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a method of the type mentioned in such a way that in this case the aforementioned problems can be avoided and preferably the production rate can be increased.

This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned which is characterized in that in a first

Step of the two sheets of capsule together formed edge of the flat surface is bent by less than 90 ° but more than 45 °, so that a circumferential collar is formed, with a diameter in the size of the container neck on which the capsule is placed so that it holds positively and / or non-positively on the container neck, whereupon the cap is placed, which holds the capsule at least on the container neck in the required position.

Further advantageous embodiments of the inventive method will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The inventive method will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings in the following description. In the drawing, for example, the elements used in the process in various process situations are shown for themselves and the method shown schematically.

Figur 1

Kapseln wie sie bevorzugterweise einem Abfüllbetrieb angeliefert werden.

Figur 2

Einen zentrischen Vertikalschnitt durch eine Kapsel nach der Bördelung des Randes.

Figur 3

zeigt eine Seitenansicht eines Teils eines Behälters im Bereich dessen Halses mit aufgeschweisster Membran;

Figur 4

zeigt mehrere in Folienbögen zusammengehaltene Kapseln in der Aufsicht auf die plane Fläche und

Figur 5

stellt in schematischer Weise die verschiedenen Verfahrensschritte des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens dar.

It shows:

FIG. 1

Capsules as they are preferably delivered to a bottling plant.

FIG. 2

A centric vertical section through a capsule after crimping the edge.

FIG. 3

shows a side view of a portion of a container in the region of its neck with welded membrane;

FIG. 4

shows several held together in foil sheets capsules in the plan view of the flat surface and

FIG. 5

schematically illustrates the various process steps of the inventive method.

For a better understanding of the method according to the invention, reference is first made to the design of the capsules. This is on the FIG. 1 refer. The capsule in its entirety is designated 1. This consists of a first sheet 2 in the deep drawn or pressed into a depression is formed which forms the receiving space 3. In the receiving space 3, the material to be dispensed into the container is introduced. This substance can be solid, liquid or free-flowing. These may be the most varied types of substances. In liquid form, this may for example be a highly concentrated active ingredient, for example a detergent or a pharmaceutical preparation or it may be a tablet in which dry substances are compressed or it may for example be a powder that is to be dispensed into the container. Of the substance to be dispensed is designated 4. Around the trough is a horizontal edge 5 which is formed from the first film 2.

Over the first film 2 is a second film 6. This second film 6 is completely flat. The second, planar film 6 covers the receiving space 3. The second, flat film 6 has a horizontal edge 7, which extends above the horizontal edge of the first film. In the region of the horizontal edges 5 and 7, these are connected to each other by an annular seal 8. Usually, the two films 2 and 6 are delivered as bands of large rolls. Accordingly, a plurality of capsules 1 are formed from these tapes. In the present case, the capsules 1 are not completely punched out after the welding or during the welding but remain predetermined breaking point bridges 9. The capsules 1 thus remain firmly connected to the film residues 10. Consequently, so-called blister sheets 11 reach the filling plant. The blister sheets 11 thus comprise a large number of capsules 1 with intermediate film residues 10 which are connected via the mentioned predetermined breaking point bridges with the capsules 1. The term blister sheet is correct insofar as the first sheet 2 is a plastic-coated aluminum foil. This film is plastically deformable despite the plastic coating. This means that the aluminum content is greater than the plastic content which is attached to it. After a deformation of the first film, this will not deform elastically. The same applies to the second film 6, which also consists essentially of aluminum. This also has a plastic coating which is suitable for thermal welding of the second film 6 to the first film 2.

In principle it would be possible to use the capsules also completely punched out for the process. However, the design of blister sheets 11 is preferred, as this ensures that remain until the introduction of the capsules 1 in the filling process whose edges at least approximately completely flat. If one were to punch out these capsules completely in advance and deliver them as a protective good, the edges would certainly be deformed and no longer be completely flat. This would unsettle the subsequent process. Therefore, the method is preferably used here using blister sheets in which the capsules 1 are still held together.

Such a blister sheet in partial view shows the FIG. 4 , Preferably, at least the second, flat film is provided with a structure in the region outside the depressions which form the receiving spaces 3. Such structures are available from the prior art in various variants. These can be latticed or punctiform gridded structures. The structures serve this purpose to cause controlled tearing of the films. This is useful especially in the area of the predetermined breaking point bridges 9. The attached structure is only hinted at here and designated 12. In the FIG. 4 Furthermore, one recognizes the attached partial punches 13 between which only the predetermined breaking point bridges 9 remain. The annular seal or weld 8 runs in each case within the circular space delimited by the partial punches. This annular weld or seal 8 is of course not interrupted in the region of the predetermined breaking point bridges 9.

In the FIG. 3 For example, a container neck 50 is shown merely in partial side view, for example. The container 54 is therefore only partially visible. The container neck 50 is bounded above the pouring rim 52. Under the container neck, a support collar 51 is present. The support collar 51 serves for mounting in a bottle blowing machine. Between the support collar 51 and the spout edge 52, a fastening bead 53 is integrally formed on the container neck 50, which serves to hold a closure or cap to be fastened thereto. In the FIG. 3 it can be seen that on the spout edge 52 a diaphragm rondelle 40 is welded. This membrane rondelle 40 has an outwardly projecting tear-off tab 41. The membrane rondelle 40 is slightly larger in diameter than the pour-out rim 52 and consequently projects beyond it.

Based on FIG. 5 the individual steps of the inventive method will be explained further. In a first step, which in the FIG. 5 labeled A, the aseptic filling of the container 54, shown only partially, is shown. The container neck 50 is shown here in a simplified manner only schematically. The material to be filled comes from a filling nozzle 60, which is part of a bottling plant. If the container 54 is filled, in the next step B, a membrane 80 is welded onto the container neck 50. The membrane 80 to be welded may consist of a plastic film or of a coated aluminum foil. The membrane 80 in the form of a Rondelle has a tear tab 81. The membrane 80 has a total diameter slightly larger than the container neck 50. This ensures that the membrane 80, the spout opening of the container neck 50 completely covers and the welding of the membrane 80th on the container neck 50 is completely and sealing. This remains a protruding edge 82. The welding of the Rondelle 80 on the container neck 50 by means of a welding die 70 which is shown here symbolically. The welding or sealing can be done purely thermally or by means of ultrasound. The welding punch 50 can take place in a correspondingly designed welding head known per se, which takes the membrane from a supply stack or at the same time punches it out of a film, whereupon by means of pressure the membrane held on this welding head rests on the container neck 50, whereupon the actual welding or sealing takes place.

In a next step C, the tear tab 81 and the protruding edge 82 are folded over and pressed against the bottle neck 50. This can be done, for example, by means of a press-on head which can be turned over, or the container 54 is guided past a pressure belt while at the same time the container 54 is rotated, whereby the protruding edge 82 and the tear-open tab 81 are pressed against the container neck 5. In one here in the FIG. 5 not shown, the capsules are taken 1 and the common horizontal edge 5 of the first film 2 and the horizontal edge 7 of the second film, which are connected by welding so deformed, so that of the annular seal 8, an inner, horizontal residual edge 57th remains, while the outer edge region is formed into a bent-up collar 58. This is in the FIG. 2 clearly shown. The bent collar 58 is deformed at less than 90 ° upwards. Preferably, the inclination of the collar is between 60 and 80 °. The kink 59 between horizontal inner residual edge 57 and the bent-up collar 58 define a dimension in diameter which corresponds at least approximately to the outer diameter of the bottle neck 50 in the region of the pouring rim 52. The collar 58 is directed in relation to the receiving space 3 of this away upwards. Thanks to the bent collar 58, the capsule 1, as in the subsequent step D in the FIG. 5 shown, put directly on the bottle neck 50.

Thanks to the outward inclination of the collar 58, the capsule 1 positioned centering on the container neck 50. In this case, a sufficient form-fit is achieved, which ensures that the capsule 1 does not fall from the container neck 50 during further transport. Thanks to the previously folded over protruding edge 82 of the membrane 80, a certain clamping is practically achieved, so that the capsule 1 not only positively but usually also holds on the container neck 50 frictionally.

In the following step E, the bent-up collar 58 of the capsule 1 is then fastened on the container neck 50 in an absolutely positive manner by means of a pressure band 90. As from the previously described FIG. 3 As can be seen, the container neck 50 may have a mounting bead 53, wherein the bent collar 58 is so short that it does not overlap the mounting bead 53. Namely, the fixing bead 53 serves for the positive connection between the container 54 or the container neck 50 and the cap or closure 100 to be placed thereon. The last one in the FIG. 5 illustrated step shows the placement of the cap or the closure 100 on the container 54. The cap or the closure 100 is now as shown here symbolically pressed on the capsule 1 on the container neck 50 or screwed. Depending on the configuration of the cap or of the closure 100, a mechanical securing of the capsule 1 takes place in its end position. The cap or the closure 100 can be designed so that when pressing or screwing the cap or the closure 100 on the container neck 50 at the same time the slightly outwardly projecting bent collar 58 folded and pressed against the container neck. In this case, the step E can be omitted. The closure or the cap 100 may be designed so that the capsule 1 is deformed or pierced at the same time during the first opening, so that the contents of the capsule 1, namely the substance 4 to be dispensed, reach the container 54. Now you will normally be asked to shake the container properly then you unscrew the closure or the cap 100 bezeigungsweise unscrews and now you can lift off the cap 100, which is not glued, and finally the membrane 80 using the tear tab 81, as in such drinks usual, can tear off. The closure or the cap can then be used for resealing. With packaging of this kind one is always trying to avoid material whenever possible. This means that you make the container 54 as thin as possible. However, because the process of interest here requires the most accurate connection possible, the pressing of the cap or the closure 100 on the container 54 would possibly lead to the container 54 being deformed so that its volume is reduced and the liquid content is raised pushes and the membrane 80 destroyed. In order to reduce these forces, it has proven to be advantageous to preheat the closures or caps 100. Since these caps or closures are made of plastic, they can be deformed more easily when warm and at the same time there is a thermal expansion. By means of these two effects, the cap or closure 100 can be put on with less force. In the FIG. 5 this is symbolically represented by a hot air blower 110 in step F. Since in this position, the container 54 is already sealed by means of the membrane 80, there is no danger that can be done by such a hot air blower contamination of the contents.

The previously described horizontal residual edge 57 is preferably dimensioned such that it has at least the width of the wall thickness of the container neck 50 equivalent. This will also allow itself if this proves to be necessary to realize a spot welding between the capsule 1 and the membrane 80. This would then be usefully carried out directly following the step D.

Before performing step D, the capsules 1 will be pushed out of the blister sheets 11. In the arrangement of the capsules 1 in the blister sheet 11, the capsules can be attached so that it equal to the orientation of the container 54 in the filling corresponds, so that in the filling of the step D namely the laying of the capsules 1 and the bending of the collar 58 at simultaneous destruction of the predetermined breaking point bridges 9 can be done in one operation. In such a procedure, one will also lead a stamp on the respective capsule by means of which, as already mentioned, the predetermined breaking point bridges are destroyed while the corresponding collar is formed. However, this is by no means mandatory. It is also quite possible to separate the capsules 1 separately from the sheets and then to form the collars 58 by crimping.

Although preferably in step C, the membrane 80 is welded or sealed onto the container neck 50, such a connection can of course also be made by gluing. For the aseptic packaging, however, an absolute sealing connection between the Membrane 80 and the container neck 50 and this can be soften with little effort better by welding techniques.

Since the process steps shown here are already used for other processes and these process steps are already implemented individually in filling plants, with the exception of the special capsule deformations adapted here, it can be assumed that the process according to the invention can be carried out without problems even at high production speeds.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

capsule

2

first slide

3

accommodation space

4

substance to be dispensed

5

horizontal edge of the first slide

6

second plane foil

7

horizontal edge of the second foil

8th

annular seal

9

Weakened bridges

10

film residues

11

blister sheet

12

Structure of the 2nd films

13

Part punches

40

membrane Rondelle

41

tear-off

50

container neck

51

support collar

52

Ausgussrand

53

fixing bead

54

container

57

horizontal inner rest edge

58

bent collar

59

kink

60

filling nozzle

70

welding punch

80

membrane

81

pull tab

82

protruding edge

90

pressure belt

100

Closure or cap

110

Hot air blower

Claims (14)

1. A method for filling a plastic container (54) having a neck (50), and applying a capsule (1) thereon in a bottling plant, wherein the capsule (1) is made of plastically deformable material, with substances enclosed therein being in a solid, liquid or free-flowing state, which are to be dispensed into the plastic container (54), wherein first, the plastic container (54) is filled in an aseptic manner and subsequently, the container neck (50) is sealed with a membrane (80), whereupon the capsule (1) is attached onto the membrane (80) and a cap or closure (100) is placed onto the container neck (50) and wherein the capsule (1) is manufactured from two aluminum foils welded to each other, wherein the lower foil (2) forms a deep-drawn or pressed receiving space (3) and the upper covering aluminum foil (6) is planar so that both foils together have a planar edge around the receiving space (3), characterized in that in a first step, the edge jointly formed by both foils (2, 6) of the capsule (1) is bent out of the planar surface by less than 90° but more than 45° so that a circumferentially extending collar is created with a diameter of the size of the container neck (50) onto which the capsule (1) is placed onto the planar surface of the membrane (80) in such a manner that it is retained in a form and/or force locking manner on the container neck (50), whereupon the cap (100) is attached which holds the capsule (1) at least on the container neck (50) in the required position.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge is bent in such a manner that a residual edge (7) remains which is flush with the planar foil (6) and corresponds approximately to the wall thickness of the container neck (50), and the collar delimits the residual edge on the outside.
3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the capsules (1) are punched from the two foil layers (2, 6) only up to two predetermined breaking points (9) and thus, the capsules (1) connected to the remains (10) of the foil get into the bottling plants in the form of sheets (11).
4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the capsules (1) are pressed out of the sheet (11) by destroying the predetermined breaking point bridges (9) and the collar is formed at the same time.
5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the formation of the collar (51) is formed by means of a punch.
6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the collar is formed by flanging.
7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the collar (51) of the capsule (1) placed onto the container neck (50) is pressed against the container neck (50).
8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the membrane (80) is formed from a plastic foil or an aluminum foil coated with plastic and is welded onto the container neck (50).
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the parts of the membrane (80) projecting beyond the edge of the container neck (50) are pressed against the container neck (50).
10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the membrane (80) is a coated aluminum foil having an embossed structure which ensures a controlled tearing of the foil.
11. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the container (54) is rotatingly guided with its container neck (50) along a running pressure belt.
12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure (100) which can be placed over the capsule (1) is pressed on or screwed on and the closure (100) thereby presses the collar (51) against the container neck (50).
13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure (100) which can be placed over the capsule (1) made of plastic is heated prior to being placed thereon.
14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the closure (100) is heated by means of a hot air blower (110).

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