EP2720952A1

EP2720952A1 - Aseptic packaging plant with aseptic buffer regions

Info

Publication number: EP2720952A1
Application number: EP12730837.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Delphine Gueguen
Original assignee: Serac Group SAS
Current assignee: Serac Group SAS
Priority date: 2011-06-15
Filing date: 2012-06-13
Publication date: 2014-04-23
Also published as: US20120317924A1; FR2976562B1; JP2014519455A; FR2976562A1; WO2012171958A1

Abstract

Plant for the aseptic packaging into individual containers, comprising a supporting structure on which is mounted an enclosure (3) that has a floor (4) overhung by a roof (6) and which accepts at least one rotary platform (7) in a packaging region (Z1) subjected to a sterile laminar flow flowing vertically from the roof of the packaging region at a flow rate suited to establishing in the packaging region a first pressure (P1) higher than a surrounding pressure, characterized in that the enclosure is provided with means of removing the laminar flow, which means are designed to allow the laminar flow to leave the packaging region in a laminar fashion via a buffer region extending between the packaging region and the floor.

Description

Aseptic packaging system with aseptic buffer zones

The present invention relates to an aseptic packaging installation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that in order to ensure the long-term preservation of foodstuffs without subjecting them to particular refrigeration conditions, it is necessary for the foodstuffs to be packaged aseptically, that is to say without introducing germs into the foodstuffs. the container during the different phases of conditioning. In order to ensure aseptic packaging, it is known in particular that it is necessary to subject the line of packaging machines to a sterile environment generally obtained by producing a stream of laminar filtered air flowing vertically on the line of machines. .

For this purpose, the existing aseptic packaging plants, as described in particular in document FR-A-2 800 710, comprise a cabin providing around the machine line a conditioning zone having a high degree of asepsis, at least one side of the conditioning zone being attached to an operating zone maintained at a degree of asepsis lower than the conditioning zone by providing a flow of the air flow from the conditioning zone to the operator zone through openings in a partition common to the conditioning zone and the operator zone. Similarly, document EP 1 251 085 describes enclosures forming a conditioning zone at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, surrounded by an enclosure at atmospheric pressure forming an operator zone. Aseptic packaging plants are particularly well suited for filling packaging in the form of thermoformed trays in a strip of thermoplastic material because the entrainment of the tray strip in the installation does not require moving parts in 1 ' pregnant.

On the other hand, the carousel and / or rotary platform installations, dedicated to the filling of bottles and other containers of this type, have different constraints in particular as regards the displacement of the containers because the containers are individualized and independent of each other. other. Indeed, in such an installation, filling and capping containers are performed while the containers are received on rotating platforms driving said containers along circular paths. A rotary platform is generally secured to a column mounted for pivoting on a frame of the installation and which has a lower end rotatably connected to a part of its rotary drive such as a gear train. To achieve aseptic packaging, it is currently necessary to have all the platforms in a chamber, the column of each platform passing through a table that separates said platform from its rotating drive elements by constituting a part of the floor of the pregnant. It is necessary to provide dynamic sealing elements between the table and the column. Achieving this dynamic seal is made difficult by its positioning in the aseptic area. This complicates the manufacture, maintenance and maintenance of the installation.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an aseptic packaging installation minimizing the risk of pollution in the packaging area while being simpler to produce and maintain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, according to the invention, an aseptic packaging installation is proposed in individualized containers, comprising a frame on which is mounted an enclosure which has a floor overhung by a ceiling and which receives at least one rotary platform in a zone. for conditioning subjected to a sterile laminar flow flowing vertically from the ceiling of the conditioning zone at a flow rate adapted to establish in the conditioning zone a first pressure greater than a surrounding pressure, characterized in that the chamber is provided with laminar flow evacuation means arranged to ensure laminar flow of the laminar flow out of the conditioning zone by a buffer zone extending between the conditioning zone and the floor.

Thus, two zones are defined in the enclosure, namely: a packaging zone in which the containers are treated (the treatment may for example be the filling and / or the capping of the containers) and a buffer zone in which the constraints aseptic conditions are lower than those on the conditioning zone so that the presence of dynamic sealing elements in the buffer zone is less problematic. In addition, it has been found that the efficiency of the sterile laminar flow for the maintenance of asepsis is optimal when it leaves homogeneously, with the minimum of disturbances.

Advantageously, the installation comprises means for dispersing at least one cleaning product and means for recovering said product, at least one part of the dispersing means and the recovery means extend into the buffer zone.

This makes it possible to limit as much as possible, in the packaging zone, elements whose outer surface can collect germs and must be cleaned.

Preferably, the dispersing means comprise nozzles for dispersing a detergent that open into the conditioning zone and in the buffer zone and / or the dispersing means comprise dispersion nozzles for a decontamination product which open in the conditioning zone and in the buffer zone.

According to a particular embodiment, the recovery means comprise at least one product collection trough extending in the buffer zone.

The gutter will thus recover the wastewater in the enclosure while being outside the packaging area, which facilitates the design of the installation and maintenance operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

Reference will be made to the attached single figure showing in section an installation according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the figure, the illustrated aseptic packaging plant is for packaging a product in containers (not shown). The installation comprises a frame 1 on which are mounted a line of machines 2 (only one of which is visible in the figure), such as machines filler, thermo-sealing of caps, and placing plugs, and an enclosure 3 surrounding the machines and comprising a floor 4, walls 5 and a ceiling 6.

Each machine 2 comprises a platform 7, provided with means for treating the containers, which is integral with a column 8 rotatably mounted on the frame 1. A fixed table 11 extends under the platform 7 at a position away from it. Column 8 has under the table 11 a portion 9 of connection to means of its rotational drive 10.

The platform 7 of each machine 2 extends in a conditioning zone ZI defined in the chamber 3 and subjected to a sterile laminar flow (symbolized by arrows in the figure) flowing vertically from the ceiling 6 at a suitable flow rate to establish in the ZI conditioning zone a first pressure PI greater than the pressure P surrounding the installation. The laminar flow is produced by a fan (not visible here) which is provided with filters.

The chamber 3 is provided with sterile laminar flow evacuation means which are arranged to form, beneath the conditioning zone ZI, a buffer zone Z2 for suction of the laminar flow in which the flow is unidirectional vertical and downward. In the buffer zone Z2 there is a second pressure P2 less than the first pressure P1 but greater than the surrounding pressure P. The evacuation means are arranged to ensure undisturbed exit of the laminar flow from the conditioning zone ZI. The conditioning zone ZI and the buffer zone Z2 are here physically separated by a perforated partition, here a grid 12.

In order to put pressure on the area ZI conditioning while promoting a vertical flow of sterile air flow throughout the ZI conditioning zone, the partitions 4 comprise in the buffer zone Z2 a lower edge defining discharge openings 13 above the floor 4. The vent openings 13 form the evacuation means. The first pressure PI and the second pressure P2 are the result of a balance between the feed rate of the ceiling and the leakage flow through the discharge openings 13 and possibly other openings (eg inlet, outlet of the containers). ) in the side walls of the enclosure.

To promote the undisturbed exit of the laminar flow out of the conditioning zone, the discharge openings 13 are as far as possible away from the grid 12. In the same way, the grid 12 has the largest possible area of perforation for do not disturb the laminarity of the flow.

The discharge openings 13 are here provided with a hatch 18 for sealing the evacuation openings 13 during the cleaning and decontamination operations.

The table 11 of each machine forms at least a portion of the floor 4 of the enclosure 3 which has openings for receiving the tables.

The installation further comprises nozzles for dispersing a detergent that open into the conditioning zone ZI and in the buffer zone Z2 and nozzles 16 for dispersing a decontamination product that open into the conditioning zone. ZI and in the buffer zone Z2.

The pipes connecting the nozzles 15, 16 to the product tanks extend mainly in the buffer zone Z2. Thus, most of the elements arranged in the ZI conditioning zone are used for conditioning, which reduces the risk of pollution in the ZI packaging area by facilitating its washing and decontamination.

The installation also includes a recovery device 17 including a suction port opens just above the floor 4 to evacuate the washing and decontamination products. The installation further comprises at least one product collection trough which extends into the buffer zone Z2 to conduct the products to the extraction orifice of the extraction device 17. The floor 4 and / or the Table 11 may also have a shape adapted to promote the flow of fluid to the recovery device.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment capable of alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, although the invention has been illustrated with an installation in which the different zones are subjected to two different pressures, it will be possible to achieve an installation with zones subjected to a greater number of different pressures arranged relative to each other. so as to promote air movement from areas to be subjected to the highest degree of asepsis to areas that may be subject to a lower degree of asepsis.

In practice, it will be noted that a small pressure difference, of the order of ten Pascals, is preferable so as to minimize the movements of air when opening a partition between two adjacent zones. Depending on the case, the pressure difference between the two zones may be small or even marginal and result from simple pressure losses in the laminar flow. Both areas can be physically delineated, as in the example described in detail, or extend contiguously without separation.

In addition, the discharge openings can be replaced by extractors, the shutdown closes the passage of the laminar flow.

It is possible to provide on at least one side of the chamber a human intervention zone subjected to a vertical flow of sterile air.

Claims

1. Aseptic packaging installation in individual containers, comprising a frame on which is mounted an enclosure (3) which has a floor (4) overhung by a ceiling (6) and which receives at least one rotary platform (7) in a conditioning zone (ZI) subjected to a sterile laminar flow flowing vertically from the ceiling of the conditioning zone at a flow rate adapted to establish in the conditioning zone a first pressure (PI) greater than a surrounding pressure, characterized in that the enclosure is provided with laminar flow evacuation means arranged to ensure a laminar flow of the laminar flow out of the conditioning zone by a buffer zone extending between the conditioning zone and the floor.

2. Packaging installation according to claim 1, comprising means for dispersing at least one cleaning product and means for recovering said product, at least part of the dispersing means and the recovery means extend in the zone. buffer (Z2).

3. Packaging installation according to claim 2, wherein the dispersing means comprise nozzles (15) for dispersing a detergent which open into the conditioning zone (ZI) and in the buffer zone (Z2).

4. Packaging installation according to claim 2, wherein the dispersing means comprise nozzles (16) for dispersing a decontamination product which open into the conditioning zone (ZI) and in the buffer zone (Z2).

5. Packaging plant according to claim 1, wherein the recovery means (17) comprise at least one collection gutter. product extends into the buffer zone (Z2)