EP3170757A1 - Unité de nettoyage pour le nettoyage de paquets dans une machine d'emballage, machine d'emballage et procédé de production d'emballages - Google Patents

Unité de nettoyage pour le nettoyage de paquets dans une machine d'emballage, machine d'emballage et procédé de production d'emballages Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3170757A1
EP3170757A1 EP15195791.7A EP15195791A EP3170757A1 EP 3170757 A1 EP3170757 A1 EP 3170757A1 EP 15195791 A EP15195791 A EP 15195791A EP 3170757 A1 EP3170757 A1 EP 3170757A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
packs
unit
emitting element
cleaning unit
fluid
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Withdrawn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
EP15195791.7A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Gabriele Poletti
Filippo MALAVASI
Alessandro SERENI
Angelo Sorbara
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.)
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Original Assignee
Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance 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 Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA filed Critical Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
Priority to EP15195791.7A priority Critical patent/EP3170757A1/fr
Publication of EP3170757A1 publication Critical patent/EP3170757A1/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • B65B55/24—Cleaning of, or removing dust from, containers, wrappers, or packaging ; Preventing of fouling
    • 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
    • B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
    • B65B57/02—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
    • 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
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/24—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for shaping or reshaping completed packages
    • 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
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/28—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for discharging completed packages from machines
    • 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
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/18—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements
    • B65B61/186—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for making package-opening or unpacking elements by applying or incorporating rigid fittings, e.g. discharge spouts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cleaning unit for cleaning packs in a packaging machine, a packaging machine and a method for producing packages.
  • Tetra Brik Aseptic registered trademark
  • a typical example of this type of package is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by folding and sealing laminated sheet packaging material.
  • the packaging material has a multilayer structure substantially comprising a base layer for stiffness and strength, which may comprise a layer of fibrous material, e.g. paper, or of mineral-filled polypropylene material; and a number of layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene film, covering both sides of the base layer.
  • a base layer for stiffness and strength may comprise a layer of fibrous material, e.g. paper, or of mineral-filled polypropylene material; and a number of layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene film, covering both sides of the base layer.
  • the packaging material also comprises a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminium foil or ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH), which is superimposed on a layer of heat-seal plastic material, and is in turn covered with another layer of heat-seal plastic material forming the inner face of the package eventually contacting the food product.
  • gas- and light-barrier material e.g. aluminium foil or ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH)
  • EVOH ethyl vinyl alcohol
  • packages of this sort are produced on fully automatic packaging machines, on which a continuous tube is formed from the web-fed packaging material; the web of packaging material is sterilized on the packaging machine, e.g. by applying a chemical sterilizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution, which, once sterilization is completed, is removed from the surfaces of the packaging material, e.g. evaporated by heating; and the web of packaging material so sterilized is maintained in a closed, sterile environment, and is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a vertical tube.
  • a chemical sterilizing agent such as a hydrogen peroxide solution
  • the packaging machines comprise a forming unit, wherein the tube is filled continuously downwards with the sterilized or sterile-processed food product, and is sealed and then cut along equally spaced cross sections to form pillow packs, which are then fed to a folding unit to form the finished, e.g. substantially parallelepiped-shaped packages.
  • the pillow packs substantially comprise a parallelepiped-shaped main portion; and a top end portion and a bottom end portion, opposite to each other and projecting laterally on opposite sides of the main portion and defining respective triangular end flaps to be folded onto the main portion.
  • a longitudinal sealing strip formed when sealing the packaging material to form the vertical tube, extends along the pillow packs; and the top end portion and bottom end portion of each pillow pack have respective transverse sealing strips perpendicular to the longitudinal sealing strip and defining respective end flaps projecting from the top and bottom of the pack.
  • each pillow pack taper towards the main portion from the respective end flaps.
  • Folding units substantially comprising a conveyor for feeding pillow packs along a forming path from a supply station to an output station, and a plurality of folding devices which cooperate with each pillow pack along the forming path to flatten the respective top end portion and bottom end portion of the pillow pack and so fold the respective end flaps onto the top end portion and bottom end portion.
  • the folding units comprise heating means arranged for heating the pillow packs and melting the plastic material forming the outer plastic layer of the pillow packs at the top end portion and bottom end portion.
  • the pillow packs are usually formed and sealed with their longitudinal axis arranged vertically.
  • the newly formed pillow packs are subsequently cut from the tube and let slide along a curved-profile chute so as to be brought from the vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, in which they are received by a feeding unit, arranged immediately downstream of the chute and which drives the pillow packs to the folding unit.
  • the feeding unit comprises two guides that extend between an inlet zone, where the packs coming from the chute are received, and an outlet zone, where the packs are delivered to the folding unit.
  • the feeding unit further comprises a conveyor belt and a plurality of carriers projecting from the conveyor belt and arranged to interact with the packs to advance the packs along the guides.
  • Opening devices are attached to the packages by heating and melting an outer polymer layer of the packaging material to adhere the opening device or the opening device is adhered by using glue. In that process it is important that the surface of the package is clean so that the opening device attaches as intended to the surface. Particles, oil or other residues will cause problems for the fastening of opening devices.
  • the attached opening device When an opening device is eventually opened by a user the attached opening device will usually penetrate the packaging material, e.g. when the opening device is lifted or screwed off. The parts of the packaging material that are situated inside the opening device will then get in contact with the food. It is thus important for hygienic reasons that the outer surface of the packaging material where the opening device is intended to be placed is clean.
  • a cleaning unit for cleaning packs in a packaging machine.
  • the cleaning unit comprises a guiding track for guiding the packs in the packaging machine, and at least one fluid emitting element arranged in connection with the guiding track.
  • the at least one fluid emitting element is arranged to emit fluid onto the packs travelling along the guiding track, so as to clean an outer surface of the packs.
  • the inventive cleaning unit allows having a clean outer surface of the packs by removing any potential residues or other impurities from the outer surface by means of the fluid emitting element. In turn, the problems associated with adhesion in the final folding or in the application of opening devices is thus reduced or eliminated.
  • the at least one fluid emitting element is preferably fixedly arranged to the guiding track. Further, the at least one fluid emitting element may be arranged to emit fluid when being passed by the packs.
  • the fluid emitting element emits a continuous flow of fluid.
  • the emitting process is preferably limited to when the packs is physically passing the fluid emitting element.
  • a fluid emitting direction of the at least one fluid emitting element may be inclined in relation to a guiding direction of the guiding track.
  • the at least one fluid emitting element will be arranged to emit fluid onto a top portion of the packs. This is namely where the opening devices are normally attached after the final folding of the packs into packages.
  • the at least one fluid emitting element may comprise a nozzle and/or a sprinkle
  • the guiding track may comprise a drop chute and/or a conveyor.
  • the at least one fluid emitting element ejects a continuous flow of fluid.
  • the cleaning unit may further comprise a control unit connected to the at least one fluid emitting element and to a sensor arranged to detect the packs on the guiding track.
  • the control unit is here arranged to control the at least one fluid emitting element based on information from the sensor.
  • the cleaning unit may further comprise a switch connected to the at least one fluid emitting element and arranged to control the at least one fluid emitting element based on a mechanical engagement with the packs. Also this arrangement will make the cleaning process automated and efficient. However, no electronics will be required.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a packaging machine 1 according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the packaging machine 1 comprises a forming unit 2, a cleaning unit 3, a feeding unit 4, and a folding unit 5.
  • the forming unit 2 folds, fills and seals a packaging material to obtain pillow-shaped packs 6.
  • the forming unit 2 produces the packs 6 from a tube of packaging material (not shown).
  • the tube is formed in a known manner by longitudinally folding and sealing a web of heat-seal sheet material that may comprise a base layer for stiffness and strength.
  • the tube of packaging material is then filled with the food product, and is sealed and cut along equally spaced cross sections to form the packs 6.
  • the cleaning unit 3 is further illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b , and comprises a chute 7 interposed between the forming unit 2 and the feeding unit 4 which in turn feeds the packs 6 to the final folding unit 5.
  • the cleaning unit 3 is arranged to clean the packs 6 in the packaging machine 1 before reaching the folding unit 5.
  • the cleaning unit 3 comprises a plurality of nozzles 8 which are arranged along the chute 7 in order to emit a fluid, particularly water, onto the outer surface of the packs 6 when passing the nozzles 8.
  • the nozzles 8 emit a continuous flow of fluid.
  • the cleaning unit 3 has a control unit (not shown) which is connected to the nozzles 8 and to a sensor (not shown).
  • the sensor is arranged to detect the packs 6 when passing the nozzles 8 on the chute 7. When the packs 6 are detected in the vicinity of the nozzle 8 they are sprayed with fluid so that the outer surface of the same are cleaned.
  • the senor described above is replaced with a mechanical switch that is connected to the nozzles and arranged to control the nozzles based on a mechanical engagement with the packs. Specifically, the nozzles are turn on to emit fluid onto the outer surface of the packs when the switch is turn on through mechanical engagement with the packs.
  • the nozzles 8 are preferably arranged to emit fluid in a direction that is inclined in relation to the travelling direction of the packs 6. Specifically, it is the top portion of the packs 6 that is the primary target in the cleaning process. The top portion of the pack 6 is intended to form the top portion of the final package obtained by folding the pack 6, i.e. the portion that will receive the opening device.
  • the feeding unit 4 transports the packs to the folding unit 5.
  • the packs 6 are formed into packages (not shown).
  • the folding unit 5 folds (and attaches) the protruding flaps of the packs 6 to provide it with its final shape.
  • the package might be equipped with an opening device to be used when consuming the product present in the package.
  • the attachment process of the opening device to the package is also sensitive to any impurities that might be present on the outer surface of the package.
  • function of the cleaning unit 3 is relevant also in this regard.
  • the packaging machine 1 further comprises a drying unit (not shown) arranged downstream of the cleaning unit 3 and upstream of the final folding unit 5.
  • the drying unit is preferably arranged with heating elements to dry the outer surface of the packs 6 after being sprayed with water by the nozzles 8.
  • the packaging machine only includes the forming unit, the cleaning unit, and the folding unit. All of them are designed according to the structural and functional features described above.
  • the forming unit, the feeding unit (if any) and the folding unit present in the packaging machine can have any suitable structural features and appearance as long as they can perform the functions required by the same (described more in detail above).
  • the components included in the cleaning unit may be varied when it comes to size, shape and number.
  • the at least one fluid emitting element is disclosed as four nozzles in the figures but could naturally be constituted by another number of nozzles or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the guiding track which is described as a curved chute above.
  • other embodiments are also possible, such as for example, a straight guiding track, a conveyor belt or the like.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
EP15195791.7A 2015-11-23 2015-11-23 Unité de nettoyage pour le nettoyage de paquets dans une machine d'emballage, machine d'emballage et procédé de production d'emballages Withdrawn EP3170757A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15195791.7A EP3170757A1 (fr) 2015-11-23 2015-11-23 Unité de nettoyage pour le nettoyage de paquets dans une machine d'emballage, machine d'emballage et procédé de production d'emballages

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15195791.7A EP3170757A1 (fr) 2015-11-23 2015-11-23 Unité de nettoyage pour le nettoyage de paquets dans une machine d'emballage, machine d'emballage et procédé de production d'emballages

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3170757A1 true EP3170757A1 (fr) 2017-05-24

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15195791.7A Withdrawn EP3170757A1 (fr) 2015-11-23 2015-11-23 Unité de nettoyage pour le nettoyage de paquets dans une machine d'emballage, machine d'emballage et procédé de production d'emballages

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3170757A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022157405A1 (fr) * 2021-01-20 2022-07-28 Luis Calvo Sanz S.A. Méthode pour la mise en boîte de produits alimentaires dans une boîte de conserve

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5195298A (en) * 1991-01-15 1993-03-23 Campbell Soup Company Container filling and sealing system
WO1999028193A1 (fr) * 1997-11-26 1999-06-10 Loschi, Sergio Dispositif pour eliminer la charge bacterienne dans des recipients fermes hermetiquement
WO2001019717A1 (fr) * 1999-09-16 2001-03-22 A-Can Technology (Bahamas) Limited Appareil et procede de remplissage et de fermeture d'un recipient en deux etapes
US20010029972A1 (en) * 2000-02-08 2001-10-18 Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Container cleaning, draining and drying apparatus
WO2007083398A1 (fr) * 2006-01-19 2007-07-26 Suntory Limited Processus de fabrication de recipient rempli d'un contenu, procede de nettoyage de recipient rempli d'un contenu, et recipient rempli d'un contenu
US20120055116A1 (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-08 KD Diversified, LLC Germ guard label and methods for using a germ guard label
EP2586715A1 (fr) * 2011-10-31 2013-05-01 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Unité d'alimentation et procédé d'alimentation de paquets scellés de produits alimentaires pouvant être versés

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5195298A (en) * 1991-01-15 1993-03-23 Campbell Soup Company Container filling and sealing system
WO1999028193A1 (fr) * 1997-11-26 1999-06-10 Loschi, Sergio Dispositif pour eliminer la charge bacterienne dans des recipients fermes hermetiquement
WO2001019717A1 (fr) * 1999-09-16 2001-03-22 A-Can Technology (Bahamas) Limited Appareil et procede de remplissage et de fermeture d'un recipient en deux etapes
US20010029972A1 (en) * 2000-02-08 2001-10-18 Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Container cleaning, draining and drying apparatus
WO2007083398A1 (fr) * 2006-01-19 2007-07-26 Suntory Limited Processus de fabrication de recipient rempli d'un contenu, procede de nettoyage de recipient rempli d'un contenu, et recipient rempli d'un contenu
US20120055116A1 (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-08 KD Diversified, LLC Germ guard label and methods for using a germ guard label
EP2586715A1 (fr) * 2011-10-31 2013-05-01 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Unité d'alimentation et procédé d'alimentation de paquets scellés de produits alimentaires pouvant être versés

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022157405A1 (fr) * 2021-01-20 2022-07-28 Luis Calvo Sanz S.A. Méthode pour la mise en boîte de produits alimentaires dans une boîte de conserve

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