EP3253658B1 - Method for filling packs with varying products in a filling machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for filling packages with changing products in a filling machine, in which packages are successively transported by a filling machine and the packages each successively in a sterile environment, in particular an aseptic, via a connected to a product tank filling spout with a first Product to be filled.

Methods for filling packages with products, in particular in the form of food, are known in different embodiments. The filling of the packs with, preferably flowable, foodstuffs takes place in a sterile or aseptic environment of a filling machine. Since the food should be long-lasting after filling the packs, as sterile as possible filling is desirable. For this purpose, the filling machines, for example, sterilization rooms or aseptic chambers, in which the packages are sterilized and then filled under sterile conditions and sealed as possible.

Packings used in particular are packs which are open on an upper side in order to provide an opening for filling. The packages may be containers, for example cardboard composite packaging, which are formed from a laminate comprising a cardboard layer and outer, in particular thermoplastic, plastic layers, such as polyethylene (PE). The carton provides the packages with sufficient stability to allow the packages to be easily handled and stacked, for example. The plastic layers protect the carton from moisture and the food from absorbing unwanted substances from the package. In addition, still can additional layers, such as an aluminum layer, may be provided to prevent diffusion of oxygen and other gases through the package.

The packs can be made from a pack precursor, preferably in the filling machine. For example, packaging material blanks can be used as packing precursors, which can be prefabricated as needed, for example by sealing longitudinal edges to form a package blank. Corresponding package blanks are typically mounted on mandrels of a so-called mandrel wheel, the cross section of the mandrels corresponding to the cross-section of the package blank which initially protrudes outwardly beyond the mandrel. This projecting portion of the package blank is folded against the end face of the mandrel and sealed there to form a package bottom or packing head. Alternatively, the packing material used for the packing precursors may be unwound from a roll virtually indefinitely. In the case of a packaging blank, this is folded at bending lines to form first a packing jacket and a package bottom. By sealing overlapping portions of the packaging material, the packing jacket and the package bottom are closed. The head of the pack remains open at first. If necessary, the packing head can also first be closed and the packing filled by the, preferably upwardly facing, still open bottom. Since this in principle makes no significant difference to the method of filling packages, the bottom of the package is considered to be the top of the package, which is downwardly facing when being filled, closed and still unsealed as the head of the package. Whether the package is then rotated for storage, transport and / or for sale or not, so where in the finished pack is up and down, then basically can stand.

Subsequently, the packs are introduced into a sterilization zone of the filling machine. This is usually done by the packages are successively transferred to the packaging cells of a transport device. The Transport device then ensures that the packs are transported at a defined speed at a defined distance from each other through the sterilization zone of the filling machine.

In the sterilization zone, the packages are preheated as needed. For this, the containers are blown with hot sterile air. Subsequently, the inner surfaces of the packs and at least the head portion of the outer surface of the packs are charged with hydrogen peroxide while being sterilized. Subsequently, the sterilized packs can be dried with sterile air. The sterilized packs are transferred to the filling and sealing zone where they are preferably filled with food. The food is especially flowable. In a large number of cases, the food is drinks. Subsequently, the filled pack is still closed before the sealed pack is transported via the transport device from the filling and sealing zone and then removed from the corresponding cells of the transport device.

In the filling and sealing zone, a so-called aseptic zone is formed. The aseptic zone indicates the actual aseptic or sterile area in the upper section of the filling and sealing zone. The aseptic chamber comprises the sterilization zone as well as the filling and sealing zone. The aseptic chamber may be formed in the manner of a housing, wherein openings are provided for supplying and discharging packages. In addition, the aseptic chamber may have at least one opening at the lower end in order to remove the atmosphere from the sterilization zone and / or the filling and sealing zone. The space below the aseptic chamber is not aseptic, but this does not affect the aseptic filling of the package.

In some filling machines, the packages are transported by the conveyor in a straight line through the filling machine. Corresponding filling machines are also referred to as cross-country skiers. In other filling devices, the so-called rotary travelers, the packages describe a more or less arcuate movement, which may comprise one or more circular arc sections.

Regardless of the type of filling machine usually different products, for example, foods are filled sequentially. It is therefore possible to first fill a first juice and then a second juice on the same filling machine. To fill the packages, the filling machine has at least one filling outlet which communicates with a product tank in which the product to be filled is kept. The product tank thus provides a template volume for the product to be filled. When the amount of product in the product tank reaches a lower limit, for example, on the order of between about 1 liter and 15 liters, the remaining product can no longer be replenished in a reproducible manner. The predetermined filling quantity of the packs can thus no longer be maintained accurately enough. For this reason, the packages filled with the remaining quantity must be removed and discarded. But this creates a significant amount of waste. The smaller the pack sizes, the higher the number of packs to be disposed of. In addition, it takes some time until the emptying takes place and the corresponding packings are discharged and the filling of the new product can begin. A product change is therefore associated with an increased cost.

Another known approach is to use no package for emptying the product tank into at least one cell of the transport device and to stop that cell below the filling spout to empty the remainder of the product through the cell into a space below the aseptic chamber. The remaining amount of the product can be absorbed by a bottom trough below the transport device. In this way, while waste can be saved on packages and the emptying accelerated. However, contamination of the transport device and / or the filling machine can not be reliably avoided by non-sterile, back-spraying product. This is even more true when using Füllausläufen, the product is not perpendicular to down but more or less laterally, as is the case with Seitenstrahlausläufern the case, which direct the product at an angle against the wall of the package blank to avoid foaming. The corresponding angle can be, for example, between 15 ° and 80 °. Since a cleaning of the transport device and the filling machine and a re-sterilization associated with a high expenditure of time and personnel, the procedure described above is associated with increased costs.

Moreover, in the US Pat. No. 4,590,734 a method of the aforementioned type is described in which for emptying the product tank, a connected to a drain line receptacles of the filling machine is pivoted under the filling outlet. The remaining product then runs into the receptacle and from there via a drain line. However, this solution requires a higher expenditure on equipment, without being able to do without cleaning the filling machine.

The invention is therefore based on the object of designing and further developing the method mentioned in the introduction and described in more detail above in such a way that a product change can be made more cost-effectively.

This object is achieved according to claim 1 by a method for filling packages with changing products in a filling machine, in which the packages are formed from pack blanks, pack precursors and / or pack blanks kept in a bundle, in which packs are successively transported through a filling machine and The packages are successively filled in a sterile environment, in particular an aseptic zone, via a filling outlet connected to a product tank with a first product, in which the packages to be filled are transferred to cells of a transport device and transported via the transport device into the cells by the filling machine be used in which at least one discharge aid in the form of a packing dummy with at least one bottom-side opening, bottom and / or at least one lateral opening, wherein the at least one discharge aid to a cell of the Transp passed over the transport device in the cell through the filling machine, in which for emptying the product tank at least one discharge aid is brought into an emptying position and a remainder of the first product is at least partially removed from the sterile environment via the discharge aid located in the emptying position, in which a pack blank, a pack precursor and / or a pack blank for forming the product tank is emptied before emptying the product tank at least one discharge aid is introduced into the bundle of pack blanks, pack precursors and / or pack blanks in which the discharge aid is removed after emptying the product tank from the emptying position and in which subsequently packs successively in the sterile environment, in particular the aseptic, via a with a product tank connected filling spout are filled with a second product.

According to the invention, therefore, the use of at least one discharge aid is provided, which differs physically from the packs, but may nevertheless be formed in different ways. The discharge aid may be at least partially provided in the sense of a pipeline for passing the product and / or in the sense of an open channel for discharging the product. However, the discharge aid can also be at least partially designed only in the sense of a splash guard, such as when the product predominantly passes in the form of a free jet through the corresponding part of the discharge aid. Depending on requirements, the at least one discharge aid may also have different sections of the type described above.

So that the discharge aid does not hinder the filling of the packages before and after the product change, the discharge aid can be brought into an emptying position and removed therefrom. In the emptying position, a remainder of the first product can be removed via the discharge aid from the sterile environment. In addition, the discharge aid can in any case be moved so far from the emptying, that the filling of other packs can be done easily. If necessary, the discharge aid can also be completely removed from the filling machine. In this case, however, it is advisable to first sterilize the discharge aid before the discharge aid is brought into the emptying position so as not to contaminate the sterile environment around the filling spout. Alternatively, the discharge aid can also remain in the sterile environment around the filling spout. Then sterilization of the discharge aid can be omitted as a rule. After emptying the product tank and removing the discharge aid from the emptying position, packs can be filled one after the other in a sterile environment via a filling spout, in particular with a second product, ie a product that differs from the product filled before emptying , Thus, for example, a mixing of the two products in a package is at least largely avoided. The filling spout may be connected to the same product tank as before emptying or another product tank. It may be expedient to clean the product tank, the filling device and / or the filling spout, for example, with a cleaning agent, such as water or the second product, rinse to remove as much as possible residues of the first product. The emptying may then in addition to the removal of the remnants of the first product and the removal of detergent used for flushing and / or cleaning the product tank and / or the filling spout, for example in the form of water and / or the second product include.

The first product and / or the second product are, in particular, foods, since foodstuffs require a high degree of sterile filling. These are preferably also flowable products that can be filled in filling machines with at least one filling spout in containers or packs. This is especially true for liquid products. If necessary, however, the liquid products may also have lumpy portions, such as pulp or the like.

A product tank in the sense of the invention may preferably be a separate storage container. However, this can also be integrated into a filling outlet providing filling device of the filling machine. The product tank does not have to take up the entire product to be filled. It is sufficient if the product tank can absorb at least slightly more than the residual amount of product which is at least partially removed from the sterile environment via the discharge aid.

In this case, the discharge aid must alternatively or additionally not bridge the entire distance between the filling outlet and the edge of the sterile environment around the filling outlet. It is basically sufficient if the exit help with a certain distance is positioned under the filling spout. However, the distance should be so small that contamination of the transport device and / or the filling machine can be reliably avoided by emptying the product via the discharge aid. Similarly, the discharge aid can also end at a certain distance from the edge of the sterile environment around the filling spout, if the discharge of the product can still be done reliably without contamination of the transport device and / or the filling machine. The discharge aid is used for the line, in particular passage of the product to be emptied in a part of the sterile environment, in particular the aseptic zone.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the at least one discharge aid for emptying the product tank is brought into an emptying position between two successive packages. Then packs may also be present in the filling machine during emptying, which shortens the time required between the last complete filling of a pack with the first product and the first complete filling of a pack with the second product, that is, if necessary, the time required for emptying become. In any case, if necessary, it can be avoided that the packages affect the emptying of the product tank. Since the packages are transported in cells of a transport device through the filling machine, it may be possible to suspend the loading of the cells with packages in at least one cell. The at least one empty cell can then be positioned under the filling spout so that there is enough free space to move the spout aid to the deflation position. Alternatively or additionally, however, it is also possible to provide at least one cell instead of one pack with at least one discharge aid, which can be plugged into the at least one cell, for example. However, it is also possible for the cells adjacent to the discharge aid to be laterally offset relative to the filling outlet, and thus, if necessary, to be laterally offset to a filling position in order to make room for the discharge aid. If necessary, of the packs which are located in the filling machine during emptying, no pack must be discarded as scrap. Depending on the control of the filling machine but may be provided to discard some or all packs that are in the filling machine when emptying, as a committee.

In order to avoid a malfunction and to make intervention by an operator unnecessary as far as possible, the at least one discharge aid can be automatically brought into an emptying position upon reaching a predetermined process state, which may correspond to reaching a minimum filling quantity of the product tank. If necessary, a remainder of the first product can then be removed from the sterile environment at least partially via the discharge aid located in the emptying position, in particular from the aseptic zone, which can also be done automatically for the sake of simplicity. Alternatively or additionally, the discharge aid is automatically removed from the emptying position after emptying the product tank. Then, the end of the emptying can be defined, for example, by a predetermined process state to avoid a malfunction.

A discharge aid in the form of a packing dummy with at least one bottom-side opening, without a bottom and / or at least one lateral opening is used. The discharge aid can then be transported and / or sterilized, for example, like the packs to be filled by the filling machine. Thus, an entry of germs in the sterile environment around the at least one filling spout can be avoided or it can be dispensed with a separate handling of the spout aid with which the spout aid is brought into the emptying position. In addition, the discharge aid can be easily and inexpensively made from a packaging material from which, for example, the packages are made. Then the outlet aids also do not need to be cleaned consuming. The discharge aids can instead be disposed of easily. Furthermore, it is preferred if the outlet aids, in particular in the form of packing dummies, are produced analogously to the packings from a pack precursor or pack blank, for example with the difference that parts of the packaging material are removed, in particular punched out, to form the described opening.

In this context, it has proven particularly expedient if at least one discharge aid, in particular in the form of a packing dummy, is used with a bottom opening whose cross-sectional area is only a part, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 30%, of the cross-sectional area and / or the bottom surface of the pack and / or outlet aid corresponds. In this case, the emptied product can easily and quickly flow out of the discharge aid at the lower end. At the same time, however, it is avoided that once leaked, non-sterile product back into the discharge aid and / or enters the sterile environment around the filling outlet.

Alternatively or additionally, as at least one discharge aid a packing dummy with external dimensions can be used, which correspond at least substantially to the external dimensions of the packs to be filled with the first product and / or with the second product. The packs to be filled with the first and / or the second product are in fact adapted to the discharge behavior of the filling outlet, so that the corresponding product does not or only slightly spurt out of the pack when the pack is filled. To ensure this even when using the discharge aid, for the sake of simplicity in the discharge aid can be used to substantially the same dimensions.

As the packages are formed from pack blanks, pack precursors and / or pack blanks held in a bundle, which bundle may be, for example, a stack of a plurality of juxtaposed or stacked pack blanks, pack precursors and / or pack blanks, for simplicity's sake Emptying the product tank at least one pack blank, pack precursor and / or pack blank introduced to form the at least one discharge aid in the bundle. It is particularly simple to position the pack blank, pack precursor and / or pack blank to form the at least one discharge aid at the end of the bundle. Next, the package blank, the package precursor, and / or the package blank are next removed from the bundle to form the at least one exit aid to be subsequently formed into the exit aid and, if necessary, transferred to the filling machine. Although this is not mandatory, the package blank, the package precursor, and / or the package blank are preferably introduced into a predetermined location in the bundle of package blanks to form the at least one spill-off aid. Then, if necessary, a separate detection of the discharge aid for controlling the process omitted, It may alternatively or additionally but also be taken to ensure that the discharge aid comes after a predetermined number of packs in the emptying, with the remaining amount of product, from which the emptying process is initiated, if necessary, to this number of packs or to the amount of product to be packaged in these packages.

For further automation, simplification and / or error avoidance, the introduction of a pack blank, pack precursor and / or pack blank to form the discharge aid, in particular in the form of a packing dummy, can take place automatically upon reaching a predetermined process state. It is particularly simple and reliable for the method when the predetermined process state is a minimum filling quantity of the product tank. Other process states are however also conceivable. However, if necessary, a process change can take place without a minimum filling quantity being achieved in the product tank.

The packs to be filled are transferred, for example at a transfer position, to cells of a transport device and then transported via the transport device into the cells by a filling machine. Also, the at least one discharge aid in the form of a packing dummy is transported via the transport device in at least one cell through the filling machine for the sake of simplicity. To further simplify the process, it is possible to transfer the discharge aid at the transfer position to a cell of the transport device, on which the packages are also transferred to the cells of the transport device.

Quite generally come to transport the packs and, if necessary, the at least one outlet help by the filling machine different transport facilities a question. Simple and reliable are so-called cell chains, which are circulating endless chains with cells are connected and can be driven in a known manner. For example, the cell string is located below the packed cells. This is the case in particular when the packages are transported in a substantially straight line through the filling machine in the form of a cross-country skier. But it can also be provided laterally to the cells provided with packs. This is the case in particular in so-called rotary travelers, in which the packages are at least partially guided in an arc, in particular along rotating processing stations in which the packages are heated, sterilized, dried, filled and / or closed. Each of these processing steps can be carried out at a separate rotating processing station or together with further processing steps at a common processing station. The exact configuration of the filling machine, however, is less important in connection with the present invention, which is why the different types of filling machines, which are well known from the prior art, are also described here only in very general terms.

A simple and reliable process control can alternatively or additionally be achieved by positioning the at least one discharge aid with at least one cell, that is to say via the transport device, into a filling position below the filling outlet. Since the packs for filling must be positioned very precisely under the filling outlet in the filling position, the transport device tuned thereto can also be used for transporting the discharge aid into the emptying position, in particular under the filling outflow. Since, when emptying product, if necessary, an amount of product must be discharged which is greater than the filling quantity of a pack, it may be expedient to stop the discharge aid during the emptying of the product tank via the transport device in the filling position. The discharge aid can therefore be kept longer in the emptying position than the packages are kept in the filling position. The emptying of the discharge aid can also correspond to the filling position of the packs. On the one hand there is more time available and the risk of unwanted impurities is reduced. If necessary, the packages are stopped for filling just below the filling spout. The period of time in which the discharge aid is held in the emptying position, may be greater than the time period in which the packages are held in each case in the filling position. Incidentally, in the case that the at least one discharge aid is moved in at least one cell for emptying, the emptying position and the filling position may correspond to each other. This simplifies, for example, the control of the filling machine or the method.

It is basically simple and cost-effective if the at least one discharge aid, in particular in the form of a packing dummy, is manufactured from a packaging material, in particular a packaging material laminate. In this case, for the sake of further simplification of the method, preferably the same packaging material is used as for the formation of the packages. Then the discharge aid and / or the package are preferably made by folding and sealing. In addition, the discharge aid and / or the package can be transferred to at least one cell of a transport device and, in any case, can be moved in the cell by the filling machine substantially to the emptying position. The Packstofflaminat to form the discharge aid and / or the package may have a cardboard layer, a barrier layer such as aluminum, outer sealing layers of a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene (PE) and / or other layers. Packaging materials of this type are well known from the prior art and therefore need no further explanation in the present case. The discharge aid can also be made of a different material, such as a plastic, wherein the discharge aid is then preferably quite stiff to avoid unwanted collapse of the discharge aid.

In order to avoid contamination of the filling machine when emptying a product, the discharge aid used for this purpose may be formed, for example, at least partially sheath and / or sleeve-shaped. In addition, the outlet aid can be reused and from one, preferably upper or lateral, rest position within the sterile environment in the, preferably lower, Emptying be brought. Then, the discharge aid does not first have to be introduced into the filling machine and discharged out of the filling machine after emptying. After emptying the discharge aid can therefore be moved, if necessary, from the emptying position back to the rest position. Since the rest position and, preferably, the emptying position is located in the sterile environment of the filling spout, sterilization of the spout aid before and / or after emptying is dispensable. Nevertheless, it may be advisable to occasionally clean and / or sterilize the discharge aid in order to avoid contamination of the sterile environment. So that the discharge aid does not have to be cleaned as often, it makes sense if the product is passed through the discharge aid essentially in the form of a free jet, and the discharge aid serves primarily as a splash guard to prevent contamination of the filling machine.

Alternatively or additionally, however, at least one discharge aid can first be sterilized and then brought into the emptying position, preferably laterally to the transport direction of the packs. The delivery of the discharge aid should be able to occur without introducing germs into the sterile environment around the filling outlet. The discharge aid can be removed from the filling machine again after emptying, if necessary by the same route. Depending on the nature of the discharge aid, it may be cost-effective to discard the discharge aid and to use a new outlet sleeve for the next emptying or to clean and reuse the discharge aid.

It has generally proved to be preferable to remove the remainder of the first product via the at least one discharge aid downwards and / or to the side from the sterile environment, in particular the aseptic zone. In this case, for example, gravity can be exploited. In addition, the space available at the side and / or bottom can be used to discharge the product. In this case, alternatively or additionally, a possibly already provided bottom tray of the filling machine can be used in a simple manner for collecting the product discharged during emptying via the discharge aid.

If necessary, the remainder of the first product to be emptied can also be collected via the at least one discharge aid and removed with the at least one discharge aid from the sterile environment, in particular the aseptic zone. Then no additional collection system is required, which consequently can not be polluted by the emptying. This simplifies optionally the design effort for the filling machine. If the leaking aid is removed from the sterile environment or the filling machine and disposed of outside the sterile environment or the filling machine, this can be done easily and quickly, without having to fear entry of germs in the sterile environment.

In principle, it is preferred if the method is used in a filling machine in which, during the transport of the packages through the filling machine, the interior of the packages is sterilized in succession, the packages are filled with the first or the second product and those with the first or second product filled packages are closed. If necessary, a drying of the packs and / or after sterilization drying of the packs may be provided before sterilization. In such filling machines, namely, the emptying is a particular problem, so that the advantages of the invention in such filling machines come into play especially. If desired, the discharge aid instead of a package can at least partially pass through the previously described method steps or processing stations. The process parameters and process parameters can then be at least substantially maintained even when emptying compared to the filling of the packs. In particular, it can be provided that the opening cross-section of the reducing valve in the filling strand and / or the type of filling spout, the filling parameters and / or the sterilization parameters are maintained.

Fig. 1

eine erste Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 2

ein Detail einer zweiten Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines zweiten, für sich genommen nicht erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 3

ein Detail einer dritten Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines dritten, für sich genommen nicht erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 4

ein Detail einer vierten Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines vierten, für sich genommen nicht erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens in einer schematischen Darstellung,

Fig. 5

einen Packungsrohling zur Bildung einer Packung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens in einer perspektivischen Ansicht und

Fig. 6

einen Packungsrohling zur Bildung einer Auslaufhilfe zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens in einer perspektivischen Ansicht und

Fig. 7

eine Auslaufhilfe zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating only embodiments. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

a first device for carrying out a method according to the invention in a schematic representation,

Fig. 2

a detail of a second device for carrying out a second, not per se inventive method in a schematic representation,

Fig. 3

a detail of a third device for carrying out a third, not per se inventive method in a schematic representation,

Fig. 4

a detail of a fourth apparatus for carrying out a fourth, not per se inventive method in a schematic representation,

Fig. 5

a package blank for forming a package for carrying out the method according to the invention in a perspective view and

Fig. 6

a package blank for forming a discharge aid for performing the method according to the invention in a perspective view and

Fig. 7

an outlet aid for carrying out the method according to the invention in a perspective view.

In Fig. 1 a device 1 for forming, filling and closing of packages 2 is shown. The packs 2 are, in particular, cardboard composite packagings from corresponding packagings with at least one paperboard layer, at least one barrier layer, for example consisting of aluminum, polyamide and / or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol, and outer layers of one thermoplastic plastic, in particular polyethylene (PE). The device 1 shown and so far preferred comprises two bundles 3, 4 of package blanks 5, 6 in the form of packaging blanks whose longitudinal edges are sealed to each other and thus form packing shells, which are folded up in the bundles 3.4 next to each other. By a feeder 10, the package blanks are 5.6 unfolded. In the case of the device shown and so far preferred, an application device, for example in the form of an injection molding machine, can be provided for applying, in particular injecting, pouring elements (not shown) to the package blank 5, 6.

The illustrated and insofar preferred mandrel wheel 7 has six mandrels 8 and rotates cyclically, ie gradually, counterclockwise. In the first mandrel wheel position I, a package blank 5, 6 is pushed onto the mandrel 8. Unspecified spring clamps secure the position of the package blank 5.6 on the mandrel 8. Subsequently, the mandrel wheel 7 is further rotated in the next mandrel wheel position II, in which the bottom portion of the package blank 5.6 is heated by a hot air blower not designated in detail. In the next mandrel wheel position III, the heated bottom area is prefolded by a press 9 and sealed in the following mandrel wheel position IV in the folded position by a sealing device not shown in detail to a bottom. It is obtained in this way a one-sided closed package 2, which is removed in the following mandrel wheel position V from the mandrel and transferred in a transfer position 11 to a cell 12 of a circulating endless transport device. The package 2 is partially received in the cell 12 and held there, preferably form-fitting. In the illustrated and so far preferred transport device 13 is a so-called cell string. In the next mandrel wheel position VI no work step is assigned. The number of mandrel wheel positions or thorns 8 and the processing steps provided there may, if necessary, from the illustration according to Fig. 1 and its description.

From the transfer position 11, the package 2 with the open head region facing upwards is transported by means of the transport device 13 in the associated cell 12 through a filling machine 14. If necessary, the package could be 2 be filled by the upwardly facing floor area, if the downwardly facing head area would be closed. The filling machine 14 has an aseptic chamber 15 comprising a sterilization zone 16 and a filling and sealing zone 17 through which a series of packages 2 are successively transported. The transport direction 13 of the packs 2 has, as symbolized by the arrows, from left to right, the transport of the packs 2 need not be rectilinear, but can also be done in at least one arc or even in a circle. The transport device 13 is not completely sterile, so that the aseptic region, in particular the aseptic zone 18, of the filling and sealing zone 17 on the transport device 13 ends in any case below the cells 12. However, at least the area within the packages 2 and above the packages 2 in the filling and sealing zone 17 is sterile. This minimum range is illustrated by the hatched aseptic zone 18 and should also be kept sterile during a product change. At the lower end of the filling and sealing zone 17 and below the transport device 13 is a collecting trough 19, can be derived from the collected liquid, for example via a bottom-side drain.

In order to avoid contamination of the sterile environment, the aseptic zone 18, a flow of sterile air from top to bottom is preferably maintained in the aseptic chamber 15. For this purpose, corresponding sterile air connections 20 are provided along the aseptic chamber 15 for supplying sterile air.

The sterilization zone 16 and the filling and sealing zone 17 are separated in the illustrated device 1 by a curtain of sterile air, which is blown up and flows substantially laminar down. As an alternative or in addition to the curtain, a lock or bottleneck would also be conceivable which just allows the containers or packs 2 to pass into the filling and sealing zone 17, but at least tends to retain the atmosphere from the sterilization zone 16.

After entering the sterilization zone 16, the packs are passed through a preheater 21 successively by blowing hot sterile air preheated. Subsequently, the packs 2 are acted upon by means of a sterilizing device 22 with a mixture of water vapor, hydrogen peroxide and, preferably filtered, air in order to sterilize the inner sides of the packs 2 in any case. Thereafter, the packages 2 are dried by applying sterile air via a drying device 23 and brought after the transition from the sterilization zone 16 in the filling and sealing zone 17 in a filling position 24 below a filling spout 25 of a filling device 26. There, the packages 2 are successively filled, in particular with a food. The filled packages 2 are then closed with a closing device 27 by folding the upper portion of the package 2 and sealing. The sealed packages 2 are then transported by means of the transport device 13 from the aseptic chamber 15 and the filling machine 14. In a removal position 28, the packages 2 are removed from the cells 12 of the transport device 13. The now empty cells 12 are moved further with the transport device 13 in the direction of the transfer position 11 in order to receive further packages 2 there.

The device 1 described above is operated in the manner also described above until a product change is imminent. The illustrated and insofar preferred filling machine 14 detects when the held in a product tank not shown for filling quantity of product falls below a predetermined minimum amount and / or when a product change is required. Then, such a blank 6 is removed from a bundle 4 of blanks 6 for discharge aids and inserted into the bundle 3 of package blanks 5, preferably at the end of the bundle 3 of package blanks 5. The blank 6 for the discharge aid is made of the same packaging material as the Ordinary packages 2 and also made of a packaging material blank, which is sealed at the overlapping longitudinal edges to a blank 6. In contrast to the usual packs 2, the blank 6 of the discharge aid has at least one recess in the bottom area.

The blank 6 of the discharge aid is unfolded by the feeder 10 and pushed onto the mandrel wheel 7. Subsequently, as has already been described for the packages 2, a bottom is formed. As a result of the recess of the bottom portion of the blank 6 of the discharge aid, the bottom of the discharge aid 30 thus formed is not completely closed. There remains at least one opening. When the corresponding discharge aid 30 reaches the filling position 24 of the packs 2 below the filling outlet 25 and thus into the emptying position 29 of the discharge aid 30, the remainder of the product in the product tank, at least substantially, is introduced via the filling outlet 25 into the discharge aid 30 the product then exits through the opening at the bottom and is guided into the collecting trough 19 below the transport device 13. When the product tank is emptied, the fill spout 25 may be connected to a product tank of a second product or the product tank filled with the second product. If desired, the filling device 26 may alternatively or additionally be rinsed after emptying with a rinsing medium or the second product, so that subsequently at least substantially pure second product can be filled.

Since the insides of the spout aid 30 have been sterilized and the cross-section of the opening is not too large, the spout aid 30 prevents contamination of the environment by spewing product from, for example, the sump 19. In addition, the spout aid 30 via the opening ensures that the product is controlled is delivered. After emptying, the head region of the discharge aid 30 can be closed before the discharge aid 30 leaves the filling machine 14, and is removed in the removal position 28 from the corresponding cell 12 of the transport device 13. The discharge aid is then preferably disposed of. After emptying, moreover, as described above, further package blanks 5 are formed into packs 2, which are transported into the filling position 24 and filled there.

In an alternative and not shown embodiment of the method may be used for emptying a, if necessary, non-foldable, discharge aid. This is then introduced into a cell of the transport device 13 before emptying, for example when reaching a certain amount of residual product in the transfer position 11 instead of a stripped from the mandrel wheel 7 pack 2. Then the spout aid again passes through the filling machine 14 like the usual packs 2. When the spout aid arrives in the filling position 24 of the pack 2 and thus in the emptying position 29 of the spout aid, the product to be emptied is emptied by the spout aid as described above. Subsequently, however, closing of the discharge aid in the head region preferably does not take place, either because the closing device 27 is briefly deactivated and / or not activated for closing the head region of the packs 2 at the right time or because the discharge aid is designed and / or received in the corresponding cell. that the discharge aid, in contrast to the ordinary packs 2 less far out of the cell 12 is up and out of the closing device 27 is not taken.

Another alternative method for performing the product change of a filling machine 14 'is in the Fig. 2 shown. This is based on the fact that the discharge aid 30 'occupies a rest position 31' in the sterile area, ie the aseptic zone 18 ', of the filling machine 14'. In this position, the filling of a product on the filling spout 25 'of the filling device 26' is not hindered. For emptying, the discharge aid 30 'can then be moved out of this rest position 31' into a lower emptying position 29 '. This emptying 29 'is in the Fig. 2 represented by a dash-dotted line. Furthermore, it is provided in the illustrated alternative method that the discharge aid 30 'into the filling position 24' located in the cell 12 'immersed to enter the emptying position 29', preferably substantially up to the footprint for the packs. The discharge aid 30 'is preferably designed sleeve-shaped. In this case, the discharge aid 29 'have a round or angular, if necessary, with the cross section of the cell 12' corresponding cross-section. Alternatively or additionally, the lower portion of the spout aid 30 'may be partially closed to achieve controlled product leakage. When the discharge aid 30 'the lower emptying 29 'has reached the emptying takes place as described in principle above the filling spout 25'. If the emptying is completed, the discharge aid 30 'can be moved up again into the rest position 31'. The transport device 13 'subsequently continues to rotate, and then packages are filled with the second product, as previously stated.

In another, in the Fig. 3 1, a discharge aid 30 "in the form of a receptacle is brought laterally into the emptying position 29" below the filling outlet 25 "of a filling machine 14", namely partially into the aseptic zone 18. The product to be emptied and, if necessary, the medium optionally used for rinsing can then be caught by the discharge aid 30 ". Subsequently, the discharge aid 30 "is pulled out laterally from the emptying position 29" and can be emptied and / or discarded. If necessary, the transport device 13 "can be stopped before introducing the discharge aid 30" into the emptying position 29 "in a position in which no cell 12" and no packing 2 "directly below the filling spout 25", ie not in the filling position 24 " , is positioned to provide space for easy lateral insertion of the exit aid 30 ".

In the Fig. 4 another method alternative for performing a product change is shown. It is only a discharge aid 30 '"in the form of a channel, if necessary, a pipe, a funnel or the like would be conceivable, pushed into the emptying position 29''' under the filling process 25 '''when the product tank are emptied for the purpose of product change The exit aid 30 "'may be positioned between two packages 2'" held in cells 12 '"and partially in the aseptic zone 18"'. The then out of the filling spout 25 '''expiring product can be easily led to the side and caught there and / or discarded. For this purpose, it is advisable if the discharge aid 30 '''inclined to the side down to take advantage of gravity.

In Fig. 5 1, a package blank 5 is shown made from a packaging blank 34 sealed along overlapping longitudinal edges 33. The head region 35 and the bottom region 36 at the opposite longitudinal ends of the package blank 5, which are spaced from a, for example, rectangular or square shell region 37 of the package 2, are still unlocked. The head portion 35 and the bottom portion 36 are closed by folding and then sealing, forming the bottom 38 before filling and the head 39 of the package 2 after filling. This could alternatively be done in reverse order. Furthermore, the head area 35 can, if necessary, still be provided with a pouring element. In addition, the head portion 35 can be folded flat or folded gable-shaped.

The bottom portion 36 is preferably folded flat, which is well known in the art.

Like this in the Fig. 6 may be formed out of the package blank 34 differently from that provided for in a known manner for filling and in the., To form a discharge aid 30 from a Packstofflaminat, in the form of a package blank 34 Fig. 5 shown pack blanks 5 in the bottom portion 36 of a package blank 6 at least one recess 40 may be provided, in particular punched out. The packaging material laminate of the packages 2 and the discharge aid 30 can be constructed in the same way.

After closing the correspondingly pretreated bottom area 36, the floor 38 consequently has at least one opening 41, as likewise likewise shown in FIG Fig. 7 is shown. Alternatively, a discharge aid can be made of a material other than a packaging material laminate. This may be, for example, a plastic that can be brought about in the way of injection molding in the form of the discharge aid. The discharge aid then has, if necessary, a similar shape as in Fig. 7 represented formed from a Packstofflaminat discharge aid, which could be dispensed with entirely on a floor.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

device

2

pack

3.4

bunch

5.6

packing blanks

7

mandrel wheel

8th

mandrel

9

Press

10

feeding

11

Transfer position

12

cell

13

transport means

14

filling Machine

15

aseptic

16

sterilization zone

17

Filling and sealing zone

18

aseptic

19

drip tray

20

Sterile air connections

21

preheater

22

sterilizer

23

drying device

24

filling position

25

Füllauslauf

26

filling

27

closing

28

removal position

29

emptying

30

Discontinued Help

31

rest position

33

longitudinal edges

34

Packaging material cutting

35

head area

36

floor area

37

cladding region

38

ground

39

head

40

recess

41

opening

Claims (13)

1. Method (1) for filling packages (2) with changing products in a filling machine (14), wherein the packages (2) are formed from package blanks, package precursors and/or package sleeves (5) which are held ready in a bundle (3),
   wherein packages (2) are transported one after the other through the filling machine (14) and the packages (2) are filled one after the other with a first product in a sterile environment, in particular an aseptic zone (18), via a filling outlet (25) which is connected to a product tank,
   wherein the packages (2) to be filled are transferred to cells (12) of a transport device (13) and are transported via the transport device (13) in the cells (12) through the filling machine (14),
   wherein at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) in the form of a package dummy having at least one base-side opening (41), without a base (38) and/or at least one lateral opening (41) is used, wherein the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) is transferred to a cell (12) of the transport device (13) and is transported via the transport device (13) in the cell (12) through the filling machine (14),
   wherein, in order to empty the product tank, the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) is moved into an emptying position and a remainder of the first product is at least partially discharged via the auxiliary discharge means (30) which is located in the emptying position (29) from the sterile environment, in particular the aseptic zone (18),
   wherein, prior to the emptying of the product tank, a package blank, a package precursor and/or a package sleeve (6) is introduced into the bundle (3) of package blanks, package precursors and/or package sleeves (5) in order to form the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30),
   wherein the auxiliary discharge means (30) after the emptying of the product tank is removed from the emptying position (29), and
   wherein packages (2) are subsequently filled one after the other with a second product in the sterile environment, in particular the aseptic zone (18), via a filling outlet (25) which is connected to a product tank.
2. Method according to claim 1,
   wherein, in order to empty the product tank, the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) is moved into an emptying position (29) between two successive packages (2).
3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2,
   wherein, when a predetermined process state is reached, in particular a minimum filling level of the product tank, the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) is automatically moved into an emptying position (29) and a remainder of the first product is discharged at least partially via the auxiliary discharge means (30) which is located in the emptying position (29) from the sterile environment, in particular the aseptic zone (18), and/or wherein the auxiliary discharge means (30) after the product tank has been emptied is automatically removed from the emptying position (29).
4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   wherein an auxiliary discharge means (30) having a base-side opening (41) is used, whose cross-sectional surface-area corresponds to only a portion, preferably less than 50%, in particular less than 30%, of the cross-sectional surface-area and/or the base face of the package (2) and/or auxiliary discharge means (30).
5. Method according to claim 4,
   wherein there is used an auxiliary discharge means (30) with external dimensions, which at least substantially correspond to the external dimensions of the packages (2) which are to be filled with the first product and/or the second product.
6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   wherein, prior to the product tank being emptied, a package blank, a package precursor and/or a package sleeve (6) in order to form the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) is introduced at a predetermined location into the bundle (3) of package blanks, package precursors and/or package sleeves (5).
7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
   wherein the introduction of a package blank, package precursor and/or package sleeve (6) in order to form the auxiliary discharge means (30) when a predetermined process state is reached, in particular a minimum filling level of the product tank, is carried out automatically.
8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
   wherein the at least one auxiliary discharge means (20) is transferred at a transfer position (11) to a cell (12) of the transport device (13), at which the packages (2) are also transferred to the cells (12).
9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
   wherein the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) is positioned with the cell (12) in a filling position (24) below the filling outlet (25), wherein the packages (2) are preferably filled in the filling position (24) via the filling outlet (25) and
   wherein preferably the auxiliary discharge means (30) during the emptying of the product tank is stopped via the transport device (13) in the filling position (24).
10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
    wherein the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) is either, preferably in the same manner as the packages (2), produced from a package material laminate, in particular by means of folding and sealing, or from a plastics material, and
    wherein the folded and sealed auxiliary discharge means (30), in particular package dummy, is preferably transferred to a cell (12) of the transport device (13) and transported in the cell (12) through the filling machine (14).
11. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
    wherein the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) is sterilised and subsequently moved, preferably laterally with respect to the transport direction of the packages (2), into the emptying position (29).
12. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
    wherein the remainder of the first product is discharged downwards via the at least one auxiliary discharge means (30) and/or to the side from the sterile environment, in particular the aseptic zone (18).
13. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
    wherein, during the transport of the packages (2) through the filling machine (14) one after the other, the inner space of the packages (2) is sterilised, the packages (2) are filled with the first or second product and the packages (2) which are filled with the first or second product are closed.

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