EP4043351A2 - Verpackungsvorrichtung zur formung versiegelter packungen - Google Patents

Verpackungsvorrichtung zur formung versiegelter packungen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4043351A2
EP4043351A2 EP22155109.6A EP22155109A EP4043351A2 EP 4043351 A2 EP4043351 A2 EP 4043351A2 EP 22155109 A EP22155109 A EP 22155109A EP 4043351 A2 EP4043351 A2 EP 4043351A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
valve
inlet
outlet
valve element
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22155109.6A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4043351A3 (de
Inventor
Gianni Fangarezzi
Paolo SANIBONDI
Nicola GARUTI
Andrea Barbieri
Yutaka Kaneko
Filippo Ferrarini
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
Publication of EP4043351A2 publication Critical patent/EP4043351A2/de
Publication of EP4043351A3 publication Critical patent/EP4043351A3/de
Pending 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • 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
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
    • B65B31/044—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles being combined with a filling device
    • B65B31/045—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles being combined with a filling device of Vertical Form-Fill-Seal [VFFS] 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
    • B65B37/00—Supplying or feeding fluent-solid, plastic, or liquid material, or loose masses of small articles, to be packaged
    • 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
    • B65B39/00—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers
    • B65B39/001—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves
    • B65B39/004—Nozzles, funnels or guides for introducing articles or materials into containers or wrappers with flow cut-off means, e.g. valves moving linearly
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/027—Packaging in aseptic chambers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/04—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging
    • B65B55/10—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging by liquids or gases
    • B65B55/103—Sterilising flat or tubular webs
    • 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
    • B65B57/10—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged
    • B65B57/14—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
    • B65B57/145—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged for fluent material
    • 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
    • B65B65/00—Details peculiar to packaging machines and not otherwise provided for; Arrangements of such details
    • B65B65/003—Packaging lines, e.g. general layout
    • B65B65/006—Multiple parallel packaging lines
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • B65B9/207—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles the web advancing continuously
    • 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
    • B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
    • B65B9/10—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs
    • B65B9/20—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles
    • B65B9/213—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, in preformed tubular webs, or in webs formed into tubes around filling nozzles, e.g. extruded tubular webs the webs being formed into tubes in situ around the filling nozzles the web having intermittent motion
    • 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
    • B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
    • B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
    • B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
    • B65B51/30—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
    • B65B51/303—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes reciprocating along only one axis

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a packaging apparatus for forming sealed packages, in particular for forming sealed packages filled with a pourable product.
  • liquid or pourable food products such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high-temperature treated) milk, wine, tomato sauce, etc.
  • UHT ultra-high-temperature treated milk
  • wine tomato sauce
  • etc. are sold in packages made of sterilized packaging material.
  • a typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped package for liquid or pourable food products known as Tetra Brik Aseptic (registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding a multilayer packaging material.
  • the multilayer packaging material comprises at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene, interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another.
  • the packaging material also comprises a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material.
  • a layer of gas- and light-barrier material e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film
  • EVOH ethylene vinyl alcohol
  • the web of packaging material also comprises a further layer of heat-seal plastic material being interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.
  • Packages of this sort are normally produced on fully automatic packaging apparatuses, which advance a web of packaging material through a sterilization unit of the packaging apparatus for sterilizing the web of packaging material, e.g. by means of chemical sterilization (e.g. by applying a chemical sterilizing agent, such as a hydrogen peroxide solution) or physical sterilization (e.g. by means of an electron beam). Then, the sterilized web of packaging material is maintained and advanced within an isolation chamber (a closed and sterile environment), and is folded and sealed longitudinally to form a tube, which is further fed along a vertical advancing direction.
  • chemical sterilizing agent such as a hydrogen peroxide solution
  • physical sterilization e.g. by means of an electron beam
  • Known packaging apparatuses also comprise a respective product delivery device configured to receive the pourable product from an external product supply and to selectively feed the pourable product along a flow path to and into the filling device, in particular the filling pipe.
  • a typical product delivery device comprises a plurality of valves of which a first valve and a second valve are on/off-valves and a third valve is a modulating valve.
  • the first valve is connected to the external product supply and is controllable between a respective open position and a closed position in order to respectively allow and impede delivery of the pourable product to a second valve.
  • the second valve is moveable into a respective open position and a respective closed position for respectively allowing and impeding delivery of the pourable product to the third valve and the third valve is moveable into an endless position of open positions so as to modulate the flow rate of the pourable product to the filling device, in particular the filling pipe.
  • the external product supply does not only deliver, in use, the pourable product to one single packaging apparatus, but to a plurality of independently operated packaging apparatuses, each of which has a respective product delivery device.
  • Another inconvenience of these packaging apparatuses has been found to be that also the stop of supply of the pourable product within one respective packaging apparatus may create underpressure and/or pressure fluctuations of the pourable product within the respective packaging apparatuses.
  • Number 1 indicates as a whole a packaging apparatus for producing sealed packages 2 of a pourable food product, such as pasteurized milk or fruit juice, from a tube 3 of a web 4 of packaging material.
  • tube 3 extends along a longitudinal axis L, in particular having a vertical orientation.
  • packaging apparatus 1 belongs to a production facility, which may comprise a plurality of packaging apparatuses 1 (the packaging apparatuses 1 being substantially identical in construction and operation to one another).
  • web 4 may have a multilayer structure (not shown), and may comprise at least a layer of fibrous material, such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer, and at least two layers of heat-seal plastic material, e.g. polyethylene interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another.
  • a layer of fibrous material such as e.g. a paper or cardboard layer
  • heat-seal plastic material e.g. polyethylene interposing the layer of fibrous material in between one another.
  • One of these two layers of heat-seal plastic material defines the inner face of package 2 eventually contacting the pourable product.
  • web 4 may also comprise a layer of gas- and light-barrier material, e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film, in particular being arranged between one of the layers of the heat-seal plastic material and the layer of fibrous material. Additionally, web 4 may also comprise a further layer of heat-seal plastic material interposed between the layer of gas- and light-barrier material and the layer of fibrous material.
  • gas- and light-barrier material e.g. aluminum foil or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) film
  • packaging apparatus 1 comprises:
  • packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise:
  • packaging apparatus 1 may also comprise a sterilizing unit (not shown and known as such) configured to sterilize the, in use, advancing web 4 at a sterilization station, in particular the sterilization station being arranged upstream of forming station 6 along web advancement path P.
  • a sterilizing unit (not shown and known as such) configured to sterilize the, in use, advancing web 4 at a sterilization station, in particular the sterilization station being arranged upstream of forming station 6 along web advancement path P.
  • tube forming and sealing device 5 may be at least partially arranged within inner environment 14 such that the tube forming and sealing device 5 is configured to form and longitudinally seal tube 3 within inner environment 13.
  • package forming unit 10 may be arranged outside of inner environment 14.
  • packaging forming unit 10 is configured to shape and transversally seal, in particular also to transversally cut, tube 3 within an (not sterile) auxiliary space of packaging apparatus 1.
  • conveying device 11 may be configured to advance tube 3, and in particular also any intermediate of tube 3, in a manner known as such along tube advancement path Q, in particular from forming station 6 to and at least partially through package forming unit 10.
  • any configuration of web 4 is meant prior to obtaining the tube structure and after the folding of web 4 by tube forming and sealing device 5 has started.
  • the intermediates of tube 3 are a result of the gradual folding of web 4 so as to obtain tube 3, in particular by overlapping with one another a first edge of web 4 and a second edge of web 4, opposite to the first edge.
  • At least a first portion of tube advancement path Q lies within isolation chamber 13 (in particular, within inner environment 14). Furthermore, a second portion of tube advancement path Q lies within the auxiliary space.
  • tube forming and sealing device 5 may comprise a tube forming unit 5 at least partially, preferably fully, arranged within isolation chamber 13 and being configured to gradually fold the advancing web 4 into tube 3, in particular by overlapping the first edge and second edge with one another, for forming a longitudinal seam portion of tube 3.
  • tube forming unit 5 extends along a longitudinal axis, in particular parallel to tube advancement path Q.
  • the seam portion 23 extends from an initial level (not specifically shown) into a downward direction along tube advancement path Q. In other words, the initial level is at the position at which the first edge and the second edge start to overlap one another for forming the seam portion.
  • tube forming and sealing device 5 may also comprise at least a sealing head 20 (at least partially) arranged within inner environment 13 and being configured to longitudinally seal tube 3 along the seam portion, in particular by transferring thermal heat to the seam portion.
  • Sealing head 29 may be of any kind; e.g. sealing head 29 may be of the kind operating by means of induction heating and/or by a stream of a heated gas and/or by means of ultrasound and/or by laser heating and/or by any other means.
  • filling device 7 may comprise a filling pipe 21 configured to (continuously) direct, in use, the pourable product into tube 3 and extend at least partially within tube 3.
  • filling pipe 21 is controllable to be in fluid connection with product delivery device 8 in order to selectively receive the pourable product from product delivery device 8.
  • filling pipe 21 may comprise a (linear) main pipe portion 22 extending within and (substantially) parallel to tube 3. Additionally, filling pipe 21 may comprise an auxiliary pipe portion 23 transversal to main pipe portion 22 and connected to product delivery device 8.
  • package forming unit 10 comprises a plurality of pairs of at least one respective operative assembly 24 (only one shown) and at least one counter-operative assembly 25 (only one shown); and
  • each operative assembly 24 is adapted to cooperate, in use, with the respective counter-operative assembly 25 of the respective pair for forming a respective package 2 from tube 3.
  • each operative assembly 24 and the respective counter-operative assembly 25 are configured to shape, transversally seal and, preferably but not necessarily also transversally cut tube 3 for forming the respective packages 2.
  • each operative assembly 24 and the respective counter-operative assembly 25 are adapted to cooperate with one another for forming a respective package 2 from tube 3 when advancing along a respective operative portion of the respective conveying path.
  • each operative assembly 24 and the respective counter-operative assembly 25 advance parallel to and in the same direction as tube 3.
  • each operative assembly 24 and the respective counter-operative assembly 25 are configured to contact tube 3 when advancing along the respective operative portion of the respective conveying path.
  • external product supply 9 may comprise a pourable product conditioning and/or storage device (not shown and known as such) configured to store/provide for and/or condition the pourable product to be packaged and at least one delivery pipe 26 connecting the pourable product storage tank to product delivery device(s) 8.
  • a pourable product conditioning and/or storage device (not shown and known as such) configured to store/provide for and/or condition the pourable product to be packaged and at least one delivery pipe 26 connecting the pourable product storage tank to product delivery device(s) 8.
  • product delivery device 8 may comprise at least:
  • product delivery device 8 may comprise an auxiliary valve 36 connectable and/or connected to external pourable product supply 9 and having at least a third inlet 37 and a third outlet 38.
  • third outlet 38 is in fluid connection with first inlet 31.
  • product delivery device 8 may comprise a connection conduit 39 arranged between third outlet 38 and first inlet 31 for establishing the fluid connection between third outlet 38 and first inlet 31.
  • connection conduit 39 is also configured to be filled with a gas (if the operational states of main inlet valve 30 and auxiliary valve 36 require so) for acting (if needed) as a gas barrier.
  • main inlet valve 30 may also comprise a first valve element 42 configured to control a fluid connection between first inlet 31 and first outlet 32.
  • first valve element 42 is controllable into at least:
  • first valve element 42 is configured to modulate the flow rate of the pourable product flowing, in use, from first inlet 31 to first outlet 32.
  • each intermediate position may determine one respective intermediate flow rate being distinct from the others.
  • first valve element 42 is a position which can be kept for a defined (and prolonged) time and is not solely a transitory position.
  • main inlet valve 30 comprises an actuator 43, such as a pneumatic actuator, an electrical motor or similar, coupled to first valve element 42 and configured to linearly move first valve element 42, in particular within a respective space of main inlet valve 30, so as to position first valve element 42 in one of the opening position, closing position and intermediate positions.
  • actuator 43 such as a pneumatic actuator, an electrical motor or similar
  • main inlet valve 30 may comprise a position sensor configured to determine a position of first valve element 42.
  • main inlet valve 30 may also comprise a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the pourable product flowing within main inlet valve 30 from first inlet 31 to first outlet 32.
  • control valve 33 comprises a second valve element 44 configured to control a fluid connection between second inlet 34 and second outlet 35 and being controllable at least into:
  • second valve element 44 may also be controllable into one or more intermediate positions at each of which second valve element 42 is configured to allow a respective interim flow rate being lower than the maximum flow rate (and higher than the minimum flow rate).
  • second valve element 44 is configured to modulate the flow rate of the pourable product flowing, in use, from second inlet 34 to second outlet 35, in particular also allowing to interrupt the flow of the pourable product.
  • each interim position may determine one respective interim flow rate to be distinct from the others.
  • control valve 33 may comprise an actuator 45, such as a pneumatic actuator, an electrical motor or similar, coupled to second valve element 44 and configured to linearly move second valve element 44, in particular within a respective space of control valve 33, in order to position second valve element 44 in one of the opened position, the closed position and the interim positions.
  • actuator 45 such as a pneumatic actuator, an electrical motor or similar
  • auxiliary valve 36 comprises a third valve element 46 configured to control a fluidic connection between third inlet 37 and third outlet 38.
  • third valve element 46 is movable into a respective open position (see e.g. Figures 3a to 3c ) and a respective shut position (see Figure 2 ) so as to respectively allow and impede the fluidic connection between third inlet 37 and third outlet 38.
  • auxiliary valve 36 may comprise an actuator 36 configured to move third valve element 46 between the open position and the shut position.
  • auxiliary valve 36 may further comprise an additional outlet 48 in fluid connection with third inlet 37 and configured to connect in collaboration with third inlet 37 auxiliary valve 36 to delivery pipe 26 (and to define a flow-through passage).
  • product delivery device 8 may further comprise a pressure sensor 49 arranged downstream from main inlet valve 30 along the flow path for measuring a pressure of the pourable product and/or a flow meter 50 arranged downstream from main inlet valve 30, and in particular also downstream from pressure sensor 49, along the flow path and configured to measure a flow rate of the pourable product.
  • a pressure sensor 49 arranged downstream from main inlet valve 30 along the flow path for measuring a pressure of the pourable product and/or a flow meter 50 arranged downstream from main inlet valve 30, and in particular also downstream from pressure sensor 49, along the flow path and configured to measure a flow rate of the pourable product.
  • pressure sensor 49 and/or flow meter 50 may be placed upstream from control valve 33 along the flow path.
  • main inlet valve 30, in particular the position of first valve element 42, and/or control valve 33, in particular the position of second valve element 44, are configured to be controlled in function of the pressure measured, in use, by pressure sensor 49 and/or the flow rate measured, in use, by flow meter 50.
  • product delivery device 8 may also comprise a flow tube 55 connected to control valve 33, in particular second outlet 35, and to filling pipe 21.
  • product delivery device 8 may also comprise a flow conduit 56 connecting main inlet valve 30, in particular first outlet 32, and control valve 33, in particular second inlet 34, with one another.
  • pressure sensor 49 and flow meter 50 are operatively coupled to flow conduit 56.
  • main portions of product delivery device 8 are arranged within outer environment 15.
  • only a portion of flow tube 55 is arranged within inner environment 14.
  • At least main inlet valve 30 and control valve 33 are arranged within outer environment 33.
  • auxiliary valve 36 and/or pressure sensor 55 and/or flow meter 56 and/or flow conduit 56 may be arranged within outer environment 15.
  • flow tube 55 comprises a first portion 57 arranged within outer environment 15, and in particular a second portion 58 arranged within inner environment 14.
  • first portion 57 is connected to control valve 33, in particular second outlet 35, and second portion 58 and second portion 58 is connected to first portion 57 and filling pipe 21.
  • first portion 57 is realized as a single piece.
  • first portion 57 could comprise the most two distinct sections, in particular one being connected to control valve 33 and the other one to second portion 58, being connected to one another by a gasket element or a barrier element.
  • packaging apparatus 1 may be controllable into at least:
  • product delivery device 8 is configured to be set into:
  • product delivery device 8 is set in the operational mode and the stop mode with packaging apparatus 1 being controlled into respectively the operational configuration and the stop configuration.
  • first valve element 42 and second valve element 44 are controlled into respectively the closing position and the closed position. Additionally, also third valve element 46 is arranged in the shut position.
  • first valve element 42 is controlled into the opening position or one of the intermediate positions, in particular the position of first valve element 42 may be modified, in use, between the opening position and the intermediate positions.
  • second valve element 44 may be controlled into the open position or one of the interim positions, in particular the position of second valve element 44 may be, in use, modified between the open position and the interim positions.
  • third valve element 46 may be controlled into the respective open position.
  • packaging apparatus 1 also comprises a conditioning device 59 configured to control the (condition) within inner environment 15.
  • conditioning device 59 is configured to feed the sterile gas, in particular the sterile air, into inner environment 14 may comprise (i.e. contain) so as to establish a given pressure of the sterile gas.
  • the given pressure may be (slightly) above ambient pressure for reducing the risk of any contaminants and/or contaminations entering inner environment 14.
  • the given pressure may be about 100 Pa to 500 Pa (0,001 bar to 0,005 bar) above ambient pressure.
  • packaging apparatus 1 also comprises a delimiting element 60 placed, in use, within tube 3 and designed to divide tube 3, in use, into a first space 61 and a second space 62.
  • first space 61 may be delimited by tube 3, in particular the walls of tube 3, and delimiting element 60. Furthermore, first space 61 opens up into inner environment 14. Even more particular, delimiting element 60 delimits first space 61 at a downstream portion (with respect to path Q), in particular a bottom portion, of first space 61 itself.
  • second space 62 is delimited, in use, by tube 3, in particular the walls of tube 3, delimiting element 60 and a transversal seal portion of one respective package 2 (to be formed).
  • second space 62 extends in a direction parallel to path Q (i.e. parallel to axis L) from delimiting element 60 to the transversal seal portion.
  • delimiting element 60 delimits second space 62 at an upstream portion (with respect to path Q), in particular an upper portion, of second space 62 itself; and the transversal seal portion delimits second space 62 at a downstream portion (with respect to path Q), in particular a bottom portion, of second space 62 itself.
  • first space 61 is arranged upstream of second space 62 along tube advancement path Q. Even more particular, first space 61 is arranged upstream of delimiting element 60 along path Q and second space 62 is arranged downstream of delimiting element 60 along path Q. In the specific example shown, second space 62 is placed below first space 61.
  • filling device 7, in particular filling pipe 21, may be configured to direct the pourable product into second space 62.
  • conditioning device 59 is also configured to direct a flow of sterile gas into second space 62 for obtaining a pressure within second space 62 that is higher than the gas pressure within first space 61.
  • second space 62 may contain the pourable product and the pressurized sterile gas.
  • conditioning device 59 is configured to control a first pressure and a second pressure distinct from the first pressure within second space 62 with product delivery device 8 being controlled in respectively the operational mode and the stop mode.
  • conditioning device 59 is configured to control the first pressure to range between 5 kPa to 40 kPa, in particular between 10 kPa to 30 kPa, above ambient pressure.
  • conditioning device 59 may be configured to vary, in use, the first pressure and the second pressure.
  • conditioning device 59 may comprise a gas feeding pipe 63 configured to direct the sterile gas into second space 62. At least a portion of gas feeding pipe 63 is parallel, in particular coaxial, to feeding pipe 21.
  • packaging apparatus 1 forms packages 2 filled with a pourable product.
  • packaging apparatus 1 forms packages 2 from tube 3 formed from web 4, tube 3 being continuously filled with the pourable product.
  • operation of packaging apparatus 1 comprises to control packaging apparatus 1 into the operational configuration or the stop configuration.
  • packaging apparatus 1 forms the packages 2 and in the stop configuration packaging apparatus 1 interrupts the formation of packages 2.
  • product delivery device 8 is set in the operational mode so as to deliver the pourable product to filling device 7, so that the latter direct the pourable product into tube 3, in particular second space 62.
  • first valve element 42 is controlled into the opening position or one of the intermediate positions.
  • first valve element 42 may also be controlled between the opening position and the intermediate positions.
  • second valve element 44 may be moved into the open position or one of the interim positions, in particular second valve element 44 may be moved between the open position and the interim positions.
  • first valve element 42 and second valve element 44 are set in dependence of the pressure measured by pressure sensor 49 and/or the flow rate measured by flow meter 50.
  • tube 3 is formed from web 4 and is longitudinally sealed (by tube forming and sealing device 5, tube 3 advances along tube advancement path Q and is filled (by filling device 7) with the pourable product and packages 2 are formed from tube 3 by shaping and at least transversally sealing, in particular also transversally cutting, tube 3.
  • packaging apparatus 2 while packaging apparatus 2 is controlled in the operational configuration conditioning device 59 introduces the sterile gas into second space 62 in order to determine the first pressure within second space 62.
  • packaging apparatus 2 when packaging apparatus 2 is set in the stop configuration, e.g. in order to interrupt operation for resuming operation afterwards again or in order to execute a format change or to execute a sterilization-in-place or cleaning-in-place process, product delivery device 8 is set in the stop mode.
  • first valve element 42 and/or second valve element 44 are set in respectively the closing position and the closed position.
  • third valve element 46 may be set in the shutting position.
  • conditioning device 59 controls the pressure within second space 62 in order to compensate for the missing pourable product within tube 3 and filling pipe 21.
  • packaging apparatus 1 According to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
  • main inlet valve 30 having first valve element 42 to be also controllable into respective intermediate positions it is possible to compensate by controlling the position of first valve element 42 possible fluctuations of the pourable product pressure as originating from external product supply 9 (e.g. as may occur due to setting another packaging apparatus 1 into the stop configuration).
  • Another advantage resides in being able to position second valve element 44 in the closed position. In this way, it is substantially possible to avoid the occurrence of underpressure within the parts of product delivery device 8, which are arranged upstream from control valve 33.
  • flow tube 55 may comprise at most two sections being connected to one another by means of a gasket element or a barrier element. In this manner, one reduces the risk of any possible suction of air from outer environment 15 into flow tube 55 in the case that underpressure develops within flow tube 55 with product delivery device 8 being in the stop mode.
  • Another advantage resides in controlling the pressure within second space 62 when controlling product delivery device 8 into the stop mode. In this way, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of any underpressure.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Supply Of Fluid Materials To The Packaging Location (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
EP22155109.6A 2021-02-10 2022-02-04 Verpackungsvorrichtung zur formung versiegelter packungen Pending EP4043351A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21156161 2021-02-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4043351A2 true EP4043351A2 (de) 2022-08-17
EP4043351A3 EP4043351A3 (de) 2022-12-07

Family

ID=74586824

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22155109.6A Pending EP4043351A3 (de) 2021-02-10 2022-02-04 Verpackungsvorrichtung zur formung versiegelter packungen

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20230406560A1 (de)
EP (1) EP4043351A3 (de)
JP (1) JP2024504895A (de)
CN (1) CN116438115A (de)
WO (1) WO2022171530A2 (de)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201800005562A1 (it) * 2018-05-21 2019-11-21 Ugello di riempimento per macchine riempitrici, in particolare ponderali, di contenitori quali fusti, bottiglie, lattine e/o simili.
EP3575226A1 (de) * 2018-06-01 2019-12-04 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Verpackungsmaschine und -verfahren zur herstellung versiegelter verpackungen
EP3656687B1 (de) * 2018-11-26 2023-07-26 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Verfahren und verpackungsvorrichtung zur formung versiegelter packungen
CN113165761B (zh) * 2018-11-26 2023-03-17 利乐拉瓦尔集团及财务有限公司 用于形成密封包装的包装装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4043351A3 (de) 2022-12-07
WO2022171530A3 (en) 2022-09-22
WO2022171530A2 (en) 2022-08-18
CN116438115A (zh) 2023-07-14
US20230406560A1 (en) 2023-12-21
JP2024504895A (ja) 2024-02-02

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