FR2810635A1 - PLANT FOR MANUFACTURING POT-SHAPED CONTAINERS FILLED WITH A FILLER - Google Patents

Abstract

An installation 10 intended for the manufacture of containers 3 in the form of a pot and filled with a filling product, comprises, for a base sheet strip 1 and a cover sheet strip 4, a common sterilization zone 12 which is produced in the form of a casing 23 in which is a sterilizing agent 5. The backing sheet strip 1 and the covering sheet strip 4 are guided in the casing 23, by means of structures 26, 27. Au casing 23 is connected to a sterile enclosure 13 in which the containers are made and filled 3. The installation 10 according to the invention is of a particularly compact construction and has a low consumption of sterilizing agent.

Description

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  The invention relates to an installation for manufacturing jar-shaped containers filled with a filling product, comprising a first sterilization device intended for a backing sheet strip, a heating station intended for heating the strip of backsheet sterilized at its forming temperature, a forming station for forming the containers in the backsheet strip, a filling station, a sealing station intended to seal a strip of cover sheet on the filled containers , the cover sheet strip having been sterilized beforehand by means of a second sterilization device, and a die cutting device for cutting individual containers by cutting the assembly formed from the back sheet strip and the

cover sheet strip.

  Such an installation is known from document DE 23 10 589 A1. In this known installation, a first sterilization device for a backsheet strip is placed in the area of entry of the backsheet strip into the installation, and a second sterilization device for a cover sheet strip is placed directly before a sealing station, which seals the cover sheet strip on the filled jars. There are therefore two separate sterilization devices, which require a large consumption of sterilization agent as well as a large implantation space. Furthermore, the arrangement of the second sterilization device above the sealing station is unfavorable from an ergonomic point of view, because this location is very high for

  maintenance and change of rollers.

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  The object of the invention is to provide an installation intended for the manufacture of jar-shaped containers filled with a filling product, of the type mentioned in the introduction, which is of a compact construction mode, has a low consumption of sterilizing agent, and is favorable

in terms of ergonomics.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved thanks to the fact that the first and the second sterilization device are arranged inside a common sterilization zone. The common sterilization area for the backsheet strip and the cover sheet strip has the advantage of a much more compact construction method compared to that

an installation of the known type.

  According to a configuration of the invention, a sterilization agent is placed in the sterilization zone which acts both on the backsheet strip and on the cover sheet strip. The sterilization zone can be carried out, at least in the sector of the sterilizing agent, in the form of a container, the sterilizing agent being liquid. The use of the same sterilizing agent for the backing sheet strip and the covering sheet strip makes it possible to make the sterilization zone particularly compact, and a particularly low consumption of sterilizing agent is obtained. A particularly favorable arrangement is also obtained in terms of ergonomics for maintenance work or changing rolls, when the sterilization zone is arranged in the zone of the ground or of the base of the installation.

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  According to another characteristic of the invention, the sterilization zone is arranged in interaction with a sterile enclosure in such a way that the backsheet strip and the cover sheet strip arrive from the sterilization area in the enclosure sterile, and in the sterile enclosure are arranged the heating stations, the forming station and the filling station, the forming station and the filling station which can be produced in the form of a combined forming and filling station . According to this preferred embodiment, a sterile zone (sterile enclosure), containing integrated stations is connected to the sterilization zone. This allows the sterile transport of the foil to be continued in a simple manner.

  cover already sterilized, until sealed.

  According to a configuration of the invention, the guiding of the backsheet strip and respectively of the cover sheet strip is carried out, in the sterilization zone, for each of the strips, by means of a structure which can pivot between an insertion position and an operating position. These structures each have three deflection rollers, the axes of rotation of which are arranged in a triangular formation, and the axis of rotation about which the pivoting movement of the structure takes place is, for each of the structures, above a level. sterilizing agent. The handling of the installation during a change of roller is thus simplified by the use of a pivoting structure with return rollers for each of the bands.

of sheet implemented.

  In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an example of

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  embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, which show: Fig.1 a simplified side view of the installation according to the invention, and Fig.24 the sterilization zone of the installation according to Figure 1, during changes of

leaf strip.

  The installation 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a machine frame 11 with a sterilization zone 12 and a sterile enclosure 13 connecting to the sterilization zone 12. A strip of backsheet, made of a thermoformable material, passes through the installation 10 in the direction of transport 2, and arrives on this occasion, after passing through the sterilization zone 12, first of all in a heating station 14 in which the backsheet strip 1 is brought to the forming temperature. Then, the backsheet strip 1 arrives in a combined forming and filling station, such as that described in the German patent application referenced P 19963762.8. Instead of a combined forming and filling station 15, it is also possible to provide a separate forming station and a separate filling station which is connected thereto. Using the forming and filling station, containers 3 in the form of a pot are formed in the backsheet strip 1, which are then filled with a filling product, such as for example yogurt. A strip of cover sheet 4 is then sealed, in a sealing station 16, on the containers 3 previously filled. From the assembly formed by the backing sheet strip 1 and the covering sheet strip 4, thus produced, the final cutting is carried out, by means of a die-cutting cutting device 18,

2810635

  individual containers 3, which are placed on a conveyor belt 19. Cutting waste produced by the die-cutting cutting station 18 can be

  collected by a waste container 20.

  The transport of the backsheet strip 1 and the cover sheet strip 4 through the installation 10 is carried out cyclically, by means of a feed traction device 17, which is arranged between the sealing station 16 and the station

die cutting 18.

  The sterilization zone 12 comprises a casing 23 in the form of a box, which is closed, except for two inlet openings 21, 22 for the backsheet strip 1 and the cover sheet strip 4, and which is arranged in the area of the ground or the base where the installation 10 rests, or is connected to the machine frame 11 so that the inlet openings 21, 22 are at a height accessible to an operator. The casing 23 is filled to a level 24 with a liquid sterilization agent 5 for the backsheet strip 1 and the cover sheet strip 4. The casing 23 is produced in the form of a container, at least up to 'at level 24. The backsheet strip 1 and the cover sheet strip 4 are each guided, inside the casing 23, by one of two structures 26, 27 which will be described in more detail in thereafter, and which in their operating or operating position, immerse the backing sheet strip 1 and the covering sheet strip 4 in the sterilization agent 5. The casing 23 of the sterilization zone 12 is connected to the sterile enclosure 13, via an airlock area 28. The airlock area 28 is delimited by a casing wall 29 and a partition 31 which engages in the sterilization agent 5. L sterile enclosure 13 in which the heating station 14 and the training station are placed e and filling 15, is kept under pressure relative to the surrounding atmosphere of the installation 10, by means of sterile air under pressure, so that in association with the airlock zone 28, it is ensured that contamination of the sterile enclosure 13 cannot occur from the outside. In the airlock area 28, moreover, are provided scraper nozzles 32, 33 for drying the backing sheet strip 1 and the covering sheet strip 4, of the

  sterilization 5 can adhere to it.

  Inside the sterile enclosure 13, the backsheet strip 1 is guided and brought to the heating station 14, passing around several return rollers 34 and a compensating roller 35, while the strip of cover sheet 4 is guided, by means of other deflection rollers 36, a short distance from the inside of the sterile enclosure casing 37, and is brought into cover of the backsheet strip 1 only immediate proximity to an airlock area 38 at which the filled backsheet strip 1 leaves the sterile enclosure 13. In order to prevent germs or the like from reaching the filled containers 3, before sealing the cover sheet strip 4, a preliminary sealing station 39 is connected directly to the sterile enclosure casing 37 and ensures a closure by preliminary sealing of the ribs between the

  different individual containers 3.

  As already mentioned, the guiding of the backing sheet strip 1 and of the covering sheet strip 4 inside the sterilization zone 12 is ensured by two structures 26, 27 which are in particular designed to allow a smooth change of the sheet strips; below, reference is made to FIGS. 2 to 4 to describe this. The structure 26 for the backsheet strip 1, comprises three deflection rollers 41, 42, 43 arranged in a triangular arrangement, which are mounted in a structure chassis 44. The structure chassis 44 can pivot around the deflection roller 41 lying

  above level 24 of sterilization agent 5.

  In the changing position of the backsheet strip 1 (Figure 2), all the deflection rollers 41 to 43 are first of all above level 24, so that the backsheet strip 1 can be placed around the deflection roller 41. Then, in order to assume the service or operating position (FIG. 3), the structural frame 44 is pivoted so that the two deflection rollers 42, 43 plunge into sterilizing agent 5 and lead to

  this occasion the backsheet strip 1.

  Correspondingly, the structure 27 for the cover sheet strip 4 consists of a structure chassis 45 and deflection rollers 46, 47, 48 arranged in a triangular arrangement, the structure chassis 45 being able to pivot around the roller. deflection 46. For the positioning of the covering sheet strip 4, all the three deflection rollers 46, 47, 48 are, first of all, above the level 24 (FIG. 3), the strip of cover sheet 4 being firstly guided around another deflection roller 49 and then around the deflection roller 46. Then, for commissioning or operation, the structural frame 45 is pivoted, to commissioning or operation, in accordance with FIG. 4, so that the two deflection rollers 47, 48 plunge into

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  the sterilizing agent 5 by entraining, at this

  occasion, the cover sheet strip 4.

  To complete, we will also mention the fact that in the embodiment, the structure 27 for the cover sheet strip 4 is a little narrower than the structure 26 for the back sheet strip 1, so that in accordance in FIG. 4, in the service or operating position of the installation 10, there can be no contact between the structures 26, 27. Furthermore, it is also possible to envisage using sterilization agents different for the backsheet strip 1 and the cover sheet strip 4. In this case, the casing 23 is subdivided for the two sterilizers, so that a mixture of the two cannot occur. sterilization agents. However, the advantage is preserved allowing the two sterilization devices to be arranged inside a common housing 23 or common housing zone, which means that the sterilization zone 12 is of a

  particularly compact configuration.

Claims (8)

CLAIMS.   1. Installation (10) intended for the manufacture of containers (3) in the form of a pot and filled with a filling product, comprising a first sterilization device intended for a strip of backsheet (1), a heating station (14) intended to heat the backsheet strip (1) sterilized to its forming temperature, a forming station for forming the containers (3) in the backsheet strip (1), a filling station , a sealing station (16) for sealing a strip of cover sheet (4) on the filled containers (3), the strip of cover sheet (4) having been sterilized beforehand by means of a second sterilization device , and a die-cutting device (18) for cutting individual containers (3) by cutting the assembly formed from the backsheet strip (1) and the cover sheet strip (4), characterized in that the first and the second have sterilization itif are arranged inside   a common sterilization area (12).   2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that in the sterilization zone (12) is placed a sterilization agent (5) which acts both on the backsheet strip (1) and on   the cover sheet strip (4).   3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the sterilization zone (12) is produced, at least in the sector of the sterilization agent (5), in the form of a container, and in that   the sterilizing agent (5) is liquid. 2810635   4. Installation according to one of claims   1 to 3, characterized in that the sterilization area   (12) is arranged in the area of the ground or the base.   5. Installation according to one of claims   1 to 4, characterized in that the sterilization zone (12) is arranged in interaction with a sterile enclosure (13) so that the backsheet strip (1) and the cover sheet strip (4) reach the sterilization zone (12) in the sterile enclosure (13), and in that in the sterile enclosure (13) are arranged the heating stations (14),   the forming station and the filling station.   6. Installation according to one of claims   1 to 5, characterized in that the forming station and the filling station are produced in the form of a   combined forming and filling station (15).   7. Installation according to one of claims   i to 6, characterized in that the guiding of the backsheet strip (1) and respectively of the cover sheet strip (4) takes place, in the sterilization zone (12), for each of the strips, by means of a structure (26, 27) which can pivot between a   insertion position and an operating position.   8. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that the structures (26, 27) each have three deflection rollers (42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48) whose axes of rotation are arranged in a triangular formation, and in that the axis of rotation around which the pivoting movement of the structure (26, 27) takes place is, for each of the structures, above a level (24) of the sterilizing agent.