GB1222239A - Apparatus for the filling of sachets in a sterile atmosphere - Google Patents

Abstract

1,222,239. Apparatus for filling tubes of packaging material with liquid. SERES SOC. D'ETUDES ET DE REALISATIONS D'- EMBALLAGES STERILES. 13 June, 1968, No. 28114/68. Heading B8C. Liquid, e.g. milk, to be packaged under sterile conditions is fed from sterilizing apparatus (not shown) through a pipe 4 to a constantlevel reservoir 6, from whence it flows through a siphon 9a to a filler tube 10, around which packaging material (e.g. from reels 11a 11b) is formed into sachets 12. The outlet from the filler tube is controlled by a valve 13 having actuating means 15. The apparatus is located in a sterile chamber 3 bounded by walls 2 and is, according to the invention, adapted to be sterilized and primed by remote control. For this purpose the filler tube 10 communicates via pipes 16, 17 with a valve-controlled outlet to atmosphere provided with a filter 19 and with a valve-controlled reservoir overflow pipe 7. When sterilizing, Fig. 2 (not shown), valve 8 is half closed, valve 18 is fully closed and steam is introduced through pipe 4 and flows round the whole circuit, leaving through a pipe 5. After sterilizing, valve 8 is fully closed and the circuit is filled with water, after which valves 8 and 18 are opened to drain pipes 16, 17, leaving the siphon 9a primed. The water may now be progressively replaced by milk and packaging re-started. The reservoir may feed a plurality of siphons/filler tubes 9a/10arranged in parallel, Fig. 3 (not shown). The filler tube may be arranged coaxially within the return pipe 16, Fig. 4 (not shown), the lower end of the latter providing a seating for a valve. An operating rod for the valve extends through the filler tube and is connected to diaphragms to be operable pneumatically. The valves 8, 18 may also be pneumatically operable. Alternatively, the valves may be electrically or hydraulically controlled.