JP2002520226A - Defoaming equipment for packaging machinery - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] In the defoaming device 22 for defoaming the foamable product blown into a container such as a carton at the top of the TETRA REX gable, the defoaming device 22 generates a sonic shock wave 110, and foams with the shock wave 110. Disintegrates almost all foam in the product. The defoaming device 22 has a main body 100 that defines a concave space 102. A pair of electrodes 106 and 108 are arranged in the concave space 102. The opening to the cavity 102 includes a radio frequency filter 114 in a range that absorbs radio waves generated from the sonic shock wave 110. Preferably, the defoaming device 22 is located immediately after filling the container 80.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a defoaming device for foamable products. In particular, the present invention relates to a defoaming device used in a packaging machine to reduce the level of foam in a container before the container is sealed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the field of packaging technology, productivity is synonymous with the ability to produce more cartons per hour than conventional equipment. In the field of forming, filling and sealing packaging machines, the ability to produce higher capacity machines is achieved by analysis of each operation performed on the machine and, where necessary, changes. By analyzing each operation performed on the machine, it is possible to decrease the dwell time while increasing the indexed movement for higher performance on the packaging machine. This dwell time is defined as the time each of the preformed containers is stationary on the machine while an operation is performed on the container. The indexing operation is defined as the time during which each of the preformed containers is transported along one of the packaging machines from one station to the next.

[0003] For example, in a linear, forming, filling and hermetic packaging machine, such as the registered trademark TETRA REX, available from Tetra Pak Corporation of Chicago, Illinois, a pre-formed container is filled once with product. The transport of the container must then be controlled to prevent the product from splashing into the sealed area of the container. However, it is desired that the transport speed of the container filled with the product be increased. As such, the motion profile for transporting containers is described in US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 98,897, entitled "Servo Controlled Conveyor System for Transporting Liquid-Filled Containers," assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Number 08 / 848,88
No. 8 is controlled.

[0004] Another possibility to increase the capacity is to determine the indexed dwell position (d
The purpose of this is to reduce the number of well positions. One possible dwell location that may be omitted is an extra dwell location between the filling station and the top sealing station. This station allows the foaming of the product in the container just before filling to calm down before sealing the top, thereby preventing the foaming of the product from wetting the metering area of the container. Other packaging machines, such as rotary filling machines and vertical forming, filling and sealing machines, have similar problems with foamable products.

One defoaming technique is described in US Pat. No. 4,295,502, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Defoaming Liquid Levels and In particular for Packaged Liquids Like Milk”. It is shown. This technique discloses reducing the foaming of the product in the container by bursting the foam foamed using ultrasound. This technique requires an ultrasonic device located on the conveyor line. However, this ultrasonic device increases the noise level on the packaging machine and the ultrasonic accessory applicator (ultras
When other ultrasound devices, such as sonic fitter applicators, are applied to this machine, the already high decibel levels are doubled, approaching unbearable decibel levels. Safety devices and other addenda may be added to the device to reduce noise, but that further increases the cost of the packaging machine. Moreover, the use of ultrasound for defoaming purposes has proven ineffective.

[0006] Alternative defoamers are needed in the packaging industry to increase the packaging capacity of machines. Such a device that is desired reduces foaming of the newly filled package to a minimum if there is any impact on the operating speed of the entire operation of the packaging machine. It is usually desired that such devices fit into known physical parameters and fit into the size of known packaging machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an alternative to ultrasonic defoaming, which effectively defoams containers filled with foamable products. The present invention accomplishes this by providing a defoaming device that creates a shock wave to disrupt or collapse the foam of a foamable product in a filled container. One aspect of the present invention is an antifoaming device having a body with a reflective cavity.
The recess has two electrical terminals, and when a voltage is applied to one of the terminals, an arc is generated between the terminals to complete the circuit. The discharge or arc overheats the air in the cavity and generates a shock wave. This shock wave travels to the container and destroys the foam bubbles.

Another aspect of the present invention is a packaging machine having such an antifoaming device located between a filling station and a top sealing station. Another aspect of the present invention is a method for defoaming a carton filled with a foamable product. It is a first object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for defoaming a pre-formed container filled with a product in a packaging machine.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. (Detailed description of preferred embodiments)

Although the present invention is applicable to various embodiments, a preferred embodiment which is an embodiment of the present invention but does not limit the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The present invention is directed to forming, filling and hermetic packaging machines, such as, for example, gable top carton linear motion packaging machines, such as the TETRA REX® machine of Tetra Pak, Inc., Chicago, Illinois. Pointed. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can be utilized with other machines to defoam foamable products. Linear packaging machines process one, two or many cartons simultaneously with one indexed movement from process to process in each multi-carton. The present invention is such that the carton is filled with an effervescent product to be defoamed before pre-folding and / or top sealing.

As shown in FIG. 1, a two-line packaging machine 2 for forming, filling and sealing cartons
0 denotes a defoaming device 22, a top sealing process 24, a filling process 26, a sterilizing process 28 comprising an ultraviolet radiation process 30 and a hydrogen peroxide process 32, a lower portion forming process 36, a carton opening device 37 and a carton cutting magazine 38. have. In terms of operation, the front part 40 of the packaging machine 20 is the start of the process and the rear part 42 is where the processed carton is to be distributed.

The packaging machine 20 is divided along a parallel plane defined by the table top 44. The table top 44 divides the packaging machine 20 into an upper half 46 and a lower half 48. The frame 50 defines the main structure of the packaging machine 20 and supports the table top 44 and various processes. The lower half 48 of the machine 20 contains servo motors, drive cylinders, cam drives and other components. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the upper half 46 includes various processes, a product tank 56, a filtered air unit 58, a conveyor unit 60, and other components for processing the carton.

As shown in FIG. 2, the defoaming device 22 is disposed between the filling step 26 and the pre-folder step 62. Such a filling process 26 is disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 897,554 entitled [Dual Flow Fill Valve] and pending U.S. Patent Application No. entitled "Oval Cleaning Box for Filling Devices". No. 08 / 816,056. Both of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0015] Further below the top sealing step 24, an oven 64 for heating the panels for sealing, and a top sealing device 66 for making a formed filled sealed carton and for sealing the top fin panel of the carton. Is arranged. The top fin panel forms a sealed area, as described below. Preferably, the defoaming device 2
2 processes two open top cartons that are processed on a double carton processing and packaging machine 20. For example, two cartons are filled simultaneously with two filling pipes 70a-b and, if necessary, conveyed to the defoaming device 22 in the next indexing operation to be defoamed. Both cartons are conveyed to the lower part of the defoaming device 22 for defoaming before the pre-folding step 62.

Alternatively, although not shown, two small defoaming devices 22 can be used. In this case, each one device is arranged above each carton and independently and individually defoams the carton before the temporary folding in the temporary folding process.
In another example (also not shown), one carton is defoamed during the dwell while another is defoamed during the indexing operation. Furthermore, the packaging machine 20 may process only one carton in each step, or may process many cartons in each step. The defoaming device is
Modifications may be made to accommodate the various cases described above without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and may be altered to accommodate the number of cartons processed in the indexing operation on the packaging machine 20. It is possible.

The location of the defoamer 22 above the dual processing line is best shown in FIG. The two containers 80a, b are located below the defoaming device 22. The defoaming device 22 has a body 100 that defines a recess cavity 102. Preferably,
The recess cavity 102 has a parabolic shape in the body part 100 and forms a parabolic ceiling 104 of the recess cavity 102. The ceiling 104 allows air to flow into each container 8.
It is reflective so that it is deflected toward the inside of 0a, b. Two electrical terminals 106
, 108 project from body 100. For example, terminal 106 can be a cathode and terminal 108 can be an anode. For example, the high voltage current
And an electric arc 109 is provided between the terminals 106 and 108. The sonic shock wave illustrated by arrow 110 is created by this discharge. Shock wave 110
Is caused by overheating of the air in the recess cavity 102 due to electric discharge, similar to lightning. As the air is heated, it expands and increases the pressure in the cavity 102.
The sonic shockwave 110, ie, the compressed air, is directed toward the interior of the containers 80a, b, breaking the bubbles and defoaming the product before folding. The reflective ceiling 104
It acts to reflect all paths of the shock wave toward the inside of the containers 80a, b, thereby increasing the defoaming effect of the shock wave 110. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that ceiling 104 may be non-parabolic in shape and within the scope of the present invention.

The body 100 may be enclosed by a protective shield 112 made of metal or other protective material. Also, a protective screen 114 may be placed over the recess cavity to prevent contact with terminals 106 and 108. The screen 114 absorbs radio waves generated by the sonic shock wave,
It may be a radio frequency filter. Radio waves have a detrimental effect on the operation of packaging machines. Power supply 116 is connected to terminal 106 or 108 to supply a high voltage current. One of terminals 106 or 108 may be connected to ground 118.

The container 80 filled with the foamed product 201 is shown in FIG. The liquid level is approximately indicated by line 199. The foamed product 201 has a foam 200 close to the sealed area 91 of the container 80. FIG. 4 shows the same container 80, which has been pre-folded without defoaming, as is done in the prior art. As shown in FIG. 4, the foam 200 of the foamable product 201 “wets” the sealed area 91 of the container 80. Such wetting prevents proper sealing of the container 80 and renders the container 80 full of product defective. For example, 7
In a container 80 having a 0 mm x 70 mm cross section, a 10 mm thick layer of foam requires approximately 49 milliliters of volume. In a typical one liter container, the volume between the product level and the top of the container is approximately 49 milliliters. Therefore,
It is clear that if the container has not been defoamed or if foam has adhered before sealing, the foam will wet the sealed area.

FIGS. 5a-d illustrate the filling, defoaming and pre-folding of a single container. In FIG. 5a, the container 80 contains a frothable product 2 such as milk.
01 is filled with the bottom facing up. The filling pipe 207 to which the nozzle 209 is attached fills the container when the container is lowered by the lifter 211. The liquid level 199 remains near the nozzle 209 during the entire filling process, reducing the amount of foaming. In FIG. 5 b, the container 80 is filled with the foamable product 201 and is conveyed to the defoaming device 22. The container may contain any volume from 1 liter to 0.5 gallon or 1 gallon. The cross section of the container is, for example, 70 mm x
The cross section may be changed from a 70 mm cross section to a 47 mm × 47 mm or 70 mm × 95 mm cross section. In FIG. 5c, the defoaming device 22 is defoaming the container. Terminal 106
And 108 create a discharge in which heated air in the form of one or more sonic shock waves 110 is directed by the reflective ceiling 104 toward the foam 200 of the foamable product. A single discharge of 2 × 10 ⁻⁵ joules of energy is 70 mm ×
It was found to be sufficient to collapse all of the foam in a container with a 70 mm cross section. The voltage transmitted may be 70 kilovolts and the distance between the terminals or electrodes may be 1
To 2 cm. However, other parameters may be used in practicing the present invention. In FIG. 5d, the container containing the foamed product is about to be pre-folded, as shown in FIG. 5e.

Another embodiment of the defoamer 122 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6a. Another defoaming device 122 is configured as a half-isolated element to the machine. In this embodiment, the defoamer 122 has a built-in booster transformer 300 that receives a standard voltage from a power source along a standard voltage line 301 and changes the electricity to a higher voltage. To the high voltage power line 302 and the electrode 106. The ground 303 is connected to the electrode 108 to send the subsequent action of the arc / discharge 109 to ground.

In this embodiment, the electrical circuit 400 includes a trigger circuit 402 as shown in FIG. The electric circuit 400 includes a high voltage power supply 404, a current limiting resistor 406, a capacitor bank 408, a discharge resistor 410, and a discharge relay 41.
2 and electrodes 106 and 108. The trigger circuit 402 generates a spark when receiving the control signal. In a circuit without a trigger circuit, sparks begin when the potential (voltage) between the electrodes reaches a value sufficient to exceed the resistance of air between the electrodes. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this value will depend on a number of external or ambient factors, such as temperature, humidity, and ion concentration. To prevent an unexpected spark onset potential, the trigger circuit 402 uses an ionization method in which a high voltage trigger pulse is applied to one side of the insulating plate 414. This ionizes the gas (typically air) between the electrodes 106 and 108 to generate a discharge (spark).

To further reduce the chance of unexpected sparking, the adhesion to the electrodes 106, 108, for example, caused by the accumulation of ionic materials (salts, milk, juice, soup, etc.) on the electrodes 106, 108 is minimized. It has been found desirable to do or eliminate it. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the electrodes 106, 10
Attachment to 8 affects the spark and jeopardizes spark generation by reducing the resistance from high voltage electrode 106 to ground. It has been found that adhesion can be reduced or eliminated by separating the defoamer body 100 and the electrodes 106, 108 from the product when the product is filled into the container 80. In such a device, the sound guide portion 500 as illustrated in FIG.
00 and the container 80. In this state, the liquid that pops out when the bubbles are crushed does not pop out enough to contact or adhere to the defoaming device, particularly the electrodes 106 and 108. In one embodiment, such as that illustrated in FIG.
Is a body 502 formed as an elongated cylindrical tube. Tubular body 50
2 substantially wraps the shock wave 110 coming out of the spark and
Orient to the foamed under product 201 in 0.

As shown in FIG. 6, the foamable product 201 is filled in a plastic container 333 having a rim 351. Plastic container 333 may be any type of plastic container, such as a PET bottle or a high density polyethylene bottle. The product may be any type of foamable product, such as milk, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, grapefruit juice, other foamable food products, other foamable non-food products, and the like. The defoaming device 22 can be integrated with various types of filling machines, such as rotary fillers, linear fillers, vertical fillers, etc., and can even be integrated into batch foamable product processing units. The defoaming device 22 of the embodiment of FIG. 6 eliminates the need to connect high voltage lines to the machine. High voltage lines can interfere with the operation of the machine and increase the likelihood of injury to the machine operator. The defoamer 22 is connected to a standard power supply line, for example, a 110 volt power line. The power is a defoaming device
The high voltage is converted by the transformer 300 in the 22 so that a safer working environment can be obtained and the interference of the high voltage line with the machine is limited.

FIG. 7 shows another packaging machine 500 at which the defoaming device of the present invention can be used. This machine 500 produces a package with an injection-moulded plastic top layer known as TETRA TOP ^™ from Tetra Pak Inc., described above, in a body based on organic fiberboard. In operation, the web of material 502
Is formed into a carton sleeve at a forming station 504. This sleeve is placed on a mandrel 506 and spun to an injection molding station 508 where the plastic top layer is applied. The partially formed package is placed on a conveyor 509. Package is foamable product 201 received from product tank 512 at filling station 510
Will be filled. The defoamer 22 is located adjacent to the filling station 510, similar to the arrangement for packaging machines for gable top cartons. The bottom of the package is sealed at the bottom forming station 514 and the bottom flap is sealed at the flap sealing station 516. At discharge point 518, the package is removed from conveyor 509 for further delivery. The defoaming device 22 defoams the package filled with the product and allows a good sealing of the bottom of the package.

Other packaging machines that can utilize the defoamer 22 are vertical molding, filling, sealing and packaging machines. An example of such a machine is shown in FIGS. This machine is
The organic fiberboard package such as a well-known TETRA BRICK (package or a flexible plastic bag such as a TETRA POUCH (package) is manufactured. As shown in FIG. The material 602 is formed around a filling tube 604. The material is formed into a tube 607 by a longitudinal sealer 606. The package is then separated from the tube 607 by a transverse sealer 608. FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the defoaming device 22 includes a filling pipe between the longitudinal sealer 606 and the lateral sealer 608.
Can be mounted around 604. In addition, the defoaming device 22 is a foam 200
01 or both of them may be contacted.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the true spirit and general concept of the invention. It is to be understood that the particular embodiments illustrated are not intended to be, or should be construed as, limiting. The disclosure is intended to cover all variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a packaging machine.

2 is an isolated view of the filling tube, defoamer, pre-folder and top sealer of the directional machine of FIG.

FIG. 2a is an isolated view of the defoaming device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a gable top carton with open ends.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a prior art folded gable top carton.

FIG. 5a shows a gable top carton filled with an effervescent product.

FIG. 5b shows a gable top carton filled with foam.

FIG. 5c shows a defoamed, filled gable top carton in the defoamer of the present invention.

FIG. 5d shows the defoamed gable top carton.

FIG. 5e shows a defoamed gable top carton that has undergone folding in a pre-folder process.

FIG. 6 is an isolated view of another embodiment of the defoamer of the present invention above a plastic container, such as a plastic bottle, that is filled by a rotary filling machine.

FIG. 6a is a plan view showing a cross section of the device of FIG. 6, showing the filter / screen of the device more clearly.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a TETRA TOP (registered trademark) packaging machine integrally having the defoaming device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a vertical forming / filling / sealing packaging machine.

9 is a cross-sectional view of the machine of FIG. 8 with the defoaming device of the present invention around a filling tube.

FIG. 10 is an electric circuit diagram of a trigger circuit used in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a sound guide used in one embodiment of the present invention.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY , CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP , KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZW (72) Inventor Massey, Robert USA Wisconsin, Paddock Lake to Hundred and Thirty Eighth Avenue 6515 (72) Inventor Poxa, Ken United States Illinois, Willowbrook, Knorwood Road 6149 F-term (reference) 3E056 AA06 AA12 BA01 CA08 CA09 EA02 FH20

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A defoaming device for a packaging machine for filling a series of containers and sealing the containers, comprising: a main body having a reflective concave space disposed on a path of the container; A first electrical terminal in the cavity; a second electrical terminal in the reflective recessed cavity and electrically adjacent to the first electrical terminal; and a first electrical terminal connected to the first electrical terminal so as to supply current. A defoaming device, comprising: a power supply source configured to supply a high-voltage current to the first electric terminal to generate an arc between the terminal and the second electric terminal to generate a shock wave. . 2. The defoaming device according to claim 1, further comprising a protective shield around the main body. 3. The defoaming device according to claim 1, wherein a radio frequency filter is disposed at an opening to the concave space. 4. The defoaming device according to claim 1, wherein the defoaming device is arranged before the pre-folding station of the packaging machine. 5. The defoaming device according to claim 1, wherein the periphery of the concave space surrounds two containers for simultaneously defoaming. 6. The defoaming device of claim 1, further comprising a trigger circuit having a conductive element disposed in electrical proximity to said first and second electrical terminals for initiating arcing. 7. The defoaming device according to claim 1, further comprising an acoustic guide disposed adjacent to the main body and configured to direct a shock wave. 8. A method of processing a series of containers on a packaging machine, the method comprising the steps of: filling a foamable product into a container at a filling station of the packaging machine; Directing a shock wave generated by the discharge to the foamable product in the container to defoam the product in the container; and sealing the top of the container to obtain a filled and sealed container. Method. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said container is a carton and further comprising the step of pre-folding a plurality of top plates of the carton prior to sealing. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said discharge is adapted to heat air in said cavity to generate a shock wave that collapses bubbles in said container. 11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the effervescent product is milk. 12. The method according to claim 8, wherein a single discharge is applied to each container. 13. A packaging machine adapted to feed a series of cartons along a path, comprising: a filling station for filling each of said cartons with an expandable product; and sealing a plurality of top plates of each of said cartons. A top sealing station to form a molded filled sealed carton, and a defoaming device provided between the filling station and the top sealing station for defoaming the filled carton, the defoaming device comprising: A main body provided over the path of the carton, a first electrical terminal disposed within the reflective recess, and an electrical terminal disposed within the reflective recess, and electrically connected to the first electrical terminal. A second electrical terminal provided in close proximity to the first electrical terminal, applying a high-voltage current to the first electrical terminal to electrically connect the first electrical terminal, and between the first and second electrical terminals. An arc is formed on the shock wave And a packaging machine having 14. The packaging machine according to claim 13, further comprising a protective shield for the main body. 15. The packaging machine according to claim 13, wherein said defoaming device further comprises a protective screen disposed at an opening to said concave space. 16. The packaging machine according to claim 13, further comprising a pre-folding station for pre-folding the top plate of each carton before sealing. 17. The packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral edge of the concave space surrounds the two cartons so that they are simultaneously defoamed. 18. The packaging machine according to claim 13, further comprising a trigger circuit disposed electrically adjacent to said first and second electric terminals and having a conductive element for starting electric arc generation. 19. The packaging machine according to claim 13, further comprising an acoustic guide disposed between the defoaming apparatus main body and the filling carton and configured to direct a shock wave to the filling carton. 20. An apparatus for defoaming a foamable product blown into a container, comprising: a main body having a reflective cavity, located above the container; and a first body provided within the reflective cavity. An electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal provided within the reflective concave space, and electrically adjacent to the first electrical terminal, and electrically communicating with the first electrical terminal; 1 to the electrical terminal
A setup transformer for generating a high voltage current from a standard voltage current, wherein the setup transformer forms an arc between the first and second electrical terminals to generate a shock wave.