WO2017186732A2

WO2017186732A2 - A device, system and method for evacuating a sterilization agent for sterilizing a package at a sterilization chamber

Info

Publication number: WO2017186732A2
Application number: PCT/EP2017/059821
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Nilsson; Peter Jo NILSSON; Anders S OLSSON; Sven BERGSTRAND; Eva Olsson
Original assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
Priority date: 2016-04-27
Filing date: 2017-04-25
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Also published as: EP3448439A2; WO2017186732A3; JP2019514798A

Abstract

An evacuation device for evacuating a sterilizing agent used to sterilize at least one package. The evacuation device comprises an outlet for evacuating the sterilization agent. The evacuation device further comprises a collection unit and the collection unit is connected to the outlet. The collection unit is arranged at the at least one package such that the sterilization agent is evacuated via the collection unit and out through the outlet.

Description

A DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EVACUATING A

STERILIZATION AGENT FOR STERILIZING A PACKAGE AT A STERILIZATION CHAMBER

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to the field of packaging. More particularly, there are a device, system and method for removing a

sterilization agent in and/or around a sterilization chamber used for sterilizing a package therein.

Background

When producing packages for various types of fluid foods it is crucial to assure that the packages are clean from any type of bacteria or similar that could damage the fluid food inserted into the package. Today this is performed by use of hydrogen peroxide (H₂0₂) inserted in various ways into the package such that the H₂0₂ kills all the bacteria and assures the cleanliness of the package before any fluid food is inserted in to it. However, H₂0₂ is a strong oxidizer, bleaching agent and disinfectant which has environmental and medical risks associated with it. It is therefore important to keep the use of H₂0₂ at a minimum when disinfecting packages.

Today this is achieved by use of a sterilization chamber which is sized and design to encompass all of the package or packages to be disinfected together with parts or all of the sterilization equipment used for disinfection. However, a problem with these sterilization chambers is that the packages need to enter and exit the chamber which thus leads to a source of exposure of the H₂0₂ out into the environment and/or to people around the machine.

Thus, it is desired to have a device, system and method that reduces or even eliminates the outside exposure of H₂0₂ when sterilizing a package.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present inventive concept to mitigate, alleviate, or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in combination.

According to a first aspect of the inventive concept, an evacuation device for evacuating a sterilizing agent used for sterilizing at least one package is disclosed. The evacuation device comprises an outlet for evacuating the sterilization agent, a collection unit and the collection unit is connected to the outlet. And, the collection unit is arranged at the at least one package such that the sterilization agent is evacuated via the collection unit and out through the outlet.

According to a second aspect of the inventive concept, an evacuation system for evacuating a sterilizing agent used for sterilizing at least one package is disclosed. The system comprises at least two evacuation devices. The evacuation device comprises an outlet for evacuating the sterilization agent, a collection unit and the collection unit is connected to the outlet. And, the collection unit is arranged above a track for at least one package such that the sterilization agent is evacuated via the collection unit and out through the outlet.

According to a third aspect of the inventive concept, a method for evacuating a sterilization agent is disclosed. The method comprises providing at least one evacuation device, and evacuating the sterilization agent by the at least one evacuation device.

Further examples of the disclosure are defined in the dependent claims, wherein features for the fourth and subsequent aspects of the disclosure are as for the first to third aspects mutatis mutandis.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for evacuation of any excess H₂0₂ used for sterilizing a package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit being arranged above at least one package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for evacuation by suction.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an evacuation volume being matched to an output of a sterilization agent for sterilizing the package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for evacuation of the sterilization agent being between 1 .5-10 times as much as the output of a sterilization agent.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for evacuation of the sterilization to between 4-5 times as much at the output of a sterilization agent.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit being formed such that it covers at least all of an area of at least one package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for catching all or almost all of a sterilizing agent used for sterilizing a package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a sterilizing agent is sprayed into a package and deflected back up from the package. Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit being arranged substantially in a same plane as an opening of a partly folded package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit being more or less encompassing the opening of a partly folded package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit being arranged at sides of at least one package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for having two or more packages covered by a collection unit.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for several packages being sterilized at the same time.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a larger volume at the package and still maintain a smaller outlet.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit being a hood.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for different shapes of a collection unit as long as they deflect and/or suck a fluid flow via the collection unit.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit being arranged to cover up to an area of an opening of at least one package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit being capable of producing a uniform suction at at least one package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit having an extended depth of penetration past at least one package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit aiding in evacuating fluids over a smaller area but with more depth.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an evacuation device being re-attachable.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit comprising means for receiving at least one sterilization outlet for injecting the sterilization agent into a package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a collection unit receiving a maximum of excessive sterilization agent.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an evacuation system being connected to a connection device and sucks via the evacuation device out a sterilization agent collected in the collection unit. Some examples of the disclosure provide for a system further comprising at least one suction unit for evacuating a sterilizing agent.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an evacuation device being arranged at a drying zone of a package.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an evacuation device being arranged at an entry zone for at least one package into a sterilization chamber.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for an evacuation device being arranged at an exit zone of a sterilization chamber.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for several evacuation devices being combined at various locations.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a leakage being predicted or measured to occur.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a maximization of evacuation of a sterilization agent.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a system comprising at least one floor evacuation unit.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for evacuation of a sterilization agent at a floor of a sterilization chamber.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a system comprising a control unit for controlling a rate of flow of at least one suction unit.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a system comprising a control unit for controlling a rate of flow of at least two evacuation devices.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a maximum evacuation based on e.g. performance of a suction unit, evacuation devices and/or a combination thereof.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for a control of a flow of fluids inside a sterilization chamber such that a desired fluid flow is created which removes a sterilization agent.

Some examples of the disclosure provide for at least one sensor being used to provide feedback to a control unit of different parameters such as a voltage, current, flow, concentration of a sterilization agent and so on.

The use of a package in this disclosure is meant to cover a fully folded package, a partly folded package and/or an unfolded package, e.g. package material. Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

Brief description of the drawings

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention/inventive concept, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of different embodiments of the present invention/inventive concept, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 a illustrates a top side view of an evacuation device.

Figure 1 b illustrates a bottom side view of an evacuation device.

Figure 2 illustrates a side view of an evacuation device.

Figure 3 illustrates a bottom side view of an evacuation device.

Figure 4 illustrates a top side view of an evacuation device having hydrogen peroxide outlets.

Figure 5 illustrates a system of evacuation devices.

Figure 6 illustrates a system of evacuation devices.

Figure 7 is a flow chart of a method for evaporating a sterilization agent.

Detailed description

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an evacuation device 10 for evacuating a sterilizing agent used for sterilizing at least one package 20. The evacuation device 10 comprises an outlet 1 1 for evacuating the sterilization agent and a collection unit 12. The collection unit 12 is connected to the outlet 1 1 , and the collection unit 12 is arranged at at least one package 20 such that the sterilization agent is evacuated via the collection unit 12 and out through the outlet 1 1 . By having the collection unit 12 arranged at the at least one package 20 the evacuation device evacuates any excess of H₂0₂ used for sterilizing the package. Such excess of H₂0₂ happens for example during continuous production, a purging operation and so on. In an example, the collection unit 12 is arranged above the at least one package 20, as illustrated in e.g. fig. 2. In an example the evacuation, e.g. by suction, of the sterilizing agent from the evacuation device 10 is matched to an output of the sterilization agent for sterilizing the package 20. In an example the evacuation of the sterilization agent is in between 1 .5-10 times as much as the output and more preferably between 4-5 times as much.

In an example, the collection unit 12 is formed such that it covers at least all of an area of at least one package 20 being sterilized. By having the collection unit 12 covering the area being sterilized of at least one package 20 the collection unit 12 will catch all or almost all of the sterilizing agent used for sterilizing the package 20 when the sterilizing agent is e.g. sprayed into the package 20 and deflected back up from the package 20 or on to the package 20.

In an example, the collection unit 12 is arranged substantially in a same plane as an opening of a partly folded package 20 such that collection unit 12 is more or less encompassing the opening of the partly folded package 20, illustrated in fig. 1 b with the number 50 wherein it can be seen how the collection unit 12 can encompass at least one package 20 being passed thereby. In an example, the collection unit 12 is arranged at the sides of the at least one package 20. In an example, the collection unit 12 is arranged at the sides and above the at least one package 20.

In an example, at least two packages are covered by the collection unit 12. By having two or more packages covered by the collection unit 12 several packages 20 is sterilized at the same time. In an example, the collection unit 12 is formed such that the collection unit 12 has a larger area at the package 20 and narrows into the outlet 1 1 having a smaller area, as e.g. illustrated in fig.1 .By having the collection unit 12 formed like this it is possible to create a larger volume at the package 20 and still maintain a smaller outlet 1 1 such that the sterilizing agent is evacuated from the package 20 via the collection unit 12. In an example, the collection unit 12 is a hood. Other type of shapes of the collection unit 12 is also possible to use as long as they deflect and/or suck a fluid flow via the collection unit 12 into the outlet 1 1 and is arrangeable at a package 20.

In an example, the collection unit 12 is formed such that it covers up to an area of an opening of the at least one package 20, as e.g. illustrated in fig. 2. In an example, the collection unit 12 is formed such that the collection unit 12 has a smaller area at the at least one package and expands into the outlet 1 1 having a larger area, illustrated in fig. 2. By having this shape of the collection unit 12 the collection unit 12 is capable of producing a uniform suction at the at least one package 20 and/or having an extended depth of penetration past at least one package 20 towards a conveyor or similar passing the at least one packages 20 past the collection unit 12. This aids in evacuating fluids over a smaller area but with more depth, e.g. as illustrated in figs. 2 or 3. These figures illustrate an example where the collection unit 12 is arranged above the at least one package 20 entering into a sterilization chamber by a conveyor and the collection unit 12 is shaped such that the fluid flow is uniform and has a high velocity at the package 20 so that fluid from all the way down to the conveyor can be sucked into and collected in the collection unit 12 and then following exits through the outlet 1 1 of the evacuation device 10.

In an example illustrated in e.g. figs. 1 and 1 b, the evacuation device

10 is re-attachable. By having the evacuation device 10 re-attachable it is possible to remove the evacuation device 10 and clean it, and then re-attach it to its position at the at least one package 20, or replace the evacuation device 10 if it is somehow damaged. In these examples a clamp holds the outlet 1 1 in place and a bolt is arranged on the opposite side to hold the collection unit 12 in place.

In an example illustrated in fig.4, the collection unit 12 comprises means 13 for receiving at least one sterilization outlet for injecting the sterilization agent into the package 20. By having the collection unit 12 configured to receive the sterilization outlet the collection unit 12 can be arranged directly above the sterilization outlet and thus receive a maximum of excessive sterilization agent e.g. when the agent is output into the package 20 and deflected back up from the package 20.

In an example, the outlet 1 1 is connectable to an evacuation system

100. By having the outlet 1 1 connectable to an evacuation system the system 100 sucks via the evacuation device 10 out the sterilization agent collected in the collection unit 12.

In an example illustrated in e.g. fig. 5, the evacuation system 100 for evacuating a sterilizing agent used for sterilizing at least one package 20 is disclosed. The system 100 comprises at least two evacuation devices 10. The evacuation device 10 comprises an outlet 1 1 for evacuating the sterilization agent and a collection unit 12. The collection unit 12 is connected to the outlet

1 1 and the collection unit 12 is arranged at the at least one package 20 such that the sterilization agent is evacuated via the collection unit 12 and out through the outlet 1 1 . In an example the system 100 further comprises at least one suction unit 1 10 for evacuating the sterilizing agent. The suction unit 1 10 is connected to the outlet 1 1 of the at least one evacuation device 10.

In an example, the system 100 comprises at least two evacuation devices 10. One evacuation device 10 is arranged at a drying zone for the package 20. By having the evacuation device 10 at the drying zone of the at least one package 20 it is possible to evacuate even more of the sterilization agent and/or if anything is left in the at least one package 20 after the main sterilization of the at least one package 20. In an example, the system 100 comprises at least three evacuation devices 10. One evacuation device 10 is arranged at an entry zone for the at least one package 20 to enter into the sterilization chamber, as illustrated in e.g. figs. 5-6. By having the evacuation device 10 at the entry zone to the sterilization chamber the system 100 evacuates any superfluous sterilization agent in the chamber that could exit through the entry zone. This is normally the case since there is a higher pressure in the following sections of a filling system, which thus creates a drift of fluid towards the entry zone of the sterilization chamber. The higher pressure of the following sections are to maintain the sterilization throughout the system, and the at least one package 20, until the at least one package 20 is filled with the fluid food and completely closed. In an example, the system 100 comprises at least one evacuation device 10 and the evacuation device 10 is arranged at an exit zone of the sterilization chamber. In an example, several evacuation devices 10 are combined at various locations wherein a leakage is predicted or measured to occur, in order to maximize the evacuation of the sterilization agent.

In an example, the system 100 comprises at least one floor evacuation unit 30 for evacuation the sterilization agent at the floor of the sterilization chamber, illustrated in e.g. figs.5-6. By having the floor evacuation unit 30 the system 100 evacuates any sterilization agent that is underneath the at least one package 20 on e.g. a conveyor.

In an example, the system 100 comprises a control unit for controlling a rate of flow of the at least one suction unit 1 10 and/or at least two

evacuation devices 10. By having the control unit control the rate of flow the system 100 can be adjusted for a maximum evacuation based on e.g.

performance of the suction unit 1 10, the evacuation devices 10 and or a combination thereof. Thus, it is possible to control the flow of fluids inside the sterilization chamber such that a desired fluid flow is created which removes the sterilization agent. In an example, at least one sensor is used to provide feedback to the control unit of different parameters such as a voltage, current, flow, concentration of the sterilization agent and so on.

In an example illustrated in fig. 7 a method 200 for evacuating sterilization agent is disclosed. The method comprises providing 210 at least one evacuation device 10 and evacuating 220 the sterilization agent by the at least one evacuation device 10. In an example, the evacuation is performed by a first device of the at least one evacuation device 10, and wherein the collection unit 12 of the first device is arranged above at least one package 20 to be sterilized. In an example, the evacuation is performed by a second device of the at least one evacuation device 10, and wherein the collection unit 12 of the second device is arranged above at least one package 20 to be dried. In an example, the evacuation is performed by a third device of the at least one evacuation device 10, and wherein the collection unit 12 of the third device is arranged above at least one package 20 to enter the sterilization chamber. In an example the at least one evacuation device 10, system 100 and/or method 200 is used in a Tetra Pak® TR/27, but other Tetra Pak® and/or non Tetra Pak® machines are also equally applicable and which the skilled person would easily appreciate. In an example the above is used in a sterilization section of packages in the Tetra Pak® TR/27 machine.

Further, the invention has mainly been described with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily understood by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1 . An evacuation device for evacuating a sterilizing agent used for sterilizing at least one package, comprising,

- an outlet for evacuating the sterilization agent,

- a collection unit, the collection unit is connected to the outlet, and

wherein the collection unit is arranged at the at least one package such that the sterilization agent is evacuated via the collection unit and out through the outlet.

2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the collection unit is arranged above the at least one package.

3. A device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the collection unit is formed such that it covers at least all of an opening of at least one package.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the collection unit is formed such that the collection unit has a larger area at the at least one package and narrows into the outlet having a smaller area.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the collection unit is a hood.

6. A device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the collection unit is formed such that it covers up to an area of an opening of at least one package.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the collection unit is formed such that the collection unit has a smaller area at the at least one package and expands into the outlet having a larger area.

8. A device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the device is re-attachable.

9. A device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the collection unit comprises means for receiving at least one sterilization inlet for injecting the sterilization agent into the package.

10. A device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the outlet is connected to an evacuation system.

1 1 . An evacuation system for evacuating a sterilizing agent used for sterilizing at least one package, comprising,

- at least two evacuation devices, comprising,

-an outlet for evacuating the sterilization agent,

- a collection unit, the collection unit is connected to the outlet, and wherein the collection unit is arranged above a track for at least one package such that the sterilization agent is evacuated via the collection unit and out through the outlet.

12. A system according to claim 1 1 , further comprising at least one suction unit, and wherein the at least one suction unit is connected to the at least two evacuation devices.

13. A system according to claims 1 1 or 12, wherein one evacuation device is arranged at a drying zone for the at least one package.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1 1 -13, wherein the system comprises at least three evacuation devices, and wherein one evacuation device is arranged at an entry zone for the package into a sterilization chamber.

15. The system according to any one of claims 1 1 -14, wherein the system comprises at least one floor evacuation unit for evacuation the sterilization agent at the floor of a sterilization chamber.

16. A system according to any one of claims 1 1 -15, wherein the system comprises a control unit for controlling a rate of flow of the at least one suction unit and/or at least two evacuation devices.

17. A method for evacuating a sterilization agent, comprising,

- providing at least one evacuation device according to any of claims 1 -10, and

- evacuating the sterilization agent by the at least one evacuation device.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the evacuating is performed by a first device of the at least one evacuation device, and wherein the collection unit of the first device is arranged above a package to be sterilized.

19. A method according to any one of claims 17 or 18, wherein the evacuating is performed by a second device of the at least one evacuation device, and wherein the collection unit of the second device is arranged above a package to be dried.

20. A method according to any one of claims 17-19, wherein the evacuating is performed by a third device of the at least one evacuation device, and wherein the collection unit of the third device is arranged above a package to enter a sterilization chamber.