WO2024052361A1 - Machine de remplissage comprenant un système d'écoulement d'air - Google Patents

Machine de remplissage comprenant un système d'écoulement d'air Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024052361A1
WO2024052361A1 PCT/EP2023/074351 EP2023074351W WO2024052361A1 WO 2024052361 A1 WO2024052361 A1 WO 2024052361A1 EP 2023074351 W EP2023074351 W EP 2023074351W WO 2024052361 A1 WO2024052361 A1 WO 2024052361A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chamber
throughflow
processing chamber
air
plate
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2023/074351
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Barth
Hans-Willi Spelten
Thomas KÖLLING
Hannah ANDAL
Andriy KUPYNA
Original Assignee
Elopak Asa
Elopak Gmbh
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 Elopak Asa, Elopak Gmbh filed Critical Elopak Asa
Publication of WO2024052361A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024052361A1/fr

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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
    • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
    • B65B31/02—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas
    • B65B31/025—Filling, closing, or filling and closing, containers or wrappers in chambers maintained under vacuum or superatmospheric pressure or containing a special atmosphere, e.g. of inert gas specially adapted for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • 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
    • B65B55/025—Packaging in aseptic tunnels
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a paperboard container filling machine, in particular a filling machine for producing paperboard containers, also known as cartons, for a pourable foodstuff.
  • a paperboard container filling machine in particular a filling machine for producing paperboard containers, also known as cartons, for a pourable foodstuff.
  • the present disclosure relates to an airflow system in such a machine, e.g. to an airflow system in an aseptic chamber positioned downstream of a sterilization chamber in a paperboard container filling machine.
  • the first aseptic chamber sometimes referred to as a filling chamber, typically comprises one or a plurality of filling devices, each comprising a filling nozzle from which the pourable food stuff is dispensed into the containers, and a filling valve, which controls the flow of the pourable food stuff through the filling nozzle, normally dosing the pourable food stuff according to the size of the containers being filled.
  • the second aseptic chamber sometimes referred to as a sealing chamber, typically comprises one or a plurality of sealing jaws configured to seal the containers.
  • an aseptic and uniform airflow should advantageously be provided in the aseptic chambers.
  • the containers themselves being transported through the filling machine may disturb the airflow in the aseptic chambers.
  • due to containers moving into and out of the aseptic chamber it is difficult to keep the aseptic chamber airtight. Turbulence within the aseptic chamber combined with the aseptic chamber not being airtight may cause impure air to seep into the aseptic chamber and contaminate filling machine equipment and/or the containers.
  • the present disclosure provides paperboard container filling machine comprising an aseptic chamber, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing processing equipment configured for interacting with paperboard containers passing through the processing chamber; a throughflow plate separating the air distribution chamber and the processing chamber, the throughflow plate comprising a plurality of through-openings configured for directing the air from the air distribution chamber to the processing chamber, and a paperboard container transport sub-system configured for transporting the paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the processing chamber,
  • the throughflow plate comprises a substantially horizontal planar section and first and second curved sections, each curved section displaying a convex ruled surface facing the processing chamber, the ruled surface being defined by rulings which are parallel and extend orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to said transport path.
  • the trough-openings may be slits.
  • the slits may be rectilinear.
  • the slits may be arranged along a plurality of parallel lines.
  • the slits may be aligned with the container transport path.
  • the through-openings may occupy any one of 5 - 50 % of the total area of the throughflow plate; and 10 - 30 % of the total area of the throughflow plate.
  • the filling machine may comprise an elongated air distribution duct configured for receiving air from an air supply channel, the air distribution duct comprising a plurality of throughflow holes configured for distributing the air in the air distribution chamber and displaying a semi-tubular convex surface facing the throughflow plate and comprising a rectilinear duct axis extending orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the container transport path.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of establishing an airflow in an aseptic chamber of a paperboard container filling machine, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing processing equipment configured for interacting with paperboard containers passing through the processing chamber; and a paperboard container transport sub-system configured for transporting the paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the processing chamber.
  • the method comprises the step of bringing the air from the distribution chamber to the processing chamber through a throughflow plate comprising a substantially horizontal planar section and first and second, curved sections, each curved section displaying a convex ruled surface facing the processing chamber, the ruled surface being defined by rulings which are parallel and extend orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to said transport path.
  • the present disclosure provides a paperboard container filling machine comprising an aseptic chamber, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing processing equipment configured for interacting with paperboard containers passing through the processing chamber; a throughflow plate separating the air distribution chamber and the processing chamber; and a paperboard container transport sub-system configured for transporting the paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the processing chamber.
  • the throughflow plate has a predefined thickness and comprising a plurality of slits configured for directing the air from the air distribution chamber to the processing chamber, the slits having a predefined length, a predefined width and a predefined length/width ratio, wherein said predefined thickness is at least 1.5 times said predefined width, and wherein said predefined length/width ratio is larger than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20.
  • the slits may be rectilinear and/or arranged along a plurality of parallel lines.
  • the slits may occupy any one of 5 - 50 % of the total area of the throughflow plate; and 10 - 30 % of the total area of the throughflow plate.
  • the slits may be aligned with the container transport path.
  • the throughflow plate may be planar.
  • the slits may be arranged parallel to or substantially parallel to each other.
  • the slits may be aligned parallel to or substantially parallel to the transport path.
  • the throughflow plate may comprise a substantially horizontal planar section, and first and second, curved sections, each curved section displaying a convex ruled surface facing the processing chamber, the ruled surface being defined by rulings which are parallel and extend orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to said transport path.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of establishing an airflow in an aseptic chamber of a paperboard container filling machine, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber configured for receiving air from an air supply channel; a lower processing chamber housing processing equipment configured for interacting with paperboard containers passing through the processing chamber; and a paperboard container transport sub-system configured for transporting the paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the processing chamber, the method comprises the step of bringing the air from the distribution chamber to the processing chamber through a throughflow plate having a predefined thickness and comprising a plurality of slits configured for directing the air from the air distribution chamber to the processing chamber, the slits having a predefined length, a predefined width and a predefined length/width ratio, wherein said predefined thickness is at least 1.5 times said predefined width, and wherein said predefined length/width ratio is larger than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20.
  • the present disclosure provides a paperboard container filling machine comprising an aseptic chamber, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing processing equipment configured for interacting with paperboard containers passing through the processing chamber; a throughflow plate separating the air distribution chamber and the processing chamber; a paperboard container transport sub-system configured for transporting the paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the processing chamber; and an elongated air distribution duct configured for receiving air from an air supply channel and comprising a plurality of throughflow holes configured for distributing the air in the air distribution chamber.
  • the air distribution duct displays a semi-tubular convex surface facing the throughflow plate and comprises a rectilinear duct axis extending orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the container transport path.
  • the throughflow holes may be circular.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of establishing an airflow in an aseptic chamber of a paperboard container filling machine, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing processing equipment configured for interacting with paperboard containers passing through the processing chamber; a throughflow plate separating the air distribution chamber and the processing chamber; and a paperboard container transport sub-system configured for transporting the paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the processing chamber,
  • the method comprises the step of distributing air in the air distribution chamber by bringing the air from an air supply channel to the air distribution chamber through an air distribution duct comprising a plurality of throughflow holes configured for distributing the air in the air distribution chamber, the air distribution duct displaying a semi-tubular convex surface facing the throughflow plate and comprising a rectilinear duct axis extending orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the container transport path.
  • the present disclosure provides an airflow system for an aseptic chamber in a blank fed pourable food stuff container filling machine.
  • the aseptic chamber may comprise at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening for passage of containers, and a container transport sub-system configured for transporting the containers through the aseptic chamber along a container transport path from the inlet opening(s) to the outlet opening(s).
  • the containers will be transport through a sterilization chamber before arriving in the aseptic chamber.
  • the transport sub-system could be a conveyor-based system or any other kind of sub-system able to transport the containers.
  • the aseptic chamber comprises an upper air distribution chamber configured for receiving air from at least one air supply channel, a lower processing chamber housing processing equipment configured for interacting with the containers and a throughflow plate separating the distribution chamber and the processing chamber.
  • the throughflow plate extends over the entire interface between the upper air distribution chamber and the lower processing chamber.
  • the throughflow plate comprises a plurality of slits configured for directing the air from the air distribution chamber to the lower processing chamber. The slits may be aligned parallel or substantially parallel with the transport path.
  • the air distribution chamber comprises at least one elongated air distribution duct receiving air from the air supply channel(s), wherein the at least one air distribution duct comprises a plurality of throughflow holes configured for distributing the air in the upper air distribution chamber.
  • the air distribution duct is connected to a top wall of the air distribution chamber and displays a semi-tubular convex surface facing the throughflow plate.
  • the air distribution duct comprises a rectilinear duct axis extending orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the container transport path.
  • the throughflow plate is planar and arranged horizontally or substantially horizontally in the aseptic chamber.
  • the aseptic chamber is an aseptic filling chamber comprising a filling nozzle, and the throughflow plate is positioned at a height above a dispensing opening of the filling nozzle.
  • the at least one throughflow plate comprises a substantially horizontal planar and section and first and second, curved sections, each curved section displaying a convex ruled surface facing the lower processing chamber, the ruled surface being defined by rulings which are parallel and extend orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to said transport path.
  • the throughflow plate symmetrically envelops said at least one elongated distribution duct.
  • the throughflow plate is positioned in an aseptic sealing chamber.
  • the system further comprises a bottom wall having at least one exhaust air outlet.
  • the outlet may be provided with suction provided with suction.
  • the slits are evenly spaced apart on the throughflow plate.
  • the slits occupy 5 - 50 %, more preferably 10 - 30 % of the total area of the throughflow plate.
  • the slits have a length / width ratio larger than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20.
  • the angle of the slits relative to the transport path does not deviate from parallel with more than anyone of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20 degrees.
  • Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing an airflow in the aseptic chamber as described above and comprises the step of directing the air from the air distribution chamber to the processing chamber through said slits.
  • the method further comprises the step of subjecting the upper air distribution chamber to a first pressure and the lower processing chamber to a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure, but higher than ambient pressure.
  • Fig 1 shows a container filling machine comprising an aseptic filling chamber and an aseptic sealing chamber.
  • Fig. 2 shows the container filling machine according to Fig. 1 in greater detail and with side plates removed.
  • Fig. 3 shows the container filling machine according to Fig. 2 in a perspective view from below.
  • Fig. 4 shows the container filling machine according to Fig. 1 a perspective view from above.
  • Fig. 5 shows the aseptic filling chamber and aseptic sealing chamber according to Fig. 1 in a perspective view.
  • Fig. 6 shows inlet openings and outlet openings in the aseptic filling chamber and the aseptic sealing chamber according to Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a throughflow plate for an aseptic filling chamber.
  • Fig. 8 shows a close-up of the throughflow plate according to Fig. 7.
  • Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of a throughflow plate for an aseptic sealing chamber.
  • Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of an air distribution duct.
  • Fig. 11 illustrates processing chambers of a filling chamber and a sealing chamber of an embodiment of a filling machine.
  • the filling machine 10 comprises a sterilization chamber 20 configured for sterilizing open-top paperboard containers (not disclosed) folded from blanks (not disclosed).
  • the filling machine 10 further comprises a first aseptic chamber 30 arranged downstream of the sterilization chamber and forming a filling chamber of the filling machine 10.
  • the filling chamber 30 is configured for filling the sterilized open-top paperboard containers with a pourable food-stuff.
  • filling nozzles 32 are arranged in the filling chamber 30.
  • the food-stuff is supplied to the filling nozzles 32 from a food-stuff supply system 11 (see Fig. 1).
  • the filling machine 10 also comprises a second aseptic chamber 40 arranged downstream of the filling chamber 30 and forming a sealing chamber of the filling machine 10.
  • the sealing chamber 40 is configured for top-sealing the paperboard containers having been filled in the filling chamber 30.
  • folding and sealing means 42 are arranged in the sealing chamber 40 (see Fig. 2).
  • the sealing chamber 40 may comprise nitrogen flushing nozzles 49 arranged to fill remaining space in the containers with nitrogen prior to the containers being sealed.
  • the containers first pass through the filling chamber 30 in which the containers are filled with a pourable food-stuff. After having passed through the filling chamber 30, the containers pass through the sealing chamber 40 where the containers are sealed.
  • Both the filling chamber 30 and the sealing chamber 40 are aseptic chambers providing an environment which is sufficiently sterile to give the filled containers a predetermined shelf-life. Consequently, the aseptic nature of the filling chamber 30 and the sealing chamber 40 is such that it supresses contaminants that may otherwise degrade the shelf-life of the filled containers. Such contaminants may for example be bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms.
  • the filling chamber 30 and the sealing chamber 40 both comprises cleaning nozzles 22 allowing the chambers 30, 40 to be dozed by a cleaning fluid and cleaned during cleaning cycles.
  • the filling machine 10 comprises a first airflow system 34 configured for providing a controlled flow of clean air through the filling chamber 30 and a second airflow system 44 configured for providing a controlled flow of clean air through the sealing chamber 40.
  • Said clean air may for example be sterile or near- sterile air, aseptic air or HEPA-air.
  • HEPA-air is produced by filtering the air through a high-efficiency particulate air (HEP A) filter.
  • HEPA A high-efficiency particulate air
  • the airflow systems 34, 44 are configured to provide an airflow of clean air that envelopes the containers as they are handled by processing equipment in the filling and sealing chambers.
  • a container transport subsystem 12 is configured to transport each container along a transport path 14 through the filling machine 10, including through the filling chamber 30 and the sealing chamber 40 (see Fig. 4).
  • the container transport subsystem 12 may comprise a conveyor or linear actuator configured to convey carriers for the containers through the filling machine 10.
  • the filling machine 10 comprises three parallel transport paths 14 for the containers and the container transport subsystem 12 comprises carriers 16 configured to carry three containers in parallel (see Fig. 4 - the container transport subsystem 12 is disclosed without containers).
  • each container transport path 14 is rectilinear.
  • the container transport subsystem 12 is configured to convey the containers through the filling machine along rectilinear and parallel paths.
  • the filling chamber 30 is provided with inlet openings 31 arranged to allow containers to be carried into the filling chamber 30 by the container transport subsystem (see Fig. 6).
  • the filling chamber 30 is also provided with outlet openings 33 arranged to allow containers to be carried out of the filling chamber 30 by the container transport subsystem.
  • the sealing chamber 40 is provided with inlet openings 41 arranged to allow the containers to be carried into the sealing chamber 40 by the container transport subsystem, and outlet openings 43 arranged to allow containers to be carried out of the sealing chamber 40.
  • the outlet openings 33 of the filling chamber 30 may form the inlet openings 41 of the sealing chamber 40, thus allowing the containers to be transported directly from the filling chamber 30 to the sealing chamber 40.
  • the containers are conveyed from the inlet openings 31 to the outlet openings 33 along said parallel and rectilinear container transport paths 14.
  • the containers are conveyed from the inlet openings 41 to the outlet openings 43 along said parallel and rectilinear container transport paths 14.
  • the filling chamber 30 comprises an upper air distribution chamber 35 and a lower processing chamber 36 (see Fig. 2).
  • the filling chamber 30 further comprises a throughflow plate 37 separating the air distribution chamber 35 from the processing chamber 36 (also see Fig. 3).
  • the throughflow plate 37 may monolithic, i.e. produced in one solid, unbroken piece.
  • the throughflow plate 37 consists of several part-plates 37a-37d which together separate the air distribution chamber 35 from the processing chamber 36, e.g. as is illustrated in Fig. 7.
  • the air distribution chamber 35 is configured for receiving clean air from air supply channels 18, and the throughflow plate 37 comprises a plurality of slits 38 (e.g. see Fig. 8) configured for directing the clean air from the air distribution chamber 35 to the processing chamber 36.
  • said clean air may for example be sterile or near-sterile air, aseptic air or HEPA-air.
  • the clean air is provided from the air supply channels 18 and the resulting airflow goes from the air distribution chamber 35 to the processing chamber 36 via the throughflow plates 37.
  • the filling nozzles 32 are configured for dispensing the food-stuff in the containers.
  • the air distribution chamber 35 is configured to receive clean air from four air supply channels 18 (e.g. see Fig. 3). In other embodiments, however, air distribution chamber 35 may be configured to receive clean air from one, two, three, five or more air supply channels.
  • the throughflow plate 37 is preferably planar and the slits 38 are preferably aligned in parallel or substantially in parallel with the container transport paths 14.
  • the purpose of this configuration is to envelope the containers in an uniform flow of clean air flowing from the throughflow plate 37 towards the carriers 16.
  • the uniform airflow is to fill the entire processing chamber 36 without forming turbulent eddies or vortexes, thereby preventing contaminated air from being drawn into the filling chamber from outside of the processing chamber 36, in particular via openings 60 formed at a bottom wall or floor 61 of the processing chamber 36, which openings 60 are configured to accommodate containers to be filled (see Fig. 11).
  • an aseptic zone should extend from the throughflow plate 37 and all the way down to the bottom wall 61, thus preventing contaminated air from entering the open containers extending through the openings 60 (the top of which containers are held above the bottom wall 61 by the carriers 16).
  • the throughflow plate 37 may display a continuous surface only being broken by the slits 38 and by openings to be occupied by necessary processing equipment extending through the throughflow plate 37, e.g. openings 26 for filling nozzles and openings 27 for cleaning fluid ducts (see Fig. 7).
  • the slits 38 have a large aspect ratio, i.e. a large length / width ratio.
  • the aspect ratio of the slits 38 is larger than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20.
  • the aspect ratio of the slits may be even larger.
  • the aspect ratio of the slits 38 is within the range of 5-30, or more preferably within the range of 10-20.
  • the length L of each slit 38 may be within the range of 10-40 mm and the width W within the range of 5-30 mm, or more preferably within the range of 10-20 mm.
  • the throughflow plate 37 may be made from stainless steel sheet metal having a thickness T within the range of 1-5 mm.
  • the slits 38 may occupy 5-50 %, preferably 10%-30% of the total area of the throughflow plate 37.
  • Preferably the slits 38 are arranged evenly spaced apart on the throughflow plate 38.
  • the slits 38 may be aligned in parallel with the transport paths 14 of the containers. Such an alignment has been found to cause relatively little turbulence in the processing chamber 36. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that such an alignment of the slits 38 provide stable, parallel "air knifes" which are relatively unaffected by the containers as they move through the processing chamber 36 and, thus, causes limited or no turbulence in the clean air flow. As stated above, elongated slits aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the transport paths 14 of the containers have been found to cause relatively little turbulence in the processing chamber 36. A slight angle of the slits 38 relative to the transport paths 14 will give a similar, but somewhat less positive effect. It has been found that the angle of the slits 38 relative to the transport paths 14 should preferably not deviate from parallel with more than anyone of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20 degrees.
  • the slits 38 are provided with rounded ends as seen in Fig. 8. This may be advantageous with regards to cleaning as materials having 90 degrees angles are harder to keep clean.
  • the first airflow system 34 in addition to the throughflow plate 37, comprises elongated air distribution ducts 50 configured for receiving said clean air from the air supply channels 18 and distributing the clean air in the air distribution chamber 35.
  • Each air distribution duct 50 comprises a plurality of throughflow holes 51 (see Fig. 10).
  • each air distribution duct 50 may be connected to a top wall or ceiling 39 of the air distribution chamber (see Fig. 2) for distributing the supplied air throughout the air distribution chamber 35.
  • the purpose of the air distribution duct 50 is to even out pressure gradients inside the air distribution chamber 35 in order to provide a more even flow of air through all parts of the throughflow plate(s) 37.
  • each air distribution duct 50 is substantially semi-tubular and comprises a convex surface 52 facing the throughflow plate 37 (see Figs. 3 and 10).
  • the air distribution ducts 50 extend from one side of the air distribution chamber 35 to an opposite side thereof.
  • each air distribution duct 50 has a rectilinear duct axis A (see Fig. 3) extending substantially orthogonal to the container transport paths 14 (see Fig. 6).
  • the size of the throughflow holes 51 and/or the distribution of the throughflow holes 51 can be adjusted according to the distance from the air supply channel(s) 18 in order to obtain the same throughflow per area over the entire air distribution duct 50.
  • the throughflow plate 37 is substantially planar and horizontally positioned in the filling chamber 30 at a height just above the lower part of the filling nozzles 32.
  • the throughflow plate 37 may be cut or shaped as indicated in Fig. 7.
  • the throughflow plate is closely fitted to the filling nozzles 32 and the food-stuff supply system 11 in order to avoid large openings causing uneven throughflow of clean air from the air distribution chamber 35 to the processing chamber 36.
  • the sealing chamber 40 like the filling chamber 30, comprises an upper air distribution chamber 45 and a lower processing chamber 46 (see Fig. 2).
  • the sealing chamber 40 also comprises a throughflow plate 47 separating the air distribution chamber 45 from the processing chamber 46 (also see Fig. 3).
  • the air distribution chamber 45 is configured for receiving clean air from air supply channels 19, and the throughflow plate 47 comprises a plurality of slits 48 (e.g. see Fig. 9) configured for directing the clean air from the air distribution chamber 45 to the processing chamber 46.
  • said clean air may for example be sterile or near-sterile air, aseptic air or HEPA-air.
  • the air distribution chamber 45 is configured to receive clean air from three air supply channels 19 (e.g. see Fig. 3). In other embodiments, however, air distribution chamber 45 may be configured to receive clean air from one, two, four, five or more air supply channels.
  • the throughflow plate 47 comprises a planar section 55 and two curved sections 56 adjoining the planar section 55 and being connected to a top wall or ceiling 57 of the sealing chamber 40 (e.g. see Fig. 2).
  • the planar section 55 is horizontally aligned and thus displays a down-wards facing, planar surface facing the processing chamber 46.
  • the curved sections 56 each display a convex ruled surface facing the processing chamber 46, the ruled surface being defined by rulings which are parallel and extend orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to said container transport path 14.
  • the throughflow plate 47 thus displays a generally U-shaped crosssection. This configuration provides space in the processing chamber 46 for processing equipment such as folding and sealing means 42 and nitrogen flushing nozzles 49 (see Fig. 2). In the cross-direction of the sealing chamber 40 the throughflow plate 47 extends across the width of the sealing chamber 40 adjoining side walls of the sealing chamber 40.
  • the slits 48 have a large aspect ratio.
  • the aspect ratio of the slits 48 is larger than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20.
  • the aspect ratio of the slits 48 is within the range of 5-30, or more preferably within the range of 10-20.
  • the length of each slit 48 may be within the range of 10-40 mm and the width within the range of 5-30 mm, or more preferably within the range of 10-20 mm.
  • the throughflow plate 47 may be made from stainless steel sheet metal having a thickness within the range of 1-5 mm.
  • the slits 48 may occupy 5-50 %, preferably 10%-30% of the total area of the throughflow plate 47.
  • the slits 48 are arranged evenly spaced apart on the throughflow plate 48.
  • the throughflow plate 47 may comprise rectangular and planar part-sections 47a-47k which are adjoined to form the throughflow plate 47, as is indicated in Fig. 9.
  • the slits 48 are aligned with the container transport paths 14. Consequently, in the planar section 55 the slits 48 are arranged substantially parallel to the container transport paths 14, while in the curved sections 56 the slits 48 are arranged in parallel, vertical planes. Such an alignment has been found to cause limited turbulence in the processing chamber 46.
  • the purpose of this configuration of the throughflow plate 47 is to envelope the top of the containers in a uniform flow of clean air flowing from the throughflow plate 47 towards a bottom wall or floor 62 of the processing chamber 46 (see Fig. 11).
  • the uniform airflow is to fill the entire processing chamber 46 without forming turbulent eddies or vortexes, thereby preventing contaminated air from being drawn into the sealing chamber 40 from the outside, in particular via openings formed at the bottom wall 62 of the filling chamber 30 (see Fig. 11), e.g. openings formed by guiding slots 63 configured to fold the top of the containers prior to the containers being top-sealed.
  • the guiding slots 63 are the only openings being present in the bottom wall 62, thereby contributing to an aseptic zone extending from the throughflow plate 47 and all the way down to the bottom wall 62.
  • the second airflow system 44 in addition to the throughflow plate 47, comprises an air distribution duct 53 configured for receiving said clean air from the air supply channels 19 and distributing the clean air in the air distribution chamber 45.
  • the air distribution duct 53 is preferably configured in the same manner as the air distribution ducts 51 in the filling chamber 30. Consequently, the air distribution duct 53 preferably comprises a plurality of throughflow holes 51 (see Fig. 10) and the air distribution duct 53 is preferably connected to the top wall or ceiling 57 of the air distribution chamber 45 (see Fig. 2) for distributing the supplied air throughout the air distribution chamber 45.
  • the air distribution duct 53 is, like the air distribution duct 50, substantially semi-tubular and comprises a convex surface 52 facing the throughflow plate 47 (see Figs. 3 and 10).
  • the air distribution duct 53 extends from one side of the air distribution chamber 45 to an opposite side thereof.
  • the air distribution duct 53 has a rectilinear duct axis A (see Fig. 3) extending substantially orthogonal to the container transport paths 14 (see Fig. 6).
  • the size of the throughflow holes 51 and/or the distribution of the throughflow holes 51 can be adjusted according to the distance from the air supply channel(s) 19 to obtain the same throughflow per area over the entire air distribution duct 53.
  • the throughflow plate 47 symmetrically envelops the distribution duct 53.
  • all clean air passing from the air distribution chamber 35 to the processing chamber 36 in the filling chamber 30 should preferably pass through the slits 38 in the throughflow plate 37.
  • the clean air may then be evacuated from the processing chamber 36 through the openings 60 in the bottom wall 61 (or more precise through sections of the openings 60 not occupied by containers - see Fig. 11).
  • the area of the air outlets may preferably be distributed evenly along the transport paths 14 populated by the container in order to envelop the containers in a uniform air flow. In some applications this may enhance the flow of aseptic air from the throughflow plates 37, 47 towards the bottom walls 61, 62.
  • the air outlets may be provided with suction. However, if suction is provided, it should not be so strong as to cause pressure in parts of the respective processing chamber to sink below ambient pressure as this could cause unclean air to enter into the processing chambers 36, 46 through any gaps.
  • a method for establishing an airflow of clean air in an aseptic chamber of a filling machine comprises the step of directing clean air from the air distribution chamber 35, 45 to the processing chamber 36, 46 through said throughflow plate 37, 47.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une machine de remplissage de contenants en carton (10) qui comprend une chambre aseptique (40) présentant : une chambre de distribution d'air supérieure (45) ; une chambre de traitement inférieure (46) dans laquelle sont logés des équipements de traitement (42, 49) conçus pour interagir avec des contenants en carton traversant la chambre de traitement ; une plaque de passage d'écoulement (47) séparant la chambre de distribution d'air et la chambre de traitement, la plaque de passage d'écoulement comportant une pluralité d'ouvertures traversantes (48) configurées pour diriger l'air de la chambre de distribution d'air vers la chambre de traitement, et un sous-système de transport de contenants en carton conçu pour transporter les contenants en carton à travers la chambre de traitement le long d'un trajet de transport de contenants (14) d'une ouverture d'entrée (41) à une ouverture de sortie (43) de la chambre de traitement. La plaque de passage d'écoulement comprend une section plane sensiblement horizontale (55) et des première et seconde sections incurvées (56), chaque section incurvée présentant une surface réglée convexe faisant face à la chambre de traitement, la surface réglée étant définie par des lignes qui sont parallèles et s'étendent perpendiculairement ou sensiblement perpendiculairement audit trajet de transport.
PCT/EP2023/074351 2022-09-07 2023-09-05 Machine de remplissage comprenant un système d'écoulement d'air WO2024052361A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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EP22194484.6 2022-09-07
EP22194484.6A EP4335761A1 (fr) 2022-09-07 2022-09-07 Machine de remplissage comprenant un système d'écoulement d'air

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WO2024052361A1 true WO2024052361A1 (fr) 2024-03-14

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Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0903297A1 (fr) * 1997-09-19 1999-03-24 Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd. Hotte à air pur pour machine d'emballage
US6461233B1 (en) * 2001-08-17 2002-10-08 Labconco Corporation Low air volume laboratory fume hood
WO2006072403A1 (fr) * 2004-12-29 2006-07-13 Sig Technology Ag Dispositif pour distribuer de facon uniforme un fluide gazeux
US20090215376A1 (en) * 2008-02-25 2009-08-27 A1 Envirosciences Limited Laboratory containment system
US20110117828A1 (en) * 2009-11-18 2011-05-19 National Taiwan University Of Science And Technology Reverse oblique air curtain exhaust cabinet
JP2019501086A (ja) * 2015-12-28 2019-01-17 エスアイジー テクノロジー アーゲーＳＩＧ Ｔｅｃｈｎｏｌｏｇｙ ＡＧ 包装容器内への好ましくは液状の食品の充填時に滅菌するための装置および方法
US10759643B2 (en) * 2015-10-30 2020-09-01 Krones Ag Device for treating containers
WO2022176907A1 (fr) * 2021-02-22 2022-08-25 四国化工機株式会社 Machine de remplissage et d'emballage

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0903297A1 (fr) * 1997-09-19 1999-03-24 Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd. Hotte à air pur pour machine d'emballage
US6461233B1 (en) * 2001-08-17 2002-10-08 Labconco Corporation Low air volume laboratory fume hood
WO2006072403A1 (fr) * 2004-12-29 2006-07-13 Sig Technology Ag Dispositif pour distribuer de facon uniforme un fluide gazeux
US20090215376A1 (en) * 2008-02-25 2009-08-27 A1 Envirosciences Limited Laboratory containment system
US20110117828A1 (en) * 2009-11-18 2011-05-19 National Taiwan University Of Science And Technology Reverse oblique air curtain exhaust cabinet
US10759643B2 (en) * 2015-10-30 2020-09-01 Krones Ag Device for treating containers
JP2019501086A (ja) * 2015-12-28 2019-01-17 エスアイジー テクノロジー アーゲーＳＩＧ Ｔｅｃｈｎｏｌｏｇｙ ＡＧ 包装容器内への好ましくは液状の食品の充填時に滅菌するための装置および方法
WO2022176907A1 (fr) * 2021-02-22 2022-08-25 四国化工機株式会社 Machine de remplissage et d'emballage

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