DE102022211879A1 - Degassing, gassing and sealing of containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for degassing, gassing and closing filled containers, comprising a device (2) for degassing and gassing, which is designed to remove air from the filled containers in a continuous process and to replace it with an inert gas, a closing device (3) which is arranged spatially separate from the device (2) for degassing and gassing and is designed to close each container with a lid, and a transport device (6), and a lid distribution device (5) which is arranged spatially separate from the closing device (3) in an outlet (4) of the device (2) for degassing and gassing and is designed to allocate a lid to each filled container, wherein the transport device is designed to feed the containers with the lids to the closing device (3). The invention further relates to a method for degassing, gassing and closing filled containers.

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

The invention relates to a device and a method for degassing, gassing and closing filled containers in a packaging plant.

Since the shelf life of many products, especially food, is affected by oxygen and/or humidity, it is common practice to evacuate packaging and then seal it gas-tight. It is also known to carry out a gas exchange, i.e. the containers are first evacuated and then filled with an inert gas.

US 2,578,815 discloses a device for degassing, gassing and closing filled containers, wherein filled containers are fed to a rotary machine for gas exchange in a continuous process and then fed to a closing device for closing. A lid is placed on the container upstream of the rotary machine and gas exchange takes place by lifting the lid.

However, gas exchange with the lid in place can lead to contamination of the lid and/or an edge of the container, which can lead to leaks when the container is closed.

To avoid this, EN 10 2018 200 291 A1 a device and a method for degassing, gassing and then closing containers are known, wherein degassing and gassing of open containers without a lid on top takes place in a continuous process in a rotary machine with several chambers, in each of which an open container can be accommodated for gas exchange. A cover element for the accommodated open container is provided in each of the chambers, wherein the cover element for degassing and/or gassing can be placed in a sealing manner on a container edge of the accommodated open container or can be inserted in a sealing manner into an interior of the accommodated open container, and wherein the cover element has at least one opening for a gas passage. Containers discharged from the rotary machine are fed to a flanging system and closed there.

Seamers are state-of-the-art, for example DE4234115 A1 , known. These systems usually comprise a rotary machine with several similar positions, in each of which a container is closed with a lid. The containers and the lids are each fed to a position on the rotary machine. In this position, the containers and the lids are deformed at the edges using flanging rollers, thus closing the containers.

The structure of known flanging systems is extremely complex and the individual components are difficult to access. Flanging systems are subject to high levels of wear and tear. However, the maintenance and/or cleaning work required regularly during operation, particularly for packaging sensitive products such as baby milk powder, is very time-consuming due to the complexity of the flanging systems.

TASK AND SOLUTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a device and a method for degassing, gassing and closing containers with reduced maintenance effort.

This object is achieved by the device according to claim 1 and the method according to claim 10.

According to a first aspect, a device for degassing, gassing and closing filled containers is provided, comprising a device for degassing and gassing, which is designed to remove air from the filled containers in a continuous process and to replace it with an inert gas, a closing device arranged spatially separate from the device for degassing and gassing, which is designed to close each container with a lid, a lid distribution device arranged spatially separate from the closing device, in an outlet of the device for degassing and gassing, which is designed to allocate a lid to each filled container, and a transport device which is designed to feed the containers with the lids to the closing device.

In connection with the application, an element with which the container is closed after the gas exchange is referred to as a lid. Depending on the application, the lid is a container lid arranged on top of the container during subsequent use of the container, a container base arranged at the bottom during subsequent use of the container, or a container wall arranged at the side during subsequent use. Depending on the design, the lid is made of a material with a comparatively high inherent rigidity, with for example made of metal, or of a comparatively flexible material, such as a plastic film.

The functional and spatial separation of the lid distribution device from the closing device can significantly reduce the complexity of the closing device.

The containers are closed by means of the closing device, preferably airtight. In embodiments, however, it can be provided that the lid is fixed to the container during allocation to the container and/or in a transport path between an allocation and the closing device to prevent it from being lost during transport.

In one embodiment, the closing device is a conventional flanging system, but without the star wheels, magazines or similar components for feeding the lids that are provided in conventional flanging systems. Flanging systems are particularly suitable for closing cans and other containers with a metal lid. In some embodiments, the can is also made of metal. However, closing so-called cardboard wrap cans using a flanging system is also known. In another embodiment, the closing device is a sealing device by means of which plastic or cardboard containers are closed with a plastic or cardboard lid.

In conventional flanging systems, it is particularly common to provide vertical magazines for feeding lids. These must either be changed manually or, in the case of semi-automatic versions, pushed into a position depending on the format. In the case of maintenance of a rotor of the flanging system, these magazines must be laboriously dismantled or made movable. The functional and spatial separation of the lid feeding device from the closing device eliminates the need to remove any magazines provided as part of the lid feeding device in order to maintain a rotor of the flanging system. Maintenance can therefore be carried out with significantly less time.

Even converting the lid feeding device and the closing device, for example when changing formats, can be done in less time than with conventional systems.

The device for degassing and gassing is in some embodiments a EN 10 2018 200 291 A1 known device with a cover element which is temporarily placed on the container for gas exchange. However, the invention is not limited to the combination with this device and other configurations of the device are conceivable. In particular, the device for degassing and gassing is designed as a common structural unit with a filling device, as for example from the subsequently published EN 102022203817.7 known.

For sensitive products, such as baby milk powder, the transport device is preferably designed to feed the containers with the lids to the closing device without air getting into the containers. In other embodiments, a minimal ingress of air is tolerable.

In one embodiment, it is provided that the lid distribution device has a distribution wheel with at least one holder for a lid. The distribution wheel allows a continuous allocation of individual lids to the transfer position. A movement of the distribution wheel is synchronized with a movement of the containers in the outlet of the device for degassing and gassing. To transfer the lids at high process speeds, the distribution wheel preferably has several holders for one lid each. In embodiments, the at least one holder has suitable holding devices so that a received lid is held on the holder in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner during transport to the container.

In one embodiment, the outlet comprises a linear conveyor line, wherein the containers are conveyed from the device for degassing and gassing by means of the linear conveyor line, such as in EP 0 566 173 A1 presented, are adopted.

In another embodiment, the outlet comprises a star wheel, wherein a movement of the distribution wheel is synchronized with a movement of the star wheel. In one embodiment, the lids are transferred to the containers during a movement of the containers by means of the star wheel, wherein the containers are transported by means of the star wheel at a defined distance and a defined speed.

In one embodiment, the distribution wheel is arranged vertically and can be driven in such a way that it rotates about a horizontal axis of rotation arranged above a transfer position of the lids to the containers. This arrangement enables optimal use of installation space.

In one embodiment, the at least one receptacle comprises a piston that is adjustable in the radial direction of the metering wheel, wherein the piston ben can be driven in such a way that the piston at the transfer position can be adjusted radially outwards for allocating a received lid to a container. This can prevent an undesirable collision between the container and the lid when moving into the transfer position. At the same time, a safe transfer is achieved at the transfer position, whereby a free fall of the lid towards the container is avoided or at least reduced.

For a safe movement without additional active adjusting elements on the metering wheel, a slide track is provided in one embodiment for a slide-controlled movement of the piston.

In one embodiment, the lid distribution device is connected to a magazine by means of a transport path, whereby lids can be continuously fed to the lid distribution device, for example by means of a conveyor belt. In other embodiments, the lid distribution device has a magazine arranged above the axis of rotation of the distribution wheel in a take-over position, whereby the distribution wheel and the magazine are set up so that at the take-over position a lid can be taken from the magazine by the at least one receptacle of the distribution wheel. In one embodiment, it is provided that the pistons of the receptacles are adjusted radially outwards in the direction of the magazine in order to take over a lid.

In one embodiment, the lid rests on the container after being transferred to the container in such a way that the ingress of air into the container is prevented or limited to a level that is tolerable for the product. In other embodiments, the outlet, the lid distribution device and the closing device are housed in a common housing that is sealed off from the environment, with an inert gas atmosphere prevailing in the housing.

In other embodiments, the transport device has a gassing system that is set up to apply a low-turbulence displacement flow at least in sections along a transport path. Such gassing systems are also referred to as laminar flow systems. In the gassing system, a preferably vertically directed inert gas flow prevents air from penetrating the containers. In one embodiment, the gassing system comprises a U-shaped wall part that accommodates a head region of the containers. In other embodiments, only a plate-shaped wall part arranged above the transport path is provided.

In one embodiment, the transport device is set up to vary a distance of the containers between the outlet and the closing device, wherein the transport device in particular has a conveyor screw. In one embodiment, the conveyor screw also serves as a means of transport for the containers. In other embodiments, an additional means of transport, such as a conveyor belt, is provided for the transport, wherein the conveyor screw only serves to vary the distance between the containers. In one embodiment, the containers are moved relative to the conveyor belt by means of the conveyor screw to vary the distance during transport by means of the conveyor belt. Since the lids are allocated at the outlet, the allocation is independent of the distance between the containers required by the closing device, also referred to as the pitch. It is therefore possible to convert the device to a closing device with a changed pitch without changing the lid allocation device. It is also conceivable to provide two closing devices which require a different pitch.

In one embodiment, a lid can be held to the container with sufficient security during transport by means of a displacement flow. In other embodiments, the transport device has a mechanical guide system that is set up to limit and/or prevent movement of the lids relative to the containers during transport. In one embodiment, the guide system is arranged at a distance from the lids resting on the containers, so that an optimally resting lid does not touch the guide system and only if there is an offset between the container and the lid does the guide element prevent further relative movement and/or align the lid to the container. In one embodiment, a wall part of the gassing system serves as a mechanical guide system. In other embodiments, a mechanical guide system is arranged in a U-shaped wall part of a gassing system.

In one embodiment, the device for degassing and gassing comprises a linear transport path along which the containers are moved for the gas exchange. In order to make good use of the installation space, the device for degassing and gassing in other embodiments has a rotary machine with a vertical axis of rotation and a number N of positions distributed over a circumference of the rotary machine. Gas exchange is possible in a continuous process.

According to a second aspect, a method for degassing, gassing and sealing of filled containers, wherein by means of a device for degassing and gassing in a continuous process air is removed from the filled containers and replaced by an inert gas, wherein by means of a closing device arranged spatially separate from the device for degassing and gassing the containers are each closed with a lid, and wherein by means of a lid allocation device arranged in the outlet of the device for degassing and gassing a lid is each allocated to the filled containers and the containers with the lids are fed to the closing device.

Transport of containers with the lids in place is preferably carried out without allowing air to enter the containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• 1: eine Vorrichtung zum Entgasen, Begasen und Verschließen von Behältern umfassend einen Rundläufer in einer Draufsicht;
• 2: schematisch eine Deckelzuteil-Einrichtung in einer teilweise geschnittenen Seitenansicht; und
• 3: ein Zuteilrad der Deckelzuteil-Einrichtung gemäß 2 in Alleinstellung.

Further advantages and aspects of the invention emerge from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures. They show schematically:

• 1 : a device for degassing, gassing and closing containers comprising a rotary device in a plan view;
• 2 : schematically a lid applicator in a partially sectioned side view; and
• 3 : a distribution wheel of the lid distribution device according to 2 in a unique position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES

1 shows schematically in a plan view a device 1 for degassing, gassing and closing in 1 invisible containers. The device 1 is, for example, part of a packaging system for food and/or other products, in particular for milk powder.

The device 1 comprises a device 2 for degassing and gassing, by means of which air is removed from the already filled containers and replaced by an inert gas in a continuous process.

The device 1 further comprises a closing device 3 arranged spatially separate from the device 2 for degassing and gassing, a lid distribution device 5 arranged in an outlet 4 of the device 2 for degassing and gassing and a transport device 6.

By means of the device 2 for degassing and gassing, air is removed from the filled containers in a continuous process and replaced by an inert gas, in particular N2, or a mixed gas, for example N2 and CO2. The device 2 shown for degassing and gassing has a rotary machine 21 with a vertical axis of rotation 22 and several positions 20, in the embodiment shown 32, evenly distributed over the circumference. A rotary machine 22 allows a continuous process to be carried out, wherein various process steps can be carried out distributed over the circumference of the rotary machine 21. In one embodiment, the containers are fed unfilled to the rotary machine 21, wherein filling, degassing and gassing takes place in the rotary machine. In other embodiments, the containers are fed filled, wherein only degassing and gassing of the filled containers takes place in the rotary machine 21.

In the embodiment shown, a star wheel 24 is provided for loading the device 2. However, other devices for loading are also conceivable.

In the embodiment shown, the outlet 4 also comprises a star wheel 40 which rotates synchronously with the rotary conveyor 2. A gassing system 41 is provided at the outlet 4 in order to apply a low-turbulence displacement flow along a transport path of the open containers in the outlet 4.

By means of the lid allocation device 5, a lid is allocated to each container in the outlet 4. The containers with the allocated lids resting on the containers can then be fed to the closing device 3 by means of the transport device 6.

The transport device 6 has a gassing system 60 which is designed to apply a low-turbulence displacement flow at least in sections along a transport path of the transport device 6. The gassing system 60 comprises, for example, a U-shaped tunnel covering a head region of the containers, wherein outflow openings are provided on a ceiling surface of the tunnel through which an inert gas is supplied.

In one embodiment, the tunnel of the gassing system 60 also serves as a mechanical guide system to prevent the lids from shifting relative to the containers or the lids from jumping off the containers during transport by means of the transport device 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, the transport device 6 has a conveyor belt 61 for transporting the containers and a conveyor screw 62, wherein by means of the conveyor screw 62 a distance of the containers between the outlet 4 and the closing device 3 can be changed.

The closing device 3 is, for example, a flanging system, by means of which the containers with the lids placed on them are hermetically sealed by forming.

The lid applicator 5 is in 2 shown in a side view together with a container 7 and a lid 70. The container 7 and the lid 70 are only shown schematically and the figure does not reflect any size relationships.

The lid applicator 5 comprises a unique 3 shown distribution wheel 50 with several, in the illustrated embodiment eight receptacles 51 for each cover 70, wherein in 2 only one lid 70 is shown at a transfer position of the lid 70 to the container 7.

A movement of the distribution wheel 50 results in a movement of the star wheel 40 of the outlet 4 (cf. 1 ) so that one container 7 and one lid 70 are fed to the take-over position 45 at the same time.

As in 2 As can be seen, the distribution wheel 50 is arranged vertically and rotates about a horizontal rotation axis 500 arranged above the transfer position 45 of the lids 70 to the containers 7.

In order to avoid a collision of the lid 70 with the containers 7 when approaching the containers 7, the receptacles 51 in the illustrated embodiment each have a piston 510 that can be adjusted in the radial direction of the distribution wheel 50. The pistons 510 can each be driven in such a way that the piston 510 is adjusted radially outwards at the transfer position 45 for the distribution of the received lid 70 to the container 7. In the illustrated embodiment, a guide track 52 for a guide-controlled movement of the pistons 510 is provided for this purpose. The illustration of the guide track 52 is only schematic and the guide track 52 can be designed by the person skilled in the art depending on the application in order to achieve a desired movement of the pistons 510 for a transfer of the lid 70 to the container 7, wherein a free fall of the lid 70 during the transfer is avoided or at least reduced.

The lid distribution device 5 shown further comprises a magazine 56 arranged above the rotation axis 500 of the distribution wheel 50 in a receiving position 55. The distribution wheel 50 and the magazine 56 are set up in such a way that a lid 70 is each received from the magazine 56 at the receiving position 55 by means of the receptacles 51. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the guide track 52 is designed for this purpose in such a way that the receptacles 51 can each be adjusted radially outwards for a transfer in the direction of the magazine 56. a guide-controlled movement of the pistons 510 is provided.

The illustrated magazine 56 is arranged vertically and ensures a continuous material flow of the lids.

The cover feeding device 5 comprises a housing part 57 covering the feeding wheel 50. An inert gas atmosphere prevails in the housing part 57.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102018200291 A1 [0005, 0017]
• DE 4234115 A1 [0006]
• EN 1020222038177 [0017]
• EP 0566173 A1 [0020]

Claims (10)

Device for degassing, gassing and closing filled containers (7), comprising a device (2) for degassing and gassing, which is designed to remove air from the filled containers (7) in a continuous process and to replace it with an inert gas, a closing device (3) which is arranged spatially separately from the device (2) for degassing and gassing and is designed to close each container (7) with a lid (70), and a transport device (6), characterized in that the device (1) comprises a lid distribution device (5) which is arranged spatially separately from the closing device (3) in an outlet (4) of the device (2) for degassing and gassing and is designed to allocate each filled container (7) with a lid (70), wherein the transport device is designed to feed the containers (7) with the lids (70) to the closing device (3). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the lid distribution device (5) has a distribution wheel (50) with at least one receptacle (51) for a lid (70), preferably with several receptacles (51) for one lid (70) each, wherein preferably the outlet (4) comprises a star wheel (40) and a movement of the distribution wheel (50) is synchronized with a movement of the star wheel (40). Device according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the distribution wheel (50) is arranged vertically and can be driven so that it rotates about a horizontal axis of rotation (500) arranged above a transfer position (45) of the lids (70) to the containers (7). Device according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the at least one receptacle (51) comprises a piston (510) which is adjustable in the radial direction of the distribution wheel (50), wherein the piston (510) can be driven in such a way that for distributing a received lid to a container, the piston (510) at the transfer position (45) can be adjusted outwards in the radial direction, wherein in particular a guide track (52) is provided for a guide-controlled movement of the piston (510). Device according to Claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the lid distribution device (5) has a magazine (56) arranged above the axis of rotation (500) of the distribution wheel (50) in a take-over position (55), wherein the distribution wheel (50) and the magazine (56) are arranged so that at the take-over position (55) a lid (70) can be taken from the magazine (56) by the at least one receptacle (51) of the distribution wheel (50). Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the transport device (6) has a gassing system (60) which is designed to apply a low-turbulence displacement flow at least in sections along a transport path. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the transport device (6) is arranged to vary a distance of the containers between the outlet and the closing device, wherein the transport device (6) in particular has a conveyor screw. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the transport device (6) has a mechanical guide system which is designed to limit and/or prevent movement of the lids relative to the containers during transport. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the device (2) for degassing and gassing has a rotary device (21) with a vertical axis of rotation (22) and a number N of positions (20) distributed over a circumference of the rotary device (21). Method for degassing, gassing and closing filled containers (7), wherein air is removed from the filled containers (7) and replaced by an inert gas in a continuous process by means of a device (2) for degassing and gassing, and wherein the containers (7) are each closed with a lid (70) by means of a closing device (3) arranged spatially separately from the device (2) for degassing and gassing, characterized in that a lid (70) is each allocated to the filled containers (7) by means of a lid distribution device (5) arranged in the outlet (4) of the device (2) for degassing and gassing, and the containers (7) with the lids (70) are fed to the closing device (3).

Images