EP0692426A1 - Method and apparatus for closing containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The sealing cap (3) is moved towards the container opening (2), so that it is located above it, forming an access gap (21), while the container (1) is moved along the conveyor path. The sterilising process is carried out in the access gap area during a defined preselectable period, and while the treatment zone (11) is enclosed. When this period is over, the sealing process is carried out. The sterilising is performed by steam atmosphere treatment, or by vacuum treatment with subsequent protective gas treatment. The containers are moved along a circular track. The access gap is a circumferential ring gap, of pref. the same size all-round. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method for closing filled containers moving along a transport path, sterile treatment or the like being carried out in the region of the container mouth of each container and a closure cap used for the closure.

It is known to feed the closure cap coming obliquely from above in the direction of the container movement of the corresponding container mouth, so that it overlaps the container mouth and is carried along in this way. The containers move along a straight transport path. In order to carry out a sterile treatment, the whole thing takes place in a steam atmosphere. In this context, one speaks of a so-called continuous arrangement, that is to say, when the containers pass through on a straight path, the closure caps supplied are taken from their container mouths. Then the are already in overlapping position on the container mouth located caps closed. This can be done, for example, by screwing, etc.

Furthermore, it is known, as mentioned above, in the same way to supply the closure caps to the container mouths of containers to be closed and then to lift each closure cap already lying on the container mouth by means of a device, then to blow steam into the head space of the container by means of tubular nozzles and finally to blow the vapor Lower the cap again and then close the container.

The known methods are complex and the sterilization results are not always satisfactory.

The invention has for its object to provide a method of the type mentioned that eliminates the disadvantages mentioned above.

This object is achieved in that the closure cap is fed to the container mouth in such a way that the closure cap is located above the container mouth above the container mouth during the movement of the container along the transport path to form an access gap and that at least in the area of the access gap Sterile treatment with enclosing the treatment zone for a pre-defined time and after this time the closing process is carried out. Characterized in that during the movement of the container is located above the mouth of the container - at a distance from it - forming an access gap and enclosing the treatment zone, this enclosure encompassing at least the area of the access gap, is the sterile treatment in a defined space feasible. This treatment covers not only the area of the container mouth, but also the inside and also the outer edge regions of the closure cap and also leads to the fact that a headspace sterile treatment is also carried out, that is to say which is located above the filling material in the container in the region of the container mouth Room is being sterilized. The term “sterile” or “sterile treatment” used in the course of this application is to be understood as any measures which lead to the product, particularly food, not being spoiled prematurely. Therefore, the term "sterile treatment" is not only to be understood as complete disinfection, but also a reduction in the number of bacteria.

According to a further development of the invention, it is provided that the sterile treatment is a steam atmosphere treatment. Hot steam is thus introduced into the treatment zone. The penetration of steam into the head space of the respective container creates a vacuum after the treatment. This is not only advantageous for the durability of the container content, but also leads to a tamper-evident in that the opening is associated with a plopping sound which indicates to the consumer that the opening is from him.

Alternatively, it is also possible if a vacuum treatment and then a protective gas treatment, for example with carbon dioxide, are carried out as the sterile treatment. On account of the previous vacuum treatment, the vacuum zone thus created is filled up by the protective gas, that is to say that even in such a case the head space, mouth area and also closure cap sections, in particular the inside thereof, are covered by the treatment.

It is preferably provided that the movement of the containers takes place on a circular path forming the transport path. The containers to be closed run continuously into this circular path and are subjected to the sterile treatment during the circular movement, the associated closure caps likewise passing through a corresponding circular path. At the end of the circular movement, which is smaller than 360 ° (due to an inlet and outlet zone of the containers), the containers are closed.

In particular, it is provided that the access gap is a circumferential annular gap, preferably approximately the same size everywhere. The closure cap is therefore assigned to the container mouth at a distance such that the opening plane of the container runs parallel — or approximately parallel — to the opening plane of the closure cap. If the container mouth and the closure cap also has a circular cross section, the annular gap is an annular gap.

The invention further relates to a device for closing filled containers moving along a transport path, the closing process being carried out in a sterilization zone, the sterilization zone being formed by the interior of a treatment element which moves with the respective container and which can be arranged in the region of the container mouth and has at least one treatment opening opening into the interior. The sterile treatment is carried out through this treatment opening. In the case of steam treatment, steam emerges from the treatment opening. If the vacuum / protective gas treatment mentioned above is carried out, the air in the treatment zone can first be sucked out through the treatment opening in order to create the vacuum and then the protective gas can then be supplied through the treatment opening. However, it is also possible to provide at least two treatment openings, one of which carries out the vacuum treatment and the other the protective gas treatment.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that above the treatment element there is a closing head which moves with it and which has a closing cap which serves for closing during the treatment at a distance from the mouth of the container holds. This holding is called "picking" in the technical language.

It is preferred if the treatment element has a cylindrical, annular side wall. This forms a protective wall in order to bring about or to bring about the aforementioned enclosure of the treatment zone.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that the sealing head engages in the interior of the treatment element from above during the treatment, so that the interior is covered except for a slight play. If, for example, the sealing head is a rotating or at least a certain angular amount rotating arrangement to apply a screw closure or twist-off closure, the play must be so large that this rotary movement of the closure head relative to the treatment element is possible.

According to a special embodiment of the invention it is provided that the treatment element is attached to the closing head. It therefore moves with the capping head, which is advantageous, for example, when the closures are press-on closures or crown caps. If the closing head moves down towards the container mouth after the treatment has been carried out, the treatment element attached to the closing head also moves. The arrangement of the treatment element on the closing head has the advantage that the two parts do not have to be guided separately from one another and aligned with one another, but instead assume a fixed position relative to one another.

The side wall preferably has a recess extending from the lower end face of the treatment element for moving the container mouth in and out. This recess extends — viewed in the circumferential direction of the treatment element — over a partial circumference.

According to a development of the invention, it is provided that a plurality of treatment openings are provided, which are arranged on the treatment element and distributed over a partial circumference. In particular, it is advantageous if the partial circumference provided with treatment openings lies diametrically opposite the recess. Because the treatment openings are provided only in a partial circumference of the treatment element, a specific treatment direction is specified when steam is blown in, which allows particularly deep penetration into the head space of the container and also leads to the fact that all relevant zones are reached. The treatment is thus carried out in a predetermined direction, as a result of which the ambient air present there is displaced in a defined manner and the superheated steam is given good access.

It is furthermore advantageous if the treatment openings belong to treatment channels which run upwards in the direction of the treatment zone. Surprisingly, this leads to particularly good headroom treatment results.

The activation / deactivation of the treatment openings is preferably controlled by the position of a transport device which effects the movement of the container. The treatment to be carried out through the treatment openings therefore takes place depending on the position of the container. In particular, the treatment openings are activated / deactivated by means of a sensor which interacts with an adjustable trigger element. In particular, it is provided that the sensor is a valve tappet which interacts with a control curve forming the trigger element. If the transport path is a circular path, the corresponding valve tappet will also move on a circular path, the control cam being a correspondingly designed sliding surface against which the valve tappet moves in the course of the circular movement and in this way actuates a valve which actuates the Treatment activated or deactivated through the treatment openings.

Figur 1

eine schematische Ansicht betreffend den Verschließvorgang eines Behälters,

Figur 2

die Durchführung einer Sterilbehandlung beim Verschließvorgang,

Figur 3

den nach der Sterilbehandlung erfolgenden Verschließvorgang,

Figur 4

ein anderes Ausführungsbeispiel hinsichtlich der das Verschließen und die Sterilbehandlung vornehmenden Vorrichtung,

Figur 5

ein Schnitt durch eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern,

Figur 6

eine Schnittansicht durch ein Behandlungselement entlang der Linie C-D in Figur 7,

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht auf das Behandlungselement der Figur 6,

Figur 8

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie A-B der Figur 6,

Figur 9

eine schematische Schnittansicht durch einen Abschnitt eines Drehtisches der Vorrichtung der Figur 5 und

Figur 10

eine schematische Ansicht der einzelnen Durchlaufstationen der Behälter.

The drawings illustrate the invention using exemplary embodiments and show:

Figure 1

1 shows a schematic view of the closing process of a container,

Figure 2

performing sterile treatment during the closing process,

Figure 3

the closing process after the sterile treatment,

Figure 4

another exemplary embodiment with regard to the device that performs the sealing and sterile treatment,

Figure 5

2 shows a section through a device for closing containers,

Figure 6

7 shows a sectional view through a treatment element along the line CD in FIG. 7,

Figure 7

6 shows a top view of the treatment element of FIG. 6,

Figure 8

4 shows a section along the line AB in FIG. 6,

Figure 9

is a schematic sectional view through a portion of a turntable of the device of Figures 5 and

Figure 10

a schematic view of the individual flow stations of the containers.

FIG. 1 shows, schematically, the upper region of a container 1 which has a container mouth 2. The invention is not limited to special containers 1. Bottles, glasses, cans, etc. can be considered as containers 1, for example. A closure cap 3, which is held by a closure head 4, is used to close the container 1 (pecked). Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a treatment element 5 with which a sterile treatment is carried out during the closing.

The treatment element 5 has a cylindrical, annular side wall 6, as a result of which an interior 7 of the treatment element 5 is enclosed.

The method for closing the container 1 by means of the closure cap 3 is carried out during the movement of the container 1 along a transport path, not shown. For the sake of clarity, an arrow 8 in FIG. 1 demonstrates the movement of the container 1. The movement preferably takes place on a circular path forming the transport path. For this purpose, containers 1 are successively fed to a turntable, wherein they are subjected to a sterile treatment and the closing process during transport by means of the turntable. This will be discussed in more detail below.

According to FIG. 1, the container mouth 2 is located in the lower area of the interior 7.

The closure head 4, which holds a closure cap 3, is located above the container mouth 2. The closure cap 3, coming from a reservoir, is fed to the closure head 4 with appropriate feed means (not shown). During the movement along the circular transport path, the closing head 4 lowers according to arrow 9, as a result of which the closing cap 3 at least partially enters the interior 7 (FIG. 2). It it becomes clear that the container 1, treatment element 5, sealing head 4 and sealing cap 3 pass through the same movement path, so that the relative position of the parts mentioned remains the same (except for the lowering movement according to arrow 9). It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the closure cap 3 or the closure head 4 still provides a type of sealing of the interior 7 at the top, while the intervention of the container mouth 2 into the interior 7 from below likewise leads to a closure of the interior 7 at the bottom . Of course, any gaps that are formed between the closing head 4 and the inner wall 10 of the side wall 6 and between the container 1 and the inner wall 10 are not taken into account. Nevertheless, due to the relative position of the individual parts shown in FIG. 2, a treatment zone 11 is formed in the interior 7, which is shielded from the outside, so that the treatment zone 11 is enclosed.

As soon as the aforementioned enclosure of the treatment zone 11 according to FIG. 2 has taken place, a sterile treatment is carried out. This takes place in that steam emerges from a plurality of treatment openings 12, which are arranged at a distance from one another over a partial circumference of the inner wall 10 and which causes a steam atmosphere in the region of the treatment zone 11. As a result, the inner region 14 of the closure cap 3, the end region 15 and the lower outer jacket region 16 of the closure cap 3 are vaporized. Furthermore, the outer jacket wall 17 of the container mouth 2 and the latter are vaporized End face 18. Furthermore, steam 13 enters the interior of the container 1, as a result of which the entire head space 19 inside the container 1 is subjected to a sterile treatment. The head space 19 extends as far as the filling 20 of the container 1, the filling 20 being a food or the like.

It can clearly be seen from FIG. 2 that during the treatment, which lasts a defined time, the closure cap 3 is located above the container mouth 2 at a distance from it to form an access gap 21 and that the sterile treatment is carried out through this access gap 21.

When the specified time for the sterile treatment has elapsed, at the end of the circular movement along the transport path according to FIG. 3, the container 1 is closed by rotating the sealing head 4 about its vertical axis (arrow 22), thereby opening the sealing cap 3 a thread, not shown, is screwed on in the area of the container mouth 2. For this purpose, the closing head 4 lowers further in the direction of the arrow 9. As soon as the cap 3 covers the container mouth 2, the steam supply and thus the treatment is stopped. In Figure 3 the beginning screwing of the cap 3 to the container is shown. The dash-dot line shows the screwed-on position.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a closing head 4, which is formed in one piece with the treatment element 5. Thus, the treatment element 5 with its side wall 6 forms a kind of extension of the sealing head 3 receiving the sealing cap 4. This has the consequence that, for the sterile treatment of the container 1-, the sealing head 4 is first lowered so far in the direction of arrow 9 that the the upper area of the container mouth 2 enters the interior 7 enclosed by the side wall 6, as a result of which a treatment zone 11 which is closed off from the outside is formed, in which the sterile treatment then takes place. When the treatment is complete, the sealing head 4 lowers further in the direction of the arrow 9 and assigns the sealing cap 3 to the container mouth 2. If there are twist locks, the locking head 4 together with the treatment element 5 starts to rotate. If it is a matter of press-on closures or crown caps, then the rotary movement - likewise as in the previously described embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 - is not necessary.

According to FIG. 5, the device provided for closing and sterilizing has a shaft 24 rotating about a vertical axis 23 which is penetrated by a longitudinal bore 25 which is designed as a blind bore. Steam is supplied according to arrow 28 by means of a fixed connection 26, which is connected to the longitudinal bore 25 via a sealing device 27.

On the shaft 24, a turntable 29 is attached, which rotates with the shaft 24. The turntable 29 is penetrated by distribution bores 30 which run in a star shape and lead to treatment elements 5 which are arranged — with a corresponding angular spacing — distributed over the circumference of the turntable 29. Above the individual treatment elements 5 there are sealing heads 4. On the outer edge 31 of the turntable 29, a sensor 32 is arranged so as to be longitudinally displaceable, which cooperates with a slideway 33 in the course of the rotary movement. The slideway 33 is fixed; it creates a control curve for depressing or releasing the sensor 32, whereby the steam supply to the corresponding treatment element 5 is activated or deactivated. If, in the course of the rotary movement of the turntable 29, the sensor 32 is pressed down by the slideway 33 forming a control curve, the treatment zone 11 is vaporized. Due to the adjustable position of the slide 33, the angular range and thus the time of the treatment can be determined. A treatment element 5 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6 to 8. It has the side wall 6, which is annular, in particular circular. The treatment element 5 is therefore constructed in the manner of a circular tube section. The side wall 6 has a recess 35 which extends from the lower end face 34 and extends over a partial circumference, for example 140 °, of the treatment element 5 which is constructed in the form of a ring. The recess 35 extends 6 over approximately half the length 1 of the treatment element 5. The recess 35 creates an access opening for the container mouth 2 of the entering container 1. If the container mouth 2 is thus fed laterally to the treatment element 5, the container mouth 2 can reach the interior 7 in this way. After closing, the container 1 together with the closure cap 3 then emerges from this recess 35.

The distribution bores 30 explained in FIG. 5 and shown again in FIG. 6 each open into a channel 36 in the side wall 6. A treatment channel 37 extends from the channel 36 and is designed to rise towards the treatment zone 11 and at its front end the Treatment opening 12 forms.

It can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8 that a plurality of treatment openings 12 are provided with corresponding channels 37, which are spaced apart from one another over a partial circumference of the side wall 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this partial circumference corresponds to approximately 200 °, fifteen treatment openings 12 being provided at the same distance from one another. The individual treatment openings 12 are at the same height from one another.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the turntable 29, of which only a section is shown. It can be seen that a distribution hole 30 leads radially to the treatment element 5 via a feed bore 38. At the end of the distribution bores 30, a valve seat constriction 39 is formed, with which a valve disk 40 interacts, which is fastened to a valve tappet 41. The valve lifter 41 is guided so that it can move longitudinally in a radial bore 42, the radial bore 42 leading to the outer edge 31 of the rotary table 29. The valve lifter 41 protrudes radially there with a sensor 32. The valve lifter 41 is acted upon radially outward by means of a spring, not shown. If - in the course of the rotary movement of the turntable 29 - the sensor 32 runs onto the slideway 33 (FIG. 5), the valve lifter 41 is displaced against the action of the spring mentioned, as a result of which the valve plate 40 lifts off the valve seat constriction 39 and thus steam from the distribution bore 30 into the feed bore 38 and thus to the treatment element 5.

FIG. 10 illustrates - seen from above - a schematic representation of the entire device for filling and closing containers 1. The containers 1 are guided along the path marked with arrow 44, firstly via an inlet star 45 to a filling station 46 and from there via an intermediate star 47 to the sterilizing and closing device 48 according to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments. It can be seen that the sterilizing and closing device 48 is located in the immediate vicinity of the filling station 46, so that there is a very small design which requires little space and which does not require sterile tunnels or the like to lead the filled containers 1 to the sealing station. But even if you do an overall enclosure with, for example, overpressure, the construction measures required for this can be described as low.

Claims (17)

Method for closing filled containers moving in a transport path, sterile treatment or the like being carried out in the region of the container mouth of each container and a closure cap used for the closure, characterized in that the closure cap (3) of the container mouth (2) is such is supplied that the closure cap (3) - during the movement of the container (1) along the transport path - is above the container mouth (2) at a distance from it to form an access gap (21) and that at least in the area of the access gap (21 ) the sterile treatment with enclosing the treatment zone (11) is carried out for a pre-selectable time and after this time the closing process is carried out. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a steam atmosphere treatment is carried out as the sterile treatment. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a vacuum treatment and then a protective gas treatment are carried out as the sterile treatment. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement takes place on a circular path forming the transport path. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access gap (21) is a circumferential annular gap, preferably approximately the same size everywhere. Device for closing filled containers moving along a transport path, the closing process being carried out in a sterilization zone, in particular for carrying out the method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sterilization zone (treatment zone 11) is from the interior (7) a treatment element (5) moving with the respective container (1) is formed, which can be arranged in the region of the container mouth (2) and has at least one treatment opening (12) opening into the interior (7). Device according to claim 6, characterized in that above the treatment element (5) there is a closing head (4) which moves with it and which has a closing cap which serves for closing (3) during the treatment keep a distance from the container mouth (2). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment element (5) has a cylindrical, annular side wall (6). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing head (4) engages in the interior (7) of the treatment element (5) from above during the treatment, so that the interior (7) is covered except for slight play . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment element (5) is attached to the closing head (4). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (6) has a recess (35) extending from the lower end face (34) of the treatment element (5) for moving the container mouth (2) in and out. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of treatment openings (12) are provided which are arranged distributed over a partial circumference. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the with treatment openings (12) provided partial circumference of the recess (35) diametrically opposite. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment openings (12) belong to treatment channels (37) which rise in the direction of the treatment zone (11). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation / deactivation of the treatment openings (12) is controlled by the position of a transport device which effects the movement of the container (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment openings (12) are activated / deactivated by means of a sensor (32) which interacts with an adjustable trigger element (slideway 33). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (32) is a valve tappet (41) which interacts with a control cam which forms the release element (slideway 33).

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