EP0072699B1 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum keimfreien Anfüllen von Behältern mit Flüssigkeit - Google Patents

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum keimfreien Anfüllen von Behältern mit Flüssigkeit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0072699B1
EP0072699B1 EP19820304330 EP82304330A EP0072699B1 EP 0072699 B1 EP0072699 B1 EP 0072699B1 EP 19820304330 EP19820304330 EP 19820304330 EP 82304330 A EP82304330 A EP 82304330A EP 0072699 B1 EP0072699 B1 EP 0072699B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
inlet
filling
fluid
closure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19820304330
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0072699A1 (de
Inventor
Ian Mcarthur Anderson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wrightcel Ltd
Original Assignee
Wrightcel Ltd
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
Priority claimed from AU87254/82A external-priority patent/AU552032B2/en
Application filed by Wrightcel Ltd filed Critical Wrightcel Ltd
Priority to AT82304330T priority Critical patent/ATE20874T1/de
Publication of EP0072699A1 publication Critical patent/EP0072699A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0072699B1 publication Critical patent/EP0072699B1/de
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/04—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging
    • B65B55/08—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging by irradiation
    • 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
    • B65B55/022—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages of flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of aseptically filling a container as specified in the precharacterising part of claim 1. Such a method is known from US-A-2761603.
  • Synthetic plastics flexible containers are useful for storing and dispensing wine, fruit juice and other liquid fruitstuffs. Aseptic filling is a desirable mode of operation to ensure that the possibility of contaminaton or deterioration of the liquid product does not occur.
  • DE-B-1586040 shows a system for aseptically filling a container in which the outlet nozzle of a dispenser is brought into abutment with the inlet of the container, after the interior of the container has been sterilised by radiation.
  • US-A-2761603 shows a method of aseptically filling a container which comprises sterilising the container; the container inlet being covered by a rupturable closure; maintaining the internal surfaces of. the dispenser in as sterile state; sterilizing the surfaces of, and space between, the nozzle and the inlet; subsequently breaking the rupturable closure and filling the container with the fluid; sealing the container and removing the container from the dispenser.
  • the container inlet must be sterilised at the time of filling.
  • a method of aseptically filling containers according to the invention is characterised in that the dispenser is brought into abutment with the inlet of the container, prior to filling, the container inlet is provided with a sealing means on the opposite side of the container inlet to the rupturable closure, and the container inlet is sealed by means of the sealing means after filling.
  • a system is known from US-A-2761603.
  • a system according to the in--vention is characterised by radiation means for sterilising the container while closed by the closure and by sealing means on the opposite side of the container inlet to the rupturable closure by means of which the container inlet is sealed after filling.
  • the container is filled with a liquid.
  • the sealing means comprises a membrane covering the inlet opening, the membrane being capable of being heat sealed to the periphery of the inlet opening to seal the container.
  • the inlet comprises a tubular collar having an external opening closed by the rupturable closure and an opening into the interior of.the container covered by the heat sealable membrane.
  • the filling apparatus of this invention incorporates a filling nozzle in which the liquid outlet valve is located away from the outlet to form a recess communicating with which is an inlet for a sterilizing fluid and an outlet for said sterilizing fluid.
  • the inlet and outlet within the nozzle recess may be the same in which case the conduit from' said inlet/outlet port is connected to a source of sterilizing fluid and an extractor for withdrawing said fluid from the nozzle recess.
  • Gamma radiation is used to sterilize the sealed containers prior to filling and hydrogen peroxide or steam is used to sterilize the surfaces and space between the outlet nozzle and the container closure.
  • figure 1 is a schematic view of the container and collar
  • figure 2 is a sectional view of the filling nozzle
  • figure 3 is a cross-section through the head during the filling cycle
  • figure 4 is a cross-section showing the sealing operation while the container is still in position at the filling head.
  • the bag - generally designated as 1 - comprises a wall 2 heat sealed at the periphery 3 to the lower wall 4.
  • the flap 5 extends across an opening 7 in the flexible container wall 2 into which fits a collar 8.
  • the flange 9 of collar 8 is heat sealed to the periphery 10 of the opening and the flap 5 is partly sealed to the flange of collar 8.
  • the collar 8 can easily be secured to wall 2 by suitable machinery.
  • the surface of flap 5 which faces the internal surface of wall 4 is non heat sealable therewith but the surface of flap 5 which faces flange 9 is heat sealable with that flange.
  • flap 5 is a laminate of a heat sealable and a non heat sealable material.
  • a rupturable membrane 41 which is either integrally formed during the moulding of collar 8 or is heat sealed thereto during the operation of attaching the collar 8 to the container wall 2.
  • the container and collar is as described in EP-A-0007685.
  • the filling apparatus is a modified version of that described in EP-A-0056701 (Published 28.07.82).
  • the filling head comprises a general body section 20 which includes a liquid inlet channel 21 closed by the valve member 22.
  • This valve member 22 extends within the body section 20, and includes evacuation port 24 which is connected to a vacuum line 25.
  • the vacuum port 24 is closed by the seal 26 and the valve stem 27 which reciprocates within the valve member 22.
  • the sterilizing fluid inlet 44 and outlet 45 are connected to the nozzle recess 46 below the valve member 22.
  • FIG 3 the complete flexible container is illustrated being held against the body section 20 by clamps 33.
  • clamps 33 grip the collar 8 and a trapdoor 36 supports the flexible container but provides a sufficient gap to enable liquid to flow through collar 8 past flap 5 and into the body of the flexible container 1.
  • the support of trapdoor 36 is required to ensure that the pressure of the liquid during the filling does not rupture the container.
  • the sequence of operations is that initially a flexible container 1, is taken by clamps 33 and lifted into alignment with the filling head such that collar 8 and membrane 41 abut tightly against the seal 31 on the body section 20. After contact is made between body section 20 and membrane 41 sterilizing fluid (either gas or liquid) is passed in to the recess 46 via inlet 44 and sterilizes the inner surfaces of the recess and the surface of membrane 41. Subsequently the sterilizing fluid is withdrawn through outlet 45.
  • sterilizing fluid either gas or liquid
  • Another variation of this invention is to eliminate outlet 45 and either use the vacuum outlet 25 to remove sterilizing fluid or to extract it through the inlet 44.
  • valve member 22 rises to open the liquid inlet 21 to enable filling of the flexible container to occur.
  • the membrane 41 is ruptured during filling by the pressure of the liquid and is subsequently not needed since flap 5 will provide the permanent seal for the filled container.
  • the membrane 41 may be ruptured by valve stem 27 prior to the opening of liquid inlet 21.
  • valve member Upon the completion of filling the valve member closes inlet 21 and the valve stem 27 enters collar 8. This ensures that all liquid in the collar 8 is displaced into the flexible container. At this point the trapdoor 36 is withdrawn and the heat sealing member 35 is brought into contact with the flexible container and results in the welding of flap 5 to the flange 9 of the collar 8 to seal the flexible container. Subsequent to sealing the filled flexible container is withdrawn from the filling head and if desired the tap can be inserted into collar 8.
  • Conventional pneumatics can be used to operate the movements of the various valves 22 and 27 and the clamps 33, the trapdoor 36 and sealing member 35.
  • the timing and control of these components is similarly capable of being carried out by conventional control circuitry.
  • this invention provides a simple means of ensuring aseptic filling of liquids.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Claims (6)

1. Verfahren zum keimfreien Anfüllen eines Behälters (1) mit einer Flüssigkeit aus einer Flüssigkeitsabgabevorrichtung (20), welches Verfahren darin besteht, daß der Behälter (1) sterilisiert wird, wobei die Füllöffnung (7) des behälters durch einen zereißbaren Verschluß (41) abgeschlossen ist; daß die Innenflächen der Abgabevorrichtung (20) steril gehalten werden; daß die Oberflächen der Austrittsdüse der Abgabevorrichtung und der Füllöffnung (7) sowie der zwischen ihnen vorhandene Raum sterilisiert werden; daß dann der zerreißbare Verschluß (41) zerrissen wird und der Behälter (1) mit der Flüssigkeit gefüllt wird; daß der Behälter (1) abgedichtet wird und daß der Behälter (1) von der Abgabevorrichtung (20) entfernt wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Abgabevorrichtung vor dem Füllvorgang mit der Füllöffnung (7) des Behälters in Eingriff gebracht wird, daß die Füllöffnung (7) des Behälters auf der dem zerreißbaren Verschluß (41) gegenüberliegenden Seite der Füllöffnung (7) des Behälters mit einem Verschluß (5) versehen ist und daß die Füllöffnung (7) des Behälters nach dem Füllvorgang durch den Verschluß (5) abgedichtet wird.
- 2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Behälter (1) mit einer Flüssigkeit angefüllt wird.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der abgedichtete Behälter (1) durch Gamma-Strahlung sterilisiert wird und daß die Oberflächen der Düse und der verschlossenen Füllöffnung (7) sowie der zwischen ihnen vorhandene Raum (46) mit Wasserstoffperoxid oder Dampf sterilisiert werden.
4. Vorrichtung zum keimfreien Anfüllen eines Behälters (1) zur Aufbewahrung mit einer verderblichen Flüssigkeit, mit einem Behälter (1) mit einer Füllöffnung (7) mit zerreißbarem Verschluß (41); mit einer Flüssigkeitsabgabevorrichtung (20). mit einem Füllkopf mit einnenseitig vorgesehenem Ventil (22) zur Regulierung des Flüssigkeitsstromes, mit einer Kammer (46) zwischen dem Ventil (22) und dem Verschluß (41), wenn die Füllöffnung (7) mit dem Füllkopf in Verbindung steht, und mit einem Einlaß (44) und einem Auslaß (45) in der Kammer (46) für eine Sterilisierungsflüssigkeit; mit Mitteln zur Einführung der Sterilisierungsflüssigkeit in die Kammer (46) und Mitteln zur Entfernung der Sterilisierungsflüssigkeit aus der Kammer (46); mit einem Halter (35), um den Behälter (1) mit dem Füllkopf in Eingriff zu bringen; mit Mitteln zum Zerreißen des Verschlusses (41), um das Anfüllen des Behälters (1) zu ermöglichen; mit Mitteln zur Betätigung des Ventils (22), um den Durchfluß der Flüssigkeit in den Behälter (1) zu ermöglichen, und mit Mitteln zur Abdichtung der Füllöffnung (7), gekennzeichnet durch Bestrahlungsmittel zur Sterilisierung des flexiblen Behälters (1), während dieser durch den Verschluß (41) abgeschlossen ist, und durch einen Verschluß (5) auf der dem zerreißbaren Verschluß (41) gegenüberliegenden Seite der Füllöffnung (7) des Behälters, mit welchem die Füllöffnung (7) des Behälters nach dem Füllvorgang abgedichtet wird.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Verschluß aus einer Membran (5) besteht, die durch Heißsiegeln mit dem Umfang der Füllöffnung (7) den Behälter (1) abdichten kann.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Füllöffnung (7) aus einem Rohrstutzen (8) mit einer durch den zerreißbaren Verschluß (41) abgeschlossenen äußeren Öffnung und mit einer durch die heißversiegelbare Membran (5) abgedeckten Öffnung zum Behälterinneren besteht.
EP19820304330 1981-08-18 1982-08-17 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum keimfreien Anfüllen von Behältern mit Flüssigkeit Expired EP0072699B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82304330T ATE20874T1 (de) 1981-08-18 1982-08-17 Verfahren und vorrichtung zum keimfreien anfuellen von behaeltern mit fluessigkeit.

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPF030581 1981-08-18
AU87254/82A AU552032B2 (en) 1981-08-18 1981-08-18 A septic filling station
AU305/81 1981-08-18

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0072699A1 EP0072699A1 (de) 1983-02-23
EP0072699B1 true EP0072699B1 (de) 1986-07-23

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19820304330 Expired EP0072699B1 (de) 1981-08-18 1982-08-17 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum keimfreien Anfüllen von Behältern mit Flüssigkeit

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EP (1) EP0072699B1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105579347A (zh) * 2013-09-25 2016-05-11 费森尤斯卡比德国有限公司 用于无菌灌注容器的设备

Families Citing this family (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4494363A (en) * 1982-08-20 1985-01-22 Franrica Mfg. Inc. Method and apparatus for aseptically filling containers
EP0236107B1 (de) * 1986-03-03 1990-06-13 Courtaulds Packaging Australia Limited Aseptische Abfüllanlage
FI875114A (fi) * 1986-11-21 1988-05-22 Courtaulds Packaging Australia Aseptisk paofyllningsmaskin.
US4854734A (en) * 1987-02-04 1989-08-08 Courtaulds Packaging Australia Limited Flexible containers
CH673819A5 (de) * 1987-03-02 1990-04-12 Nestle Sa
FR2619078B1 (fr) * 1987-08-04 1989-12-01 Dufrene Alain Dispositif de remplissage en atmosphere controlee
GB8824925D0 (en) * 1988-10-25 1988-11-30 Bowater Packaging Ltd Aseptic filling apparatus
CH678416A5 (de) * 1988-12-15 1991-09-13 Nestle Sa
CH679768A5 (de) * 1989-05-02 1992-04-15 Nestle Sa
GB2271347B (en) * 1992-09-04 1996-03-20 Tetra Alfa Holdings An apparatus for filling sterile contents into interiorly sterile, wholly sealed containers
GB9304052D0 (en) * 1993-03-01 1993-04-14 Coloreed Liquid Packaging A Di Dispensing method and apparatus
AUPP243598A0 (en) 1998-03-18 1998-04-09 Rapak Asia Pacific Limited Improvements relating to tote bins
AU753749B2 (en) * 1998-03-18 2002-10-24 Rapak Asia Pacific Limited Improvements relating to tote bins
AU2002300423B2 (en) * 1998-03-18 2005-09-15 Rapak Asia Pacific Limited Tote bin liner
JP2006518317A (ja) 2003-02-19 2006-08-10 ザ・コカ−コーラ・カンパニー 液状製品の容器への無菌充填のためのシステムと方法
WO2006128246A1 (en) * 2005-06-03 2006-12-07 Rapak Asia Pacific Limited A sealable container, and method for sealing a container
AU2006254733B2 (en) * 2005-06-03 2008-06-05 Liqui-Box Asia Pacific Limited A sealable container, and method for sealing a container
ITRE20110111A1 (it) 2011-12-23 2013-06-24 Alfa Laval Parma S R L Macchina asettica di riempimento
GB2601382A (en) * 2020-11-30 2022-06-01 Legume Tech Limited Package and method and apparatus for forming a package

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2761603A (en) * 1952-04-26 1956-09-04 Beverly E Williams Apparatus for the aseptic packaging of foods
AU519675B2 (en) * 1978-05-30 1981-12-17 Wrightcel Limited Container
NZ194774A (en) * 1979-08-29 1983-09-02 Brown Albert M Semi-automatic filling of wine cask type containers
CA1126695A (en) * 1979-09-06 1982-06-29 Diemoulders Proprietary Limited Dispensing of liquids
BR8200115A (pt) * 1981-01-13 1982-11-03 Wrightcel Ltd Aparelho para enchimento de recipientes felxiveis

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105579347A (zh) * 2013-09-25 2016-05-11 费森尤斯卡比德国有限公司 用于无菌灌注容器的设备
CN105579347B (zh) * 2013-09-25 2018-03-27 费森尤斯卡比德国有限公司 用于无菌灌注容器的设备

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