EP2669200A1 - Container closing apparatus with integrated head space flushing - Google Patents
Container closing apparatus with integrated head space flushing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2669200A1 EP2669200A1 EP20130170054 EP13170054A EP2669200A1 EP 2669200 A1 EP2669200 A1 EP 2669200A1 EP 20130170054 EP20130170054 EP 20130170054 EP 13170054 A EP13170054 A EP 13170054A EP 2669200 A1 EP2669200 A1 EP 2669200A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- nozzles
- nozzle carrier
- container
- purge gas
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 title description 7
- 238000010926 purge Methods 0.000 claims description 42
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- QNRATNLHPGXHMA-XZHTYLCXSA-N (r)-(6-ethoxyquinolin-4-yl)-[(2s,4s,5r)-5-ethyl-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-yl]methanol;hydrochloride Chemical compound Cl.C([C@H]([C@H](C1)CC)C2)CN1[C@@H]2[C@H](O)C1=CC=NC2=CC=C(OCC)C=C21 QNRATNLHPGXHMA-XZHTYLCXSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 66
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 45
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 22
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 15
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 15
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 14
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 11
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 9
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 4
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011049 filling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012371 Aseptic Filling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 206010053648 Vascular occlusion Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 244000052616 bacterial pathogen Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000012459 cleaning agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001873 dinitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000004851 dishwashing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010327 methods by industry Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009991 scouring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C3/222—Head-space air removing devices, e.g. by inducing foam
-
- 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
- B65B31/04—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied
- B65B31/043—Evacuating, pressurising or gasifying filled containers or wrappers by means of nozzles through which air or other gas, e.g. an inert gas, is withdrawn or supplied the nozzles acting horizontally between an upper and a lower part of the container or wrapper, e.g. between container and lid
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B3/00—Closing bottles, jars or similar containers by applying caps
- B67B3/003—Pretreatment of caps, e.g. cleaning, steaming, heating or sterilizing
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67B—APPLYING CLOSURE MEMBERS TO BOTTLES JARS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; OPENING CLOSED CONTAINERS
- B67B2201/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional features of closing machines
- B67B2201/08—Aseptic features
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device for closing containers with closures, preferably for closing containers with plastic screw caps, roll-on closures or bottle caps.
- metering nitrogen For metering nitrogen, it is known, for example, to introduce a drop of liquid nitrogen through the mouth of the container, the liquid nitrogen then evaporating in the headspace of the container and correspondingly displacing the oxygen contained therein.
- Corresponding metering devices include a nitrogen nozzle mounted on the pitch circle above the mouths of the respective containers so that a drop of liquid nitrogen can be metered through the mouth into the head space. Accordingly, the nozzle is arranged directly above the mouth, so that closing the container with a closure at the same time for metering in the nitrogen plug is impossible.
- simultaneous capping with the metering in of the nitrogen plug is also undesirable in the use of liquid nitrogen because the nitrogen must first evaporate to displace the oxygen before the respective plug is applied. Accordingly, part of the treatment angle is used here to await the evaporation of the nitrogen droplet.
- a corresponding system is for example from the EP 1 651 555 B1 known.
- gaseous nitrogen is injected via a first side-mounted nozzle in the headspace of the container and via a disposed on the opposite side of the second nitrogen nozzle, gaseous nitrogen is injected into the closure.
- a displacement of the oxygen is achieved both in the headspace of the container and in the closure.
- a corresponding system is for example from the WO 2010/087097 A1 known.
- Another device for gassing both the headspace and the closure is from the JP 2004-161350 A
- a single, arranged between the closure and the headspace of the container nozzle carrier is provided, which each comprises upwardly directed nozzles for rinsing the closure and downwardly directed nozzles for rinsing the headspace.
- the device for closing containers with closures comprises a conveyor star for conveying the container and at least one closing element for closing the container conveyed with the conveyor star. It further comprises a nozzle carrier with upwardly directed nozzles for blowing purge gas into the closure and with downwardly directed nozzles for injecting purge gas into the head space of the container.
- the nozzle carrier is arranged outside the effective range of the closing element.
- the nozzle carrier Due to the fact that the nozzle carrier is arranged outside the effective range of the closing element, a gassing can take place during the entire closing operation and the lowering movement of the closing element can be started at an early stage.
- the gassing process can be started when the headspace of the Container and the closure are still freely accessible, so that the nitrogen gas can be injected obliquely from below into the closure, which is already in the closing element, and from obliquely upwards into the headspace of the container guided in the guide star. Due to the arrangement of the nozzle carrier with the nozzles outside the effective range of the closing element, the gas flow, which is applied via the nozzles of the nozzle carrier, can be maintained correspondingly, until the closure is completely seated on the container.
- the gas flow with the oxygen-free gas can be maintained by the lateral arrangement of the nozzle carrier outside the effective range of the closing element during the complete closing operation. Accordingly, the residual oxygen content in the headspace after putting on the closure or after the conclusion of the closing process is particularly low.
- the nozzle carrier is preferably outside the pitch circle in such a way that it is possible to inject the nitrogen into the headspace and closure.
- the nozzle carrier can be correspondingly also mounted within the pitch circle so that a corresponding injection of nitrogen is made possible.
- the nozzle carrier preferably extends over an angular section along the pitch circle, which can be extended between the position of the picking of the respective closure up to a position of complete placement or complete closure of the closure. Particularly preferably, the nozzle carrier extends over this angular range.
- the nozzle carrier preferably has a multiplicity of gas nozzles which are directed upwards in order to inject gas into the closure. Furthermore, a plurality of gas nozzles are preferably provided, which are directed downward to allow injection of the gas into the headspace of the container.
- the nozzles are arranged along the nozzle carrier at different angles in order to allow the most accurate possible injection into the closure and the head space of the container.
- the container In a screw capper for screwing plastic caps on bottles, the container is usually performed on a neck ring at a constant height, whereas the closing element is lowered with the screw cap received therein to the mouth of the container.
- the gas nozzles are preferably arranged such that the lower gas nozzles, which aim into the head space of the container, are arranged at always the same angle on the nozzle carrier, but the upper nozzles, which aim into the closure, are arranged at different angles, that the gas flow follows the lowering movement of the closure.
- the upwardly directed nozzles at the beginning of the gassing are directed upwards steeper than to the end of the gassing out.
- additional upwardly directed Um réelleungsdüsen above the upwardly directed nozzles and / or additional downwardly directed Um réelleungsdüsen below the downwardly directed nozzles and / or additional Um réelleungsdüsen between the upwardly directed nozzles and the downwardly directed nozzles are provided.
- a type of purge gas curtain can be provided around the area of the closure and the mouth of the container to be closed.
- the purge gas preferably an inert gas
- the additional circulation nozzles are arranged only in a section of the nozzle carrier with respect to its angular extent.
- the risk of contamination of the containers by the intake of ambient air into the container is the end of the lowering process highest, since the ambient air can then no longer be removed by subsequent flushing with purge gas from the container.
- An arrangement of the additional rinsing nozzles in the angular range of the nozzle carrier, which corresponds to the completion of the lowering operation of the closure on the mouth of the container, is therefore preferred. In this way, purge gas can be saved at the beginning of the lowering process.
- the additional rinsing nozzles are designed so that the purge gas exiting therefrom has a lower flow than that of the upwardly directed nozzles and / or the downwardly directed nozzles.
- This lower flow is preferably achieved by selecting a corresponding diameter of the additional circulation nozzles. Due to the lower flow or a lower pulse of the exiting gas, the ambient atmosphere is washed away by a very gentle purge gas flow, but without destroying the purge gas atmosphere.
- the additional circulation nozzles can be fed via a separate from the upwardly directed nozzles and the downwardly directed nozzles purge gas, which is preferably acted upon by a lower purge gas pressure.
- this separate purge gas supply can advantageously be connected to another purge gas source, which supplies a different pressure, or which supplies another purge gas or inert gas.
- the separate purge gas can also be connected via a pressure reducing valve to the first purge gas source.
- the respective cleaning area can be widened even during a cleaning process, and the cleaning liquid can be specifically applied to specific areas of the installation or to the surfaces of the installation.
- the upwardly directed nozzles may splash into the capping head and inject the additional upwardly directed dishwashing nozzles from the outside onto the capping head.
- nozzle carrier By arranging the nozzle carrier with the nozzles outside the effective range of the closing element, it is furthermore possible to lower the closing element earlier than would be possible with an arrangement of a nitrogen nozzle between the closure and the container.
- an angle section of the pitch circle for purging the head space and the closure can also be reduced or reduced so that the performance of the capper can be increased.
- the nozzle carrier has a valve for introducing a cleaning liquid, for example cleaning foam or hot liquor.
- a cleaning liquid for example cleaning foam or hot liquor.
- FIG. 1 schematically a cross-section through a portion of the device for closing containers 2 with a closure 3 is shown.
- the container 2 has an opening 20 to which the closure 3 is to be screwed.
- the closure 3 preferably has an internal thread 30, which is screwed to a corresponding external thread in the region of the mouth 20 of the container 2.
- a head space 24 is provided, which is initially filled with ambient air from the filling plant.
- the closure 3 has in its interior an internal volume 32, which is originally also filled with ambient air.
- a nozzle carrier 4 with an upwardly flowing nozzle 40 for flowing in a guided in the nozzle carrier 4, or in a cavity 44 of the nozzle carrier 4, gas is provided.
- the upwardly directed nozzle 40 is aligned so that the gas stream is flowed into the interior 32 of the closure 3.
- a downwardly directed nozzle 42 is provided, which is oriented so that the gas flow leaving it flows into the head space 24 of the container 2.
- the nozzle carrier 4 is arranged in its height so that the nozzles 40, 42 at the beginning of the rinsing preferably at about the same distance from the respective inlet openings, ie the mouth 20 and the opening of the shutter 3, have.
- the closure 3 is lowered onto the mouth 20 of the container 2, so that here the distances to the nozzle carrier 4 change.
- FIG. 1 is further seen that the nozzle carrier 4 is formed in a ring portion having a radius such that the nozzle carrier 4 is outside the mouth 20 and outside of the closure 3. In other words, the closure 3 can be lowered to the mouth 20 without the nozzle carrier 4 being in the way.
- FIG. 1 shown rhombic shape of the nozzle carrier 4, which has a corresponding taper in the upper region.
- This taper can be designed to be complementary to the outer dimensions of a closing element. Accordingly, even when the closure 3 is fully seated on the mouth 20 of the container 2, the nozzle carrier 4 can still be provided and correspondingly continue to provide a purge gas flow.
- the nozzle carrier 4 is arranged so that it also outside the sphere of action of an in FIG. 1 Closing element, not shown, for closing the container 2 with the closure 3 is formed.
- This arrangement results, for example FIG. 2 according to which the individual closing elements 6 can be lowered completely onto the respective containers 2 in order to apply the closures 3, but without colliding with the nozzle carrier 4.
- purge gas which is supplied through the inner space 44 of the nozzle carrier 4 to the nozzles 40, 42, preferably nitrogen - that is N 2 - used.
- nitrogen - that is N 2 - used.
- suitable gases in particular inert gases, but can also be used for rinsing.
- FIG. 1 two additional circulation nozzles 41 and 43 are shown, which are arranged on the nozzle carrier 4.
- the additional rinse nozzle 41 is above the upwardly directed nozzle 40, and the additional rinse nozzle 43 is disposed below the downwardly directed nozzle 42.
- the additional circulation nozzles 41, 43 serve to form a kind of purge gas curtain around the closure 3 and the mouth 20 around, in order to reduce the intake of ambient air into the container 2 or even in turbulence resulting from the relative movement between the closure 3 and the mouth 20 during the closing process to avoid.
- the additional flow-around nozzles 41, 43 can be adapted in their diameter so that a very gentle purging gas flow, the ambient atmosphere from the closure region rinses.
- a further channel for the supply of the circulating gas in the nozzle carrier 4.
- another purge gas source can then be connected to another purge gas and / or another pressure.
- the further channel can also be connected via a pressure reducing valve to the first purge gas source, so that only a different pressure for the purge gas is provided here. In this way, the purge gas exiting the additional purge nozzles 41, 43 may have a lower flow velocity and thus a lower pulse, so that the purge gas atmosphere thus formed will not be blown around the occlusion region.
- the additional circulation nozzles 41, 43 furthermore have the advantage that cleaning agents can be applied to them in a targeted manner through them.
- the upwardly directed nozzles 40 inject into the closing element 6, and the additional flow nozzle 41 sprays from the outside onto the closing element 6. This allows the desired cleaning effect or the desired cleaning range to be determined in a targeted manner.
- the additional circulation nozzles 41, 43 may preferably be arranged only in a section of the nozzle carrier 4 with respect to its angular extent.
- the risk of loading the container 2 by drawing ambient air into the container 2 is the highest at the conclusion of the lowering process, since the ambient air can not be removed from the container 2 by subsequent flushing with flushing gas.
- An arrangement of the additional circulation nozzles 41, 43 in the angular region of the nozzle carrier 4, which corresponds to the completion of the lowering operation of the closure 3 on the mouth 20 of the container 2, is therefore preferred. In this way, purge gas can be saved at the beginning of the lowering process.
- FIG. 2 For example, an exemplary apparatus 1 for closing containers is shown in a schematic perspective view, wherein no containers are shown here.
- the containers are usually conveyed by means of the schematically indicated conveyor star 5.
- the conveyor star 5 In the conveyor star 5 the in FIG. 2
- the containers are held at their respective neck rings and guided in a circle by means of the conveying star 5.
- closing elements 6 On the respective receiving pockets for the mouths of the container in the conveyor star 5 closing elements 6 are provided, by means of which closures, such as in FIG. 1 shown closure 3, can be applied to the mouths 20 of the container.
- the respective closures are transferred via a pick wheel 60 on the pitch circle of Verschegaetti 6, removed at the tangential transfer point by a downward movement of the Verschbieides 6 from the pick wheel 60, and then subsequently lowered to an orifice of a container and connected thereto.
- the closing element 6 is intended to screw a plastic screw cap onto a PET bottle.
- other closing elements 6 are also conceivable in this configuration, such as, for example, closing elements for rolling on roll-on closures or for applying crown corks.
- angular portion of the pitch circle of the nozzle carrier 4 is provided, wherein the corresponding angular portion of the pitch circle is selected so that the gas stream can be injected into the head space volume of the container to be closed and the closure, which is already in the closing element 6, also with the gas flow can be applied. Accordingly, ambient air or oxygen is displaced both from the head space and from the volume defined by the closure by the inflowing N 2 gas.
- the closing operation of the container can take place, although a gas flow is provided by means of the nozzles 40, 42 arranged in the nozzle carrier 4 and the circulating nozzles 41, 43.
- the closing element 6 can perform the necessary for the closing stroke movement in the presence of the nozzle carrier 4 completely. Accordingly, the entire closing operation, be accompanied by the gas purging, at least until the complete placement of the closure on the mouth of the container. This ensures that the residual oxygen in the headspace volume of the then sealed container is very low.
- the nozzle carrier 4 it is preferable for the nozzle carrier 4 to be provided with nozzles pointing downwards for injecting the gas stream into the nozzle Equip the headspace of the container that here a constant current, preferably at a constant angle takes place.
- the orientation of the nozzles pointing upwards in the nozzle carrier 4 preferably varies so that an optimal injection of the respective gas stream into the through the closure defined volume takes place.
- the nozzles arranged in the nozzle carrier 4 and pointing upwards can be oriented differently over the length of the nozzle carrier 4.
- the cross section of the nozzle carrier 4 can change over its length, whereby, for example, the flow emerging from the respective nozzles can be kept essentially the same over the entire length of the nozzle carrier.
- FIG. 2 Even if in FIG. 2 a preferred variant is shown to the effect that the nozzle carrier 4 outside the pitch circle on which the mouths of the container and the closing elements 6 are guided, can be arranged in a variant of the nozzle carrier 4 on the inside, ie within the pitch circle ,
- FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the device 1 for closing containers shown, wherein the individual closing elements 6 can be seen. About an inlet star 70 and an outlet star 72 to be closed containers are supplied. The closures can be transferred to the closing elements 6 via the picking wheel 60.
- the nozzle carrier 4 which is provided with the corresponding, downwardly and upwardly radiating nozzles 40, 42 for introducing the purge gas into the headspace volume of a container as well as into the volume defined by a closure.
- the nozzle carrier 4 extends over a relatively wide angular portion of the pitch circle, so that a blowing of the purge gas, preferably N 2 , both in the head space and in the volume formed by the closure is possible until the closure completely on the mouth of Container is placed. In this way it can be achieved that hardly any oxygen enters the closure or the headspace volume even after the rinsing process.
- FIG. 3 is further indicated on the nozzle carrier 4 schematically a valve 8, which allows the integration into the cleaning circuit of the device 1 (so-called cleaning-in-place) for rinsing the nozzle carrier 4 with hot liquor, with foam or other cleaning fluid. Accordingly, the nozzle carrier 4 can be cleaned from the inside and all nozzles 40, 42 and wash-around nozzles 41, 43 can be flushed with the cleaning liquid. Due to the simple geometric shape, such as in FIG. 1 is shown, the nozzle carrier 4 can also be easily rinsed or cleaned from the outside, in particular also because no horizontal surfaces are provided, on which the cleaning liquid could accumulate.
- the conveying star 5 and the undersides of the closing elements 6 can also be rinsed. According to the construction shown, in addition to the advantageous handling in the displacement of oxygen from the headspace volume, at the same time an improved behavior during cleaning.
- FIG. 4 schematically shows a circuit diagram for supplying the purge gas to the individual purge valves 40, 42.
- the purge gas is introduced at the gas inlet 90, for example N 2 with an overpressure of 6 to 8 bar.
- the gas is then transferred via two sterilized filter cartridges 94 to the corresponding nozzles 40, 42.
- the sterilization of the gas to be injected in the filter cartridges 94 counteracts the entry of germs into the container to be closed.
- superheated steam for sterilizing both the filter cartridges 94 and the nozzles 40, 42 or the nozzle carrier can be introduced into the system.
- the corresponding superheated steam is present, for example, at a pressure of 3 bar and can be applied via corresponding feed lines 980 into the filter cartridges 94 or via a feed line 982 directly to the nozzles 40, 42 or the nozzle carrier 4.
- additional circulation nozzles 41, 43 are arranged in the nozzle carrier 4, then they are also subjected to flushing gas and sterilization medium accordingly.
- a supply line 984 for scouring liquor in the nozzle carrier 4 or in the cavity 44 is also shown.
- the feed line 984 is equipped with a CIP system (cleaning-in-place system) connected, so that the cleaning process can be integrated into the cleaning circuit of the device 1.
- CIP system cleaning-in-place system
- the filter cartridges 94 are designed so that the N 2 is sterile filtered, so that it can be used for application in an aseptic system for the aseptic filling of beverages.
- a gassing of the head space and the closure can be achieved until the closure is completely placed on the container to be closed, so that the re-entry of atmospheric oxygen is greatly reduced or completely prevented.
- the resulting low-oxygen atmosphere in the headspace of the container counteracts the oxidation of oxygen-sensitive products.
- a simple and reliable sanitation can be achieved by the corresponding geometry of the nozzle carrier 4 and the possibility of easy flow through the nozzle carrier 4, the nozzles 40, 42 and the Um Cyprusungsdüsen 41, 43 with sterile steam, hot liquor, foam or other sanitation.
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Abstract
Description
Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern mit Verschlüssen, bevorzugt zum Verschließen von Behältern mit Kunststoffschraubverschlüssen, Anrollverschlüssen oder Kronkorken.The present invention relates to a device for closing containers with closures, preferably for closing containers with plastic screw caps, roll-on closures or bottle caps.
Beim Verschließen von Behältern mit Verschlüssen ist es insbesondere beim Abfüllen sauerstoffempfindlicher Getränke bekannt, das Kopfraumvolumen des jeweiligen Behälters mit einem inerten Gas oder mit Stickstoff zu spülen, um den Sauerstoff aus dem Kopfraum des Behälters zu verdrängen.When closing containers with closures, it is known, in particular during the filling of oxygen-sensitive beverages, to rinse the head space volume of the respective container with an inert gas or with nitrogen in order to displace the oxygen from the head space of the container.
Zur Dosierung von Stickstoff ist es beispielsweise bekannt, durch die Mündung des Behälters hindurch einen Tropfen flüssigen Stickstoffs einzubringen, wobei der flüssige Stickstoff dann im Kopfraum des Behälters verdampft und entsprechend den darin enthaltenen Sauerstoff verdrängt. Entsprechende Dosiervorrichtungen umfassen eine Stickstoffdüse, welche auf dem Teilkreis über den Mündungen der jeweiligen Behälter angebracht ist, so dass ein Tropfen flüssigen Stickstoffs durch die Mündung in den Kopfraum eindosiert werden kann. Entsprechend ist die Düse direkt über der Mündung angeordnet, so dass ein Verschließen des Behälters mit einem Verschluss gleichzeitig zum Eindosieren des Stickstoffpfropfens unmöglich ist. Ein gleichzeitiges Verschließen mit dem Eindosieren des Stickstoffpfropfens ist jedoch bei der Verwendung flüssigen Stickstoffs auch unerwünscht, da der Stickstoff zunächst verdampfen muss, um den Sauerstoff zu verdrängen, bevor der jeweilige Verschluss aufgebracht wird. Entsprechend wird hier ein Teil des Behandlungswinkels darauf verwendet, das Verdampfen des Stickstofftropfens abzuwarten. Ein entsprechendes System ist beispielsweise aus der
Ein weiteres System ist bekannt, bei welchem gasförmiger Stickstoff über eine erste seitlich angebrachte Düse in den Kopfraum des Behälters eingedüst wird und über eine auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite angeordnete zweite Stickstoffdüse, gasförmiger Stickstoff in den Verschluss eingedüst wird. Auf diese Weise wird ein Verdrängen des Sauerstoffs sowohl im Kopfraum des Behälters als auch im Verschluss erreicht. Ein entsprechendes System ist beispielsweise aus der
Eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Begasen sowohl des Kopfraumes als auch des Verschlusses ist aus der
Ausgehend von dem bekannten Stand der Technik ist es eine Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, den Verschließvorgang und das Verdrängen von Sauerstoff aus dem Kopfraumvolumen noch weiter zu optimieren.Starting from the known state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to further optimize the capping action and the displacement of oxygen from the headspace volume.
Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern mit Verschlüssen mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen.This object is achieved by the device for closing containers with closures with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.
Entsprechend umfasst die Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern mit Verschlüssen einen Förderstern zum Fördern der Behälter und mindestens ein Verschließelement zum Verschließen der mit dem Förderstern geförderten Behälter. Weiterhin umfasst sie einen Düsenträger mit nach oben gerichteten Düsen zum Einblasen von Spülgas in den Verschluss und mit nach unten gerichteten Düsen zum Einblasen von Spülgas in den Kopfraum des Behälters. Erfindungsgemäß ist der Düsenträger außerhalb des Wirkungsbereichs des Verschließelementes angeordnet.Accordingly, the device for closing containers with closures comprises a conveyor star for conveying the container and at least one closing element for closing the container conveyed with the conveyor star. It further comprises a nozzle carrier with upwardly directed nozzles for blowing purge gas into the closure and with downwardly directed nozzles for injecting purge gas into the head space of the container. According to the invention, the nozzle carrier is arranged outside the effective range of the closing element.
Dadurch, dass der Düsenträger außerhalb des Wirkungsbereichs des Verschließelementes angeordnet ist, kann während des gesamten Verschließvorganges eine Begasung stattfinden und die Absenkungsbewegung des Verschließelements kann zu einem frühen Stadium begonnen werden. Insbesondere kann der Begasungsvorgang begonnen werden, wenn der Kopfraum des Behälters sowie der Verschluss noch frei zugänglich sind, so dass das Stickstoffgas von schräg unten in den Verschluss, welcher sich bereits im Verschließelement befindet, und von schräg oben in den Kopfraum des im Führungsstern geführten Behälters eingeblasen werden kann. Durch die Anordnung des Düsenträgers mit den Düsen außerhalb des Wirkungsbereiches des Verschließelementes kann entsprechend der Gasstrom, welcher über die Düsen des Düsenträgers aufgebracht wird, aufrechterhalten bleiben, bis der Verschluss vollständig auf den Behälter aufgesetzt ist.Due to the fact that the nozzle carrier is arranged outside the effective range of the closing element, a gassing can take place during the entire closing operation and the lowering movement of the closing element can be started at an early stage. In particular, the gassing process can be started when the headspace of the Container and the closure are still freely accessible, so that the nitrogen gas can be injected obliquely from below into the closure, which is already in the closing element, and from obliquely upwards into the headspace of the container guided in the guide star. Due to the arrangement of the nozzle carrier with the nozzles outside the effective range of the closing element, the gas flow, which is applied via the nozzles of the nozzle carrier, can be maintained correspondingly, until the closure is completely seated on the container.
Entsprechend findet ein zuverlässiges Durchspülen sowohl des Kopfraumvolumens als auch des Innenvolumens des Verschlusses statt, so dass hier eine sauerstoffarme bis sauerstofffreie Atmosphäre hergestellt werden kann, welche eine besonders vorteilhafte Wirkung auf die Lagerfähigkeit der entsprechend abgefüllten Getränke aufweist. Mit anderen Worten kann durch die seitliche Anordnung des Düsenträgers außerhalb des Wirkungsbereiches des Verschließelements während des vollständigen Verschließvorganges der Gasstrom mit dem sauerstofffreien Gas aufrechterhalten werden. Entsprechend ist der Restsauerstoffgehalt im Kopfraum nach dem Aufsetzen des Verschlusses beziehungsweise nach dem Abschluss des Verschließvorganges besonders gering.Accordingly, a reliable flushing of both the headspace volume and the inner volume of the closure takes place, so that here an oxygen-poor to oxygen-free atmosphere can be produced, which has a particularly advantageous effect on the shelf life of the corresponding bottled drinks. In other words, the gas flow with the oxygen-free gas can be maintained by the lateral arrangement of the nozzle carrier outside the effective range of the closing element during the complete closing operation. Accordingly, the residual oxygen content in the headspace after putting on the closure or after the conclusion of the closing process is particularly low.
Der Düsenträger liegt bevorzugt außerhalb des Teilkreises derart, dass ein Einblasen des Stickstoffs in Kopfraum und Verschluss ermöglicht wird. In einer Alternative kann der Düsenträger entsprechend auch innerhalb des Teilkreises so angebracht sein, dass ein entsprechendes Einblasen des Stickstoffs ermöglicht wird.The nozzle carrier is preferably outside the pitch circle in such a way that it is possible to inject the nitrogen into the headspace and closure. In an alternative, the nozzle carrier can be correspondingly also mounted within the pitch circle so that a corresponding injection of nitrogen is made possible.
Der Düsenträger erstreckt sich bevorzugt über einen Winkelabschnitt entlang des Teilkreises, welcher zwischen der Position des Pickens des jeweiligen Verschlusses bis hin zu einer Position des vollständigen Aufsetzens beziehungsweise des vollständigen Verschließens des Verschlusses ausgedehnt sein kann. Besonders bevorzugt erstreckt sich der Düsenträger über diesen Winkelbereich. Durch einen entsprechend langen Einwirkungsabschnitt des Gases kann entsprechend eine wirkungsvolle Verdrängung des Sauerstoffs aus Kopfraum und Verschluss bis hin zum vollständigen Verschließen des Behälters mit dem Verschluss erreicht werden. Gleichzeitig kann aufgrund der langen Einwirkungszeit des Gasstroms auch der Einblasdruck beziehungsweise die Einblasgeschwindigkeit des Gases verringert werden.The nozzle carrier preferably extends over an angular section along the pitch circle, which can be extended between the position of the picking of the respective closure up to a position of complete placement or complete closure of the closure. Particularly preferably, the nozzle carrier extends over this angular range. By means of a correspondingly long action section of the gas, an effective displacement of the oxygen from the head space and closure up to the complete closure of the container with the closure can be achieved accordingly. At the same time, due to the long exposure time of the gas flow, the injection pressure or the injection velocity of the gas can also be reduced.
Der Düsenträger weist bevorzugt eine Vielzahl von Gasdüsen auf, welche entsprechend nach oben gerichtet sind, um in den Verschluss Gas einzublasen. Weiterhin sind bevorzugt eine Vielzahl von Gasdüsen vorgesehen, welche nach unten gerichtet sind, um ein Einblasen des Gases in den Kopfraum des Behälters zu ermöglichen.The nozzle carrier preferably has a multiplicity of gas nozzles which are directed upwards in order to inject gas into the closure. Furthermore, a plurality of gas nozzles are preferably provided, which are directed downward to allow injection of the gas into the headspace of the container.
In einer besonders bevorzugten Variante sind die Düsen entlang des Düsenträgers in unterschiedlichen Winkeln angeordnet, um ein möglichst treffgenaues Einblasen in den Verschluss und den Kopfraum des Behälters zu ermöglichen. Bei einem Schraubverschließer zum Aufschrauben von Kunststoffverschlüssen auf Flaschen wird der Behälter üblicherweise an einem Halsring in einer gleichbleibenden Höhe geführt, wohingegen das Verschließelement mit dem darin aufgenommenen Schraubverschluss auf die Mündung des Behälters abgesenkt wird. Entsprechend sind die Gasdüsen bevorzugt so angeordnet, dass die unteren Gasdüsen, welche in den Kopfraum des Behälters zielen, unter immer dem gleichen Winkel an dem Düsenträger angeordnet sind, die oberen Düsen jedoch, welche in den Verschluss zielen, in unterschiedlichen Winkeln so angeordnet werden, dass der Gasstrom der Absenkungsbewegung des Verschlusses folgt. Damit sind die nach oben gerichteten Düsen zu Beginn des Begasungsvorganges steiler nach oben gerichtet, als zum Ende der Begasung hin.In a particularly preferred variant, the nozzles are arranged along the nozzle carrier at different angles in order to allow the most accurate possible injection into the closure and the head space of the container. In a screw capper for screwing plastic caps on bottles, the container is usually performed on a neck ring at a constant height, whereas the closing element is lowered with the screw cap received therein to the mouth of the container. Accordingly, the gas nozzles are preferably arranged such that the lower gas nozzles, which aim into the head space of the container, are arranged at always the same angle on the nozzle carrier, but the upper nozzles, which aim into the closure, are arranged at different angles, that the gas flow follows the lowering movement of the closure. Thus, the upwardly directed nozzles at the beginning of the gassing are directed upwards steeper than to the end of the gassing out.
In einer bevorzugten Weiterbildung sind zusätzliche nach oben gerichtete Umspülungsdüsen oberhalb der nach oben gerichteten Düsen und/oder zusätzliche nach unten gerichtete Umspülungsdüsen unterhalb der nach unten gerichteten Düsen und/oder zusätzliche Umspülungsdüsen zwischen den nach oben gerichteten Düsen und den nach unten gerichteten Düsen vorgesehen. Durch die zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen kann eine Art Spülgasvorhang um den Bereich des Verschlusses und der Mündung des zu verschließenden Behälters bereitgestellt werden. So kann auch bei der Bewegung des Verschlusses relativ zu der Mündung beim eigentlichen Verschließen des Behälters eine weitgehende bis vollständige Abschirmung mit dem Spülgas, bevorzugt einem Inertgas, erreicht werden. Das Einziehen von Umgebungsluft in den Behälter beim Verschließen des Behälters durch die auftretenden Turbulenzen kann verringert oder gar vermieden werden und entsprechend kann die Lagerfähigkeit der abgefüllten Getränke weiter verbessert werden.In a preferred embodiment, additional upwardly directed Umspülungsdüsen above the upwardly directed nozzles and / or additional downwardly directed Umspülungsdüsen below the downwardly directed nozzles and / or additional Umspülungsdüsen between the upwardly directed nozzles and the downwardly directed nozzles are provided. By means of the additional circulation nozzles, a type of purge gas curtain can be provided around the area of the closure and the mouth of the container to be closed. Thus, even with the movement of the closure relative to the orifice during the actual closing of the container, a substantial to complete shielding with the purge gas, preferably an inert gas, can be achieved. The intake of ambient air into the container when closing the container by the turbulence occurring can be reduced or even avoided and, accordingly, the shelf life of the bottled beverages can be further improved.
Bevorzugt sind die zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen nur in einem Abschnitt des Düsenträgers bezüglich dessen Winkelerstreckung angeordnet. Das Risiko einer Belastung der Behälter durch das Einziehen von Umgebungsluft in den Behälter ist zum Abschluss des Absenkungsvorganges am höchsten, da die Umgebungsluft dann nicht mehr durch nachfolgendes Spülen mit Spülgas aus dem Behälter entfernt werden kann. Eine Anordnung der zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen in dem Winkelbereich des Düsenträgers, welcher mit dem Abschluss des Absenkungsvorganges des Verschlusses auf die Mündung des Behälters korrespondiert, ist daher bevorzugt. Auf diese Weise kann Spülgas zu Beginn des Absenkungsvorganges eingespart werden.Preferably, the additional circulation nozzles are arranged only in a section of the nozzle carrier with respect to its angular extent. The risk of contamination of the containers by the intake of ambient air into the container is the end of the lowering process highest, since the ambient air can then no longer be removed by subsequent flushing with purge gas from the container. An arrangement of the additional rinsing nozzles in the angular range of the nozzle carrier, which corresponds to the completion of the lowering operation of the closure on the mouth of the container, is therefore preferred. In this way, purge gas can be saved at the beginning of the lowering process.
Besonders bevorzugt sind die zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen so ausgebildet, dass das aus diesen austretende Spülgas eine geringere Strömung aufweist, als das aus den nach oben gerichteten Düsen und/oder den nach unten gerichteten Düsen. Diese geringere Strömung wird bevorzugt durch Auswahl eines entsprechenden Durchmessers der zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen erreicht. Durch die geringere Strömung beziehungsweise einen geringeren Impuls des austretenden Gases wird über eine sehr sanfte Spülgasströmung die Umgebungsatmosphäre wegspült, ohne jedoch die Spülgasatmosphäre zu zerstören.Particularly preferably, the additional rinsing nozzles are designed so that the purge gas exiting therefrom has a lower flow than that of the upwardly directed nozzles and / or the downwardly directed nozzles. This lower flow is preferably achieved by selecting a corresponding diameter of the additional circulation nozzles. Due to the lower flow or a lower pulse of the exiting gas, the ambient atmosphere is washed away by a very gentle purge gas flow, but without destroying the purge gas atmosphere.
In diesem Zusammenhang können die zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen über eine von den nach oben gerichteten Düsen und den nach unten gerichteten Düsen getrennte Spülgaszufuhr gespeist werden, welche bevorzugt mit einem niedrigeren Spülgasdruck beaufschlagbar ist. An diese getrennte Spülgaszufuhr kann vorteilhaft eine weitere Spülgasquelle angeschlossen werden, welche einen anderen Druck liefert, oder welche ein anderes Spülgas oder Inertgas liefert. Die getrennte Spülgaszufuhr kann aber auch über ein Druckreduzierventil an die erste Spülgasquelle angeschlossen sein.In this context, the additional circulation nozzles can be fed via a separate from the upwardly directed nozzles and the downwardly directed nozzles purge gas, which is preferably acted upon by a lower purge gas pressure. At this separate purge gas supply can advantageously be connected to another purge gas source, which supplies a different pressure, or which supplies another purge gas or inert gas. The separate purge gas can also be connected via a pressure reducing valve to the first purge gas source.
Über die zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen kann auch bei einem Reinigungsvorgang der jeweilige Reinigungsbereich erweitert werden und bestimmte Anlagenbereiche oder Anlagenoberflächen gezielt mit der Reinigungsflüssigkeit beaufschlagt werden. Beispielsweise können die nach oben gerichteten Düsen in den Verschließkopf spritzen und die zusätzlichen nach oben gerichteten Umspülungsdüsen von außen auf den Verschließkopf spritzen.By means of the additional circulation nozzles, the respective cleaning area can be widened even during a cleaning process, and the cleaning liquid can be specifically applied to specific areas of the installation or to the surfaces of the installation. For example, the upwardly directed nozzles may splash into the capping head and inject the additional upwardly directed dishwashing nozzles from the outside onto the capping head.
Durch die Anordnung des Düsenträgers mit den Düsen außerhalb des Wirkbereichs des Verschließelementes ist es weiterhin möglich, das Verschließelement früher abzusenken, als dies bei einer Anordnung einer Stickstoffdüse zwischen Verschluss und Behälter möglich wäre. Entsprechend kann hier auch ein Winkelabschnitt des Teilkreises für das Spülen des Kopfraums sowie des Verschlusses verkleinert werden beziehungsweise verringert werden, so dass die Leistung des Verschließers erhöht werden kann.By arranging the nozzle carrier with the nozzles outside the effective range of the closing element, it is furthermore possible to lower the closing element earlier than would be possible with an arrangement of a nitrogen nozzle between the closure and the container. Correspondingly, an angle section of the pitch circle for purging the head space and the closure can also be reduced or reduced so that the performance of the capper can be increased.
Weiterhin kann durch den langen Einwirkungszeitraum des Gasstromes sowie die gegenüber zwischen Behälter und Verschluss angeordneten Düsen deutlich flachere Einblasung des Stickstoffs der Druck beziehungsweise die Strömungsgeschwindigkeit des Spülgases reduziert werden, so dass ein Herausspritzen von Produkt aus den jeweiligen Behältern durch das eingedüste Gas auf diese Weise vermieden werden kann.Furthermore, can be reduced by the long exposure period of the gas flow as well as arranged opposite the container and closure nozzles significantly flatter injection of nitrogen pressure or the flow velocity of the purge gas, so that squirting of product from the respective containers by the injected gas avoided in this way can be.
In einer besonders bevorzugten Variante weist der Düsenträger ein Ventil zum Einbringen einer Reinigungsflüssigkeit, beispielsweise Reinigungsschaum oder Heißlauge, auf. Auf diese Weise kann der Düsenträger mit den daran angebrachten Düsen vollständig gereinigt werden und kann darüber hinaus, bei entsprechender Druckführung, ebenso dazu verwendet werden, den Förderstern durch die Düsen des Düsenträgers mit Reinigungsmittel zu beaufschlagen und insbesondere das Verschließelement von unten mit der Reinigungsflüssigkeit zu beaufschlagen. Auf diese Weise wird eine effektive Reinigung sowohl des Düsenträgers mit den Düsen als auch der Gesamtvorrichtung erreicht.In a particularly preferred variant, the nozzle carrier has a valve for introducing a cleaning liquid, for example cleaning foam or hot liquor. In this way, the nozzle carrier with the nozzles attached thereto can be completely cleaned and can also, with appropriate pressure control, also be used to pressurize the conveyor star through the nozzles of the nozzle carrier with detergent and in particular to pressurize the closing element from below with the cleaning liquid , In this way, an effective cleaning of both the nozzle carrier with the nozzles and the overall device is achieved.
Bevorzugte weitere Ausführungsformen und Aspekte der vorliegenden Erfindung werden durch die nachfolgende Beschreibung der Figuren näher erläutert. Dabei zeigen:
- Figur 1
- den Düsenträger, ein Verschluss, sowie einen Behälter in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung;
Figur 2- eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern in einer schematischen perspektivischen Darstellung;
Figur 3- eine Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern in einer schematischen Draufsicht; und
- Figur 4
- eine schematische verfahrenstechnische Anbindung.
- FIG. 1
- the nozzle carrier, a closure, and a container in a schematic sectional view;
- FIG. 2
- a device for closing containers in a schematic perspective view;
- FIG. 3
- a device for closing containers in a schematic plan view; and
- FIG. 4
- a schematic procedural connection.
Im Folgenden werden bevorzugte Ausführungsbeispiele anhand der Figuren beschrieben. Dabei werden gleiche, ähnliche oder gleichwirkende Elemente in den unterschiedlichen Figuren mit identischen Bezugszeichen bezeichnet und auf eine wiederholte Beschreibung dieser Elemente wird in der nachfolgenden Beschreibung teilweise verzichtet, um Redundanzen zu vermeiden.In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements in the different figures are denoted by identical reference numerals and a repeated description of these elements will be omitted in the following description in part in order to avoid redundancies.
In
Im Bereich zwischen der Mündung 20 und der Flüssigkeitsoberfläche 22 des in dem Behälter 2 eingefüllten Produktes ist ein Kopfraum 24 vorgesehen, welcher ursprünglich mit Umgebungsluft aus der Abfüllanlage gefüllt ist. Der Verschluss 3 weist in seinem Inneren ein Innenvolumen 32 auf, welches ursprünglich ebenfalls mit Umgebungsluft gefüllt ist.In the area between the
Ein Düsenträger 4 mit einer nach oben strömenden Düse 40 zum Einströmen eines in dem Düsenträger 4, beziehungsweise in einem Hohlraum 44 des Düsenträgers 4, geführten Gases ist vorgesehen. Die nach oben gerichtete Düse 40 ist dabei so ausgerichtet, dass der Gasstrom in den Innenraum 32 des Verschlusses 3 eingeströmt wird.A nozzle carrier 4 with an upwardly flowing
Weiterhin ist eine nach unten gerichtete Düse 42 vorgesehen, welche so ausgerichtet ist, dass der sie verlassende Gasstrom in den Kopfraum 24 des Behälters 2 einströmt.Furthermore, a downwardly directed nozzle 42 is provided, which is oriented so that the gas flow leaving it flows into the
Der Düsenträger 4 ist dabei in seiner Höhe so angeordnet, dass die Düsen 40, 42 zu Beginn des Spülvorganges bevorzugt in etwa den gleichen Abstand von den jeweiligen Eintrittsöffnungen, also der Mündung 20 sowie der Öffnung des Verschlusses 3, aufweisen. Während des Verschließvorganges wird der Verschluss 3 auf die Mündung 20 des Behälters 2 abgesenkt, so dass sich hier die Abstände zum Düsenträger 4 verändern.The nozzle carrier 4 is arranged in its height so that the
Aus
Hierzu dient unter anderem auch die in
Der Düsenträger 4 ist dabei so angeordnet, dass er auch außerhalb des Wirkungsbereiches eines in
Als Spülgas, welches durch den Innenraum 44 des Düsenträgers 4 den Düsen 40, 42 zugeführt wird, wird bevorzugt Stickstoff - also N2 - verwendet. Andere geeignete Gase, insbesondere Inertgase, können aber auch zur Spülung verwendet werden.As purge gas which is supplied through the
In
Die zusätzlichen Umströmungsdüsen 41, 43 können in ihrem Durchmesser so angepasst werden, dass eine sehr sanfte Spülgasströmung die Umgebungsatmosphäre vom Verschließbereich wegspült. Dabei sind die in der
Alternativ ist es jedoch in einer nicht gezeigten Ausführungsvariante möglich, im Düsenträger 4 einen weiteren Kanal für die Zuführung des Umspülungsgases vorzusehen. An diesem Kanal kann dann beispielsweise eine weitere Spülgasquelle mit einem anderen Spülgas und/oder einem anderen Druck angeschlossen werden. In einer weiteren Alternative kann der weitere Kanal auch über ein Druckreduzierventil an die erste Spülgasquelle angeschlossen werden, so dass hier lediglich ein anderer Druck für das Spülgas bereitgestellt wird. Auf diese Weise kann das Spülgas, welches aus den zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen 41, 43 austritt, eine niedrigere Strömungsgeschwindigkeit und damit einen niedrigeren Impuls aufweisen, so dass die derart ausgebildete Spülgasatmosphäre um den Verschließbereich herum nicht fortgeblasen wird.Alternatively, however, it is possible in a variant, not shown, to provide a further channel for the supply of the circulating gas in the nozzle carrier 4. At this channel, for example, another purge gas source can then be connected to another purge gas and / or another pressure. In a further alternative, the further channel can also be connected via a pressure reducing valve to the first purge gas source, so that only a different pressure for the purge gas is provided here. In this way, the purge gas exiting the
Die zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen 41, 43 weisen weiterhin den Vorteil auf, dass durch sie weitere Oberflächen gezielt mit Reinigungsmittel beaufschlagt werden können. Beispielsweise spritzen die nach oben gerichteten Düsen 40 in das Verschließelement 6 und die zusätzliche Umströmungsdüse 41 spritzt von außen auf das Verschließelement 6. Damit lässt sich die gewünschte Reinigungswirkung oder der gewünschte Reinigungsbereich gezielt festlegen.The
Die zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen 41, 43 können bevorzugt nur in einem Abschnitt des Düsenträgers 4 bezüglich dessen Winkelerstreckung angeordnet sein. Das Risiko einer Belastung der Behälter 2 durch Einziehen von Umgebungsluft in die Behälter 2 ist zum Abschluss des Absenkungsvorganges am höchsten, da die Umgebungsluft nicht mehr durch nachfolgendes Spülen mit Spülgas aus dem Behälter 2 entfernt werden kann. Eine Anordnung der zusätzlichen Umspülungsdüsen 41, 43 in dem Winkelbereich des Düsenträgers 4, welcher mit dem Abschluss des Absenkungsvorganges des Verschlusses 3 auf die Mündung 20 des Behälters 2 korrespondiert, ist daher bevorzugt. Auf diese Weise kann Spülgas zu Beginn des Absenkungsvorganges eingespart werden.The
In
Hierzu werden die jeweiligen Verschlüsse über ein Pickrad 60 auf den Teilkreis der Verschließelemente 6 überführt, an dem tangentialen Übergabepunkt durch ein Herabbewegen des Verschließelementes 6 vom Pickrad 60 abgenommen, und dann nachfolgend auf eine Mündung eines Behälters abgesenkt und mit diesem verbunden.For this purpose, the respective closures are transferred via a
Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist das Verschließelement 6 dazu vorgesehen, einen Kunststoffschraubverschluss auf eine PET-Flasche aufzuschrauben. Es sind jedoch andere Verschließelemente 6 in ebenfalls dieser Konfiguration denkbar, so wie beispielsweise Verschließelemente zum Anrollen von Anrollverschlüssen oder zum Aufbringen von Kronkorken.In the embodiment shown, the closing element 6 is intended to screw a plastic screw cap onto a PET bottle. However, other closing elements 6 are also conceivable in this configuration, such as, for example, closing elements for rolling on roll-on closures or for applying crown corks.
In einem Winkelabschnitt des Teilkreises ist der Düsenträger 4 vorgesehen, wobei der entsprechende Winkelabschnitt des Teilkreises so ausgewählt ist, dass der Gasstrom in das Kopfraumvolumen des zu verschließenden Behälters eingedüst werden kann und der Verschluss, welcher sich bereits im Verschließelement 6 befindet, ebenfalls mit dem Gasstrom beaufschlagt werden kann. Entsprechend wird Umgebungsluft beziehungsweise Sauerstoff sowohl aus dem Kopfraum als auch aus dem durch den Verschluss definierten Volumen durch das eingeströmte N2-Gas verdrängt.In an angular portion of the pitch circle of the nozzle carrier 4 is provided, wherein the corresponding angular portion of the pitch circle is selected so that the gas stream can be injected into the head space volume of the container to be closed and the closure, which is already in the closing element 6, also with the gas flow can be applied. Accordingly, ambient air or oxygen is displaced both from the head space and from the volume defined by the closure by the inflowing N 2 gas.
Durch die Anordnung des Düsenträgers 4 derart, dass er außerhalb des Wirkungsbereiches des Verschließelementes 6 liegt, kann der Verschließvorgang des Behälters stattfinden, obwohl ein Gasstrom mittels der im Düsenträger 4 angeordneten Düsen 40, 42 und der Umspülungsdüsen 41, 43 bereitgestellt wird. Mit anderen Worten kann das Verschließelement 6 die für den Verschließvorgang notwendige Hubbewegung auch in Anwesenheit des Düsenträgers 4 vollständig durchführen. Entsprechend kann der gesamte Verschließvorgang, zumindest bis zum vollständigen Aufsetzen des Verschlusses auf die Mündung des Behälters, von der Gasspülung begleitet werden. Hierdurch wird erreicht, dass der Restsauerstoff im Kopfraumvolumen des dann verschlossenen Behälters sehr gering ist.Due to the arrangement of the nozzle carrier 4 such that it lies outside the effective range of the closing element 6, the closing operation of the container can take place, although a gas flow is provided by means of the
In dem in
Da sich der Verschluss 3 zusammen mit dem Verschließelement 6 absenkt, damit der Verschluss 3 auf den Behälter aufgeschraubt werden kann, variiert die Ausrichtung der nach oben zeigenden Düsen im Düsenträger 4 bevorzugt so, dass stets ein optimales Einblasen des jeweiligen Gasstromes in das durch den Verschluss definierte Volumen stattfindet.Since the
Entsprechend können die in dem Düsenträger 4 angeordneten und nach oben gerichteten Düsen über die Länge des Düsenträgers 4 hinweg unterschiedlich orientiert sein. Weiterhin kann sich der Querschnitt des Düsenträgers 4 über seine Länge ändern, wodurch beispielsweise die aus den jeweiligen Düsen austretende Strömung über die ganze Länge des Düsenträgers hinweg im Wesentlichen gleich gehalten werden kann.Correspondingly, the nozzles arranged in the nozzle carrier 4 and pointing upwards can be oriented differently over the length of the nozzle carrier 4. Furthermore, the cross section of the nozzle carrier 4 can change over its length, whereby, for example, the flow emerging from the respective nozzles can be kept essentially the same over the entire length of the nozzle carrier.
Auch wenn in
In
Schematisch gezeigt ist wiederum der Düsenträger 4, welcher mit den entsprechenden, nach unten sowie nach oben strahlenden Düsen 40, 42 zum Einbringen des Spülgases in das Kopfraumvolumen eines Behälters sowie in das durch einen Verschluss definierte Volumen versehen ist. Wie sich aus
In
Weiterhin kann bei Beaufschlagung des Düsenträgers 4 mit dem Reinigungsmedium auch der Förderstern 5 sowie die Unterseiten der Verschließelemente 6 gespült werden. Entsprechend ergibt sich über die gezeigte Konstruktion, neben dem vorteilhaften Handling bei der Verdrängung von Sauerstoff aus dem Kopfraumvolumen, gleichzeitig auch ein verbessertes Verhalten beim Reinigen.Furthermore, when the nozzle carrier 4 is acted upon by the cleaning medium, the conveying star 5 and the undersides of the closing elements 6 can also be rinsed. According to the construction shown, in addition to the advantageous handling in the displacement of oxygen from the headspace volume, at the same time an improved behavior during cleaning.
Über einen Sterilisationsdampfanschluss 96 kann Heißdampf zum Sterilisieren sowohl der Filterkerzen 94 als auch der Düsen 40, 42 beziehungsweise des Düsenträgers in das System aufgebracht werden. Der entsprechende Heißdampf liegt beispielsweise mit einem Druck von 3 bar an und kann über entsprechende Zuführleitungen 980 in die Filterkerzen 94 beziehungsweise über eine Zuführleitung 982 direkt auf die Düsen 40, 42 beziehungsweise den Düsenträger 4 aufgebracht werden.Via a
Wenn in dem Düsenträger 4 auch zusätzliche Umspülungsdüsen 41, 43 angeordnet sind, so werden diese entsprechend auch mit Spülgas und Sterilisationsmedium beaufschlagt.If
Eine Zuführleitung 984 für Spüllauge in den Düsenträger 4 beziehungsweise in dessen Hohlraum 44 ist ebenfalls gezeigt. Die Zuführleitung 984 ist mit einer CIP-Anlage (cleaning-in-place Anlage) verbunden, so dass der Reinigungsvorgang in den Reinigungskreislauf der Vorrichtung 1 eingebunden werden kann.A
Die Filterkerzen 94 sind dabei so ausgebildet, dass das N2 steril filtriert wird, so dass es zur Anwendung in einer aseptischen Anlage zum aseptischen Abfüllen von Getränken verwendet werden kann.The
Entsprechend kann durch die beschriebene Vorrichtung zum Verschließen von Behältern ein Begasen des Kopfraumes sowie des Verschlusses erreicht werden, bis der Verschluss vollständig auf den zu verschließenden Behälter aufgesetzt ist, so dass das erneute Eintreten von Luftsauerstoff stark reduziert bis vollkommen unterbunden wird. Die entstehende sauerstoffarme Atmosphäre im Kopfraum des Behälters wirkt einer Oxidation sauerstoffempfindlicher Produkte entgegen.Accordingly, by the described device for closing containers a gassing of the head space and the closure can be achieved until the closure is completely placed on the container to be closed, so that the re-entry of atmospheric oxygen is greatly reduced or completely prevented. The resulting low-oxygen atmosphere in the headspace of the container counteracts the oxidation of oxygen-sensitive products.
Durch das Aufbringen des Stickstoffs unter reduziertem Druck kann weiterhin ein Herausspritzen des Produkts beim Einblasen des Stickstoffs im Wesentlichen verhindert werden, was auch durch das relativ flache Einblasen des Stickstoffs unterstützt wird.Furthermore, by applying the nitrogen under reduced pressure, it is possible to substantially prevent the product from being splashed out when the nitrogen is injected, which is also assisted by the relatively shallow injection of nitrogen.
Weiterhin kann durch die entsprechende Geometrie des Düsenträgers 4 sowie die Möglichkeit des einfachen Durchströmens des Düsenträgers 4, der Düsen 40, 42 sowie der Umspülungsdüsen 41, 43 mit Sterildampf, Heißlauge, Schaum oder anderen Sanitationsmedien eine einfache und zuverlässige Sanitation erreicht werden.Furthermore, a simple and reliable sanitation can be achieved by the corresponding geometry of the nozzle carrier 4 and the possibility of easy flow through the nozzle carrier 4, the
Soweit anwendbar können alle einzelnen Merkmale, die in den einzelnen Ausführungsbeispielen dargestellt sind, miteinander kombiniert und/oder ausgetauscht werden, ohne den Bereich der Erfindung zu verlassen.
Claims (13)
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Düsenträger (4) außerhalb des Wirkungsbereichs des Verschließelementes (6) angeordnet ist.Device (1) for closing containers (2) with closures (3), comprising a conveying star (5) for conveying the containers (2) and at least one closing element (6) for closing the containers (2) conveyed with the conveying star (5) ), further comprising a nozzle carrier (4) with upwardly directed nozzles (40) for injecting purge gas into the closure (3) and with downwardly directed nozzles (42) for injecting purge gas into the head space (24) of the container (2 )
characterized in that
the nozzle carrier (4) is arranged outside the effective range of the closing element (6).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102012104765A DE102012104765A1 (en) | 2012-06-01 | 2012-06-01 | Device for closing containers |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2669200A1 true EP2669200A1 (en) | 2013-12-04 |
EP2669200B1 EP2669200B1 (en) | 2015-11-04 |
Family
ID=48577534
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13170054.4A Active EP2669200B1 (en) | 2012-06-01 | 2013-05-31 | Container closing apparatus with integrated head space flushing |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2669200B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103449342B (en) |
DE (1) | DE102012104765A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2019101525A1 (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2019-05-31 | Bausch + Ströbel Maschinenfabrik Ilshofen GmbH + Co. KG | Closure device for adding gas to and closing containers that have a filler opening |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102018132625A1 (en) * | 2018-12-18 | 2020-06-18 | Krones Ag | Cleaning of container closures during the filling and closing process of containers to be filled |
CN113173547B (en) * | 2021-03-31 | 2022-09-06 | 深圳市金正江大五金塑胶制品有限公司 | Cosmetic bottle cap assembling device |
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DE2363248A1 (en) * | 1973-05-08 | 1974-11-21 | Molsom Companies Ltd | DEVICE FOR REDUCING THE AIR CONCENTRATION IN BOTTLED BEVERAGES, IN PARTICULAR BOTTLED BEER |
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WO2010087097A1 (en) | 2009-01-28 | 2010-08-05 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Method for gas replacement of container and apparatus therefor |
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JP2005047536A (en) * | 2003-07-28 | 2005-02-24 | Showa Tansan Co Ltd | Gas replacing method and device for head space of non-carbonated beverage cap container |
ES2306073T5 (en) * | 2005-11-16 | 2013-06-26 | Arol S.P.A. | Container closing machine |
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BR112012011655A2 (en) * | 2009-11-17 | 2016-07-05 | Amcor Rigid Plastics Usa Inc | pressurized closing device |
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- 2013-05-31 EP EP13170054.4A patent/EP2669200B1/en active Active
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US3246447A (en) * | 1963-02-25 | 1966-04-19 | Anchor Hocking Glass Corp | Air purging mechanism |
DE2363248A1 (en) * | 1973-05-08 | 1974-11-21 | Molsom Companies Ltd | DEVICE FOR REDUCING THE AIR CONCENTRATION IN BOTTLED BEVERAGES, IN PARTICULAR BOTTLED BEER |
US4602473A (en) * | 1982-06-28 | 1986-07-29 | Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Method and apparatus for replacing air within a container head space |
JP2004161350A (en) | 2002-11-15 | 2004-06-10 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Gas displacement device of capper |
EP1651555B1 (en) | 2003-08-06 | 2008-11-12 | Alcoa Closure Systems International, Inc. | Capping and nitrogen dosing apparatus |
US20070056251A1 (en) * | 2005-01-05 | 2007-03-15 | Ruppman Kurt H Sr | Method and Apparatus for Flushing a Container with an Inert Gas |
WO2010087097A1 (en) | 2009-01-28 | 2010-08-05 | 東洋製罐株式会社 | Method for gas replacement of container and apparatus therefor |
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WO2019101525A1 (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2019-05-31 | Bausch + Ströbel Maschinenfabrik Ilshofen GmbH + Co. KG | Closure device for adding gas to and closing containers that have a filler opening |
US11414229B2 (en) | 2017-11-27 | 2022-08-16 | Bausch + Ströbel Maschinenfabrik Ilshofen GmbH + Co. KG | Closure device for adding gas to and closing containers that have a filler opening |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN103449342B (en) | 2016-07-06 |
EP2669200B1 (en) | 2015-11-04 |
DE102012104765A1 (en) | 2013-12-05 |
CN103449342A (en) | 2013-12-18 |
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