GB969084A - Improvements in or relating to bottling of completely sterile liquids particularly milk - Google Patents

Abstract

969,084. Bottling. GRAHAM-ENOCK MANUFACTURING CO. Ltd. May 7, 1963 [May 17, 1962], No. 19014/62. Heading B8T. Prewashed bottles are introduced at 2 to a stepwise moving endless conveyer 3 in a housing 1 and are subjected to a preliminary flushing with hot water at a zone 6 by nozzles 7 before passing to a sterilizing zone 8 where they are subjected to a series of steam fillings from nozzles 9. The latter may be in laterally disposed rows aligned with similarly disposed rows of bottles on the conveyer, and the arrangement is such that during each dwell of the conveyer the nozzles are raised by a framework 10 into engagement with the bottle mouths, whereupon valves are automatically opened and steam is supplied. Movement of the conveyer between each dwell carries the bottles a distance equal to that between adjacent nozzles. The condition of the steam may be varied at different stages, i.e. at stage 11 it may be wet and at stage 13 dry. From the sterilizing zone the bottles, whilst being retained in a sterile ambience, are allowed to drain whilst in an inverted position, and pass to a filling station 14 and then to a capping and scaling device 17 before being discharged at a position 4. The filling, capping and sealing operations take place during conveyer dwell periods. To maintain a sterile ambience, sterile air under pressure is introduced into an area 20 via a duct 21. The machine includes a hot water and steam con densate collection tank 23, and an opening 22 for an operator, normally closed by a door.