US3336722A - Method and installation for filling sterilized containers in a sterile space with a sterilized substance and subsequent closure of said containers - Google Patents

Method and installation for filling sterilized containers in a sterile space with a sterilized substance and subsequent closure of said containers Download PDF

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US3336722A
US3336722A US307956A US30795663A US3336722A US 3336722 A US3336722 A US 3336722A US 307956 A US307956 A US 307956A US 30795663 A US30795663 A US 30795663A US 3336722 A US3336722 A US 3336722A
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containers
sterilized
conveyor
space
substance
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US307956A
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Winden Johannes B Van Der
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Gebr Stork and Companies Apparatenfabriek NV
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Gebr Stork and Companies Apparatenfabriek NV
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    • 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
    • B67C7/00—Concurrent cleaning, filling, and closing of bottles; Processes or devices for at least two of these operations
    • B67C7/0073—Sterilising, aseptic filling and closing
    • 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
    • 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
    • B65B55/027—Packaging in aseptic chambers

Definitions

  • the invention also contemplates operating with a sterilized substance and containers, so as to obtain in one process a product with unlimited storage qualities.
  • the substance to be put in the containers may be a liquid like milk for instance, but a granular or powdery product can be treated as well by the method according to the invention.
  • the expression containers is used here in the generic sense and includes bottles, tins and the like.
  • the invention relates further to an installation for filling containers with a sterilized substance and for subsequent closing of continuously fed sterilized containers, the said installation comprising a sterile space, a conveyor, a portion of which is capable of movement within the said space, and a station, situated outside of the sterile space, for feeding containers to the conveyor.
  • An object of the invention further consists in providing as installation which makes it possible to obtain a continuous process wherein any possibility of reinfection during filling and closing is eliminated.
  • a further object of the invention is to avoid any risk of infection from the outside of the sterile space owing to the conveyor extending beyond this space.
  • FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of a first embodiment of the invention, the side walls being removed for the sake of clarity;
  • FIG. 2 shows the same view of an to a second embodiment
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along the lines III-III and IV-1V, respectively in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of the installation according to FIG. 2, the upper wall being removed.
  • the installation consists of a housing 1, enclosing a sterile space 2.
  • a conveyor 3 which partially is situated within the said space 2.
  • the conveyor 3 is guided installation according along a number of wheels 7 one or more of which can be driven for the locomotion of the conveyor.
  • the path of the conveyor 3 within the sterile space 2 consists of a first part 8 in which the containers are moved in a downwardly inclined position and a second part 9 in which the containers are moved in a substantially erect position.
  • the conveyor 3 extends under the liquid level of a disinfectant bath 10 situated on the side of the feeding station 4, and of a disinfectant bath 11, situated on the side of the discharge station 5.
  • the housing 1 at the location of these baths 10 and 11 is partially open and the walls 12 and 13 of this housing are immersed into the baths 1t and 11 respectively in order to form a scaling for the sterile space 2.
  • a duct 14 provided with four mouths 15, situated within the space 2, serves for the continuous supply to this space of sterilized substance with which the containers 6 are to be filled.
  • Filling is effected by a distributor 16 which is synchronously moved with the conveyor 3.
  • this distributor 16 consists of an endless belt, formed by a row of pivotally interconnected funnels 17, the lowermost part of the belt being substantially parallel to the second portion 9 of the conveyor path.
  • sterile space 2 Disposed within the sterile space 2 are means 18 for providing a closure on the containers 6. Under the portion 9 of the path is a catch plate 19 with a discharge duct 20 for catching and discharging the substance, if any, which has left the months 15 but has not entered the containers 6. Connected to the space 2 is a blower 21, feeding sterile air at a light overpressure to the space 2. A steam inlet 22 for the sterilization of the entire instal lation after a normal cleansing, and further a safety 23 are both connected to the space 2.
  • the feeder station 4 is provided with a tank 24 containing liquid disinfectant which is fed by way of a duct 25 to the first row of containers 6 fed on a table 26. There is further provided a tube 27 for feeding the containers 6 to carriers 28 of the conveyor 3. Above the portion of the conveyor 3 situated at the left in FIGURE 1 and in the bath is a guide plate 29 for holding the containers 6 under the liquid level of the bath 10, this plate 29 extending also along the portion 8 of the path in order to support the containers in their downwardly inclined position.
  • the discharge station 5 is provided with slanting rails 30 for gradually lifting the containers 6 from the conveyor portion at the right hand side in FIG. 1.
  • a port shaped passage or tunnel 31 at the level of the surface of the bath, the said passage permitting passage of the containers, slightly projecting from the bath.
  • a discharge chain 32 which is synchronized with the conveyor 3 for the purpose of gradually taking over the feeding function of the conveyor 3 whereby the containers 6 are carried on the rails 30 towards the curved end 33.
  • Under this end 33 is a conventional device 34 for periodically receiving the foremost row of filled and closed containers 6 for transporting this row to another conveyor 35.
  • Ducts 36 and 37 ensure that the level in the bath 11 remains at the desired height.
  • the operation of the installation is as follows.
  • the sterilized containers 6 are fed on the table 26.
  • the foremost container by way of the duct 25 is filled with disinfectant liquid from the tank 24.
  • the foremost container falls by way of the tube 27 in a carrier 28 of the conveyor 3 and is thus entirely submerged in the liquid of the bath 10.
  • a possible upward movement of the containers 6 is impeded by the plate 29.
  • the containers subsequently pass in the portion 8 of the path situated within the sterile space 2.
  • the disinfectant flows from the containers in this portion of the path and are speed in the same direction.
  • the sterilized substance is continuously supplied by way of the duct 14 and the mouths 15.
  • each mouth 15 is determined in such manner that on passing a funnel 17 the influx therein is exactly a quarter of the volume of a container 6. In this way the containers 6 are gradually filled as is visible in FIGURE 1.
  • the substance supplied through the mouths 15 flows off by way of the catch plate 19 and the duct 20 to a sterilizer (not shown) in order to be sterilized again.
  • the container 6 is closed by means of the device 18 which, in the embodiment represented in the drawing, insures that a sterile closure is provided on the bottle 6.
  • the containers 6 leave the sterile space 2 by way of the port or tunnel 31.
  • the sealing of this space in respect of the atmosphere is partially effected by the bath 11 and for the rest by the sterilized air which is flowing from the tunnel 31 and around the upper portion of the containers 6 so that the atmosphere cannot penetrate the space 2.
  • the filled and closed containers are further conveyed by way of the discharge chain 32 and the rails 30.
  • the conveyor 3 together with the carriers 28 remain under the liquid level of the bath 11, where the remainder, if any, of the filling substance is Washed away.
  • the conveyor passes through the sterile space 2 via the paths 8, 9 and thereupon submerges again in the bath 10, after which the cycle is repeated. Since the conveyor 3, apart from the sterile space 2, is never moving above the liquid level of the disinfectant baths 10 and 11, the risk of infection of the conveyor is eliminated.
  • the conveyor 3 according to FIG. 1 is always represented with a single carrier 23, but it will be obvious that a row of a number of carriers may be arranged for receiving the containers fed in a row of an equal number on the table 26.
  • FIGURES 2-5 corresponds essentially with that according to FIG. 1 and corresponding elements are therefore denoted by the same references.
  • the most important differences are the modified construction of the distributor 16, the provision of only one disinfectant bath and the lateral feeding and discharging of the containers.
  • the distributor 16 consists in this case of a rotatable annular element 50 with outflow openings 51. Above element 50 is situated the mouth 15 of the feed duct 14.
  • the conveyor portion 52 is in the shape of an arc of a circle extending under element 50.
  • the element 50 consists of a number of funnels 53, arranged in an annular configuration and adjoining one another.
  • the conveyor 3 according to this modification does not move in a single plane as in the installation according to FIG. 1 but in two planes, as is best seen in the plan view according to FIGURE 5.
  • the conveyor 3 only passes through the disinfectant bath since the rest of the conveyor does not leave the sterile space 2 as is the case according to the first embodiment.
  • the containers 6 are fed at the location of the station 4 in the same way as according to the embodiment represented in FIG. 1, except laterally, as is best seen in FIG. 5. Discharging at the location of the station is also effected laterally by means of guide rails 54, which push the containers sidewise from the U-shaped carriers 28, so that the said containers land on the discharge track 55. Due to the slight overpressure in the space 2 a small quantity of sterile air is escaping continuously through this discharge region, so that nothing can penetrate into this space from the outside.
  • An installation for filling with a sterilized substance and for subsequent closing of continuously fed sterilized containers comprising a sterile space, a conveyor, a portion of which is capable of movement within the said space, and a station, situated outside of the sterile space, for feeding containers to the conveyor, a duct provided with at least one mouth for feeding continuously the sterilized substance to the said space, a distributor arranged to move synchronously with the conveyor, the said distributor being disposed between the conveyor and each mouth of the duct, and serving to fill the containers with sterilized substance, further means for providing a closure on the containers, said movable distributor consisting of an endless belt, formed by a row of pivotally interconnected filling funnels, one part of the belt being substantially parallel to a portion of the conveyor path which is within the sterile space.
  • An installation for filling continuously fed sterilized containers with a sterilized substance and for subsequent closing of said containers comprising a sterile space, a conveyor, a portion of which is capable of movement within the said space, and a station, situated outside of the sterile space, for feeding containers to the conveyor, a duct provided with at least one month for feeding continuously the sterilized substance to the said space, a distributor arranged for moving synchronously with the conveyor, the said distributor being disposed between the conveyor and each mouth of the duct, and serving to fill the containers with sterilized substance, further means for providing a closure on the containers, said movable distributor consisting of an endless belt, formed by a row of pivotally interconnected filling funnels, one part of the belt being substantially parallel to a portion of the conveyor path which is within the sterile space, the entering of the conveyor into the sterile space at the location of the feeder station and the leaving of said conveyor out of said space at the location of the discharge station both take place through a disinfectant bath which is within said
  • a method as claimed in claim- 8 comprising filling the containers with a disinfectant liquid before introduction into the sterilizing b ath.
  • a method of sterilizing and filling containers with a sterilized substance comprising immersing successive open upright containers containing a sterilized fluid into a sterilized bath, continuously advancing the containers While still upright through said bath into a sterile atmosphere, inverting the containers in said atmosphere to discharge any sterilized fluid therein and leave the containers empty, reinverting the containers to upright position, filling the containers with a sterilized substance while in said sterile atmosphere and while the containers are continuously advancing, sealing the containers while in said atmosphere and discharging the thus filled and sterilized containers from said atmosphere.
  • a method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said containers are filled by advancing individual distributors in synchronism with respective containers along linear parallel paths and successively introducing into each individual distributor a portion of the total quantity of material to be filled into each container as the distributor advances with its associated container.
  • a method as claimed in claim 11 comprising collecting any overflow of substance from said containers in said sterile atmosphere and discharging such substance outside said atmosphere.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Description

g- 1967 J. B. VAN DER WINDEN 3,336,722 METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR FILLING STERILIZED CONTAINERS IN,A STERILE SPACE WITH A STERILIZED SUBSTANCE AND SUBSEQUENT CLOSURE OF SAID CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 10, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l "wing-r on N O m v 9. it C a l N O 91 m N- Hz 3 w z 82 r 3- g 1' m w m Ag N I: N
(D N\.. R h :1 a
ER WINDEN ATION FOR FILLING ST SPACE WITH A S T AND SUBSEQUENT CLOSURE Aug. 22, 1967 J. B. VAN D METHOD AND INSTALL OF SAID CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 10
United States Patent 3,336,722 METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR FILLING STERILIZED CONTAINERS IN A STERILE SPACE WITH A STERILIZED SUBSTANCE AND SUBSEQUENT CLOSURE 0F SAID CONTAINERS Johannes B. van der Winden, Amstelveen, Netherlands, assignor to Gebr. Stork & Co.s Apparatenfahriek N.V., Amsterdam, Netherlands Filed Sept. 10, 1963, Ser. No. 307,956 Claims priority, application Netherlands, Sept. 17, 1962, 283,313 14 Claims. (Cl. 53-37) The invention relates to a method for filling sterilized containers in a sterile space with a sterilized substance, Whereafter said containers are closed. Various methods have been attempted, but due to the fact that so far it has not been possible to eliminate completely the risk of reinfection on filling and closing, it has been deemed necessary to carry out a second sterilization of the filled containers in order to be sure of the storage qualities of the substance in the containers.
It is an object of the invention to provide a continuous method in which the second sterilization required heretofore is eliminated.
The invention also contemplates operating with a sterilized substance and containers, so as to obtain in one process a product with unlimited storage qualities.
The substance to be put in the containers may be a liquid like milk for instance, but a granular or powdery product can be treated as well by the method according to the invention. The expression containers is used here in the generic sense and includes bottles, tins and the like.
The invention relates further to an installation for filling containers with a sterilized substance and for subsequent closing of continuously fed sterilized containers, the said installation comprising a sterile space, a conveyor, a portion of which is capable of movement within the said space, and a station, situated outside of the sterile space, for feeding containers to the conveyor. An object of the invention further consists in providing as installation which makes it possible to obtain a continuous process wherein any possibility of reinfection during filling and closing is eliminated.
A further object of the invention is to avoid any risk of infection from the outside of the sterile space owing to the conveyor extending beyond this space.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation a specific form in which the invention may be embodied.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of a first embodiment of the invention, the side walls being removed for the sake of clarity;
FIG. 2 shows the same view of an to a second embodiment;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along the lines III-III and IV-1V, respectively in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the installation according to FIG. 2, the upper wall being removed.
As is visible in FIG. 1 the installation consists of a housing 1, enclosing a sterile space 2. Provided in this housing is a conveyor 3 which partially is situated within the said space 2. There is further a feeding station 4 and a discharge station 5 for the containers 6, which in this case are constituted by bottles. The conveyor 3 is guided installation according along a number of wheels 7 one or more of which can be driven for the locomotion of the conveyor.
The path of the conveyor 3 within the sterile space 2 consists of a first part 8 in which the containers are moved in a downwardly inclined position and a second part 9 in which the containers are moved in a substantially erect position. For the rest of the path the conveyor 3 extends under the liquid level of a disinfectant bath 10 situated on the side of the feeding station 4, and of a disinfectant bath 11, situated on the side of the discharge station 5. The housing 1 at the location of these baths 10 and 11 is partially open and the walls 12 and 13 of this housing are immersed into the baths 1t and 11 respectively in order to form a scaling for the sterile space 2.
A duct 14 provided with four mouths 15, situated within the space 2, serves for the continuous supply to this space of sterilized substance with which the containers 6 are to be filled. Filling is effected by a distributor 16 which is synchronously moved with the conveyor 3. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1 this distributor 16 consists of an endless belt, formed by a row of pivotally interconnected funnels 17, the lowermost part of the belt being substantially parallel to the second portion 9 of the conveyor path.
Disposed within the sterile space 2 are means 18 for providing a closure on the containers 6. Under the portion 9 of the path is a catch plate 19 with a discharge duct 20 for catching and discharging the substance, if any, which has left the months 15 but has not entered the containers 6. Connected to the space 2 is a blower 21, feeding sterile air at a light overpressure to the space 2. A steam inlet 22 for the sterilization of the entire instal lation after a normal cleansing, and further a safety 23 are both connected to the space 2.
The feeder station 4 is provided with a tank 24 containing liquid disinfectant which is fed by way of a duct 25 to the first row of containers 6 fed on a table 26. There is further provided a tube 27 for feeding the containers 6 to carriers 28 of the conveyor 3. Above the portion of the conveyor 3 situated at the left in FIGURE 1 and in the bath is a guide plate 29 for holding the containers 6 under the liquid level of the bath 10, this plate 29 extending also along the portion 8 of the path in order to support the containers in their downwardly inclined position.
The discharge station 5 is provided with slanting rails 30 for gradually lifting the containers 6 from the conveyor portion at the right hand side in FIG. 1. Provided in the wall 13 of the sterile space 2 is a port shaped passage or tunnel 31 at the level of the surface of the bath, the said passage permitting passage of the containers, slightly projecting from the bath. There is further provided a discharge chain 32, which is synchronized with the conveyor 3 for the purpose of gradually taking over the feeding function of the conveyor 3 whereby the containers 6 are carried on the rails 30 towards the curved end 33. Under this end 33 is a conventional device 34 for periodically receiving the foremost row of filled and closed containers 6 for transporting this row to another conveyor 35. Ducts 36 and 37 ensure that the level in the bath 11 remains at the desired height.
The operation of the installation is as follows. The sterilized containers 6 are fed on the table 26. The foremost container by way of the duct 25 is filled with disinfectant liquid from the tank 24. On account of its own weight the foremost container falls by way of the tube 27 in a carrier 28 of the conveyor 3 and is thus entirely submerged in the liquid of the bath 10. During the further advance of the conveyor 3 a possible upward movement of the containers 6 is impeded by the plate 29. The containers subsequently pass in the portion 8 of the path situated within the sterile space 2. The disinfectant flows from the containers in this portion of the path and are speed in the same direction. The sterilized substance is continuously supplied by way of the duct 14 and the mouths 15. The capacity of each mouth 15 is determined in such manner that on passing a funnel 17 the influx therein is exactly a quarter of the volume of a container 6. In this way the containers 6 are gradually filled as is visible in FIGURE 1. In the event of stoppage or slowdown in feeding the containers, the substance supplied through the mouths 15 flows off by way of the catch plate 19 and the duct 20 to a sterilizer (not shown) in order to be sterilized again.
The container 6 is closed by means of the device 18 which, in the embodiment represented in the drawing, insures that a sterile closure is provided on the bottle 6. The containers 6 leave the sterile space 2 by way of the port or tunnel 31. The sealing of this space in respect of the atmosphere is partially effected by the bath 11 and for the rest by the sterilized air which is flowing from the tunnel 31 and around the upper portion of the containers 6 so that the atmosphere cannot penetrate the space 2.
The filled and closed containers are further conveyed by way of the discharge chain 32 and the rails 30. The conveyor 3 together with the carriers 28 remain under the liquid level of the bath 11, where the remainder, if any, of the filling substance is Washed away. The conveyor passes through the sterile space 2 via the paths 8, 9 and thereupon submerges again in the bath 10, after which the cycle is repeated. Since the conveyor 3, apart from the sterile space 2, is never moving above the liquid level of the disinfectant baths 10 and 11, the risk of infection of the conveyor is eliminated.
The conveyor 3 according to FIG. 1 is always represented with a single carrier 23, but it will be obvious that a row of a number of carriers may be arranged for receiving the containers fed in a row of an equal number on the table 26.
The installation according to FIGURES 2-5 corresponds essentially with that according to FIG. 1 and corresponding elements are therefore denoted by the same references. The most important differences are the modified construction of the distributor 16, the provision of only one disinfectant bath and the lateral feeding and discharging of the containers.
The distributor 16 consists in this case of a rotatable annular element 50 with outflow openings 51. Above element 50 is situated the mouth 15 of the feed duct 14. The conveyor portion 52 is in the shape of an arc of a circle extending under element 50. The element 50 consists of a number of funnels 53, arranged in an annular configuration and adjoining one another.
The conveyor 3 according to this modification does not move in a single plane as in the installation according to FIG. 1 but in two planes, as is best seen in the plan view according to FIGURE 5. The conveyor 3 only passes through the disinfectant bath since the rest of the conveyor does not leave the sterile space 2 as is the case according to the first embodiment.
The containers 6 are fed at the location of the station 4 in the same way as according to the embodiment represented in FIG. 1, except laterally, as is best seen in FIG. 5. Discharging at the location of the station is also effected laterally by means of guide rails 54, which push the containers sidewise from the U-shaped carriers 28, so that the said containers land on the discharge track 55. Due to the slight overpressure in the space 2 a small quantity of sterile air is escaping continuously through this discharge region, so that nothing can penetrate into this space from the outside.
been shown and described, it
It should be noted that the conveyor 3 of the installation according to FIGS. 2-5 contrary to the conveyor in the first embodiment, which only needs to pivot in a single plane, must be capable of pivotal movement in two planes, which are perpendicular to one another. I
While preferred embodiments of the invention have is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
What I claim is:
1. An installation for filling with a sterilized substance and for subsequent closing of continuously fed sterilized containers, the said installation comprising a sterile space, a conveyor, a portion of which is capable of movement within the said space, and a station, situated outside of the sterile space, for feeding containers to the conveyor, a duct provided with at least one mouth for feeding continuously the sterilized substance to the said space, a distributor arranged to move synchronously with the conveyor, the said distributor being disposed between the conveyor and each mouth of the duct, and serving to fill the containers with sterilized substance, further means for providing a closure on the containers, said movable distributor consisting of an endless belt, formed by a row of pivotally interconnected filling funnels, one part of the belt being substantially parallel to a portion of the conveyor path which is within the sterile space.
2. An installation according to claim 1 in which the conveyor is composed of a number of pivotally interconnected carriers, each carrier being capable of supporting one container.
3. An installation according to claim 1, whereby the entering of the conveyor into the sterile space at the location of the feeder station and the leaving of said conveyor out of said space at the location of the discharge station both take place through a disinfectant bath in said space.
4. An installation according to claim 3, whereby the conveyor, except for its path within the sterile space, extends under the liquid level of the disinfectant bath.
5. An installation according to claim 4, whereby the conveyor path within the sterile space consists of a first part in which the containers are moved in a downwardly inclined position, and a second part in which the containers are moved in a substantially erect position.
6. An installation for filling continuously fed sterilized containers with a sterilized substance and for subsequent closing of said containers, the said installation comprising a sterile space, a conveyor, a portion of which is capable of movement within the said space, and a station, situated outside of the sterile space, for feeding containers to the conveyor, a duct provided with at least one month for feeding continuously the sterilized substance to the said space, a distributor arranged for moving synchronously with the conveyor, the said distributor being disposed between the conveyor and each mouth of the duct, and serving to fill the containers with sterilized substance, further means for providing a closure on the containers, said movable distributor consisting of an endless belt, formed by a row of pivotally interconnected filling funnels, one part of the belt being substantially parallel to a portion of the conveyor path which is within the sterile space, the entering of the conveyor into the sterile space at the location of the feeder station and the leaving of said conveyor out of said space at the location of the discharge station both take place through a disinfectant bath which is within said space, the feeder station being provided with means for filling the supplied containers with a disinfectant before the same are placed on the conveyor.
7. An installation according to claim 6, whereby means are provided for maintaining an overpressure in the sterile space.
8. A method for filling a sterilized substance into sterilized containers and subsequently closing said containers,
comprising the steps of conveying said substance in a continuous flow to a delivery mouth in a sterile space, feeding said substance from said mouth to a distributor constituted by a number of buckets moving continuously in a closed path within said sterile space, advancing empty containers from a supply outside the sterile space through a sterilizing bath into said space, moving said containers under a part of the path of the distributor in synchronism with said distributor, such that each container com- Inunicates with a respective bucket, the speed of the distributor being correlated with the feed rate of the substance, so that each bucket during its period of cooperation with the delivery mouth receives a quantity of substance equal to that to be filled in one container, said quantity being transferred to the associated container while the latter travels through said common part of the path of the distributor.
9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the containers are advanced from said supply and discharged from said sterile space along a path which is substantially disposed in a vertical plane.
10. A method as claimed in claim- 8 comprising filling the containers with a disinfectant liquid before introduction into the sterilizing b ath.
11. A method of sterilizing and filling containers with a sterilized substance, said method comprising immersing successive open upright containers containing a sterilized fluid into a sterilized bath, continuously advancing the containers While still upright through said bath into a sterile atmosphere, inverting the containers in said atmosphere to discharge any sterilized fluid therein and leave the containers empty, reinverting the containers to upright position, filling the containers with a sterilized substance while in said sterile atmosphere and while the containers are continuously advancing, sealing the containers while in said atmosphere and discharging the thus filled and sterilized containers from said atmosphere.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said containers are filled by advancing individual distributors in synchronism with respective containers along linear parallel paths and successively introducing into each individual distributor a portion of the total quantity of material to be filled into each container as the distributor advances with its associated container.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said containers are advanced along a descending slope as they are being filled.
14. A method as claimed in claim 11 comprising collecting any overflow of substance from said containers in said sterile atmosphere and discharging such substance outside said atmosphere.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,734,585 11/1929 Ladewig et al 2180 2,188,306 1/1940 Murch 53-94 2,380,984 8/1945 Moeller 53-37 X 2,753,099 7/1956 Jenner et al l41131 X TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner. FRANK E. BAILEY, Examiner. R. L. FARRIS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

11. A METHOD OF STERILIZING AND FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A STERILIZED SUBSTANCE, SAID METHOD COMPRISING IMMERSING SUCCESSIVE OPEN UPRIGHT CONTAINERS CONTAINING A STERILIZED FLUID INTO A STERILIZED BATH, CONTINUOUSLY ADVANCING THE CONTAINERS WHILE STILL UPRIGHT THROUGH SAID BATH INTO A STERILE ATMOSPHERE, INVERTING THE CONTAINERS IN SAID ATMOSPHERE TO DISCHARGE ANY STERILIZED FLUID THEREIN AND LEAVE THE CONTAINERS EMPTY, REINVERTING THE CONTAINERS TO UPRIGHT POSITION, FILLING THE CONTAINERS WITH A STERILIZED SUBSTANCE WHILE IN SAID STERILE ATMOSPHERE AND WHILE THE CONTAINERS ARE CONTINUOUSLY ADVANCING, SEALING THE CONTAINERS WHILE IN SAID ATMOSPHERE AND DISCHARGING THE THUS FILLED AND
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Cited By (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3694997A (en) * 1970-07-10 1972-10-03 A E J Corp Food packaging machine with synchronized drive mechanism
EP0120789A2 (en) * 1983-03-24 1984-10-03 SOCIETE des EAUX de VOLVIC Method for the aseptic cold filling of containers, in particular synthetic ones, bottles or the like, with beverages, especially those based on fruit juices
US4566251A (en) * 1985-01-07 1986-01-28 Ex-Cell-O Corporation Carton forming, sterilizing, filling and sealing machine
US4807421A (en) * 1985-07-19 1989-02-28 Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Equipment for handling various containers
US4936072A (en) * 1988-10-24 1990-06-26 Fmc Corporation Container filler and sealer with two directional flexing chain
US4963335A (en) * 1988-05-06 1990-10-16 Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Sterilizing apparatus
US5074104A (en) * 1987-10-30 1991-12-24 Olivier Desjonqueres Device for processing products in a controlled atmosphere and at a controlled temperature and particularly food products
US5122340A (en) * 1988-05-10 1992-06-16 Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Method of sterilizing laminated packaging material
US5262126A (en) * 1988-05-10 1993-11-16 Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Method of sterilizing laminated packaging material
US6185910B1 (en) * 1997-07-24 2001-02-13 Krones Ag Method and an apparatus for high-purity bottling of beverages
US6298638B1 (en) 1997-04-21 2001-10-09 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. System for blow-molding, filling and capping containers
USRE37471E1 (en) 1994-03-02 2001-12-18 Robert Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc. Vial filling apparatus
US6561203B2 (en) * 2000-02-08 2003-05-13 Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Container cleaning, draining and drying apparatus
US20030159753A1 (en) * 2000-06-27 2003-08-28 Jean-Pierre Maria Installation for filling and packaging hollow bodies
USRE38747E1 (en) 1994-03-02 2005-06-28 Robert Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc. Vial filling apparatus
US20060086065A1 (en) * 2004-09-02 2006-04-27 Richard Tomalesky Apparatus and method of sterile filling of containers
US20110108156A1 (en) * 2009-11-09 2011-05-12 Krones Ag Apparatus and Method of Labelling Filled Containers
US20110225931A1 (en) * 2007-08-07 2011-09-22 Mars Incorporated Method and apparatus for packing a material in a packing container
DE102010032601A1 (en) * 2010-07-28 2012-02-02 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Linear sterilization module for use in container treatment machine for sterilizing container that is utilized for storing of food in food packaging industry, has treatment elements for moving along with container
WO2012034063A1 (en) * 2010-09-10 2012-03-15 Pepsico, Inc. Prevention of agglomeration of particles during sterilization processes
CN103879945A (en) * 2014-04-08 2014-06-25 金高波 Automatic forming filling and sealing machine for plastic oral liquid bottles
US9120587B2 (en) 2010-09-10 2015-09-01 Pepsico, Inc. In-package non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation sterilization
US20170036388A1 (en) * 2008-08-18 2017-02-09 Krones Ag Apparatus for shaping plastic preforms, comprising a sterile chamber
US20170081065A1 (en) * 2015-09-21 2017-03-23 Scholle Corporation Pouch Cleaning Assembly For An Aseptic Filler
US20180170588A1 (en) * 2014-03-21 2018-06-21 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Machine and Method for Producing Electronic-Cigarette Cartridges
US10006714B2 (en) 2007-08-07 2018-06-26 Mars, Incorporated Apparatus for drying a material
CN112707364A (en) * 2020-12-03 2021-04-27 常秋利 Automatic canning device
US11999519B2 (en) 2022-08-04 2024-06-04 Scholle Ipn Corporation Filler assembly and method of filling a pouch

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Cited By (42)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3694997A (en) * 1970-07-10 1972-10-03 A E J Corp Food packaging machine with synchronized drive mechanism
EP0120789A2 (en) * 1983-03-24 1984-10-03 SOCIETE des EAUX de VOLVIC Method for the aseptic cold filling of containers, in particular synthetic ones, bottles or the like, with beverages, especially those based on fruit juices
EP0120789A3 (en) * 1983-03-24 1985-08-21 SOCIETE des EAUX de VOLVIC Method for the aseptic cold filling of containers, in particular synthetic ones, bottles or the like, with beverages, especially those based on fruit juices
US4566251A (en) * 1985-01-07 1986-01-28 Ex-Cell-O Corporation Carton forming, sterilizing, filling and sealing machine
AU573060B2 (en) * 1985-01-07 1988-05-26 Ex-Cell-O Corporation Carton forming, sterilizing, filling and sealing machine
US4807421A (en) * 1985-07-19 1989-02-28 Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Equipment for handling various containers
US5074104A (en) * 1987-10-30 1991-12-24 Olivier Desjonqueres Device for processing products in a controlled atmosphere and at a controlled temperature and particularly food products
US4963335A (en) * 1988-05-06 1990-10-16 Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Sterilizing apparatus
US5122340A (en) * 1988-05-10 1992-06-16 Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Method of sterilizing laminated packaging material
US5262126A (en) * 1988-05-10 1993-11-16 Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Method of sterilizing laminated packaging material
US4936072A (en) * 1988-10-24 1990-06-26 Fmc Corporation Container filler and sealer with two directional flexing chain
USRE37471E1 (en) 1994-03-02 2001-12-18 Robert Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc. Vial filling apparatus
USRE38747E1 (en) 1994-03-02 2005-06-28 Robert Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc. Vial filling apparatus
US6298638B1 (en) 1997-04-21 2001-10-09 Graham Packaging Company, L.P. System for blow-molding, filling and capping containers
US6185910B1 (en) * 1997-07-24 2001-02-13 Krones Ag Method and an apparatus for high-purity bottling of beverages
US6561203B2 (en) * 2000-02-08 2003-05-13 Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Container cleaning, draining and drying apparatus
US6920905B2 (en) * 2000-06-27 2005-07-26 Societe Developpement Industriel Installation for filling and packaging hollow bodies
US20030159753A1 (en) * 2000-06-27 2003-08-28 Jean-Pierre Maria Installation for filling and packaging hollow bodies
US20060086065A1 (en) * 2004-09-02 2006-04-27 Richard Tomalesky Apparatus and method of sterile filling of containers
US7322170B2 (en) * 2004-09-02 2008-01-29 Mediatech, Inc. Apparatus and method of sterile filling of containers
US20110225931A1 (en) * 2007-08-07 2011-09-22 Mars Incorporated Method and apparatus for packing a material in a packing container
US10113794B2 (en) 2007-08-07 2018-10-30 Mars, Incorporated Method for drying a material
AU2008285922B2 (en) * 2007-08-07 2012-08-09 Mars Incorporated Method and apparatus for packing a material in a packing container
US10006714B2 (en) 2007-08-07 2018-06-26 Mars, Incorporated Apparatus for drying a material
US8484933B2 (en) * 2007-08-07 2013-07-16 Mars, Inc. Method and apparatus for packing a material in a packing container
US20170036388A1 (en) * 2008-08-18 2017-02-09 Krones Ag Apparatus for shaping plastic preforms, comprising a sterile chamber
US10486357B2 (en) * 2008-08-18 2019-11-26 Krones Ag Apparatus for shaping plastic preforms, comprising a sterile chamber
US20110108156A1 (en) * 2009-11-09 2011-05-12 Krones Ag Apparatus and Method of Labelling Filled Containers
DE102010032601A1 (en) * 2010-07-28 2012-02-02 Krones Aktiengesellschaft Linear sterilization module for use in container treatment machine for sterilizing container that is utilized for storing of food in food packaging industry, has treatment elements for moving along with container
US9067773B2 (en) 2010-09-10 2015-06-30 Pepsico, Inc. Prevention of agglomeration of particles during sterilization processes
US9120587B2 (en) 2010-09-10 2015-09-01 Pepsico, Inc. In-package non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation sterilization
WO2012034063A1 (en) * 2010-09-10 2012-03-15 Pepsico, Inc. Prevention of agglomeration of particles during sterilization processes
CN103189301A (en) * 2010-09-10 2013-07-03 百事可乐公司 Prevention of agglomeration of particles during sterilization processes
US20180170588A1 (en) * 2014-03-21 2018-06-21 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Machine and Method for Producing Electronic-Cigarette Cartridges
US10850874B2 (en) * 2014-03-21 2020-12-01 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Machine and method for producing electronic-cigarette cartridges
CN103879945A (en) * 2014-04-08 2014-06-25 金高波 Automatic forming filling and sealing machine for plastic oral liquid bottles
CN103879945B (en) * 2014-04-08 2016-02-17 金高波 A kind of oral liquid plastic bottle automatic moulding filling and sealing machine
US9737913B2 (en) * 2015-09-21 2017-08-22 Scholle Ipn Corporation Pouch cleaning assembly for an aseptic filler
US20170081065A1 (en) * 2015-09-21 2017-03-23 Scholle Corporation Pouch Cleaning Assembly For An Aseptic Filler
CN112707364A (en) * 2020-12-03 2021-04-27 常秋利 Automatic canning device
CN112707364B (en) * 2020-12-03 2023-12-08 石台依然农产品有限公司 Automatic canning device
US11999519B2 (en) 2022-08-04 2024-06-04 Scholle Ipn Corporation Filler assembly and method of filling a pouch

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DE1492476A1 (en) 1969-12-18
GB1023046A (en) 1966-03-16

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