Method and Filling Machine for Filling Packages That Are Open on One Side

Abstract

Described and depicted is a method for filling packages that are open on one side, in particular cardboard composite packages, with free-flowing products, in particular foodstuffs, in a filling machine. In order to allow the heating, sterilisation and/or drying to be carried out at high throughputs more reliably and with less complexity in terms of the equipment and/or method, it is provided that preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent is introduced into the packages that are open on one side and that a volume of preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent, said volume corresponding to at least three times the volume of the package that is open on one side, is introduced into at least one, preferably at least substantially each, package that is open on one side.

Claims

1. A method for filling packages that are open on one side in the form of cardboard composite packages consisting of a laminate comprising a cardboard layer and outer thermoplastic plastic layers made of polyethylene, with free-flowing products, in particular foodstuffs, in a filling machine, in which preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent is introduced into the packages that are open on one side, in which the packages that are open on one side are transported stepwise through the filling machine and are held in a plurality of successively arranged processing positions to be subjected to preheating air and/or in a plurality of successively arranged processing positions to be subjected to drying air and/or in a plurality of successively arranged processing positions to be subjected to sterilising agent, and in which a volume of preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent, said volume corresponding to at least three times the volume of the package that is open on one side, is introduced into at least one, preferably at least substantially each, package that is open on one side.

2. The method according to claim 1, in which a volume of preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent, said volume corresponding to at least four times, preferably at least six times, in particular at least ten times, more preferably at least fifteen times, more particularly at least twenty times the volume of the package that is open on one side, is introduced into at least one, preferably at least substantially each, package that is open on one side.

3. The method according to claim 1, in which a volume of preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent, said volume corresponding to at least three times, preferably at least four times, in particular at least six times, more preferably at least ten times, more particularly at least fifteen times, as necessary at least twenty times the volume of the package that is open on one side, is introduced into the packages that are open on one side at least one, in at least one processing station, respectively.

4. The method according to claim 3, in which the packages that are open on one side are held in at least two, preferably at least three, in particular at least four successively arranged processing positions to be subjected to preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent.

5. The method according to claim 1, in which the packages that are open on one side are subjected to a volumetric flow rate of preheating air and/or drying air and/or sterilising agent of at least 4 m.sup.3/h, preferably at least 9 m.sup.3/h, in particular at least 15 m.sup.3/h, more particularly at least 20 m.sup.3/h.

6. The method according to claim 1, in which the packages that are open on one side are subjected to preheating air at a temperature of between 80° C. and 340° C., preferably between 80° C. and 260° C., drying air at a temperature of between 80° C. and 340° C., preferably between 80° C. and 260° C. and/or sterilising agent at a temperature of between 170° C. and 340° C., preferably between 220° C. and 290° C., in particular between 260° C. and 280° C.

7. The method according to claim 1, in which preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent is introduced from above via at least one nozzle into the packages that are open on one side, and in which, preferably, the at least one nozzle, during the introduction of the preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent into the package, is positioned eccentrically relative to the package that is open on one side.

8. The method according to claim 7, in which, during the introduction of the preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent into the package, the centre of the nozzle opening, preferably the entire nozzle opening, in particular by at least the width of a nozzle opening, is arranged laterally next to the central longitudinal axis of the package that is open on one side, and in which, preferably, the nozzle opening is assigned to one side and/or one edge of the package that is open on one side.

9. The method according to claim 7, in which the at least one nozzle, in particular the nozzle opening thereof, is arranged offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the package that is open on one side in a direction parallel and/or perpendicular to the transport direction of the packages and/or in which preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent are introduced successively from above via at least two nozzles into the packages that are open on one side.

10. The method according to claim 9, in which the at least two nozzles, during the introduction of the preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent into the package, are respectively positioned eccentrically relative to the package that is open on one side, and in which, preferably, at least two nozzles arranged mirror-symmetrically in relation to the package that is open on one side.

11. The method according to any one of claim 7, in which the packages that are open on one side are transported stepwise through the filling machine and in which the packages that are open on one side are at times positioned in a stationary manner under at least one, preferably also stationary, nozzle.

12. The method according to claim 7, in which, during the introduction of preheating air into at least two consecutive packages that are open on one side using at least one nozzle, the preheating air flows out of the at least one nozzle at an at least substantially constant volumetric flow rate and/or in which, during the introduction of drying air into at least two consecutive packages that are open on one side using at least one nozzle, the drying air flows out of the at least one nozzle at an at least substantially constant volumetric flow rate and/or in which, during the introduction of sterilising agent into at least two consecutive packages that are open on one side using at least one nozzle, the sterilising agent flows out of the at least one nozzle at an at least substantially constant volumetric flow rate.

13. A filling machine for filling packages that are open on one side in the form of cardboard composite packages consisting of a laminate comprising a cardboard layer and outer thermoplastic plastic layers made of polyethylene, with free-flowing products, in particular foodstuffs, wherein at least one nozzle is provided for introducing preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent from above into the package that is open on one side, and wherein a transport device is provided for transporting the packages that are open on one side stepwise through the filling machine and for holding in a plurality of successively arranged processing positions for the subjecting to preheating air and/or in a plurality of successively arranged processing positions for the subjecting to drying air and/or in a plurality of successively arranged processing positions for the subjecting to sterilising agent, characterised in that adjustment means and introduction means are provided for introducing a volume of preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent, said volume corresponding to at least three times the volume of the package that is open on one side, into at least one, preferably at least substantially each, package that is open on one side.

14. The filling machine according to claim 13, characterised in that adjustment means and introduction means are provided for introducing a volume of preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent, said volume corresponding to at least four times, preferably at least six times, in particular at least ten times, more preferably at least fifteen times, more particularly at least twenty times the volume of the package that is open on one side, into the at least one, preferably at least substantially each, package that is open on one side.

15. The filling machine according to claim 13, characterised in that the transport device is designed to position the packages that are open on one side eccentrically relative to the at least one nozzle for introducing preheating air, drying air, sterilising agent and/or product to be filled into the packages and in that, preferably, the transport device comprises a cell chain with cells or a belt drive with cells or a direct drive with cells for receiving packages that are open on one side, and in particular for stepwise transport of the packages that are open on one side through the filling machine, wherein, more preferably, the cell chain is designed to position the packages that are open on one side, in at least one step, eccentrically under the at least one nozzle for introducing preheating air, drying air, sterilising agent and/or product to be filled into the packages.

16. The filling machine according to claim 13, characterised in that at least two nozzles are provided for successively introducing preheating air, drying air, sterilising agent and/or product to be filled from above into the packages that are open on one side, and in that, preferably, the at least two nozzles, during the introduction of the preheating air, drying air, sterilising agent and/or product to be filled into the package that is open on one side, are respectively positioned eccentrically relative to the package that is open on one side.

Description

[0052] The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of drawings illustrating only exemplary embodiments, wherein

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a filling machine according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention in a schematic side view,

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the filling machine in a schematic side view,

[0055] FIGS. 3A-B show the introduction of preheating air, drying air, sterilising agent and/or product to be filled in a schematic side view and a schematic plan view and

[0056] FIG. 4 shows an arrangement of adjustment means and introduction means for introducing a volume of preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent into the packages that are open on one side in a schematic representation.

[0057] FIG. 1 depicts a filling machine 1 for filling packages 2, in particular with free-flowing foodstuffs, which in this case comprises a device 3 for forming the packages 2 to be filled. Generally, however, it is also possible for the filling machine to be fed the packages 2 that are open on one side and are already to be filled. The filling machine 1 depicted and in this respect preferred also has a series of parallel processing lines, of which only one processing line is depicted in FIG. 1. Each processing line is assigned a bundle 4 of package blanks 5, the longitudinal edges of which are sealed to one another and thus form package sleeves 6 that are open on both sides. The package sleeves 6 are unfolded by a feeding device 7 and pushed onto a mandrel 8 of a mandrel wheel 9.

[0058] The mandrel wheel 9 depicted and in this respect preferred is rotated anticlockwise in a cyclical, that is, stepwise, manner. The package sleeves 6 are processed in different positions. Firstly, an edge is heated with preheating air using a heating unit 10, and subsequently pre-folded in a pre-fold 11, in order to subsequently seal the pre-folded edge to a base using a press 12. A package 2 that is open on one side and tightly closed at one end is thus obtained, said package being transferred to a cell 13 of an endless transport device 14 that is guided in a circle. The filling machine 1 depicted and in this respect preferred is an endlessly circulating cell chain.

[0059] The package 2 is transported by the transport device 14 through an aseptic chamber 15, which is successively subdivided into a sterilisation zone 16 and a filling and sealing zone 17. The packages 2 do not have to be transported in a straight line, but can also be transported in at least an arc or even in a circle, depending on whether the filling machine 1 is a so-called inline machine or a rotary machine. The aseptic chamber 15 is flushed with sterile air via corresponding sterile air connections 18 in order to prevent the ingress of germs.

[0060] Sterile preheating air is firstly blown by a preheating device 19 into the packages 2 that are open at the top in order to preheat the packages 2. Subsequently, a sterilising agent is blown into the packages in a sterilising device 20, said sterilising agent reacting more strongly and condensing less in the preheated packages 2. Hydrogen peroxide in particular is suitable as a sterilising agent. The hydrogen peroxide can be introduced together with steam and/or air into the package 2 that is open on one side. After the sterilisation of the packages 2, the interior of the packages 2 is dried in a drying device 21 by being subjected to drying air. The drying air is preferably hot and sterile in this case.

[0061] After the transfer from the sterilisation zone 16 into the filling and sealing zone 17, the packages 2 that are open on one side are positioned under a filling device 22 and filled with a foodstuff. The filled packages 2 are then closed using a closing device 23, which folds the upper open region of the package 2 and seals said upper open region. The closed packages 2 are subsequently removed from the cells 13 of the transport device 14 and processed further as necessary. The now empty cells 13 of the transport device 14 are moved further in the direction of the mandrel wheel 9 in order to receive further packages 2 there.

[0062] In FIG. 1, the preheating device 19, sterilising device 20, drying device 21 and filling device 22 are only depicted schematically for the sake of greater clarity. The aseptic chamber 15 is therefore depicted again in detail in FIG. 2. The representation of FIG. 2 is also very schematic, although more positions are depicted in which the packages 2 are at times positioned during the stepwise transport through the aseptic chamber 15 by means of the transport device 14. Generally, it would also be possible to transport the packages 2 continuously without standstill and, as necessary, at a constant speed through the aseptic chamber 15. It would likewise be possible, for subjecting the packages 2 to preheating air, sterilising agent and/or drying air, to provide only a single processing position in which the packages 2 to be processed are held. Provision could also be made for a different number of processing positions to be provided for subjecting the packages 2 to preheating air than for subjecting the packages 2 to drying air and/or to sterilising agent, and vice versa.

[0063] In many cases, however, it will be preferred, at least for the heating, the sterilisation and/or the drying, to provide a plurality of processing positions in which the packages 2 to be processed are held to be subjected to the corresponding medium. As a result, however, the method is generally more complex and more difficult to control. In addition, corresponding filling machines 1 can also have different numbers of processing positions for the packages 2, preheating devices 19, sterilising devices 20, drying devices 21 and/or filling devices 22. The aseptic chamber 15 depicted and in this respect preferred, however, allows for a comprehensible description of the invention, so that representation of alternative aseptic chambers can be dispensed with.

[0064] In the aseptic chamber 15 of FIG. 2, a preheating device 19 is firstly provided in the sterilisation zone 16 that extends over two processing positions of the cell chain transport device 14. A nozzle 24 for introducing preheating air is provided in each of the two processing positions. In the case of the filling machine 1 depicted and in this respect preferred, the preheating air is sucked in from the environment via a compressor 25 and filtered with the aid of a filter 26 in order to separate microorganisms and thus sterilise the air. Subsequently, the sterile air is heated in a heating device 27. In each of the two processing positions, the packages 2 that are open on one side are positioned eccentrically under the stationary nozzles 24 of the preheating device 19, the central longitudinal axes of the packages 2 being offset in different ways in the two positions with respect to the corresponding nozzle 24. The preheating air is therefore introduced in different ways via the nozzles 24.

[0065] The volume of preheating air that is introduced into a package 2 is at least three times, four times, six times or even ten times the volume of the package, depending on the type of the package 2. This applies as necessary for subjecting the individual packages to preheating air together in the two processing positions. However, in each individual processing position for subjecting the packages to preheating air, a corresponding volume of preheating air can also be introduced into each individual package to be processed.

[0066] The next two positions of the sterilisation zone 16 serve to sterilise the packages 2 in a sterilising device 20 by means of a sterilising agent. In the filling machine 1 depicted and in this respect preferred, the sterilising agent is an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution that is fed via a pump 28 and evaporated in an evaporator 29. The mixture of hydrogen peroxide and steam, which can still be fed with air, is introduced eccentrically via two nozzles 30 into the packages 2 positioned underneath. Each of the two nozzles 30 is spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis or the vertical axis of the packages 2 in a slightly different direction than the other nozzle 30 in each case.

[0067] The volume of sterilising agent that is introduced into a package 2 is at least three times, four times, six times or even ten times the volume of the package, depending on the type of the package 2. This applies as necessary in relation to subjecting the individual packages to sterilising agent together in the two processing positions. However, in each individual processing position for subjecting the packages to sterilising agent, a corresponding volume of sterilising agent can also be introduced into each individual package to be processed.

[0068] After the sterilisation, an empty position follows in which no processing of the packages 2 takes place in the filling machine 1 depicted and in this respect preferred. In this region, only sterile air is guided via sterile air connections 18 into the sterilisation zone 16. To this end, air is sucked in from the environment via a compressor 31 and compressed via a filter 32 in which all microorganisms are isolated in order to sterilise the air. In the following processing positions of the transport device 14 in the form of the cell chain, the packages 2 are dried in the drying device 21 with hot drying air, which is likewise sucked in via a compressor 33 and degermed in a filter 34. The air sterilised in this way is heated in a heating device 35 and guided eccentrically into the packages 2. In this case, each package 2 is arranged slightly differently under the nozzles 36. The nozzles 36 are positioned at other points above the cross section of the packages 2 during the introduction of the drying air, but in each case at a distance from the centre or the middle of the cross section.

[0069] The volume of drying air that is introduced into a package 2 is at least three times, four times, six times or even ten times the volume of the package, depending on the type of the package 2. This applies as necessary in relation to subjecting the individual packages to drying air together in the two processing positions. However, in each individual processing position for subjecting the packages to drying air, a corresponding volume of drying air can also be introduced into each individual package to be processed.

[0070] As necessary, the volumes of preheating air, drying air and sterilising agent per package are identical or also different. The volume of a medium can generally be selected so as to be different from the volumes of the other media.

[0071] The dried packages 2 are then transferred into the Ailing and sealing zone 17, where the packages 2 are filled with the product in the form of a foodstuff in the next two processing positions of the transport device 14. The product is fed in the Ailing device 22 via a storage container 37 and guided via two nozzles 38 into the packages. Each of the nozzles 38 is arranged eccentrically relative to the cross section of the packages 2, the nozzles 38 being positioned at other points in relation to the cross sections of the packages 2. The filled packages 2 are moved with the next cycle into a processing position in which the packages 2 are not processed further. In the following processing position, the package 2 is closed by a closing device 23, which seals the upper edge, and transported out of the aseptic chamber 15 after a further empty position.

[0072] FIGS. 3A-B depict the introduction of preheating air, drying air, sterilising agent and/or product to be filled in a side view counter to the transport direction T and in a plan view from above in which the transport direction of the packages 2 is indicated by arrows. The package 2 is held in a cell of a transport device 14 and, during the introduction of preheating air, drying air, sterilising agent or product to be filled, is transported further, stepwise, over three processing positions and positioned in each processing position in a stationary manner under a stationary nozzle 39, 40, 41 for a certain time. Each nozzle 39,40, 41 is arranged eccentrically relative to the cross section of the package 2 positioned underneath. In the first processing position, the nozzle 39 is spaced counter to the transport direction T and to the right side, in relation to the transport direction T, of the middle of the package 2, which is defined by the middle of the cross section or the central longitudinal axis of the package 2. In other words, the nozzle 39 is arranged at the back right in the region of the edge of the package 2. In the second processing position, the nozzle 40 is spaced, viewed in the transport direction T, to the left of the middle of the cross section of the package 2 positioned underneath. In the third processing position, the nozzle 41 is spaced in the transport direction T counter to the middle of the cross section of the package 2. However, this constitutes only one possible embodiment.

[0073] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an arrangement of adjustment means 42 and introduction means 43 of a filling machine 1 for introducing a volume of preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent into the packages 2 that are open on one side. Since the adjustment means 42 and introduction means 43 can generally be designed and arranged quite differently, the schematic representation according to FIG. 4 is sufficient. The person skilled in the art will be capable, on the basis of the present description and on the basis of his/her expert knowledge, to design the filling machine 1 in a suitable manner and to this end use, for example, devices known from the prior art. A line 44 for preheating air, drying air and/or sterilising agent is depicted in FIG. 4. The corresponding medium is under an overpressure in the line and is released via the introduction means 43 in the form of a shut-off element in particular a valve. The shut-off element can be opened and closed by an adjustment means 42, in particular in the form of a regulating device and/or control device. The medium passing through the introduction means 43 travels through a flow sensor 45, which determines the volume and/or the mass of the medium passing through the introduction means 43, before the medium is introduced via a nozzle 46 into a package 2 that is open on one side and positioned under the nozzle 46. The quantity of medium detected by the flow sensor 45 is transmitted to the adjustment means 42 for the purpose of regulation and/or for the purpose of documentation.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0074] 1 Filling machine [0075] 2 Package [0076] 3 Device [0077] 4 Bundle [0078] 5 Blank packages [0079] 6 Package sleeves [0080] 7 Feeding device [0081] 8 Mandrel [0082] 9 Mandrel wheel [0083] 10 Heating device [0084] 11 Pre-folds [0085] 12 Press [0086] 13 Cells [0087] 14 Transport device [0088] 15 Aseptic chamber [0089] 16 Sterilisation zone [0090] 17 Filling and sealing zone [0091] 18 Sterile air connection [0092] 19 Preheating device [0093] 20 Sterilising device [0094] 21 Drying device [0095] 22 Filling device [0096] 23 Closing device [0097] 24 Nozzle [0098] 25 Compressor [0099] 26 Filter [0100] 27 Heating device [0101] 28 Pump [0102] 29 Evaporator [0103] 30 Nozzle [0104] 31 Compressor [0105] 32 Filter [0106] 33 Compressor [0107] 34 Filter [0108] 35 Heating device [0109] 36 Nozzle [0110] 37 Storage container [0111] 38-41 Nozzle [0112] 42 Adjustment means [0113] 43 Introduction means [0114] 44 Line [0115] 45 Flow sensor [0116] 46 Nozzle