Cleaning Method for Cleaning a Filling Machine and Filling Machine for Carrying out the Cleaning Method

Abstract

A cleaning method for cleaning a filling machine for filling at least to one side open packs with products is described and illustrated, wherein the filling machine has a transport device for transporting the at least to one side open packs through the filling machine. To ensure satisfactory cleaning results repeatably in a defined and/or shorter time, it is provided that a preceding plurality of at least to one side open packs is transported at least partially through the filling machine by a transport device and is filled with products, at least one nozzle for dispensing cleaning medium is transported at least partially through the filling machine by the transport device and cleaning medium is thereby dispensed for cleaning the filling machine, and after the filling machine has been cleaned, a subsequent plurality of at least to one side open packs is transported at least partially through the filling machine by the transport device and is thereby filled with products.

Claims

1. A cleaning method for cleaning a filling machine for filling at least to one side open packs with products, wherein the filling machine has a transport device for transporting the at least to one side open packs by means of the filling machine, in which a preceding plurality of at least to one side open packs is transported at least partially through the filling machine by a transport device and is thereby filled with products, in which a cleaning device having at least one nozzle for dispensing cleaning medium is transported at least partially through the filling machine by the transport device and thereby dispense cleaning medium for cleaning the filling machine, and in which, the cleaning of the filling machine, a subsequent plurality of at least to one side open packs is transported at least partially through the filling machine by means of the transport device and is thereby filled with products.

2. The cleaning method according to claim 1, in which, after filling the preceding plurality of at least to one side open packs, the cleaning device is connected to the transport device and/or a supply line and/or in which the cleaning device is separated from the transport device and/or the supply line after the cleaning medium has been dispensed in the filling machine, and in which, preferably, after separation of the cleaning device from the transport device and/or the supply line, a subsequent plurality of at least to one side open packs is transported at least partially through the filling machine by the transport device and is thereby filled with products.

3. The cleaning process according to claim 1, in which the preceding plurality and/or the subsequent plurality of at least to one side open packs is heated in the filling machine in a heating zone, sterilized in a sterilization zone, dried in a drying zone, filled in a filling zone and/or closed in a closing zone, and in which cleaning medium for cleaning the filling machine is dispensed in the heating zone, the sterilization zone, the drying zone, the filling zone and/or the closing zone.

4. The cleaning method according to claim 1, in which heating takes place with at least one hot air nozzle, sterilization with at least one sterilizing agent nozzle, drying with at least one hot air nozzle, filling with at least one filling outlet and/or closing with at least one ultrasonic sealing device, and in which the at least one hot air nozzle, the sterilization nozzle, the filling outlet and/or the ultrasonic closing device is acted upon by the cleaning device and thus cleaned.

5. The cleaning method according to claim 1, in which the preceding plurality and/or the following plurality of at least to one side open packs are transported by means of a transport device at least partially through the filling machine in a plurality of rows (R) arranged next to one another and are thereby filled with products.

6. The cleaning method according to claim 1, in which the preceding plurality and/or the following plurality of at least to one side open packs are transported at least partially in cells of a cell chain through the filling machine, and in which, preferably, the cells are provided in successive rows (R) in a direction transverse to the transport direction (T) of the cells, and in which, further preferably, the rows (R) of cells are at least partially interconnected to form a common cell bar.

7. The cleaning method according to claim 6, in which the cleaning device is connected to at least one cell and/or to at least one cell bar before use and is detached from the at least one cell and/or from the at least one cell bar after use, or in which, before the cleaning device is used, at least one cell and/or at least one cell bar is removed and replaced by the cleaning device and, after the cleaning device is used, the cleaning device is removed and replaced by at least one cell and/or at least one cell bar.

8. The cleaning process according to claim 6, in which the cleaning device extends from an outer cell of a row (R) of cells and/or a cell bar to the opposite outer cell of a row (R) of cells and/or a cell bar.

9. The cleaning method according to claim 1, in which the cleaning device for cleaning the filling machine is transported by the transport device at least once, preferably several times, in the transport direction (T) used when filling the at least to one side open packs and against the transport direction (T) used when filling the at least to one side open packs and/or in which the cleaning device connected to the transport device is pivoted about a longitudinal axis of the cleaning device at at least one location within the filling machine for cleaning the filling machine.

10. The cleaning method according to claim 1, in which the cleaning device dispenses cleaning medium upwards, to the side and/or downwards for cleaning the filling machine and/or in which the cleaning device dispenses cleaning medium through at least two, preferably at least four, in particular at least six nozzles for cleaning the filling machine.

11. The cleaning method according to claim 1, in which water and/or water mixed with a cleaning agent, in particular an alkali or an acid, is used as the cleaning medium, and in which, preferably, water and water mixed with a cleaning agent, in particular an alkali or an acid, are used alternately at least once, in particular several times.

12. The cleaning method according to claim 1, in which, after separating the cleaning device from the transport device and before filling a subsequent plurality of at least to one side open packs in the filling machine, the filling machine is dried at least partially and/or in sections by blowing in air, preferably sterile air, and in which, preferably, the hot air is blown in through the at least one nozzle of the cleaning device.

13. The cleaning device for cleaning a filling machine for filling at least to one side open packs with products, preferably according to claim 1, comprising at least one nozzle for dispensing of cleaning medium in the filling machine, the cleaning device having a connection for a, in particular detachable, connection to a supply line for supplying cleaning medium, wherein the cleaning device is configured for connecting, in particular detachably, to a transport device and for transporting with the transport device at least in sections through the filling machine.

14. The cleaning device according to claim 13, wherein the cleaning device is configured for connecting to a transport device in the form of a cell chain, in particular in exchange with at least one cell of a cell chain, and that, preferably, the cleaning device is designed for connecting to the cell chain in exchange with at least one cell bar of the cell chain.

15. The cleaning device according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of nozzles is arranged distributed along a pipe section and/or that the cleaning device has a pipe section held pivotably in the cleaning device.

16. A filling machine for filling at least to one side open packs with products, preferably for carrying out the method according to claim 1, wherein the filling machine has a transport device for transporting the at least to one side open packs through the filling machine and wherein the filling machine comprises a filling outlet for filling the at least to one side open packs, wherein a cleaning device is provided, that the connection of the cleaning device is connected, in particular detachably, to a supply line for supplying cleaning medium, and in that the cleaning device is connected, in particular detachably, to the transport device and is provided such that it can be moved with the transport device.

17. The filling machine according to claim 16, wherein a heating zone, preferably comprising a hot air nozzle for heating the at least to one side open packs, a sterilization zone, preferably comprising a sterilizing agent nozzle, for sterilizing the at least to one side open packs, a drying zone, preferably comprising a hot air nozzle, for drying the at least to one side open packs and/or a closing zone, preferably comprising an ultrasonic sealing device, for closing the filled at least to one side open packs.

18. The filling machine according to claim 16, wherein the transport device has a cell chain with cells for receiving the at least to one side open packs, and that, preferably, the cells are at least partially connected in a direction transverse to the transport direction (T) of the cells to form successive cell bars.

19. The filling machine according to claim 18, wherein the cleaning device is connected to the transport device instead of at least one cell or at least one cell bar and/or that the cleaning device does not extend further upwards and/or to the side than preceding and/or following cells and/or cell bars of the transport device and/or that a pivoting device for pivoting the cleaning device connected to the transport device is provided at at least one location of the filling machine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with the aid of a drawing showing only an embodiment. The drawing shows

[0046] FIG. 1A filling machine according to the invention suitable for carrying out the cleaning process according to the invention in a schematic representation,

[0047] FIG. 2A-B a detail of the filling machine from FIG. 1 in the area of the transport device in a perspective view and a top view,

[0048] FIG. 3a detail of the cleaning device of the filling machine according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a perspective view and

[0049] FIG. 4A-B details of the filling machine in the area of a pivoting device from FIG. 1 in perspective views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a filling machine 1 for forming, filling and closing packs. The packs 2 are in particular cardboard composite packs made of corresponding packaging laminates with at least one cardboard layer, at least one barrier layer, for example consisting of aluminum, polyamide and/or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol, and outer layers made of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene (PE). The filling machine 1 shown and preferred in this respect has two stacks 3, 4 of packaging blanks 5, 6 in the form of packaging material blanks, the longitudinal edges of which are sealed together and thus form packaging sleeves, which are held in a folded manner next to each other in the stacks 3, 4. The packaging blanks 5, 6 are unfolded by a supply device 10. In the device shown and preferred in this respect, an application device, for example in the form of an injection molding machine, can also be provided for applying, in particular injection-molding, pouring elements not shown to the packaging blanks 5, 6.

[0051] The illustrated and in this respect preferred mandrel wheel 7 has six mandrels 8 and rotates counterclockwise cyclically, i.e. in steps. In the first mandrel wheel position I, a packing blank 5, 6 is pushed onto the mandrel 8. Spring clamps, not described in detail, thereby secure the position of the packing blank 5, 6 on the mandrel 8. The mandrel wheel 7 is then rotated further in the next mandrel wheel position II, in which the base area of the packing blank 5, 6 is heated with hot air using a hot air blower, not described in detail. In the next mandrel wheel position III, the heated base area is pre-folded by a press 9 and, in the following mandrel wheel position IV, closed in the folded position by an unspecified closing device to form a base. In this way, a pack 2 closed on one side and open on one side is obtained, which is removed from the mandrel in the subsequent mandrel wheel position V and transferred in a transfer position 11 to a cell 12 of an endless transport device guided in a circle. The package 2 is partially received in the cell 12 and held there, preferably with a positive fit. The illustrated and in this respect preferred transport device 13 is a so-called cell chain. No work step is assigned in the next mandrel wheel position VI. The number of mandrel wheel positions or mandrels 8 and the processing steps provided there can deviate from the illustration in FIG. 1 and the associated description as required.

[0052] From the transfer position 11, the to one side open pack 2 is transported through a filling machine 1 with the open top area facing upwards in the associated cell 12 with the aid of the transport device 13. If required, the pack 2 could also be filled through the upward-facing base area if the downward-facing head area were closed for this purpose. The filling machine 1 has an aseptic chamber 15, which comprises a sterilization zone 16 and a filling and sealing zone 17, through which a series of packs 2 are transported one after the other. The transport direction T of the packs 2 is from left to right, as symbolized by the arrows, whereby the packs 2 do not have to be transported in a straight line, but can also be transported in at least one arc or even in a circle. The transport device 13 is not completely sterile, so that the aseptic area, in particular the aseptic zone 18, of the filling and sealing zone 17 on the transport device 13 ends at least below the cells 12. However, at least the area inside the packs 2 and above the packs 2 in the filling and sealing zone 17 is sterile. This minimum area is illustrated by the hatched aseptic zone 18 and should also be kept sterile during a product change. At the lower end of the filling and closing zone 17 and below the transport device 13, there is a collection tray 19 from which collected liquid can be drained, for example via a bottom-side drain.

[0053] In order to avoid contamination of the sterile environment, the aseptic zone 18, a flow of sterile air is preferably maintained from top to bottom in the aseptic chamber 15. For this purpose, corresponding sterile air connections 20 are provided along the aseptic chamber 15 for supplying sterile air.

[0054] In the device 1 shown, the sterilization zone 16 and the filling and closing zone 17 are separated by a curtain of sterile air, which is blown in at the top and flows downwards in an essentially laminar manner. Alternatively or additionally to the curtain, an airlock or a narrow section would also be conceivable, which just allows the containers or packs 2 to pass into the filling and closing zone 17, but at least tends to hold back the atmosphere from the sterilization zone 16.

[0055] After entering the sterilization zone 16, the packs are preheated one after the other in a heating zone by a preheating device 21 in the form of a hot air nozzle by blowing hot sterile air at them. The packs 2 are then exposed to a sterilizing agent, such as a mixture of steam, hydrogen peroxide and preferably filtered air, in a sterilization zone by means of a sterilization device 22 in the form of a sterilizing agent nozzle, in order to sterilize at least the insides of the to one side open packs 2. The packs 2 are then dried in a drying zone by being exposed to sterile air via a drying device 23 in the form of a hot air nozzle and, after the transition from the sterilization zone 16 to the filling and closing zone 17, are moved to a filling position 24 within the filling zone below a filling outlet 25 of a filling device 26. There, the packs 2 are filled one after the other, in particular with a food product. The to one side open filled packs 2 are then closed in a closing zone with a closing device 27 in the form of an ultrasonic sealing device by folding the upper area of the pack 2 and closing it. The closed packs 2 are then transported out of the aseptic chamber 15 and the filling machine 1 by means of the transport device 13. In a removal position 28, the packs 2 are removed from the cells 12 of the transport device 13. The now empty cells 12 are moved further towards the transfer position 11 by the transport device 13 in order to receive further packs 2 there.

[0056] FIGS. 2A-B show a detail of the filling machine 1 of FIG. 1 in the area of the transport device 13. The transport device 13 shown is a cell chain 30 with a multitude of cells 12. Each of the cells 12 can accommodate a to one side open pack 2, so that the to one side open packs 2 are transported through the filling machine 1 by means of the cell chain 30. For this purpose, the cell chain 30 is provided in an endlessly circulating manner. The cells 12 and thus the to one side open packs 2 are transported one behind the other in the transport direction T of the transport device 13. In addition, the cells 12 and to one side open packs 2 form rows R not only in the transport direction T, but also transversely thereto. Consequently, a row of to one side open packs 2 is always heated, sterilized, dried, filled and closed jointly. Furthermore, the cells 12 arranged next to each other in a direction transverse to the transport direction T of the to one side open packs 2 are connected to each other to form cell bars 31. In reality, cell bars 31 are provided at regular intervals around the cell chain 30. In FIGS. 2A-B, however, only individual cell bars 31 are shown for the sake of clarity.

[0057] At least one such cell bar 31 has been removed from the illustrated and in this respect preferred transport device 13 and replaced by a cleaning device 32. Quick-release fasteners can be provided therefor, which enable the cell bar 31 and cleaning device 32 to be quickly exchanged for one another. The cleaning device 32 shown, which is preferred in this respect, is configured in the manner of a cell bar 31, which, however, cannot accommodate packs 2 that are open on one side in an expedient manner. Instead, the illustrated and in this respect preferred cleaning device 32 comprises a pipe section 33, which connects a total of six nozzles 34, 35, from which the cleaning device 32 can spray or otherwise dispense a cleaning medium. By dispensing, for example spraying, the cleaning medium, the filling machine 1 can be cleaned in the areas that are reached by the dispensed cleaning medium. In addition, since the cleaning device 32 is connected to the transport device 13, it can be transported through the filling machine 1 by means of the transport device 13. In this way, different areas of the filling machine 1 can be cleaned with the cleaning device 32. At one location of the filling machine 1, a pivoting device 36 is assigned to the cell chain 30 or the transport device 13, by means of which the cleaning device 32 can be pivoted to the corresponding location of the filling machine 1.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a detail of the cleaning device 32. Here, a hose 37 in the form of a supply line 38 for cleaning medium is connected to the pipe section 33 of the cleaning device 32 via a connection for forming a plug-in closure 39. The cleaning medium is distributed via the pipe section 33 of the cleaning device 32 to a total of six nozzles 34, 35 of the cleaning device 32, the nozzles 34, 35 being arranged in a distributed manner over the pipe section 33. Of these, four nozzles 34 are provided, which are primarily directed upwards in order to clean the areas above the transport device 13 or the cell chain 30. In addition, two further nozzles 35 are provided at opposite ends, which are primarily directed outwards in order to clean the inner side walls of the filling machine 1. However, these nozzles 35 are not mandatory in every case. In addition, nozzles could also be provided that are directed downwards, but this will regularly be dispensable. A different number of nozzles 34, 35 could also be provided. It would also be conceivable to use several pipe pieces 33, respectively provided with at least one nozzle 34, 35. Finally, it is alternatively or additionally conceivable to connect several cleaning devices 32 to the cell chain 30 at different points of the transport device 13. In this way, for example, several areas of the filling machine 1 may be cleaned simultaneously, which can reduce the overall cleaning time.

[0059] FIG. 4A shows a pivoting device 36 which is provided in a fixed position and adjacent to the cell chain 30. Here, a cam 40 of the illustrated and in this respect preferred pivoting device 36 points in the direction of the cell chain 30. When the cell chain 30 has been adjusted to a position in which the cleaning device 32 is aligned in a predetermined manner with respect to the pivoting device 36, the cam 40 of the pivoting device 36 can be brought into contact with a groove 41 of the cleaning device 32. Such an opposing position of cleaning device 32 and pivoting device 36 is shown in FIG. 4B. The groove 41 of the cleaning device 32 and the cam 40 of the pivoting device 36 are not engaged. However, the cam 40 can be extended, for example pneumatically or hydraulically, in order to engage in the groove 41 of the cleaning device 32. Turning the cam 40, which can be done pneumatically or hydraulically, for example, then causes the cleaning device 32 to turn or pivot. The cam 40 can then be pivoted back again or remain in the pivoted position. If the cam 40 is then retracted again so that it is no longer engaged with the groove 41, the cleaning device 32 can be transported further through the filling machine 1 in the pivoted orientation. Alternatively, this can also take place only when the cleaning device 32 has been pivoted back into the initial orientation by means of the cam 40. In this context, it is understood that the cam 40 and the groove 41 can also be designed differently than shown. It is also possible that the cleaning device 32 has a cam 40 and the pivoting device 36 has a groove 41.

[0060] FIG. 4B further shows a quick-release fastener 42 between the cell chain 30 and the cleaning device 32. After the filling machine 1 has been cleaned by the cleaning device 32, the cleaning device 32 can be removed by pulling on a spring-loaded locking bolt 43. This disengages the cleaning device 32 and the cell chain 30 in the area of the quick-release fastener 42, so that the cleaning device 32 can be lifted off and replaced by a cell bar 31 for holding to one side open packs 2. To connect the cell bar 31 to the cell chain 30, a corresponding spring-loaded locking bolt of the cell bar 31 is pulled out against the spring force and the cell bar 31 is inserted into the cell chain 30. The locking bolt of the cell bar 31 is then released and the locking bolt engages with the cell chain 30 due to the restoring force of the associated spring.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0061] 1 Filling machine [0062] 2 Pack [0063] 3,4 Stack [0064] 5,6 Packaging blank [0065] 7 Mandrel wheel [0066] 8 Mandrel [0067] 9 Press [0068] 10 Supply device [0069] 11 Transfer position [0070] 12 Cell [0071] 13 Transport equipment [0072] 15 Aseptic chamber [0073] 16 Sterilization zone [0074] 17 Filling and closing zone [0075] 18 Aseptic zone [0076] 19 Collection tray [0077] 20 Sterile air connections [0078] 21 Preheating device [0079] 22 Sterilization device [0080] 23 Drying device [0081] 24 Filling position [0082] 25 Filling outlet [0083] 26 Filling device [0084] 27 Closing device [0085] 28 Removal position [0086] 30 Cell chain [0087] 31 Cell bar [0088] 32 Cleaning device [0089] 33 Pipe section [0090] 34,35 Nozzle [0091] 36 Swivel device [0092] 37 Hose [0093] 38 Supply line [0094] 39 Plug-in fastener [0095] 40 Cams [0096] 41 Nut [0097] 42 Quick-release fastener [0098] 43 Locking bolt [0099] R Series [0100] T Transport direction