Apparatus for producing pet bulk receptacles

Abstract

An apparatus for producing plastic containers filled with liquids, wherein the plastic containers are closed with a keg fitting and filled with liquid, includes a connection device for connecting a plastic container with a keg fitting. The connection device is configured to move the plastic container relative to the keg fitting. The apparatus includes at least one cleaning device configured to clean at least an area of the keg fitting during at least one of relative movement of the keg fitting with regard to the plastic container and connection of the keg fitting with the plastic container. The cleaning device is configured to supply a cleaning medium to the keg fitting.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a connection device for connecting a container with a keg fitting, the connection device being configured to move the container relative to the keg fitting; and a cleaning device configured to clean at least an area of the keg fitting during at least one of a relative movement of the keg fitting with regard to the container and a connection of the keg fitting with the container, the cleaning device being configured to supply a cleaning medium to the keg fitting in a longitudinal direction relative to the container, wherein the cleaning device is configured such that the cleaning medium supplied to the keg fitting is also supplied to a head space of the container through an internal space of the keg fitting.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection device is configured to move the keg fitting relative to the container in the longitudinal direction.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connection device comprises a gripping device for gripping the keg fitting.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the gripping device is configured such that the keg fitting is grasped in an area above an opening of the container.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises a supply line for supplying the cleaning medium to the keg fitting.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is configured to supply a gaseous medium.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the keg fitting comprises a pipe.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises several treatment stations for a corresponding number of the containers arranged next to each other in a loop configuration.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection device is a lifting unit for inserting the keg fitting into the container.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lifting unit comprises a cam controlled roller, a pneumatic means, or a linear drive.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an additional connection device for connecting the keg fitting to the lifting unit.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the keg fitting comprises a first valve body which is slidable in the longitudinal direction.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a metal sheet pocket in which the keg fitting is suspended.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein a lifting unit comprises a guidance rod configured to guide the metal sheet pocket in the longitudinal direction.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a holding device configured to hold a punch and is movable in the longitudinal direction, wherein the cleaning medium is supplied to the keg fitting by the punch.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a holding element configured to hold the keg fitting and is movable in the longitudinal direction.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection device comprises a clamp system having a gripping clamp configured to engage a corresponding recess of the keg fitting for supplying the keg fitting to the container.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is configured to supply the cleaning medium to a top portion of the keg fitting.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the keg fitting is configured to receive the cleaning medium at the top portion of the keg fitting and communicate the cleaning medium through a channel in the keg fitting to exit the keg fitting at a bottom portion of the keg fitting.

20. An apparatus comprising, a connection device for connecting a container with a keg fitting, the connection device being configured to move the container relative to the keg fitting; and a cleaning device configured to clean at least an area of the keg fitting during at least one of a relative movement of the keg fitting with regard to the container and a connection of the keg fitting with the container, the cleaning device being configured to supply a cleaning medium to the keg fitting in a longitudinal direction relative to the container, wherein the cleaning medium is supplied to an interior of the container by directing the cleaning medium in the longitudinal direction through an opening of the keg fitting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary procedure in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary apparatus for attaching a keg fitting to a container in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an exemplary keg fitting in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the keg fitting of FIG. 3 immediately prior to the connection with a container;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary head space flushing of a container;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of an exemplary keg fitting in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure; and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a further view of an exemplary filling apparatus in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary procedure for producing a filled container 10 such as, for example, a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container or other types of containers. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 10 is held in each case by a gripping device 6 in the area of the mouth 10a (step I). In a process step II, the container 10 is flushed on the inside, for example by means of a gaseous flushing medium 14. The flushing may also be carried out via the mouth 10a of the container 10.

(10) In a third process step III, the container 10 is filled with a liquid 12, such as, for example, a beverage. To this end, a filling nozzle 16 is used which projects a minor distance into the mouth 10a, or is disposed slightly above the mouth 10a, and introduces a jet 11 of liquid into the container 10.

(11) In a fourth process step IV, a keg fitting 2 is supplied to the container 10 which has already been filled with the liquid 12. During this process, the keg fitting is cleaned, as will be described in more detail below, and in this process, for example, a fitting pipe 4 of the keg fitting 2 is flushed with a particularly gaseous flushing medium. According to various aspects, the fitting pipe 4 may a rigid structure disposed on a base body 44 (FIG. 3) of the keg fitting 2. It should be understood that in some aspects, the fitting pipe 4 may be a more or less flexible hose. The flushing media 14 for flushing the container 10 and for flushing the fitting pipe 4 may be the same or different.

(12) In a final process step V, the keg fitting 2 is connected with the container 10 and the fitting pipe 4 projects into the container 10.

(13) In some conventional filling systems, it was possible to fill the plastic containers 10 exactly in the same way as conventional keg barrels made of metal, in particular in the same order. To this end, the keg fitting (the closure) 2 was until now attached to the container and then treated, flushed with CO.sub.2, pre-stressed and filled with the product. The present disclosure, too, in principle allows this type of processing, so that existing machine concepts may be used.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a lifting unit or connection device for a keg fitting 2, for example, a keg fitting 2 which is snapped onto a mouth 10a of the container 10. Alternatively, it would also be possible to provide a screw connection between the keg fitting 2 and the container 10.

(15) The long lift needed to insert the keg fitting 2 into the container 10 or also for the further treatment and for pushing on and closing the container 10 is made possible here via a cam controlled roller 26 (the cam is not shown). However, it would also be possible to carry out this lift by pneumatic means or by means of a linear drive.

(16) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the keg fitting 2 is suspended in a metal sheet pocket 25 having here a semicircular recess, which is part of the connection device 24. However, it would also be possible to use a clamp system for supplying the keg fitting 2 to the container 10, such as, for example, a gripping clamp which engages in a corresponding recess 43 (see FIG. 3) of the keg fitting 2.

(17) In this way it is possible to move the keg fitting 2 without a punch 35 of the cleaning device 34 clamping the keg fitting 2. In this way it is also possible to clean and disinfect a surface of the keg fitting 2.

(18) Reference numeral 32 relates to a corresponding gripping element or a closure carrier, by means of which the connection device 24 engages the keg fitting 2 via a recess 43 (see FIG. 3). Cleaning media such as, for example, a flushing medium for flushing the pipe 4 may be supplied via the punch 35 to the keg fitting 2. Here, the punch 35 is designed in such a way that it activates the keg fitting 2 in a desired manner, i.e. for example effects cleaning from the outside, from the inside or both. In this connection it is possible that this punch 35 is guided in its central portion 37 and is supplied in its upper portion pneumatically via two supply lines 28, 30 such as, for example, flexible hoses.

(19) This corresponding pneumatic drive may also be supported or replaced by a mechanical drive. A guidance rod 22 may be provided for guiding the metal sheet pocket 24 in the longitudinal direction L of the container 10.

(20) The corresponding media supply, which is needed here for treating the container and for supplying the system, is carried out in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 by means of the flexible hoses 28, 30. It would, however, also be conceivable to use components which seal each other and which are disposed in a manner so that they are slidable relative to each other. The reference numeral 28 relates more specifically to a line for controlling a pneumatic cylinder, for example, for moving the unit. The punch 38 is used for connecting the keg fitting 2 and for sealing, that is, for supplying the flushing medium.

(21) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of an exemplary keg fitting 2. The keg fitting 2 includes a base body 44 which is secured to the container (not shown), and is, for example, pushed onto the mouth of the container. A first valve body 42 is slidable in a longitudinal direction L of the container in order to enable or block off any discharge out of the keg.

(22) According to various aspects, by means of the first valve body 42, which is pre-stressed upwards by means of a spring 46 (and moveable in the direction L), any undesired flow of product through the fitting pipe 4 out of the container 10 may be prevented. To this end, the first valve body 42 may place itself on an opening 45. A second valve body 48, which in FIG. 3 is pre-stressed upwards by means of a spring 49, is moveable in the direction L. The second valve body 48 is used for closing a further opening 49 (see FIG. 4) of the keg fitting 2, in order to prevent any product form exiting the container 10 past the fitting pipe 4. In this second valve body 48, also the opening 45 closable by the first valve body 42 is disposed.

(23) In the view shown in FIG. 3, the flushing medium 14 reaches the pipe 4 of the keg fitting 2 through the opening 45. The reference numeral 46 identifies, as mentioned above, a spring device which is used for closing and opening the inflow of the flushing medium 14 into the pipe 4 (more specifically, for pre-stressing the first valve body 42). By opening the valve or adjusting the valve body 42, flushing of the fitting pipe 4 may be effected.

(24) FIG. 4 shows a view of an exemplary keg fitting which is about to be attached to the container 10 or the mouth 10a. In this condition it is possible that, by opening the second valve or displacing the second valve body 48, the flushing air 14 is directed through the keg fitting 2 in such a way that a flushing operation of the internal space 52 of the keg fitting 2 is carried out, and also the mouth area 10a of the container may be flushed. To this end, the flushing medium 14 also flows through the internal space 52 of the keg fitting. More specifically, the valve body 42 closes the opening 45, however the opening 49 which is otherwise closed by the second valve body 48 is exposed.

(25) FIG. 5 shows a condition wherein the lower end 4a of the pipe 4 is located at the level of the container 10 already filled with the liquid 12, or put more accurately, at the level of the mouth 10a. In this situation, the flushing medium 14 will flow towards the outside via the pipe 4, so that also the head space 10a of the container 10 may be flushed.

(26) FIG. 6 shows a corresponding embodiment of an exemplary keg fitting 2 for containers having screw caps, that is, for containers having an external thread 10b. The design of the keg fitting 2, in particular with regard to the pipe 4, may however also be as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

(27) FIG. 7, finally, shows a schematic view of an alternative bracket for the keg fitting 2. In this embodiment, too, a holding element 32 is provided which guides or holds the keg fitting 2, and this holding element 32 may be moved in the longitudinal direction L upwards or downwards via a moving unit. In addition, also the punch 35 or the application unit may be held here by its own holding device 56 and is moveable also in the longitudinal direction L by means of a moving unit 58.

(28) The flushing medium may be supplied via a supply line 30, and a valve 31 may be configured to control the supply of the flushing medium to the pipe 4 and the container 10 via the supply line 30.

(29) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the apparatuses and methods for producing PET bulk receptacles of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.