Apparatuses and methods for sterilising and filling components of packaging units, particularly bottles and/or caps

Abstract

An apparatus comprises rotating conveying means (301, 302, 303, 2; 301, 160, 303, 2) for conveying along a curved path components (10, 25) of packaging units comprising containers (10) and container closures (25), filling means (30) for filling with a product said containers (10) on said rotating conveying means (301, 302, 303, 2; 301, 160, 303, 2), sterilising means (21, 37) for sterilising at least part of said components (10, 25) mounted along said path and comprising irradiating means arranged to emit radiation.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for filling and sterilizing parts of packaging units, in particular bottles and / or caps. Such devices and methods are particularly suitable for obtaining bottles filled and / or sealed under aseptic conditions. Background technique [0002] In the production of filled containers, especially those intended to be filled with food products such as milk or juice or other beverages, it is very important to ensure that the containers, their contents and lids are sterile and The health of consumers is safe. [0003] For this reason, the containers must be sterilized internally and externally before they are filled, the caps used to close the containers are sterilized, and after sterilization the containers are filled and closed or sealed in a sterile environment to avoid their contamination. [0004] Various techniques for sterilizing containers to be filled are known from the prior art. [0005] Containers may ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0018] In fact, in the treatment of bottles arises the problem of radiation penetration and the efficiency of the sterilizing treatment of all inner surfaces of the bottle

[0019] Furthermore, known solutions enable the production of hermetically sealed containers, i.e. containers which cannot be reclosed once they have been opened, however those solutions are not suitable for the production of containers with lids which subsequently open and close the containers

[0020] Furthermore, the known installations have a considerable spatial extent to arrange the different treatment stations in succession, so sterile conditions have to be maintained over a very wide area, with the attendant problem of high costs for managing such a plant

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