Sterile apparatus for filling and closing aluminium containers

Abstract

Aseptic plant (1) for filling and closing aluminium containers (100), comprising: - a filling unit (2) comprising a first chamber (20); - at least one transfer starwheel (3) downstream of the filling unit (2); - a closure placing station (30) arranged on a first area of the transfer starwheel (3) located beside the filling unit (2), configured to place a concave closure (200) onto the mouth (100a) of each container (100); - a closing unit (4) arranged downstream of the transfer starwheel (3) and comprising a second chamber (40) housing a closing machine (41) configured to apply each concave closure (200) around the neck (100b) of the corresponding container (100), wherein the first chamber (20) is at a first pressure and the second chamber (40) is at a second pressure lower than the first pressure.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to aseptic apparatus for filling and closing aluminium containers. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, the use of aluminium as a material for producing containers has increased. In fact, compared to plastics, aluminium produces a lower environmental impact and has a higher recycling performance.

[0003] In this regard, reference is made to the bottling of so-called "sensitive" food products, i.e. products particularly sensitive to bacterial contamination and oxidation, such as isotonic beverages, fruit juices, nectars, soft drinks, teas, milk-based beverages, coffee-based beverages, etc., for which it is essential to avoid possible microbial contamination in all the packaging steps.

[0004] It is known that, in bottling lines that employ aseptic technology, it is essential to control the contamination in the various work stations of forming, filling, capping, etc., therefore ensuring adequate filtration of the fluids to be introduced into the controlled environment, correct management of the pressure in the various areas in order to control the path of any unwanted particles, correct monitoring of the environment, washing and sterilization cycles of the machine internal parts (C.I.P., acronym of "Cleaning In Place" and S.I.P., acronym of "Sterilization In Place") or of the machine external parts (C.O.P., acronym of "Cleaning Out of Place" and S.O.P., acronym of "Sterilization Out of Place") and their superior quality.

[0005] In this regard, it is necessary to develop aseptic bottling lines that use aluminium containers instead of thermoplastic containers.

[0006] However, the use of aluminium containers raises some problems that need to be considered when designing a new aseptic bottling line.

[0007] First of all, the closures for aluminium bottles are produced without threads. By contrast, the threads in the closure are generated by the capping head during application on the bottle. In fact, the threaded neck of the aluminium bottle is used to generate the threads in the closure. SUMMARY

[0008] This is done by a capping machine which, compared to the traditional capping machines for applying closures to plastic bottles, is more complex. The aim of the present invention is to propose a sterile apparatus for filling and closing aluminium containers which ensures the sterility therein without increasing the overall complexity.

[0009] Another aim of the present invention is to propose a sterile apparatus for filling and closing aluminium containers which is easy to perform maintenance operations therein.

[0010] The stated technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a sterile apparatus for filling and closing aluminium containers, comprising:

[0011] - a filling unit comprising a first chamber housing a filling machine configured to receive the containers and to inject a product inside the containers;

[0012] - at least one transfer starwheel downstream of the filling unit;

[0013] - a closure placement station arranged on a first area of the transfer starwheel located next to the filling unit, the closure placement station being configured to place a female closure onto the mouth of each container;

[0014] - a closing unit downstream of the transfer starwheel, the closing unit comprising a second chamber housing a closing machine configured to apply each female closure around the neck of the corresponding container;

[0015] - air supply means for supplying sterile air to the first and second chambers, the air supply means being configured to supply air so that the first chamber is at a first pressure and the second chamber is at a second pressure, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the first pressure is comprised between 20 Pa and 50 Pa and the second pressure is comprised between 5 Pa and 30 Pa.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the sterile apparatus further comprises:

[0018] - a channel starting downstream of the closure placement station, the channel enclosing a volume which extends partially above the mouths of the containers which travel towards the closing unit;

[0019] - additional air supply means for supplying sterile air within the volume delimited by the channel so as to generate a sterile air flow substantially orthogonal to the development direction of the channel.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the channel has a development direction substantially parallel to the advancement path of the containers on the transfer starwheel, so that the channel encloses a volume which extends partially above the mouths of the containers which advance on the transfer starwheel.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the application, the channel is configured to at least partially wrap around the neck and the concave closure applied on each container advancing along the advancement path on the conveying starwheel.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the application, the channel is configured to completely wrap around the neck and the concave closure applied on each container advancing along the advancement path on the conveying starwheel.

[0023] According to one aspect of the application, the channel is located above the containers advancing along the advancement path on the conveying starwheel.

[0024] In particular, the channel has a U-shaped cross section.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the application, the sterile apparatus further comprises a guide element located below the channel and having an elongated extension in a direction parallel to the development direction of the channel.

[0026] In particular, the guide element is configured to hold the concave closure placed on the containers advancing along the advancement path on the conveying starwheel.

[0027] In one example, the guide element is configured to contact the concave closure placed on the containers advancing along the advancement path on the conveying starwheel.

[0028] According to one aspect of the application, the closure placement station comprises a plurality of guides arranged so as to place the concave closure from above on the mouth of the container; and at least one plane able to exert pressure on the concave closure once it is placed on the mouth of the container.

[0029] According to one aspect of the application, the sterile apparatus further comprises a containment suitable for defining a contamination-controlled and sterile environment. The filling unit, the conveying starwheel, the closure placement station and the closure unit are arranged inside the containment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] Further features and advantages of the application will become more fully apparent from the non-limiting description of a preferred, but non-exclusive, embodiment of a sterile apparatus for filling and closing aluminium containers, as shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0031] - Figure 1 a sterile apparatus for filling and closing aluminium containers according to the application is shown in plan view;

[0032] - Figure 2 a conveying starwheel of the apparatus of Figure 1 is shown;

[0033] - Figure 3A channel of a device according to one embodiment is shown in cross-section view; Figure 1

[0034] - Figure 4 A channel of a device according to another embodiment is shown in cross-section view; Figure 1

[0035] - Figure 5 A concave closure is shown in cross-section view;

[0036] - Figure 6 An aluminium container being processed in a device according to one embodiment is shown; Figure 1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] With reference to the attached drawings, reference 1 indicates a sterile device for filling and closing aluminium containers 100, in particular aluminium bottles.

[0038] The device 1 comprises a filling unit 2, at least one transfer starwheel 3 arranged downstream of the filling unit 2 and a closing unit 4 arranged downstream of the transfer starwheel 3.

[0039] The device 1 further comprises a barrier 5 adapted to define a contamination-controlled and sterile environment 6.

[0040] The filling unit 2, the transfer starwheel 3 and the closing unit 4 are located inside the barrier 5, thus inside the contamination-controlled and sterile environment 6.

[0041] The filling unit 2 comprises a first chamber 20 housing a filling machine 21 configured to receive the containers 100 and to inject a product therein.

[0042] Preferably, the filling machine 21 is of the rotating carousel type. Alternatively, the filling machine 21 is of the linear type.

[0043] The device 1 further comprises a closure placement station 30 arranged on a first region of the transfer starwheel 3 located next to the filling unit 2.

[0044] In other words, the closure placement station 30 is just downstream of the filling unit 2, so as to receive the containers 100 from the filling unit 2.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the closure placement station 30 is configured to place a concave closure 200 onto the mouth 100a of each container 100.

[0046] According to another embodiment, the closure placement station 30 is configured to place and press a concave closure 200 onto the mouth 100a of each container 100.

[0047] In particular, the closure placement station 30 is located inside the barrier 5, thus inside the contamination-controlled and sterile environment 6.​​​

[0048] In this regard, the concave closure 200 refers to a capsule or cap comprising a base 200a and a lateral surface 200b, wherein the lateral surface 200b extends from the base 200a and defines a cavity therewith (see Figure 5 ) with it.

[0049] On opposite sides of the base 200a, the concave closure 200 has an opening designated to receive the neck 100b of the container 100.

[0050] In the closure placement station 30, each concave closure 200 is preferably rested on the mouth 100a of the corresponding container 100.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the concave closure 200 is also pressed on the mouth 100a of the corresponding container 100.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the application, each concave closure 200 is dropped on the mouth 100a of the container 100 from above by means of a guide. In the field of bottling, this is referred to as “a la volée” or “on the fly”. The pressing of the concave closure 200 on the mouth 100a is done by means of an upper guide or inclined plane encountered by the container 100 during its movement.

[0053] For example, the inclined plane is a lower plane of a sector located above the mouth 100a of the container 100.

[0054] The concept of “on the fly” gripping is well known, for example, in non-sterile capping machines, and will therefore not be described in detail here.

[0055] The closure unit 4 comprises a second chamber 40 housing a closure machine 41 configured to apply each concave closure 200 around the neck 100b of the corresponding container 100.

[0056] In the closure machine 41, each concave closure 200 is applied to the neck 100b of the corresponding container 100 in order to seal it and make the seal robust. In particular, during the application on the externally threaded neck 100b of the container 100, a thread is created in the concave closure 200.

[0057] Preferably, the closure machine 41 is of the rotating carousel type. Alternatively, the closure machine 41 is of the linear type.

[0058] The device 1 also comprises an air supply device 7 for supplying sterile air to the first chamber 20 and to the second chamber 40.

[0059] The air supply device 7 is configured to supply air so that a first pressure is formed in the first chamber 20 and a second pressure is formed in the second chamber 40.

[0060] Advantageously, the second pressure formed in the second chamber 40 is lower than the first pressure formed in the first chamber 20.

[0061] According to an aspect of the application, the first pressure is comprised between 20 Pa and 50 Pa and the second pressure is comprised between 5 Pa and 30 Pa.

[0062] In this regard, these pressure values are intended as overpressure values, i.e. they are relative pressure values.

[0063] These different overpressure values serve to prevent the pollutants from travelling towards the critical area. In fact, the overpressure formed in the first chamber 20, which contains the filling machine 21, (more critical) causes an air flow towards the second chamber 40, which contains the closing machine 41, (less critical), so as to limit the pollutants from travelling in the opposite direction, i.e. from the second chamber 40 to the first chamber 20.

[0064] According to an aspect of the application, the sterile apparatus 1 further comprises a channel 31 starting downstream of the closure placement station 30.

[0065] Preferably, the channel 31 has an extension direction D substantially parallel to the advancement path of the containers 100 on the conveying starwheel 3.

[0066] According to an aspect of the application, the channel 31 encloses a volume which extends above the mouth 100a of the containers 100 which are partially advancing on the conveying starwheel 3.

[0067] In particular, the channel 31 has a U-shaped cross section.

[0068] According to an aspect of the application, the channel 31 is located in a second region of the conveying starwheel 3, immediately downstream of the first region of the conveying starwheel 3.

[0069] In particular, the channel 31 extends so as to cover a circumferential arc of the conveying starwheel 3.

[0070] The apparatus 1 comprises an additional air supply device 17 for supplying sterile air within the volume delimited by the channel 31 so as to generate a sterile air flow substantially orthogonal to the extension direction D. The direction of the air flow is indicated by the arrow line in Figure 4 .

[0071] The additional air supply device 17 can be separate from the air supply device 7, or connected to the air supply device 7, or belong to the air supply device 7.

[0072] According to one embodiment of the application, the channel 31 is configured to at least partially wrap around the neck 100b and the concave closure 200 placed on each container 100 advancing along the advancement path on the conveying star wheel 3.

[0073] Preferably, as shown in Figure 3 the channel 31 completely wraps around the neck 100b and the concave closure 200 placed on each container 100 advancing along the advancement path on the conveying star wheel 3.

[0074] Preferably, the apparatus 1 further comprises a guide element 32, which is located inside the channel 31 and has an elongated extension in a direction parallel to the development direction D of the channel 31.

[0075] In practice, the guide element 32 develops with the channel 31.

[0076] The guide element 32 is configured to avoid the concave closures 200 applied on the containers 100 advancing along the advancement path on the conveying star wheel 3 from being misaligned. In fact, when the containers 100 move on the conveying star wheel 3, the concave closures 200 are simply placed on their mouths 100a, without being applied thereon.

[0077] Preferably, the guide element 32 is a solid body having a substantially flat surface, which is distanced from the concave closures 200.

[0078] In one embodiment, the guide element 32 is a solid body having a substantially flat surface, which is adapted to be in contact with the concave closures 200.

[0079] In particular, the guide element 32 is made of metal, for example steel, or of plastic.

[0080] According to another embodiment of the application, as shown in Figure 4 the channel 31 is located above the containers 100 advancing along the advancement path on the conveying star wheel 3. In particular, the channel 31 is located above the mouths 100a of the containers 100, at a predetermined distance from the concave closures 200 placed on the containers 100.

[0081] The functioning of the aseptic apparatus for filling and closing aluminium containers according to the application is described hereinafter.

[0082] The containers 100 are filled with product in the filling unit 2, i.e. inside the contamination-controlled and aseptic environment 6.

[0083] The filled containers 100 are then arranged on the conveying star wheel 3, in particular in the first area, where they are subjected to liquid nitrogen doping.

[0084] In particular, a doping device (not shown) is fixedly positioned above the container 100 and is configured to continuously dispense liquid nitrogen towards the container 100. The liquid nitrogen is then vaporized and creates a layer above the product inside the container 100.

[0085] Subsequently, the filled container 100 receives the concave closure 200 "in the air" in the closure placement station 30.

[0086] The container 100, with the concave closure 200 placed on its mouth 100a, continues to travel on the conveying star 3 following the advancement path below the channel 31.

[0087] Thanks to the sterile air flow created in the channel 31 and substantially orthogonal to the development direction D, the entry of contaminants inside the container 100 is prevented.

[0088] In addition, the guide elements 32 that develop along the channel 31 keep the concave closure 200 on the mouth 100a of the container 100, also limiting the entry of contaminants inside the container 100.

[0089] The concave closure 200 placed on the container 100 is then applied to the neck 100b by the closure machine 41, which forms the thread in the concave closure 200.

[0090] The features of the sterile apparatus for filling and closing containers made of aluminum according to the present application are clearly indicated in the description provided.

[0091] In particular, the lower overpressure provided in the closure unit than in the filling unit prevents or limits the contaminants from advancing towards the filling unit.

[0092] In addition, the channel is arranged just after the application of the concave closure "in the air", allowing the protection of the product contained therein during the advancement of the container towards the closure unit.

[0093] Furthermore, the guide elements keep the concave closures in their position on the mouth of the containers as they develop with the channel. This also avoids or limits the entry of contaminants inside the containers.

[0094] The result is a sterile apparatus for filling and closing containers made of aluminum that ensures the sterility effect along the line without increasing the overall complexity.

[0095] In fact, the closure machine for aluminum containers is complex and bulky in structure, which can be accessed (i.e., open) for maintenance operations without affecting the sterility effect of the upstream units, creating a "clean" path for the containers that travel from the area where the closure "in the air" is placed to the closure machine.

Claims

1. Aseptic plant (1) for filling and closing aluminium containers (100), comprising: - a filling unit (2) comprising a first chamber (20) housing a filling machine (21) configured to receive the containers (100) and inject a product inside them; - at least one conveying starwheel (3) downstream of the filling unit (2); - a closure placing station (30) arranged on a first area of the conveying starwheel (3) located beside the filling unit (2), configured to place a female closure (200) onto the mouth (100a) of each container (100), the female closure (200) being devoid of threading; - a closing unit (4) downstream of the conveying starwheel (3), comprising a second chamber (40) housing a closing machine (41) configured to apply each female closure (200) around the neck (100b) of the corresponding container (100) externally threaded, wherein during the application of the female closure (200) on the neck (100b) of the container (100), threading is generated in each female closure (200); - air supply means (7) for supplying sterile air to the first chamber (20) and to the second chamber (40), configured to supply air so that the first chamber (20) is at a first pressure and the second chamber (40) is at a second pressure lower than the first pressure; - an isolator (5) suitable to define a contamination-controlled and aseptic environment (6) inside which the filling unit (2), the conveying starwheel (3), the closure placing station (30) and the closing unit (4) are arranged.

2. Aseptic plant (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: - a tunnel (31) starting downstream of the closure placing station (30), which extends around a volume partially above the mouth (100a) of the containers (100) travelling towards the closing unit (4); - additional air supply means (17) for supplying sterile air within the volume delimited by the tunnel (31) so as to generate a flow of sterile air substantially orthogonal to the development direction (D) of the tunnel (31).

3. The aseptic plant (1) according to claim 2, wherein said channel (31) has a direction of development (D) substantially parallel to the advancement path of the containers (100) on the transfer starwheel (3), so that said channel (31) encloses a volume which extends above the mouth (100a) of the containers (100) which are partially advanced on the transfer starwheel (3).

4. The aseptic plant (1) according to claim 2, wherein said channel (31) is configured to at least partially enclose the neck (100b) and the concave closure (200) applied on each container (100) which is advanced on the transfer starwheel (3) along the advancement path of the containers (100) on the transfer starwheel (3).

5. The aseptic plant (1) according to claim 4, wherein said channel (31) is configured to completely enclose the neck (100b) and the concave closure (200) applied on each container (100) which is advanced on the transfer starwheel (3) along the advancement path.

6. The aseptic plant (1) according to claim 2, wherein said channel (31) is located above the containers (100) which are advanced on the transfer starwheel (3) along the advancement path of the containers (100) on the transfer starwheel (3).

7. The aseptic plant (1) according to claim 2, wherein said channel (31) has a U-shaped cross section.

8. The aseptic plant (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a guide element (32) which is located below said channel (31) and has an elongated extension in a direction parallel to the direction of development (D) of said channel (31), said guide element (32) being configured to keep the concave closure (200) resting on the containers (100) which are advanced on the transfer starwheel (3) along the advancement path of the containers (100) on the transfer starwheel (3).

9. The aseptic plant (1) according to claim 8, wherein said guide element (32) is configured to contact the concave closure (200) resting on the containers (100) which are advanced on the transfer starwheel (3) along the advancement path.

10. The aseptic plant (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first pressure comprises between 20 Pa and 50 Pa and said second pressure comprises between 5 Pa and 30 Pa.

11. The aseptic plant (1) according to claim 1, wherein said closure resting station (30) comprises a plurality of guides arranged so as to rest the concave closure (200) on the mouth (100a) of the container (100) from above; and at least one plane able to exert a pressure on the concave closure (200) once it is rested on the mouth (100a) of the container (100).

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