Filling machine and method for treating hot air in a filling machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling machine and a method of treating hot air supplied at a station within the filling machine. The filling machine provides a working chamber having a clean zone for filling containers as they are conveyed through the working chamber. The clean zone is provided by introducing HEPA filtered air into the working chamber through a fluid inlet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling machine for filling products, particularly liquid foods, into containers as the containers are conveyed through a working chamber in a clean atmosphere, wherein the containers are subjected to hot air before sealing, and to an apparatus for handling the hot air without disrupting the clean atmosphere and a method of using the same. Background Technology

[0002] When filling liquid food products into containers, the use of a filling machine has proven convenient, in which containers are conveyed on a conveyor from the inlet side to the outlet side of the working chamber. During container conveying, starting from the inlet side, the containers are treated with a cleaning agent or sterilized, for example, by exposure to ultraviolet light. The containers then enter the filling area within the working chamber, into which the liquid food product is filled. The containers are then conveyed to the sealing area within the working chamber. The filling and sealing areas within the working chamber are typically separated by walls extending transversely to the conveying path. The containers are sealed in the sealing area, which includes a heating station and a sealing station. The heating station supplies hot air to the top of the container, and the sealing station folds and presses down on the open container to close and seal it by forming a gable wall.

[0003] A clean atmosphere needs to be maintained above the open containers in the working chamber to ensure that the containers are free from contamination by particles, bacteria, or viruses that could severely compromise the quality and shelf life of the food products within. This clean atmosphere is typically achieved by supplying a fluid (such as HEPA-filtered air) to the working chamber through a fluid inlet opening above the containers. To maintain this clean atmosphere, it is important that the HEPA air flows uniformly without turbulence, at least above the conveyor within the working chamber where the containers are open.

[0004] Compared to HEPA air, the hot air supplied at the heating station has a higher velocity, higher temperature, and higher flow rate, and is therefore a source of turbulence and disturbance in areas requiring a clean atmosphere. Therefore, the hot air supplied by the heating station in the filling machine needs to be treated.

[0005] In a commercially available filling machine, HEPA air is supplied to the working chamber via an inflation chamber with multiple through-holes located in the top plate of the working chamber. This arrangement can pose challenges to turbulence and backflow, resulting in inconsistent flow of HEPA air around the conveyor and the top of the container. Furthermore, no measures are mentioned to prevent the hot air supply at the heating station in this filling machine from affecting the uniform flow of HEPA air.

[0006] A filling machine known from US8944079 B2 includes a working chamber for filling a product into a container, the working chamber having an external line for introducing sterile fluid into the working chamber. This external line extends through the working chamber and has an opening positioned above the container to allow uniform diffusion of the sterile fluid above the container, positioned below the external line. The external line surrounds an internal line configured to dispense a cleaning medium from a nozzle. The internal line rotates within the external line to properly clean the interior of the external line. The container is cleaned with hydrogen peroxide prior to filling. The filling machine may have an exhaust pipe located below the filling line of the container to prevent hydrogen peroxide from escaping from the working chamber. An exhaust device near the bottom plate can also draw sterile fluid from the working chamber. This configuration faces the challenge of non-sterile hot air recirculation from the preheater, and the mass flow of sterile air in the working chamber is not suitable for maintaining a clean atmosphere under all operating conditions. The document does not disclose the treatment of hot air from the heating station.

[0007] EP3230169 B1 provides a filling machine very similar to that described in US 8944079 B2, but with an improved aseptic atmosphere in the working chamber. The annular chamber between the internal and external piping is configured such that the cross-sectional area gradually decreases to almost zero. This provides a constant static pressure along the length of the annular chamber, allowing the cleaning fluid to flow uniformly along the length of the filling zone. This configuration still has problem areas for backflow and turbulence. This is addressed by adding a flow body to manage flow resistance in the working chamber. The cleaning process requires the internal piping to rotate within the external piping during the dispensing of the cleaning medium. The handling of hot air from the heating station is not disclosed in this document.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine for filling products into containers in a clean area, which at least mitigates the disadvantages described above in the prior art.

[0009] More specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a filling machine having means for handling hot air, wherein the hot air is supplied to the working chamber of the filling machine in relation to the closure and sealing of the container.

[0010] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for processing the hot air supplied in such a filling machine. Summary of the Invention

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a filling machine including a working chamber, the working chamber including side walls, a top plate and a bottom plate; The container is conveyed from the inlet side to the outlet side through the working chamber via a conveyor. The container includes: a container top facing the top plate; and a container bottom facing the bottom plate. The working chamber includes: a station located within the working chamber and configured to perform working steps on the container. The station includes a hot air supply device for performing working steps on the container. The working chamber also includes an extraction pipe for extracting hot air supplied by the hot air supply device to the outside of the working chamber.

[0012] In one configuration of the filling machine, the extraction pipe is located at a vertical horizontal level below the top of the container as it is conveyed. The extraction pipe may, for example, be located directly below a station that includes a hot air supply unit.

[0013] In one configuration of the filling machine, the filling machine also includes a fan configured to draw hot air through an extraction duct. The fan may be located inside the extraction duct.

[0014] In one configuration of the filling machine, the fan is equipped with a speed controller to balance the volume of hot air drawn through the extraction pipe with the volume of hot air supplied via the hot air supply device. The fan can, as needed, draw a larger or smaller volume of air from the working chamber than the volume of hot air introduced via the hot air supply device.

[0015] In one configuration of the filling machine, the working chamber includes a heating station, which comprises: at least one hot air nozzle for directing hot air at the top of the container; and at least one heating station deflector configured to guide the hot air toward the extraction pipe. The heating station deflector may have a bend to guide the hot air downward toward the base plate.

[0016] In one configuration of the filling machine, the working chamber includes a side deflector disposed on the side of the working chamber opposite the extraction pipe between the side wall and the heating station, wherein the side deflector is configured to guide hot air toward the extraction pipe. The side deflector may include bends near and / or away from the base plate for guiding the hot airflow.

[0017] In one configuration of the filling machine, the side deflector includes a guide plate projecting toward the conveyor, wherein a hot air supply device is configured to supply hot air between the side deflector and the guide plate for guiding the hot air toward the extraction pipe.

[0018] In one configuration, the filling machine includes at least one fluid inlet, wherein the at least one fluid inlet includes a protruding fluid inlet surface facing a working chamber and displaying a plurality of through openings configured to supply fluid to the working chamber for creating a clean area around at least one station, and wherein the at least one fluid inlet is fluidly connected to a supply conduit for supplying fluid to the working chamber.

[0019] In one configuration of a filling machine, the working chamber is divided into a filling area and a closed area by a transversely extending wall within the working chamber, wherein the filling area is adjacent to the inlet side and the closed area is adjacent to the outlet side.

[0020] In one configuration of the filling machine, the filling area includes at least one fluid inlet, and the closed area includes at least one fluid inlet.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treating hot air in a filling machine, the method comprising the following steps: A. A filling machine is provided, the filling machine comprising: - The working chamber, including the side walls, top plate, and bottom plate. The containers include: - The top of the container, facing the top plate, and - Bottom of the container, facing the base plate The container is conveyed from the inlet side to the outlet side through the working chamber via a conveyor, wherein the working chamber includes: - A station, located within the working chamber, is configured to perform working steps on pairs of containers, wherein... - The station includes a hot air supply unit for performing working procedures on the containers. The working chamber also includes an extraction pipe for extracting hot air supplied by the hot air supply device to the outside of the working chamber.

[0022] B. Hot air supplied by the hot air supply unit is drawn in by using an extraction pipe.

[0023] The filling machine may have any of the features described above according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0024] To handle the hot air inside the filling machine, the following steps can be taken: C. A filling machine according to the features described above is provided, wherein the filling machine includes a fan configured to draw hot air through an extraction pipe. D. Operate the fan to draw hot air from the working chamber to the outside through the extraction duct.

[0025] To further control the hot air inside the filling machine, the following steps can be performed: E. A filling machine provided according to the features described above, wherein the fan is equipped with a speed controller. F. The speed of the fan is controlled by an operating speed controller to balance the volume of hot air drawn through the extraction pipe with the volume of hot air supplied via the hot air supply device. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 A front view of a filling machine is shown, which has a working chamber with a container located on a conveyor, a filling area, and an enclosed area with a heating station, wherein the heating station includes a hot air supply device.

[0027] Figure 2 Details of the filling area with the filling station are shown.

[0028] Figure 3 A side view of an enclosed area with a preheating station and a sealing station is shown.

[0029] Figure 4 A separate supply pipe is shown, which has a protruding fluid inlet surface and multiple openings.

[0030] Figure 5 A rear view of a filling machine is shown, which has a hot air supply unit for a heating station and an extraction pipe located below the heating station.

[0031] Figure 6 A cross-sectional side view of the heating station, hot air supply unit, heating station baffle, and side baffle is shown. A container on the conveyor is also shown, and arrows indicate that hot air flows from the hot air nozzles toward the extraction duct to the outside of the working chamber. A suction fan is shown in the extraction duct.

[0032] Figure 7 A front view of an enclosed area with a heating station and side deflectors is shown, wherein the guide plates are arranged to face the conveyor at the side of the side deflectors. Detailed Implementation

[0033] In the following, specific embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments and descriptions contained herein. The invention is precisely intended to include modifications of these embodiments, multiple portions of these embodiments, and combinations of multiple elements of different embodiments. It should be understood that in any actual implementation of development, such as in any engineering or design project, specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific objectives, such as compliance with system and / or business-related constraints. Furthermore, it should be understood that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but remain routine tasks of design, manufacture, and production for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0034] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The filling machine 100 shown includes a working chamber 110 adapted to provide a clean atmosphere. The working chamber 110 is defined by side walls 111, a top plate 112, and a bottom plate 113. The working chamber 110 has a hollow cuboid shape. The working chamber 110 includes a conveyor 115 configured to convey a container 130 from an inlet side 114a to an outlet side 114b of the working chamber 110. The working chamber 110 has a longitudinal direction from the inlet side 114a to the outlet side 114b. The container 130 is designed to contain liquid food, such as a beverage.

[0035] Proceeding from the inlet side 114a to the outlet side 114b, the working chamber 110 is divided into a filling area 117 and a sealing area 118 by a wall 119. The wall 119 extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the working chamber 110.

[0036] The filling area 117 is adjacent to the inlet side 114a, and the closed area 118 is adjacent to the outlet side 114b.

[0037] The filling machine 100 includes a purification passage 150 located outside the working chamber 110 connected to the inlet side 114a. Before entering the filling area 117, containers 130 are conveyed through the purification passage 150 via a conveyor 115 and purified therein. Purification includes exposing the containers 130 to UV light.

[0038] The container 130, which is in an open state, enters the working chamber 110 by means of the conveyor 115. In the filling area 117, the liquid food is filled into the container 130 by means of the filling station 140a located in the filling area.

[0039] The filled container 130, still in an open state, is transferred to a closed area 118, where the top 131 of the container is heated by means of a heating station 140b.

[0040] Then, container 130 is conveyed to sealing station 140c located in closed area 118. Sealing station 140c closes and seals container 130 by forming a gable wall by folding container top 131. Finally, container 130 exits working chamber 110 through sidewall 111 at outlet side 114b by means of conveyor 115.

[0041] It is necessary to maintain a clean atmosphere in the working chamber 110, especially above the open containers 130, in order to obtain filled containers 130 free from contamination by particles, bacteria, or viruses, which would seriously impair the quality and shelf life of the liquid food in the filled containers 130. A clean atmosphere is achieved by supplying HEPA air to the working chamber 110.

[0042] As used herein, the term HEPA air refers to air filtered through a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter is a high-efficiency particulate air filter. HEPA filters, as defined by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) standards adopted by most U.S. industries, remove at least 99.97% of aerosols with a diameter of 0.3 micrometers (μm). HEPA filters capture pollen, dirt, dust, moisture, bacteria (0.2 to 2.0 μm), and viruses (0.02 to 0.3 μm). By definition, HEPA air is designed to create a clean zone when introduced into a working chamber.

[0043] The working chamber 110 includes a plurality of fluid inlets 120. Each fluid inlet 120 includes a protruding fluid inlet surface 121 facing the working chamber 110. Each fluid inlet surface 121 is located at the top plate 112 and displays a plurality of through openings 122. Each fluid inlet 120 is fluidly connected to a supply conduit 125, which supplies HEPA air to each corresponding fluid inlet 120. HEPA air is introduced into the working chamber through the through openings 122.

[0044] The through-opening 122 is configured to direct a continuous, layered, and uniform flow of HEPA air from the fluid inlet surface 121 downwards at a vertical height at least below the top of the container 131 as the container 130 is conveyed. This layered and uniform HEPA airflow provides a clean zone extending from the fluid inlet surface 121 to a height below the top of the container 131 as the container 130 is conveyed through the working chamber 110, thereby preventing any contaminants from entering the containers as they are conveyed through the working chamber 110. The working chamber is equipped with cleaning nozzles 123b for cleaning surfaces within the working chamber 110.

[0045] like Figure 4As shown, the fluid inlet surface 121 has an elliptical shape protruding towards the working chamber 110, wherein the radius of curvature of the portion of the fluid inlet surface 121 away from the top plate 112 is greater than the radius of curvature of the portion of the fluid inlet surface 121 adjacent to the top plate 112. The elliptical shape of the fluid inlet helps to equalize the HEPA air pressure above the through opening 122. The elliptical shape also provides a surface suitable for generating a layered and uniform HEPA airflow through the through opening 122, which is directly aligned with the top 131 of the container when the container is being transported within the working chamber.

[0046] To further assist in providing a uniform and laminar flow of HEPA air in the working chamber 110, the pressure of the HEPA air above the through-opening 122 is equalized. A supply conduit 125 has a circular tube shape with a cross-section adapted to provide a slow HEPA airflow rate. The cross-section of the supply conduit 125 increases towards the end adjacent to the fluid inlet surface 121. This further slows the HEPA airflow rate and helps equalize the HEPA air pressure above the through-opening 122, which in turn provides a uniform and laminar flow of HEPA air. When the HEPA air pressures above the multiple through-openings 122 are equalized, the risk of unwanted air backflow from the working chamber 110 that could lead to contamination is reduced.

[0047] Compared to using an air chamber to equalize the pressure above the through opening 122, the configuration of the filling machine 100 with the supply conduit 125 allows for a more compact design. This is because the air chamber needs to have a much larger volume than would be required using the supply conduit 125 as described herein to slow down the HEPA airflow.

[0048] like Figures 5 to 6 As shown, the filling machine includes an extraction pipe 160 located immediately below the heating station 140b. The heating station 140b includes a hot air supply device 171 that directs hot air to the container 130 via hot air nozzles 172. The hot air is used to prepare the container 130 for closing and sealing at the sealing station 140c.

[0049] Introducing hot air into the working chamber 110 poses a risk of disrupting the laminar flow of HEPA air. The supplied hot air has a flow rate and temperature higher than that of HEPA air. Turbulence and mixing of air in the clean area with air from potentially unclean areas inside the working chamber are avoided by means of an extraction duct 160 configured to extract the hot air supplied by the hot air supply 171.

[0050] The extraction pipe 160 is a pipe that allows hot air to be extracted from inside the working chamber 110 to the external ambient air.

[0051] The filling machine 100 includes a fan 161 disposed within an extraction pipe 160. The fan 161 is a suction fan configured to draw air from the working chamber 110 to ambient air through the extraction pipe 160.

[0052] The fan 161 is equipped with a speed controller that enables the fan speed to vary, thereby varying the amount of air drawn by the fan 161 from the working chamber 110.

[0053] The hot air supply device 171 is configured to supply variable volume hot air to the heating station 140b via hot air nozzles 172.

[0054] The speed of fan 161 is adjusted by means of a speed controller to balance the volume of air drawn through extraction pipe 160 with the volume of hot air supplied by hot air supply device 171. In this way, the hot air supplied at heating station 140b will have minimal impact on the layered HEPA airflow in the clean area within working chamber 110, specifically within enclosed area 118.

[0055] Heating station 140b includes a heating station deflector 173 positioned adjacent to hot air nozzle 172. The heating station deflector 173 has a bend for guiding hot air from hot air nozzle 172 downward toward base plate 113.

[0056] A side deflector 174 is disposed on the side of the working chamber 110 opposite to the extraction pipe 160, between the heating station 140b and the side wall 111. The side deflector 174 extends vertically downward toward the bottom plate 113 from the horizontal height of the container top 131 as the container is conveyed. The side deflector 174 includes a bend adjacent to the bottom plate 113 for guiding hot air toward the extraction pipe 160.

[0057] Figure 6 The black arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of hot air flow from the hot air nozzle 172 through the heating station guide plate 173 and the side guide plate 174 toward the extraction pipe 160.

[0058] like Figure 7 As shown, the filling machine also includes guide plates 175 that extend from each vertical side of the side guide plates 174 toward the conveyor 115 and the heating station 140b. The side guide plates 174 and the guide plates 175 together form a passage within an enclosed area 118 that is adapted to guide hot air toward the base plate 113, toward the extraction pipe 160, and subsequently to guide the hot air to the external ambient air.

[0059] It should be understood that, for clarity, certain features of the invention described above in the context of independent configurations can also be provided in combination in a single configuration. Conversely, for brevity, various features of the invention described in the context of a single configuration can also be provided individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0060] Reference List

Claims

1. A filling machine (100), comprising: - The working chamber (110) includes multiple side walls (111) and a top plate (112) and a bottom plate (113). The container (130) includes: - The top of the container (131) faces the top plate (112); and - The bottom end of the container (132) faces the bottom plate (113); The container is conveyed from the inlet side (114a) to the outlet side (114b) through the working chamber (110) via a conveyor (115), wherein the working chamber (110) comprises: - Stations (140a, 140b, 140c), located within the working chamber (110) and configured to perform working steps on the container (130), wherein, The stations (140a, 140b, 140c) include a hot air supply device (171) for performing working steps on the containers. The working chamber (110) is characterized by further including an extraction pipe (160) for extracting hot air supplied by the hot air supply device (171) to the outside of the working chamber (110). The working chamber (110) includes a heating station (140b), wherein the heating station (140b) includes: - At least one hot air nozzle (172) for directing hot air at the top (131) of the container; and - At least one heating station deflector (173) configured to guide the hot air toward the extraction pipe (160). The working chamber (110) includes a side guide plate (174) arranged on the side of the working chamber (110) opposite to the extraction pipe (160) between the side wall (111) and the heating station (140b), and wherein the side guide plate is configured to guide hot air toward the extraction pipe (160).

2. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein, When the container (130) is being transported, the extraction pipe (160) is located at a vertical horizontal height below the top (131) of the container.

3. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The filling machine (100) also includes a fan (161) configured to draw hot air through the extraction pipe (160).

4. The filling machine (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The fan (161) is equipped with a speed controller to balance the volume of hot air drawn through the extraction pipe (160) with the volume of hot air supplied via the hot air supply device (171).

5. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The side deflector (174) includes a guide plate (175) protruding toward the transmitter (115) for guiding hot air toward the extraction pipe (160), wherein a hot air supply device (171) is configured to supply hot air between the side deflector (174) and the guide plate (175).

6. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one fluid inlet (120), wherein - The at least one fluid inlet (120) includes a protruding fluid inlet surface (121) facing the working chamber (110) and showing a plurality of through openings (122) configured to supply fluid to the working chamber (110) for creating a clean zone around at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c), and wherein, - The at least one fluid inlet (120) is fluidly connected to a supply conduit (125) for supplying fluid to the working chamber (110).

7. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The working chamber (110) is divided into a filling area (117) and a closed area (118) by a wall (119) extending laterally within the working chamber (110), wherein the filling area is adjacent to the inlet side (114a) and the closed area (118) is adjacent to the outlet side (114b).

8. The filling machine (100) according to claim 7, wherein - The filling area (117) includes at least one fluid inlet (120), and wherein, - The enclosed area (118) includes at least one fluid inlet (120).

9. A method for treating hot air in a filling machine, comprising the following steps: A. Provide a filling machine (100), said filling machine comprising: - The working chamber (110) includes multiple side walls (111) and a top plate (112) and a bottom plate (113). The container (130) includes - The top of the container (131) faces the top plate (112); and - The bottom end of the container (132) faces the bottom plate (113); The container is conveyed from the inlet side (114a) to the outlet side (114b) through the working chamber (110) via a conveyor (115), wherein the working chamber (110) comprises: - Stations (140a, 140b, 140c), located within the working chamber (110) and configured to perform working steps on the container (130), wherein - The stations (140a, 140b, 140c) include a hot air supply device (171) for performing working steps on the containers. The working chamber (110) further includes an extraction pipe (160) for extracting hot air supplied by the hot air supply device (171) to the outside of the working chamber (110). B. Hot air supplied by the hot air supply device (171) is drawn by using the extraction pipe (160). The working chamber (110) includes a heating station (140b), wherein the heating station (140b) includes: - At least one hot air nozzle (172) for directing hot air at the top (131) of the container; and - At least one heating station deflector (173) configured to guide the hot air toward the extraction pipe (160). The working chamber (110) includes a side guide plate (174) arranged on the side of the working chamber (110) opposite to the extraction pipe (160) between the side wall (111) and the heating station (140b), and wherein the side guide plate is configured to guide hot air toward the extraction pipe (160).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The filling machine (100) includes a fan (161) configured to draw hot air through the extraction pipe (160). The method further includes the step of operating the fan (161) to draw hot air from the working chamber (110) to the outside through the extraction pipe (160).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The fan (161) is equipped with a speed controller. The method further includes the step of controlling the speed of the fan (161) by operating the speed controller to balance the volume of hot air drawn through the extraction pipe (160) with the volume of hot air supplied via the hot air supply device (171).

Images