Hot air extraction duct

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filling machine and method, which processes a supply of hot air at a station within the filling machine. The filling machine provides a working chamber with a clean zone for filling containers while the containers are being transported through the working chamber. The clean zone is provided by introducing HEPA filtered air into the working chamber via a fluid inlet. In one embodiment, the extraction duct is located at a vertical level below the top end of the container when the container is being transported.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling machine which fills containers with a product, in particular a liquid food product, while the containers are conveyed through a working chamber with a clean atmosphere, and which containers are acted upon by hot air before being sealed, a filling machine, means for treating the hot air without disturbing the clean atmosphere, and a method for their use. [Background technology]

[0002] When filling containers with liquid food, it has proven convenient to use a filling machine, in which the containers are transported on a conveyor from the inlet side to the outlet side of a working chamber. During transport, the containers start at the inlet side and are treated with a cleaning agent or sterilized, for example, by exposure to ultraviolet light. The containers then enter a filling area in the working chamber, where the liquid food is filled into the containers. The containers are then transported to a closing area in the working chamber. The filling area and the closing area in the working chamber are typically separated by a wall extending transversely to the transport path. The containers are closed in the closing 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 closes and seals the containers by folding, pressing, and forming a gable end on the open containers.

[0003] To obtain filled containers without particle, bacterial, or viral contamination, which significantly impair the quality and shelf life of the food in the filled containers, it is necessary to maintain a clean atmosphere in the working chamber above the open containers. This clean atmosphere is typically achieved by supplying the working chamber with a fluid, such as HEPA-filtered air, directed toward the containers through a fluid inlet opening above the containers. To maintain a clean atmosphere, it is important that the HEPA air has a uniform, turbulent flow at least above the conveyor in the working chamber where the containers are open.

[0004] The hot air supplied by the heating station has a higher flow rate, a higher temperature, and a higher flow rate than HEPA air, and is therefore a source of turbulence and disturbance in areas where a clean atmosphere is required. Therefore, it is necessary to treat the hot air supplied by the heating station in the filling machine.

[0005] In one commercially available filling machine, HEPA air is supplied to the working chamber through a plenum with multiple perforations located in the ceiling of the working chamber. This arrangement can cause problems with turbulence and backflow, which can cause the HEPA air flow to be inconsistent around the conveyor and the top of the containers. Furthermore, there is no mention of measures taken to prevent the hot air supply in the heating station of this filling machine from affecting the uniform flow of HEPA air.

[0006] A filling machine known from U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,079 includes a working chamber for filling containers with product, which has an external line for introducing sterilizing fluid into the working chamber. The external line extends through the working chamber and has an opening that is positioned over the container to evenly distribute the sterilizing fluid over 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 before filling. The filling machine may have an exhaust pipe positioned below the container's filling line to prevent hydrogen peroxide leakage from the working chamber. An exhaust device near the floor may also draw sterilizing fluid from the working chamber. This configuration has issues with backflow of non-sterile hot air from the preheater, and the mass flow rate of sterile air in the working chamber is not adequate under all operating conditions to maintain a clean atmosphere. The document does not mention the treatment of the hot air from the heating station.

[0007] EP 3230169 (Patent Document 2) provides a filling machine similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 8944079, but with an improved sterile atmosphere in the working chamber. The annular chamber between the inner and outer lines is configured so that its cross-sectional area gradually decreases to essentially zero. This provides a constant static pressure along the length of the annular chamber, resulting in a uniform flow of clean fluid along the length of the filling area. This configuration still has problem areas with backflow and turbulence. This is resolved by adding a flow body to manage flow resistance within the working chamber. The cleaning procedure requires the inner line to rotate within the outer line while dispensing the cleaning medium. This document is silent about handling the hot air from the heating station.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a filling machine for filling containers with product in a clean zone which at least alleviates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0009] More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a filling machine with means for treating the hot air supplied to the working chamber of the filling machine in connection with closing and sealing the containers.

[0010] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating the hot air supplied in such a filling machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,944,079 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 3230169 Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe further characteristics of the invention.

[0013] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a filling machine comprising a working chamber having side walls, a ceiling and a floor, A container having an upper end facing the ceiling and a lower end facing the floor is transported by a conveyor through a working chamber from an entrance side to an exit side, the working chamber having a station within the working chamber configured to perform a work step on the container, the station having a hot air supply unit for performing the work step on the container, and the working chamber further having an extraction duct for extracting the hot air supplied by the hot air supply unit to the outside of the working chamber.

[0014] In one configuration of the filling machine, the extraction duct is located at a vertical level below the upper end of the container when the container is being transported. The extraction duct may, for example, be located directly below the station equipped with the hot air supply.

[0015] In one configuration of the filling machine, the filling machine further comprises a fan configured to extract hot air through the extraction duct. The fan may be located within the extraction duct.

[0016] In one configuration of the filling machine, the fan is configured with a speed control to balance the amount of hot air extracted through the extraction duct and the amount of hot air supplied through the hot air supply, and the fan can extract more or less air from the working chamber than the amount of hot air introduced through the hot air supply, as required.

[0017] In one configuration of the filling machine, the working chamber comprises a heating station, the heating station comprising at least one hot air nozzle for directing hot air towards the upper end of the container and at least one heating station deflector configured to direct the hot air towards the extraction duct, the heating station deflector may have a bend for directing the hot air flow downward towards the floor.

[0018] In one configuration of the filling machine, the working chamber includes a side deflector disposed between the side wall and the heating station on a side of the working chamber opposite the extraction duct, the side deflector configured to guide the hot air toward the extraction duct. The side deflector may include bends proximal and / or distal to the floor to guide the hot air flow.

[0019] In one configuration of the filling machine, the side deflector comprises a guide plate protruding towards the conveyor, and the hot air supply unit is configured to supply hot air between the side deflector and the guide plate to guide the hot air towards the extraction duct.

[0020] In one configuration, the filling machine comprises at least one fluid inlet having a convex fluid inlet face facing the working chamber and displaying a plurality of through openings configured to supply fluid to the working chamber to form a clean zone around at least one station, the at least one fluid inlet being fluidly connected to a supply conduit for supplying fluid to the working chamber.

[0021] In one configuration of the filling machine, the working chamber is divided into a filling area and a closing area by a wall extending laterally within the working chamber, the filling area being proximal to the inlet side and the closing area being proximal to the outlet side.

[0022] In one configuration of the filling machine, the filling area includes at least one fluid inlet and the closing area includes at least one fluid inlet.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treating hot air in a filling machine, the method comprising: A. Providing a filling machine, the filling machine comprising a working chamber having side walls, a ceiling, and a floor; a container having an upper end facing the ceiling and a lower end facing the floor is transported by a conveyor through a working chamber from an inlet side to an outlet side; the working chamber comprising a station within the working chamber configured to perform a working step on the container; the station comprises a hot air supply for carrying out a work step on the container; The working chamber further includes an extraction duct for extracting the hot air supplied by the hot air supply unit to the outside of the working chamber; B. Extracting the hot air supplied by the hot air supply unit by using an extraction duct; Includes.

[0024] The filling machine may be according to any of the features described above under the first aspect of the invention.

[0025] To process the hot air in the filling machine, follow these steps: C. Providing a filling machine according to the above features, the filling machine comprising a fan configured to extract hot air through an extraction duct; D. operating a fan to extract hot air from the working chamber to the outside through the extraction duct; can be performed.

[0026] For further control over the handling of the hot air in the filling machine, the following steps may be taken: E. Providing a filling machine according to the above features, wherein the fan is configured with a speed control; F. operating a speed control to control the speed of the fan to balance the amount of hot air extracted through the extraction duct and the amount of hot air supplied through the hot air supply; can be performed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a filling machine having a working chamber with containers on a conveyor, a filling area and a closed area with a heating station equipped with a hot air supply.

[0028] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a detail of the filling area with the filling stations.

[0029] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a closed area with a preheating station and a closing station.

[0030] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a separate supply conduit having a convex fluid inlet face and multiple openings.

[0031] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a filling machine with a heating station and a hot air supply to the extraction duct located below the heating station.

[0032] [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of the heating station, hot air supply, heating station deflector, and side deflector. The containers on the conveyor are also shown, and arrows indicate the flow of hot air from the hot air nozzles toward the extraction duct and out of the working chamber. A suction fan is shown in the extraction duct.

[0033] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a front view of an enclosed area with a heating station and side deflectors, with guide plates positioned facing the conveyor on the side of the side deflectors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples contained herein. It is expressly intended that the present invention encompasses modified forms of the embodiments, including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements from different embodiments. As with any engineering or design project, it will be understood that in developing an actual implementation, certain decisions must be made to achieve the developer's particular goals, including compliance with system- and / or business-related constraints. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0035] 1-3, the illustrated filling machine 100 includes a working chamber 110 adapted to provide a clean atmosphere. The working chamber 110 is defined by sidewalls 111, a ceiling 112, and a floor 113. The working chamber 110 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape. The working chamber 110 includes a conveyor 115 configured to transport containers 130 from an entrance side 114a to an exit side 114b of the working chamber 110. The working chamber 110 has a longitudinal direction from the entrance side 114a to the exit side 114b. The containers 130 are designed to hold liquid food products, such as beverages.

[0036] Proceeding from the inlet side 114a to the outlet side 114b, the working chamber 110 is divided by a wall 119 into a filling area 117 and a closing area 118. The wall 119 extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the working chamber 110.

[0037] The filling region 117 is located proximal to the inlet side 114a, and the closing region 118 is located proximal to the outlet side 114b.

[0038] The filling machine 100 includes a decontamination tunnel 150 connected to the inlet side 114a and located outside the working chamber 110. Before entering the filling area 117, the containers 130 are conveyed by a conveyor 115 through the decontamination tunnel 150 and are decontaminated therein. The decontamination involves exposing the containers 130 to UV light.

[0039] The containers 130 enter the working chamber 110 in an open state by means of a conveyor 115. The filling of the containers 130 with liquid food takes place in a filling area 117 by means of a filling station 140a located within the filling area.

[0040] While still in the open state, the filled container 130 is conveyed into the enclosed area 118 where the container upper end 131 is heated by heating station 140b.

[0041] The container 130 is then transported to a sealing station 140c located in the closed area 118. The container 130 is closed and sealed by the sealing station 140c, which forms a gable by folding the container upper end 131. Finally, the container 130 leaves the working chamber 110 by the conveyor 115 through the side wall 111 of the outlet side 114b.

[0042] In order to obtain filled containers 130 without contamination with particles, bacteria or viruses that would significantly impair the quality and shelf life of the liquid food in filled containers 130, it is necessary to maintain a clean atmosphere in the working chamber 110, especially above the open containers 130. The clean atmosphere is obtained by supplying HEPA air to the working chamber 110.

[0043] As used herein, the term HEPA air refers to air that has been filtered through a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter is a high-efficiency particulate air filter. Defined by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) standard adopted by most U.S. industries, a HEPA filter removes at least 99.97% of aerosols with a diameter of 0.3 micrometers (μm). HEPA filters capture pollen, dirt, dust, moisture, bacteria (0.2-2.0 μm), and viruses (0.02-0.3 μm). By definition, HEPA air is suitable for forming a clean zone when introduced into a work chamber.

[0044] The working chamber 110 includes a plurality of fluid inlets 120. Each of the fluid inlets 120 includes a convex fluid inlet face 121 facing the working chamber 110. Each of the fluid inlet faces 121 is disposed in the ceiling 112 and exposes a plurality of through openings 122. Each of the fluid inlets 120 is fluidly connected to a supply conduit 125, which supplies HEPA air to each respective fluid inlet 120. The HEPA air is introduced into the working chamber through the through openings 122.

[0045] The through openings 122 are configured to direct a continuous, laminar, and uniform flow of HEPA air from the fluid inlet face 121 at least below the vertical level of the container upper end 131 as the container 130 is being transported. The laminar and uniform HEPA air flow provides a clean zone that extends from the fluid inlet face 121 and moves throughout the working chamber 110 above the vertical level of the container upper end 131 as the container 130 is being transported, thereby preventing contaminants from entering the container 130 while it is being transported through the working chamber 110. The working chamber is configured with a cleaning nozzle 123b for cleaning surfaces within the working chamber 110.

[0046] 4, the fluid inlet surface 121 has a convex elliptical shape facing the working chamber 110, with the radius of curvature of the fluid inlet surface 121 being greater distal to the ceiling 112 than the radius of curvature of the fluid inlet surface 121 proximal to the ceiling 112. The elliptical shape of the fluid inlet helps to equalize the pressure of the HEPA air across the through opening 122. The elliptical shape also provides a suitable surface for generating a laminar and uniform HEPA airflow that is directed directly at the container top end 131 while the through opening 122 is being transported within the working chamber.

[0047] To further aid in providing a uniform and stratified HEPA airflow within the working chamber 110, the HEPA air pressure is equalized across the through-openings 122. The supply conduit 125 has the shape of a circular pipe with a cross-section suitable for providing a slow HEPA airflow rate. The cross-section of the supply conduit 125 increases toward the proximal end of the fluid inlet face 121. This further slows the HEPA air flow rate and helps equalize the HEPA air pressure across the through-openings 122, which in turn provides a uniform and stratified HEPA airflow. When the HEPA air pressure is equalized across the multiple through-openings 122, the risk of unwanted backflow of air from the working chamber 110, which could lead to contamination, is reduced.

[0048] The configuration of the filling machine 100 with the supply conduit 125 allows for a more compact design than would be possible using a single plenum to equalize pressure across the through openings 122. This is because the plenum needs to have a much larger volume to slow the flow rate of the HEPA air than would be required when using the supply conduit 125 as described herein.

[0049] As shown in Figures 5-6, the filling machine includes an extraction duct 160 located directly below a heating station 140b. The heating station 140b includes a hot air supply 171 that directs hot air onto the containers 130 by means of hot air nozzles 172. The hot air is used to prepare the containers 130 for closing and sealing at a sealing station 140c.

[0050] The introduction of hot air into the working chamber 110 represents a risk of disrupting the laminar flow of the HEPA air. The supplied hot air has a higher flow velocity and a higher temperature than the HEPA air. Turbulence and mixing of air in the clean zone with air from potentially non-clean zones in the working chamber is avoided by the extraction duct 160, which is configured to extract the hot air supplied by the hot air supply 171.

[0051] The extraction duct 160 is a duct that allows hot air to be extracted from within the working chamber 110 to the outside air.

[0052] The filling machine 100 comprises a fan 161 arranged in the extraction duct 160. The fan 161 is a suction fan configured to draw air from within the working chamber 110 through the extraction duct 160 to the outside air.

[0053] The fan 161 is equipped with a speed control that allows for variation of the fan's speed, and therefore the amount of air that the fan 161 draws from the working chamber 110 .

[0054] The hot air supply unit 171 is configured to supply a variable amount of hot air to the heating station 140b via the hot air nozzles 172.

[0055] The speed of the fan 161 is adjusted by a speed control to balance the amount of air extracted through the extraction duct 160 and the amount of hot air supplied by the hot air supply 171. In this way, the hot air supplied at the heating station 140b has minimal effect on the clean zone within the working chamber 110, particularly the laminar flow of HEPA air within the enclosed area 118.

[0056] Heating station 140b includes a heating station deflector 173 disposed adjacent to hot air nozzle 172. Heating station deflector 173 has a bent portion for directing the hot air coming from hot air nozzle 172 downward toward floor 113.

[0057] The side deflector 174 is located between the heating station 140b and the side wall 111 of the working chamber 110 opposite the extraction duct 160. The side deflector 174 extends vertically from the level of the upper end of the vessel 131 as it is conveyed downwards towards the floor 113. The side deflector 174 has a bend proximal to the floor 113 to direct the hot air towards the extraction duct 160.

[0058] The black arrows in FIG. 6 indicate the direction of hot air flow from the hot air nozzles 172 through the heating station deflectors 173 and side deflectors 174 towards the extraction duct 160 .

[0059] 7, the filling machine further comprises guide plates 175 extending from each vertical side of the side deflectors 174 towards the conveyor 115 and the heating station 140b. The side deflectors 174 and the guide plates 175 together form a channel within the enclosed area 118, the channel being suitable for guiding the hot air towards the floor 113, towards the extraction duct 160 and then towards the outside air.

[0060] It will be appreciated that certain features of the invention that are, for clarity, described above in the context of separate components, may also be provided in combination in a single component. Conversely, various features of the invention that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single component, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0061] (List of references:) 100 filling machine 110 Working chamber 111 Side wall 112 Ceiling 113 beds 114a Entrance side 114b Exit side 115 Conveyor 117 Filling area 118 Closed area 119 Wall 120 fluid inlet 121 Fluid inlet surface 122 Through opening 123b Working chamber cleaning nozzle 125 Supply Conduit 130 Container 131 Upper end of container 132 Lower end of container 140a filling station 140b Heating Station 140c Sealing Station 150 Decontamination Tunnel 160 Extraction duct 161 fans 171 Hot air supply section 172 Hot air nozzle 173 Heating Station Deflector 174 Lateral deflector 175 Guide Plate

Claims

1. A filling machine (100), comprising a working chamber (110) having side walls (111), a ceiling (112) and a floor (113), a container (130) having an upper end (131) facing the ceiling (112) and a lower end (132) facing the floor (113) is transported by a conveyor (115) through the working chamber (110) from an inlet side (114a) to an outlet side (114b); the working chamber (110) comprises stations (140a, 140b, 140c) therein configured to perform a working step on the container (130); said stations (140a, 140b, 140c) each comprising a hot air supply (171) for carrying out a work step on said container, A filling machine, characterized in that the working chamber (110) further comprises an extraction duct (160) for extracting hot air supplied by the hot air supply unit (171) to the outside of the working chamber (110).

2. 2. The filling machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the extraction duct (160) is arranged at a vertical level below the upper end (131) of the container (130) when the container (130) is being transported.

3. 2. The filling machine (100) of claim 1, further comprising a fan (161) configured to extract the hot air through the extraction duct (160).

4. The filling machine (100) of claim 3, wherein the fan (161) is configured with a speed control section, which balances the amount of hot air extracted through the extraction duct (160) and the amount of hot air supplied through the hot air supply section (171).

5. The working chamber (110) comprises a heating station (140b), the heating station (140b) comprising: At least one hot air nozzle (172) for directing hot air to the upper end (131) of the container; at least one heating station deflector (173) configured to direct the hot air towards the extraction duct (160); The filling machine (100) of claim 1, comprising:

6. 2. The filling machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the working chamber (110) is provided with a side deflector (174), the side deflector (174) being arranged between the side wall (111) and the heating station (140b) on a side of the working chamber (110) opposite the extraction duct (160), the side deflector being configured to guide the hot air towards the extraction duct (160).

7. The filling machine (100) of claim 6, wherein the side deflector (174) comprises a guide plate (175) protruding toward the conveyor (115), and the hot air supply unit (171) is configured to supply hot air between the side deflector (174) and the guide plate (175) to guide the hot air toward the extraction duct (160).

8. The filling machine (100) has at least one fluid inlet (120), said at least one fluid inlet (120) comprises a convex fluid inlet face (121), said fluid inlet face (121) facing said working chamber (110) and displaying a plurality of through openings (122), said plurality of through openings (122) configured to supply fluid to said working chamber (110) for forming a clean zone around at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c); 2. The filling machine (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid inlet (120) is fluidly connected to a supply conduit (125) for supplying the fluid to the working chamber (110).

9. 2. The filling machine (100) of claim 1, 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), the filling area being proximate the inlet side (114a) and the closed area (118) being proximate the outlet side (114b).

10. The filling area (117) comprises at least one fluid inlet (120); The enclosed area (118) comprises at least one fluid inlet (120); said at least one fluid inlet (120) comprises a convex fluid inlet face (121), said fluid inlet face (121) facing said working chamber (110) and displaying a plurality of through openings (122), said plurality of through openings (122) configured to supply fluid to said working chamber (110) for forming a clean zone around at least one station (140a, 140b, 140c); 10. The filling machine (100) of claim 9, wherein the at least one fluid inlet (120) is fluidly connected to a supply conduit (125) for supplying the fluid to the working chamber (110).

11. 1. A method for treating hot air in a filling machine, the method comprising: A. Providing a filling machine (100), said filling machine comprising a working chamber (110) having side walls (111), a ceiling (112) and a floor (113); a container (130) having an upper end (131) facing the ceiling (112) and a lower end (132) facing the floor (113) is transported by a conveyor (115) through the working chamber (110) from an inlet side (114a) to an outlet side (114b), the working chamber (110) comprises stations (140a, 140b, 140c) therein configured to perform a working step on the container (130); said stations (140a, 140b, 140c) each comprising a hot air supply (171) for carrying out a work step on said container, the working chamber (110) further comprises an extraction duct (160) for extracting the hot air supplied by the hot air supply unit (171) to the outside of the working chamber (110); B. Extracting the hot air provided by the hot air supply (171) by using the extraction duct (160); A method comprising:

12. The method comprises: C. Providing a filling machine (100) according to claim 11, said filling machine (100) comprising a fan (161) configured to extract said hot air through said extraction duct (160); D. operating said fan (161) to extract hot air from said working chamber (110) through said extraction duct (160) to the outside; The method of claim 11 further comprising:

13. The method comprises: E. Providing a filling machine (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fan (161) is configured with a speed control; F. Controlling the speed for the fan (161) to balance the amount of hot air extracted through the extraction duct (160) and the amount of hot air supplied through the hot air supply (171) by operating the speed control; The method of claim 12 further comprising:

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