Method and apparatus for fastening container lid to container
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024213268
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-04-03
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-26
Smart Images
Figure 2025027142000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for fastening container closures to containers, preferably in a beverage bottling plant. [Background technology]
[0002] Certain filled products essentially require bottling under sterile conditions to ensure product safety and to guarantee the shelf life of the filled product after bottling. Such sterile or low- or no-bacteria bottles and associated bottling plants are also referred to as "aseptic bottling" and "aseptic bottling plants", respectively.
[0003] To allow aseptic bottling, the processing of the containers to be filled, e.g. blowing, washing, transporting, filling, capping, etc., is, depending on the application, at least partially carried out in a cleanroom, also called an "isolate", where a controlled atmosphere is provided, e.g. by means of filters and / or gas supply, to provide a germ-free or at least sufficiently germ- and particle-free atmosphere with the specific requirements of the product in question.
[0004] After the lids have been produced, they are conventionally stored and transported in transport containers, first as loose cargo. For further processing, the lids must be subjected to a complex singulation and sorting. The machines required for this purpose are structurally complex and maintenance and resource intensive. During their storage, transport and singulation, the lids are exposed to environmental conditions, which result in the lids becoming contaminated. In particular, microbiological bacteria can adhere to the lids, which later have to be removed or killed by a complex sterilization process. A lid sterilization machine suitable for this purpose increases the structural complexity of the lid fastening machine and is energy and cost intensive. In addition, when processing the lids, For example, during sorting and transportation, abrasion between lids can occur and these abrasive particles, together with any other foreign matter, can be carried along and enter the container to be filled.
[0005] Thus, in order to fasten lids to containers under aseptic conditions, it is known to clean and optionally sterilize the lids before fitting them to the filled containers. After the sterilization step, the lids are fitted in an insulator under aseptic conditions to each container to be fastened. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to specify an improved device and method for fastening container closures to containers, particularly in beverage bottling plants. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] This object is achieved by an apparatus having the features of claim 1, by a beverage bottling plant having the features of claim 9 and by a method having the features of claim 12. Advantageous further developments are given in the dependent claims and in the following description of the invention and in the description of preferred exemplary embodiments.
[0008] Thus, an apparatus for fastening container lids to containers, for example in a beverage bottling plant, is proposed, which comprises a separator for providing a defined atmosphere therein as well as a lid fastener for fastening the container lids to the containers, the lid fastener being arranged in the separator.Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a lid production apparatus for producing container lids from a hot melt, for example a plastic melt.In addition, the lid production apparatus is arranged outside the separator and is interconnected with the separator or connected to the separator via a lid transport tunnel in order to feed the produced container lids to the lid fastener.
[0009] There is no need to sterilize the container lids again before fastening the containers to be fastened, since they are sterilized simultaneously with the production process and remain in this state as a result of their proximity to the isolators (interconnected or lid transport tunnels) and, more precisely, the absence of any contamination exposure. As a result of the proposed arrangement, the container lids are always clean and germ-free.
[0010] Furthermore, they do not need to be stored, as a result of which transport means, for example transport boxes, are omitted. If the container ends are individually moulded and produced in a carousel type device with the same pitch as the lid fasteners, they do not need to be singulated and / or sorted and / or rearranged. Instead, the manufactured container ends are fed directly from the lid production device in the correct arrangement and with the correct pitch, which results in a reduced complexity of the machinery of a beverage bottling plant equipped with the device according to the invention. Thus, the means for transporting the lids, the sorting system and For example sensors such as cameras etc. can be omitted. A lid inspection unit capable of detecting manufacturing defects, contamination etc. can be easily integrated into the lid manufacturing equipment, in particular into the preferred carousel type machines.
[0011] If the container lids are immediately transferred to a lid fastener for fastening the lids to the containers, the pitch of the lid fastener preferably corresponds to the pitch of the lid manufacturing machine, i.e. the cycle speed is matched, so that the individual container lids can be assigned to the corresponding containers and mounted thereon without any problems. Similarly, the orientation or alignment of the container lids is preferably maintained from manufacture to mounting.
[0012] In particular, the raw materials are preferably heated in the lid-making device to form a melt using a temperature that does not require additional sterilization of the raw materials and the container lids produced therefrom. The melt for producing the container lids in this way is preferably at such a high temperature that microbiological bacteria (spores and / or vegetable bacteria) cannot survive this process, as a result of which the container lids are essentially sterile after forming in the lid-forming unit.
[0013] Preferably, a device for sterilizing the lid-making device is provided, which is configured to contact the lid-making device with a sterilizing gas. This involves full and partial contact of the lid-making device, in particular the lid-forming unit. Thus, the sterilized conditions that arise from the production of the container lids can be achieved and maintained in a particularly reliable manner. If a lid transport tunnel is provided for transporting the container lids from the lid-forming unit to the separator, it is particularly preferred that the sterilizing gas is supplied to the lid transport tunnel.
[0014] Preferably, the device for sterilizing the lid-making machine comprises one or more nozzles configured to direct a gas flow of sterilizing gas into at least one section of the lid-making machine, preferably the lid-forming unit, such that the sterility of the container lids resulting from the production is maintained in an effective manner by killing bacteria entering from outside, so that the sterile container lids are not contaminated.
[0015] Preferably, the sterilizing gas comprises H2O2, for example at a concentration in the range of 100 ppm to 200 ppm, particularly preferably at about 150 ppm. At these concentrations, the gas is non-corrosive and therefore can be delivered to the closure machine without any problems, especially in a parallel manner.
[0016] Preferably, the device for sterilizing the lid making apparatus is configured to contact the lid making apparatus with sterilizing gas, preferably continuously, during the production of the container lids, so that the sterile conditions generated by the production of the container lids can be reliably maintained even when, for example, the lid making apparatus is arranged outside the insulator.
[0017] Preferably, the device for sterilizing the lid production device is provided outside the production of the container lids, That is, the lid making apparatus is configured to be contacted with sterilizing gas, for example during start-up or during interruptions in normal operation, where "normal operation" refers to an operating condition of the lid making apparatus, the apparatus being: Container closures are produced as normal and transported, for example to a closure fastener in a beverage bottling plant. In this embodiment, the closure production equipment is sterilized outside normal operation and then additionally supplied with sterile air, preferably from an isolator, during normal operation, so that a simultaneous active contact with equipment for sterilizing the closure production equipment can be avoided and thus energy and resources can be saved.
[0018] The separator preferably also houses a lid fastener for fastening a container lid to the container. It contains an airlock and an internal pressure of sterile or clean air and / or another gas, this internal pressure being high compared to the external environment, to ensure that contaminants do not enter the separator from the outside by an outward airflow. The separator makes it possible to maintain the sterility of the container lid after production without the need for a subsequent separate sterilization.
[0019] Preferably, the lid making device is designed as a carousel-type machine, since in this case the container lids are formed individually and the required pitch for the lid fasteners is already present during production. They can be immediately transported to a possible lid fastener without having to be re-singulated and / or sorted.
[0020] The above object is further achieved by a beverage bottling plant comprising a filler for filling containers with a beverage and a device for fastening container lids to the filled containers according to any of the above variants.
[0021] The technical effects, advantages and embodiments described above with respect to the apparatus for manufacturing and sterilizing container closures apply mutatis mutandis to beverage bottling plants.
[0022] Therefore, as a result of the sterilization of the end production device, it is possible for the above reasons to reduce the complexity of the machinery of a beverage bottling plant: it is possible to omit means for conveying ends, sorting systems, sensors such as cameras, for example, etc.
[0023] The lid-making equipment is sterilized outside of normal operation and then sterile air from the separator is additionally supplied during normal operation, as a result of which it is possible to avoid simultaneous active contact by equipment for sterilizing the lid-making equipment and therefore save energy and resources.
[0024] The above object is further achieved by a method arranged for fastening lids to containers to which the container lids are to be fastened, comprising generating a germ-free or germ-low atmosphere in a clean room of an isolator, producing the container lids from a hot melt, preferably a plastic melt, in a lid forming unit of a lid manufacturing device, the lid forming unit being arranged outside the isolator and interconnected therewith or connected thereto via a lid transport tunnel for transporting the container lids to the isolator, and transporting the container lids to the isolator.
[0025] The technical effects, advantages and embodiments described above with respect to the apparatus for manufacturing and sterilizing container closures and with respect to the beverage bottling plant apply mutatis mutandis to this method.
[0026] The method therefore further comprises sterilising the lid production apparatus by contacting at least a part of this apparatus with a sterilising gas, as a result of which the sterilised conditions resulting from the production of the container lids can be achieved and maintained in a particularly reliable manner. If a lid transport tunnel is provided for transporting the container lids from the lid forming unit to the separator, it is particularly preferred if a sterilising gas is supplied to the lid transport tunnel.
[0027] Preferably, the sterilizing gas comprises H2O2, for example in a concentration within the range of 100 ppm to 200 ppm, particularly preferably about 150 ppm. At these concentrations, the gas is non-corrosive and therefore can be delivered to the closure machine without any problems, especially in a concurrent manner.
[0028] Preferably, the lid making equipment is contacted with the sterilizing gas, preferably continuously, during the production of the container lids. Alternatively or additionally, the lid making equipment may be contacted with the sterilizing gas outside (in time) of the production of container lids, for the reasons discussed above.
[0029] Preferably, the manufactured container lids are transported to a lid fastener for fastening the container lids to the containers. According to a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the container lids do not pass through a sorting system and / or a device for sterilizing the container lids and / or a singulation device, since this can be omitted in the case of simultaneous sterilization with the manufacturing process and maintaining the sterility of the container lids by sterilization of the lid manufacturing device, especially when the device is designed as a carousel-type machine.
[0030] Further advantages and features of the present invention are apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments. The features described herein may be implemented alone or, where the features are not inconsistent, in combination with one or more of the above features. The following description of preferred exemplary embodiments is made with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]
[0031] Further preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description of the figures. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a factory for manufacturing, filling and capping containers. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a factory for manufacturing, filling and capping containers according to a further exemplary embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a factory for manufacturing, filling and capping containers according to a further exemplary embodiment; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below on the basis of figures in which elements that are the same or similar or act in the same way are given the same reference numerals and a repeated description of these elements is partly avoided to avoid redundancy.
[0033] 1 to 3 show a beverage bottling plant 1 according to various exemplary embodiments, in particular a plant for manufacturing, filling and dispensing beverage containers. 1 is a schematic representation of a factory for fastening lids.
[0034] The beverage bottling plant 1 includes an apparatus 10 for manufacturing containers, also referred to herein as a "container manufacturing apparatus", an apparatus 20 for filling containers, also referred to herein as a "filler", an apparatus 30 for fastening container lids to containers, also referred to herein as a "lid fastener", and an apparatus 40 for manufacturing container lids, also referred to herein as a "lid manufacturing apparatus".
[0035] The beverage bottling plant 1 thus comprises a number of stations through which the containers are passed in succession, from their production, through their filling, to their capping. For this purpose, the containers or their preforms (preliminary stage of the container before blow moulding or stretch blow moulding) are transported along a conveying path F by being transported by transport star-wheels and transferred accordingly from one transport star-wheel to the next. Preforms, containers, container caps, holders / clamps provided on the transport star-wheels for this purpose are not depicted in Figures 1 to 3 for clarity. The transport star-wheels may serve only for transport or may be equipped with processing units depending on the station.
[0036] It should be pointed out that the stations shown here are merely exemplary: for example, the beverage bottling plant 1 may be equipped with other or alternative stations, such as, for example, labelling devices, cleaning devices, etc. Likewise, it is possible to omit stations such as, for example, the container production device 10, if the containers are delivered already in their final filled form.
[0037] The container manufacturing apparatus 10 comprises a unit 11 for the preparation and preheating of preforms. The preforms thus prepared are transferred to a blow moulding unit 12, in which the heated preforms are expanded by blowing or stretch blow moulding to form the containers to be filled. For this purpose, the preforms are brought into contact with gas under pressure in a blow mould, The mold cavity contour corresponds to the intended container exterior shape and the preform is stretched, in the case of stretch blow molding, by a stretch rod, to expand and form the container.
[0038] A sterilization unit 13 configured to sterilize the preforms is arranged between unit 11 and the blow moulding unit 12. The sterilization unit 13 can use, for example, electron radiation, UV radiation and / or sterilizing gases for this purpose. The sterilization unit 13 is arranged after the blow moulding unit 12 in the conveying direction F or can be omitted completely if the preforms are already in a sufficiently sterile state due to the heat required to produce the containers and are thus on their way to further processing.
[0039] Following the blow moulding unit 12, the containers enter an insulator 50 configured as a clean room, for example containing sterile air, in which a controlled atmosphere exists and in which the next work steps can be carried out in a clean, germ-free or at least low-bacteria atmosphere. The insulator 50 may contain an airlock 51 for the containers to be filled to enter the insulator 50, and an increased internal pressure compared to the external environment to ensure that no contaminants enter the insulator 50 from the outside by an outward gas or air current.
[0040] In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the filler 20 and the lid fastener 30 are disposed in a separator 50. However, it is also possible to dispose one or more units of the container manufacturing apparatus 10 in the separator 50, for example.
[0041] Following blow moulding, after entry into the separator 50, the container is filled by the filler 20 with the filling product, for example a beverage, where the filling product is likewise preferably sterile. What is thus achieved is an aseptic filling of the container to be filled.
[0042] The containers are then lidded with the lid fastener 30. For this purpose, the filled containers are transported to the lid fastener 30 via one or more transport starwheels in the separator 50.
[0043] Simultaneously, in a separate work path, container lids are produced in a lid-making machine 40 and transported to the lid fastener 30 .
[0044] The lid making device 40 produces container lids, for example from a plastic hot melt. Provided for this purpose is a lid forming unit 41, in which the container lids are produced from the plastic hot melt, for example by injection molding. The lid forming unit 41 is preferably designed as a carousel-type machine, which can demold the container lids as required for the lid fasteners 30 of the same cycle or the same pitch.
[0045] The lid forming unit 41 receives the raw material from a plastic reservoir 42, which may be part of the lid making apparatus 40 as shown in Figures 1 to 3 or may be a separate unit. The raw material is heated to a melt, for example in an extruder, using a temperature that does not require additional sterilization of the raw material and the container lids to be produced therefrom.
[0046] Preferably, the lid manufacturing apparatus 40 is directly interconnected with the lid fastener 30, i.e., directly connected as shown in FIG. 1, so that container lids can be transferred to the lid fastener 30 without a substantial transportation path.
[0047] Alternatively, the molded container lids are transported to the lid fastener 30 through a lid transport tunnel 43 as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, a controlled atmosphere is provided in the lid transport tunnel 43 as well. The controlled atmosphere, e.g., a sterile atmosphere, inside the lid transport tunnel 43 is achieved by the interior being in contact with or part of the isolator 50, so that the controlled atmosphere of the isolator 50 diffuses to the lid transport tunnel 43.
[0048] The melt for producing the container lids is at such a high temperature that essentially no microbiological bacteria (e.g. spores or vegetable bacteria) survive the process, and as a result the container lids are essentially sterile after forming in the lid forming unit 41.
[0049] Container lids that are sterilized simultaneously with their manufacture remain sterile as a result of the direct transfer to the controlled atmosphere of the isolator 50. In other words, there is no contact between the container lids manufactured in a sterile state and bacteria or other contaminants and sources of contamination as a result of the interconnection or connection via the lid transport tunnel 43. Conversely, the container lids after manufacture may be directly fed to the container to which the lids are to be fastened.
[0050] Further assurance of the sterility of the container closures may be achieved by fully or at least partially contacting the closure making apparatus 40, and in particular the closure forming unit 41, with a sterilizing gas (e.g., H2O2 at a concentration of about 150 ppm). Sterilizing gas in such a concentration range is non-corrosive and may be delivered to the closure making apparatus 40 in a concurrent manner.
[0051] For this purpose, the beverage bottling plant 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 comprises an apparatus 60 for sterilizing the closure manufacturing apparatus, also referred to herein as "closure manufacturing sterilization apparatus". The closure manufacturing sterilization apparatus 60 comprises a sterilizing gas supplier which comprises one or more nozzles to which sterilizing gas is supplied and which is directed towards the closure manufacturing apparatus 40, in particular towards the closure forming unit 41, so as to maintain the sterility of the container closures resulting from the manufacturing.
[0052] As a result, any bacteria that may enter the closure manufacturing apparatus 40 from the outside are killed and the sterile container closures are not contaminated.
[0053] The transport route of the container lids from the lid forming unit 41 to the lid fastener 30 may be in contact with sterilizing gas from the lid manufacturing and sterilizing device 60. As a result, the transport route is kept in a sterilized state, and bacteria that may enter the transport route are killed.
[0054] According to this exemplary embodiment, the contact of the lid making device 40, which occurs for example continuously, takes place during the production of container closures, in particular during normal operation of the beverage bottling plant 1. Alternatively, the contact of the lid making device 40 and the transport route with the sterilizing gas may take place before normal operation of the beverage bottling plant 1 and / or during interruptions in operation.
[0055] The structural unit including the lid manufacturing apparatus 40 and the lid manufacturing and sterilizing apparatus 60 is also called the “container lid manufacturing and sterilizing apparatus” and is given the reference numeral 2 .
[0056] According to a further exemplary embodiment depicted in Fig. 3, the lid production apparatus 40, in particular the lid forming unit 41, is sterilized prior to production, i.e. before start-up, and subsequently sterile air from an isolation body is added during normal operation of the beverage bottling plant 1. For this purpose, the lid production apparatus 40 can be arranged in an isolation body 50 (see Fig. 3) or in a separate isolation body interconnected therewith.
[0057] Sterilization of the lid-making device 40 outside the normal operating hours is carried out, for example, by means of a lid-making and sterilizing device 60' arranged in the separator 50. In this case, however, the lid-making device 40 and the lid-making and sterilizing device 60' are arranged in one housing in order to prevent the sterilizing gas from reaching the container lids or flowing into the still open containers.
[0058] If the lid making and sterilizing machine is located in an isolator it is also called an "inner lid making and sterilizing machine" 60', otherwise it is called an "outer lid making and sterilizing machine" 60.
[0059] 1 and 2, in the embodiment of Figure 3 no explicit contact of the closure making device 40 with sterilizing gas is necessary during normal operation of the beverage bottling plant 1. In contrast, sterilization is carried out in advance, i.e. before start-up, or during interruptions in normal operation and is maintained during operation by the atmosphere of the isolator 50.
[0060] Since the container lids are sterilized simultaneously with the production process and this sterility is maintained until delivery to the containers to be lid-fastened, for example with the aid of the lid production and sterilization device 60, 60', there is no need to sterilize the container lids again before they are fastened by the lid fastener 30. The container lids are always clean and germ-free, and do not need to be stored, which results in the omission of transport means, for example transport boxes, and their handling.
[0061] Since the container ends are individually molded, they are already separated during production, especially in carousel-type machines, and can be immediately transported to the lid fastener 30. As a result, the container ends do not have to be singulated and / or sorted again, which results in a reduced complexity of the machine setup of the beverage bottling plant 1. It is thus possible to dispense with means for transporting the ends, sorting systems, sensors such as cameras, etc. A lid inspection unit capable of detecting production defects, contamination, etc. is easy to integrate into the lid production device 40, especially in the preferred carousel-type machines.
[0062] When the container lids are transferred to the lid fastener 30, the pitch of the lid fastener preferably corresponds to the pitch of the lid making machine 40. In other words, the cycle speeds are preferably matched so that the individual container lids can be assigned to and attached to the corresponding containers without any problems. The orientation or alignment of the container lid is preferably maintained from manufacture to installation.
[0063] Where applicable, individual features described in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and / or substituted for one another without departing from the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0064] 1. Beverage bottling plant 2 Container lid manufacturing sterilization equipment 10 Container manufacturing equipment 11 Preform manufacturing unit 12 Blow molding unit 13 Sterilization unit 20 Container filling equipment (filler) 30 Apparatus for fastening a container lid to a container (lid fastener) 40 Lid manufacturing equipment 41 Lid forming unit 42 Plastic Reservoir 43 Lid Transport Tunnel 50 Separator 51 Airlock 60 (External) equipment for sterilizing the lid manufacturing equipment (lid manufacturing sterilization equipment) 60´ (Internal) device for sterilizing the lid-making device (lid-making sterilization device) F Conveying direction
Claims
1. A device for fastening container closures to containers, for example in a beverage bottling plant (1), comprising: a separator (50) for providing a defined atmosphere therein; a lid fastener (30) for fastening a container lid to a container, the lid fastener (30) being arranged on said separator (50); A lid making device (40) for making container lids from a hot melt, e.g. a plastic melt; Inclusive of The lid making device (40) is disposed outside the isolator (50), and the lid making device (40) is interconnected with the isolator (50) or connected to the isolator (50) via a lid transport tunnel (43) for feeding manufactured container lids to the lid fastener (30). Device.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a device (60, 60') for sterilizing the lid-making apparatus (40) with a sterilizing gas.
3. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus (60, 60') for sterilizing the lid-making apparatus (40) comprises one or more nozzles configured to direct a flow of the sterilizing gas into at least one section of the lid-making apparatus (40).
4. The sterilizing gas is preferably H at a concentration in the range of 100 ppm to 200 ppm, particularly preferably about 150 ppm. ２ O ２ The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, comprising:
5. 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the device (60, 60') for sterilizing the lid-making device (40) is configured to contact the lid-making device (40) with the sterilizing gas, preferably continuously during the production of the container lids.
6. 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the device (60, 60') for sterilizing the lid-making apparatus (40) is configured to contact the lid-making apparatus (40) with the sterilizing gas outside the time of the production of the container lids.
7. 7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a filler (20) integrated into said separator (50) for filling containers with a filling product.
8. 8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid-making apparatus (40) is designed as a carousel-type machine.
9. A beverage bottling plant (1) comprising a filler (20) for filling containers with a beverage and a device (2) for fastening container lids to the filled containers, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. The beverage bottling plant (1) according to claim 9, wherein the filler (20) is arranged in the separator (50).
11. 11. The beverage bottling plant (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the pitch of the lid making device (40) corresponds to the pitch of the lid fasteners (30).
12. A method for fastening container closures to containers, for example in a beverage bottling plant (1), comprising the steps of: generating a controlled atmosphere within the insulator (50); - manufacturing container lids from a hot melt, preferably a plastic melt, in a lid-making device (40), said lid-making device (40) being arranged outside said separator (50) and being interconnected with said separator (50) or connected to said separator (50) via a lid transport tunnel (43); Transporting the container lid to a lid fastener (30) disposed on the standoff (50); The method includes:
13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the lid making apparatus (40) is sterilized by contacting at least a portion thereof with a sterilizing gas.
14. The sterilizing gas preferably has a concentration in the range of 100 ppm to 200 ppm, particularly preferably about 150 ppm H ２ O ２ The method of claim 13, comprising:
15. 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the manufactured container lids are transported to the lid fastener (30) for fastening the container lids to the containers, preferably without passing through a sorting system and / or an apparatus for sterilizing the container lids and / or a singulation apparatus.
Citation Information
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