Device and method for processing bottle

Abstract

To improve a processing device and a processing method for sanitary recycling of a beverage bottle.SOLUTION: A compact bottle processing device comprises: an automatic bottle conveyance unit that moves a plurality of bottles along a closed circuit; a gripping region in which either or both of an operator placing one bottle from among the plurality of bottles on the conveyance unit and / or taking out one bottle from among the plurality of bottles on the conveyance unit; a bottle washing station; a bottle loading station; and a bottle sealing station. Each station is arranged along the closed circuit, and one bottle is moved by the conveyance unit to pass through the washing station, the loading station, and the sealing station in order. A length of the closed circuit is 20 m or less, preferably less than 15 m. The present invention also relates to the method for processing the plurality of bottles using the device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a compact device for processing bottles, in particular for washing, filling and sealing, and to a method for implementing said device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the food sector, glass bottles are the preferred container for most beverages. In fact, glass is well known for its many health and environmental benefits, as well as for preserving liquids. Some examples include: "Chemically neutral" glass is a neutral material that will not react with the contents of the bottle, unlike plastic, which may release chemicals. "Contaminant-free" glass is free of harmful substances such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which are found in some plastics. - Hygienic: Glass is easy to sterilize and clean, reducing the risk of bacterial contamination. Recyclability: Glass is fully recyclable and can be recycled infinitely without loss of quality or purity, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill and the demand for raw materials. Sustainability: Glass bottles are often durable and can be reused multiple times before being recycled. "Perceived Quality": Glass bottles are often perceived as more premium and can enhance the brand image of the product contained within.

[0003] Of these benefits, sustainability has become especially important in recent years, given current environmental concerns. However, recycling glass bottles requires the construction of processing facilities to put the bottles back into circulation, some of which are quite large.

[0004] Typically, to make a bottle reusable, it must go through several steps: · Inspect the condition of the bottles (visual or automatic). · Cleaning and possibly sanitizing bottles. Fill the bottle with new beverage. - Enclosed or closed by a capsule (small container) or stopper (closure means). - Print minimum shelf life and other information where appropriate.

[0005] Existing solutions essentially fall into two different areas of scope. One is the combination of several machines, typically arranged on an industrial scale in "bottle filling lines." These bottle filling lines are highly productive but require large floor areas, ranging from hundreds to thousands of square meters. As a result, these lines are typically located away from urban centers where the majority of consumption takes place. This results in the need for extensive transport networks, usually by truck. As water sources are usually far from urban areas where water consumption is high, extensive transport networks have a significant impact on ecosystems.

[0006] On the other hand, there are manual workshops that combine bottle washing machines with dispensing and sealing systems. In these workshops, the bottle washing machines are often modified dishwashers, with the lower washing rotor replaced by a grid of independent vertical jets that penetrate each bottle. In this way, each bottle is washed. Washing, sanitizing, and rinsing occur in a single chamber. The chamber must be emptied between each step, resulting in chemical losses. There is no clean-in-place process like in bottling plants. Filling is done by a fountain, whose water lines are sanitized but not sanitized to the same level of cleanliness. Once out of the dishwasher, the bottles are manually handled and filled before being crimped, and the caps are placed.

[0007] Certain types of establishments, such as hotels and restaurants, are major consumers of bottled beverages. Hotels and restaurants that wish to avoid using and transporting single-use plastic bottles may take one of the following alternative measures: Incorporating a manual filtered water cleaning and filling unit into the building or adopting an intermediate solution. The main disadvantage of this alternative is the hygiene risks associated with manual work. Bottle filling is an unskilled job, which leads to high employee turnover and increased hygiene risks. Additionally, manual work leads to reduced productivity, which must be weighed against the reduction in bottle transportation costs. Buy glass bottles, which can be transported and reused where possible. Glass bottles are heavy, which increases transportation costs.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a compact device that allows for the circulation of recirculating bottles without the need for transportation. At a minimum, these systems should be capable of washing, filling, and sealing bottles without human contact in an aerosol-protected clean room.

[0009] In other words, there is a need for a recirculating water bottle washing and filling solution that can be integrated into facilities with hygiene and productivity levels comparable to industrial solutions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a bottle processing system that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a bottle processing apparatus that is compact and cost-competitive compared to large industrial plants.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide a compact bottle processing device that is competitive in terms of hygiene with large industrial plants. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention achieves these objectives by providing a compact bottle processing device, which comprises: an automatic bottle transport unit that moves a plurality of bottles along a closed circuit; a gripping range within which an operator can place one bottle from the plurality of bottles on the transport unit and / or take out one bottle from the plurality of bottles on the transport unit; Bottle washing station, a bottle filling station; Bottle sealing (encapsulation) station and With In a compact bottle processing apparatus, each of these stations is arranged along a closed circuit, and a bottle is moved by a transport unit and passes through the washing station, the filling station, and the sealing station in order, The length of the closed circuit is 20 m or less, preferably less than 15 m.

[0014] In one embodiment, the transport unit comprises a plurality of gripper arms that support the bottles throughout the closed circuit.

[0015] In one embodiment, each gripper arm includes a rotating wrist that rotates the bottle on the gripper arm.

[0016] In one embodiment, the transport unit is adapted to move the bottles in separate intervals between successive positions along a closed circuit.

[0017] In one embodiment, the time interval is between 5 and 20 seconds.

[0018] In one embodiment, the gripping area is sized to accommodate between 5 and 10 gripping arms simultaneously.

[0019] In one embodiment, the closed circuit is rectangular.

[0020] In one embodiment, the width of the device is less than 5m, preferably less than 4m, and the length of the device is less than 5m, preferably less than 4m.

[0021] In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one additional station selected from a rinsing station, a drying station, a sanitizing station, and a printing station.

[0022] In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a protective enclosure positioned to prevent access to the transport unit from outside the apparatus, except via the gripping area.

[0023] In one embodiment, the device comprises an overpressure cabin, with the filling station and the sealing station being located within the overpressure cabin.

[0024] In one embodiment, the device comprises a first stage and a second stage positioned above the first stage; the first stage comprises a plurality of compartments adapted to house operational units of at least one of a washing station, a filling station and a sealing station; The second stage comprises a transfer unit, a cleaning station, a filling station and a sealing station.

[0025] In one embodiment, the operational unit may comprise one or more of a pressurized vessel for gasifying the liquid, a compressor, a cleaning agent vessel, and a liquid filtration device.

[0026] In one embodiment, the sealing station comprises a seal dispensing unit and a seal crimping unit.

[0027] The present invention particularly comprises the steps of: As described above, placing an empty bottle on a gripping arm within a gripping range of a bottle processing device; washing the empty bottles by a washing station of the processing device; filling the empty bottles with liquid by a filling station of the processing device; sealing the filled bottles by a sealing station of the processing equipment; removing the filled and sealed bottle from the gripping arm within the gripping range; A bottle processing method comprising: The bottle placing and removing steps are performed by an operator, and a bottle is automatically moved by a transport unit of the processing device along a closed circuit, along which a washing station, a filling station and a sealing station are arranged. This is also achieved by the bottle processing method.

[0028] In one embodiment, the method of the present invention comprises a first step of rotating the empty bottle before the cleaning step so that the neck of the bottle is oriented in the cleaning direction, and a second step of rotating the empty bottle after cleaning and before filling so that the neck of the bottle is oriented in the filling direction, both rotation steps being performed by a rotating wrist of a gripper arm on which the bottle is placed.

[0029] In one embodiment, each bottle is rotated 180° in the first rotation step and 180° in the second rotation step.

[0030] Examples of the practice of the invention are set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a bottle processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a bottle processing apparatus with various optional processing stations. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the bottle processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the bottle processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a bottle processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a bottle processing device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The invention relates in particular to a compact bottle processing machine capable of automatically washing, filling and sealing multiple bottles, the dimensions of which, in particular the dimensions of the circuit that the bottles pass through from the moment they are placed on the transport unit to the moment they are removed from the transport unit, make it possible to integrate multiple industrial-scale machines into existing infrastructure such as restaurants or hotels, where industrial-scale machines cannot be installed.

[0033] The proposed device allows for the reuse of bottles, especially those used for beverages such as mineral water, carbonated water, and soft drinks, in a short circuit. In fact, it allows for the incorporation of the device into beverage establishments, making the bottles completely recyclable, thus reducing the economic and environmental costs associated with transporting bottles between the processing plant and the points of distribution and consumption.

[0034] By automating the washing, filling and sealing steps within the same machine, and by automatically transporting the bottles, a higher level of hygiene can be achieved than in non-industrial machines where one or more of these steps are performed by a bottle handler.

[0035] As shown diagrammatically in Figure 1, the device comprises a conveying unit 10 for conveying a number of bottles along a closed circuit. placing multiple bottles (typically empty and dirty) on the transport unit 10, or An operator can remove multiple bottles (typically washed, filled and sealed) from the transport unit 10. The transport unit 10 is automated so that the bottles are moved along a closed circuit without operator intervention.

[0036] Along this closed circuit are arranged at least one washing station 12 for washing the transported bottles 2, a filling station 13 for filling the transported bottles 2 with liquid (typically a beverage liquid), and a sealing station 14 for sealing the transported bottles 2 with caps or capsules (small containers).

[0037] Advantageously, the length of the closed circuit determined by the transport unit 10 is less than 20 m, or even less than 15 m. Such a length allows the installation of the device 1 in bottle distribution or consumption facilities. In fact, in the case of such a length, it is possible to 2 or less, or 15m 2 A floor area of ​​less than 9 m is sufficient to accommodate the entire treatment device. In one embodiment, the length of the closed circuit is even less than 10 m, and the area required for installation of the device 1 is less than 9 m. 2 10m from 2 The following is the result.

[0038] In one embodiment, the washing station 12 operates by spraying a detergent solution, typically a caustic-based detergent, onto the interior and exterior of the bottle 2. This solution is particularly alkaline. The washing station 12 may include a suction unit with a turbine that expels the detergent solution.

[0039] The cleaning station may comprise one or more continuous jets that spray the inside and outside of the bottle(s) moved by the transport unit 10 .

[0040] The filling station 13 fills bottles with liquid, such as beverages. The filling station 13 is therefore provided with one or more liquid (e.g. still water, sparkling water) inlets. These liquid inlets are aligned with the position of the bottle 2 on the transport unit 10 to allow automatic filling of the bottle when the position of the bottle 2 coincides with a predetermined liquid inlet.

[0041] In one embodiment, the filling station is equipped with multiple inlets of the same liquid, allowing the filling of the same bottle in multiple successive stages, a solution that is advantageous for limiting turbulence during filling and for maximizing carbonation in the case of sparkling water.

[0042] The encapsulation station 14 allows the re-sealing of the bottles 2 after filling with caps, lids, stoppers or other closures. The term "encapsulation" station therefore does not limit the invention to capsule closures, but on the contrary allows the use of any bottle closure means deemed appropriate by the skilled person.

[0043] In one embodiment, the encapsulation station 14 comprises a closure dispensing unit 140 and a closure crimping unit 141. These two units can be arranged consecutively along a closed circuit, so that a bottle first passes through the closure dispensing unit 140 so that a capsule (closure) is placed on the neck of the bottle, and then passes secondly through the crimping unit 141 so that the stacked capsules (closures) are crimped onto the neck of the bottle. The positions of these two units correspond to the successive positions of the bottles 2 transported by the transport unit 10.

[0044] Alternatively, the two closure dispensing unit 140 and crimping unit 141 may be grouped together to form a single module that both dispenses and crimps. In this way, the positions of the dispensing unit 140 and crimping unit 141 correspond to a single position of the bottle 2 to be transported.

[0045] In one embodiment, the closure dispensing unit 140 is a vibrating bowl with a ramp or rails that slides the closures from the vibrating bowl onto the bottle necks. Additionally, the dispensing unit may include a closure sterilization module that sterilizes the closures during dispensing. For example, a sterilization module allows for sterilization of the closures by exposure to UV radiation, typically while they are transported along a ramp or rail to the bottle.

[0046] After passing through the washing, filling and sealing stations, the bottle 2 transported by the transport unit 10 ends its journey in the gripping range 11, where it can be picked up manually by an operator or automatically.

[0047] As shown in Figure 1, the transport unit 10 may advantageously comprise a number of gripping arms 100. Each gripping arm 100 is capable of supporting at least one bottle 2 through a closed circuit. In the gripping range 11, an empty and soiled bottle 2 is placed on the gripping arm 100. Advantageously, the gripping arm is adapted to hold the bottle 2 in order to avoid any movements that may result from the transport operation and that may cause shocks.

[0048] In one embodiment, the gripping arms 100 comprise clamps for gripping a single bottle 2, for example around its neck or body. Alternatively or complementary, each gripping arm may comprise a lower support on which the bottle rests.

[0049] In one embodiment, each gripper arm 100 includes a rotating wrist adapted to allow rotation of a bottle 2 placed on the gripper arm 100. This rotation is typically performed in a vertical plane so that the bottle can be reversed during transport, for example to facilitate cleaning at the cleaning station 12. However, if desired, the bottle 2 can be rotated in a non-vertical plane.

[0050] Rotating the bottle in this manner can, for example, align the opening in the bottle neck with one or more spray nozzles from the cleaning station 12, thereby facilitating cleaning of the interior of the bottle. The orientation of the bottle, and therefore the rotation angle of the rotating wrist, can depend on the orientation of the spray nozzles in the cleaning station.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, rotation of the rotating wrist may be used to align the neck opening of the transported bottle 2 with one or more liquid inlets at the filling station 13 to facilitate bottle filling. For example, depending on the type of beverage, it may be necessary to turn the bottle upside down after filling or to align the angle of the neck with the liquid inlet. For example, some gaseous liquids require a particular angle between the neck and the liquid flow path to minimize foaming during filling.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, rotation of the rotary wrist aligns the neck opening of the transported bottle 2 with the sealing station 14, in particular by means of a seal dispensing unit 140 and / or a crimping unit 141. Indeed, the pressure exerted on the bottle 2 during sealing is so great that proper alignment of the pressure applying tool with the longitudinal axis of the bottle is required to avoid bottle breakage.

[0053] The closed circuit may therefore comprise bottle rotation zones 101 by rotating the rotating wrists of the gripper arms 100. These rotation zones 101 are advantageously located outside the washing, filling and sealing stations to avoid contact with elements of these stations. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, these rotation zones 101 are advantageously arranged at both longitudinal ends of the closed circuit defined by the transport unit 10.

[0054] Thus, in one embodiment, an operator places an empty, soiled bottle 2 on the gripping arm 100 of the transport unit 10 in the gripping range 11 with the neck opening facing upwards, after which the bottle 2 is transported to a rotation section 101 preceding the cleaning station 12. There, it is rotated by rotating the gripping arm's rotating wrist to align the neck opening with one or more jets from the cleaning station 12. After cleaning, the bottle is transported to a second rotation section 101 where it is again rotated by the gripping arm's rotating wrist to align the neck opening with one or more liquid inlets from the filling station 13.

[0055] These rotations are typically on the order of 180° each, to completely turn each bottle over at each rotation section 101. However, other orientations may be achieved, particularly to match the bottle to a particular component of the processing equipment or to the shape of the bottle.

[0056] In one embodiment, the rotating wrist allows rotation not only in a first plane (e.g., the vertical plane described above), but also in a second plane (e.g., a plane perpendicular to the first plane), and even allows for 360° rotation of the bottle to achieve virtually any tilt.

[0057] To limit the loss of cleaning and / or filling fluid and / or to facilitate encapsulation, the conveying unit may move the bottles in portions rather than continuously. In this way, each bottle is moved along a closed circuit between two consecutive positions at time intervals. In this way, each bottle remains at each position for a predetermined time, so that the cleaning, filling, and sealing processes can be performed while the bottle is stationary in one position. Therefore, the cleaning and / or filling spraying can be interrupted while the bottle is moving to avoid losses.

[0058] In one embodiment, the transport unit 10 is adapted to alternate between stages of moving the bottle between two successive positions and stages of rest for time intervals between 5 and 20 seconds, preferably about 10 seconds.

[0059] The gripping area 11 may be dimensioned to allow simultaneous access to between 5 and 10 bottles, typically 6 or 7. In this way, the operator has enough time to pick up one empty, dirty bottle and place it on the transport unit 10, and one clean, full bottle on the transport unit and place it on the auxiliary device.

[0060] The described gripping area 11 also advantageously eliminates the need for an accumulation table as in industrial devices, thus making the device more compact by eliminating a normally bulky element.

[0061] 1 and 2, the closed circuit traversed by the bottles 2 on the transport unit 10 may be arranged in the form of an oval loop. The arrangement of the various units and stations may vary along this oval circuit in the following order: gripping area 11, washing station 12, filling station 13, sealing station 14 and gripping area 11.

[0062] 2, the cleaning station and other cleaning-related stations (soaking, drying, disinfecting, etc.) may be located along a first side of the oval circuit, and the filling station 13 and sealing station 14, together with the gripping area 11, may be located along a second side of the oval circuit.

[0063] This advantageously allows the separation of the inlets or outlets for at least one of the cleaning liquid, detergent, disinfectant, hot air, etc. from the inlets or outlets for the drinking liquid and the sealing element (e.g. one or more seals, dispensing lamps of the seals, etc.) in order to separate the circuit into a side dedicated to cleaning which may correspond to a first hygiene standard and a side dedicated to filling and sealing operations which corresponds to a second hygiene standard higher or lower than the first hygiene standard.

[0064] This oval loop (hoop) may extend between two ends of the bottle that correspond to the rotating section 101, for example, if the transport unit 10 is provided with the rotating section 101.

[0065] The long side of the closed circuit is advantageously between 2 m and 6 m.

[0066] More generally, the external dimensions (length and width) of the processing device 1 do not exceed 5 m x 5 m, preferably 4 m x 4 m, or in one embodiment 3 m x 3 m. These external dimensions advantageously allow the device 1 to be installed in an existing room of normal dimensions, and therefore do not require special surface arrangements. This is particularly applicable to establishments such as restaurants, hotels, and the like that do not have floor space that can be expanded as needed. Thus, the device can be incorporated into rooms such as kitchens, utility rooms, and the like.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 2, the processing apparatus 1 may optionally include any one or more of a rinsing station 15, a drying station 16, a sanitizing station 17, and a printing station (not shown).

[0068] The apparatus 1 may include one or more rinse stations 15 for rinsing the inside and / or outside of the bottles after they have passed through the washing station 12. The rinse stations may include rinse inlets (typically filtered water to avoid residue traces).

[0069] The apparatus 1 may include one or more drying stations 16 for drying the bottles 2 after passing through the washing station 12 and / or the rinsing station 15. The drying stations may include fans. Such drying devices are particularly useful for avoiding drip marks (lime residue).

[0070] The apparatus 1 may comprise one or more sanitizing stations 17 for sanitizing the bottles 2 after they have passed through the washing station 12, the rinsing station 15 and / or the drying station 16. The sanitizing stations may comprise an inlet or outlet for a sanitizing solution for sanitizing the inside and / or outside of the bottles 2. This may be an acidic solution, for example. The sanitizing stations may also comprise suction means, such as a suction turbine, to remove vapors from the solution.

[0071] 4, the treatment device 1 comprises a first rinsing station 15 arranged next to the washing station 12 and a second rinsing station 15 arranged after the disinfecting station 17. Finally, a drying station 16 is arranged downstream of the second rinsing station 15.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the processing device 1 may advantageously include a protective enclosure 3 arranged to prevent external access to the transport unit 10 except in one or more dedicated areas. The presence of this protective enclosure improves hygiene standards comparable to those of industrial bottle processing plants. Indeed, in the context of the present invention, the washing, filling, and sealing operations, as well as other disinfecting, rinsing, drying, printing, etc., operations, do not require external intervention by an operator. Therefore, by prohibiting operator access to the transport unit 10 outside the areas explicitly dedicated to bottle processing, the hygiene level of the device 1 is enhanced. For example, the gripping area may be the only area where bottles 2 are handled. In this way, contamination due to direct handling is minimized during each bottle's washing-to-filling-to-sealing cycle.

[0073] In one embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the protective enclosure 3 may comprise a frame supporting a number of protective glass windows that prevent access to the transport unit 10 from the sides and / or from above and / or below, except through the gripping area 11.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally to the protective enclosure 3, the processing apparatus 1 may also include an overpressure cabin 19. The overpressure cabin 19 allows for at least one of the filling or sealing operations to be carried out in an overpressure environment to limit bacterial contamination. Such a cabin 19, shown in Figures 5 and 6, ensures that the pressure in the area enclosed by the cabin 19 is higher than the external pressure, making it difficult, if not impossible, for bacteria to enter this area. In this way, one or both of the filling station 13 and the sealing station 14 may advantageously be located inside the overpressure cabin 19.

[0075] The overpressure cabin 19 may be fitted with an air filtration device to further limit contamination. For example, the booster cabin may be equipped with an EPA (Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to filter particles in the air.

[0076] In another aspect of the present invention, the bottle processing apparatus 1 is arranged in a first stage 4 and a second stage 5 above the first stage. The first stage includes a plurality of compartments 40 each including an operating unit 41 for a washing station 12, a filling station 13, and / or a sealing station 14. The second stage includes a transport unit 10, a washing station 12, a filling station 13, and a sealing station 14.

[0077] In particular, this multi-stage arrangement reduces the footprint of the device, i.e. the floor space required for operation. In fact, the second stage 5 contains several operating units of the device's stations (12, 13, 14). In this way, considerable floor space can be saved.

[0078] The operation unit 41 is a pressurized vessel 410 for gasifying the liquid; a compressor 411; one or both of a cleaning agent container 412 and a liquid filtration device 413; a pump (for liquid or aeration); an electrical power source and / or an electronic power source; Control or command elements for the various stations (12, 13, 14) and It may include one or more elements from

[0079] 6, a number of pressurized containers 410 in the form of CO2 (carbon dioxide) bottles are arranged on the first stage 4. These containers are dedicated to the gasification of the potable liquid (typically water) into which the bottles 2 are filled at the filling station 13. A number of cleaning agent containers 412 may also be arranged in the compartment 40 on the first stage 4 or externally.

[0080] The present invention also provides a method for producing a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: a step of placing an empty bottle 2 on the gripping arm 100 within the gripping range 11 of the bottle processing device 1; washing the empty bottles 2 by a washing station 12; filling the empty bottles 2 with liquid by a filling station 13; sealing the filled bottles 2 by a sealing station 14; removing the filled and sealed bottle 2 from the gripping arm 100 within the gripping range 11; The present invention relates to a bottle processing method comprising:

[0081] The bottle placement and collection steps are performed by an operator and the bottles are automatically moved along the closed circuit by a transport unit 10. A washing station 12, a filling station 13 and a sealing station 14 are arranged along the closed circuit as described above.

[0082] In particular, optional steps may be performed to rotate the bottles placed on the gripper arms 100 so that the bottle necks are oriented in a cleaning direction, e.g., corresponding to the direction of the cleaning jets at the cleaning station 12, or so that the necks of the bottles are oriented in a filling direction, e.g., corresponding to the direction of the filling jets at the filling station 13. These rotation steps are performed by each gripper arm using a rotating wrist, as described above. These rotations are performed within rotation zones 101.

[0083] In one embodiment, each bottle is rotated 180° during the first rotation step and 180° during the second rotation step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Bottle processing equipment 10. Conveyor 100 gripping arm 101 Rotation Zone 11 Gripping range 12 Washing Stations 13 Filling Station 14 Sealing Station 140 Sealing part (capsule) supply device 141 Sealing part (capsule) crimping device 15 Washing Stations 16 Drying Stations 17 Sanitizing Stations 18 Printing Station 19 Overpressurized Cabin 2 bottles 3 Protective enclosure 4. Phase 1 40 compartments 41 Operation unit 410 Pressurized vessels 411 Compressor 412 Detergent container 413 Filtration equipment 5. Second Stage

Claims

1. an automatic bottle transport unit (10) for moving a plurality of bottles (2) along a closed circuit; a gripping area (11) in which an operator can place one bottle (2) from among a plurality of bottles on the transport unit (10) and / or remove one bottle (2) from among the plurality of bottles on the transport unit (10); a bottle washing station (12); a bottle filling station (13); a bottle sealing station (14); A compact bottle processing device (1) comprising: In the compact bottle processing device (1), each of these stations is arranged along the closed circuit, and a single bottle (2) passes through the washing station (12), the filling station (13), and the sealing station (14) in order while being moved by the transport unit (10), A compact bottle processing device (1), characterized in that the length of the closed circuit is less than 20 m, preferably less than 15 m.

2. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit (10) comprises a plurality of gripping arms (100), each capable of supporting one of the bottles (2) throughout the closed circuit.

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein each gripping arm (100) is provided with a rotating wrist for rotating the bottle (2) on said gripping arm (100).

4. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit (10) is adapted to move the plurality of bottles (2) in separate intervals between successive positions along the closed circuit.

5. 5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said time interval is between 5 and 20 seconds.

6. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gripping area (11) is sized to accommodate 5 to 10 gripping arms (100) simultaneously.

7. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closed circuit is rectangular.

8. the width of the device (1) is less than 5 m, preferably less than 4 m, 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the length of the device (1) is less than 5 m, preferably less than 4 m.

9. 2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (1) comprises at least one additional station selected from a rinsing station (15), a drying station (16), a disinfecting station (17) and a printing station (18).

10. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) comprises a protective enclosure (3) arranged to prevent access to the transport unit (10) from outside the device (1) except for access via the gripping area (11).

11. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) comprises an overpressure cabin (19), and the filling station (13) and the sealing station (14) are arranged in the overpressure cabin (19).

12. The device (1) comprises a first stage (4) and a second stage (5) arranged above the first stage, the first stage comprises a plurality of compartments (40) adapted to accommodate a plurality of operating units (41) of the washing station (12), the filling station (13) and / or the sealing station (14); 2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the second stage comprises the transport unit (10), the washing station (12), the filling station (13) and the sealing station (14).

13. 13. The apparatus (1) according to claim 12, wherein the operating unit (41) comprises one or more of a pressurized vessel (410) for liquid gasification, a compressor (411), a cleaning agent vessel (412), and a liquid filtering device (413).

14. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing station (14) comprises a seal dispensing unit (140) and a seal crimping unit (141).

15. placing an empty bottle (2) on a gripping arm (100) located in a gripping range (11) of a bottle processing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14; washing said empty bottles (2) by a washing station (12) of said processing device (1); filling the empty bottles (2) with liquid by a filling station (13) of the processing device (1); sealing the filled bottles (2) by a sealing station (14) of the processing device (1); removing the filled and sealed bottle (2) from the gripping arm (100) located in the gripping range (11); A bottle processing method comprising: the steps of placing the bottle and removing the bottle are performed by an operator, and one bottle is automatically moved by a transport unit (10) of the processing device along a closed circuit, along which the washing station (12), the filling station (13) and the sealing station (14) are arranged. Bottle disposal method.

16. a first step of rotating the empty bottle so that the neck of the bottle is oriented in a cleaning direction before the cleaning step; and a second step of rotating the empty bottle after cleaning and before filling so as to orient the neck of the bottle in the filling direction, both rotation steps being performed by a rotating wrist of the gripper arm (100) on which the bottle is placed.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the bottle is rotated 180 degrees in the first step of rotation and 180 degrees in the second step of rotation.

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