Filling machine with air flow system

Abstract

1. A paperboard container filling machine comprising an aseptic chamber, the aseptic chamber comprising an upper air distribution chamber, a lower treatment chamber housing treatment devices configured to interact with paperboard containers passing through the treatment chamber, a through-flow plate separating the air distribution chamber from the treatment chamber, the through-flow plate having a plurality of through-flow openings configured to direct air from the air distribution chamber into the treatment chamber, and a paperboard container transport subsystem configured to transport paperboard containers through the treatment chamber along a container transport path from an entrance opening to an exit opening of the treatment chamber, the through-flow plate comprising a substantially horizontal flat section and first and second curved sections, each curved section presenting a convex ruled surface facing the treatment chamber.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to paperboard container filling machines, particularly those for producing paperboard containers, also known as pourable food cartons. In particular, the present disclosure relates to airflow systems in such machines, such as airflow systems in aseptic chambers located downstream of sterilization chambers in paperboard container filling machines. [Background technology]

[0002] (background) When packaging pourable food products into paperboard containers in a filling machine, the containers are typically sterilized in a sterilization chamber and then transferred to an aseptic chamber where the containers are filled and then transferred to an aseptic chamber where the containers are top-sealed. The first aseptic chamber, sometimes referred to as the filling chamber, typically includes one or more filling devices, each including a filling nozzle that dispenses the pourable food product into the container and a filling valve that controls the flow of the pourable food product through the filling nozzle, typically dispensing the pourable food product according to the size of the container to be filled. The second aseptic chamber, sometimes referred to as the sealing chamber, typically includes one or more sealing jaws configured to seal the container.

[0003] To prevent any type of contamination and maintain the sterility of the containers established within the sterilization chamber, a uniform flow of sterile air is advantageously provided within the sterilization chamber. However, maintaining a uniform air flow within the sterilization chamber can be difficult due to moving parts within the chamber, particularly the processing equipment used to fill and seal the containers. Additionally, the containers themselves being transported through the filling machine can disrupt the air flow within the sterilization chamber. Furthermore, it is difficult to maintain an airtight sterilization chamber as the containers move in and out of the sterilization chamber. Turbulence within the sterilization chamber combined with a non-airtight sterilization chamber can allow impure air to penetrate the sterilization chamber, contaminating the filling machine and / or the containers.

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a paperboard filling machine with improved air flow within the aseptic chamber. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a uniform flow of clean air through the aseptic chamber. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (summary) According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a paperboard container filling machine comprising an aseptic chamber, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing a processing device configured to interact with a paperboard container passing through the processing chamber; a through-flow plate separating the air distribution chamber and the processing chamber, the through-flow plate having a plurality of through-openings configured to direct air from the air distribution chamber to the processing chamber; a paperboard container transport subsystem configured to transport paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an entrance opening to an exit opening of the processing chamber; Equipped with The flow-through plate comprises a substantially horizontal flat section and first and second curved sections, each curved section presenting a convex ruled surface facing the processing chamber, the ruled surface being defined by a rule that is parallel to the transport path and extends perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transport path.

[0006] The trough opening may be a slit. The slit may be linear.

[0007] The slits may be arranged along multiple parallel lines.

[0008] The slit may be aligned with the container transport path.

[0009] The through openings may occupy either 5 to 50% of the total area of ​​the through-flow plate, or 10 to 30% of the total area of ​​the through-flow plate.

[0010] The filling machine may comprise an elongated air distribution duct configured to receive air from the air supply channel, the air distribution duct comprising a plurality of through-flow holes configured to distribute air within the air distribution chamber and present a semi-tubular convex surface facing the through-flow plate, and having a straight duct axis extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the container conveying path.

[0011] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of establishing air flow within an aseptic chamber of a paperboard container filling machine, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing a processing device configured to interact with a paperboard container passing through the processing chamber; a paperboard container transport subsystem configured to transport paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an entrance opening to an exit opening of the processing chamber; Equipped with.

[0012] The method includes a step of bringing air from a distribution chamber to a processing chamber through a flow-through plate having a substantially horizontal flat section and first and second curved sections, each curved section representing a convex ruled surface facing the processing chamber, the ruled surface being defined by a rule that is parallel to the transport path and extends perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transport path.

[0013] According to a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a paperboard container filling machine including an aseptic chamber, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing a processing device configured to interact with a paperboard container passing through the processing chamber; a flow-through plate separating the air distribution chamber from the processing chamber; a paperboard container transport subsystem configured to transport paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an entrance opening to an exit opening of the processing chamber; Equipped with.

[0014] The flow-through plate has a predetermined thickness and includes a plurality of slits configured to direct air from the air distribution chamber to the processing chamber, the slits having a predetermined length, a predetermined width, and a predetermined length / width ratio, the predetermined thickness being at least 1.5 times the predetermined width, and the predetermined length / width ratio being greater than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, and 20.

[0015] The slits may be linear and / or may be arranged along multiple parallel lines.

[0016] The slits may occupy either 5 to 50% of the total area of ​​the flow-through plate, or 10 to 30% of the total area of ​​the flow-through plate.

[0017] The slit may be aligned with the container transport path.

[0018] The flow-through plate may be flat. The slits may be arranged parallel or substantially parallel to one another.

[0019] The slit may be aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the transport path.

[0020] The flow-through plate may comprise a substantially horizontal flat section and first and second curved sections, each curved section presenting a convex ruled surface facing the processing chamber, the ruled surface being defined by rules that are parallel to the transport path and extend perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transport path.

[0021] According to yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of establishing air flow within an aseptic chamber of a paperboard container filling machine, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber configured to receive air from the air supply channel; a lower processing chamber housing a processing device configured to interact with a paperboard container passing through the processing chamber; a paperboard container transport subsystem configured to transport paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an entrance opening to an exit opening of the processing chamber; Equipped with The method includes a step of bringing air from the distribution chamber to the processing chamber through a flow-through plate having a predetermined thickness and including a plurality of slits configured to direct air from the air distribution chamber to the processing chamber, the slits having a predetermined length, a predetermined width, and a predetermined length / width ratio, the predetermined thickness being at least 1.5 times the predetermined width, and the predetermined length / width ratio being greater than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, and 20.

[0022] According to a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a paperboard container filling machine including an aseptic chamber, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing a processing device configured to interact with a paperboard container passing through the processing chamber; a flow-through plate separating the air distribution chamber from the processing chamber; a paperboard container transport subsystem configured to transport paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an entrance opening to an exit opening of the processing chamber; an elongated air distribution duct configured to receive air from the air supply channel and having a plurality of through-flow holes configured to distribute the air within the air distribution chamber; Equipped with.

[0023] The air distribution ducts present semi-tubular convex surfaces facing the through-flow plate and have straight duct axes extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the container conveying path.

[0024] The through-holes may be circular.

[0025] According to yet a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of establishing air flow within an aseptic chamber of a paperboard container filling machine, the aseptic chamber comprising: an upper air distribution chamber; a lower processing chamber housing a processing device configured to interact with a paperboard container passing through the processing chamber; a flow-through plate separating the air distribution chamber from the processing chamber; a paperboard container transport subsystem configured to transport paperboard containers through the processing chamber along a container transport path from an entrance opening to an exit opening of the processing chamber; Equipped with.

[0026] The method includes a step of distributing air into the air distribution chamber by bringing air from the air supply channel to the air distribution chamber through an air distribution duct having a plurality of through-flow holes configured to distribute air into the air distribution chamber, the air distribution duct presenting a semi-tubular convex surface facing the through-flow plate and having a linear duct axis extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the container conveying path.

[0027] According to a further aspect, the present disclosure provides an airflow system for an aseptic chamber in a blank-fed pourable food container filling machine. The aseptic chamber may include at least one entrance opening and at least one exit opening for passing containers therethrough, and a container transport subsystem configured to transport the containers through the aseptic chamber along a container transport path from the entrance opening to the exit opening. Typically, the containers are transported through a sterilization chamber before reaching the aseptic chamber. The transport subsystem may be a conveyor-based system or any other type of subsystem capable of transporting containers. The aseptic chamber includes an upper air distribution chamber configured to receive air from at least one air supply channel, a lower processing chamber housing a processing device configured to interact with the containers, and a through-flow plate separating the distribution chamber and the processing chamber. Preferably, the through-flow plate extends across the entire interface between the upper air distribution chamber and the lower processing chamber. The through-flow plate includes a plurality of slits configured to direct air from the air distribution chamber to the lower processing chamber. The slits may be aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the transport path.

[0028] In one embodiment of the air flow system, the air distribution chamber comprises at least one elongated air distribution duct that receives air from the air supply channel, the at least one air distribution duct comprising a plurality of through-flow holes configured to distribute air within the upper air distribution chamber.

[0029] In one embodiment of the air flow system, the air distribution duct is connected to the upper end wall of the air distribution chamber and presents a semi-tubular convex surface facing the through-flow plate.

[0030] In one embodiment of the air flow system, the air distribution ducts have straight duct axes that extend perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the container transport path.

[0031] In one embodiment of the airflow system, the flow-through plate is flat and positioned horizontally or substantially horizontally within the sterile chamber.

[0032] In one embodiment of the airflow system, the sterile chamber is a sterile filling chamber equipped with a filling nozzle, and the flow-through plate is positioned at a height above the dispensing opening of the filling nozzle.

[0033] In one embodiment of the air flow system, at least one flow-through plate comprises a substantially horizontal flat section and first and second curved sections, each curved section presenting a convex ruled surface facing the lower processing chamber, the ruled surface being defined by rules that are parallel to the transport path and extend perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transport path.

[0034] In one embodiment of the air flow system, a through-flow plate symmetrically surrounds said at least one elongated distribution duct.

[0035] In one embodiment of the airflow system, a flow-through plate is positioned within a sterile, sealed chamber.

[0036] In one embodiment of the airflow system, the system further comprises a bottom wall having at least one exhaust outlet, which may be provided with an aspiration section.

[0037] In one embodiment of the airflow system, the slits are evenly spaced on the flow-through plate.

[0038] In one embodiment of the air flow system, the slits occupy 5-50%, more preferably 10-30%, of the total area of ​​the flow-through plate.

[0039] In one embodiment of the air flow system, the slit has a length / width ratio greater than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15 and 20.

[0040] In one embodiment of the air flow system, the angle of the slit relative to the conveying path does not deviate from parallel by more than any one of 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 6 degrees, 8 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, and 20 degrees.

[0041] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for establishing air flow within a sterile chamber as described above, comprising directing air from an air distribution chamber through said slit into the processing chamber.

[0042] In one embodiment of the method, the method further comprises exposing the upper air distribution chamber to a first pressure and exposing the lower processing chamber to a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure but higher than ambient pressure.

[0043] The above aspects and features thereof may be used in combination with each other.

[0044] The protection available therefor is defined by the following claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0045] To facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like features unless otherwise specified, and in which:

[0046] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a container filling machine comprising an aseptic filling chamber and an aseptic sealing chamber.

[0047] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows in more detail the container filling machine according to FIG. 1 with the side plates removed.

[0048] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the container filling machine according to FIG. 2 in a perspective view from below.

[0049] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the container filling machine according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view from above.

[0050] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the sterile filling chamber and the sterile sealing chamber according to FIG.

[0051] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the inlet and outlet openings of the sterile filling chamber and the sterile sealing chamber according to FIG.

[0052] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a flow-through plate for an aseptic filling chamber.

[0053] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the flow-through plate according to FIG.

[0054] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows one embodiment of a flow-through plate for a sterile closed chamber.

[0055] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of an air distribution duct.

[0056] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows the processing chambers of the filling and sealing chambers of one embodiment of the filling machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] (Detailed explanation) An embodiment of a blank-feeding paperboard container filling machine 10 according to the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] Filling machine 10 includes a sterilization chamber 20 configured to sterilize open-top paperboard containers (not disclosed) folded from blanks (not disclosed).

[0059] The filling machine 10 further comprises a first aseptic chamber 30 arranged downstream of the sterilization chamber and forming a filling chamber of the filling machine 10. The filling chamber 30 is configured to fill sterilized open-top paperboard containers with a pourable food product. For this purpose, a filling nozzle 32 is arranged within the filling chamber 30. The food product is supplied to the filling nozzle 32 from a food product supply system 11 (see FIG. 1).

[0060] The filling machine 10 also comprises a second aseptic chamber 40 arranged downstream of the filling chamber 30 to form a sealing chamber of the filling machine 10. The sealing chamber 40 is configured to seal the top ends of the paperboard containers filled in the filling chamber 30. For this purpose, folding and sealing means 42 are arranged within the sealing chamber 40 (see Figure 2). The sealing chamber 40 may also comprise a nitrogen flushing nozzle 49 arranged to fill the remaining space within the container with nitrogen before the container is sealed.

[0061] As a result, after passing through the sterilization chamber 20, the containers first pass through a filling chamber 30 where the containers are filled with a pourable food product. After passing through the filling chamber 30, the containers pass through a sealing chamber 40 where the containers are sealed.

[0062] Both the filling chamber 30 and the sealing chamber 40 are aseptic chambers that provide a sufficiently sterile environment to provide a desired shelf life for the filled containers. As a result, the sterility of the filling chamber 30 and the sealing chamber 40 is such that they inhibit contaminants that might otherwise reduce the shelf life of the filled containers. Such contaminants may be, for example, bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms. Both the filling chamber 30 and the sealing chamber 40 are equipped with a cleaning nozzle 22 that allows cleaning fluid to be introduced into the chambers 30, 40 and to clean the chambers 30, 40 during a cleaning cycle.

[0063] To maintain the sterility of the containers and food products until the containers are safely sealed, filling machine 10 includes a first airflow system 34 configured to provide a controlled flow of clean air through filling chamber 30 and a second airflow system 44 configured to provide a controlled flow of clean air through sealing chamber 40. The clean air may be, for example, sterile or nearly sterile air, aseptic air, or HEPA air. HEPA air is generated by filtering air through a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. As described in more detail below, airflow systems 34, 44 are configured to provide an airflow of clean air that surrounds the containers as they are handled by processing equipment within the filling and sealing chamber.

[0064] The container transport subsystem 12 is configured to transport each container along a transport path 14 through the filling machine 10, including through the filling chamber 30 and the sealing chamber 40 (see FIG. 4). The container transport subsystem 12 may comprise a conveyor or a linear actuator configured to transport carriers for the containers through the filling machine 10. In the disclosed embodiment, the filling machine 10 includes three parallel transport paths 14 for containers, and the container transport subsystem 12 includes carriers 16 configured to transport three containers in parallel (see FIG. 4—the container transport subsystem 12 is disclosed without containers). In this embodiment, each container transport path 14 is linear. In other words, the container transport subsystem 12 is configured to transport containers through the filling machine along linear, parallel paths.

[0065] The filling chamber 30 is provided with an entrance opening 31 arranged to allow a container to be transferred into the filling chamber 30 by the container transfer subsystem (see FIG. 6 ). The filling chamber 30 is also provided with an exit opening 33 arranged to allow a container to be removed from the filling chamber 30 by the container transfer subsystem. Similarly, the sealed chamber 40 is provided with an entrance opening 41 arranged to allow a container to be transferred into the sealed chamber 40 by the container transfer subsystem, and an exit opening 43 arranged to allow a container to be removed from the sealed chamber 40. The exit opening 33 of the filling chamber 30 may form the entrance opening 41 of the sealed chamber 40, allowing a container to be transferred directly from the filling chamber 30 to the sealed chamber 40.

[0066] In the filling chamber 30, containers are conveyed along the parallel, linear container transport paths 14 from the entrance opening 31 to the exit opening 33. Similarly, in the sealing chamber 40, containers are conveyed along the parallel, linear container transport paths 14 from the entrance opening 41 to the exit opening 43.

[0067] The filling chamber 30 comprises an upper air distribution chamber 35 and a lower treatment chamber 36 (see FIG. 2). The filling chamber 30 further comprises a through-flow plate 37 (see also FIG. 3) which separates the air distribution chamber 35 from the treatment chamber 36. The through-flow plate 37 may be monolithic, i.e., manufactured from a single solid piece. Preferably, however, the through-flow plate 37 consists of several partial plates 37a-37d which together separate the air distribution chamber 35 from the treatment chamber 36, as shown, for example, in FIG. 7.

[0068] The air distribution chamber 35 is configured to receive clean air from the air supply channel 18, and the flow-through plate 37 includes a plurality of slits 38 (see, e.g., FIG. 8 ) configured to direct the clean air from the air distribution chamber 35 to the processing chamber 36. As previously mentioned, the clean air may be, for example, sterile or nearly sterile air, aseptic air, or HEPA air. In other words, clean air is provided from the air supply channel 18, and the resulting air flow travels from the air distribution chamber 35 through the flow-through plate 37 to the processing chamber 36. Within the processing chamber 36, the fill nozzle 32 is configured to dispense the food product in the container.

[0069] In this embodiment, the air distribution chamber 35 is configured to receive clean air from four air supply channels 18 (see, for example, FIG. 3). However, in other embodiments, the air distribution chamber 35 may be configured to receive clean air from one, two, three, five, or more air supply channels.

[0070] The through-flow plate 37 is preferably flat, and the slits 38 are preferably aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the container transport path 14. The purpose of this configuration is to surround the containers with a uniform flow of clean air flowing from the through-flow plate 37 toward the carrier 16. Preferably, the uniform air flow fills the entire processing chamber 36 without forming turbulent eddies or vortices, thereby preventing contaminated air from being drawn into the filling chamber from outside the processing chamber 36, particularly through openings 60 formed in the bottom wall or floor 61 of the processing chamber 36, which openings 60 are configured to receive the containers to be filled (see FIG. 11 ). Preferably, in the processing chamber 36, the sterile zone should extend downward from the through-flow plate 37 to the bottom wall 61, thereby preventing contaminated air from entering open containers extending through the openings 60 (the upper ends of the containers are supported above the bottom wall 61 by the carrier 16).

[0071] The flow-through plate 37 may present a continuous surface interrupted only by slits 38 and by openings extending through the flow-through plate 37 that are intended to be occupied by the necessary processing equipment, such as openings 26 for filling nozzles and openings 27 for cleaning fluid ducts (see Figure 7).

[0072] As shown in FIG. 8 , the slits 38 have a large aspect ratio, i.e., a large length-to-width ratio. The aspect ratio of the slits 38 is preferably greater than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, and 20. However, the aspect ratio of the slits may be even greater as long as the through-flow plate remains structurally sound. According to one embodiment, the aspect ratio of the slits 38 is in the range of 5 to 30, or more preferably in the range of 10 to 20. According to one embodiment, the length L of each slit 38 may be in the range of 10 to 40 mm, and the width W may be in the range of 5 to 30 mm, or more preferably in the range of 10 to 20 mm. The through-flow plate 37 may be made of stainless steel sheet metal having a thickness T in the range of 1 to 5 mm. The slits 38 may occupy 5 to 50%, preferably 10 to 30%, of the total area of ​​the through-flow plate 37. Preferably, the slits 38 are evenly spaced apart on the through-flow plate 38.

[0073] As previously mentioned, the slit 38 may be aligned parallel to the container transport path 14. It has been found that such alignment causes relatively little turbulence within the processing chamber 36. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that such alignment of the slit 38 provides a stable, parallel "air knife" that is relatively unaffected by the containers as they move through the processing chamber 36, thereby causing limited or no turbulence in the clean air stream. As previously mentioned, a long slit aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the container transport path 14 has been found to cause relatively little turbulence within the processing chamber 36. A slight angle of the slit 38 relative to the transport path 14 has a similar, but somewhat less positive, effect. It has been found that the angle of the slit 38 relative to the transport path 14 should preferably not deviate from parallel by more than any one of 2 degrees, 4 degrees, 6 degrees, 8 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, and 20 degrees.

[0074] Preferably, the slits 38 are provided with rounded ends as seen in Figure 8. This can be advantageous for cleaning, as material with 90 degree angles is difficult to keep clean.

[0075] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first air flow system 34 includes, in addition to the through-flow plate 37, elongated air distribution ducts 50 configured to receive the clean air from the air supply channels 18 and distribute the clean air within the air distribution chamber 35. Each air distribution duct 50 includes a plurality of through-flow holes 51 (see Figure 10). In the air distribution chamber 35, each air distribution duct 50 may be connected to the top wall or ceiling 39 (see Figure 2) of the air distribution chamber to distribute the supplied air throughout the air distribution chamber 35. The purpose of the air distribution ducts 50 is to equalize the pressure gradient within the air distribution chamber 35 to provide a more uniform flow of air through all portions of the through-flow plate 37.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, each air distribution duct 50 is substantially semi-tubular and has a convex surface 52 facing the through-flow plate 37 (see Figures 3 and 10). Preferably, the air distribution duct 50 extends from one side of the air distribution chamber 35 to its opposite side. Preferably, each air distribution duct 50 has a linear duct axis A (see Figure 3) that extends substantially perpendicular to the container conveying path 14 (see Figure 6). Furthermore, the size of the through-flow holes 51 and / or their distribution can be adjusted according to the distance from the air supply channel 18 to obtain the same through-flow per unit area throughout the air distribution duct 50.

[0077] 2 and 3, the through-flow plate 37 is positioned substantially flat and horizontal within the filling chamber 30 at a height just above the bottom of the fill nozzle 32. To accommodate the fill nozzle 32 and food product delivery system 11, the through-flow plate 37 may be cut or shaped as shown in FIG. 7. Preferably, the through-flow plate is a close fit over the fill nozzle 32 and food product delivery system 11 to avoid large openings that would cause uneven flow of clean air from the air distribution chamber 35 to the processing chamber 36.

[0078] Similar to the filling chamber 30, the sealed chamber 40 includes an upper air distribution chamber 45 and a lower processing chamber 46 (see FIG. 2). The sealed chamber 40 also includes a flow-through plate 47 that separates the air distribution chamber 45 from the processing chamber 46 (see also FIG. 3). The air distribution chamber 45 is configured to receive clean air from the air supply channel 19, and the flow-through plate 47 includes a plurality of slits 48 (see, e.g., FIG. 9) configured to direct the clean air from the air distribution chamber 45 to the processing chamber 46. As previously mentioned, the clean air may be, for example, sterile or nearly sterile air, aseptic air, or HEPA air.

[0079] In this embodiment, the air distribution chamber 45 is configured to receive clean air from three air supply channels 19 (see, for example, FIG. 3). However, in other embodiments, the air distribution chamber 45 may be configured to receive clean air from one, two, four, five, or more air supply channels.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the through-flow plate 47 comprises a flat section 55 and two curved sections 56 adjacent to the flat section 55 and connected to the upper end wall or ceiling 57 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ) of the sealed chamber 40. The flat section 55 is horizontally aligned and thus presents a downwardly facing, flat surface facing the processing chamber 46. Each of the curved sections 56 presents a convex ruled surface facing the processing chamber 46, the ruled surface being defined by rules that run parallel to the container transport path 14 and perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the container transport path 14. The through-flow plate 47 therefore presents a substantially U-shaped cross section. This configuration provides space within the processing chamber 46 for processing devices such as the folding and sealing means 42 and the nitrogen flushing nozzle 49 (see FIG. 2 ). In the transverse direction of the sealed chamber 40, the through-flow plate 47 extends across the width of the sealed chamber 40 adjacent to its side walls.

[0081] Like the slits 38, the slits 48 have a large aspect ratio. The aspect ratio of the slits 48 is preferably greater than any one of 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, and 20. According to one embodiment, the aspect ratio of the slits 48 is in the range of 5 to 30, or more preferably in the range of 10 to 20. According to one embodiment, the length of each slit 48 may be in the range of 10 to 40 mm, and the width may be in the range of 5 to 30 mm, or more preferably in the range of 10 to 20 mm. The through-flow plate 47 may be made of stainless steel sheet metal having a thickness in the range of 1 to 5 mm. The slits 48 may occupy 5 to 50%, preferably 10 to 30%, of the total area of ​​the through-flow plate 47. Preferably, the slits 48 are equally spaced apart on the through-flow plate 48. The through-flow plate 47 may include adjacent rectangular and flat subsections 47a-47k that form the through-flow plate 47, as shown in FIG. 9 .

[0082] The slits 48 are aligned with the container transport path 14. As a result, in the flat section 55, the slits 48 are disposed substantially parallel to the container transport path 14, while in the curved section 56, the slits 48 are disposed in a parallel vertical plane. Such alignment has been found to limit turbulence within the processing chamber 46. The purpose of this configuration of the flow-through plate 47 is to surround the upper ends of the containers with a uniform flow of clean air flowing from the flow-through plate 47 toward the bottom wall or floor 62 (see FIG. 11) of the processing chamber 46. Preferably, the uniform air flow fills the entire processing chamber 46 without forming turbulent eddies or vortices, thereby preventing contaminated air from being drawn into the sealing chamber 40 from the outside, particularly through openings formed in the bottom wall 62 of the filling chamber 30 (see FIG. 11), such as openings formed by guide slots 63 configured to fold the upper ends of the containers before they are sealed. Preferably, guide slots 63 are the only openings present in bottom wall 62 , thereby contributing to a sterile zone extending downward from flow-through plate 47 to bottom wall 62 .

[0083] 2 and 3, the second air flow system 44 comprises, in addition to the through-flow plate 47, an air distribution duct 53 configured to receive the cleaned air from the air supply channels 19 and distribute the cleaned air within the air distribution chamber 45. The air distribution duct 53 is preferably configured similarly to the air distribution duct 51 within the filling chamber 30. Consequently, the air distribution duct 53 preferably comprises a plurality of through-flow holes 51 (see FIG. 10), and the air distribution duct 53 is preferably connected to a top wall or ceiling 57 (see FIG. 2) of the air distribution chamber 45 for distributing the supplied air throughout the air distribution chamber 45.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the air distribution duct 53, like the air distribution duct 50, is substantially semi-tubular and has a convex surface 52 facing the through-flow plate 47 (see FIGS. 3 and 10). Preferably, the air distribution duct 53 extends from one side of the air distribution chamber 45 to its opposite side. Preferably, the air distribution duct 53 has a linear duct axis A (see FIG. 3) that extends substantially perpendicular to the container conveying path 14 (see FIG. 6). Furthermore, the size and / or distribution of the through-flow holes 51 can be adjusted according to the distance from the air supply channel 19 to obtain the same through-flow per unit area throughout the air distribution duct 53. Preferably, the through-flow plate 47 symmetrically surrounds the distribution duct 53.

[0085] In operation of the filling machine 10, all clean air passing from the air distribution chamber 35 to the processing chamber 36 in the filling chamber 30 should preferably pass through the slits 38 in the through-flow plate 37. The clean air can then be exhausted from the processing chamber 36 through the opening 60 in the bottom wall 61 (or more precisely the through section of the opening 60 that is not occupied by a container - see FIG. 11).

[0086] Similarly, in operation of the filling machine 10, all clean air passing from the air distribution chamber 45 to the treatment chamber 46 in the enclosed chamber 40 should preferably pass through the slits 48 in the flow-through plate 47. The clean air can then be exhausted from the treatment chamber 46 through the guide slots 63 (see FIG. 11).

[0087] The areas of the air outlets, such as the openings 60 and guide slots 63, are preferably uniformly distributed along the transport path 14 along which the containers are located to surround them with a uniform air flow. In some applications, this may enhance the flow of sterile air from the flow-through plates 37, 47 toward the bottom walls 61, 62. Similarly or alternatively, suction may be provided at the air outlets. However, if suction is provided, it should not be so strong as to reduce the pressure in parts of the respective processing chambers below ambient pressure, as this could allow contaminated air to enter the processing chambers 36, 46 through any gaps.

[0088] According to the present disclosure, a method for establishing an airflow of clean air within an aseptic chamber, such as a filling or sealing chamber, of a filling machine includes directing clean air from the air distribution chamber 35, 45 through the flow-through plate 37, 47 to the processing chamber 36, 46.

Claims

1. A paperboard container filling machine (10) comprising an aseptic chamber (30, 40), the aseptic chamber (30, 40) comprising: an upper air distribution chamber (35, 45); a lower processing chamber (36, 46) housing a processing device (32, 42, 49) configured to interact with a paperboard container passing through the processing chamber (36, 46); a through-flow plate (37, 47) separating the air distribution chamber (35, 45) from the treatment chamber (36, 46), the through-flow plate (37, 47) having a plurality of through-openings (38, 48) configured to direct the air from the air distribution chamber (35, 45) to the treatment chamber (36, 46); a paperboard container transport subsystem (12) configured to transport the paperboard containers through the processing chambers (36, 46) along a container transport path (14) from the entrance openings (31, 41) to the exit openings (33, 43) of the processing chambers (36, 46); Equipped with The filling machine (10) is characterized in that the through-flow plate (47) comprises a substantially horizontal flat section (55) and first and second curved sections (56), each curved section (56) presenting a convex ruled surface facing the processing chamber (46), the ruled surface being defined by a rule that is parallel to the conveying path (14) and extends perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the conveying path (14).

2. 2. The filling machine (10) of claim 1, wherein the trough opening is a slit (38, 48).

3. 3. The filling machine (10) of claim 2, wherein the slits (38, 48) are linear.

4. 4. A filling machine (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the slits (38, 48) are arranged along a plurality of parallel lines.

5. The filling machine (10) of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the slits (38, 48) are aligned with the container conveying path (14).

6. 10. A filling machine (10) according to claim 1, wherein the through-openings (38, 48) occupy one of the following: 5 to 50% of the total area of ​​the through-flow plates (37, 47) and 10 to 30% of the total area of ​​the through-flow plates (37, 47).

7. 10. The filling machine (10) according to claim 1, further comprising an elongated air distribution duct (50, 53) configured to receive air from the air supply channels (18, 19), the air distribution duct (50, 53) having a plurality of through-flow holes (51) configured to distribute the air in the air distribution chamber (35, 45), presenting a semi-tubular convex surface (52) facing the through-flow plate (37, 47), and having a straight duct axis (A) extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the container conveying path (14).

8. 1. A method for establishing air flow within an aseptic chamber (30, 40) of a paperboard container filling machine (10), the aseptic chamber (30, 40) comprising: an upper air distribution chamber (35, 45); a lower processing chamber (36, 46) housing a processing device (13) configured to interact with paperboard containers passing through the processing chamber (36, 46); a paperboard container transport subsystem (12) configured to transport the paperboard containers through the processing chambers (36, 46) along a container transport path (14) from the entrance openings (31, 41) to the exit openings (33, 43) of the processing chambers (36, 46); Equipped with The method is characterized by a step of bringing the air from the distribution chamber (45) to the treatment chamber (46) through a flow-through plate (47) having a substantially horizontal flat section (55) and first and second curved sections (56), each curved section (56) presenting a convex ruled surface facing the treatment chamber (46), the ruled surface being defined by a rule that is parallel to the conveying path (14) and extends perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the conveying path (14).

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