Caps sterilizer with clean format regulation

Abstract

It is described a caps sterilizer (1; 1') comprising: a sterilizing housing (2); a motor housing (3) housing a motor (32) which is connected to carriages (4;4') transporting caps in the sterilizing housing (2), and located in the internal volume (31) of the motor housing (31), for generating the respective movements of the carriages (4;4'), the caps sterilizer;wherein: each carriage (4;4') defines at least one respective rail (41) for receiving a row (Z) of caps (F1; F2), the caps sterilizer (1) being configured so that each rail (41) is transversal to the movement of the respective carriage (4;4');each carriage (4;4') comprises a respective connection flange (42) which is located in the internal volume (31) of the motor housing (3), for connecting the carriage (4) to the motor (32) so that the motor (32) can generate the movement of the carriage (4;4');each carriage (4;4') comprises a respective regulation device (43; 43') for regulating the width (W) of each rail (41) defined by the carriage (4;4'), to adapt said width (W) to the format of the caps (F) to be sterilized.

Description

[0001] CAPS STERILI ZER WITH CLEAN FORMAT REGULATION

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a caps sterili zer which allows to be quickly adapted to the format of the caps to be sterili zed .

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] In the field of packaging pourable products by means of containers , it is known the use of a caps sterili zer for sterili zing the caps that are used to cap the containers , in particular when an aseptic technique is used for filling the containers with the pourable product . The aseptic filling technique is selected in particular as a function of the pH of the product and the desired type of distribution .

[0006] Current solutions for caps sterili zer present a low flexibility with respect to the format of the caps to be sterili zed .

[0007] DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0008] A caps sterili zer according to present description or according to any of the appended sterili zer claims provides an improvement in terms of flexibility with respect to format variation of the caps .

[0009] A filling machine according to present description or according to any of the machine claims comprises a caps sterili zer according to present description or according to any of the appended sterili zer claims .

[0010] The following brief description of the drawings and detailed description are referred to a possible example embodiment of the caps sterili zer according to present description and a possible example embodiment of the filling machine according to present description . Moreover, the example embodiment of the caps sterili zer can be according to a first variant or according to a second variant .

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The following detailed description will be referred to the accompanying drawings , in which :

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first variant of the caps sterili zer ;

[0014] Figure 2 is another perspective view of the first variant of the caps sterili zer with some parts of a covering structure which are removed, to make visible some components which are normally covered by the covering structure ;

[0015] Figure 3 is a sectioned view of a portion of the caps sterili zer ;

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second variant of the caps sterili zer with some parts of a covering structure which are removed, to make visible some components which are normally covered by the covering structure ;

[0017] Figure 5 shows a first variant of a carriage for transporting caps , which is used in the first variant of the caps sterili zer, in a first instant during a changeover operation;

[0018] Figure 6 shows the first variant of carriage in a second instant during the changeover operation;

[0019] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first variant of carriage ;

[0020] Figure 8 shows a perspective of a portion of the first variant of carriage ;

[0021] Figure 9 shows another perspective of the portion of Figure 8 ;

[0022] Figure 10 shows a second variant of carriage for transporting caps which is used in the second variant caps sterili zer, in the first instant ;

[0023] Figure 11 shows the second variant of carriage in the second instant ;

[0024] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the second variant of carriage ;

[0025] Figure 13 shows a perspective of a portion of the second variant of carriage ;

[0026] Figure 14 shows another perspective of the portion of Figure 13 ; Figure 15 shows the different sectors along the sterilization path of the caps when the caps are sterilized by means of the caps sterilizer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1-2 are referred to a first variant of the caps sterilizer, which is indicated with 1. Figure 4 is referred to a second variant of the caps sterilizer, which is indicated with 1' . Figures 5-9 are referred to a first variant of a carriage for transporting caps. The first variant of the carriage is indicated with 4. The first variant 4 of the carriage is used in the first variant 1 of the caps sterilizer. Figures 10-14 are referred to a second variant of a carriage for transporting caps. The second variant of the carriage is indicated with 4' . The second variant 4' of the carriage is used in the second variant 1' of the caps sterilizer. Figure 3 is aimed at explaining a concept which can be present in the first variant 1 and in the second variant 1' of the caps sterilizer. Figure 15 shows another concept which can be present in the first variant 1 and in the second variant 1' of the caps sterilizer.

[0027] Some caps F are indicated in Figures 2 and 4. Some caps are visible in Figures 2 and 4 because some elements of a covering structure are removed in Figures 2 and 4. The caps sterilizer 1 or 1' comprises a sterilizing housing 2 . The caps sterili zer 1 or 1 ' is configured so that the caps F are sterili zed while being transported within an internal volume 21 of the sterili zing housing 2 by means of carriages 4 or 4 ' moving within the internal volume 21 of the sterili zing housing 2 . The internal volume 21 of the sterili zing housing 2 is indicated in Figures 2 and 4 . The internal volume 21 is partially visible in Figures 2 and 4 because some components of a covering structure are removed in Figures 2 and 4 . The internal volume 21 is also indicated in Figure 3 . Figure 3 shows a portion of a cross section of the caps sterili zer, on a plane which is orthogonal to the movement of the carriages .

[0028] The caps sterili zer 1 or 1 ' comprises a motor housing 3 housing a motor 32 . The motor 32 is connected to the carriages 4 or 4 ' for generating the respective movements of the carriages 4 or 4 ' . The motor 32 is located in the internal volume 31 of the motor housing 3 . The motor 32 is configured for moving each carriage 4 or 4 ' independently from the others , so that flexibility in terms of production speed and / or time of treatment is improved . The motor 32 can be for example a linear motor .

[0029] The internal volume 31 of the motor housing 3 is indicated in Figures 2 and 4 . In Figures 2 and 4 the internal volume 31 of the motor housing 3 is partially visible because some elements of a covering structure are removed in Figures 2 and 4 . Also the motor 32 is partially visible in figures 2 and 4 . The motor 32 and the internal volume 31 of the motor housing 3 are indicated also in Figure 3 .

[0030] In the first variant 4 of the carriage and in the second variant 4 ' of the carriage , the carriage 4 or 4 ' defines at least one respective rail 41 for receiving a respective row Z of caps . The caps sterili zer 1 or 1 ' is configured so that each rail 41 is transversal to the movement of the respective carriage 4 or 4 ' .

[0031] In Figures 2 and 4 , some carriages 4 or 4 ' are visible because some elements of a covering structure are removed to show the carriages . The caps F are visible in figures 2 and 4 because said elements of the covering structure are removed .

[0032] In Figures 2 and 4 , some rows Z of caps are indicated, which are received by respective rails 41 .

[0033] Having the caps organi zed by rows which are transversal with respect to the movement of the carriage allows a reduction and possibly a complete elimination of the pushing action of the caps on each other, to reduce the risk of deformation . In this way, an increase in the quality of production is obtained . In the first variant 4 and in the second variant 4 ' of the carriage , the carriage 4 or 4 ' comprises a connection flange 42 or 42 ' which is located in the internal volume 31 of the housing 3 for connecting the carriage 4 or 4 ' to the motor 32 so that the motor 32 can generate the movement of the carriage 4 or 4 ' . The connection flange 42 of the first variant 4 of the carriage is indicated with 42 in Figures 2 and in Figures from 5 to 9 . The connection flange of the second variant 4 ' of the carriage is indicate with 42 ' in Figure 4 and in Figures from 10 to 14 .

[0034] For example , the motor 32 may comprise a track and a plurality of movable elements which are movable along the track . Each carriage is connected to a respective movable element by means of the respective connection flange .

[0035] In the first variant 4 of the carriage and in the second variant 4 ' of the carriage , the carriage 4 or 4 ' comprises a respective regulation device 43 or 43 ' for regulating the width W of each rail 41 defined by the carriage 4 or 4 ' , to adapt said width W to the format of the caps F to be sterili zed . The regulation device of the first variant 4 of carriage , is indicated with 43 in Figures 2 and in Figures from 5 to 9 . The regulation device of the second variant 4 ' of carriage , is indicated with 43 ' in Figures from 10 to 14 .

[0036] Each carriage can define only one respective rail or a respective plurality of rail . I f each carriage defines only one respective rail , "each rail" means the only one rail 41 defined by the carriage . I f each carriage defines a respective plurality of rails , "each rail" means each rail of the plurality of rails . I f each carriage defines a respective plurality of rails , "each rail" of the plurality is configured for receiving a respective row of caps .

[0037] The width W is indicated in Figures 5- 6 and in Figures 10- 11 .

[0038] In the first variant 1 of the caps sterili zer, and therefore when the first variant 4 of the carriage is used, the regulation device 43 of each carriage 4 is located in the internal volume 31 of the motor housing 3 .

[0039] In the first variant 1 of the caps sterili zer, the internal volume 31 of the motor housing 3 is accessible to a user through an openable window 33 in order for the user to act on the regulation device 43 for setting the value of said width W . In Figure 2 , the window 33 is opened and therefore the regulation device 43 is accessible for a user to regulate the width W .

[0040] For example , there can be the need to perform a changeover operation of the caps sterili zer from a first format of cap to a second format of caps , the first format and the second format di f fering from each other at least for a di f ferent width of the cap . Figure 5 shows a first instant in which the width of the rail 41 defined by the carriage 4 is adapted to the first format . Figure 6 shows a second instant during the changeover operation in which the width of the rail 41 defined by the carriage 4 is adapted to the second format .

[0041] In the first variant 1 and in the second variant 1 ' of the caps sterili zer, the caps sterili zer 1 or 1 ' comprises a dynamic seal 5 between the internal volume 31 of the motor housing 3 and the internal volume 21 of the sterili zing housing 2 . A cross section of the dynamic seal 5 is visible in Figure 3 . With the first variant 1 of caps sterili zer, the user does not have to access to the internal volume 21 of the sterili zing housing 2 during the changeover operation, so that the internal volume of the sterili zing housing 21 can remain closed and protected during the changeover operation . Therefore , the productivity of the caps sterili zer is improved, because there is no need to sterili ze again the sterili zing housing 2 in consequence of the changeover operation . The dynamic seal 5 is preferably a liquid dynamic seal which comprises a labyrinth shaped conduit filled with a liquid, which is preferably a sterile liquid.

[0042] In the first variant 4 of the carriage, and therefore in the first variant 1 of the caps sterilizer, the regulation device 43 is configured for working by means of mechanical contact, to vary said width W. For example, the regulation device 43 can be of a screw and nut type.

[0043] In the second variant 1' of the caps sterilizer, and therefore when the second variant 4' of the carriage is used, the regulation device 43' associated to each carriage 4' is located in the internal volume 21 of the sterilizing housing 2. A connection flange 42' is visible in Figure 4, because the window 33 is opened also in Figure 4. Anyway, the window 33 is opened in Figure 4 not for permitting the regulation of the width W, but mainly to make the flange 42' visible.

[0044] In the second variant 1' of the caps sterilizer, for each carriage 4' , the regulation device 43' is configured for working by electromagnetic or magnetic action to vary said width W.

[0045] In the second variant 1' of the caps sterilizer, the caps sterilizer 1' comprises a regulation system which is at least partially located outside the sterilizing housing 2 and outside the motor housing 3 . The regulation system is configured for acting contactless on the regulation device 43 ' of each carriage 4 ' . In this way a user can set the value of the width W of each carriage , to adapt each carriage to a new format of caps . In this way, the mechanical operations which need to be done by the user to perform the changeover from the first format of caps to the second format of caps are reduced . Therefore , a caps sterili zer 1 ' is provided which allow a user to perform a quicker changeover operation .

[0046] The regulation system may comprise at least one component located in the sterili zing housing 21 . The regulation system is configured for working magnetically or by means of induction .

[0047] Figure 10 shows a first instant in which the rail 41 defined by the carriage 4 ' is adapted to the first format . Figure 11 shows a second instant during the changeover operation in which the rail 41 defined by the carriage 4 ' is adapted to the second format .

[0048] In the first variant 4 and in the second variant 4 ' of the carriage , each rail 41 of the carriage 4 or 4 ' comprises a respective first lateral guide 411 and a respective second lateral guide 412 , so that the width W of the rail 41 is defined between the first lateral guide 411 and the second lateral guide 412 . The second lateral guide 412 and the first lateral guide 411 are mobile with respect to each other, to allow the regulation of the width W .

[0049] The first lateral guide 411 and the second lateral guide 412 are indicated in Figures from 5 to 14 .

[0050] In the first variant 4 and in the second variant 4 ' of the carriage , the carriage 4 or 4 ' comprises a respective bracket 45 or 45 ' for structurally connecting the at least one rail 41 to the connection flange 42 or 42 ' . The bracket of the first variant 4 of the carriage is indicated with 45 in Figures from 5 to 9 . The bracket of the second variant 4 ' of the carriage is indicated with 45 ' in Figures from 10 to 14 .

[0051] In the first variant 1 and in the second variant 1 ' of the caps sterili zer, the bracket 45 or 45 ' of each carriage 4 or 4 ' passes through the dynamic seal 5 .

[0052] In the first variant 4 of the carriage , and therefore in the first variant 1 of the caps sterili zer, the regulation device 43 is mounted on the connection flange 42 . The position of the regulation device 43 with respect to the connection flange 42 , in the first variant of the carriage , is in particular visible in Figures 8 and 9 . Figures 8 and 9 shows two opposite perspective views of a portion of the carriage 4 , respectively .

[0053] In this way, the connection flange 42 is used also for supporting the regulation device 43 , to simpli fy the mechanical configuration of the carriage 4 .

[0054] In the first variant 4 of the carriage , the bracket 45 comprises a first arm 451 by means of which the first lateral guide 411 is integral with the connection flange 42 . In the first variant 4 of the carriage , the bracket 45 comprises a second arm 452 which is integral with the second lateral guide 412 , so that the second arm 452 is mobile with respect to the first arm 451 to allow the regulation of said width W . The regulation device 43 is operative between the first arm 451 and the second arm 452 to regulate the width W .

[0055] By having the first arm 451 integral with the connection flange 42 , the connection flange 42 can play a role in giving the possibility of regulating the width W, in that the connection flange 42 itsel f contributes to make the lateral guides 411 and 412 mobile with respect to each other . In this way, a further simpli fication of the mechanical configuration is obtained .

[0056] In particular, in Figure 9 it is well visible that the first arm 451 is rigidly connected to the connection flange 42 while the second arm 452 is mobile with respect to the first arm 451 to allow the regulation of the width of the rail.

[0057] Also in the first variant 1 of the caps sterilizer, the regulation device 43 of each carriage can work by electromagnetic action instead of by mechanical contact. Therefore, also in the first variant of the caps sterilizer, the same regulation system of the second variant can be used to regulate the width from outside. In the second variant 4' of the carriage, and therefore in the second variant of the caps sterilizer, the bracket 45' comprises an arm 451' which is integral with the first lateral guide 411.

[0058] In the second variant 4' of the carriage, the regulation device 43' is operative between the arm 451' of the bracket 45' and the second lateral guide 412 to regulate said width W.

[0059] In the second variant 4' of the carriage, the regulation device 43' is mounted between the arm 451' of the bracket 45' and the second lateral guide 412.

[0060] In this way, the regulation device 43' can operate within the internal volume 21 of the sterilizing housing 2, without a complicate mechanic system, to reduce the mechanical complexity of the carriage.

[0061] There can be an intermediate connection element between the regulation device 43' and the second lateral guide

[0062] 412. There can be another intermediate connection element between the regulation device 43' and the arm 451' of the bracket 45' .

[0063] In the first variant 1 and in the second variant 1' of the caps sterilizer, the caps sterilizer defines a path for each carriage, so that each cap is processed while the carriage transporting the cap moves along the path and within the internal volume 21 of the sterilizing housing 2.

[0064] The path P comprises an injection section A, in which a sterilizing agent is injected. The path P comprises an activation section B, in which the sterilization agent is activated while remaining on the caps. The path P comprises a drying section C, along which the caps are dried to remove residuals of sterilizing agent. The path P comprises a buffer section D, in which the caps can be buffered, in case it is needed. The path comprises a return section E, by means of which the carriage returns from the output 0 to the input I. At the input I, the caps are inserted in the sterilizing housing 2 and received by the carriage. At the output 0, the caps are released by the carriage to go out of the sterilizing housing .

[0065] The filling machine is configured for sequentially filling the containers with a pourable product and for sequentially capping the filled containers. The product is for example a pourable food product . The machine can be an aseptic filling machine or an ultraclean filling machine .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Caps sterilizer (1; 1' ) comprising: a sterilizing housing (2) , the sterilizer (1) being configured so that the caps (Fl; F2 ) are sterilized while being transported within an internal volume (21) of the sterilizing housing (2) , by means of carriages (4; 4' ) moving within said internal volume (21) , the caps sterilizer (1; 1' ) comprising the carriages (4; 4' ) ; a motor housing (3) housing a motor (32) which is connected to the carriages (4;4' ) and located in the internal volume (31) of the motor housing (31) , for generating the respective movements of the carriages (4;4' ) , the caps sterilizer (1; 1' ) comprising the motor (32) ; wherein : each carriage (4;4' ) defines at least one respective rail (41) for receiving a respective row (Z) of caps (Fl; F2 ) , the caps sterilizer (1) being configured so that each rail (41) is transversal to the movement of the respective carriage (4;4' ) ; each carriage (4;4' ) comprises a respective connection flange (42) which is located in the internal volume (31) of the motor housing (3) , for connecting the carriage(4) to the motor (32) so that the motor (32) can generate the respective movement of the carriage (4;4' ) ; each carriage (4;4' ) comprises a respective regulation device (43; 43' ) for regulating the width (W) of each rail (41) defined by the carriage (4;4' ) , to adapt said width (W) to the format of the caps (F) to be sterilized.

2. Caps sterilizer (1) according to Claim 1, wherein, for each carriage (4) , the regulation device (43) is located in the internal volume (31) of the motor housing (3) .

3. Caps sterilizer (1) according to Claim 2, wherein the internal volume (31) of the motor housing (3) is accessible to a user through an openable window (33) in order for the user to act on the regulation device (43) for setting the value of said width (W) .

4. Caps sterilizer (1' ) according to Claim 1, wherein, for each carriage (4' ) , the regulation device (43' ) is located in the internal volume (21) of the sterilizing housing ( 2 ) .

5. Caps sterilizer (1; 1' ) according to any one of claims from 2 to 4, wherein, for each carriage (4;4' ) : - each rail (41) of the carriage (4;4' ) comprises a respective first lateral guide (411) and a respective second lateral guide (412) , so that the width (W) of therail (41) is defined between the first lateral guide (411) and the second lateral guide (412) , the first lateral guide (411) and the second lateral guide (412) being mobile with respect to each other, to allow the regulation of said width (W) ;- for each carriage (4;4' ) , the carriage (4) comprises a respective bracket (45) for structurally connecting the at least one rail (41) to the connection flange (42) ;- the caps sterilizer (1; 1' ) comprises a dynamic seal(5) between the internal volume (31) of the motor housing (3) and the internal volume (21) of the sterilizing housing (2) , the bracket (45) of each carriage (4;4' ) passing through said dynamic seal (5) .

6. Caps sterilizer (1) according to Claim 2 or 3 and according to claim 5, wherein, for each carriage (4) :- the regulation device (43) is mounted on the connection flange (42) ;- the bracket (45) comprises a first arm (451) by means of which the first lateral guide (411) is integral with the connection flange (42) , and a second arm (452) which is integral with the second lateral guide (412) , so that the second arm (452) is mobile with respect to the first arm (451) to allow the regulation of said width (W) , the regulation device (43) being operative between the first arm (451) and the second arm (452) to regulate saidwidth (W) .

7. Caps sterilizer (1) according to Claim 6, wherein, for each carriage (4) , the regulation device (43) is configured for working by means of mechanical contact to vary said width (W) .

8. Caps sterilizer (1) according to claim 6, wherein, for each carriage (4) , the regulation device (43) is configured for working by electromagnetic or magnetic action; wherein the caps sterilizer (1) comprises a regulation system which is located at least partially outside the sterilizing housing (2) and outside the motor housing (3) , and is configured for acting contactless on the regulation device (43) of each carriage (4) , for example allowing a user to set the value of said width (W) ; wherein said regulation system is configured for working by means magnetically or of induction.

9. Caps sterilizer (1' ) according to Claims 4 and 5, wherein, for each carriage (4' ) : the bracket (45' ) comprises an arm ( 451 ’ ) which is integral with the first lateral guide (411) ; the regulation device (43' ) is mounted between the arm ( 451 ’ ) and the second lateral guide (412) ; the regulation device (43' ) is operative between the arm ( 451 ’ ) and the second lateral guide (412) to regulatesaid width (W) .

10. Caps sterilizer (1' ) according to Claim 9, wherein, for each carriage (4' ) , the regulation device (43' ) is configured for working by electromagnetic or magnetic action to vary said width (W) .

11. Caps sterilizer (1' ) according to Claim 9 or 10, comprising a regulation system which is at least partially located outside the sterilizing housing (2) and outside the motor housing (3) , and is configured for acting contactless on the regulation device (43' ) of each carriage (4' ) , for example allowing a user to set the value of said width (W) .

12. Caps sterilizer (1' ) according to Claims 10 and 11, wherein said regulation system is configured for working magnetically or by means of induction.

13. Aseptic or ultraclean filling and capping machine, the machine being configured for sequentially filling container and sequentially capping the filled containers, in an aseptic or ultraclean environment, the machine comprising a caps sterilizer according to any one of the previous claims.

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