EP0857662A1 - Container, container closure, method and machine for cold-aseptic beverage filling - Google Patents

Abstract

The small bottle (8) or can (1) is aseptically filled with cold drink by a filling machine. The machine-operated seal (6) for use during the filling operation and in addition to the one (5) hand-opened by the user, can have one or more non-return shutters. These are either elastic or separately spring-loaded, and which are thrust open in the inwards direction by a boss or filler pipe on the machine. Alternatively it can comprise an opening squeezed, welded or glued shut by the machine, and typically contained in a tube protruding outwards. A cover can be provided, protruding outwards from the opening edge and deflected against the edge for welding or gluing to it.

Description

The invention relates to devices and methods and a machine according to the preambles of claims 1, 12, 13, 14 and 16.

When filling small containers intended for the end user, such as bottles or cans, with beverages, there is a considerable problem in bringing the beverage into the container which is closed and ready for dispatch with little germs. In the case of beverages containing alcohol and CO ₂ , such as beer or lemonades, the problem is reduced by the bactericidal action of these additives. This problem is particularly serious when filling non-alcoholic and low-CO ₂ or CO ₂ -free drinks, such as fruit juices, drinks containing fruit juices, milk, iced tea, low-alcohol beers and wines. These drinks are mostly particularly endangered by their high nutrient content of eg sugar give germs. In addition, certain drinks in small containers for the end consumer are only marketable with longer consumption periods. Only aseptic, i.e. completely sterile, filling helps here.

Aseptic filling has so far been possible for containers at the beginning enforce the specified type only with hot filling. The drink is filled with germicidal temperatures, so that sterility problems are not critical during the filling process. A disadvantage here but are thermal taste influences and more significant Heating and cooling effort. The necessary attention is also given fixed thermization times, for example for taste reasons must be complied with, for example in the event of malfunctions, very difficult.

A cold aseptic filling would be preferable under aseptic conditions with pre-sterilized cold Drink. Then e.g. thermal sterilization in special facilities can be optimized. Malfunctions during the filling does not damage the drink.

For the cold aseptic filling it is necessary to use the sterile drink in a sterile container under sterile conditions and seal it under sterile conditions. this has so far in the prior art for containers of the aforementioned Art proven not to be feasible, but only for cardboard packaging for filling milk and fruit juices.

There are feasible ways of thermally sterilizing containers of the type mentioned before reaching the filling machine or on their treatment station immediately before filling, for example with superheated steam or with a bactericidal, food-safe gas such as H ₂ O ₂ . Filling under sterile conditions can also be solved according to the prior art. The subsequent closing of the container always requires the transport of the container from the filling machine to a downstream sealing machine, which screws a cap onto bottles, presses on a crown cap or flares a lid on cans. Sterile conditions cannot be maintained or only with unacceptable effort, such as sterile encapsulation of the machines, on this transport route.

Filling and sealing machines are state of the art known in which the treatment in a row at the treatment Container filled and then, still in the same treatment place, is closed. The existing technical Problems, for example with the sterile introduction of caps and with the technically difficult screwing on the Caps or bottle caps are practical never been solved.

The objects of the present invention are a container or a closure cap and a method and machine of the type mentioned at the beginning with which cold aseptic beverage filling with reasonable technical Effort is possible.

This object is achieved with the features of claims 1, 12, 13, 14 and 16 solved.

The invention is based on the knowledge that those from the prior art proposals known in the art for the aseptic filling of Containers with a subsequent closing process on one Treatment place failed because the attempt was always made to usual, intended for use by the consumer Hand lock to use, so a screw cap or one Crown caps for bottles or a can lid with a zipper for cans. However, these closures are only more complex Lockable kinematics at the treatment area provided for filling a filling and closing machine to considerable leads to technical problems. The invention therefore sees additional to the usual hand lock, which the consumer for reasons the simple handling calls for a separate machine lock before, which can be easily closed mechanically. As a result, the previously unsolved problem of cold aseptic Removable beverage filling. The container can be closed, for example, e.g. closed with your hand lock, and pre-sterilized brought to the filling and sealing machine and through there the machine closure can be filled. At the same treatment place, The machine lock can still be operated under sterile conditions be locked, which is especially for this one Purpose provided closure that is not based on consumer habits To be considerate is easy to solve.

The machine lock can be self-closing according to claim 2 be designed in the manner of a check valve that when filling is opened and then closes automatically.

According to claim 3, the machine lock can have an opening, which are closed in a manner which is easy to handle by machine becomes. According to claim 4, a piece of pipe is advantageously provided, this is particularly easy from a machine through crushing or the like is closable.

The construction according to claim 5 results in a very flat design the machine lock when it is closed, thereby the visual impression of the container and its manageability not be disturbed. The closure can be done very easily by machine, e.g. by heat sealing, with a warm stamp, the machine closure, for example, made of thermoplastic weldable plastic.

According to claim 6, the machine lock can be made in one piece with a wall defining the interior of the container be, for example in one piece with the plastic or Sheet material of a cap, in one piece with the wall of a Plastic bottle or with the tin wall of a can. Thereby the machine lock can be used to manufacture the container this be trained. Depending on the material, plastic or Sheet metal, can be suitably by thermoplastic welding, by metal welding, by flanging or the like the machine lock can be closed. Also gluing, e.g. with the addition of hot-glue plastic, the machine lock can be closed, which then like the rest of the bottle e.g. can also consist of glass.

According to claim 7, the machine lock is a separate part, e.g. made of plastic, which at an opening of the container is sealingly attached. This allows the machine lock regardless of the material of the container, e.g. Glass, made for closing purposes suitable material can be provided.

The machine lock can be in different places on one Containers are provided. Is particularly suitable according to claim 8 the bottom of the container, especially if it is in accordance with Claim 9 is arched. Bothering at this point the machine lock does not later. Filling can, for example in the upside-down position of the container.

According to claim 10, the machine lock in the mouth a bottle provided, e.g. B. be used. The hand lock, e.g. in the form of a screw cap, can later in one of the Filling device applied downstream closing device be, during the transport of the container to the closing device there are no sterility problems since it is with the machine lock is already closed sterile. The consumer can Opening the hand lock remove the machine lock, which can be designed to do this, for example with a Pull tab or the like

The machine lock according to the invention is when it closes is permanently deformed for reuse not suitable and must be used in the case of reusable containers before the next one Filling process can be replaced. This simplifies training according to claims 11 and 12, wherein the machine lock is arranged in the cap of the hand lock. It is easily replaced with this. Also sits the machine lock then there, namely over the mouth of the Bottle, where the filling device usually engages a bottle. So it can largely the filling device to conventional Be constructed way. Is it the cap? around a screw cap, this is usually anyway nowadays made of plastic and can easily with the machine lock are made in one piece, which at Use of thermoplastic material very easily through thermoplastic Deformation or bonding can be closed can.

Methods for filling containers according to the invention are in the Claims 13 and 14 indicated.

The features of claim 15 are advantageously provided. When transporting the container sterilized with superheated steam or gas with open machine lock for filling and closing machine can steam or through the open machine lock Gas escape, so that the beverage is damaged by the Sterilizing medium is avoided.

A filling and sealing machine for performing the above The method results from claim 16, wherein advantageously according to Claim 17 a sterilizing device is provided, the machine closure re-sterilized in its peripheral and external areas, in order to be able to start germ-free with the filling device.

Fig. 1

einen schematischen Schnitt durch eine Getränkedose mit Darstellung zweier möglicher Anbringungsorte für einen Maschinenverschluß,

Fig. 2

einen schematischen Schnitt durch eine Kunststoffgetränkeflasche mit drei möglichen Anbringungsorten für einen Maschinenverschluß,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch eine Ausführungsform eines Maschinenverschlusses mit eingeführtem Füllrohr,

Fig. 4

den Maschinenverschluß der Fig. 3 in verschlossenem Zustand mit Verschließwerkzeug,

Fig. 5 - 7

Schnitte gemäß Fig. 3 durch weitere Ausführungsformen des Maschinenverschlusses,

Fig. 8

den Maschinenverschluß der Fig. 7 in geschlossenem Zustand,

Fig. 9

im Schnitt der Fig. 3 einen Maschinenverschluß in einer weiteren Ausführungsform,

Fig. 10

einen Schnitt durch den Kopfbereich einer Schraubverschlußflasche mit in die Mündung eingesetztem Maschinenverschluß und aufzuschraubender Handverschlußkappe,

Fig. 11

einen Schnitt durch den Kopfbereich einer Kronkorkflasche mit in die Mündung eingesetztem Maschinenverschluß und verschlossenem Kronkorken und

Fig. 12

den Kopfbereich einer Kunststoffgetränkeflasche mit aufgeschraubter Verschlußkappe mit Maschinenverschluß, in Eingriff mit dem Behandlungskopf einer Füll- und Verschließmaschine.

The invention is shown schematically, for example, in the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a schematic section through a beverage can with representation of two possible attachment locations for a machine closure,

Fig. 2

2 shows a schematic section through a plastic beverage bottle with three possible attachment locations for a machine closure,

Fig. 3

2 shows a section through an embodiment of a machine closure with an inserted filling tube,

Fig. 4

3 in the closed state with the closing tool,

5 - 7

3 through further embodiments of the machine lock,

Fig. 8

7 in the closed state,

Fig. 9

3 shows a machine lock in a further embodiment,

Fig. 10

a section through the head region of a screw cap bottle with a machine cap inserted into the mouth and a hand cap to be screwed on,

Fig. 11

a section through the head area of a crown cork bottle with machine closure inserted in the mouth and closed crown cork and

Fig. 12

the head area of a plastic beverage bottle with a screwed-on closure cap with a machine closure, in engagement with the treatment head of a filling and closing machine.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic axial section of an otherwise commercially available Beverage can 1 made of sheet metal, with a cylindrical side wall 2 and a concave base 3. The top Edge of the side wall 2 is with a cover 4 by edge flanging locked. In the lid 4 is the usual one from the consumer Hand lock 5 to be used with pull tab.

In addition to the hand lock 5 is a machine lock 6 in following still to be explained construction in the cover 4 or a Machine lock 7 provided in the bottom 3. The machine lock 6 or 7 could also be elsewhere, e.g. in the side wall 2 may be arranged, however, the mounting locations shown preferred at 6 or 7 because they use the can 1 especially with regard to their transportability and stackability less affect.

Fig. 2 shows a plastic beverage bottle 8, but also from Glass could exist with a cylindrical side wall 9, neck 10 with Neck collar 11 and domed bottom 12. A machine lock can preferably be provided here at 13 in the bottom 12 be. There is also a little annoying location at 14 in the transition area between side wall 9 and neck 10. Since this attachment is asymmetrical, is preferably on Edge of the bottom 12 provided a nose 15 or a notch in the usual way, the orientation of the bottle 8 under a Filling and sealing machine enables this to be precise Meeting of the asymmetrically fitting machine lock 14 for To enable purposes of filling and sealing.

Another location is on top of a cap 16 the usual screw hand cap of such bottles, that is 17. This will be explained separately later.

The machine closures mentioned in FIGS. 1 and 2 at 6, 7, 13, 14 or 17 can be designed in different ways, as explained below:

3 and 4 show a machine lock 18, the consists of thermoplastic and in an opening Wall 19 of the container 1 or 8 or the top wall of the closure cap 16 is inserted and sealing with a circumferential groove 20 is held. The machine lock 18 has one through opening 21 and fastened on one side on its outside a cover 22.

In the open position of FIG. 3, the cover 22 is behind above. A filling tube 23 with a return air tube 24 of a filling and closing machine can immerse the container through the opening 21 fill and is pulled out in the direction of the arrow. A heated one Stamp 25 then presses the cover 22 down and welded him thermoplastic with the outer edge of the opening 21, as shown in FIG. 4.

Fig. 5 shows a machine lock 26 which, like the machine lock 18 with a circumferential groove in the wall 19 of the container or the cap is inserted. On the inside its opening 27 is attached at 28, for example in one piece attached closing flap 29 made of elastically resilient material provided, for example, when inserting the filling pipe 23 3 can open in the dashed position and in the unloaded Condition and especially with internal pressure in the container in the Solid opening shown closes the opening 27. It is a self-closing check valve.

Another self-closing check valve has that in FIG. 6 shown machine closure 30 on in its continuous Opening 31 two or more with their outer edge on the Wall of the opening 31 attached, inwardly projecting against each other has closing sealing flaps 32.

In contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 5 is at 6, the machine lock 30 in one Threaded connector 33 of the wall 19 screwed in with an external thread 34.

7 and 8 show a machine lock in a further variant 35, which like the machine locks 18 and 26 in the wall 19 is inserted. The machine lock 35 runs the opening 36 through a pipe section 37 which is from the machine lock 35 protrudes outwards.

Clamping jaws 38 provided on the machine side can be in the direction of the arrow be compressed to the pipe section 37 in the 8 to squeeze the shape. The pipe section 37 consists of thermoplastic Plastic, can be done by heating the jaws 38 an absolutely tight weld can be achieved.

If the pipe section 37 is made of metal, it can also be made from a higher one Pressure is squeezed into the shape shown in FIG. 8, whereby completely sealed closure is achieved by cold welding can be or by electrical welding using suitable Current applied to the jaws 38.

All different embodiments of the machine lock, 3, 5, 6 and 7 can on be connected to wall 19 in different ways, either inserted, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, screwed in, 6, formed in one piece with the wall 19, as shown in Fig. 9, or can in a manner not shown connected to the wall 19 by welding or gluing be.

9 shows a machine lock in a further embodiment 39 with a pipe socket 40 which is integral with the Wall 19 of the container or the cap is formed. Each according to the material of the wall 19 can be in one of FIGS. 7 and 8 Closure types of the pipe socket 40 described in the in Fig. 8th shown form are squeezed.

Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment in which a machine lock 41 in the mouth of one shown only with its neck 42 Bottle is inserted. The machine lock 41 with Opening 43 is inserted into the neck 42 through the mouth of the bottle and sits with a flange 43a on the edge thereof. At the bottom The end of the opening 43 corresponds to the machine lock 5 with an inherently resilient Flap 44 closed on the left side as shown is integrally connected to the machine lock 41.

The neck 42 has an external thread in its upper region which is a conventional cap 45 of a conventional hand lock can be screwed on with an internal thread.

11 shows the neck 46 of a crown cork bottle. In the mouth a machine lock 47 is used, which is similar to the machine lock 41 of FIG. 10 fits into the mouth of the neck 46 and sits with a flange 48 on its edge. In its interior carries the machine lock 47 on a bottom wall 49 a pipe section 50, which in the described to FIGS. 7 and 8 Way is locked. Over the machine lock 47 is a crown cap 51 placed on the bottle and pressed.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11 after unscrewing the screw cap 45 or after removing the crown cap 51 the machine lock can be removed. This can be done be provided with an auxiliary device, not shown, such as for example a pull tab or the like, which pulls out made possible by hand. It can also be used, for example, for the closure cap 45 of FIG. 10 on the inside thereof in the upper region one provided, for example, with hooks or corresponding edges Intervention device can be provided after screwing engages under the flange 43a and when unscrewing automatically pulls it out of the bottle opening. In a corresponding way it can also be ensured that at 11 when opening the crown cap 51 of the embodiment of FIG Machine lock 47 via a corresponding engagement with the Bottle cap 51 is removed with.

For the machine closure and its handling when filling and closing further variants, not shown, are possible. For example, the machine locks 35 and 39 of the 7 and 9 can be closed in a simple manner in that them on the upper end of the pipe socket 37 or 40 in the opening added a drop of a suitable adhesive material that closes the opening. This can be done, for example hot added thermoplastic. In this Fall can simplify the construction of the machine lock will. For example, with the machine lock 35 of Fig. 7, the towering pipe section 37 with this type of closure be omitted. In the case of machine closure 39 the Fig. 9, the machine lock from a simple hole in the wall 19 exist.

The machine closure can the filling and sealing machine are fed closed, such as the machine lock 26 of FIG. 5 or open, such as the machine lock 35 of Fig. 7. When the filling and Closure machine fed machine closure 26 of FIG. 5th this is closed by the resilient flap 29, the can be opened easily. The flap 29, or the flap 44 of the construction of FIG. 10, but could also be closed tightly be trained and only when filling in a cutting or Piercing process, e.g. through a filling pipe with a suitably ground Great to be opened. The subsequently required well-sealing closure can then in the previously described Way achieved by applying a suitable adhesive material or by remelting the interface with a suitable hot stamp. This variant would also be in the embodiment 3 possible.

12 shows the treatment head in a highly schematic section 52 of a filling and closing machine in the filling position the head of the bottle 8 shown in Fig. 2, in one embodiment with a cap 16, in the top wall 53rd 9 with its pipe socket 40 is provided.

The closure cap 16 is outside before the filling process begins of the treatment head 52 shown firmly on the neck 10 of the Bottle 8 has been screwed and seals on its edge with the usual sealing ring 54.

The bottle 8 is in this configuration shown by means of a under her neck collar 11-holding fork 55 under the capping head 52 brought. With its housing 56, the treatment head 52 placed on the bottle, in the embodiment sealing with an edge seal 57 on the neck collar 11 put on. The interior of the housing 56 is therefore now sealed connected to the interior of the bottle 8, so that too under pressure e.g. carbonated drinks can be filled. In another embodiment, the edge seal 57 could also Gripping pipe socket 40, from above on the top wall 53 of the Put on flap 16.

The interior of the bottle 8 is pre-sterilized, for example with superheated steam or a suitable gas, such as H ₂ O ₂ . However, it is advisable to re-sterilize in the opening area, that is to say at the upper edge of the pipe section 40, and preferably to sterilize the entire interior of the housing 56 in order to achieve highly sterile filling conditions. This can be achieved by blowing hot steam with a steam pipe 58, which is directed towards the mouth region of the pipe socket 40. Subsequently, a filling pipe 59 with a return air pipe 60, which is central in the exemplary embodiment, is inserted through the pipe socket 40 into the bottle neck. Beverage is filled into the bottle through the filling tube 59, while gas can escape through the return air tube 60.

Then the filling pipe 59 with the return air pipe 60 after pulled out at the top. The steps already explained in FIG. 7 now occur Clamping jaws 38 in action, which in the exemplary embodiment are of Arms 61 protruding above are operated. The jaws 38 are compressed in the direction of the arrow and deform the Pipe socket 40 in the shape shown in Fig. 8, wherein it Squeeze together, if necessary with welding, tightly is closed.

The pipe socket 40 can also with the punch 25 of FIG. 4 below Heat squeezed and welded in such a way that the top wall 53 of the closure cap 16 is firmly closed.

The treatment head 52 of FIG. 12, which can be provided with a plurality of rotating designs of the usual rotating type on a carousel-like rotating machine, can be supplied in a conventional manner with the containers 8 pre-sterilized. The pre-sterilization can be carried out by blowing in hot steam or, for example, H ₂ O ₂ . On the way from the sterilizing device to the treatment head 52, steam or gas can escape through the still open mask closure 39. Once the filling and closing process has been completed, the bottle is ready for dispatch except for any labeling that may still need to be done.

10 or 11 used, the filling machine is only filled. The filled one and closed with the machine lock 41 or 47 Bottle is then transported to a reclosing machine, the screw cap 45 or the crown cap 51 of the hand closure touches down.

The machine lock in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 8 is completely sealed and requires no post-treatment. In the case of the embodiment in FIG. 8, however, one could Aftertreatment is carried out by pressing on the hot stamp 25 4 in order to press the pipe section 37 flat by further deformation. This would make it a more aesthetically pleasing flat Lead form, which also during transport and stacking of the containers would bother less.

Correspondingly in the embodiments of the machine lock 5 and 6 is, however, immediately after filling only a makeshift sealing closure, which the container contents keeps sterile for a short time, but for longer storage is less suitable. On one with check valves 29 or 32 sealing closure that is freely accessible from the outside, children, for example, could wreak havoc by use a pointed object to push open the check valve, or germs could grow through the sealing gap in the long term.

In these embodiments, the machine closure recommends a reseal.

To do this, the container could be filled afterwards with subsequent filling Self-closing of the machine lock to a re-sealing device brought out over the edge of the Machine closure 26 or 30 sticks a sealing film or welded on. The interior of the machine lock is advantageous beforehand, that is, the space within the openings 27 or 31, outside the flap 29 or 32 e.g. by blowing sterilized by superheated steam.

Claims (17)

Bottle (8, 42, 46) or can (1) as a small container intended for end users for aseptic cold filling with drinks in a filling and closing machine (52), with a hand-operated closure (5, 16, 45, 51 ), characterized in that the container (1, 8, 42, 46) an additional machine closure (6, 7, 13, 14, 17, 18, 26, 30, 35, 39, 41, 47) for filling and mechanical Has closure. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the machine closure (26, 30, 41) has one or more non-return flaps (29, 32, 44) which are resiliently self-resilient or which close with spring loading and which are supported by a mandrel or filling tube (23, 59) of the machine (52) can be opened inwards. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine closure (18, 35, 39, 47) has an opening (21, 36) which can be closed by the machine (38) by being crushed, welded, thermoplastic deformed or glued. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening (36) is arranged in a pipe section (37, 40) pointing outwards from the machine closure. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that the machine closure (18) has a lid (22) which is fastened projecting outwards next to the edge of the opening (21) and which is deflected by the machine (25) onto the edge of the opening can be closed by welding or gluing. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine closure (39) is formed in one piece with a wall (19) delimiting the interior of the container. A container according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine closure (18, 26, 30, 35) is inserted or screwed into an opening in a wall (19) delimiting the interior of the container, or is fastened thereto by welding or gluing. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine closure (7, 13) is arranged in the bottom (3, 12) of the container (1, 8). Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the base (3, 12) is concave in the area of the machine lock (7, 13). Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine closure (41, 47) in the bottle mouth, in the closed state, is arranged so that it can be overlapped by the closure cap (45, 51) of the manual closure. Bottle according to claim 1 with a closed manual closure (16) which spans the bottle mouth with the top wall (53) of a closure cap (16), characterized in that the machine closure (39) is formed in the top wall (53). Closure cap (16) for the manual closure of a bottle (8) intended for the end user for aseptic cold filling with drinks in a filling and closing machine, with a top wall (53) spanning the bottle mouth, characterized in that a machine closure ( 18, 26, 30, 35, 39) is provided according to one of claims 1 to 7. Method for the aseptic cold filling of a container (1, 8) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 or 11 by means of a filling and closing machine, characterized in that in successive steps the one with the manual closure (5, 16) which is ready for delivery and which is closed with the machine closure (6, 7, 13, 14, 17, 18, 26, 30, 35, 39) sterilized containers (1, 8) inside, the container is filled through the machine closure and then the machine closure is closed at the same treatment station (52) of the machine becomes. A method for the aseptic cold filling of a container (42, 46) according to claim 10, characterized in that the container provided with the machine closure (41, 47) sterilizes the inside, the container is filled through the machine closure and then the container to a capper for application and Closing the hand lock (45, 51) is brought. Method according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the container (1, 8, 46) sterilized with superheated steam or gas is transported to the filling and closing machine (52) with the machine closure open (18, 35, 39, 47). Filling and closing machine for carrying out the method according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the machine has at least one treatment station (52) with a filling device (23, 59) which can be brought into filling engagement with the machine closure, whereby at self-closing design of the machine closure (26, 30, 41) which is closed by pulling back the filling device, or a closing device (25, 38) is provided which can be brought into engagement with the machine closure (18, 35, 39, 47) after the filling process to seal it by crushing, welding, thermoplastic deformation or gluing. Machine according to claim 16, characterized in that the treatment station has a sterilizing device (58) for sterilizing the opening of the machine closure (39) and / or its surroundings before filling.

Images