EP0816233A1 - Verfahren zum Sterilisieren einer Kammer von einer Verpackungsmaschine - Google Patents

Verfahren zum Sterilisieren einer Kammer von einer Verpackungsmaschine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0816233A1
EP0816233A1 EP97201913A EP97201913A EP0816233A1 EP 0816233 A1 EP0816233 A1 EP 0816233A1 EP 97201913 A EP97201913 A EP 97201913A EP 97201913 A EP97201913 A EP 97201913A EP 0816233 A1 EP0816233 A1 EP 0816233A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chamber
web
rollers
antiseptic
sterilizing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP97201913A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0816233B1 (de
Inventor
Kei C/O Shikoku Kakoki Co. Ltd. Ueta
Fumiyuki c/o Shikoku Kakoki Co. Ltd. Iwano
Akimasa c/o Shikoku Kakoki Co. Ltd. Fujimoto
Michio C/O Shikoku Kakoki Co. Ltd. Ueda
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd filed Critical Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd
Publication of EP0816233A1 publication Critical patent/EP0816233A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0816233B1 publication Critical patent/EP0816233B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
    • B65B55/02—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages
    • B65B55/04—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging
    • B65B55/10—Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging by liquids or gases
    • B65B55/103—Sterilising flat or tubular webs

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of sterilizing a chamber in packaging machines for producing, for example, containers filled with milk or like fluid food, and more particularly to a sterilizing method for use in packaging machines for making a web into rectangular parallelepipedal containers filled with contents, the method being adapted to render an aseptic chamber, which is designed to separate a packaging work space from outside air, free from microorganisms before the machine is initiated into a packaging operation.
  • Conventional packaging machines of the type described include those comprising an aseptic chamber for separating a packaging work space from atmospheric air, a web guide device including rollers for guiding a web through the aseptic chamber, a tube forming device for making the web into a tubular shape with one edge of the web lapping over the other edge thereof and sealing the resulting lap longitudinally of the web while the web moves downward from above within the aseptic chamber to form a tube, a container forming device for withdrawing the tube downward from the aseptic chamber, sealing the withdrawn tube transversely thereof every time the tube is transported downward by a length corresponding to one container and cutting the transverse sealed portion to form and separate off a pillow-shaped container, and a filling device for filling contents into the tube before the sealed portion is cut.
  • the interior of the aseptic chamber of the packaging machine must be held aseptic and therefore needs to be sterilized before the start of the packaging operation by introducing an antiseptic such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into the aseptic chamber.
  • the aseptic chamber is thus sterilized conventionally in the following manner.
  • the chamber is opened first, the web is led into the chamber, passed through the guide device and the tube forming device, brought out of the chamber and set in the container forming device, and the chamber is closed.
  • the tube forming device and the container forming device are operated to form the web into a tube and then into containers. At this time, the web is not sealed transversely thereof but is merely cut to form unsealed containers.
  • the tube forming device and the container forming device are stopped to halt the web and tube.
  • the tube portion extending downward from the aseptic chamber at this time is completely closed by being longitudinally sealed and being nipped at its bottom by the container forming device.
  • an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is sprayed into the aseptic chamber to apply the atomized solution to the inner wall of the chamber, the surfaces of the web within the chamber, the inner surface of the tube portion brought out of the chamber and the surfaces of the devices and other components of the machine inside the chamber.
  • hot air is forced into the chamber to sterilize and dry the interior of the chamber and the interior of the tube.
  • An object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing problems and to provide a method of sterilizing a chamber in packaging machines, whereby the portions of contact between a web and rollers can be reliably sterilized, with an antiseptic applied to the contact portions effectively.
  • the present invention provides a method of sterilizing a chamber in a packaging machine wherein a web for making package containers is moved in the interior of the chamber by being guided by rollers, formed into a tubular shape, heated and sealed at opposite edges of the web longitudinally thereof to obtain a tubular web, and thereafter sealed transversely thereof outside the chamber to form the tubular web into containers,
  • the chamber sterilizing method being characterized in that the method includes the step of presterilization by introducing an antiseptic into the chamber while moving the web to provide the antiseptic between the web and the rollers, and the step of main sterilization by introducing the antiseptic into the chamber again with the tubular web closed at a bottom portion as brought out the chamber.
  • the step of presterilization is performed by introducing an antiseptic into the chamber while moving the web to provide the antiseptic between the web and the rollers, so that the portions of contact between the web and the web guiding rollers can be reliably sterilized. This eliminates the need to reduce the number of rollers or the diameter of rollers. Further since the antiseptic is provided between the web and the rollers which are rotated by the movement of the web, the rotation of the rollers is unlikely to mar the web or to necessitate a device of more complex construction.
  • the antiseptic is, for example, in the form of a mist.
  • the main sterilization step is then performed after the chamber has been cooled, consequently ensuring reliable application of the antiseptic to the surfaces of the various portions within the chamber.
  • the antiseptic may be in the form of a gas.
  • the drawing is a diagram showing the arrangement of main components of a packaging machine for illustrating an embodiment of the invention.
  • the drawing shows the part of a packaging machine for performing some steps of the entire process, i.e., forming a web W for packaging containers into a tube (tubular web) end forming the tube into containers C filled with contents.
  • a tube tubular web
  • the aseptic chamber 1 is vertically elongated, and has an extension projecting laterally from one side of the upper portion of the chamber and an inlet 5 at the other side thereof. Although not shown, supply pipes for an antiseptic and aseptic air are connected to the inlet 5.
  • the interior upper portion of the aseptic chamber 1 has arranged therein squeeze rollers (antiseptic removing rollers) 6, air knives (hot air nozzles for blowing the antiseptic away) 7, feed roller 8, holding roller 9, dancer roller 10 and guide rollers 11, 12, 13.
  • the tube forming device 2 comprises upper forming rollers 14, intermediate forming rollers 15 and lower forming rollers 16 which are arranged below the guide roller 13, and a vertically elongated heater 17 disposed between the intermediate rollers 15 and the lower rollers 16 at one side thereof, these components being arranged within the chamber 1.
  • a hot air supply pipe having heating means is connected to a hot air inlet 18 of the heater 17 which inlet is positioned outside the aseptic chamber 1.
  • the container forming device 3 is disposed under the aseptic chamber 1.
  • the filling device 4 has a filling pipe 19.
  • the filling pipe 19 extends into the aseptic chamber 1 at an intermediate level between the positions of the upper forming rollers 14 and the intermediate forming rollers 15, further extends downward inwardly of the rollers 15 and the lower forming rollers 16, then extends through a bottom wall 1a of the aseptic chamber 1 and terminates at a position above the container forming device 3.
  • supply pipes for aseptic air and the contents are connected to an inlet 20 of the filling pipe 19 which inlet is positioned outside the aseptic chamber 1.
  • a web sterilizing bath is disposed under a lower wall 1b of the lateral extension of upper portion of the aseptic chamber 1 so as to be continuous with the wall.
  • the web W is withdrawn from the sterilizing bath, led into the aseptic chamber 1 through the lower wall 1b, passed between the squeeze rollers 6, between the air knives 7 and between the feed roller 8 and the holding roller 9, reeved around the dancer roller 10 and the guide rollers 11, 12, 13, passed between the forming rollers 14, 15, 16 inwardly thereof and then through the bottom wall 1a, withdrawn from the aseptic chamber 1 and set in the container forming device 3.
  • the container forming device 3 further transports the web by a length corresponding to one container C at a time.
  • the web W is gradually formed into a tubular shape while moving inwardly of the upper and intermediate forming rollers 14, 15, and almost completely formed into the tubular shape between the intermediate and lower forming rollers 15, 16, with one edge thereof lapping over the other edge.
  • the lap is heated with hot air applied thereto by the heater 17 and thereafter longitudinally sealed by the lower forming rollers 16 to form a tube T (with a longitudinal seal).
  • the tube T is withdrawn downward from the aseptic chamber 1, transported downward by a length corresponding to one container C at a time, sealed transversely thereof at the portion between adjacent portions each corresponding to the container C (to form a transverse seal) and cut at the middle of the transverse seal portion every time the tube is thus transported, whereby pillow-shaped separate containers C are formed.
  • the filling pipe 19 extends into the tube T through a portion of the web W which is not completely made tubular and terminates at a position slightly above the transverse seal portion serving as the bottom of the tube T. The contents supplied via the filling pipe 19 are filled into the tube T before it is cut at the seal portion. Subsequently, the filled portion is sent downward and cut at an upper portion where it is sealed.
  • pillow-shaped containers C filled with the contents are formed one after another.
  • the aseptic chamber 1 is sterilized, for example, in the following manner.
  • the door (not shown) of the chamber 1 is opened, the web W as passed through the sterilizing bath is led through the chamber 1 as previously stated, withdrawn therefrom and set in the container forming device 3, and the door is closed to close the chamber 1 (web loading step).
  • This web loading step is performed manually.
  • the web W is gradually made tubular by hand at this time, passed inwardly of the forming rollers 14, 15, 16 and set in the container forming device 3.
  • an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide serving as an antiseptic is sprayed in the form of a mist into the chamber 1 through the inlet 5 for a predetermined period of time (presterilizing step).
  • the container forming device 3 is operated, transporting the web W.
  • the presterilizing step is performed automatically, for example, by manipulating a switch on the operation panel.
  • the web is not sealed transversely thereof.
  • the heater 17 Of the tube forming device 2 and the filling device 4 are held out of operation, and the tubular web W is not sealed longitudinally, so that the lapping edges of the tubular web W withdrawn downward from the chamber 1 are not intimately joined.
  • the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide even if sprayed, fails to completely sterilize the interior of the chamber 1, but the transport of the web while the solution is being sprayed permits application of the solution to the portions of contact between the web W and the rollers 6, 8 to 16.
  • the tube forming device 2 and the container forming device 3 are operated for a specified period of time, forming the web W into a tube T and producing containers from the tube T one after another (tube forming step).
  • This tube forming step is executed automatically subsequent to the presterilizing step. At this time, the tube is not sealed transversely but only cut by the container forming device 3. With the filling device 4 held out of operation, empty containers not sealed transversely are formed.
  • the tube forming device 2 and the container forming device 3 are automatically brought out of operation to halt the web W and the tube T.
  • Aseptic air is then supplied to the interior of the chamber 1 through the inlet 5 for a predetermined period of time to cool the interior of the chamber 1 (cooling step).
  • the operator checks the containers having no transverse seal for the longitudinal seal portions. When the seal portions are found satisfactory, the cooling step is performed automatically, for example, by turning on a switch. If the seal portions are found unacceptable, the tube forming step is performed again, and when the resulting seal portions are found acceptable, the cooling step follows.
  • the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is sprayed in the form of a mist into the chamber 1 via the inlet 5 for a predetermined period of time while holding the tube forming device 2 and the container forming device 3 out of operation, with the web W at rest (main sterilizing step).
  • This main sterilizing step is performed automatically subsequent to the cooling step.
  • the bottom portion of the tube T is not sealed transversely at this time, it is held closed by being nipped by the container forming device 3.
  • the part of the tube T extending downward from the chamber 1 is held completely closed by the nipped portion and the longitudinal seal portion.
  • the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide sprayed into the closed chamber 1 is applied to the inner surface of the chamber 1, the surfaces of the web W within the chamber 1, the inner surface of the tube T positioned outside the chamber 1 and the surfaces of the devices and components within the chamber 1. Subsequently, hot air is supplied to the interior of the chamber 1 through the inlet 5 for a predetermined period of time to sterilize and dry the interior of the chamber 1 (sterilizing-drying step). This sterilizing-drying step is carried out automatically subsequent to the main sterilizing step. The sterilizing operation is terminated upon completion of the sterilizing-drying step, and the foregoing packaging operation then follows.
  • the sterilizing operation described above includes the presterilizing step, during which the web W is moved, so that the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is applied or fixed also to the portions of contact between the web W and the rollers 6, 8 to 16 within the chamber 1 which are rotated by the movement, hence reliable sterilization.
  • the tube forming step is followed by the cooling step to cool the interior of the chamber 1 prior to the main sterilizing step.
  • the solution of hydrogen peroxide can therefore be applied or fixed to the surfaces of various portions in the interior of the chamber 1.
  • the antiseptic can be introduced in the form of a gas into the chamber 1. In this case, the cooling step need not precede the main sterilizing step.
  • the heater 17 of the tube forming device 2 uses hot air for heating the web W according to the embodiment described, other means such as high-frequency heating means may be used for heating.
  • the antiseptic need not always be the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide but can be, for example, peracetic acid.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
EP97201913A 1996-06-24 1997-06-23 Verfahren zum Sterilisieren einer Kammer von einer Verpackungsmaschine Expired - Lifetime EP0816233B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP16284896 1996-06-24
JP162848/96 1996-06-24
JP16284896A JP3785512B2 (ja) 1996-06-24 1996-06-24 包装機械におけるチャンバの殺菌方法

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0816233A1 true EP0816233A1 (de) 1998-01-07
EP0816233B1 EP0816233B1 (de) 1999-11-10

Family

ID=15762399

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97201913A Expired - Lifetime EP0816233B1 (de) 1996-06-24 1997-06-23 Verfahren zum Sterilisieren einer Kammer von einer Verpackungsmaschine

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0816233B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3785512B2 (de)
DE (1) DE69700768T2 (de)
DK (1) DK0816233T3 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19910485A1 (de) * 1999-03-10 2000-09-21 Hassia Verpackung Ag Aseptisch arbeitende Schlauchbeutelverpackungsmaschine
EP1050468A1 (de) * 1999-05-03 2000-11-08 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Einheit zum Sterilisieren eines Materialstreifens in einer Verpackungsmschine für das Verpacken von fliessfähigen Nahrungsmitteln, und Verpackungsmschine mit solcher Einheit
DE10104858C1 (de) * 2001-10-15 2002-02-07 Hassia Verpackung Ag Verfahren und Verpackungsmaschine zur Umwandlung einer breiten, mehrlagigen, aseptisch zu verarbeitenden Packstoffbahn in mehrere, gleichbreite, weiterverarbeitbare Einzelbahnen
EP1228965A3 (de) * 2001-02-03 2002-10-09 Hassia Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH Verfahren und Verpackungsmaschine zur Aufteilung einer breiten, mehrlagigen, in einer Verpackungsmaschine aseptisch zu verarbeitende Packstoffbahn in mehrere gleichbreite Einzelbahnen
EP1790572A1 (de) * 2005-11-29 2007-05-30 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Anlage für die Sterilisation von Verpackungsmaterial für eine Maschine zum Verpacken eines fliessfähigen Lebensmittels
EP2483165A1 (de) * 2009-09-30 2012-08-08 Robert Bosch GmbH Vorrichtung und verfahren zum formen, füllen und verschliessen von jeweils eine ausgiesseinrichtung aufweisenden beuteln
EP3575226A1 (de) * 2018-06-01 2019-12-04 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Verpackungsmaschine und -verfahren zur herstellung versiegelter verpackungen

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006188264A (ja) * 2005-01-07 2006-07-20 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd 充填包装装置
JP4848731B2 (ja) * 2005-10-14 2011-12-28 大日本印刷株式会社 無菌充填機の内部滅菌方法

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2145527A1 (de) * 1971-07-09 1973-02-23 Alpura Koreco Ag

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2145527A1 (de) * 1971-07-09 1973-02-23 Alpura Koreco Ag

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19910485A1 (de) * 1999-03-10 2000-09-21 Hassia Verpackung Ag Aseptisch arbeitende Schlauchbeutelverpackungsmaschine
DE19910485C2 (de) * 1999-03-10 2002-10-02 Hassia Verpackung Ag Aseptisch arbeitende Schlauchbeutelverpackungsmaschine
EP1050468A1 (de) * 1999-05-03 2000-11-08 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Einheit zum Sterilisieren eines Materialstreifens in einer Verpackungsmschine für das Verpacken von fliessfähigen Nahrungsmitteln, und Verpackungsmschine mit solcher Einheit
US6510669B1 (en) 1999-05-03 2003-01-28 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Unit for sterilizing strip material on a packaging machine for packaging pourable food products, and packaging machine comprising such a unit
EP1228965A3 (de) * 2001-02-03 2002-10-09 Hassia Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH Verfahren und Verpackungsmaschine zur Aufteilung einer breiten, mehrlagigen, in einer Verpackungsmaschine aseptisch zu verarbeitende Packstoffbahn in mehrere gleichbreite Einzelbahnen
DE10104858C1 (de) * 2001-10-15 2002-02-07 Hassia Verpackung Ag Verfahren und Verpackungsmaschine zur Umwandlung einer breiten, mehrlagigen, aseptisch zu verarbeitenden Packstoffbahn in mehrere, gleichbreite, weiterverarbeitbare Einzelbahnen
EP1790572A1 (de) * 2005-11-29 2007-05-30 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance SA Anlage für die Sterilisation von Verpackungsmaterial für eine Maschine zum Verpacken eines fliessfähigen Lebensmittels
WO2007063067A1 (en) * 2005-11-29 2007-06-07 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Sa Packaging material sterilizing unit for a pourable food product packaging machine
US8337771B2 (en) 2005-11-29 2012-12-25 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Packaging material sterilizing unit for a pourable food product packaging machine
US8518325B2 (en) 2005-11-29 2013-08-27 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Method of sterilizing a web of packaging material
EP2483165A1 (de) * 2009-09-30 2012-08-08 Robert Bosch GmbH Vorrichtung und verfahren zum formen, füllen und verschliessen von jeweils eine ausgiesseinrichtung aufweisenden beuteln
EP3575226A1 (de) * 2018-06-01 2019-12-04 Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. Verpackungsmaschine und -verfahren zur herstellung versiegelter verpackungen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK0816233T3 (da) 2000-05-01
JPH107114A (ja) 1998-01-13
JP3785512B2 (ja) 2006-06-14
DE69700768T2 (de) 2000-04-27
EP0816233B1 (de) 1999-11-10
DE69700768D1 (de) 1999-12-16

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