EP1357035A1 - Method and apparatus for purging containers by means of protective gas - Google Patents

Abstract

Process for rinsing a container with protective gas comprises introducing and removing the protective gas parallel to the surface of the filling opening of the container. The filling opening is connected in a leak proof manner to a channel used for introducing/removing the protective gas. An Independent claim is also included for a device used for carrying out the above process. Preferred Features: The incoming protective gas has a higher pressure and/or the outgoing gas has a lower pressure than the environment of the device.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for protective gas purging of containers, in particular for Food, according to the preamble of claim 1 and the Claim 7.

It is known that certain products, in particular Food products, by oxygen and / or Humidity can be affected. So they are in an artificial atmosphere with reduced oxygen and / or Water vapor content kept.

For food stored in flexible containers a common packaging method is that Evacuate packaging with the products and then to be sealed gas-tight. This method is for containers with thin, in particular semi-rigid, walls such. B. Cans, mugs or bowls, not possible because of such Container the forces that occur during evacuation in the Usually don't stand up.

Containers can in a known manner in a vacuum chamber evacuated and then with a protective gas, for example nitrogen. This multilevel The process requires a high level of equipment and energy and time expenditure. Only very sensitive and high quality food products such as B. milk powder, justify the use of such procedures.

From the publication DE 3 130 616 A1 a form, fill, and closing device for bowl-shaped containers with a fumigation device to create an inert Gas atmosphere known in the headspace of the container. From a coherent container formed into a packaging material band are on the edge of the container with a film sealed the one limiting side of the fumigation chamber forms. This device is therefore only for containers suitable, which are closed with a film.

From DE 42 24 919 A1 and DE 42 24 920 A1 are also Process for oxygen-free packaging in one multi-compartment menu tray with a flat cover known in which the air inside the container is flushed out with a protective gas. The protective gas occurs e.g. between the compartments of the menu tray perpendicular to the Cover is made by and at a short distance to Menu tray cover held parallel to the filling opening distracted. As a result, the protective gas flows between the Cover and the menu tray radially in all directions outside against the edge of the filling opening. After the rinse the cover with the menu tray over a Sealing device sealed gastight. For the most common container types, such as. B. cans, this is Procedure not applicable.

The invention is therefore based on the object, defects of To fix the state of the art. So a procedure and a device can be proposed with its Use a protective gas purge of various types Types of containers, such as cans, is made possible. moreover this is compared to the evacuation and subsequent Gassing with a protective gas with a much lower one time can be done. Last but not least one Inert gas purging of containers can be proposed several stations, in particular arranged in a ring is assigned to a processing station for containers.

This task is accomplished by a method or a device solved, in which the characteristic features of the independent claims 1 and 7 are realized.

Further advantageous or alternative training of the Invention are dependent in the features of Described claims.

When in connection with the invention of a container is a container be at least a rigid or semi-rigid wall having. In particular, cans are to be understood by this be an essentially tubular wall exhibit. This wall is gas-tight at one end completed and at the other end via a closure element to be sealed gas-tight.

In a method for protective gas purging according to the invention of a container, protective gas flows into one Walls limited channel and on the other hand from this out again. According to the invention, the container with its Filling opening through a wall delimiting the channel to the flowing shielding gas in such a way that in the edge area the protective gas essentially parallel to the filling opening The area of the filling opening flows in and out in a directed manner.

Depending on the speed and amount of flowing protective gas and the duration of the protective gas purging gas is displaced from the can by the protective gas. Thereby a given residual oxygen or Residual water vapor content in the tank reached or be undercut. Is in the device for protective gas purging also a device for recording the Oxygen content, for example in the interior of the Container, provided, can via a feedback with the actuators that control the flow of inert gas, the specified value for the residual oxygen content self-regulating can be set.

The wall of the channel opposite the filling opening can be designed so that at least part of the Shielding gas, advantageously essentially in one Direction in the channel flows over the filling opening.

The inflowing and the outflowing protective gas also have Advantage overpressure or underpressure over the Environment. This way the speed of the flowing shielding gas without significant pressure increase in the Containers can be increased.

A device according to the invention has several walls on that limit a channel. Flows into this channel protective gas on one end and off again on the other. A the Flow-limiting wall of the channel has an opening to which a container is brought with its filling opening is. The channel points for the inlet and outlet openings for the Shielding gas in the edge area of the filling opening. It flows the protective gas parallel to the surface of the filling opening the edge area on and off. The one directed through the chamber Shielding gas flowing in and out comes through the filling opening in contact with gas inside the container. Thereby is gas from the interior of the container by protective gas replaced. Form the channel and the interior of the container a purging chamber in which the protective gas purging takes place.

An embodiment of the invention essentially sees one gap-shaped, horizontally arranged channel for the one and outflowing shielding gas. The channel is through a upper and lower wall bounded. A washable Container is attached to the through a recess in the lower wall flowing shielding gas can be brought up. For a protective gas purge the container is perpendicular to the flow direction of the Shielding gas through the recess in the wall to the Shielding gas flow introduced. Such a device for Inert gas flushing can be made relatively flat and as a result also on existing processing stations for containers be installed.

Advantageously, the inert gas flow is introduced Containers over the outside of their tubular wall connected to the bottom wall. This will keep them Inside of the tubular wall and the front with the filling opening for any machining processes accessible. The tightness of the connection can be determined by a Sealing lip can be guaranteed, the circumferential on the tubular outside.

A further development of the invention provides for several Stations that process containers in the same cycle, one Assign device for protective gas purging, which over spans several stations. This can, for example rinsed out a can at a protective gas flushing station and to another station under a protective gas atmosphere, for example a capping station, without ambient air getting into the can. Can too with its distributed over several stations Inert gas purging the purging process to several Stations, possibly also on the conveyor line between these stations. The result achievable advantages are obvious.

In particular, stations arranged in a ring can pass through a channel for the flowing protective gas, the for example, the lower wall is movable and the upper wall is stationary, simple and reliable Way with a device for protective gas purging become.

Another embodiment of the invention sees - for example designed in the form of two perforated disks - a movable one lower wall and a movable upper wall in front. The two Perforated disks are placed against the center, wedge-shaped spacers kept spaced from each other and together with the spacers essentially form the channel guiding the inert gas flow.

Figur 1

einen Bearbeitungsplatz für Dosen mit mehreren Stationen, einem Drehstern und ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung zur Schutzgas-Spülung in Draufsicht,

Figur 2

eine im Schnitt(II-II) dargestellte Detailansicht der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1 in Seitenansicht,

Figur 3

eine im Schnitt (III-III) dargestellte Detailansicht einer Befüll-Station mit einer Vorrichtung des Bearbeitungsplatzes aus Figur 1 in Seitenansicht und

Figur 4

eine im Schnitt (IV-IV) dargestellte Detailansicht einer Verschliess-Station mit einer Vorrichtung des Bearbeitungsplatzes aus Figur 1 in Seitenansicht.

The invention is described in more detail below purely by way of example with reference to the figures in the drawing. The same parts in different exemplary embodiments, which perform the same functions, are given the same names and reference symbols below. Show it:

Figure 1

a processing station for cans with several stations, a rotary star and an embodiment of an inventive device for protective gas purging in plan view,

Figure 2

2 shows a detailed view of the device from FIG. 1, shown in section (II-II), in a side view,

Figure 3

a detailed view in section (III-III) of a filling station with a device of the processing station of Figure 1 in side view and

Figure 4

a detailed view in section (IV-IV) of a closing station with a device of the processing station of Figure 1 in side view.

Figure 1 shows a processing station for as cans trained container, at which no closer to several shown stations processed cans in the same cycle become. The processing station has a table top 1, the stations and one designed as a rotary star 4 Funding an embodiment of a device for protective gas purging 5 according to the invention, which flushes out cans with protective gas at three stations.

In a manner known per se by turning the Rotary star 4 about the axis of rotation 3 in the direction of that in FIG drawn arrow cans from one station to Next promoted. The cans are one Guardrail 6 passed, attached to the table top 1 is.

The device for protective gas purging 5 shows here Upper housing 7 a perforated disc 8 rotatable about the axis of rotation 3 and a dashed line that is not visible in FIG. 1 drawn lifting device.

The formed in the form of an arcuate lifting path 9 Lifting device has a lifting ramp 13 and at one end at the other end a descent ramp 14 for lifting one sealing can or for lowering one with a Closure element 22 provided can. The two ramps 13 and 14 are - based on the direction of rotation of the rotary star 4 - arranged in the area before or after the upper part 7 and over a curved rod that is rectangular Cross-section connected.

The perforated disc 8 here has the shape of an annular disc, in which eight regularly arranged recesses 10 are provided. In each of the recesses 10 is in each case a box can be inserted. The perforated disc 8 is above that Rotary star 4 coaxial to this in one by the height of the Cans predetermined distance from the table top 1 arranged. In Figure 1 covers the perforated disc 8, the outer contour of the Rotary star 4, which is shown in dashed lines. The Rotary star 4 and the perforated disc 8 lead around the axis of rotation 3 the same rotary movements. Cans when transported from one station to the next the lifting ramp 12 or the Absenkrampe 13 pass, are in the recesses 10 pushed in or out. This movement of the Can relative to the perforated disc 8 is perpendicular to Direction of delivery directed. The cans are made by the Rotary star 4 and the guardrail 6 out.

The stationary housing 7 connected to the tabletop 1 has a ring segment-shaped basic shape and encompasses part of the top 21, the inner and outer edges the perforated disc 8. On the side facing the axis of rotation 3 and on the side of the upper housing 7 facing away from this Shielding gas supply lines 11 and gas discharge lines 12 are provided.

At the position of the closing station, not shown, which - in relation to the direction of rotation - at the end of the Device is arranged, has the top of the Upper housing 7 has an insertion opening 15 into which a Closure element 22 is inserted, and only schematically shown feeder for further closure elements, with which further cans are to be sealed gas-tight. The limited by the upper housing 7 and the perforated disc 8 Space is represented by three dashed lines in FIG. radial sealing lips 16 limited in the radial direction. The Sealing lips 16 are attached to the upper housing 7 and limit here two channels in the radial direction. Steer these channels the protective gas flowing in and out.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a station for Inert gas flushing of that shown in Figure 1 Processing station on average along the level II-II and one over the lifting track 9 into a recess 10 inserted, to be closed can partially cut in side view. On the table top 1 of the The processing station is the upper housing 7 and the lifting track 9 attached. The perforated disk 8 is via a spacer ring 17 attached to the rotary star 4. The perforated disc 8 has two interconnected washers and one between this arranged over the inner and outer edge of the Perforated disc 8 protruding disc seal 18. in the The area of the recesses 10 has the disk seal 18 Die cutouts, the edges of which are in the recesses 10 protrude. The disc seal 18 is on the one hand on the mutually facing inner sides of the upper housing 7 and on the other hand, laterally on the tubular outside 20 the one inserted from below across the conveying direction Can on.

The area of the filling opening of the can roughly reaches that Top 21 of the perforated disc 8. The filling opening but could also protrude a bit above it. The top 21 and the inner surface 19 of the filling opening opposite Upper housing 7 delimit the first channel, which is the flowing Shielding gas directs. The can with its Filling opening introduced. Via the shielding gas supply line 11 shielding gas flows into and through the first channel Gas discharge line 12 from this again. Via this channel is essentially in the edge area of the filling opening a plane parallel to the surface of the protective gas filling opening on the one hand, and on the other hand, discharged. Here comes over the filling opening at least part of the flowing Shielding gas with the gas inside the can touches and rinses it out of the can.

A channel forms together with that via the filling opening this connected interior of an inserted can essentially closed flushing space for protective gas flushing. It goes without saying that effectiveness the protective gas purging not least by sealing the Rinsing room determined in relation to the surroundings of the device becomes.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of a filling station with a device for protective gas purging of the in FIG shown processing station on average along the Level III-III and a can, for example with salted peanuts is filled, partially cut in Side view.

The upper housing 7 has an opening in which one Filling device 23 is attached. Besides one The filling device 23 has a funnel-shaped filling channel a closing flap 24 shown here in the open state on. The can is filled here by the flowing one Protective gas through. There is also an advantage in a protective gas atmosphere.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a closing station with a protective gas flushing of the in Figure 1 shown processing station on average along the Level IV-IV and a filled can containing one Closing element 22 is to be partially closed Cut in side view.

The box here is exemplary with the salted peanuts filled. Is the can outside of the device for Protective gas flushing has been filled in the surrounding atmosphere, The protective gas purging also includes the gas in the space between the individual peanuts. Is the empty can already with Shielding gas is flushed out and / or the filling process takes place in Protective gas atmosphere, so the scope of the protective gas purging kept lower before closing the can become.

The closure element 22 is so in the insertion opening 15 inserted that its bottom edge roughly on the inside 19 of the upper case 7 reaches. The closure element 22 here forms part of the filling opening opposite wall limiting the flow. Laterally it is all around the insertion opening 15 and seals these essentially depend on the environment. The inside 19, the closure element 22 and the top 21 of the Perforated disc 8 limit the second channel here, which flowing protective gas in the device for protective gas purging steers in the closing station. The second channel too forms one together with the interior of the filled can essentially closed flushing space for a protective gas flush according to the invention.

In this exemplary embodiment, the closure element is 22 a bottom of the container, for example, via one in FIG Not shown stamp against the tubular Can wall pressed and temporarily closed. The can could just as well - from one appropriately designed lift - with the filling opening pressed against the closure element 22 and over the Upper edge of the upper housing 7 can be pushed. That now freely accessible laterally from all directions Closure element 22 could be a conventional one Closing device on the tubular wall easily attached and the can is thus final be closed.

The device can be closed in a gastight manner without Impairment of the atmosphere inside the can leave. The can happens when it is transported to the next one Station the Absenkrampe 14 and is from the Perforated disc 8 out on the table top 1.

Until the next closure element 15 into the insertion opening 15 is introduced, air from the ambient atmosphere in the space between the inside 19, the perforated disc 8 and the lip seals 16 shown in FIG. 1 penetrate, which are adjacent to the sealing station. is the next closure element 22 into the insertion opening 15 inserted, the penetrated air is through the Shielding gas flow is flushed out of the room again. Another one Can to be sealed can be in the sealing station to get promoted.

Claims (14)

Method for purging with protective gas of a container whose filling opening is to be closed, the protective gas flowing in and out parallel to the surface of the filling opening, characterized in that the filling opening is connected in a substantially sealing manner to a channel through which the protective gas flows in and out becomes. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a portion of the protective gas in the channel - preferably essentially in a single direction - flows over the filling opening. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inflowing protective gas has an overpressure and / or the outflowing protective gas has a negative pressure relative to the surroundings of the device. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling opening is connected to the channel via an essentially tubular outer side (20) of the container. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling opening is connected to the channel via a movement of the container directed transversely to the flow direction of the protective gas flowing in and out. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container is conveyed between a plurality of stations by means of a conveying means, and in that the filling opening is connected indirectly or directly to the channel via a movement of the container transversely to the conveying direction of the conveying means. Device for purging with protective gas of a container, the filling opening of which is to be closed, means for supplying and removing the protective gas (21, 19) lying essentially in one plane, characterized in that the container can be inserted into the device in such a way that the filling opening comes to lie essentially parallel to the plane mentioned and forms a channel with the opposite wall (19) which limits the flow. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the inserted container is connected to the device via a seal (18) which is circumferential on a tubular outside (20) of the container. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the device has a device for detecting the oxygen content and an actuating element, the supply and discharge of the protective gas being controllable via the device for detecting and the actuating element. Device according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a plurality of stations, preferably arranged in a ring, and that the wall (19) delimiting the flow is formed in part by a closing element (22) provided for closing the filling opening. Device according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that several stations, preferably arranged in a ring, and that the wall (19) delimiting the flow is partly formed by the filling device (23) provided for filling the can. Device according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the device has a rotary star (4) as a conveying means for the containers between the stations. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one wall (21) which limits the flow and into which the container can be inserted is assigned to the rotary star (4). Device according to one of Claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the device for supplying the protective gas is attached to the side of the device facing the center of rotation (3) of the rotary star (4) and the device for removing the protective gas is arranged on the opposite side.

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