EP2521689B1 - Method and device for processing containers and cap for such a container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method of treating containers comprising sterilizing, filling and capping containers, to obtain sterilized containers, filled with a sterile filler and closed with a stopper. The present invention also relates to a treatment device and a particular stopper for implementing the method according to the invention.

The conventional filling method, for filling a container comprising in particular an upper opening, and in particular a neck, comprises first of all the sterilization of the container, its filling with a sterile filling product, and then its capping by the setting in place of a sterilized stopper. Sterilization, filling and capping are performed on three different treatment stations, for example on the stations of three different carousels.

For sterilization, it is known, in particular by the patent document US2009 / 0045350 processing devices comprising a rotating carousel having a rotatable support plate carrying a plurality of treatment stations arranged at regular angular spacing, each treatment station comprising sterilization means which comprises an electron beam emitter, and means for support for supporting a container under said emitter, said emitter being adapted to emit an electron beam passing through the upper opening of a container carried by said support means, for sterilizing the container, in particular the inner wall of said container . Compared to conventional chemical sterilization, electron beam sterilization is more effective in terms of sterilization, faster, and does not leave residual traces after treatment. This type of sterilization allows filling at a high level of sterility.

The filling can be carried out by means of a carousel of the same type as for the sterilization, each treatment station comprising filling means, such as a filling spout or one or more filling cannulas, and support means for support a container under said filling spout.

Clogging may include screwing a plug on the neck of the containers. To obtain a final product with a high level of sterility, the stopper is preferably pre-sterilized with a particular system.

WO 2004/087515 A1 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of claim 15. GB 2389357 A discloses a plug according to the preamble of claim 10.

The object of the invention is to propose a new process which makes it possible to obtain a sterile filling of containers with a high level of sterility, which is greater than that obtained by a conventional filling method.

1. a) une étape d'assemblage pour l'assemblage d'un bouchon à couvercle sur un récipient, ledit bouchon comprenant une embase tubulaire et un couvercle articulé sur ladite embase, au moyen d'une articulation, entre une position ouverte et une position fermée, ledit bouchon étant assemblé par son embase sur ledit récipient au niveau d'une ouverture dudit récipient, de préférence au niveau d'une ouverture supérieure de ce dernier, par exemple au niveau du col d'un récipient
2. b) une étape de stérilisation du récipient équipé de son bouchon à couvercle, notamment de la paroi interne du récipient,
3. c) une étape de remplissage du récipient, ladite étape de remplissage comprenant le remplissage du récipient en produit de remplissage, par son ouverture, avec le couvercle de son bouchon en position ouverte, et la manoeuvre du couvercle vers sa position fermée.

For this purpose, the present invention proposes a process for treating containers to obtain containers filled with a filling product and closed with a stopper, comprising, for each container to be treated,

1. a) an assembly step for assembling a lid cap on a container, said cap comprising a tubular base and a hinged lid on said base, by means of a hinge, between an open position and a closed position said plug being assembled by its base on said container at an opening of said container, preferably at an upper opening thereof, for example at the neck of a container
2. b) a sterilization step of the container equipped with its lid cap, in particular of the inner wall of the container,
3. c) a step of filling the container, said filling step comprising filling the container filling product, by its opening, with the cover of its plug in the open position, and the operation of the cover towards its closed position.

According to the invention, a lid cap, also called a flapper cap, is placed on each container before sterilization, the lid being operated in the open position for filling the container, which ensures that the container is filled and closed. a high level of sterility. The lid can also be placed in the closed position, between the plug assembly step and the sterilization step, after the filling step, and possibly between the sterilization step and the filling step. . The use of the lid cap makes it possible to have a sealed container during the transfer steps between different treatment stations. In addition, the sterilization step simultaneously sterilizes the interior of the container as well as the surfaces of the plug which will be in contact with the filling product. The method according to the invention is efficient in terms of sterility level, while remaining simple design and implementation.

According to one feature, the filling step c) is followed by a step d) of fixing, in a sealed manner, the lid in its closed position on the base. This fixing step guarantees a perfect seal and thus a good level of sterility after filling. As soon as the filling is complete, the lid is brought to the closed position, which guarantees a good sterility of the container between the filling and the fixing step. According to one embodiment, said fixing step d) is carried out by thermo-welding, for example by ultrasound, of the cover on the base.

In another feature, the sterilization in step b) of sterilization is performed by an electron beam generated by an electron beam emitter when the lid of the plug is in the open position.

• la manoeuvre du couvercle vers sa position ouverte,
• l'introduction de la buse dans le récipient, en passant par son ouverture, et
• le retrait de la buse hors du récipient.

The use of a lid cap according to the invention makes it possible to use containers with a large upper opening while guaranteeing a good level of sterilization, this large opening allowing the easy passage of the emitter beam antenna. electrons. According to one embodiment, said sterilization step b) is carried out by a transmitter equipped with a tubular nozzle capable of delivering, by its distal end, the electron beam created by the emitter, said sterilization step comprising

• the operation of the lid towards its open position,
• the introduction of the nozzle into the container, through its opening, and
• removing the nozzle from the container.

According to another feature of an embodiment, at least two successive steps from steps a), b), c) and d) are performed at different successive processing stations, the lid of the cap being in the closed position between two successive processing stations.

According to one embodiment, the steps a), b), c) and d) are carried out at different treatment stations, the cap being in the closed position during the transfer of the container from one station to another, the step sterilization comprising the operation of the plug to its closed position at the end of the emission of the electron beam.

According to one embodiment, the operation of the cover between its two positions is carried out by relative displacement, preferably in vertical translation, of an actuating system of a treatment station with respect to the stopper, said actuation system being suitable to cooperate with at least one complementary actuating member of the cover to move the latter between its two positions.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises, after the filling step, and preferably after the fixing step d), a step e) of shaving said actuating member.

The present invention also relates to a lid cap, for the implementation of the method described above, and defined by claim 10. The lid cap comprises a tubular base, through which said plug is intended to be assembled on a container , in particular the neck of a container, and a hinged lid on the tubular base, by means of a hinge, about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base, between a closed position and a position open, the base, the cover and the hinge being formed of a single piece, thermoplastic material for example, said lid cap being characterized in that said lid is adapted to be heat sealed in the closed position on its base.

According to one embodiment, said cover and / or said base has an annular layer of a hot melt material for fixing the lid by heat-sealing on its base.

The cap includes a lid actuating lever disposed on the hinge side cover.

• des moyens de stérilisation qui comportent un émetteur de faisceau d'électrons et/ou
• des moyens de remplissage, tel qu'un bec de remplissage ou une ou plusieurs canules de remplissage, et
• des moyens de support pour supporter un récipient sous ledit émetteur et/ou sous lesdits moyens de remplissage, ledit émetteur étant apte à émettre un faisceau d'électrons passant par l'ouverture supérieure d'un récipient porté par lesdits moyens de support afin de stériliser ledit récipient, en particulier la paroi interne du récipient, lesdits moyens de remplissage étant aptes à délivrer une quantité déterminée de produit de remplissage dans un récipient, porté par lesdits moyens de support, par son ouverture supérieure

chaque poste comprenant en outre un système d'actionnement apte à coopérer avec un organe d'actionnement, tel qu'un levier, du couvercle d'un bouchon à couvercle monté sur ledit récipient lors d'un déplacement relatif en translation verticale dudit système d'actionnement par rapport audit récipient porté par les moyens de support pour manoeuvrer ledit couvercle entre une position fermée du couvercle et une position ouverte, ledit couvercle étant manoeuvré en position ouverte pour effectuer le traitement, à savoir la stérilisation et/ou le remplissage, et est manoeuvré en position fermée à l'issue dudit traitement, l'émetteur permettant alors de stériliser les surfaces du bouchon destinées à être en contact avec le produit de remplissage.The present invention also relates to a treatment device for carrying out the method according to the invention, as defined by claim 15, characterized in that it comprises one or more treatment stations for the sterilization of containers per beam. electrons and / or filling containers with a filling liquid, each treatment station comprising

• sterilization means which comprise an electron beam emitter and / or
• filling means, such as a filling spout or one or more filling cannulas, and
• support means for supporting a container under said emitter and / or under said filling means, said emitter being adapted to emit an electron beam passing through the upper opening of a container carried by said support means to sterilize said container, in particular the inner wall of the container, said filling means being adapted to deliver a determined quantity of filling product into a container, carried by said support means, by its upper opening

each station further comprising an actuating system adapted to cooperate with an actuating member, such as a lever, the lid of a lid cap mounted on said container during a relative displacement in vertical translation of said system; actuation with respect to said container carried by the support means for manipulating said lid between a closed position of the lid and an open position, said lid being operated in an open position to perform the treatment, namely sterilization and / or filling, and is maneuvered in the closed position at the end of said treatment, the transmitter then to sterilize the plug surfaces intended to be in contact with the filler.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de côté d'un dispositif de traitement de récipients selon l'invention, comprenant un poste d'assemblage d'un bouchon à couvercle, un poste de stérilisation, un poste de remplissage, un poste de thermo-soudure du bouchon et un poste d'arasage du bouchon ;
• la figure 2A est une vue en perspective d'un bouchon à couvercle selon l'invention, le couvercle étant en position fermée ;
• la figure 2B est une vue en perspective du bouchon de la figure 1, le couvercle étant en position ouverte ;
• les figures 3A à 3E sont des vues schématiques de côté d'un bouchon et du système d'actionnement du poste de stérilisation et du poste de remplissage illustrant les différentes positions du système d'actionnement par rapport au bouchon pour manoeuvrer le couvercle du bouchon entre sa position fermée et sa position ouverte ;
• les figures 4A à 4E sont des vues de côté du poste de stérilisation illustrant les différentes positions du système de protection, de l'émetteur, du système d'actionnement et du couvercle lors de la stérilisation d'un récipient ; et,
• les figures 5A à 5D sont des vues de côté du poste de remplissage illustrant les différentes positions de la canule de remplissage, du système d'actionnement et du couvercle lors du remplissage d'un récipient.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages will become more clearly apparent from the following detailed explanatory description of a particular presently preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the schematic drawings. annexed, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic side view of a container treatment device according to the invention, comprising an assembly station of a lid cap, a sterilization station, a filling station, a thermo-welding station of the cap and a stoppering station;
• the Figure 2A is a perspective view of a lid cap according to the invention, the lid being in the closed position;
• the Figure 2B is a perspective view of the cap of the figure 1 with the lid in the open position;
• the FIGS. 3A to 3E are schematic side views of a cap and the actuating system of the sterilization station and the filling station illustrating the different positions of the actuating system with respect to the cap for operating the cap cover between its closed position and its position. open position;
• the FIGS. 4A to 4E are side views of the sterilization station illustrating the different positions of the protection system, the transmitter, the actuating system and the lid during the sterilization of a container; and,
• the Figures 5A to 5D are side views of the filling station illustrating the different positions of the filling cannula, the actuating system and the lid when filling a container.

The figure 1 illustrates a treatment device for the assembly of cap lid on containers R, the sterilization of containers R equipped with a cap, the filling of containers sterilized with a filling product, and the final sealing, in a sealed manner, containers. The device according to the invention allows the sterilization, filling and capping of any type of container R comprising an upper main opening, and in particular a neck. The containers may be of the bottle type, as schematically illustrated in the figures, glass or plastic material such as PET, HDPE or PP. The containers may also be cardboard bricks, for example of oblong shape, preformed and already closed, with at the top a heat-sealed base, on which is assembled a lid cap according to the invention.

The processing device comprises a processing line 1 comprising a conveying system 10, operating step by step, along which are arranged upstream to downstream with respect to the feed direction F1, an assembly station 2 for the assembly of a cap 3 with lid on the containers, a sterilization station 4 for the sterilization of containers, a filling station 7, a welding station 8, and a station 9 for shaving. The whole of the treatment line is placed under a laminar flow of sterile air, for example a descending laminar flow, as shown schematically by the arrows F5.

The assembly station 2 here makes it possible to screw a cap 3 with a lid onto the neck of empty containers, and thus comprises screwing means, known per se, for screwing a plug.

With reference to Figures 2A and 2B , the plug 3 comprises a hollow tubular base 31, of longitudinal axis A, of circular section, and a cover 32 articulated on the tubular base, by means of a hinge 33, between a closed position illustrated in FIG. Figure 2A and an open position illustrated at the Figure 2B . The displacement of the cover between its two positions is achieved by pivoting about a pivot axis, defined by the articulation, which is perpendicular to the axis A of the tubular base. The base is assembled on the neck of the container by screwing. The inner wall of the base is provided with ribs for gripping and screwing the cap on the neck of a container, this neck being provided with a helical external thread. Alternatively, the cap is assembled by snapping its base on the neck of the container.

The hinge 33 is of the hinge-film type, the base, the cover and the hinge being made of a single piece of plastic material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene.

The cover is formed of a simple circular plate, the outer diameter of the side wall of the cover substantially corresponding to the outer diameter of the side wall of the base. In the closed position, the cover comes by its lower main face 32a against the upper annular edge 31a of the base, so as to close the internal passage of the tubular base, and therefore the upper opening of the container equipped with said cap. In the open position, the cover is disposed substantially 90 ° of the base, parallel to the axis A of the latter.

The hinge is advantageously of hinge-film type spring effect, known per se, to assist the closing movement of the cover and / or the opening movement, preferably the closing movement and the opening movement, the lid being elastically biased towards its closed position and towards its open position from an unstable position also called "dead point". In its closed position, the lid is held resiliently against the base.

The lid is provided with an actuating member intended to cooperate with a complementary actuating system, which equips the sterilization station and the filling station, to maneuver the cover between its two positions. The actuating member is formed of a lever 34 or lug, disposed on the cover 32, on the side of the joint. The lever extends from the main upper face 32b substantially at 45 ° outwardly beyond the side wall of the lid.

The lower main face 32a is provided with an annular layer 35 of a fastening material, whereby the lid in the closed position comes against the annular edge 31a of the base. The fixing material is in particular a hot melt material, for example having a melting point lower than that of the material constituting the base of the lid and the joint. The hot melt material is, for example, a silicone or a polymer product sold under the trade name Surlyn.

With reference to the figure 3A , the actuating system 6 comprises a hollow cylindrical part, called actuating cylinder 61, comprising a central passage 62, an open upper end 63 and an open lower end 64. The inner face of the actuating cylinder is provided, at its lower end, with an annular groove 65. The groove is defined between a circular upper edge 66 and a circular lower edge 67, the upper circular edge being offset towards the outside. inside with respect to the lower edge.

At the sterilization station or the filling station, the container equipped with the cap 3 with its cover in the closed position is placed under the actuating cylinder 6, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3A , the longitudinal axes of the base and the actuating cylinder being substantially aligned. To open the cover, a relative movement of the actuating cylinder 6 is effected downwards in vertical translation. During this movement, the lever 34 passes beyond the lower edge 67, which is recessed with respect to the upper edge 66, and the actuating cylinder 6 abuts by the upper edge 66. against the lever and rotate the lid to open it, as shown in figure 3B .

If the hinge is not spring-loaded, the actuating cylinder 6 is moved down to the position illustrated in FIG. figure 3C , to bring the lid to the open position. As described below, in particular for filling, the actuating cylinder 6 can be raised slightly as illustrated in FIG. 3D figure , so that the lever is no longer in contact with the cylinder. If the hinge is spring-loaded, the cylinder presses the lever to the dead point of the lid, for example 45 ° of the plane of opening of the base, then accompanies the movement of the cover, beyond its point dead, to its open position. The lid has come down from its position figure 3B only to the position illustrated in 3D figure .

In this open position, the sterilization and filling operations can be performed.

For closing the lid, the actuating cylinder is raised from its position of the 3D figure to his position of figure 3A . During this ascent, the lower edge 67 presses on the lever and pivots the cover 32 towards its closed position, as shown in FIG. figure 3E .

The sterilization station 4 allows sterilization of the inner wall of the containers and the stopper, through the upper opening of the containers. The sterilization station is for example similar to that described in the French patent application FR 2954704, filed on 29/12/09 by the plaintiff. With reference to the Figure 4A , the sterilization station 4 comprises sterilization means formed of an electron beam emitter 41, known per se, provided with a tubular nozzle or tubular antenna 411, of elongate shape, the emitter being capable of delivering a beam of electrons through the distal end of its nozzle. The sterilization means are for example formed of an emitter, as described in the patent document US 2008/0073549 . The transmitter is fixedly mounted on the lower face of a plate or plate 42 said upper, its nozzle, vertical longitudinal axis B, extending vertically downwards. The nozzle is defined so that it can be inserted through the upper opening of the containers equipped with the caps with their lid in the open position, in order to irradiate the inside of the containers. The support plate is mounted movably on the frame of the device, by means of displacement means 43, also called up / down means, known per se, for moving the upper plate in vertical translation, as illustrated by the arrow F2, between a retracted high position, and low active positions described below.

Each sterilization station further comprises means for supporting a container R for holding a container under the emitter, substantially centered along the axis B of the nozzle. The support means comprise a saddle or plate 44 said lower, fixedly mounted on the frame of the device.

The device according to the invention comprises a protection or shielding system for stopping the radiation emitted by the emitters, in particular X-ray type spurious radiations. This shielding system comprises an upper part and a lower part. The upper portion is in the form of a bell formed by the upper plate 42 and an upper tubular wall 45, also called upper skirt, extending downwardly from said upper plate. The upper plate constitutes the bottom wall of the bell, the upper skirt 45 surrounds the transmitter 41 and its antenna 411 and extends beyond the distal end of the antenna. The lower portion is formed by said lower plate 44 and a lower tubular wall 46, also called lower skirt, extending downwardly from said lower plate 44. Alternatively, the displacement means act on the support means, the bell being fixedly mounted on the frame.

The sterilization station is further equipped with an actuating cylinder 6, as previously described. The actuating system is mounted movably in the bell, on the upper plate 42. The actuating cylinder is slidably mounted on at least one vertical guide rod 47, preferably at least two guide rods, fixed on the upper plate and extending into the bell parallel to the upper skirt. The actuating cylinder 6 is provided with a flange at its upper opening, the rod passing through a hole of said flange 68 and being provided at its end. free of a stop 47a. The bottom plate 44 is provided with a vertical bar or spacer 48 serving as a stop for the actuating cylinder.

With reference to the Figure 4A in the retracted high position of the upper plate, the annular free edge of the bell is disposed above the lower plate, so that a container R can be brought to said lower plate, under the transmitter and under the bell. The actuating cylinder is in abutment against the stop 47a. The distal end of the nozzle is for example disposed in the actuating cylinder, above the upper edge 66.

For the sterilization operation of a container, the upper plate 42 is displaced in vertical translation downwards, via the displacement means 43, to a first active position, illustrated in FIG. figure 4C . During this movement, the actuating cylinder comes against the lever of the plug, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 4B , and moves the cover to its open position. In the first active position of the figure 4C , the actuating cylinder is in the position illustrated in FIG. figure 3C and is supported by its flange 68 against the abutment 47a and against the free end of the spacer 48. The bell comes to cover the container R, the lower skirt 46 of the lower part sliding in the upper skirt 45 of the bell . The transmitter 41 and its antenna 411 are arranged above the opening of the container. The upper plate 42 and the upper skirt 45 forming the bell, and the lower plate 44 provided with its lower skirt 46, are made of lead, and together form in this first active position a protective enclosure E. In this first active position, the transmitter 41 can be activated to irradiate the outer wall of the container and the cap. The upper skirt 45 and the lower skirt overlap to a height sufficient to prevent radiation from exiting the enclosure E.

The upper plate 4 is then moved further downwards, via the movement means 43, to the extreme active position illustrated in FIG. figure 4E , in order to irradiate the whole of the inner wall of the container. During this movement, the lower skirt 46 of the lower part slides in the upper skirt 45 of the bell. The length of the nozzle 411 and the height of the upper skirt 45 are adapted, so that the distal end of the nozzle is disposed near the bottom of the container R in the extreme active position.

Furthermore, during this movement, the flange 68 abuts against the spacer slides along the guide rod 47, so that the actuating cylinder keeps the same position relative to the container, to maintain the lid of the cap in open position. The figure 4D illustrates an intermediate position of the plate between the first active position and the extreme position.

The top plate 42 is then progressively brought back to its first active position illustrated in FIG. figure 4C . The irradiation is then stopped, and the upper plate 4 is returned to its retracted position illustrated in FIG. Figure 4A . During this movement, the lid is brought back by the actuating cylinder into its closed position. The conveyor 10 is then activated to evacuate the treated container and transfer it to the filling station, and to bring a new container to be treated under the transmitter.

The sterilization station preferably comprises injection means for injecting a product into the chamber, in order to expel the ozone generated during the sterilization by electron beam, and evacuation means for the evacuation of gas from the enclosure. The station comprises a tubing or injection cannula 49 fixedly mounted in the bell. This cannula extends parallel to the antenna of the transmitter, the distal end of the cannula being disposed substantially at the same level as the distal end of the antenna. This cannula substantially substantially crosses the top plate 42 of the bell. The cannula is used to inject into the container R a neutral gas, such as nitrogen, immediately after the irradiation, for example when the upper plate 4 is in its first active position, in order to create an overpressure in the container R and thus expel out of the container the ozone generated by the irradiation. Alternatively, the injection of neutral gas is also performed during irradiation, for example when the upper plate is moved from its extreme active position to its first active position. Alternatively, the cannula is used to deliver liquid nitrogen to the container R, for example a drop of liquid nitrogen, during and / or just after the irradiation, the liquid nitrogen passing in the gas phase then progressively fills the container and gradually flush the ozone out of the container.

The upper plate is provided with vent holes 50 opening into the enclosure E to prevent overpressure inside the enclosure. These vent holes serve to evacuate the gas that is contained in the chamber and is compressed during the descent of the upper plate to its extreme active position. Moreover, these vent holes are used to evacuate the ozone generated in the container by the irradiation and pushed outside the container R by the injected nitrogen. A baffle system 51, made of lead, is provided on the lower face of the upper plate to screen the X-rays generated during the irradiation, and thus prevent any propagation of radiation outside the chamber by said vent holes . The vent holes are connected to flexible pipes, put under vacuum, to suck the compressed gas by the relative movement of the bell and the lower part, including the ozone generated by the irradiation.

Advantageously, a system 52 of baffles, also made of lead, is provided to prevent any propagation of radiation at the interface between the upper part and the lower part of the protection system, more precisely at the interface between the wall 45. tubular upper of the bell, and the lower tubular wall 46. The baffle system 52 includes a horizontal annular flange 52a extending outwardly from the free edge of the lower tubular wall 46, and extending through a vertical annular wall 52b, which extends upwardly parallel to the wall. lower tubular, substantially to the lower plate 44. This annular wall 52b forms with the lower tubular wall 46 an annular housing 53 in which slides the upper tubular wall 45 of the bell during the relative movement of the bell relative to the lower plate 44.

The filling station, for example of the weight type, makes it possible to fill the sterilized containers with a determined quantity of filling product, the filling product being liquid or viscous, for example a liquid product such as water, milk or water. fruit juice. The Figures 5A and 5B are two schematic side views, at 90 ° from each other, of the filling station. The filling station 7 comprises filling means comprising a filling cannula 71 of axis C and means 72 for supporting a container equipped with a lid cap under said cannula. filling. First displacement means 73 allow a relative displacement in vertical translation of the cannula relative to the support means, as illustrated by the arrow F3, between a high position in which the cannula is disposed above the container, and a low position. in which the cannula enters the container. In the illustrated embodiment, said first displacement means 73 act on said cannula, the support means being fixedly mounted on the frame of the device.

The filling station is also equipped with an actuating cylinder 6 for opening the lid just before filling and closing the lid just after filling. The actuating cylinder, centered along the axis C of the cannula, is movably mounted on the frame of the device via second displacement means 74. The actuating cylinder is equipped with a control rod 741, mounted on the flange and provided at its free end with a roller which cooperates with a mechanical cam 743 to move the cylinder in vertical translation, as illustrated by FIG. arrow F4, between a high position illustrated at Figures 5A and 5B , in which the actuating cylinder 42 is disposed above the cap of a container supported by the support means 72, and a low position illustrated in FIG. Figure 5C , corresponding to the position of the figure 3C .

The cylinder can be moved upwards from its low position to an intermediate low position illustrated in FIG. 3D figure corresponding to the position illustrated in figure 5D in which the lever is no longer in contact with the cylinder. This intermediate low position is particularly advantageous in the case of a weight distribution for filling the containers.

In the case of plugs provided with hinges which are spring-loaded in the opening direction, the second displacement means 74 can be provided to pass directly from the high position to the intermediate low position of the figure 5D , without going through the low position of the Figure 5C . In this open position of the lid, the cannula, which is in the upper position, above the lid, can be moved to its lower position to perform the filling operation. After filling, the cannula is moved into position high, then the cylinder can be moved to the high position to return the lid to the closed position.

The heat-sealing station 8 comprises heating means for heating the plug fixing material when the lid is in the closed position, in order to heat-seal the lid and the base. The thermo-welding station comprises, for example, ultrasonic welding means, in order to minimize the heating of the plastic material constituting the plug.

The leveling station 9 makes it possible to cut the lever 34 at its base, the lever being for example leveled by rotation of the container against a flat cutting blade fixedly mounted on the frame of the device.

The treatment of a container by the device according to the invention is as follows. The empty container is transferred to the assembly station 2 where a cap with its lid in the closed position is assembled by screwing on the neck of the container. The container is then transferred with its cover in the closed position to the sterilization station 4. At the sterilization station, the top plate 42 is moved to maneuver the cover in the open position via the actuating cylinder, introduce the nozzle 411 of the emitter into the container, then remove the nozzle from the container, and operate the lid towards its position. closed position.

The container sterilized with the lid in the closed position is then transferred to the filling station 7 where the actuating cylinder 6 of said station and the cannula 71 are moved via their respective displacement means to move the cover towards its open position, to introduce the cannula into the container for filling, remove the cannula from the container and then maneuver the lid to its closed position. The container is then transferred with its cover in the closed position to the heat-sealing station 8 for the final closure of the plug, by heat-sealing the cover on the base, then the container is transferred to the station 9 of shaving for the removal of the lever 44.

The lid is thus closed just after the sterilization operation, opened just before the filling operation and closed again just after the filling operation, which prevents any possible contamination of the inside of the container at the sterilization station and filling station. When transferring the container from the sterilization station to the filling station, then from the filling to the thermo-welding station, the lid is in the closed position which prevents any possible contamination during these two transfer phases. The device according to the invention thus allows the sterile filling of different containers at a very high level of sterilization, of the order of Log6.

The use of a lid cap according to the invention makes it possible to use containers with a large upper opening, allowing the filling station to pass two filling cannulas into the container. According to one embodiment, the container is filled by means of two parallel cannulas which fit into the container and which are used to deliver different products. A first cannula is used to deliver for example a liquid, such as a fruit juice, the other cannula being used to deliver pulp and / or vitamins for example.

The linear type device described with reference to the figures can of course comprise several parallel treatment lines, each treatment line comprising one or more assembly stations, sterilization stations, filling stations, heat sealing stations and shaving stations. .

The treatment device according to the invention may also be of the rotary type, the treatment device comprising a first carousel or turret for assembling the stopper, in particular screwing the stopper, a second carousel for carrying out the sterilization, a third carousel for filling said sterilized containers with a filler, a fourth carousel for thermo-welding, and a fifth carousel for effecting the shaving of the lever. Transfer systems, for example of the transfer star type, are provided between two successive carousels to transfer the containers.

The sterilization carousel comprises a support plate or top plate, in the form of a circular or annular plate, intended to be rotatably mounted on a fixed frame about a vertical axis of rotation. The support plate carries a plurality of processing stations arranged at regular angular space around the axis of rotation. Each station includes a transmitter mounted on the underside of the tray. The upper part of the protection system consists of the plateau support and a plurality of so-called upper skirts surrounding the transmitters and extending from the underside of the tray. Each upper skirt forms with the upper plate a bell associated with a treatment station. Each station comprises an actuating cylinder mounted in the bell as previously described. The support means of each treatment station comprise a fifth wheel or lower plate equipped with a lower skirt and a spacer serving as a stop for the actuating cylinder. Each treatment station comprises displacement means acting this time on the lower plate to move it between a position spaced from the upper plate to allow the positioning of a container on the lower plate and the withdrawal of a container from the lower plate. , for example by means of an input star and an output star, and active positions, as described above, in which the lower plate with its upper skirt forms with the upper bell a protective enclosure.

The filling carousel is of the same type as the sterilization carousel, it comprises a rotatable support plate carrying a plurality of treatment stations arranged at regular angular space, each treatment station comprising filling means comprising a filling spout or one or a plurality of filling cannulas, an actuating cylinder, and support means for supporting a container under said filling spout.

Furthermore, according to another embodiment, the treatment device comprises a sterilization carousel of the type described in the French patent application. FR 2953413 deposited on 3/12/09 , whose protection system includes a chute. According to another embodiment, the treatment device comprises a carousel whose treatment stations comprise both sterilization means and filling means, as described in the French patent application. FR 2953414, filed on 3/12/09 by the plaintiff.

According to one embodiment, the sterilization is carried out from outside the container, for example by gamma radiation, with the lid of the cap in the closed position.

According to an alternative embodiment, the plug does not comprise an annular layer of hot melt material, the lid is heat sealed directly on the base, for example by ultrasound.

Claims (15)

1. Method for processing containers (R) comprising, for each container to be treated,

   a) an assembling step for the assembly of a cap (3) with a cover on a container (R), said cap comprising a tubular base (31) and a cover (32), said cap being assembled via its base on said container on an opening of said container,

   b) a step of sterilising the container equipped with its cap having a cover,

   c) a step of filling the container, said step of filling comprising the filling of the container with a filling product, with the cover of its cap in open position, and the manoeuvre of the cover towards its closed position,

   characterised in that the cover (32) is pivotably connected to said base, by means of an articulation (33), between an open position and a closed position.
2. Method of processing according to claim 1, characterised in that the step c) of filling is followed by a step d) of fastening, in a sealed manner, of the cover (32) in its closed position on the base (31).
3. Method of processing according to claim 2, characterised in that said step d) of fastening is carried out via heat sealing of the cover (32) on the base (31).
4. Method of processing according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sterilisation in the step b) of sterilisation is carried out by an electron beam generated by an electron beam emitter (41) when the cover (32) of the cap (3) is in open position.
5. Method of processing according to claim 4, characterised in that said step b) of sterilisation is carried out by an emitter (41) provided with a tubular nozzle (411) able to deliver via its distal end the electron beam created by the emitter, said step of sterilising comprising the manoeuvre of the cover (32) towards its open position, the introduction of the nozzle (411) into the container, and the withdrawal of the nozzle (411) outside of the container.
6. Method of processing according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that at least two successive steps among the steps a), b), c) and d) are carried out at different successive treatment stations, the cover of the cap being in closed position between two successive treatment stations.
7. Method of processing according to claim 6, characterised in that the steps a), b), c) and d) are carried out at different treatment stations, the cap (3) being in closed position during the transfer of the container (R) from one station to another, the step of sterilising comprising the manoeuvre of the cap towards its closed position at the end of the emission of the electron beam
8. Method of processing according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the manoeuvre of the cover (32) between its two positions is carried out by relative movement of an actuating system (6) in relation to the cap (3), said actuating system able to cooperate with at least one actuating member (34) complementary to the cover in order to move the latter between its two positions.
9. Method of processing according to claim 8, characterised in that it comprises, after the step of filling, a step of shaving e) of said actuating member (34).
10. Cap (3) with cover, for the implementation of the method according to one of claims 1 to 9, said cap having a cover comprising a tubular base (31), and a cover (32) pivotably connected to the tubular base, by means of an articulation (33), between a closed position and an open position, said cover being able to be heat-sealed in closed position on its base, characterised in that it comprises an actuating lever (34), intended to cooperate with an additional actuating system, with which the sterilisation station and the filling station are provided, arranged on the cover (32) of the side of the articulation (33), in order to manoeuvre said cover between a closed position of the cover and an open position.
11. Cap having a cover according to claim 10, characterised in that the base, the cover and the articulation are formed of a one-piece part made of at least one plastic material so that the articulation is a film-hinge.
12. Cap having a cover according to one of claims 10 to 11, characterised in that the lever extends from a main upper surface 32b of the cover (32) substantially at 45°, towards the exterior, beyond the lateral wall of the cover (32).
13. Cap having a cover according to claim 11, characterised in that said cover (32) is able to be heat-sealed via ultrasound onto its base (31).
14. Cap having a cover according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that said cover (32) and/or said base (31) has an annular layer (35) of a heat-fusible material for the fastening via heat sealing of the cover on its base.
15. Processing device for the implementation of the method according to one of claims 1 to 9, comprising one or several treatment stations for the sterilisation of containers (R) via electron beam and/or the filling of containers with a filling liquid, each treatment station comprising

    - means of sterilising which comprise an emitter (41) of electron beams and/or means (71) of filling, and

    - means (44, 72) of support for supporting a container under said emitter and/or under said means of filling, characterised in that each station further comprises a system (6) of actuating able to cooperate with an actuating member (34) of the cover (32) of a cap (3) with cover mounted on said container during a relative movement, in vertical translation, of said actuating system in relation to said container supported by the supporting means to manoeuvre said cover between a closed position of the cover and an open position, said cap having a tubular base, and a cover pivotably connected to the tubular base.

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