MXPA06006568A - Method and apparatus for filling liquids into foil bags with a spout - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for filling liquids into foil bags ( 2 ) with a spout ( 3 ), the method comprising the steps of:mounting the spout ( 3 ) on a filling orifice ( 4 );evacuatingthe foil bag ( 2 ) through the spout ( 3 );filling the foil bag ( 2 ) with the liquid through the spout ( 3 );sucking liquid out of the filling orifice ( 4 );discharging a sterile gas through the spout ( 3 ) into the foil bag ( 2 ). Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus ( 1 ) for filling liquids into foil bags ( 2 ) with a spout ( 3 ), the apparatus ( 1 ) comprising:a filling orifice ( 4 ) for mounting the spout ( 3 ) of the bag ( 2 ) on the filling orifice ( 4 ) in a spout position;a liquid path ( 29, 30 ) which leads from a liquid supply line ( 5 ) to the filling orifice ( 4 ), the liquid path ( 29, 30 ) being adapted to be shut off with a filling valve ( 6 );a gas path ( 32, 33 ) which leads from a gas supply line ( 23, 24 ) to the filling orifice ( 4 ), a gas valve ( 9 ) being provided in the gas path ( 32, 33 ), and the gas path ( 32, 33 ) terminating downstream of the filling valve ( 6 ) in the liquid path ( 29, 30 ), and the gas supply line ( 24, 23 ) being connectable either to a vacuum line ( 27 ) or to a sterile gas line ( 28 ).

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING LIQUIDS IN ALUMINUM BAGS WITH A SUPPLIER DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY The present invention relates to a method for filling liquids in aluminum bags, aluminum bags comprising a dispenser. Various methods and apparatuses for filling liquids in aluminum bags including a dispenser are known in the prior art. The known methods have the disadvantage that the exterior of the spout is sometimes wetted by the liquid. It has been found that this entails a series of drawbacks. For example, a disadvantage is that the liquid present on the outside of the spout and therefore on the outside of the bag, has the effect that the bag becomes dirty or sticky. On the other hand, this could cause a hygienic problem, since the liquid that adheres externally is not protected by the sterile package of the bag. Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for preventing wetting of the spout on the outside. This purpose is achieved with a method according to claim 1 and with an apparatus according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are described in each of the sub-claims.

In accordance with the invention, the liquid is sucked out of the filling orifice after the aluminum bag has been filled. This avoids the subsequent blasting of the liquid towards the outside of the spout when removing the spout. After the liquid has been sucked, a jet of sterile gas is also discharged into the film bag, so that the bag inflates slightly and the level of the liquid and, therefore, the foam that may be present in a bag, descend down into the bag. This prevents the spill of foam or liquid through the spout. Each of these measures as such is adapted to achieve an improvement in avoiding undesirable wetting of the exterior of the spout with liquid. Additionally, the aluminum bag is evacuated before filling. This avoids the formation of foam in the aluminum bag in large part, so that the foam can also not spill out of the spout after the filling process and can wet the spout on the outside. Additionally, the head space existing in the bag that is filled with the gas and not with the liquid can be kept as small as possible, due to the prevention of foam formation. Advantageously, the evacuation and discharge of the sterile gas is carried out through one and the same line. This allows a simple design of the corresponding apparatus.

For the evacuation of the bag, a gas valve is advantageously opened to the interior of the apparatus and the supply line to the gas valve is connected to a vacuum line, which can be effected most efficiently by changing a corresponding switching valve . Advantageously, the gas valve is closed to fill the bag, while the filling valve opens and closes after the filling process. This prevents the liquid from being wasted as the liquid passes through the gas. The suction procedure, the filling valve closes and the gas valve in the appliance opens and connects to the vacuum line. In this way the possible liquid is sucked out of the filling hole in a very fast and efficient way, to avoid the subsequent blasting. For the discharge of sterile gas, the filling valve is closed and the gas valve in the apparatus opens towards a compressed gas line by means of a switching valve. The use of the gas valve also for the supply of the sterile gas discharge, provides a simple design of a corresponding apparatus that is as compact and mechanically simple as possible. With this procedure, the liquid that could still be in the filling hole is transferred to the aluminum bag and the filling hole remains below the filling valve without liquid, so that the bag with the spout can be removed without any Subsequent blasting.

In the apparatus, a gas path is provided that extends between a gas supply line and the filling orifice, a valve and gas being provided in the gas path to deactivate or open the gas path and the gas path terminating downstream of the fill valve in the liquid path. This makes it possible to remove the liquid located downstream from the filling valve in the closed state of the filling valve. The gas supply line is connected to a vacuum line or a sterile gas line, so that liquid or gas can be sucked out through the vacuum line, or sterile gas can be supplied. In this way, it is possible to perform gas evacuation and supply through a line only. This allows a compact design of the apparatus. Preferably, the filling valve comprises a movable piston that can be pressed against a part of the transition tube in the liquid path, to open or close the liquid path with a seal. This allows an exact control of the filling operation. Additionally, this allows a preferred embodiment to be achieved where the gas path is disposed within the movable piston. Therefore, the gas path can terminate directly downstream of the fill valve in the liquid path. Preferably, the gas valve comprises a plunger that is movable with respect to an opening, so that the gas valve can be opened or closed through the movement of the plunger. This allows easy opening and closing, as required for high filling capacities. In a preferred embodiment, a liquid return means is provided in the liquid path, upstream of the fill valve. The liquid return medium is capable of returning the liquid to the container from which the liquid is transferred through a liquid feed line to the spout position. Since the liquid return means is provided upstream of the filling valve, the liquid can be circulated through the liquid return means in the closed state of the filling valve. This presents a particular advantage provided that the liquid to be filled must be in a hot state (for reasons of sterility) since, in such a case, while the apparatus is in a state of detention where no filling occurs, nothing of liquid will cool in the area of the apparatus and would then be filled to a temperature that would be too low. The liquid return medium can also be used to circulate cleaning liquid. Advantageous embodiments are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an apparatus used for filling, in a schematic sectional drawing.

Figures 2 to 4 show the apparatus of Figure 1 in different operating states. Figure 1 shows an apparatus 1 for filling aluminum bags 2 with a spout 3. The spout 3 of the aluminum bag 2 is mounted on a filling hole 4. The spout 3 can be inserted here from the bottom, either in An opening can either be pulled through an opening, like a small tube. A liquid feeding line 5 is disposed on the side of the main tube 31. The main tube 31 extends in a transverse direction with respect to the liquid delivery line 5 in a vertical orientation up to the filling port 4. The lower end of the main tube 31 has a conical interior 7. A filling valve 6 is provided above the filling orifice 4. The filling valve 6 comprises an annular seal 8 which can be pressed against the conical interior 7. The seal 8 it is arranged here on a movable piston 13 which can move up and down in the direction 15. The seal 8 can also be disposed on or in the conical interior. Figure 1 shows the piston in its lower position, wherein the seal 8 rests on the interior 7, thus representing a closed filling valve 6. The liquid path extends between the liquid supply line 5 and the filling hole 4 through the portions 29 and 30. The portion 29 is provided upstream of the fill valve 6, while the portion 30 is provided downstream of the fill valve 6. The portions 29 and 30 may be sealed with respect to each other through the valve 6. The main tube 31 is provided at its upper end with the guides 14 for the piston 13. This ensures an accurate movement of the piston 13 in the direction 15. In the area of the guide 14, corresponding seals must be provided for the piston 13, so that no liquid can escape between the piston 13 and the guide 14. A cavity 32 is formed inside the piston 13. The lower end of the cavity 32 can be closed with a gas valve 9. The valve gas 9 it comprises a stamp 10, which is an annular stamp in this case. The annular seal 10 surrounds the upper end of an opening 33 which is located at the lower end of the piston 13. The lower end of the opening 33 terminates in the portion 30 of the liquid path. A plunger 10 can be mounted on the seal 10 to close the opening 33 with respect to the cavity 32. The plunger 11 is here disposed on a piston rod 12 which can be moved up and down in the direction 16. The piston rod piston 12 exits through the upper end of cavity 32 to the outside and must be sealed in that site accordingly. Figure 1 shows the piston 11 in a lower position, so that the gas valve 9 is closed. The upper end of the cavity 32 is connected through a line 23 with a switching valve 25. When the piston 13 moves in the direction 15, the line 23 moves together with said piston. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide a flexible connection line 24 between the switching valve 25 and the line 23, so that the switching valve 25 can be stationary. However, the switching valve 25 could also be made movable together with the piston 13. The switching valve 25 can connect the line 23 and 24, respectively, with a vacuum connection 27 or with a sterile air supply line 28. To this end, an appropriate slider 26 is provided in the switching valve 25, to connect the line 24 to the connection 27 or 28 and to close the other connection respectively. However, it is also possible to use any other three-way valve that interconnects two tracks selectively. The piston 13 and the piston rod 12 can move in the direction 15 and the direction 16, respectively, with the help of pneumatic cylinders, electric motors or other electric actuators, or by means of mechanical controllers, such as cams or the like. The hydraulic actuators are also viable. From the portion 29, a liquid return means 22 is bifurcated from the main tube 31. Said return means can be turned off with a return valve 17. The return valve 17 comprises a cone 19 that can be depressed in the direction 21 against the interior of the main tube 31. The main tube can also be provided here with a matching cone correspondingly therein. The cone 19 may be to undergo an alternative movement by means of a rod 20 in the direction 21, to open or close the return valve 17. The return valve 22 is disposed opposite to the inlet 5. The procedure during the Filling procedure will be explained below. In Figure 1, the liquid valve 6 and the gas valve 9 are closed. In this state, the aluminum bag 2 with a spout 3 can be mounted on the filling hole 4. This state is shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the switching valve 25 is switched so that the line 23 is connected to the vacuum connection 27. In this way a vacuum is produced in the cavity 32. In addition, the gas valve 9 is opened. The interior of the cavity 32 is connected through the opening 33 to the filling hole 4. Therefore, the aluminum bag 2 is evacuated through the spout 3. The filling valve 6 is closed here. However, upstream of the filling valve 6, in the portion 29, the liquid is now present. After the bag 2 has been evacuated for a period of about 1/10 to 2/10 or 5/10 seconds or also of a second, the gas valve 9 is closed by lowering the plunger 11. This state is shown in FIG. Figure 1. The bag is evacuated in this state and remains in the evacuated state.

As shown in Figure 3, the filling valve 6 opens subsequently. For this purpose, the piston 13 moves upwards in the direction 15. As a consequence, the seal 8 is separated from the conical interior 7, so that the liquid path between the liquid supply line 5 and the liquid orifice Fill 4 opens. In this method, the liquid passes through the liquid feed line 5 to the portion 29, 30 and, from that point, through the spout 3 towards the aluminum bag 2. In the feed line 5, a volume meter that detects the amount filled with liquid and finishes the filling operation, in such a way that the pre-established filling quantity is filled. To complete the filling operation, the piston 13 moves downstream in the direction 15, so that the seal 8 sits in the interior 7, as a result of which the filling valve 6 closes. This state is shown in FIG. 1. In the chamber 30, the liquid is still in the filling hole 4. This liquid can be sucked out by opening the gas valve and correspondingly switching the switching valve 25 (cf. Figure 2). The liquid in the portion 30 is sucked out through the opening 33 into the cavity 32 and from there through the line 23, 24 and the switching valve 25 into the vacuum connection 27. The corresponding valve position it is shown in figure 2. Preferably, only a few drops of liquid are eliminated here.

After the process of suctioning liquid out of the filling hole 4 has been completed, the switching valve 25 can be switched, so that the line 23, 24 is connected to the sterile air connection 28 (see Figure 4) . The gas valve 9 can remain open here. The sterile air will then pass through line 23, 24 to cavity 32 and, from that site, through open gas valve 9 to opening 33 and to portion 30. Sterile air passes from that site to through the dispenser 3 towards the aluminum bag 2. On the other hand, the sterile air thus passes into the bag 2, so that the inside remains sterile. On the other hand, the level of liquid in the aluminum bag 2 is reduced. The spillage of the liquid when removing the bag 2 with the spout 3 from the filling hole 4, thus becomes more difficult. This state is shown in Figure 4. However, after the liquid has been sucked out, it is only possible to close the gas valve 9 by operating the switching valve 25, so that the line 23, 24 is connected first with the sterile gas connection 28 and the gas valve 9 then open again. The steps of sucking liquid out of filling hole 4 and discharging sterile gas could also be performed in the reverse order. This has the advantage that the air containing only a few drops of liquid is basically in the area of the filling hole 4, so that the liquid is entrained by the air being sucked. In addition, it is possible that the suction operation is performed first and that the sterile air is subsequently discharged, as well as that the suction operation is performed again. Subsequently, it is also possible to discharge sterile air again. It is also possible to discharge sterile air twice and suck the liquid out between the two steps.

Claims (14)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A method for filling liquids in aluminum bags 2 with a spout 3, comprising the steps of: a) mounting the spout 3 over a filling hole 4; b) evacuating the aluminum bag 2 through the spout 3; c) filling the aluminum bag 2 with the liquid through the spout 3; d) drawing liquid out of the filling hole 4; e) discharging a jet of sterile gas through the spout 3 towards the aluminum bag

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the evacuation, suction and discharge of a sterile gas are carried out throughout of a connecting gas line 33, 33 leading to the filling hole 4.

3. The method according to any of claims 1 or 2, further characterized in that the evacuation of the aluminum bag 2 includes opening a switching 25 from a vacuum line 27 to a gas path 32, 33 leading to the filling hole 4, as well as opening a gas valve 9 upstream of the filling hole

4. 4.- The method of compliance with any of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that the filling of the aluminum bag 2 is carried out in the closed state of the gas valve 9 and in the open state of the filling valve 6 and is completed with the closing of the goes filling valve 6.

5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the suction process is carried out in the closed state of the filling valve 6 and in the open state of the gas valve 9 upstream of the filling hole 4, a vacuum line 28 towards the gas path 32, 33, leading to the filling hole 4, being opened by a switching valve 25. 6.- The method of conformity with any of "claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the sterile gas jet is discharged in the closed state of the filling valve 6 and in the open state of the gas valve 6 upstream of the filling port 4, a gas line compressed 27 towards the gas path 32, 33, leading to the filling hole 4, being opened by a switching valve 25. 7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, further characterized by the fact that the Sterile gas is discharged after the liquid has been sucked out. 8. The method according to any of claims 1 to 7, further characterized in that the liquid is sucked out after the sterile gas jet has been discharged. 9. An apparatus 1 for filling liquids in aluminum bags 2 with a dispenser 3, the apparatus 1 comprising: a filling hole 4 for mounting the dispenser 3 of the bag 2 on the filling opening 4 in a dispenser position; a liquid path 29, 30 leading from a liquid supply line 5 to the filling hole 4, the liquid path 29, 30 being adapted to be deactivated with a filling valve 6; a gas path 32, 33 leading from a gas supply line 23, 24 to the filling hole 4, a gas valve 9 being provided in the gas path 32, 33 and the gas path 32, 33 terminating current below the filling valve 6 in the liquid path 29, 30 and the gas supply line 24, 23 can be connected either with a vacuum line 27 or with a sterile gas line 28. 10. The apparatus of according to claim 9, further characterized in that the filling valve 6 comprises: a movable piston 13; and a transition tube member 7 enclosing the liquid path 29, 30 and against which the movable piston 13 can be pressed to deactivate the liquid path with a seal 8. 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further characterized in that the gas path 32, 33 is disposed in part to the interior of the movable piston 13. 12. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 or 11, further characterized in that the gas valve 9 is disposed inside the movable piston 13. 13. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 12, further characterized in that the gas valve 9 comprises a plunger 11 that is movable. with respect to an opening 33, said opening 33 being able to be closed with a seal 10 by the plunger 11. 14. The apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 13, further characterized in that a liquid return means 22 can be deactivated with a return valve 17, is provided in the liquid path 29, 30 upstream of the fill valve 6.