[go: up one dir, main page]

WO1989000952A1 - Device for filling in a controlled atmosphere - Google Patents

Device for filling in a controlled atmosphere Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1989000952A1
WO1989000952A1 PCT/FR1988/000389 FR8800389W WO8900952A1 WO 1989000952 A1 WO1989000952 A1 WO 1989000952A1 FR 8800389 W FR8800389 W FR 8800389W WO 8900952 A1 WO8900952 A1 WO 8900952A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
piston
container
filling
product
neck
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR1988/000389
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alain Dufrene
Original Assignee
Alain Dufrene
Naar Raymond
Ramondou Bernard
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 Alain Dufrene, Naar Raymond, Ramondou Bernard filed Critical Alain Dufrene
Priority to DE8888907018T priority Critical patent/DE3866704D1/en
Publication of WO1989000952A1 publication Critical patent/WO1989000952A1/en

Links

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
    • B65B55/022—Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages of flexible containers having a filling and dispensing spout, e.g. containers of the "bag-in-box"-type

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sterile filling device in a controlled atmosphere.
  • the most commonly used filling heads separately comprise means for extracting the cap from the container to be filled, and means for bringing the filling nozzle into contact with the neck of this container.
  • the neck of the container and the means for extracting the cap and supplying the filling nozzle are all placed in a bell-shaped enclosure supplied with controlled gas, this arrangement does not eliminate the risks of contamination by the external faces of the plug and the neck.
  • a more recent system uses, for closing the container, two discs, one of which, welded to the outer edge of the neck, is intended to be punctured before filling but after sterilization, and the other, only fixed by points at the internal end of the neck so as not to obstruct the filling of the container, is intended to be welded to it completely after filling.
  • This arrangement requires the presence of a welding head capable of acting after filling by acting through a part of the wall.
  • this wall is necessarily complex so as not to be itself welded to the second disc.
  • this welding head prevents accurate weighing of the container during filling to stop it once the desired weight of product has been reached.
  • the user risks contaminating the product by perforating the second disc, this perforation being essential before racking.
  • the invention aims to remedy these drawbacks. It therefore relates to a filling device comprising, in combination: - on the one hand, a filling head comprising:
  • a tubular outlet orifice which can be adapted to the neck of the container to be filled
  • a sterilizable channel for supplying the sterile filling product for supplying the sterile filling product
  • a closure device (such as a stopper or a valve opening member) of the neck of the container to be filled, this closure device being provided with complementary means of assembly at the free end. of the aforementioned piston, allowing it to be driven by this piston during its withdrawal while causing the opening of the container, means, such as annular and axial channels, being moreover provided for dispensing in all the parts of the sterilizable chamber , the product inlet channel, and the head outlet channel, the desired sterilization fluids.
  • the invention will be well understood, and its advantages and characteristics will emerge during the following description of a nonlimiting example of embodiment of this filling device, with reference to the appended schematic drawing in which:
  • ⁇ - Figure 1 shows the filling head in its first operating phase, that is to say before and after its assembly with the container cap;
  • FIG. 5 shows a simplified variant which includes a valve for opening and closing the product supply channel whose axis is orthogonal to that of the tubular orifice for leaving the filling head.
  • this sterile filling device closely associates a filling head 1, the operation of which is controlled by three jacks 2, 3 and, and a plug 5 for closing the neck 6 of the container 7 to be filled by liquid product, such as wine.
  • the elements 5, 6 and 7 are shown in dashed lines before their assembly on the head 1, and in solid lines after this assembly, the plug 5 has, - at its upper part, a peripheral external groove 8.
  • the body 9 of the head 1 has, at its lower part, an orifice 3 outlet tube 10, axial and vertical, which is provided with a sealing ring against which the upper part of the neck 6 is pressed.
  • the body 9 Upstream of the orifice 10, which is itself sterilizable by means of a circulation of sterilizing fluid (inlet and outlet channels 12 and 13), the body 9 defines a chamber 14, which is also sterilizable by circulation of sterilizing fluid (inlet and outlet channels 15 and 16).
  • a valve 17 which in this example is coaxial with the tubular orifice 10 and which is moved by the jack 2.
  • This valve serves as a shutter member for the lateral channel IS for supplying the sterile product filling.
  • an annular recess of the latter defines, with a corresponding annular recess of the body 9, an annular sealing and sterilization chamber 4.
  • the valve 17 is hollow, and it contains two other cylinders 3 and 34, coaxial and aligned: - a first cylinder 3 which operates a piston 19, which is inside the piston 20 which is the closing member equipping the axial valve 17, and whose stroke allows it to descend lower than the outer piston 20, so as to engage -in the tubular outlet orifice 10, its free end being provided with an annular boss 22 which is complementary to the groove 8 plug 5, so as to make a coupling by clipping; - A second cylinder 4, which distinguishes the fluid lines 43 and 24, and which operates a piston 23 adapted to slide very closely in the hollow lower part 21 of the piston 19, as well as inside the plug 5, which has a cup shape as shown.
  • FIG. 1 the sterile filling product is under pressure in the supply channel 18, the valve 17 is closed in leaktight manner by the jack 2, the piston 19 is in the low position under the action of the jack 3, and the piston 23 is in the high position by the jack 4.
  • the circuit 15, 19, 16 ensures sterile sealing by means of a sterilizing fluid, for example hydrogen peroxide or steam.
  • a sterilizing fluid for example hydrogen peroxide or steam.
  • the assembly constituted by the container 7, its neck 6 and its stopper 5 is at a distance from the filling head 1 (position shown in mixed lines).
  • the next phase consists in lifting this assembly 7, 6, 5 until it comes to plug the upper part (comprising the clipping groove 8) of the plug 5 into the free end 21 of the piston 19: the connection is made by clipping, by cooperation of the groove 8 and the annular bead 22. In this position, the neck 6 is pressed against the sealing ring 11, which ensures the sealing of said neck.
  • the tubular outlet orifice is then completely closed, which makes it possible to circulate therein, by means of lines 12 and 13, a sterilizing fluid, which has the advantage of eliminating the areas where a pollutant could stagnate. It is in all this of course that the containers have themselves been sterilized before.
  • the clipping of 22 into 8 is not sufficient to exert a sufficient gripping force to allow the extraction of the plug 5 by lifting the piston 19.
  • a lock of 19 out of 5 the actuator 4 is supplied to lower the piston 29, which has the effect of strongly pinching the upper part of the plug between this piston 29 and the lower part of the piston 21.
  • the lines 12, 13 and 15, 16 are always supplied with sterilizing fluid.
  • the next step is the step of lifting the plug 5, and therefore of opening the container 7, this step being shown in FIG. 3.
  • the actuator 3 is supplied to lift its piston 19.
  • the circulation of sterilizing fluid from 12 to 13 has of course been stopped, so as not to introduce this fluid into the container 7.
  • the valve 17 is indeed always heard closed.
  • the next step is the step of opening the valve 17, and therefore of filling the container with the sterile product supplied by the lateral line 18.
  • the circulation of sterilizing fluid from 15 to 16 is also stopped, then the cylinder 2 is supplied so as to raise the piston 20, which then carries with it the plug _5.
  • the product then flows from 18 to 6, and then fills the container 7.
  • the stopper 5 seals the piston 20, so that the product cannot go back up in the gripping mechanism.
  • the sterile product therefore flows towards the inside of the sterile container 7 without risk of pollution.
  • FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment, further simplified, in which the valve 17 is of axis orthogonal to that of the device 19. Furthermore, in this simplified embodiment, the locking is ensured by the cooperation of a centripetal bead 36 carried by the upper part of the plug 5, and a deep groove 37 located at the lower part of the part 19.
  • the piston 19 can handle a valve opening member, fitted to the container, instead of handling a plug.
  • the gripping devices are simply adapted to this tap, for example, they are able to perform a quarter turn necessary for opening, for example using a simple device for transforming the translational movement. vertical in a rotational movement.
  • the gripping mechanism can be housed in the sterile area of the filling head, and not in the plunger, etc.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)

Abstract

A device for sterile filling of a sterile receptacle (7) comprises a head provided with sterilization members (12, 13, 15, 16, 35) and a device for raising the stopper (5) and then replacing it. A valve (17) controls the flow of the sterile product, which is delivered through a sterile channel (18).

Description

DISPOSITIF DE REMPLISSAGE EN ATMOSPHERE CONTROLEE FILLING DEVICE IN A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE
La présente invention se rapporte a un dispositif de remplissage stérile en atmosphère contrôlée.The present invention relates to a sterile filling device in a controlled atmosphere.
Les têtes de remplissage les plus couramment utilisées comportent séparément des moyens d'extration du bouchon du récipient à remplir, et des moyens d'amenée de la buse de remplissage au contact du goulot de ce récipient. Bien que le goulot du récipient ainsi que les moyens d'extraction du bouchon et d'amenée de la buse de remplissage soient placés tous dans une enceinte en forme de cloche alimentée en gaz contrôlé, cette disposition n'élimine pas les risques de contamination par les faces externes du bouchon et du goulot.The most commonly used filling heads separately comprise means for extracting the cap from the container to be filled, and means for bringing the filling nozzle into contact with the neck of this container. Although the neck of the container and the means for extracting the cap and supplying the filling nozzle are all placed in a bell-shaped enclosure supplied with controlled gas, this arrangement does not eliminate the risks of contamination by the external faces of the plug and the neck.
Un système plus récent utilise, pour la fermeture du récipient, deux disques dont l'un, soudé au bord extérieur du goulot, est destiné à être crevé avant remplissage mais après stérilisation, et dont l'autre, seulement fixé par points à l'extrémité interne du goulot pour ne pas faire obstacle au remplissage du récipient, est destiné à lui être soudé totalement après remplissage. Cette disposition nécessite la présence d'une tête de soudure apte à intervenir après remplissage en agissant à travers une partie de paroiA more recent system uses, for closing the container, two discs, one of which, welded to the outer edge of the neck, is intended to be punctured before filling but after sterilization, and the other, only fixed by points at the internal end of the neck so as not to obstruct the filling of the container, is intended to be welded to it completely after filling. This arrangement requires the presence of a welding head capable of acting after filling by acting through a part of the wall.
^opposée du récipient, de sorte que cette paroi est nécessairement complexe pour ne pas être elle-même soudée au second disque. En outre, la présence de cette tête de soudure fait obstacle à un pesage précis du récipient durant son remplissage pour faire cesser celui-ci une fois atteint le poids désiré en produit. En outre, lors du premier soutirage du produit, l'utilisateur risque de contaminer le produit en perforant le deuxième disque, cette perforation étant indispensable avant soutirage.^ opposite of the container, so that this wall is necessarily complex so as not to be itself welded to the second disc. In addition, the presence of this welding head prevents accurate weighing of the container during filling to stop it once the desired weight of product has been reached. In addition, during the first racking of the product, the user risks contaminating the product by perforating the second disc, this perforation being essential before racking.
L'invention vise à remédier à ces inconvénients. Elle se rapporte donc à un dispositif de remplissage comprenant, en combinaison : - d'une part une tête de remplissage comprenant :The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks. It therefore relates to a filling device comprising, in combination: - on the one hand, a filling head comprising:
. un orifice tubulaire de sortie adaptable de façon étanche au goulot du récipient à remplir,. a tubular outlet orifice which can be adapted to the neck of the container to be filled,
. une chambre stérilisable en amont de l'orifice de sortie précité. a sterilizable chamber upstream of the aforementioned outlet orifice
. un canal stérilisable d'amenée du produit stérile de remplissage, . un cylindre coaxial à l'orifice de sortie et à la chambre précités et logeant un piston dont la course lui permet de s'engager dans cet orifice de sortie et dont l'extrémité libre est pourvue de moyens lui permettant de s'assembler au dispositif d'obturation (tel que bouchon ou robinet) engagé dans le goulot du récipient, des moyens de verrouillage de cet assemblage étant associés à cette extrémité libre,. a sterilizable channel for supplying the sterile filling product,. a cylinder coaxial with the aforementioned outlet orifice and housing a piston whose stroke allows it to engage in this outlet orifice and the free end of which is provided with means making it possible to assemble the closure device (such as a stopper or a tap) engaged in the neck of the container, means for locking this assembly being associated with this free end,
. des moyens de fermeture et d'ouverture du canal d'amenée du produit de remplissage,. means for closing and opening the supply channel for the filling product,
- d'autre part, un dispositif d'obturation (tel que bouchon ou organe d'ouverture de robinet) du goulot du récipient à remplir, ce dispositif d'obturation étant pourvu de moyens complémentaires d'assemblage à l'extré¬ mité libre du piston précité, lui permettant d'être entraîné par ce piston lors de son retrait en provoquant alors l'ouverture du récipient, des moyens, tels que canaux annulaires et axiaux, étant par ailleurs prévus pour distribuer dans toutes les parties de la chambre stérilisable, du canal d'amenée du produit, et du canal de sortie de la tête, les fluides désirés de stérilisation. De toute façon, l'invention sera bien comprise, et ses avantages et caractéristiques ressortiront, lors de la description suivante d'un exemple non limitatif de réalisation de ce dispositif de remplissage, en référence au dessin schématique annexé dans lequel :- On the other hand, a closure device (such as a stopper or a valve opening member) of the neck of the container to be filled, this closure device being provided with complementary means of assembly at the free end. of the aforementioned piston, allowing it to be driven by this piston during its withdrawal while causing the opening of the container, means, such as annular and axial channels, being moreover provided for dispensing in all the parts of the sterilizable chamber , the product inlet channel, and the head outlet channel, the desired sterilization fluids. In any case, the invention will be well understood, and its advantages and characteristics will emerge during the following description of a nonlimiting example of embodiment of this filling device, with reference to the appended schematic drawing in which:
^ - Figure 1 montre la tête de remplissage dans sa première phase opératoire, c'est-à-dire avant et après son assemblage au bouchon du récipient ;^ - Figure 1 shows the filling head in its first operating phase, that is to say before and after its assembly with the container cap;
- Figure 2 montre la phase de verrouillage de la tête et du bouchon ;- Figure 2 shows the locking phase of the head and the plug;
- Figure 3 montre la phase de soulèvement du bouchon ; - Figure - montre la phase d'ouverture du canal d'amenée du produit et de remplissage du récipient ; et- Figure 3 shows the plug lifting phase; - Figure - shows the phase of opening the product supply channel and filling the container; and
- Figure 5 montre une variante simplifiée qui comporte une vanne d'ouverture et de fermeture du canal d'amenée du produit dont l'axe est orthogonal à celui de l'orifice tubulaire de sortie de la tête de remplissage. En se reportant à la figure i, ce dispositif de remplissage stérile associe étroitement une tête de remplissage 1, dont le fonctionnement est commandé par trois vérins 2, 3 et , et un bouchon 5 d'obturation du goulot 6 du récipient 7 à remplir par le produit liquide, tel que du vin. Les éléments 5, 6 et 7 sont représentés en traits mixtes avant leur assemblage sur la tête 1, et en traits pleins après cet assemblage, le bouchon 5 présente,- à sa partie supérieure, une gorge extérieure périphérique 8.- Figure 5 shows a simplified variant which includes a valve for opening and closing the product supply channel whose axis is orthogonal to that of the tubular orifice for leaving the filling head. Referring to FIG. I, this sterile filling device closely associates a filling head 1, the operation of which is controlled by three jacks 2, 3 and, and a plug 5 for closing the neck 6 of the container 7 to be filled by liquid product, such as wine. The elements 5, 6 and 7 are shown in dashed lines before their assembly on the head 1, and in solid lines after this assembly, the plug 5 has, - at its upper part, a peripheral external groove 8.
Le corps 9 de la tête 1 possède, à sa partie inférieure, un orifice 3 tubulaire de sortie 10, axial et vertical, qui est muni d'un anneau d'étan- chéité contre lequel vient se presser la partie supérieure du goulot 6. En amont de l'orifice 10, qui est lui-même stérilisable au moyen d'une circu¬ lation de fluide stérilisant (canaux d'amenée et de départ 12 et 13), le corps 9 définit une chambre 14, qui est elle aussi stérilisable par circulation de fluide stérilisant (canaux d'amenée et de départ 15 et 16). Dans cette chambre 1 coulisse une vanne 17, qui dans cet exemple est coaxiale à l'orifice tubulaire 10 et qui est mue par le vérin 2. Cette vanne sert d'organe d'obturation pour le canal latéral IS d'amenée du produit stérile de remplissage. En position de fermeture de la vanne 17, un evidement annulaire de celle-ci définit, avec un evidement annulaire correspondant du corps 9, une chambre annulaire 4 d'étanchéité et de stérilisation.The body 9 of the head 1 has, at its lower part, an orifice 3 outlet tube 10, axial and vertical, which is provided with a sealing ring against which the upper part of the neck 6 is pressed. Upstream of the orifice 10, which is itself sterilizable by means of a circulation of sterilizing fluid (inlet and outlet channels 12 and 13), the body 9 defines a chamber 14, which is also sterilizable by circulation of sterilizing fluid (inlet and outlet channels 15 and 16). In this chamber 1 slides a valve 17, which in this example is coaxial with the tubular orifice 10 and which is moved by the jack 2. This valve serves as a shutter member for the lateral channel IS for supplying the sterile product filling. In the closed position of the valve 17, an annular recess of the latter defines, with a corresponding annular recess of the body 9, an annular sealing and sterilization chamber 4.
La vanne 17 est creuse, et elle contient deux autres vérins 3 et 34, coaxiaux et alignés : - un premier vérin 3 qui manoeuvre un piston 19, qui est intérieur au piston 20 qui est l'organe de fermeture équipant la vanne axiale 17, et dont la course lui permet de descendre plus bas que le piston extérieur 20, de façon à s'engager -dans l'orifice tubulaire de sortie 10, son extrémité libre étant munie d'un bossage annulaire 22 qui est complémentaire de la gorge 8 du bouchon 5, de manière à réaliser un accouplement par enclipsage ; - un second vérin 4, dont on distingue les conduites de fluide 43 et 24, et qui manoeuvre un piston 23 apte à coulisser très étroitement dans la partie inférieure creuse 21 du piston 19, ainsi qu'à l'intérieur du bouchon 5, qui a une forme de coupelle comme représenté. L'étanchéité des pièces en mouvement est classiquement assurée par des anneaux d'étanchéité 25 à 34, tandis qu'une gorge annulaire 35 permet d'appliquer une barrière de vapeur autour du piston 20 de la vanne 7. Le fonctionnement de ce dispositif sera maintenant explicité à l'aide des figures 1 à 4. Sur la figure 1, le produit stérile de remplissage est en pression dans le canal d'amenée 18, la vanne 17 est fermée de manière étanche par le vérin 2, le piston 19 est en position basse sous l'action du vérin 3, et le piston 23 est en position haute par le vérin 4.The valve 17 is hollow, and it contains two other cylinders 3 and 34, coaxial and aligned: - a first cylinder 3 which operates a piston 19, which is inside the piston 20 which is the closing member equipping the axial valve 17, and whose stroke allows it to descend lower than the outer piston 20, so as to engage -in the tubular outlet orifice 10, its free end being provided with an annular boss 22 which is complementary to the groove 8 plug 5, so as to make a coupling by clipping; - A second cylinder 4, which distinguishes the fluid lines 43 and 24, and which operates a piston 23 adapted to slide very closely in the hollow lower part 21 of the piston 19, as well as inside the plug 5, which has a cup shape as shown. Sealing of moving parts is conventionally ensured by sealing rings 25 to 34, while an annular groove 35 makes it possible to apply a vapor barrier around the piston 20 of the valve 7. The operation of this device will be now explained with the aid of FIGS. 1 to 4. In FIG. 1, the sterile filling product is under pressure in the supply channel 18, the valve 17 is closed in leaktight manner by the jack 2, the piston 19 is in the low position under the action of the jack 3, and the piston 23 is in the high position by the jack 4.
Le circuit 15, 19, 16 assure l'étanchéité stérile au moyen d'un fluide stérilisant, par exemple du peroxyde d'hydrogène ou de la vapeur.The circuit 15, 19, 16 ensures sterile sealing by means of a sterilizing fluid, for example hydrogen peroxide or steam.
A ce stade, l'ensemble constitué par le récipient 7, son goulot 6 et son bouchon 5 est à distance de la tête de remplissage 1 (position figurée en traits mixtes).At this stage, the assembly constituted by the container 7, its neck 6 and its stopper 5 is at a distance from the filling head 1 (position shown in mixed lines).
La phase suivante consiste à soulever cet ensemble 7, 6, 5 jusqu'à venir enficher la partie supérieure (comportant la gorge d'enclipsage 8) du bouchon 5 dans l'extrémité libre 21 du piston 19 : la solidarisation est réalisée par enclipsage, par coopération de la gorge 8 et du bourrelet annulaire 22. Dans cette position, le goulot 6 est pressé contre l'anneau d'étanchéité 11, ce qui assure l'étanchéité dudit goulot.The next phase consists in lifting this assembly 7, 6, 5 until it comes to plug the upper part (comprising the clipping groove 8) of the plug 5 into the free end 21 of the piston 19: the connection is made by clipping, by cooperation of the groove 8 and the annular bead 22. In this position, the neck 6 is pressed against the sealing ring 11, which ensures the sealing of said neck.
L'orifice tubulaire de sortie est alors totalement clos, ce qui permet d'y faire circuler, au moyen des conduites 12 et 13, un fluide stérilisant, ce qui a pour avantage d'éliminer les zones où un polluant pourrait stagner. II est dans tout ceci bien entendu que les contenants ont été eux-mêmes stérilisés auparavant.The tubular outlet orifice is then completely closed, which makes it possible to circulate therein, by means of lines 12 and 13, a sterilizing fluid, which has the advantage of eliminating the areas where a pollutant could stagnate. It is in all this of course that the containers have themselves been sterilized before.
Dans de nombreux cas, l'enclipsage de 22 dans 8 n'est pas suffisant pour exercer une force d'agrippage suffisante pour permettre l'extraction du bouchon 5 par soulèvement du piston 19. Dans l'exemple de réalisation présent, on réalise ensuite, comme schématisé figure 2, un verrouillage de 19 sur 5. Dans ce but, le vérin 4 est alimenté pour faire descendre le piston 29, ce qui a pour effet de pincer fortement la partie supérieure du bouchon entre ce piston 29 et la partie inférieure du piston 21. Pendant cette manoeuvre, les conduites 12, 13 et 15, 16 sont toujours alimentées en fluide stérilisant.In many cases, the clipping of 22 into 8 is not sufficient to exert a sufficient gripping force to allow the extraction of the plug 5 by lifting the piston 19. In the present embodiment, it is then carried out , as shown schematically in Figure 2, a lock of 19 out of 5. For this purpose, the actuator 4 is supplied to lower the piston 29, which has the effect of strongly pinching the upper part of the plug between this piston 29 and the lower part of the piston 21. During this maneuver, the lines 12, 13 and 15, 16 are always supplied with sterilizing fluid.
L'étape suivante est l'étape de soulèvement du bouchon 5, et donc d'ouverture du récipient 7, cette étape étant représentée sur la figure 3.The next step is the step of lifting the plug 5, and therefore of opening the container 7, this step being shown in FIG. 3.
Pour ce faire, le vérin 3 est alimenté pour soulever son piston 19. Aupa- ravant, la circulation de fluide stérilisant de 12 vers 13 a bien entendu été arrêtée, ppour ne pas introduire ce fluide dans le récipient 7. La vanne 17 est bien entendu toujours fermée.To do this, the actuator 3 is supplied to lift its piston 19. Previously, the circulation of sterilizing fluid from 12 to 13 has of course been stopped, so as not to introduce this fluid into the container 7. The valve 17 is indeed always heard closed.
L'étape suivante, schématisée figure 4 est l'étape d'ouverture de la vanne 17, et donc de remplissage du récipient par le produit stérile alimenté par la conduite latérale 18. Pour ce faire, la circulation de fluide stérilisant de 15 vers 16 est elle aussi arrêtée, puis le vérin 2 est alimenté de façon à relever le piston 20, qui entraîne alors avec lui le bouchon _5. Le produit s'écoule alors de 18 vers 6, et remplit alors le récipient 7. Le bouchon 5 réalise l'étanchéité du piston 20, de sorte que le produit ne peut pas remonter dans le mécanisme de préhension. Le produit stérile s'écoule donc vers l'intérieur du conteneur stérile 7 sans risque de pollution. Lorsque le remplissage est terminé, la fermeture de la tête et la repose du bouchon 5 dans le goulot 6 s'efxectue bxen entendu par les opérations inverses de celles qui viennent, d'être décrites Le récipient 7 peut alors être évacué et remplacé par un autre récipient stérile à remplir. Dans l'exemple qui vient d'être décrit, la vanne 17 est coaxiale au dispositif 19 de préhension et soulèvement du bouchon. La figure 5 montre une variante de réalisation., simplifiée de surcroît, dans laquelle la vanne 17 est d'axe orthogonal à celui du dispositif 19. Par ailleurs, dans cette réalisation simplifiée, le verrouillage est assuré par la coopération d'un bourrelet centripète 36 porté par la partie supérieure du bouchon 5, et d'une profonde gorge 37 située à la partie inférieure de la pièce 19.The next step, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4, is the step of opening the valve 17, and therefore of filling the container with the sterile product supplied by the lateral line 18. To do this, the circulation of sterilizing fluid from 15 to 16 is also stopped, then the cylinder 2 is supplied so as to raise the piston 20, which then carries with it the plug _5. The product then flows from 18 to 6, and then fills the container 7. The stopper 5 seals the piston 20, so that the product cannot go back up in the gripping mechanism. The sterile product therefore flows towards the inside of the sterile container 7 without risk of pollution. When filling is complete, closing the head and rests the plug 5 in the neck 6 is effected bxen understood by the reverse operations to those which have just been described The container 7 can then be removed and replaced by another sterile container to be filled. In the example which has just been described, the valve 17 is coaxial with the device 19 for gripping and lifting the plug. FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment, further simplified, in which the valve 17 is of axis orthogonal to that of the device 19. Furthermore, in this simplified embodiment, the locking is ensured by the cooperation of a centripetal bead 36 carried by the upper part of the plug 5, and a deep groove 37 located at the lower part of the part 19.
Par ailleurs, dans cette variante simplifiée, la stérilisation est assurée simplement par des jets de vapeur amenés par des conduites 40 et 41. Sur la figure 5, les éléments ayant le même rôle que dans l'exemple précédent ont été désignés par les mêmes chiffres de référence. Il a été nécessaire cependant d'ajouter une barrière de vapeur 38 et une bague d'étanchéité 39.Furthermore, in this simplified variant, sterilization is ensured simply by jets of steam supplied by pipes 40 and 41. In FIG. 5, the elements having the same role as in the previous example have been designated by the same numbers reference. However, it was necessary to add a vapor barrier 38 and a sealing ring 39.
L'invention n'est bien entendu pas limitée à ces exemples de réalisation, et est susceptible d'être réalisée selon bien d'autres formes d'exécution. En particulier, le piston 19 peut manipuler un organe d'ouverture d'un robinet, équipant le récipient, au lieu de manipuler un bouchon. Dans ce ca , les dispositifs de préhension sont simplement adaptés à ce robinet, par exemple, ils sont aptes à effectuer un quart de tour nécessaire à l'ouverture, par exemple à l'aide d'un dispositif simple de transformation du mouvement de translation verticale en un mouvement de rotation. Le mécanisme de préhension peut être logé dans la zone stérile de la tête de remplxssage, et non pas dans le piston, etc... The invention is of course not limited to these exemplary embodiments, and is capable of being produced according to many other embodiments. In particular, the piston 19 can handle a valve opening member, fitted to the container, instead of handling a plug. In this case, the gripping devices are simply adapted to this tap, for example, they are able to perform a quarter turn necessary for opening, for example using a simple device for transforming the translational movement. vertical in a rotational movement. The gripping mechanism can be housed in the sterile area of the filling head, and not in the plunger, etc.

Claims

- REVENDICATIONS - - CLAIMS -
1 - Dispositif de remplissage stérile d'un récipient (7) par un produit stérile, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend, en combinaison :1 - Device for sterile filling of a container (7) with a sterile product, characterized in that it comprises, in combination:
- d'une part une tête de remplissage (1) comprenant : - un orifice tubulaire de sortie (10) adaptable de façon étanche au goulot (6) du récipient (7) à remplir,- on the one hand, a filling head (1) comprising: - a tubular outlet orifice (10) adaptable in leaktight manner to the neck (6) of the container (7) to be filled,
- une chambre stérilisable (14) en amont de l'orifice de sortie précité (10),- a sterilizable chamber (14) upstream of the aforementioned outlet orifice (10),
- un canal stérilisable (18) d'amenée du produit stérile de remplissage,- a sterilizable channel (18) for supplying the sterile filling product,
- un cylindre coaxial à l'orifice de sortie (10) et à la chambre (14) précités et logeant un piston (19) dont la course lui permet de s'engager dans cet orifice de sortie, et dont l'extrémité librer (21) est pourvue de moyens (22) lui permettant de s'assembler au dispositif d'ob- turation (5) (tel que bouchon ou robinet) engagé dans le goulot (6) du récipient, des moyens de verrouillage (23) de cet assemblage étant associés à cette extrémité libre (21),- a cylinder coaxial with the outlet orifice (10) and with the aforementioned chamber (14) and housing a piston (19) whose stroke allows it to engage in this outlet orifice, and whose end release ( 21) is provided with means (22) enabling it to be assembled with the closure device (5) (such as a stopper or a tap) engaged in the neck (6) of the container, locking means (23) for this assembly being associated with this free end (21),
- des moyens (17) de fermeture et d'ouverture du canal d 'amenée du produit de remplissage, - et d'autre part, un dispositif d'obturation (5) (tel que bouchon ou organe d'ouverture de robinet) du goulot (6) du récipient à remplir, ce dispositif d'obturation étant pourvu de moyens complémentaires (8) d'assemblage à l'extrémité libre (21) du piston précité (19) lui permettant d'être entraîné par' ce piston (19) lors de son retrait en provoquant alors l'ouverture du récipient (7),- means (17) for closing and opening the channel for supplying the filling product, - and on the other hand, a closure device (5) (such as a stopper or a valve opening member) of the neck (6) of the container to be filled, this closure device being provided with complementary means (8) for assembly at the free end (21) of the abovementioned piston (19) allowing it to be driven by this piston ( 19) during its removal, thereby causing the opening of the container (7),
- des moyens, tels que canaux annulaires (49) et axiaux (41), étant par ailleurs prévus pour distribuer, dans toutes les parties de la chambre stérilisable (14), du canal d'amenée du produit (18), et du canal de sortie (6) de la tête, les fluides désirés de stérilisation. 2 - Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de verrouillage sont constitués par un deuxième piston (23) coaxial au premier piston (19.- Means, such as annular (49) and axial channels (41), being furthermore provided for distributing, in all the parts of the sterilizable chamber (14), the product supply channel (18), and the channel outlet (6) from the head, the desired sterilization fluids. 2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means consist of a second piston (23) coaxial with the first piston (19.
3- Dispositif selon la revendicuation 1 ou la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le moyen de fermeture (17) du canal d'amenée du produit (18) est coaxial au piston (19) de préhension du dispositif d'obtu- ration(5).3- Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the closure means (17) of the product supply channel (18) is coaxial with the piston (19) for gripping the closure device ( 5).
4 - Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que l'organe d'obturation 5 et l'organe de préhension (21) sont équipés d'organes complémentaires (8, 22 ou 36, 37) aptes à réaliser leur accou¬ plement. 4 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shutter member 5 and the gripping member (21) are equipped with complementary members (8, 22 or 36, 37) capable of achieving their coupling.
PCT/FR1988/000389 1987-08-04 1988-07-28 Device for filling in a controlled atmosphere WO1989000952A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE8888907018T DE3866704D1 (en) 1987-08-04 1988-07-28 DEVICE FOR FILLING IN CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8711236A FR2619078B1 (en) 1987-08-04 1987-08-04 FILLING DEVICE IN A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE
FR87/11236 1987-08-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1989000952A1 true WO1989000952A1 (en) 1989-02-09

Family

ID=9353987

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FR1988/000389 WO1989000952A1 (en) 1987-08-04 1988-07-28 Device for filling in a controlled atmosphere

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0380500B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2135488A (en)
DE (1) DE3866704D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2619078B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1989000952A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0395933A1 (en) * 1989-05-02 1990-11-07 Clintec Nutrition Company Method and apparatus for sterilising and cleaning an aseptic filling system
EP0685398A1 (en) * 1994-05-31 1995-12-06 Spartanburg Steel Products, Inc. Method and apparatus for aseptically filling containers
EP1067052A1 (en) * 1999-07-09 2001-01-10 David S. Smith Packaging Limited Apparatus and method for sterile filling
US6925780B1 (en) 1998-06-29 2005-08-09 Visy Films & Laminates Pty Limited Plug and gland aseptic package system
EP1843949A4 (en) * 2005-02-03 2009-07-22 Liqui Box Canada Inc An integrated fitment for aseptic packaging

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU749742B2 (en) * 1998-06-29 2002-07-04 Rapak Asia Pacific Limited Plug and gland aseptic package system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0072699A1 (en) * 1981-08-18 1983-02-23 Wrightcel Ltd. Method and system for aseptically filling a container with fluid
US4446674A (en) * 1980-02-05 1984-05-08 Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha Contamination-free apparatus for filling spouted bags with a fluid

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4446674A (en) * 1980-02-05 1984-05-08 Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha Contamination-free apparatus for filling spouted bags with a fluid
EP0072699A1 (en) * 1981-08-18 1983-02-23 Wrightcel Ltd. Method and system for aseptically filling a container with fluid

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0395933A1 (en) * 1989-05-02 1990-11-07 Clintec Nutrition Company Method and apparatus for sterilising and cleaning an aseptic filling system
CH679768A5 (en) * 1989-05-02 1992-04-15 Nestle Sa
EP0685398A1 (en) * 1994-05-31 1995-12-06 Spartanburg Steel Products, Inc. Method and apparatus for aseptically filling containers
US6925780B1 (en) 1998-06-29 2005-08-09 Visy Films & Laminates Pty Limited Plug and gland aseptic package system
EP1067052A1 (en) * 1999-07-09 2001-01-10 David S. Smith Packaging Limited Apparatus and method for sterile filling
US6330780B1 (en) 1999-07-09 2001-12-18 David S. Smith Packaging Limited Apparatus and method for filling
EP1843949A4 (en) * 2005-02-03 2009-07-22 Liqui Box Canada Inc An integrated fitment for aseptic packaging
US7798379B2 (en) 2005-02-03 2010-09-21 Liqui-Box Corporation Integrated fitment for aseptic packaging
AU2006209845B2 (en) * 2005-02-03 2012-02-16 Liqui-Box Canada Inc. An integrated fitment for aseptic packaging

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2135488A (en) 1989-03-01
FR2619078A1 (en) 1989-02-10
DE3866704D1 (en) 1992-01-16
EP0380500B1 (en) 1991-12-04
FR2619078B1 (en) 1989-12-01
EP0380500A1 (en) 1990-08-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1574200B1 (en) Connector of the perforating type performing a sterile connection
CA1083097A (en) Piercing and sealing device for carbon dioxyode cartridges and the like
CA2832412C (en) Medical assembly comprising a medical article and a package containing said article
EP1943146B1 (en) Device for filling an aerosol container with liquid, filling installation adapted to receive such a device and aerosol cap and container equipped with such a filling device
EP1208782A1 (en) Percolation device
EP0065926B1 (en) Device for dispensing liquids from a container
FR2617941A1 (en) VALVE AND CONTAINER WITH VALVE
FR3004431A1 (en) FLUID OF PACKAGING OF LIQUID
EP0380500B1 (en) Device for filling in a controlled atmosphere
EP3000319B1 (en) Device for transferring a liquid from a container to a vessel in a sealed manner
EP2758332B1 (en) Method and spout for constant-level filling with a liquid
FR2619612A1 (en) Tap for drawing off liquids
EP0466564B1 (en) Dismountable vessel supporting an internal pressure
EP0522959A1 (en) Method and apparatus for transferring fluid from a closed container out of a sealed enclosure
EP4359313B1 (en) Liquid delivery device attachable to the neck of a bottle and method for piercing a container
FR2892093A1 (en) INSTALLATION FOR FILLING A CONTAINER, ESPECIALLY AEROSOL CONTAINER
WO2019207234A1 (en) Bottle for storing and dispensing a beverage
EP1945511B1 (en) Installation for filling a container, in particular an aerosol container
FR2931807A1 (en) Drinkable solution container i.e. cylindrical feeding bottle, for baby, has opening releasing units actuated to release product supplying opening for mixing product and liquid, and release solution discharging opening for consuming solution
WO2004111508A1 (en) Filler and drain valve and cleaning tools for a pressure-fluid cylinder
FR2637041A1 (en) Tamper-proof tap
FR2588531A1 (en) Air-removing stopper device for the preservation of liquids, in particular, in containers such as bottles
EP0110784A1 (en) Process and device for joining a branch connection
FR3032443A1 (en) DEVICE FOR DISPENSING AND PRESERVING LIQUID CONTAINED IN A BOTTLE CONTAINER WITH A ROTARY BODY
WO2025056844A1 (en) Filling device and method for filling an aerosol container, and assembly comprising such a filling device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU BR JP US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LU NL SE

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1988907018

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1988907018

Country of ref document: EP

WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 1988907018

Country of ref document: EP