U.S. patent application number 13/523285 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for aseptic packaging installation having aseptic buffer zones.
Invention is credited to Delphine GUEGUEN.
Application Number | 20120317924 13/523285 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46420082 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120317924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GUEGUEN; Delphine |
December 20, 2012 |
Aseptic packaging installation having aseptic buffer zones
Abstract
An aseptic packaging installation in individual containers,
comprising a stand on which there is mounted an enclosure (3) that
has a floor (4) with an overhead ceiling (6) and that receives at
least one rotatable platform (7) in a packaging zone (Z1) subjected
to a sterile laminar stream flowing vertically from the ceiling of
the packaging zone at a rate that is adapted to establish in the
packaging zone a first pressure (P1) that is greater than the
surrounding pressure, the installation being characterized in that
the enclosure is provided with laminar stream exhaust means for
removing the laminar stream from the packaging zone via a buffer
zone extending between the packaging zone and the floor.
Inventors: |
GUEGUEN; Delphine;
(Cherreau, FR) |
Family ID: |
46420082 |
Appl. No.: |
13/523285 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/167 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67C 7/0073 20130101;
B65B 55/027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/167 |
International
Class: |
B65B 55/02 20060101
B65B055/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 15, 2011 |
FR |
1155232 |
Claims
1. An aseptic packaging installation in individual containers,
comprising a stand on which there is mounted an enclosure (3) that
has a floor (4) with an overhead ceiling (6) and that receives at
least one rotatable platform (7) in a packaging zone (Z1) subjected
to a sterile laminar stream flowing vertically from the ceiling of
the packaging zone at a rate that is adapted to establish in the
packaging zone a first pressure (P1) that is greater than the
surrounding pressure, the installation being characterized in that
the enclosure is provided with laminar stream exhaust means for
removing the laminar stream from the packaging zone via a buffer
zone extending between the packaging zone and the floor.
2. A packaging installation according to claim 1, including
dispersion means for dispersing at least one cleaning substance and
recovery means for recovering said substance, at least a portion of
the dispersion means and the recovery means extending into the
buffer zone (Z2).
3. A packaging installation according to claim 2, wherein the
dispersion means comprise washing substance dispersion nozzles (15)
that open out into the packaging zone (Z1) and into the buffer zone
(Z2).
4. A packaging installation according to claim 2, wherein the
dispersion means comprise decontamination substance dispersion
nozzles (16) that open out into the packaging zone (Z1) and into
the buffer zone (Z2).
5. A packaging installation according to claim 1, wherein the
recovery means (17) comprise at least one substance collection tray
extending into the buffer zone (Z2).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] It is known that in order to ensure long-term preservation
of foodstuffs without subjecting them to particular refrigeration
conditions, it is necessary for the foodstuffs to be packaged in
aseptic manner, i.e. without germs being introduced into the
container during the various stages of packaging. So as to ensure
packaging is aseptic, it is known in particular that it is
necessary to subject the line of machines performing packaging to a
sterile environment that is generally obtained by causing a laminar
filtered stream of air to flow vertically over the line of
machines.
[0002] To this end, existing aseptic packaging installations, as
described in particular in document FR-A-2 800 710, comprise a
cabin forming around the line of machines a packaging zone
presenting a high degree of asepsis, at least one side of the
packaging zone being beside an operator zone that is maintained at
a lower degree of asepsis than the packaging zone proper by
providing a stream of air flowing from the packaging zone towards
the operator zone through openings in a partition common to the
packaging zone and to the operator zone. In addition, document EP 1
251 085 describes chambers forming a packaging zone at a pressure
that is higher than atmospheric pressure, surrounded by an
enclosure at atmospheric pressure forming an operator zone.
[0003] Aseptic packaging installations are particularly well
adapted to filling containers in the form of tubs thermoformed in a
strip of thermoplastic material since driving the strip of tubs in
the installation does not require any movable parts in the
enclosure.
[0004] In contrast, installations having carousels and/or rotating
platforms, dedicated to filling bottles and other containers of
that type, present various constraints, in particular relating to
movement of the containers due to the fact that the containers are
individual and independent from one another. In such an
installation, the containers are filled and closed while they are
received on rotary platforms driving said containers along circular
trajectories. A rotary platform is generally constrained to rotate
with a column mounted so as to pivot on a stand of the installation
and that has a bottom end linked in rotation with a rotary drive
element such as a gear train. In order to implement packaging
aseptically, it is currently necessary to dispose all of the
platforms inside an enclosure, the column of each platform passing
through a table that separates said platform from its rotary drive
elements by constituting a portion of the floor of said enclosure.
It is necessary to provide dynamic sealing elements between the
table and the column. Implementing said dynamic sealing is made
difficult by being positioned inside the aseptic zone. That
complicates production, upkeep, and maintenance of the
installation.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the invention is to provide an aseptic
packaging installation that minimizes the risk of pollution inside
the packaging zone, while being simpler to make and maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] To this end the invention provides an aseptic packaging
installation in individual containers, comprising a stand on which
there is mounted an enclosure that has a floor with an overhead
ceiling and that receives at least one rotatable platform in a
packaging zone subjected to a sterile laminar stream flowing
vertically from the ceiling of the packaging zone at a rate that is
adapted to establish in the packaging zone a first pressure that is
greater than the surrounding pressure, the installation being
characterized in that the enclosure is provided with laminar stream
exhaust means for removing the laminar stream from the packaging
zone via a buffer zone extending between the packaging zone and the
floor.
[0007] Thus, two zones are defined inside the enclosure, namely: a
packaging zone in which the containers are treated (the treatment
may for example be filling and/or closing the containers), and a
buffer zone in which the aseptic constraints are less severe than
those relating to the packaging zone so that the presence of
dynamic sealing elements in the buffer zone is less problematic. In
addition, it has been observed that the efficiency of the sterile
laminar stream for maintaining aseptic conditions is best when it
exits in uniform manner, with a minimum of disturbance.
[0008] Advantageously, the installation includes dispersion means
for dispersing at least one cleaning substance and recovery means
for recovering said substance, at least a portion of the dispersion
means and the recovery means extending into the buffer zone.
[0009] This makes it possible to limit as much as possible the
presence in the packaging zone of elements having outside surfaces
that can collect germs and that must be cleaned.
[0010] Preferably, the dispersion means comprise washing substance
dispersing nozzles that open out into the packaging zone and into
the buffer zone and/or the dispersion means comprise
decontamination substance dispersing nozzles that open out into the
packaging zone and into the buffer zone.
[0011] In a particular embodiment, the recovery means comprise at
least one substance collection tray extending into the buffer
zone.
[0012] The tray thus recovers waste water from the enclosure while
being outside of the packaging zone, and that facilitates the
design of the installation and maintenance operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear
on reading the following description of a particular, non-limiting
embodiment of the invention.
[0014] The description is made with reference to the accompanying
sole figure showing in section an installation of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] With reference to the figure, the aseptic packaging
installation shown is designed for packaging a substance in
containers (not shown). The installation includes a stand 1
carrying a line of machines 2 (only one of which is shown in the
figure), such as filler machines, cap heat-sealing machines, and
stopper insertion machines, and an enclosure 3 surrounding the
machines and comprising a floor 4, walls 5, and a ceiling 6.
[0016] Each machine 2 includes a platform 7, provided with
container treatment means, which is constrained to rotate with a
column 8 mounted to rotate on the stand 1. A stationary table 11
extends under the platform 7 in a position that is spaced apart
therefrom and that has the column 8 passing therethrough. Under the
table 11, the column 8 has a portion 9 for connection to rotary
drive means 10.
[0017] The platform 7 of each machine 2 extends into a packaging
zone Z1 that is defined inside the enclosure 3 and that is
subjected to a sterile laminar stream (represented by the arrows in
the figure) flowing vertically from the ceiling 6 at a rate that is
adapted to establish a first pressure P1 in the packaging zone Z1,
which first pressure P1 is greater than the pressure P surrounding
the installation. The laminar stream is produced by a fan (not
shown) that is provided with filters.
[0018] The enclosure 3 is provided with means for exhausting the
sterile laminar stream, which means are arranged in such a manner
as to form, under the packaging zone Z1, which buffer zone Z2 sucks
in the laminar stream in which the flow is unidirectional,
vertical, and downwards. In the buffer zone Z2 there exists a
second pressure P2 that is lower than the first pressure P1 but
higher than the surrounding pressure P. The exhaust means are
arranged to ensure that the laminar stream exits the packaging zone
Z1 without being disturbed. In this embodiment, the packaging zone
Z1 and the buffer zone Z2 are physically separated by a perforated
partition, specifically, a grid 12.
[0019] So as to enable the packaging zone Z1 to be pressurized
while at the same time promoting vertical flow of the sterile air
stream throughout the packaging zone Z1, the walls 5 include bottom
edges in the buffer zone Z2 defining exhaust openings 13 above the
floor 4. The exhaust openings 13 form the exhaust means. The first
pressure P1 and the second pressure P2 are the result of an
equilibrium between the feed rate via the ceiling and the leakage
rate via the exhaust openings 13 and possibly other openings (e.g.
entry or exit for the containers) in the side walls of the
enclosure.
[0020] In order to promote undisturbed outward flow of the laminar
stream from the packaging zone, the exhaust openings 13 are at a
distance that is as far away as possible from the mesh 12.
Similarly, the mesh 12 presents a perforation area that is as large
as possible so as to ensure the stream continues to flow in laminar
manner.
[0021] In this embodiment, the exhaust openings 13 are provided
with respective flaps 18 making it possible to close the exhaust
openings 13 in leaktight manner during cleaning and decontamination
operations.
[0022] The table 11 of each machine forms at least a portion of the
floor 4 of the enclosure 3 that includes openings for receiving the
tables.
[0023] The installation further includes nozzles 15 for dispersing
a washing substance that open out into the packaging zone Z1 and
into the buffer zone Z2, and dispersing decontamination substances
nozzles 16 that open out into the packaging zone Z1 and into the
buffer zone Z2.
[0024] The feed-lines connecting the nozzles 15, 16 to the tanks
containing the cleaning substance extend mainly in the buffer zone
Z2. Thus, most of the elements disposed in the packaging zone Z1
are used for packaging, thereby making it possible to reduce the
risk of pollution in the packaging zone Z1, by facilitating washing
and decontamination thereof.
[0025] The installation also includes a recovery device 17 having a
suction orifice opening out just above the floor 4 to remove the
washing and decontamination substances. The installation further
includes at least a tray for collecting substances, which tray
extends into the buffer zone Z2 in order to convey the substances
to the suction orifice of the extraction device 17. The floor 4
and/or the table 11 may also be of a shape adapted to promoting the
flow of liquid towards the recovery device.
[0026] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments
described and variants may be applied thereto without going beyond
the ambit of the invention, as defined by the claims.
[0027] In particular, although the invention is described in an
installation in which the various zones are subjected to two
different pressures, an installation could be made with zones
subjected to a greater number of different pressures and that are
arranged relative to one another in such a manner as to promote the
movement of air from the zones that need to be subjected to a
highest degree of asepsis towards zones that are suitable for being
subjected to a lesser degree of asepsis.
[0028] In practice, it should be noted that a small difference in
pressure, of the order of approximately ten Pascals, is preferable
so as to minimize air movements while opening a partition between
two adjacent zones. Depending on circumstances, the difference in
pressure between the two zones may be small or even marginal and
simply be a result of head-losses in the laminar flow. The two
zones may be defined by a physical boundary, as in the embodiment
described, or they may extend contiguously without separation.
[0029] In addition, the exhaust openings may be replaced by
extractors, so that turning the extractors off stops the flow of
the laminar stream.
[0030] On at least one side of the enclosure, it is possible to
provide a human intervention zone that is subjected to a vertical
stream of sterile air.
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