EP2261169A1 - Method and device for disinfecting drink packages when filling with product and device for applying and/or spraying disinfectant onto drink packages - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves encasing areas (14a-14c) around an opening (10) of a drinking container with a disinfection mist (13) that is produced by nozzles (12). Disinfection fluid e.g. sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide or ozone water, is applied to the opening, where the encasing of the areas and the application of the fluid are executed when the drinking container is arranged in a filler of a filling line of a bottling plant and filled with product. A closure of the drinking container is irradiated with UV light. An independent claim is also included for a device for disinfection of a drinking container.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for disinfecting at least one beverage package when filled with product, a device for applying and / or spraying disinfectant and / or disinfectant mist on a beverage package and a bottling plant with means for producing sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water.

After the European patent EP 0 408 851 B1 It is known to sterilize the surrounding area of the outlet of filling valves of a rotating beverage filler with sterilizing liquid with rotating filler, switched-off container feed and closed filling valves, ie while stopped filling of containers with product.

Previously customary chemicals are unsuitable for continuous disinfection during the bottling process, as they might alter the taste and / or texture of the product, for example, and therefore should not come in direct contact with the product. However, according to required quality standards, disinfection should take place at predetermined intervals, which, however, requires an interruption of production.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for disinfecting at least one beverage package in a filler of a filling line during filling with product, so that a permanent, safe and cost-effective disinfection of the open space around the beverage package and of areas around the filling opening of the beverage packaging can be guaranteed and made possible.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide an advantageous device for applying and / or spraying disinfectant liquid and / or disinfectant mist on the inside and / or outside of the beverage packaging prior to filling with product, wherein a removal of disinfecting liquid and / or disinfecting mist did not occur before filling with the product.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process using sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water in a bottling plant and providing a bottling plant comprising means for producing sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water and produces sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water.

These objects are achieved by a method according to claim 1, a device according to claim 10 or 13 and a filling line according to claim 14.

Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The inventive method for disinfecting at least one beverage package with a filling opening, such as PET or glass bottle, beverage carton, can or foil bag, comprises the step of enveloping a region around the filling opening of the beverage package (ie, for example, an air volume around the filling opening of the beverage package and / or an area on the beverage packaging surface) with disinfecting mist and / or the step of applying disinfecting liquid to the filling opening of the beverage package, wherein the wrapping and / or application is performed while the beverage package is in the filler of the filling plant and is filled with the product. As the beverage packaging in the present invention can also be disinfected with product during filling, there is the advantage over the prior art, for example, that the filler is not contained within an enclosure with an outwardly closed and sterile air filtered clean room or Clean room area must be located. Housing in a clean room or a clean room area is in the prior art to maintain a germ-free environment to be filled beverage packaging necessary because during the filling process no disinfection takes place and thus it in an environment contaminated with germs to contamination with product and / or harmful Substances could come.

However, the space enclosed by the filler can be so delimited in itself that a slight overpressure of, for example, 1 mbar, 2 mbar, 3 mbar or more can be built up in the space. This overpressure can contribute to the fact that no product and / or harmful substances from outside can penetrate into the space covered by the filler. In addition, it is possible the air that is inside the room and / or which is supplied to the room to be disinfected. Also, this air can be filtered and / or be.

According to the invention, the area of the beverage packaging which is directly in contact (eg the filling opening) with the product during filling and / or which is in the vicinity (1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm or more) of the product is disinfected (both during filling as well as after filling, ie when the product is in the open beverage package).

By applying the disinfecting liquid to the filling opening, the filling opening is wetted with the disinfecting liquid and / or rinsed and thus disinfected. Although the disinfecting liquid also comes into contact with the air surrounding the filling opening, when enveloping the area around the filling opening with disinfecting mist, the surrounding air is also efficiently disinfected. The wrapping may in this case take place in an area (volume area) which may be located, for example, between a means (for example a nozzle) which can produce and / or spread the disinfecting mist and the filling opening.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a transfer device upstream of the filler, preferably at least one transfer star, is covered with disinfecting liquid and / or sheathed with disinfectant mist. By the rinsing and / or enveloping the transfer device with disinfectant liquid or disinfection mist the transport path of the beverage packaging within the transfer device from contamination with product and / or harmful substances, such as bacteria, mold and / or yeasts are protected.

The term "upstream" has here and below the meaning that the upstream transfer device is located in front of the filler, that is, for example, that a beverage package passing through the filling line passes first through the transfer device and then through the filler.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one filling valve in the filler and / or the surrounding space is disinfected by applying disinfecting liquid and / or enveloping with disinfecting mist. During filling of the beverage packaging with product, disinfection of the filling valve also takes place by the application of disinfecting liquid to the filling opening and / or by the wrapping an area around the filling opening of the beverage package, since the filling valve and the filling opening are in the immediate vicinity or in direct contact during the filling process.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a filler downstream of the filler transfer device can be covered with disinfecting liquid and / or wrapped with disinfecting mist. Through this rinsing and / or wrapping the transfer device can be ensured that a product-filled, but still open beverage packaging and the product is not contaminated in the beverage packaging on the way to the capper within the transfer device.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one closure, such as screw cap, crown cork, tear-open closure and / or aluminum roll-on closure, is covered with disinfectant mist, disinfectant liquid is applied to it and / or irradiated with ultraviolet light (UV light), for example, with a wavelength in the range of 100nm to 280nm (UVC light). To prevent contamination of the filled beverage package even during and after closure by the closure, a disinfected closure may be used. Since the closure is not a foodstuff, irradiation with UV light is also possible and permitted for disinfection.

Also, portions of the beverage package or the entire beverage package may be exposed to UV light when unfilled, i.e., when there is no product in it.

Critical areas of the filler, such as areas that are not allowed to get wet and / or damp and / or areas that are insufficient or not accessible with disinfectant and / or disinfectant mist, may also be exposed to UV light for disinfection.

The at least one closure can be supplied to the capper in a disinfecting mist, whereby contamination of the closures can be avoided. It may also be provided to apply disinfectant to the closure on the way to the capper and / or to irradiate it with UV light. The at least one closure can the capper, for example, a Reservoir, such as a bunker supplied. In the reservoir, the closure can be stored, it can be provided that the bunker with ionized air (O ₂ , O ₃ ) can be filled and / or rinsed.

In the capper, a disinfection of the closure and / or the filled, still open beverage packaging by means of disinfecting mist and / or disinfecting liquid take place. Inside the capper, the beverage containers filled with product can be closed with the disinfected caps. For example, the area in which the disinfected closures and the filled beverage packages are provided may be wrapped with disinfectant mist and / or disinfectant liquid may be applied to the closures and / or beverage packages.

The disinfecting liquid and / or the disinfecting mist can meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance (Drinking Water Ordinance of 21.05.2001, which represents an implementation of Council Directive 98/83 / EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption dated 03.11.1998) and / or EU Biocide Regulation (No 2032/2003 of 14.12.2003). Thus, it is possible for the disinfecting liquid and / or the disinfecting mist also during production, i. during the filling of beverage containers with a product, since disinfectant liquid and / or disinfectant mist may also come into direct contact with the product. Advantageously, disinfecting liquid and / or disinfecting mist have no negative effects on human health and on materials (for example no corrosion of stainless steel and no wear of rubber seals) and do not lead to contamination of the waste water, i. the wastewater does not have to be disposed of separately.

The method steps a) of enveloping a region around a filling opening with disinfecting mist and / or applying disinfecting liquid to the filling opening before and / or after filling the at least one beverage package with product, b) rinsing a filler upstream of the filling device with disinfecting liquid and / c) rinsing a transfer device downstream of the filler with disinfecting liquid and / or enclosing with disinfecting mist, d) enclosing at least one closure with disinfectant mist, applying disinfecting liquid to the closure and / or exposing the closure to UV Light and e) feeding the closure to the capper in a disinfecting mist can each be carried out independently of each other. Each of these steps on its own constitutes an independent invention.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide individual devices (each of which is an independent invention) which provide means for independently performing the respective process steps.

Furthermore, it can be provided in the method that in a filler upstream rinser, before filling the beverage package with product, disinfectant liquid is applied to the inside and / or outside of the beverage package and / or that the inside and / or outside of the beverage packaging with disinfecting mist is enveloped, wherein the subsequent filling in the filler takes place without a prior removal, such as rinsing, rinsing, blowing and / or blowing off, the disinfecting liquid and / or the disinfecting mist. By using a corresponding disinfectant that does not alter, for example, the taste, texture, and ingredients of a product, rinsing, such as with fresh water, of the one or more beverage containers may eliminate the need for complete removal of the disinfectant.

As a means of rinsing and spraying sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water can be used in the bottling plant in all the applications described.

A device for disinfecting at least one beverage package with a filling opening, such as PET or glass bottle, beverage carton, can or foil bag, in a filler, may comprise means for enveloping a region around the filling opening of the beverage package with disinfecting mist and / or means for applying disinfecting liquid comprise the filling opening, wherein the means are arranged and formed so that the wrapping and / or the application can be carried out while the beverage package is in the filler.

As means for enveloping with disinfecting mist and / or as a means for applying disinfecting liquid nozzles can be used, with different drop sizes, for example, by the design of the nozzles, can be provided.

This device may further comprise means for applying disinfecting liquid to the filling opening and / or means for enveloping the area around the filling opening with disinfecting mist, followed by filling with product.

Furthermore, the device may comprise means for enveloping at least one closure with disinfecting mist and / or means for applying disinfecting liquid to the closure and / or means for irradiating the closure with ultraviolet light, for example with a wavelength in the range of 100nm to 280nm Disinfect the closure, for example, is applied to the product-filled beverage packaging.

A device for applying disinfectant liquid on the inside and / or outside of at least one beverage package and / or wrapping with disinfectant mist from the inside and / or outside of the beverage package before filling the beverage package with product includes a rinser with tracked filler. Between the rinser, and the filler then no means for removal, such as rinsing, rinsing, blowing and / or blowing off, disinfectant and / or disinfecting mist must be present because it is sprayed with disinfectant, the food is tolerated and therefore must not be washed out.

Another aspect of the invention provides for the creation of a bottling plant comprising means for producing sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water and producing chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water. Thus, an external production, for example by a company other than the operator of the bottling plant, and / or an external sourcing of sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water can be avoided.

As described, the beverage packages may be, for example, PET or glass bottles, cans, beverage cartons or foil bags.

In the case of PET or glass bottles, beverage cartons and / or foil bags, the closures may comprise screw closures, which may, for example, be resealable.

If a film bag does not have a separate closure, since the film bag can be opened, for example, by means of a drinking straw, then in the above-described A method of disinfecting closures and / or providing closures omitted, since a filling opening can be closed, for example, by the fact that the film material can be connected to each other via the filling opening by means of a pressing process.

In the methods and devices described above and in the following descriptions of the figures, disinfection is mentioned, which corresponds to a germ reduction preferably to log 5.

At a correspondingly higher concentration and / or a longer duration of action of the disinfecting mist and / or the disinfecting liquid sterilization can be achieved, which may correspond to a germ reduction by more than log 6.

• Figur 1: schematische Darstellung einer Fülllinie;
• Figur 2: schematische Darstellung von Bereichen zwischen Flaschenmündung und Flaschenhals;
• Figur 3: Desinfektion der Verschlüsse;
• Figur 4: Flussdiagramm zu einem Verfahren der Erfindung.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

• FIG. 1 : schematic representation of a filling line;
• FIG. 2 : schematic representation of areas between the mouth of the bottle and bottleneck;
• FIG. 3 : Disinfection of the closures;
• FIG. 4 : Flowchart of a method of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a filling line, comprising an inlet device 2, a rinser 3, a filler upstream transfer device 4, the filler 5, a filler downstream transfer device 6, a capper 7 and a discharge device 8. In the illustrated embodiment, so-called rotary machines are shown , but it can also be used linear machines. The inlet device may be an inlet star, the transfer devices may be transfer stars, and the outlet device may be an outlet star.

The feeding 1 of beverage packaging for receiving a product or for the filling with a product can take place by means of the inlet device 2. The beverage packages may be, for example, PET or glass bottles, cans, beverage cartons or foil bags. The following embodiment will be limited to the use of bottles (e.g., consisting of PET or glass).

When the empty bottles are transported to the filling line, for example by means of the inlet device 2, they may contain contaminants and / or substances which are detrimental to the product and / or health (for example on the inside and / or outside of the bottle (s)) storage and / or transport. In order to remove these contaminants and / or substances which are detrimental to the product and / or the health, the bottles can be rinsed out by means of the rinser 3, wherein preferably a bactericidal and / or fungicidal disinfectant is used. The rinser 3 may be equipped with one or more channels for the rinsing media, such as the disinfectant.

For example, sodium hypochlorite (Annolyte®), chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water can be used as disinfectants. Sodium hypochlorite can be obtained by electrolysis of a conventional saline solution with 0.45% NaCl content and can eliminate existing products and / or harmful substances (such as mold, bacteria, yeasts), reduce existing biofilms and prevent the formation of new biofilms. Sodium hypochlorite meets the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance (Drinking Water Ordinance of 21.05.2001, which represents an implementation of Council Directive 98/83 / EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption dated 03.11.1998) and / or the EU Biocidal Products Regulation ( No. 2032/2003 of 14.12.2003) and leads to no change in product quality, such as taste or consistency, so that this means also for disinfection during production, ie for example, during bottling of the product.

By means of the upstream transfer device 4, which can be covered with a disinfecting liquid 17 and / or sheathed with disinfecting mist 13, a transfer of the now disinfected bottles from the rinser 3 to the pen 5 can take place. By the rinsing and / or wrapping the upstream transfer device 4, a formation and / or carryover of products and / or harmful substances can be avoided.

In the filler 5, the bottles can be filled with product. Before filling, the bottles may be enveloped in a region 14a, 14b, 14c between the bottle mouth 10 (i.e., the filling opening) and the bottle neck 11 with disinfecting mist 13 and rinsed with disinfecting liquid 17.

By means of the downstream transfer device 6, which, for example, can also be covered with a disinfecting liquid and / or shrouded by disinfectant mist, a transfer of the now filled bottles from the filler 5 to the capper 7 can take place.

Using the capper 7, the product-filled bottles can be closed by means of closures 15. Preferably, the closures 15 are disinfected, for example by applying a disinfecting liquid 17, irradiating with ultraviolet light 18, for example with a wavelength between 100 nm and 280 nm, and / or by enveloping with disinfecting mist 13.

The discharge of the filled and sealed bottles can be done by means of the outlet device 8. The bottles can be supplied to a labeling machine 9, for example.

FIG. 2 shows a bottleneck 11 with a bottle mouth 10, wherein by means of nozzles 12 disinfectant mist 13 can be generated and / or distributed. Instead of the disinfecting mist 13 can be spread by means of nozzles, for example, also disinfectant. The disinfecting mist 13 can envelop a region 14a, 14b, 14c between the bottle mouth 10 and the bottle neck 11. The area 14a, 14b, 14c between the bottle mouth 10 and the bottle neck 11 can be chosen to be of different sizes, for example by a selected arrangement of the nozzles 12. For example, the orientation of one or more nozzles 12 can be changed relative to the bottle and / or it can Spray strength can be varied. The nozzles for spreading the disinfecting liquid and the nozzles for generating the disinfecting mist can be constructed identical or different.

In the FIG. 2 The areas 14b and 14c include an area on the bottle that is larger than that of the area 14a. A minimum size of the area 14a, 14b, 14c to be enclosed with disinfecting mist 13 can be specified, for example by a be able to disinfect sufficiently large area of the bottle neck 11 below the bottle mouth 10.

FIG. 3 shows three areas I to III, in which closures 15 with disinfecting liquid 17, UV light 18, which may be so-called UVC light with a wavelength range of 100nm to 280nm, and disinfecting mist 13 can be treated. In area I, disinfecting liquid 17 can be applied from above, from the side and / or from below onto the closures 15 by means of nozzles 16. In the further way, the closures 15 previously treated with disinfecting liquid 17 can be irradiated from above, from the side and / or from below with UV light. Thereafter, the closures 15 can be exposed in a region III a disinfecting mist 13, which can surround them from above, from the side and / or from below. For example, this wrapping with disinfectant mist 13 can take place on the way of the closures 15 to the capper 7. This ensures that the closures 15 are disinfected and also that they remain on the way to the capper 7.

The disinfection in the individual areas I-III can also take place independently, i. Disinfectants may be applied to the closures, or the closures may be exposed to UV light, or the closures may be surrounded with disinfectant mist. For example, a disinfection of the closures may also consist of a combination of the disinfectants in area I and II or area I and III or area II and III; as well the reverse order is possible within these combinations.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary method for disinfecting one or more filling lines. An inlet device 2 can transport empty, non-disinfected bottles to the rinser 3. In the rinser 3, these bottles can be covered with disinfectant liquid 17 from inside and / or outside and / or be wrapped with disinfectant mist 13. By means of a transfer device 4, the empty, now disinfected bottles can be transported to a filler 5, wherein the transfer device 4 gerinst with disinfecting liquid 17 and / or can be covered by disinfecting mist. The bottles are thus also exposed on the way from the rinser 3 to the filler 5 of the disinfecting liquid 17 and / or the disinfecting mist 13. Preferably, rinsing out of the disinfecting liquid does not take place prior to filling with product.

In a filler 5, a region 14a, 14b, 14c between the bottle mouth 10 and the bottle neck 11 with disinfectant mist 13 wrapped and / or disinfectant liquid 17 can be applied to the bottle mouth 10 to disinfect this area 14a, 14b, 14c of the bottle. Product can be filled in the empty, disinfected bottles. In a further step, for example, disinfectant liquid 17 can be applied again to a region 14a, 14b, 14c between the bottle mouth 10 and the bottleneck and / or this region 14a, 14b, 14c can be enveloped by disinfecting mist 13. The area 14a, 14b, 14c can in this case be the same size or different from the area 14a, 14b, 14c which was enveloped with disinfecting mist 13 before the product was introduced and / or applied to the disinfecting liquid 17. By re-wrapping with and / or applying disinfectant it can be avoided that, when a closure 15 is applied to the bottle mouth 10, between closure 15 and bottle mouth 10 and / or a part of the bottle neck 11, which is covered by the closure 15 , Are product residues that have, for example, come there during the filling process. If such product residues were not removed or if the formation of product- and / or harmful substances in the adhering product residues would not be prevented, the quality could be reduced.

By means of the downstream transfer device 6, the filled, open bottles can be transported from the filler 5 to a capper 7. Also on the way from the filler 5 to the capper 7 can be provided that a region 14a, 14b, 14c wrapped between the bottle mouth 10 and the bottle neck 11 with disinfecting mist 13 and / or disinfectant liquid 17 can be applied to the bottle mouth 10 to this Continue to disinfect area 14a, 14b, 14c of the bottle.

By the capper 7, the bottles can be closed with closures 15 and then transported via a discharge device 8, for example, to a labeling machine or pallets.

The closures 15, which can be supplied to the capper 7 for closing, may have been previously disinfected. For this purpose, disinfecting liquid 17 can be applied and / or the closures may have been enveloped with disinfecting mist 13 and / or irradiated with UV light 18. The supply of the closures 15 to the capper. 7 can be done in a disinfecting mist 13, so that the disinfected state is maintained.

Claims (14)

Method for disinfecting at least one beverage package with a filling opening, such as PET or glass bottle, beverage carton, tin or foil bag, comprising the steps: - enveloping a region (14a, 14b, 14c) around the filling opening (10) of the beverage package with disinfecting mist (13); and or Applying disinfecting liquid (17) to the filling opening (10) of the beverage packaging,
wherein the wrapping and / or the application are performed while the beverage package for filling with product is in a filler (5) of a filling line of a filling plant and is filled with the product. Method according to claim 1, characterized by rinsing of a transfer device (4) with disinfectant liquid (17) upstream of the filler (5) and / or enveloping with disinfectant mist (13). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by applying disinfecting liquid (17) to at least one filling valve of the filler (5) and / or wrapping with disinfecting mist (13). Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by rinsing of the filler (5) downstream transfer device (6) with disinfecting liquid (17) and / or enveloping with disinfecting mist (13). Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the further steps: - enveloping at least one closure (15) with disinfectant mist (13); - Applying disinfecting liquid (17) on the closure (15); and or - Irradiating the shutter (15) with ultraviolet light (18). Method according to claim 5, characterized by the further step: - feeding the closure (15) to the capper (7) in a disinfecting mist (13). Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that disinfecting liquid (17) and disinfecting mist (13) are used, which meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance and / or the EU Biocidal Regulation. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in a the filler (5) upstream rinser (3), before filling the beverage package with product, on the inside and / or outside of the beverage packaging disinfectant liquid (17) is applied and / or the inner and / or outer side is covered with disinfectant mist (13), the subsequent filling being carried out in the filler (5) without a previous removal, such as rinsing, rinsing, blowing and / or blowing off, the disinfecting liquid (17) and / or the disinfecting mist (13). Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water is used in the bottling plant. Device for disinfecting at least one beverage package with a filling opening, such as PET or glass bottle, beverage carton, can or foil bag, in a filler (5), characterized by - means (12) for wrapping a region (14a, 14b, 14c) around the filling opening (10) of the beverage package with disinfecting mist (13); and or - means (16) for applying disinfecting liquid (17) to the filling opening (10) of the beverage packaging,
wherein the means (12, 16) are arranged and configured such that wrapping and / or application can be performed while the beverage package is in the filler (5). Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized by means (16) for applying disinfectant liquid (17) to the filling opening (10) and / or means (12) for wrapping the area (14a, 14b, 14c) around the filling opening of the product filled beverage package with disinfecting mist (13) on a transport path of this beverage packaging from the filler (5) to a capper (7). Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by - means (12) for enveloping at least one closure (15) with disinfecting mist (13); - means (16) for applying disinfecting liquid (17) to the closure (15); and or - means (19) for irradiating the closure (15) with ultraviolet light (18). Device for applying and / or spraying disinfectant liquid (17) on the inside and / or outside of at least one beverage package and / or wrapping with disinfectant mist (13) from the inside and / or outside of the beverage package before filling the beverage package with product comprising the device : - a filler (5) upstream rinser (3), wherein between the rinser (3) and the filler (5) no means for removing, such as rinsing, rinsing, blowing and / or blowing, disinfectant (17) and / or disinfecting mist (13). Filling plant characterized by means for producing sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water and wherein chlorine dioxide, sterile water and / or ozone water are produced.

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