EP2440465B1 - Method and device for sanitizing packagings - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for sterilizing packaging, which are formed at least partially as circumferentially closed packaging coats, in which the package is acted upon by a disinfectant.

The invention further relates to a device for sterilizing packaging, which are at least partially formed as circumferentially closed packaging shells, which has a supply device for a disinfecting agent for acting on the packaging shells.

Such methods and devices are used for sterilizing and in particular also for sterilizing packaging. Packaging made from laminate-like materials often comes with one already one-sided closed area and an opposite open area of a corresponding sterilization and subsequently fed to a filling. The basic principle of sterilization thus resembles a disinfection of bottle-shaped containers, except that the disinfectant is not introduced via a still open mouth area, but over an even unilaterally open area in the interior of the package.

For effective sterilization, it is usually necessary to introduce a tube-like feeder into the interior of the package, or to inject the disinfectant into the interior to ensure a uniform and intensive contact of all inner wall areas with the disinfectant. Thus, it is either a clock operation with a retraction and extension of Zuführorgane or the use in the transport direction of moving Zuführorgane in a continuous operation required.

From the US 6120730 A is already known a method for sterilizing packaging coats. For this purpose, the packaging coats are treated with a disinfectant. The packaging shells are transported in a longitudinal direction through a sterilization tunnel. Inside the degerming tunnel, the packaging coats are treated with the disinfectant.

Another method for sterilizing Verpackungsmänteln that are open in the region of their ends is from the US 6058678 A known.

The object of the present invention is to improve a method of the aforementioned type such that effective sterilization at high throughput rates is supported.

This object is achieved in that the packaging coats are transported open in a longitudinal direction in the region of both ends by a sterilization tunnel, within which the packaging coats are acted upon by the disinfectant and that along the sterilization tunnel from an open end portion of a packaging sheath effluent disinfectant in an open end an adjacent packaging jacket is passed.

Another object of the present invention is to construct a device of the initially mentioned type such that a high-quality sterilization at high throughput rates is supported and / or that at low flow rates, a reduction of the amount of disinfectant used is achieved.

This object is achieved in that a sterilization tunnel provided with a transport device for the packaging coats and is designed for transporting the packaging coats with open ends in a jacket longitudinal direction that the feeder is located in the region of the sterilization tunnel and that in the area of the sterilization tunnel at least one deflection for guiding the flow of the disinfecting agent out of an open end section of a packaging jacket and into an open end section of an adjacent packaging jacket.

By sterilizing the packaging coats in an open state of both end portions, it is possible to ensure a uniform and intensive flow with the disinfectant without the need for introducing a feeder element into the interior of the package. In addition, it is possible to direct a flow of sterilizing agent in a serpentine fashion through a plurality of successively arranged packaging coats, so that an effective use of the disinfecting agent used is ensured.

By using the deflections, it is also possible in particular to specify a long exposure time of the disinfecting agent to the packaging shells. The combination of the deflections and the sterilization tunnel allows a multiple admission of the Packing coats with the same disinfecting agent and thereby a corresponding multiplication of the exposure time of a certain amount of disinfecting agent.

A compact arrangement is supported by the transfer of the disinfecting agent from one packaging jacket to the adjacent packaging jacket along a U-like flow path.

A very simple device construction can be achieved in that the packaging coats are moved past fixedly arranged deflections.

An essential aspect of the invention consists in the fact that in the presence of voids within the series of successive packaging coats a loss-free forwarding of the disinfecting agent is ensured. Corresponding voids can occur, for example, due to malfunctions in unfolding the packaging shells or as a result of quality control and subsequent rejection of damaged packaging sheaths.

High throughput rates are supported by the fact that the packaging jackets are transported continuously.

According to another embodiment, it is also possible that the packaging coats are transported intermittently.

The sterilization of differently shaped packaging coats is supported by the fact that the deflections are positioned and / or interchangeable positioned in the area of the sterilization tunnel. The interchangeable arrangement of the deflections makes it possible in particular, an effective Sterilization of different packaging formats. The formats may vary with regard to the length and / or the cross-sectional configuration.

Small amounts of disinfectant and low energy consumption can be assisted by circulating at least a portion of the sanitizer within a recirculation system.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Entkeimungstunnels mit einer Vielzahl von u-förmigen Umleitungselementen für das Entkeimungsmittel,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Einrichtung zur Bodenversiegelung, Befüllung sowie zur Endversiegelung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung zur Veranschaulichung eines Auffaltens der Verpackungsmäntel sowie zur Übergabe an eine Transporteinrichtung,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung der Einrichtung gemäß Fig. 3 bei einer Blickrichtung von oben,

Fig. 5

eine gegenüber Fig. 1 abgewandelte Ausführungsform mit einer Rückführung des Entkeimungsmittels,

Fig. 6

eine abgewandte Ausführungsform mit einem rotierenden Transportrad,

Fig. 7

eine gegenüber Fig. 1 und Fig. 5 abgewandelte Ausführungsform mit relativ zueinander gering beabstandet angeordneten Verpackungsmänteln und

Fig. 8

eine vergrößerte schematische Darstellung eines Verpackungsmantels mit zugeordnetem Transportelement innerhalb des Entkeimungstunnels.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are shown schematically. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of a sterilization tunnel with a plurality of U-shaped bypass elements for the disinfectant,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a device for soil sealing, filling and final sealing,

Fig. 3

a schematic representation for illustrating a unfolding of the packaging shells and for transfer to a transport device,

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of the device according to Fig. 3 in a view from above,

Fig. 5

one opposite Fig. 1 modified embodiment with a return of the disinfecting agent,

Fig. 6

an alternative embodiment with a rotating transport wheel,

Fig. 7

one opposite Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 modified embodiment with relatively small spaced apart arranged Verpackungskrteln and

Fig. 8

an enlarged schematic representation of a packaging casing with associated transport element within the sterilization tunnel.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for sterilizing packaging coats (1). The Verpakkungsmäntel (1) are transported by a feeder (2) in the area of the sterilization device and unfolded before their sterilization. In the area of a sterilization tunnel (3) a transport device (4) is arranged, which can be realized, for example, as a circulating chain.

The packaging shells (1) are designed to be open in the region of the ends (6, 7) opposite each other in a jacket longitudinal direction (5). In a circumferential direction with respect to the jacket longitudinal direction (5), the packaging shells (1) are formed closed and thus provide a tube-like basic structure.

Each of the ends (6, 7) facing deflections (8) are arranged in the region of the sterilization tunnel (3). The baffles (8) extend substantially U-shaped and provide flow channels for a disinfectant. The sterilization tunnel (3) also has a feed device (9) for the disinfectant. In the area of the feed device (9), a heater (10) can be arranged.

The disinfectant, for example, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and air, is removed from a supply (11) and passed through the heater (10) in the region of the feed device (9). Optionally, a sensor (12) may be provided for monitoring a composition of the mixture of air and disinfectant. From the feed device (9), the disinfectant flows into the open end (6) of the first packaging jacket (1) in a transport direction (13) and escapes again from the packaging jacket in the region of the end (7) opposite this end. The disinfectant then flows into the first deflection (8) and is guided by this deflection (8) to the adjacent open end (7) of the packaging jacket (1) following in the direction of transport (13). This process is repeated with respect to all in the transport direction (13) successively arranged Verpakkungsmäntel (1) until the disinfectant passes into the region of a catcher (14) and from there in the region of a return (15) is passed to another for To provide use.

Alternatively to the in Fig. 1 It is also possible to exchange the position of the feed device (9) and the collecting device (14) and a flow component of the sterilizing agent opposite to the direction of flow of the disinfecting agent in the region of the sterilization tunnel (3) with a component oriented in the transport direction (13) Transport direction (13) to realize.

In the transport direction (13) behind the collecting device (14), a drying device (16) is arranged, in whose area typically sterile air (17) is fed to a heater (18) and then passed through the open packaging shells (1). The sterile air (17) for drying can successively using deflections (8) are passed through a plurality of packaging shells (1), which are open on both sides, and flow in the vicinity of a collecting direction (19) into an environment or are fed to a new use.

An operation of the transport device (4) can be carried out continuously or clocked.

Fig. 2 shows the plant component for further processing of the sterilized packaging shells (1). Following the in Fig. 1 drying device (16) shown is a sealing station (20) for sealing one of the ends (6, 7) of the packaging shells (1) arranged. For example, a soil seal can be made here. Using a heat-sealing head (21), a simultaneous processing of sterile air via a sterile air feed (22) results in a finishing of the sealed area. After passing through a holding phase (23) to achieve adequate material stability, filling takes place in the area of a filling station (24) upon further supply of sterile air.

In a final processing step, a sealing of the second end (6, 7) then takes place, for example as a gasket seal. Accurate adherence to predetermined contours of the packaging can be ensured by the final application of a shaping device (25).

The processing steps described above using the example of sterilization can be implemented to achieve any degree of sterilization and / or to carry out a sterilization.

Fig. 3 shows in an enlarged view the transition from the feed (2) to the transport device (4). In the area the feeder (2), the packaging shells (1) are transported in a folded state. Using a transfer element (27), the packaging coats are picked up and transferred to the transport device (4). During the conversion unfolding takes place. After unfolding, in the region of the transport device (4), the packaging shells (1) are first subjected to a sterile gas, preferably tempered air. For this purpose, a discharge nozzle (28) is used.

Fig. 4 shows the arrangement according to Fig. 3 in a top view. In this case, suction cup-like grippers (29) can be seen in the region of the transfer element (27). A holder of the packaging shells (1) can be done for example by a negative pressure. The application using the discharge nozzle (28) can be used for activation or dedusting.

The hot air discharged by the discharge nozzle (28) flows through the packaging jacket (1), which is opened on both sides, and is supplied by a collecting device (30) to a discharge line (31).

Fig. 5 shows a modification to the embodiment in Fig. 1 , However, the feed (9) for the disinfectant is arranged in a central region of the transport device (4). The disinfectant thereby flows with a component of motion counter to the transport direction (13). The sterile air also flows in the area of the drying device (16) with a movement component counter to the transport direction (13) and is discharged in the transport direction (13) behind the feed device (9) using the collecting device (19). The correspondingly discharged sterile air is introduced into the recirculation system (15) for the disinfectant and is treated here with hydrogen peroxide mixed. Compliance with a given mixing ratio is controlled by the sensor (12). Excess gas is discharged from the system via a scrubber (32).

The degermination station according to the invention is particularly suitable for continuous operation at high transport speeds. The individual packaging coats (1) are intensively acted upon by the disinfectant and the multiple flow ensures a high rate of sterilization. An adaptation to different formats of the packaging shells (1) can be done in a simple manner by positioning the deflections (8).

In fixedly arranged deflections (8) the disinfectant does not flow completely through the interiors of the packaging shells (1), but a part flows past the packaging sheaths (1). Since this happens within the degerming tunnel (3), such a flow guidance is considered to be advantageous, since outside areas of the packaging shells (1) are also sterilized.

According to the embodiment in FIG Fig. 6 a transport of the packaging coats to be sterilized is not carried out along a linear transport path, but the packaging coats (1) are transferred from the feeder (2) to a rotating processing wheel or a rotating processing drum. Otherwise, however, the essentially same functional principle results as in the already explained linear embodiments.

Fig. 7 shows a modified embodiment in which the packaging shells (1) are arranged relative to each other with only a small distance. By this arrangement the compactness of the degermination device is increased. The deflections (8) can be box-shaped in this embodiment and provided with a partition plate (33) for flow guidance. The distance between the individual packaging sheaths (1) is dimensioned such that sufficient disinfectant still flow between the Verpakkungsmäntel and can perform the required sterilization or sterilization here.

Fig. 7 also shows transport elements (34), which perform a propulsion of the packaging coats within the degermination device. The transport elements (34) can be designed as entrainment fingers, which are fastened to a propulsion device. In particular, it is envisaged that by the transport elements (34) of the distance to be maintained between the packaging coats (1) is specified. According to the embodiment in FIG Fig. 8 the transport element (34) has a U-shaped design.

Claims (18)

1. Method for sterilizing packages which are designed, at least in certain regions, as circumferentially closed package sleeves, in which method the package is subjected to the action of a sterilizing agent, characterised in that the package sleeves (1) are transported, with the latter open in the region of both ends (6, 7) in a longitudinal direction (5) of the sleeves, through a sterilizing tunnel (3) within which said package sleeves (1) are subjected to the action of the sterilizing agent, and that sterilizing agent flowing, along the sterilizing tunnel (3), out of an open end section of one package sleeve (1) is directed into an open end section of an adjacent package sleeve (1).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the transfer of the sterilizing agent from one package sleeve (1) to the adjacent package sleeve takes place along a flow path similar to a U.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the package sleeves (1) are moved past rerouting devices (8) which are arranged in a stationary manner.
4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the package sleeves (1) are transported in a continuous manner.
5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the package sleeves (1) are transported in a cyclical manner.
6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the rerouting devices (8) are positioned in the region of the sterilizing tunnel (3) in such a way that they can be placed in position and/or exchanged.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that rerouting devices (8) of different dimensions are used for different formats of package sleeves.
8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least part of the sterilizing agent circulates within a return system.
9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that both an inner and an outer surface of the package sleeve (1) are sterilized by the sterilizing agent.
10. Device for sterilizing packages which are designed, at least in certain regions, as circumferentially closed package sleeves, which device has an infeed apparatus for a sterilizing agent for acting upon the package sleeves, characterised in that a sterilizing tunnel (3) is provided with a transporting apparatus (4) for the package sleeves (1) and is designed for transporting said package sleeves (1) with ends (6, 7) that are open in a longitudinal direction (5) of the sleeves, that the infeed apparatus (9) is arranged in the region of the sterilizing tunnel (3) and that there is arranged, in the region of said sterilizing tunnel (3), at least one rerouting device (8) for guiding the flow of the sterilizing agent out of an open end section of one package sleeve (1) and into an open end section of an adjacent package sleeve (1).
11. Device according to claim 10, characterised in that the rerouting device (8) forms a substantially U-shaped flow duct.
12. Device according to either of claims 10 or 11, characterised in that the rerouting device (8) is arranged in a stationary manner in the region of the sterilizing tunnel (3).
13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the transporting apparatus (4) is designed for continuous transport of the package sleeves (1).
14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the transporting apparatus (4) is designed for cyclical transport of the package sleeves (1).
15. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the rerouting device (8) is arranged in an adjustable manner in the region of the sterilizing tunnel (3).
16. Device according to claim 15, characterised in that rerouting devices (8) associated with different formats of the package sleeves (1) have dimensions which differ, relative to one another.
17. Device according to one of claims 10 to 16, characterised in that an outflow aperture belonging to the rerouting device (8) has a larger cross-sectional area than the dimensions of a cross-sectional area of the package sleeve (1).
18. Device according to one of claims 10 to 17, characterised in that the infeed apparatus (9) for the sterilizing agent is designed as part of a circulating system for said sterilizing agent.

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