WO2018099644A1 - Method and filling machine for filling packages open on one side - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for filling packages (2) open on one side, in particular board composite packages, with free-flowing products, in particular foods, in a filling machine (1), wherein hot air, drying air, sterilization agents, and/or product to be filled are introduced into the packages (2) open on one side from above via at least one nozzle (24, 30, 34, 36, 38-44). The aim of the invention is to be able to lead the hot air, the sterilization agent, the drying air, and/or the product to be filled into the packages open on one side with high throughputs while the requirements in terms of the equipment and/or in terms of the method are reduced. This aim is achieved, according to the invention, in that the at least one nozzle (24, 30, 34, 36, 38-44) is positioned off-center in relation to the package (2) open on one side when introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilization agent, and/or the product to be filled into the package (2).

Description

 Method and filling machine for filling unilaterally open packages

The invention relates to a method for filling unilaterally open packages, in particular cardboard composite packages, with flowable products, in particular food, in a filling machine. Furthermore, the invention relates to a filling machine for filling unilaterally open packages, in particular cardboard composite packages, with flowable products, in particular food, preferably according to the aforementioned method, wherein at least one nozzle for introducing hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled from above into the On one side open packages is provided and wherein a transport device is provided for transporting the packages open on one side by the filling device.

There are already different filling machines for filling unilaterally open packages with products, especially in the form of food, known. The packs are preferably filled with flowable food. When

Packages are used, in particular, packs that are open on a top to provide an opening for filling the packs. The packs can be, for example, cardboard composite packings, which are formed from a packaging material in the form of a laminate comprising a cardboard layer and outer, in particular thermoplastic, plastic layers, for example made of polyethylene fJPE). The carton provides the packages with sufficient stability to allow the packages to be easily handled and stacked, for example. The

Plastic layers protect the board from moisture and allow sealing of the packaging material to form a tight package. In addition, other layers, such as an aluminum layer, may be provided to prevent diffusion of oxygen and other gases through the package. The filling of the food packages is typically done under sterile conditions. It is not only the food to be filled, but also the pack to be sterilized. For this, the food is usually heated for a certain period of time. The packs are initially mostly blown out with sterile hot air. In the thus heated packs, a sterilizing agent is then introduced, which is typically hydrogen peroxide or at least. Since the pack is preheated, high reaction rates are at

Sterilization achieved and avoided that too much condensate forms in the pack. Moisture and residual hydrogen peroxide is then removed from the package by drying the package with, preferably hot and sterile, drying air. Then the filling of the sterile pack is done.

During sterilization and / or filling, the packages may

continuously, if necessary, at a constant speed, are transported through the filling machine. The device for introducing hot air,

Sterilizing means, drying air and / or product to be filled include nozzles for selectively delivering the corresponding medium, which can be moved with the packages, so that between the nozzles and the packs

Introducing hot air, sterilizing agent, drying air and / or product to be filled at least substantially no relative speed prevails. More often, however, is the case that the packs intermittently, so gradually, through the

Filling machine are moved so that the packages successively occupy certain positions for a certain period of time, in which the packages are stationary over at least one nozzle with hot air, sterilizing agent,

Drying air and / or bottling product can be applied.

If there is too little time left in one cycle to suitably introduce a sufficient quantity of hot air, sterilizing agent, drying air and / or product to be filled into the packing, the introduction of hot air,

Sterilizing agent, drying air and / or product to be filled and step by step over different nozzles in several successive positions in which the packages come to a standstill for a short time. In contrast, in the case of packs which are continuously moved through the filling machine, the time period for introducing hot air,

Sterilizing, drying air and / or bottled product extended. This also prolongs the filling machine and the cyclical transport of at least the nozzles of the devices for introducing hot air,

Sterilizing agent, drying air and / or bottling product difficult in the filling machine. In both ways, for example, it should be ensured that the packs are preheated and / or dried uniformly. Alternatively or additionally, such a reliable sterilization of the package can also be achieved in the region of edges and corners or filling without excessive foaming. A disadvantage of the known methods, however, is the associated apparative and

procedural effort that can be considerable, especially at high throughputs.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to design and further develop the method and the filling machine of the type mentioned above and explained in greater detail above in such a way that hot air, sterilizing agent,

Drying air and / or product to be filled with less equipment and / or procedural effort at high throughputs in the open on one side

Packs can be routed.

This object is according to claim 1 by a method for filling unilaterally open packages, in particular cardboard composite packages, with flowable

Products, in particular foods, dissolved in a filling machine,

in which hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled is introduced from above via at least one nozzle into the packages open on one side, and in which the at least one nozzle is positioned eccentrically to the unilaterally open pack when introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled into the pack. The above object is also achieved in a filling machine with the preamble of claim 7, characterized in that the transport device for positioning the unilaterally open packages is formed eccentrically to the at least one nozzle for introducing hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled into the packs ,

The invention has recognized that an eccentrically introducing hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled in relation to the pack can enable faster processing of the packs via corresponding nozzles. A uniform, rapid and reliable loading of the packs has hitherto been expected in particular when the corresponding medium is introduced centrally into the pack open on one side. Through the central introduction of the medium should be ensured that the hot air, the sterilizing agent and the drying air uniformly reaches all surfaces and edges in the unilaterally open package, so that the packages are evenly preheated, sterilized or dried without certain surfaces or Edges of the interior of the unilaterally open packages insufficient with the hot air, the

Sterilizing and the drying air in contact. However, as the invention has recognized, this effect is not necessarily achieved by the central introduction of hot air, sterilizing agent and / or drying air.

This might be related, for example, to the fact that the atmosphere from the interior of the unilaterally open packs is not evenly displaced, even if the medium displacing the atmosphere is conducted very evenly, namely in the middle, into the pack. The repression of the atmosphere is uneven and also highly random, so unpredictable. The displaced atmosphere can have different areas inside the packs Shield different dimensions in front of the medium to be introduced. At the same time, however, the flow of the media to be introduced at the central introduction of the same in the pack very random, so unpredictable, spread, which can also contribute to different areas of the packs are flowed to varying degrees from the medium, even if no special Shielding takes place through the medium to be displaced. To achieve satisfactory results, the media used to be longer and larger in volume. With off-center introduction of the media, a more targeted flow of the hot air, the sterilizing agent and / or the drying air and also a more targeted displacement of the atmosphere can be achieved from the packs. This leads to a more uniform and reliable treatment of the packages in a shorter time. When filling the packages, the flow of the product is more directed and the displacement of the product is more reliable, because the product is a particular liquid or pasty medium, if necessary, with lumpy portions, while it is the gas to be displaced atmosphere in particular. So that the filling can be carried out uniformly and without overflowing or increased foaming, the product has so far been introduced into the center of the pack. The invention has recognized, however, that an off-center addition of the product to the faster and

may lead to more uniform kinetics of the product when it is being filled into the package, thereby avoiding overflow or foaming. In case of an off-center introduction into the pack, the product does not spread more or less to all sides but more targeted to certain pages. During the spreading of the product on all sides to a chaotic and little to be determined flow distribution and thus in some areas

Can lead to undesirable flow conditions, can in off-center introduction of the product by the interaction and diversion of the flow of

Inner surfaces and edges can be achieved a faster settling of the product in the pack. This ultimately allows a faster filling of the pack. However, it is not mandatory to introduce the hot air, the sterilant, the drying air and the product off-center. It may be sufficient to introduce only one medium or individual media eccentrically into the packs via a suitable nozzle. In detail, this depends strongly on the packing geometry and the corresponding medium.

In the present case, the term nozzle is preferably understood very generally. It is not necessarily a nozzle with significant cross-sectional constriction to produce a significant pressure loss or a greatly widening free jet required. The nozzle is only intended to enable a reliable and targeted delivery of the corresponding medium at a predetermined position, namely off-center, into the package. In a particularly simple case, the nozzle may be formed as a straight piece of pipe which, understandably, can be aligned very precisely with the packages.

Furthermore, the term hot air and drying air is preferably to be understood very broadly. The appropriate medium is used for preheating and drying, which could also be done entirely without air, but with another gas. Thus, when hot air and / or drying air is mentioned, the term air is preferred to be considered generally as a gas or mixture of gases. However, since air is readily available inexpensively, it is particularly preferred if it really is air. Even in practice, air is used throughout. Therefore, in the present case, the sake of clarity and to avoid unnecessary repetition of hot air and

Drying air spoken, even if these media need not be limited to air and could be referred to in principle as a heating medium or drying medium. The hot air and / or the drying air may have a temperature up to 500 ° C. In many cases, however, it may be sufficient if the temperature is up to 300 ° C or only up to 200 ° C. However, the higher the temperature, the faster the package can be heated or dried. The packs are preferably laminate packings formed from packaging laminates. In a particularly preferred case, it is cardboard composite packings of a Verpackungsstofflaminat comprising at least one cardboard layer, preferably at least one barrier layer, such as aluminum, polyamide and / or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol, and outer layers of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene (PE The longitudinal edges of a packaging material blank formed from the packaging material laminate are sealed together to form a so-called packing sleeve or packing jacket. One of the open ends of the packing jacket can be used to form a packing sleeve

Packing bottom folded and sealed. After filling, the still open end of the packing jacket can also be closed by folding and sealing to a packing head. For ease of understanding and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the method and the filling machine for filling unilaterally open packages are described below together, without distinguishing in detail between the method and the filling machine. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the context which feature is preferred with respect to the method and the filling machine.

In a first particularly preferred method, the center of the

Nozzle opening or even the entire nozzle opening for introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled in the pack laterally adjacent to the central longitudinal axis, in particular the central

 Vertical axis, arranged. In this way, a suitable eccentric arrangement of the least one nozzle for introducing the hot air, the drying air, the

Sterilization agent and / or the product to be filled achieved. To take advantage of the effect of eccentricity suitably, it is advisable if the center of the nozzle opening or even the entire nozzle opening at least the width of the corresponding nozzle opening, laterally adjacent to the central longitudinal axis or vertical axis of the unilaterally open package is arranged. From the center or the center, the nozzle opening can be displaced to one side and / or to an edge of the one-sided open package in order to achieve a suitable introduction of the corresponding medium.

Regardless of the arrangement of the respective nozzle opening, the nozzle opening will be formed circular for the sake of simplicity. If necessary, however, an oval, rectangular, square or otherwise formed nozzle opening can also be considered, for example, for a faster exit of the corresponding medium from the nozzle opening and / or for optimizing the flow in the package. Also, regardless of the shape of the nozzle opening, the ratio of the

Cross-sectional area of the nozzle opening to the cross-sectional area of the packing opening between 10% and 50%, preferably between 15% and 40%, in particular between 20% and 30%. Thus, a convenient treatment of the pack with hot air, sterilant and / or drying air or a convenient filling of the product is achieved.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one nozzle, in particular its

Nozzle opening, relative to the longitudinal axis of the package open on one side parallel and alternatively or additionally also be arranged offset perpendicular to the transport direction of the packs. So the transport of the packs can be considered. This may be particularly important because the packages are usually transported in predetermined directions in the transport direction. For example, has a narrower side surface approximately parallel to

Transport direction and a wider side surface about perpendicular to a

 Sloshing of the product in the packs during cycled transport of the packs.

In particular, in cases where a larger amount of hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled must be introduced into the packs, it is suitable for the uniform treatment of the packs or for uniform filling of the package when the appropriate medium is introduced from above successively via at least two nozzles in the unilaterally open packages. This can be done in two consecutive positions of the clocked transport of the packages. But it can also be provided in between a position without filling or editing the packs. In this case, it may be particularly expedient if the at least two nozzles are positioned eccentrically to the unilaterally open pack when the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled are introduced into the pack. The benefits of off-center initiation then become two

used successive process steps. A more uniform treatment of the packs and / or a more uniform filling of the packs is thereby achieved, if necessary, in that the at least two nozzles when introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled in the pack in each case in other locations eccentrically to the Packs are arranged.

Particularly good results can be achieved if necessary, if the nozzles in at least two successive positions in approximately symmetrical, in particular point-symmetrical, to the package longitudinal axis or the

Pack axis are arranged. In other words, the at least two nozzles are arranged symmetrically, point-symmetrically or mirror-inverted with respect to the unilaterally open package. If necessary, the mirror plane can also be provided parallel to the package longitudinal axis or the package vertical axis and also longitudinally, transversely or two edges of the package that are at an angle to one another.

If the unilaterally open packs are transported stepwise through the filling machine, the unilaterally open packs are preferably each temporarily positioned under at least one, preferably also stationary, nozzle. During the appropriate period is then using the corresponding hot air nozzle, drying air, sterilant and / or product to be bottled passed into the pack.

The transport of the packages through the filling machine can be done very accurately and reliably if the transport device has a cell chain with cells for receiving unilaterally open packages. If the transport device is provided for the stepwise transport of the unilaterally open packages through the filling machine, the packages can be positioned very precisely off-center under the nozzles for introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled. This is particularly reliably achieved when the cell chain for positioning the unilaterally open packages in

at least one step is formed eccentrically below the at least one nozzle for introducing hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled.

When the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled are introduced into the packing, the center of the nozzle opening, preferably the entire nozzle opening, in particular at least the width of a nozzle opening, is arranged laterally next to the central longitudinal axis of the pack open on one side, the advantages already described can be utilized to a particular extent by the off-center introduction of hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled. In this case, the corresponding nozzle opening is then preferably associated with one side and / or one edge of the package open on one side in order to make better use of the corresponding advantages. Good results in the off-center spacing of the nozzle are achieved as needed when the nozzle or center of the nozzle is spaced from the central longitudinal axis by at least halfway from the central longitudinal axis to a side and / or edge of the corresponding package. When the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled are introduced into the pack, the at least one nozzle, in particular its nozzle opening, is arranged offset parallel to and / or perpendicular to the transport direction of the packs with respect to the longitudinal axis of the pack open on one side the transport of the packages, in particular the regularly dependent on the transport direction packing geometry or orientation of the

Packages are taken into account.

If at least two nozzles for successively introducing hot air,

Drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled are provided from above into the unilaterally open packages, the corresponding introduction can be divided into at least two process steps and in the at least two

Procedural steps carried out in a different way. When the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled are introduced into the pack, the at least two nozzles can each be positioned eccentrically to the pack open on one side in order to increase the advantages to be achieved therewith. It has proved to be particularly useful in terms of uniform treatment of the packages and / or in the sense of uniform filling of the packages when the at least two nozzles are arranged symmetrically, point-symmetrically or mirror-inverted with respect to the unilaterally open packages.

Subsequently, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiments illustrative drawing. In the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a filling machine according to the invention for carrying out the

 inventive method in a schematic side view,

2 shows a detail of the filling machine in a schematic side view, 3A-B the introduction of hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled in a schematic side view and a schematic plan view and Fig. 4A-F, the introduction of hot air, drying air and sterilizing agent in different filling machines according to the invention and method of a schematic plan view.

1 shows a filling machine 1 for filling packages 2, in particular with flowable foods, which in this case comprises a device 3 for shaping the packages 2 to be filled. In principle, however, it is also possible for the filling machine to be supplied with packages 2 which are already open to be filled. The illustrated preferred filling machine 1 also has a number of parallel processing lines, of which only one processing line is shown in FIG. Each processing line is assigned a bundle 4 of package blanks 5 whose longitudinal edges are sealed to one another and thus form packing shells 6 which are open on both sides. By a feeder 7, the packing shells 6 are unfolded and pushed onto a mandrel 8 of a mandrel wheel 9.

The illustrated and so far preferred mandrel 9 is cyclically, so gradually, rotated counterclockwise. The packing coats 6 are in

edited different positions. First, an edge is heated with a heating unit 10 with hot air, and then pre-folded in a prefold 11 to then seal the prefolded edge with a press 12 to a bottom. It is thus obtained a unilaterally open and sealed at one end pack 2, which is transferred to a cell 13 of a circulating endless conveyor 14. In the illustrated preferred filling machine 1, this is an endlessly circulating cell chain. The package 2 is transported by the transport device 14 through an aseptic chamber 15, which is successively subdivided into a sterilization zone 16 and a filling and sealing zone 17. The transport of the packages 2 does not have to be rectilinear, but can also take place in at least one arc or even in a circle, depending on whether the filling machine 1 is a so-called longitudinal or rotary. The aseptic chamber 15 is via corresponding

Sterile air connections 18 are flushed with sterile air to prevent the ingress of germs. Sterile hot air is first blown into the open-topped packs 2 by a preheating device 19 in order to preheat the packs 2. Subsequently, in a sterilizing device 20, a sterilizing agent is injected into the packs, which reacts more strongly in the preheated packs 2 and condenses less. As a sterilizing agent is in particular hydrogen peroxide in question. The

Hydrogen peroxide may be introduced into the unilaterally open packing 2 together with steam and / or air. After sterilizing the packages 2, the interior of the packages 2 is dried in a drying device 21 by applying drying air. The drying air is preferably hot and sterile. After the transition from the sterilization zone 16 into the filling and sealing zone 17, the unilaterally open packages 2 are positioned under a filling device 22 and filled with a food. The filled packages 2 are then closed with a closing device 23 by folding the upper open area of the package 2 and sealing it. The sealed packages 2 are then removed from the cells 13 of the transport device 14 and further processed as needed. The now empty cells 13 of the transport device 14 are further moved in the direction of the mandrel wheel 9 in order to receive more packages 2 there. 1, the preheating device 19, sterilizing device 20,

Drying device 21 and filling device 22 for clarity and For the sake of clarity only shown schematically. Therefore, in Fig. 2, the aseptic chamber 15 is shown again in detail. The illustration of FIG. 2 is very schematic, but more positions are shown in which the packages 2 are temporarily positioned during the stepwise transport through the aseptic chamber 15 by means of the transport device 14. In principle, it would also be possible, the packages 2 without stopping continuously and

if necessary, to be transported at a constant speed through the aseptic chamber 15. As a result, the method is basically more complicated and difficult to control. However, this would only have a minor influence on the present invention. Incidentally, corresponding filling machines may also have other numbers of positions for the packages 2, preheating devices 19, sterilizing devices 20, drying devices 21 and / or

Fillers 22 have. The illustrated and so far preferred

Aseptic chamber 15, however, allows a clear description of the invention, so that it is possible to dispense with the presentation of alternative aseptic chambers.

In the aseptic chamber 15 of FIG. 2, a preheating device 19, which extends over two positions of the cell chain transport device 14, is initially provided in the sterilization zone 16. In each of the two positions, a nozzle 24 is provided for introducing hot air. The hot air is drawn in the illustrated and so far preferred filling machine 1 via a compressor 25 from the environment and filtered by means of a filter 26 to separate microorganisms and to sterilize the air so. Subsequently, the sterile air is in one

Heating device 27 heated. In each of the two positions, the unilaterally open packages 2 eccentrically below the stationary nozzles 24 of the

Preheating 19 positioned, the packages 2 in both positions with their central longitudinal axes in different ways with respect to the

corresponding nozzle 24 are arranged offset. The introduction of the hot air via the nozzles 24 therefore takes place in different ways. The next two positions of the sterilization zone 16 serve to sterilize the packages 2 in a sterilizer 20 by means of a sterilization agent. The sterilizing agent is in the illustrated and so far preferred filling machine 1 an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, which is supplied via a pump 28 and evaporated in an evaporator 29. The mixture of hydrogen peroxide and

Steam, which can still be supplied with air, is eccentrically introduced via two nozzles 30 into the packages 2 positioned underneath. Each of the two nozzles 30 is spaced from the central longitudinal axis or the vertical axis of the packages 2 in a slightly different direction than the respective other nozzle 30.

After sterilization follows in the illustrated and so far preferred

Filling machine 1 an empty position in which no processing of the packs 2 takes place. In this area, only sterile air via sterile air connections 18 in the

Sterilization zone 16 passed. For this purpose, air is sucked in through a compressor 31 from the environment and pressed through a filter 32 in which all microorganisms are deposited for sterilization of the air. In the subsequent positions of the transport device 14 in the form of the cell chain, the packages 2 are dried in the drying device 21 with hot drying air, which is also sucked in via a compressor 33 and sterilized in a filter 34. The way

sterilized air is heated in a heater 35 and eccentrically in the

Packs 2 headed. Each pack 2 is arranged slightly differently below the nozzles 36. The nozzles 36 are positioned at different locations over the cross-section of the packages 2 when the drying air is introduced, but spaced from the center of the cross-section.

The dried packages 2 are then transferred to the filling and sealing zone 17 where the packages 2 in the next two positions of the conveyor 14 are filled with the product in the form of a food. The product is in the

Filling device 22 thereby supplied via a reservoir 37 and two nozzles 38 passed into the packs. Each of the nozzles 38 is arranged eccentrically to the cross section of the packages 2, the nozzles 38 relative to the cross sections of the Packs 2 are positioned in other places. The filled packages 2 are moved with the next cycle to a position in which the package 2 is not further processed. In the following position, the package 2 is closed by a closing device 23 by sealing the upper edge and transported from the aseptic chamber 15 to another empty position.

In FIGS. 3A-B, the introduction of hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent or product to be filled is shown in a side view opposite to the transport direction T and in a plan view from above, in which the transport direction of the

Packs 2 is indicated by arrows. The pack 2 is in a cell one

 Transport device 14 is held and is transported during the introduction of hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent or product to be filled gradually over three positions and positioned in each position fixed for a certain time under a fixed nozzle 39,40,41. In this case, each nozzle 39,40,41 each eccentrically to the cross section of the positioned below the package 2 is arranged. In the first position, the nozzle 39 is at a distance from the center of the pack 2, which is defined by the center of the cross-section or the central longitudinal axis of the pack 2, in the opposite direction to the transport direction T and to the right-hand side with respect to the transport direction T. In other words, the nozzle 39 is arranged in the region of the edge of the pack 2 at the rear right. In the second position, the nozzle 40 is seen spaced in the transporting direction T to the left from the center of the cross section of the pack 2 positioned thereunder. In the third position, the nozzle 41 is spaced in the transporting direction T from the center of the cross section of the package 2. However, this represents only one possible embodiment.

FIGS. 4A-F are schematically analogous to the representation of FIG. 3B

different embodiments of sterilization zones 16 shown. In this case, each square represents a position of a pack 2 during transport through the sterilization zone 16 and each circle a nozzle 42 for introducing a medium into the pack 2 in the corresponding position. Filled circles represent nozzles 42, which direct hot air for preheating (VT) in the package 2, while hatched circles nozzles 43 for introducing sterilizing agent (H2O2) and open circles represent nozzles 44 for introducing drying air for drying (T). In Fig. 4A are located in the sterilization zone 16 six positions for

 Packs 2, two each for preheating, sterilizing and drying the packages 2. The first nozzle 42 for introducing hot air is positioned at the bottom left relative to the cross section of the package 2, while the second nozzle 42 is positioned at the top right. The same applies to the nozzles 43 for sterilizing and for the nozzles 44 for drying the packages 2. The positions of the nozzles 42,43,44 with respect to the packages 2 shown in FIG. 4B are in principle mirror images of the positions of the nozzles 42,43, 44 arranged with the further difference that only one nozzle 43 and only one position in the sterilization zone 16 is provided for sterilizing the package 2. The remaining position is an empty position in which no processing of the package 2 takes place. The positions of the nozzles 42, 43, 44 in FIG. 4C are similar to FIG. 4B, but the nozzles 43, 44 are for sterilizing the packages 2 and for drying the packages 2

opposite edges of the same side of the pack 2 is provided. During sterilization, these are the rear side in the transport direction and, in the drying, the front side of the packs 2 in the transport direction. In the sterilization zone 16 according to FIG. 4D, two empty positions are provided in which no processing of the packs 2 takes place. In addition, the nozzles 42,43,44 are not associated with edges of the packs 2, but the center of individual pages, either seen left or right in the transport direction. In this case, moreover, only one position is provided for preheating. The arrangement of the nozzles 42, 43, 44 in FIG. 4E follows a similar principle as in FIG. 4D, but three positions and nozzles 43, 44 are provided for sterilizing and drying. In Fig. 4F, two positions and two nozzles 42, 43 are respectively provided for preheating and sterilizing, which are separated by an empty position. Spaced around another empty position, three positions and nozzles 44 close to dry

Packs 2 on. When preheating the nozzles 42 are opposite edges of Pack 2 assigned, while the nozzles 43 are assigned to the sterilization of the edges of a common side of the package 2, namely the front in the transport direction, the package 2. The same applies to the nozzles 44 for drying the packages 2, in which case the first nozzle 44 and the third nozzle 44 have an identical arrangement with respect to the packages 2. So there are in principle very different embodiments of the sterilization zone 16 but also the filling and sealing zone 17, for which the above applies, if necessary, analogously, possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

 1 filling machine

 2 pack

 3 device

 4 bundles

 5 pack blanks

 6 packing coats

 7 feeder

 8 thorn

 9 mandrel wheel

 10 heating unit

 11 prefolding

 12 press

 13 cells

 14 transport device

 15 Aseptic chamber

 16 sterilization zone

 17 filling and sealing zone

 18 sterile air connection

 19 preheating device

 20 sterilizer

 21 drying device

 22 filling device

 23 closing device

 24 nozzle

 25 compressors

 26 filters

27 heating device W

 19

28 pump

 29 evaporator

 30 nozzle

 31 compressors

32 filters

 33 compressors

 34 filters

 35 heating device

 36 nozzle

37 storage tank

 38-44 nozzle

Claims

P a n t a n s p r e c h e Method for filling unilaterally open packages (2), in particular Cardboard composite packages, with flowable products, in particular Food, in a filling machine (1), in which hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled are introduced from above via at least one nozzle (24, 30, 34, 36, 38-44) into the packages (2) which are open on one side and wherein the at least one nozzle (24,30,34,36,38-44) when introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled is positioned in the package (2) eccentrically to the unilaterally open package (2). Method according to claim 1, in the case of introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled in the package (2) the center of the nozzle opening, preferably the entire nozzle opening, in particular by at least the width of a nozzle opening, laterally adjacent to the central Longitudinal axis of the unilaterally open pack (2) is arranged and in which, preferably, the nozzle opening is assigned to a side and / or an edge of the package (2) which is open on one side. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the at least one nozzle (24, 30, 34, 36, 38-44), in particular its nozzle opening, is offset parallel and / or perpendicular to the transport direction (14) of the packs (2) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the package (2) which is open on one side is arranged. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,  in which hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled is introduced from above successively via at least two nozzles (24,30,34,36,38- 44) in the unilaterally open packages (2) and  in which, preferably, the at least two nozzles (24,30,34,36,38-44) when introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled in the pack (2) each eccentrically to open on one side pack (2) are positioned. 5. The method according to claim 3,  in which at least two nozzles (24, 30, 34, 36, 38-44) are arranged in mirror image relative to the package (2) which is open on one side. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,  in which the unilaterally open packages (2) are transported stepwise through the filling machine (1) and in which the unilaterally open packages (2) each temporarily stationary under at least one, preferably also stationary, nozzle (24,30,34,36,38 -44). 7. filling machine (1) for filling unilaterally open packages (2), in particular cardboard composite packages, with flowable products, in particular  Foodstuffs, preferably according to one of Claims 1 to 6, at least one nozzle (24, 30, 34, 36, 38-44) for introducing hot air,  Drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled is provided from above into the unilaterally open packages (2) and wherein a  Transport direction (14) for transporting the unilaterally open packages (2) by the filling device (1) is provided,  d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s the transport device for positioning the unilaterally open packages (2) eccentrically to the at least one nozzle (24,30,34,36,38-44) for introducing hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled in the packages (2) is formed. Filling machine according to claim 7, d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s the transport device (14) has a cell chain with cells for receiving unilaterally open packages (2), and in particular for the stepwise Transporting the unilaterally open packages (2) through the filling machine (1), and that, preferably, the cell chain for positioning the unilaterally open packages (2) in at least one step eccentrically below the at least one nozzle (24,30,34, 36, 38-44) for introducing hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled into the packings (2). Filling machine according to claim 7 or 8, d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s when introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled in the pack (2) the center of the nozzle opening, preferably the entire nozzle opening, in particular by at least the width of a nozzle opening, laterally adjacent to the central Longitudinal axis of the unilaterally open pack (2) is arranged and in which, preferably, the nozzle opening is associated with one side and / or one edge of the package (2) which is open on one side. Filling machine according to one of claims 7 to 9, d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s when introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the product to be filled into the pack (2), the at least one nozzle (24, 30, 34, 36, 38-44), in particular its nozzle opening, opposite the longitudinal axis of the one-sidedly open one Pack (2) is arranged offset parallel and / or perpendicular to the transport direction of the packs (2). 11. Filling machine according to one of claims 7 to 10,  d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s  at least two nozzles (24,30,34,36,38-44) are provided for successively introducing hot air, drying air, sterilizing agent and / or product to be filled from above into the unilaterally open packages (2) and that, preferably, the at least two Nozzles (24,30,34,36,38-44) when introducing the hot air, the drying air, the sterilizing agent and / or the  product to be filled are positioned in the package (2) each eccentrically to the unilaterally open pack (2). Filling machine according to claim 11,  d a d u r c h e s e n c i n e s, d a s s  at least two nozzles (24,30,34,36,38-44) with respect to the unilaterally open packages (2) are arranged in mirror image.