Method and an Apparatus for Filling of Packages

Abstract

A method of reducing the proportion of oxygen in an at least partly formed package before product is filled into the package in a filling station in a filling machine, where the package comprises a tube-shaped blank of packaging material, the blank being closed in a first end and open in a second end. The method involves, during transport of the package to the filling station from an immediately preceding station in the filling machine, passing the package beneath a supply means for inert gas, and when the package passes the supply means generating a gas pulse in a direction down into the package. An apparatus is provided for reducing the method into practice.

1 . A method of reducing a proportion of oxygen in an at least partly formed package before product is filled into said package in a filling station in a filling machine, where said package comprises a tub-formed blank of packaging material, the blank being closed in a first end and open in a second end, the method comprises the steps of comprising:
 passing the package, during transport of the package to said filling station from an immediately preceding station in the filling machine, beneath supply means for inert gas, and   generating, when the package passes said supply means, a gas pulse in a direction down into said package.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising passing the supply means in that indexing step which is terminated by a package being located in the filling station. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising commencing said gas pulse when a first edge of the package substantially arrives flush with the supply means so that the gas flows along a first inner side of the package. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising terminating said gas pulse when a second edge of the package substantially arrives flush with the supply means. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising disposing the supply means on or in proximity of a filler pipe, which fills the product in the package, in such a manner that the package passes the supply means before passing the filler pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising employing nitrogen gas as the inert gas. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gas is supplied at a first velocity through a first inner nozzle of the supply means and at a second, lower velocity through a second surrounding outer nozzle. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for reducing proportion of oxygen in an at least partly formed package before product is filled into said package in a filling station in a filling machine, the package comprising a tube-shaped blank of packaging material, the blank being closed in a first end and open in a second end, the apparatus comprising supply means for an inert gas, said supply means being placed in the indexing direction in the region between said filling station and an immediately preceding station in the filling machine; and
 said supply means is adapted to initiate a gas pulse in a direction down in the package when said package passes beneath the supply means during transport to the filling station from an immediately preceding station.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said supply means is disposed such that said package passes beneath the supply means in an indexing step which is terminated by the package being located in the filling station. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus further includes means for initiating the gas pulse when a first edge of the package substantially arrives flush with the supply means so that the gas may be caused to flow along a first inner side of the package. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said means is also disposed to terminate the gas pulse when a second edge of the package substantially arrives flush with the supply means. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said immediately preceding station is a sterilisation station which, in an indexing direction, includes a station for supply of a sterilisation agent, a station for supply of UV light, and a station for supply of hot air for ventilating out residues of the sterilisation agent. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said supply means includes a first inner nozzle and a second, surrounding outer nozzle, where the inner nozzle is disposed to supply gas at a first velocity, and where the outer nozzle is disposed to supply gas at a second, lower velocity. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein both of the nozzles are tubular, the inner nozzle is provided with at least one through-going hole a distance from a mouth of the inner nozzle, and a part of the gas which flows through the inner nozzle flows through the hole to the outer nozzle and departs from the supply means through a mouth of the outer nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the supply means is disposed on or in proximity of the filler pipe in such a manner that the package is caused to pass the supply means before passing the filler pipe. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the gas is nitrogen gas.