Device and Method for Sterilization During the Filling of Preferably Liquid Foodstuffs into Packaging Containers

Abstract

Shown and described are a method and a device for sterilisation during the filling of foodstuffs into packaging containers with a preheating zone, a sterilisation zone, a drying zone, a filling zone and a sealing zone, which form a sterile space and are arranged immediately adjacent to one another and are sealed at the top by a cover which accommodates the necessary supply elements and supply lines. In order to reliably prevent the penetration of microbes into the packaging units, open at the top, passing through the treatment zones, and into the sterile space formed by the treatment zones, essentially horizontal air guide elements having a plurality of openings are provided in the sterile space underneath the cover and that these are supplied with sterile air from above through the cover, so that underneath the air guide elements a laminar flow directed evenly downwards is formed.

1 . A device for sterilisation during the filling of foodstuffs into packaging containers, the device comprising: a preheating zone, a sterilisation zone, a drying zone, a filling zone and a sealing zone, which form a sterile space and are arranged immediately adjacent to one another and are sealed at the top by a cover which accommodates the supply elements and supply lines,
 wherein in the sterile space underneath the cover essentially horizontal air guide elements having a plurality of openings are provided and wherein sterile air is supplied to the air guide elements from above through the cover, so that underneath the air guide elements a laminar flow in an even downward direction is formed.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air guide elements are arranged at least in the area of the drying zone, filling zone and sealing zone. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the air guide elements are designed differently depending on the zone. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein separating walls extending vertically from the cover in a downward direction are provided at zone boundaries. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein a sterile chamber is formed for each zone. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one pre-distributor element spanning the whole width of the device, into which the sterile air is fed via supply pipes running vertically through the cover, is arranged in each sterile chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein each pre-distributor element has a plurality of openings at least on its horizontal base. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein a structure acting as an impact zone and not equipped with openings is provided in each pre-distributor element, directly underneath the supply pipes. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the openings are chamfered on at least one of the inlet and outlet sides. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the openings are arranged so as to be evenly distributed. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein the openings are designed smaller or larger in particular sections or arranged concentrated to a larger or smaller extent. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air guide elements or the pre-distributor elements are designed as perforated sheets. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air guide elements or the pre-distributor elements are designed as honeycomb sheets. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air guide elements or the pre-distributor elements are made of stainless steel. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air guide elements or the pre-distributor elements are designed as grid structures. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air guide elements or the pre-distributor elements are attached to the cover so as to be detachable by means of retaining brackets. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the air guide elements or the pre-distributor elements are attached to the cover so as to be detachable by means of clasps. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the walls of the device running parallel to the direction of transport of the packaging units are designed as panes and wherein each pane or the housing of the device comprises a groove, running all the way round, which is connected to at least one pre-distributor element. 
     
     
         19 . A method for sterilisation during the filling of foodstuffs into packaging containers comprising:
 a) providing a device for sterilisation during the filling of foodstuffs into packaging containers, the device comprising a preheating zone, a sterilisation zone, a drying zone, a filling zone and a sealing zone, which form a sterile space and are arranged immediately adjacent to one another and are sealed at the top by a cover which accommodates supply elements and supply lines;   b) providing at least one cut section or packaging sleeve that can be moulded into a packaging unit;   wherein the packaging unit of which there is at least one, moulded from a mouldable cut section or packaging sleeve and open at the top, is transported discontinuously or continuously through the preheating zone, the sterilisation zone, the drying zone, the filling zone and the sealing zone and in the process has applied to it, continuously, a laminar flow of sterile air that is directed evenly downwards.   
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the laminar flow has, at least in sections, an overpressure of 0.12 bar to 0.55 bar. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the packaging unit, of which there is at least one, is transported at a transport speed of 0.8 m/s to 3.0 m/s through the zones. 
     
     
         23 . A method for sterilisation during the filling of foodstuffs into packaging containers comprising:
 a) providing the device according to  claim 1 ;   b) providing at least one cut section or packaging sleeve that can be moulded into a packaging unit;   wherein the packaging unit of which there is at least one, moulded from a mouldable cut section or packaging sleeve and open at the top, is transported discontinuously or continuously through the preheating zone, the sterilisation zone, the drying zone, the filling zone and the sealing zone and in the process has applied to it, continuously, a laminar flow of sterile air that is directed evenly downwards.