Patent ID: 8381494
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. Method of operation of an aseptic product filling machine, the operation comprising: a pre-production phase in which sterilization, filling and closing stations of the machine are sterilized, and a production phase in which a sterilization, filling and closing of a plurality of holders takes place at the respective stations, in which, during the operation, control parameters of the stations are monitored for remaining in a pre-defined range, in which the monitoring comprises a measuring of the control parameters by means of sensors, a diagnosing of the measured control parameters and a storing of the measured control parameters, and in which the control parameters have been classified into a category of supercritical and a category of subcritical control parameters, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: performing a pre-production test procedure during the pre-production phase in which at least the subcritical control parameters are measured, diagnosed and stored; checking if the subcritical control parameters are within their range; starting the production phase if all of the subcritical control parameters are indeed within their range; and measuring, diagnosing and storing the supercritical control parameters and not measuring, diagnosing and storing the subcritical control parameters during the production phase.