Source: http://www.patentsencyclopedia.com/app/20100043915
Timestamp: 2017-06-23 17:35:42
Document Index: 165933507

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1', '§1', 'Application No. 10', 'Application No.\n10', '§1', '§1']

ASEPTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLE FILLING PLANT WITH A CLEAN ROOM ARRANGEMENT ENCLOSING THE ASEPTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLE FILLING PLANT AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME, AND AN ASEPTIC CONTAINER FILLING PLANT WITH A CLEAN ROOM ARRANGEMENT ENCLOSING THE ASEPTIC CONTAINER FILLING PLANT, AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - Patent application
Patent application title: ASEPTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLE FILLING PLANT WITH A CLEAN ROOM ARRANGEMENT ENCLOSING THE ASEPTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLE FILLING PLANT AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME, AND AN ASEPTIC CONTAINER FILLING PLANT WITH A CLEAN ROOM ARRANGEMENT ENCLOSING THE ASEPTIC CONTAINER FILLING PLANT, AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME
Daryoush Sangi (Hamburg, DE)
Thomas Herold (Ahrensburg, DE)
USPC Class: 141 11
Class name: Fluent material handling, with receiver or receiver coacting means processes with material treatment
Patent application number: 20100043915
An aseptic beverage bottle filling plant with a clean room arrangement
enclosing the aseptic beverage bottle filling plant and a method of
operating same, and an aseptic container filling plant with a clean room
arrangement enclosing the aseptic container filling plant, and a method
of operating same. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith
as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R.
§1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the
specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the
claims, under the heading "Abstract of the Disclosure." The purpose of
the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and
gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for
interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made
relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any
manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any
manner.Claims:
1. A process for cleaning an aseptic beverage bottle filling plant and
aseptically filling beverage bottles therein, the operative process
comprising:arranging a generally circular array of chambers into a series
of bottle treatment mechanisms, and forming the beverage bottle filling
plant comprising a cleaning chamber, a first activation chamber, a second
activation chamber and a bottle filling chamber, the cleaning chamber
comprising a bottle entry port and the bottle filling chamber having a
bottle discharge port;connecting the chambers with bottle transport
apparatus for moving treated bottles therebetween;installing a plurality
of fluid discharge heads within more than one of the chambers, and
connecting the discharge heads to a fluid supply circuit;installing a
plurality of vent units for the discharge of a second fluid within the
activation chambers and the bottle filling chamber;installing partition
doors within the beverage bottle filling plant configured to control the
flow of any treatment fluid and any activation fluid within the chambers
of the filling plant;applying a treatment fluid within the cleaning
chamber through the fluid discharge heads therein;distributing treatment
fluid through the generally circular array of chambers by activating a
first extraction device configured to move the treatment fluid through
all the chambers;delivering an activation gas through the vent units at a
general mid-point of a process path through which the bottles travel
within the bottle filling plant;activating the treatment fluid dispersed
onto the bottle treatment mechanisms;activating a second gas extraction
device to permit the movement of the gas and activation fluid out both an
open first and an open second port which first and second ports are
generally adjacent one another, to thus permit the bottle filling plant
to be cleansed by controlled fluid routing, and thus exhausting the
activation fluid and the gas from both the first and second port through
the shortest most direct routes out of the beverage bottle filling plant,
to impede entry of germs into the filling plant, therefore minimizing
travel distance and maintaining maximum effectiveness of treatment
activity of treatment gases and thus readying the beverage bottle filling
plant for a bottle filling cycle;delivering a plurality of empty bottles
into the first port in the first or cleaning chamber;directing a
treatment fluid onto the empty bottles within the first or cleaning
chamber;moving the empty bottles through the bottle process path for
their subsequent activation treatment in the second chamber and the third
chamber;applying an activation fluid onto the empty bottles during their
travel on the process path through the second and third activation
chambers;directing the now-sterilized empty bottles into the filling
chamber for subsequent filling of the bottles with a consumable
beverage;filling the empty bottles located within the filling chamber
with a consumable beverage;closing the filled bottles and directing those
bottles out of the filling plant on a filled-bottle discharge track;
anddischarging the now-filled bottles out of the beverage bottle filling
plant through the second port, thus completing the generally circular
route of the beverage bottles through the beverage bottle filling plant.
2. The process for operating a beverage bottle filling plant according to
claim 1, wherein:said first or cleaning chamber comprises a sterilization
chamber; andsaid method further comprises introducing treatment fluid
through the discharge heads within the activation chambers and the bottle
filling chamber, so as to provide the treatment fluid for cleansing the
bottle treatment mechanisms therein.
3. The process for operating a beverage bottle filling plant according to
claim 2, wherein the treatment fluid comprises hydrogen peroxide.
4. The process for operating a beverage bottle filling plant according to
claim 3, wherein:the gas delivered through the vent units to activate the
treatment fluid is a heated gas; andthe gas delivered to the filling
chamber is a purified gas.
5. An apparatus for performing the process of operating an aseptic
beverage bottle filling plant, configured to perform the steps according
to claim 1, the apparatus comprising:an isolated generally circular array
of chambers into a series of bottle treatment mechanisms, for the forming
of the beverage bottle filling plant comprising a sterilization chamber,
a first activation chamber, a second activation chamber and a bottle
filling chamber, the sterilization chamber comprising a bottle entry port
and the bottle filling chamber having a bottle discharge port, the
chambers being connected with bottle transport lines for moving treated
bottles therebetween;a plurality of fluid discharge heads arranged within
more than one of the chambers, the discharge heads being connected to a
fluid supply circuit;a plurality of vent units arranged for the discharge
of a second fluid within the activation chambers and the bottle filling
chamber;an arrangement of partition doors within the beverage bottle
filling plant configured to control the flow of any treatment fluid and
any activation fluid within the chambers of the filling plant;a treatment
fluid discharged within the sterilization chamber through the fluid
discharge heads therein, the treatment fluid distributed through the
generally circular array of chambers by activating a first extraction
device configured to move the treatment fluid through all the chambers;a
gas delivered through the vent units at a general mid-point of a process
path through which the bottles travel within the bottle filling plant,
and wherein the treatment fluid is dispersed onto the bottle treatment
mechanisms;a second gas extraction device being arranged to move the gas
and activation fluid out an open first and an open second port which
ports are generally adjacent one another, to thus permit the bottle
filling plant to be cleansed by controlled fluid routing, and thus
exhausting the activation fluid and the gas from both the first and
second port through the shortest most direct routes out of the beverage
bottle filling plant to impede entry of germs into the filling plant,
therefore minimizing travel distance of treatment gases thus readying the
beverage bottle filling plant for a bottle filling cycle, and wherein a
plurality of empty bottles are arranged for delivery into the first port
in the first or sterilization chamber;a treatment fluid for discharge
onto the empty bottles within the first or sterilization chamber, wherein
the empty bottles are moved through the bottle process path for their
subsequent activation treatment in the second chamber and the third
chamber;an activation fluid application onto the empty bottles during
their travel on the process path through the second and third activation
chambers; wherein the now-sterilized empty bottles are directed into the
filling chamber for subsequent filling of the bottles with a consumable
beverage, and filling the empty bottles located within the filling
chamber with a consumable beverage;a closing apparatus for the filled
bottles and a directing apparatus for those bottles out of the filling
plant on a filled-bottle discharge track; anda discharge apparatus for
moving the now-filled bottles out of the beverage bottle filling plant
through the second port, thus completing the generally circular route of
the bottles through the beverage bottle filling plant.
6. The apparatus for performing the process of operating an aseptic
beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 5, including: a heating
apparatus arranged within the vent units, the heating apparatus arranged
to controllably heat fluid passing therethrough.
7. A method for operating an aseptic beverage container filling plant,
comprising:connecting an array of chambers into a series of container
treatment mechanisms, and forming the beverage container filling plant
from those chambers which together comprise a sterilization chamber, a
first activation chamber, a second activation chamber and a container
filling chamber, the sterilization chamber comprising a container entry
port and the container filling chamber having a container discharge
port;connecting the chambers with container transport apparatus for
moving treated containers therebetween;installing a plurality of fluid
discharge heads within more than one of the chambers, and connecting the
discharge heads to a fluid supply circuit;installing a plurality of vent
units for the discharge of a second fluid within the activation chambers
and the container filling chamber;installing partition doors within the
beverage container filling plant, the doors configured to control the
of the filling plant;applying a treatment fluid within the sterilization
fluid through the array of chambers by activating a first extraction
device configured to move the treatment fluid through all the
chambers;delivering an activation gas through the vent units located
adjacent the process path through which the containers travel within the
container filling plant;activating the treatment fluid dispersed onto the
container treatment mechanisms;activating a second gas extraction device
to permit the movement of the gas and activation fluid out multiple ports
which ports are generally adjacent one another, to thus permit the bottle
removing the activation fluid and the gas from both the multiple ports
through the shortest most direct routes out of the beverage container
filling plant, to impede entry of germs into the filling plant, therefore
minimizing travel distance and maintaining maximum effectiveness of
treatment activity of treatment gases and thus readying the beverage
container filling plant for a container filling cycle;delivering a
plurality of empty containers into the first port in the first or
sterilization chamber;directing a treatment fluid onto the empty
containers within the first or sterilization chamber;moving the empty
containers through the container process path for their subsequent
activation treatment in the second chamber and the third chamber;applying
an activation fluid onto the empty containers during their travel on the
process path through the second and third activation chambers;directing
the now-sterilized empty containers into the filling chamber for
subsequent filling of the containers with a consumable beverage;filling
the empty containers located within the filling chamber with a consumable
beverage;closing the filled containers and directing those containers out
of the filling plant on a filled-container discharge track;
anddischarging the now-filled containers out of the beverage container
filling plant through the second port, thus completing the process path
route of the beverage containers through the beverage container filling
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the process path of the
containers within the beverage processing plant is generally of circular
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the activation gas is heated.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein:the method for the
sterilization of the chambers for the handling and/or filling and the
sterilization of the containers uses a vaporous or aerosol sterilizing
medium as the treatment fluid to be distributed from the vent units
located in the interior of the chambers;the vaporous or aerosol
sterilizing medium is dispensed into the environment, the dispensed
vaporous or aerosol sterilizing medium being directed into the chambers
by use of targeted air routing, after which a precipitation or
condensation film is formed inside the chambers from the sterilizing
medium;the sterilizing medium and/or the precipitation or condensation
film is activated and a sterilization reaction started by the addition of
the activation fluid;a vaporous H2O2 is used as the sterilizing
fluid;heated air and/or gas and/or steam is used as the activation
fluid;the fluid supply circuit present is also sterilized using the same
sterilizing and/or activation fluid;at least one container sterilization
chamber 4 and/or one container filling device 7 is used inside the plant,
and wherein at least one container activation chamber 5 and/or one
closing device 8 is used inside the plant;the vaporous sterilizing fluid
is also dispensed to the environment from the activation chamber 5;the
vents units 12 and/or the fluid discharge heads and/or the partition
doors 14 are used for controlled targeted air routing;the residues of the
sterilizing medium and/or the decomposition products in the chambers are
extracted by use of at least one extraction device 15, 18;heated air or
heated gas is admitted, preferably in the center of the process path, to
extract the residues of the sterilizing medium and/or the decomposition
products in any chamber in which air or gas is extracted in the direction
of the container inlet 3 and/or in the direction of the container outlet
11. A process for establishing and operating a substantially aseptic
container filling plant, the process comprising:arranging a generally
non-linear array of connected chambers into a series of container
treatment mechanisms, and forming the container filling plant comprising
a sterilization chamber, a first activation chamber, a second activation
chamber and a container filling chamber, the sterilization chamber
comprising a container entry port and the container filling chamber
having a container discharge port;arranging a container transport
apparatus between the connected chambers, for moving treated containers
therebetween;installing a plurality of fluid discharge heads within more
than one of the chambers, and connecting the discharge heads to a fluid
supply circuit;installing a plurality of vent units for the discharge of
a second fluid within the activation chambers and the container filling
chamber;installing partition doors within the container filling plant
configured to control the flow of any treatment fluid and any activation
fluid within the chambers of the filling plant;applying a treatment fluid
within the sterilization chamber through the fluid discharge heads
therein;distributing treatment fluid through the generally non-linear
array of chambers by activating a first extraction device configured to
move the treatment fluid through all the chambers;delivering an
activation gas through the vent units in the non-linear array of chambers
through which the containers travel within the container filling
plant;activating the treatment fluid dispersed onto the container
treatment mechanisms;activating a second gas extraction device to permit
a dual path evacuation of the gas and activation fluid from out both an
open first and an open second port, to thus permit the bottle filling
plant to be cleansed by controlled fluid routing, and thus exhausting the
the shortest most direct routes out of the beverage container filling
plant, to impede entry of germs into the filling plant, therefore
treatment activity of treatment gases and thus readying the container
filling plant for a container filling cycle;delivering a plurality of
empty containers into the first port in the first or sterilization
chamber;directing a treatment fluid onto the empty containers within the
first or sterilization chamber;moving the empty containers through the
container process path for their subsequent activation treatment in the
second chamber and the third chamber;applying an activation fluid onto
the empty containers during their travel on the process path through the
second and third activation chambers;directing the now-sterilized empty
containers into the filling chamber for subsequent filling of the
containers;filling the empty containers located within the filling
chamber;closing the filled containers and directing those containers out
anddischarging the now-filled containers out of the container filling
route of the containers through the beverage container filling plant.
12. An apparatus configured to perform the process according to claim 11,
the apparatus comprising:a generally non-linear array of connected
chambers comprising a series of container treatment mechanisms wherein
the container filling plant comprises a sterilization chamber, a first
activation chamber, a second activation chamber and a container filling
chamber, the sterilization chamber comprises a container entry port and
the container filling chamber has a container discharge port;a container
transport apparatus arranged between the connected chambers, for moving
treated containers therebetween;a plurality of fluid discharge heads
within more than one of the chambers, with the discharge heads connected
to a fluid supply circuit;a plurality of vent units for the discharge of
chamber;an arrangement of partition doors within the container filling
plant configured to control the flow of any treatment fluid and any
activation fluid within the chambers of the filling plant;an arrangement
configured to disperse a treatment fluid within the sterilization chamber
through the fluid discharge heads therein;the treatment fluid dispersable
through the generally non-linear array of chambers through an activatable
all the chambers;an arrangement configured to deliver an activation gas
through the vent units in the non-linear array of chambers through which
the containers travel within the container filling plant, and whereby the
treatment fluid is dispersed onto the container treatment mechanisms;an
activatable second gas extraction device to permit a dual path evacuation
of the gas and activation fluid from out both an open first and an open
second port, to thus permit the bottle filling plant to be cleansed by
controlled fluid routing, and thus for the exhaust of the activation
fluid and the gas from both the first and second port through the
shortest most direct routes out of the beverage container filling plant,
to impede entry of germs into the filling plant, to therefore minimize
travel distance and to maintain maximum effectiveness of treatment
activity of treatment gases and so the container filling plant is ready
for a container filling cycle; a plurality of empty containers receivable
in the first port in the first or sterilization chamber;an arrangement
configured to apply a treatment fluid onto the empty containers within
the first or sterilization chamber;an apparatus configured to move the
empty containers through the container process path for their subsequent
activation treatment in the second chamber and the third chamber;an
arrangement configured to apply an activation fluid onto the empty
containers during their travel on the process path through the second and
third activation chambers;an apparatus configured to direct sterilized
empty containers into the filling chamber for subsequent filling of the
containers;an apparatus to fill the empty containers located within the
filling chamber;an apparatus to close the filled containers and direct
those containers out of the filling plant on a filled-container discharge
track; andapparatus to discharge filled containers out of the container
filling plant through the second port, to thus establish the generally
circular route of the containers through the beverage container filling
13. The process according to claim 11, wherein the treatment fluid
comprises hydrogen peroxide.
14. The process for operating a beverage container filling plant according
to claim 11, wherein the gas delivered through the vent units to activate
the treatment fluid is a heated gas.
15. The process for operating a beverage container filling plant according
to claim 13, wherein the gas delivered to the filling chamber is a
purified gas.
16. The process according to claim 14, wherein the filling plant has been
through the cleansing process prior to the filling plant receiving empty
17. The process according to claim 11, wherein the activation gas is
delivered through the vent units at a mid-point in the non-linear array
of chambers.
18. The process according to claim 11, wherein the containers are filled
with a substantially aseptic beverage.
19. A control device for controlling the operation of the container
filling plant according to the process of claim 11.
20. A method for controlling the operation of the container filling plant,
according to claim 11, by arranging a control device to regulate the flow
of fluids, gases and containers within the chambers of the plant.Description:
[0001]This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of
International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2007/006805, filed on Aug. 1,
2007, which claims priority from Federal Republic of Germany Patent
Application No. 10 2006 036 475.9, filed on Aug. 4, 2006. International
Patent Application No. PCT/EP2007/006805 was pending as of the filing
date of this application. The United States was an elected state in
International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2007/006805.
[0003]The present application relates to an aseptic beverage bottle
filling plant with a clean room arrangement enclosing the aseptic
beverage bottle filling plant and a method of operating same, and an
aseptic container filling plant with a clean room arrangement enclosing
the aseptic container filling plant, and a method of operating same.
[0005]Background information is for informational purposes only and does
not necessarily admit that subsequently mentioned information and
publications are prior art.
[0006]Aseptic techniques are becoming increasingly important for the
handling and filling of containers, such as with beverages or medicines.
To achieve a long shelf life of the contents of the container without the
use of chemical preservatives or other preservation methods, such as heat
treatment, etc., it is of decisive importance that both the containers
themselves as well as the handling, filling or other systems that come in
contact with the containers are as germ-free as possible. To this end,
the handling or filling devices are enclosed in a housing and placed
under positive pressure, and measures such as the use of air filters,
airlocks, etc. are taken to essentially ensure or promote that only
germ-free materials can gain admission to the interior.
[0007]To essentially ensure or promote an environment that is as germ-free
as possible, the interior of such machines must or should also be cleaned
periodically. A variety of methods are used. Typically, a chemical
sterilizing medium is dispensed during a sterilization cycle into the
interior of the machine via sprayer heads installed in the interior,
where this medium reacts with any undesired germs, etc. present and kills
them. Cleaning the interior as thoroughly as possible requires or desires
a plurality of sprayer heads so that all areas of the in part complexly
structured apparatus in the interior of the machine can be cleaned
effectively. One such sterilizing medium used is peracetic acid.
[0008]Disadvantageous with this type of cleaning is that a plurality of
sprayer heads must be arranged in the interior of the machine to enable
complete or virtually complete wetting of all surfaces with the
disinfectant. Furthermore, the efficacy of the liquid sterilizing media
sometimes used is inadequate, or these media are not approved for food
[0009]An object of the present application is to provide a cleaning and/or
sterilization method that enables or promotes effective cleaning and/or
sterilization of the interior of the clean rooms without having to
install additional costly and complex cleaning systems.
[0010]The present application relates to a clean room sterilization
arrangement, and in one possible embodiment to a clean room and method of
cleaning that clean room for subsequent handling and/or filling and
closing of containers for relatively germ free production and filling of
those containers.
[0011]The interior of clean rooms for such machines according to the
present application also includes a device for sterilizing the containers
to be handled and/or filled using a vaporous sterilizing medium. The
sterilizing medium is directed to at least the interior and the upper
edge region of the container, where it precipitates and forms a
condensation film due to the cooler container surface temperature
relative to the sterilizing medium. A certain amount of heat that can
activate the medium is then added to the sterilizing medium, so that the
actual sterilization reaction can then occur. If hydrogen peroxide
(H2O2) is used as the sterilizing medium, a decomposition
reaction is initiated by the addition of heat, for example, in which
reaction the H2O2 decomposes and the decomposition products
contain free radicals that react with the germs and other impurities
present. At the end of the reaction, essentially all that remains is
water and possibly some few decomposition products, whereby in one
possible embodiment no harmful germs, etc. are present, so a degree of
sterility satisfying the requirements for food or pharmaceutical
applications is achieved.
[0012]The present application teaches that the equipment for introducing
the vaporous sterilizing medium into the containers are also used to
sterilize the entire machine. This is done by discharging the vaporous
sterilization medium, for example H2O2, into the atmosphere,
which becomes enriched with the medium, via the sterilization system
during idle mode operation without containers. Exactly as in the
containers, the medium precipitates onto all surfaces with which it comes
in contact due to the differential temperatures and forms a condensation
film there. The discharged vaporous medium is dispersed throughout the
entire machine by means of appropriate air routing. Various sequences can
be used depending on the configuration of the machine. The doors present
between individual sections of the machine can be used to control where
and in what amount the vaporous medium is to be transported. This is
supported by the controlled admission of purified fresh air, which
entrains the vaporous medium into the various sections of the machine.
Analogously, installed extraction devices can generate an air flow in the
interior of the machine that carries the vaporous sterilizing medium to
the various sections of the machine where it can form a condensation film
[0013]Depending on the machine, it can be appropriate to evenly fill the
entire machine with a sufficient concentration of the vaporous
sterilizing media or to fill various sections of the machine
[0014]As soon as a sufficient quantity of sterilizing medium is
distributed in the interior of the machine, the medium can be activated
by heat in the event that H2O2 is used. This can be done via
the admission of hot steam or hot air. The machine can be equipped for
this purpose with air supply and filtration devices with integrated
heating devices, which devices introduce the appropriate quantities of
hot, filtered air into the interior of the clean room and thus initiate
the decomposition reaction of the sterilizing medium. Here, too, the
reaction essentially can be initiated simultaneously or substantially
simultaneously in all locations via the simultaneous or substantially
simultaneously admission of sufficient quantities of hot air in all
sections of the machine, or alternatively activation can occur in steps
[0015]Once the reaction has ended, the installed extraction devices can be
used to extract any residual reaction products from the interior of the
machine. Targeted air routing is used here as well to essentially ensure
or promote that all decomposition products are removed as thoroughly as
possible and that the interior air is exchanged, if necessary and/or
[0016]Depending on the design of the machine, piping present can be
sterilized similarly. Here the vaporous sterilizing media is pumped
through the piping and activated by hot air or hot steam. Alternatively,
a mixture of the vaporous sterilizing medium and hot steam can be passed
directly through the pipes. This step can be performed prior to the
described sterilization of the interior, since then any decomposition
products discharged from the piping are removed with the remaining
decomposition products from the machine.
[0017]Depending on the machine, it may be necessary or desired to have
activation devices immediately or generally downstream of the container
sterilization devices, which devices activate the condensation film
applied to the inside of the containers by the admission of hot steam or
hot air, for example, during normal operation. In one embodiment, these
can also be used in sterilization mode to dispense the vaporous
sterilizing medium into the interior of the machine, which can
significantly or somewhat accelerate the method.
[0018]These and other embodiments of the present application are disclosed
according to the present application, which are described below.
[0019]The present application also relates to a cleaning machine for the
sterilization of clean rooms for the handling and/or filling of
containers using the method described and also a control device for
performing the method described. Such a cleaning device and such a
control device also solve the defined task.
[0020]The present application thus comprises a beverage container filling
plant for filling containers with a fluid, comprising: a sealable housing
enclosure enclosing a series of clustered container treating mechanisms,
wherein the housing enclosure comprises a clustered arrangement of
chambers comprising: a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber
and a fourth or container filling and sealing chamber, each chamber
arranged adjacent to one another in a generally circular pattern, to
permit sequentially processing containers passing through the cluster of
mechanisms; a first conduit system for sequentially or simultaneously
discharging cleansing fluid into the first chamber, the second chamber,
the third chamber and the fourth or container filling chamber, the system
for discharging cleansing fluid comprising a plurality of discharge heads
arranged within each of the chambers for spraying the cleansing fluid
onto the containers and/or onto the cluster of container support
mechanisms within the cluster of chambers; a second conduit system for
effecting a positive pressure fluid within the housing enclosure, the
second cleansing system comprising a plurality of discharge vents
disposed within the second chamber, the third chamber and the fourth or
container filling chamber, the positive pressure fluid comprising a
pressurized hot gaseous fluid from a discharge vent to fill the enclosure
during a treatment cycle; a container entry port with an openable and
closable door for initial feeding of containers into the first chamber of
the clustered housing enclosure; a plurality of star wheel rotary tables
for receiving and transporting the containers from the container entry
port through the process occurring in the first chamber and subsequently
into the second chamber; a plurality of star wheel rotary tables for
receiving and transporting the containers from the process occurring in
the first chamber through the cleansing process occurring in the second
chamber and subsequently transporting the containers into the third
chamber; a plurality of star wheel rotary tables within the third chamber
for receiving and transporting the containers from the cleansing process
occurring in the second chamber and through the cleansing process
occurring in the third chamber and subsequently transporting the
containers into the fourth or container filling chamber; a plurality of
star wheel rotary tables within the fourth or container filling chamber
occurring in the third chamber and onto a rotary table filling station
through the container filling process occurring in the fourth or
container filling chamber and a further plurality of star wheel rotary
tables within the fourth or container filling chamber for subsequently
transporting filled containers into the container closing device; a
container alignment track for directing filled containers away from the
container closing device and out of the enclosure housing through a
filled container discharge port; and an extraction system arranged within
the container entry port and the filled container discharge port for
withdrawing the positively pressurized hot gaseous fluid through the
machine and simultaneously or substantially simultaneously out through
both the entry port and the filled container discharge port. The
container filling chamber may have a discharge head arranged over the
rotary table filling station for cleansing the rotary filing table during
a cleansing cycle of the rotary filing table. The containers passing
through the first chamber may be treated by a medium comprising vaporous
hydrogen peroxide. The medium treated containers may have a film of the
medium on the containers passing through the second chamber and the third
chamber, and are then treated with a hot treatment medium. The hot
treatment medium is in one possible embodiment comprised of heated air
and/or steam. The first conduit system may be sterilized and cleaned by
the second conduit system during its utilization. The conduits of the
second conduit system may be sterilized and cleaned by the second conduit
system during its utilization. A container conveyor mechanism is in one
possible embodiment arranged between the rotary table arrangement in the
first chamber and the second chamber to transfer the containers from the
first chamber to the second chamber. A container conveyor mechanism is in
one possible embodiment arranged between the rotary table arrangement in
the second chamber to transfer the containers from the second chamber to
the rotary table arrangement in the third chamber. A container conveyor
mechanism is in one possible embodiment arranged between the rotary table
arrangement in the third chamber and the rotary table arrangement in the
container filling chamber to transfer the containers from the third
chamber to the rotary table arrangement in the fourth or container
[0021]The present application may also include a method of establishing
and operating a beverage container filling plant, comprising one or more
of the following: arranging a sealable housing enclosure for enclosing a
series of clustered container treating mechanisms into a clustered
generally circular arrangement of generally adjacent chambers comprising:
a first chamber, a second chamber, a third chamber and a fourth or
container filling and sealing chamber, each chamber arranged next to one
another for sequentially processing containers passing through the
cluster of mechanisms; connecting a first conduit system for sequentially
or simultaneously discharging cleansing fluid into the first chamber, the
second chamber, the third chamber and the fourth or container filling
chamber, wherein the system for discharging cleansing fluid comprises a
plurality of discharge heads arranged within each of the chambers for
spraying the cleansing fluid onto the containers and/or onto the cluster
of container support mechanism within the cluster of chambers; arranging
a second conduit system for effecting a positive pressure fluid within
the housing enclosure, wherein the second conduit system comprises a
plurality of discharge vents disposed within the second chamber, the
third chamber and the fourth or container filling chamber, and wherein
the positive pressure fluid comprises a pressurized hot gaseous fluid
from a discharge vent to fill the enclosure during a treatment cycle;
placing a container entry port with an openable and closable door for
initial feeding of containers into the first chamber of the clustered
housing enclosure; arranging a plurality of star wheel rotary tables for
receiving and transporting the containers from the container entry port
through the process occurring in the first chamber and subsequently into
the second chamber; arranging a plurality of star wheel rotary tables for
chamber; arranging a plurality of star wheel rotary tables within the
third chamber for receiving and transporting the containers from the
cleansing process occurring in the second chamber and through the
cleansing process occurring in the third chamber and subsequently
transporting the containers into the fourth or container filling chamber;
arranging a plurality of star wheel rotary tables within the fourth or
container filling chamber for receiving and transporting the containers
from the cleansing process occurring in the third chamber and onto a
rotary table filling station through the container filling process
occurring in the fourth or container filling chamber and a further
plurality of star wheel rotary tables within the fourth or container
filling chamber for subsequently transporting the now filled containers
into the container closing device; arranging a container alignment track
for directing filled containers away from the container closing device
and out of the enclosure housing through a filled container discharge
port; and installing an extraction system within the container entry port
and the filled container discharge port for withdrawing the positively
pressurized hot gaseous fluid through the machine and simultaneously or
substantially simultaneously out through both the entry port and the
filled container discharge port. The first chamber comprises a
sterilization chamber, the second chamber comprises a first activation
chamber, and the third chamber comprises a second activation chamber.
[0022]The present application also comprises a process for cleaning a
beverage container filling plant, which plant is used for filling
containers with a fluid, comprising one or more of the following:
arranging a sealable housing enclosure enclosing a series of clustered
container treating mechanisms, wherein the housing enclosure comprises a
clustered arrangement of chambers comprising: a first chamber, a second
chamber, a third chamber and a fourth or container filling and sealing
chamber, each chamber arranged closely adjacent one another for
sequentially processing containers passing through the cluster of
mechanisms; introducing a cleansing fluid through a first conduit system
for sequentially or simultaneously discharging the cleansing fluid into
the first chamber, the second chamber, the third chamber and the fourth
or container filling chamber, the system for discharging cleansing fluid
comprising a plurality of discharge heads arranged within each of the
chambers for spraying the cleansing fluid onto the containers and/or onto
the cluster of container support mechanism within the cluster of
chambers; introducing a positively pressurized fluid through a second
conduit system within the housing enclosure, which second conduit system
comprises a plurality of discharge vents disposed within the second
chamber, the third chamber and the fourth or container filling chamber,
the positive pressure fluid comprising a pressurized hot gaseous fluid to
fill the housing enclosure during a treatment or machine cleansing cycle;
opening or closing an openable and closable door on a container entry
port to permit initial feeding or denial of containers into the first
chamber of the clustered housing enclosure; directing containers about a
plurality of star wheel rotary tables for transporting the containers
from the container entry port through the process occurring in the first
chamber and subsequently into the second chamber; arranging a plurality
of star wheel rotary tables for receiving and transporting the containers
from the process occurring in the first chamber through the cleansing
process occurring in the second chamber and subsequently transporting the
containers into the third chamber; arranging a plurality of star wheel
rotary tables within the third chamber for receiving and transporting the
containers from the cleansing process occurring in the second chamber and
through the cleansing process occurring in the third chamber and
subsequently transporting the containers into the fourth or container
filling chamber; arranging a plurality of star wheel rotary tables within
the fourth or container filling chamber for receiving and transporting
the containers from the cleansing process occurring in the third chamber
and onto a rotary table filling station through the container filling
process occurring in the fourth or container filling chamber and a
further plurality of star wheel rotary tables within the fourth or
container filling chamber for subsequently transporting the now filled
containers into the container closing device; placing a container
alignment track for directing filled containers away from the container
closing device and out of the enclosure housing through a filled
container discharge port; and routing positively pressurized hot gaseous
fluid out of the machine through an extraction system arranged within
both the container entry port and the filled container discharge port
simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. The fourth or container
filling chamber may have a discharge head arranged over the rotary table
filling station for cleansing the rotary filing table during a cleansing
cycle. The containers passing through the first chamber may be treated by
a sterilizing medium comprising vaporous hydrogen peroxide. The
containers treated with the film of the sterilizing medium on the
containers passing through the second chamber and the third chamber may
be treated with a hot gaseous treatment medium. The treatment medium may
be comprised of heated air and/or steam. The first conduit system is in
one possible embodiment sterilized and cleaned by the second conduit
system during its utilization. The conduits of the second conduit system
are in one possible embodiment sterilized and cleaned by the second
conduit system during its utilization.
[0023]The present application also comprises a process for operating an
aseptic beverage container filling plant, comprising one or more of the
following: arranging a generally circular array of chambers into a series
of container treatment mechanisms, and forming the beverage container
filling plant comprising a sterilization chamber, a first activation
chamber, a second activation chamber and a container filling chamber, the
sterilization chamber comprising a container entry port and the container
filling chamber having a container discharge port; connecting the
chambers with container transport apparatus for moving treated containers
therebetween; installing a plurality of fluid discharge heads within more
supply circuit; installing a plurality of vent units for the discharge of
chamber; installing partition doors within the beverage container filling
activation fluid within the chambers of the filling plant; applying a
treatment fluid within the sterilization chamber through the fluid
discharge heads therein; distributing treatment fluid through the
device configured to move the treatment fluid through all the chambers;
delivering an activation gas through the vent units at a general
mid-point of a process path through which the containers travel within
the container filling plant; activating the treatment fluid dispersed
onto the container treatment mechanisms; activating a second gas
extraction device to permit the movement of the gas and activation fluid
out both an open first and an open second port which first and second
container filling plant, to impede entry of germs into the filling plant,
therefore minimizing travel distance and maintaining maximum
effectiveness of treatment activity of treatment gases and thus readying
the beverage container filling plant for a container filling cycle;
delivering a plurality of empty containers into the first port in the
first or sterilization chamber; directing a treatment fluid onto the
empty containers within the first or sterilization chamber; moving the
activation treatment in the second chamber and the third chamber;
applying an activation fluid onto the empty containers during their
chambers; directing the now-sterilized empty containers into the filling
chamber for subsequent filling of the containers with a consumable
beverage; filling the empty containers located within the filling chamber
with a consumable beverage; closing the filled containers and directing
track; and discharging the now-filled containers out of the beverage
container filling plant through the second port, thus completing the
generally circular route of the beverage containers through the beverage
container filling plant. The process may include: introducing treatment
fluid through the discharge heads within the activation chambers and the
container filling chamber, so as to provide the treatment fluid for
cleansing the container treatment mechanisms therein, and wherein the
treatment fluid may comprise hydrogen peroxide, and wherein the gas
delivered through the vent units to activate the treatment fluid may be a
heated gas, and wherein the gas delivered to the filling chamber may be a
[0024]The present application may also comprise an apparatus for
performing the process of operating an aseptic beverage container filling
plant, the apparatus having means comprising: an isolated generally
circular array of chambers into a series of container treatment
mechanisms, for the forming of the beverage container filling plant
comprising a sterilization chamber, a first activation chamber, a second
activation chamber and a container filling chamber, the sterilization
chamber comprising a container entry port and the container filling
chamber having a container discharge port, the chambers being connected
with container transport lines for moving treated containers
therebetween; a plurality of fluid discharge heads arranged within more
than one of the chambers, the discharge heads being connected to a fluid
supply circuit; a plurality of vent units arranged for the discharge of a
second fluid within the activation chambers and the container filling
chamber; an arrangement of partition doors within the beverage container
any activation fluid within the chambers of the filling plant; a
treatment fluid discharged within the sterilization chamber through the
fluid discharge heads therein, the treatment fluid distributed through
the generally circular array of chambers by activating a first extraction
device configured to move the treatment fluid through all the chambers; a
path through which the containers travel within the container filling
plant, and wherein the treatment fluid is dispersed onto the container
treatment mechanisms; a second gas extraction device being arranged to
move the gas and activation fluid out an open first and an open second
port which ports are generally adjacent one another, to thus permit the
bottle filling plant to be cleansed by controlled fluid routing, and thus
container filling plant to impede entry of germs into the filling plant,
beverage container filling plant for a container filling cycle, and
wherein a plurality of empty containers are arranged for delivery into
the first port in the first or sterilization chamber; a treatment fluid
for discharge onto the empty containers within the first or sterilization
chamber, wherein the empty containers are moved through the container
process path for their subsequent activation treatment in the second
chamber and the third chamber; an activation fluid application onto the
empty containers during their travel on the process path through the
second and third activation chambers; wherein the now-sterilized empty
containers are directed into the filling chamber for subsequent filling
of the containers with a consumable beverage, and filling the empty
containers located within the filling chamber with a consumable beverage;
a closing means for the filled containers and a directing means for those
containers out of the filling plant on a filled-container discharge
track; and a discharge means for moving the now-filled containers out of
the beverage container filling plant through the second port, thus
completing the generally circular route of the containers through the
beverage container filling plant. The apparatus may include: a heating
means arranged within the vent units, the heating means arranged to
controllably heat fluid passing therethrough.
[0025]The present application may also comprise a method for operating an
following: connecting an array of chambers into a series of container
port and the container filling chamber having a container discharge port;
connecting the chambers with container transport apparatus for moving
treated containers therebetween; installing a plurality of fluid
discharge heads to a fluid supply circuit; installing a plurality of vent
and the container filling chamber; installing partition doors within the
of the filling plant; applying a treatment fluid within the sterilization
chamber through the fluid discharge heads therein; distributing treatment
delivering an activation gas through the vent units located adjacent the
process path through which the containers travel within the container
filling plant; activating the treatment fluid dispersed onto the
container treatment mechanisms; activating a second gas extraction device
container filling plant for a container filling cycle; delivering a
sterilization chamber; directing a treatment fluid onto the empty
containers within the first or sterilization chamber; moving the empty
process path route of the beverage containers through the beverage
container filling plant. The process path of the containers within the
beverage processing plant is in one possible embodiment of generally
circular configuration. The activation gas may be heated.
[0026]The above-discussed embodiments of the present application will be
described further hereinbelow. When the word "invention" or "embodiment
of the invention" is used in this specification, the word "invention" or
"embodiment of the invention" includes "inventions" or "embodiments of
the invention", that is the plural of "invention" or "embodiment of the
invention". By stating "invention" or "embodiment of the invention", the
Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not
include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention,
and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably
and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that
the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention,
and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these
inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the
[0027]The objects of the present application will become more apparent,
when viewed on conjunction with the following drawings in which:
[0028]FIG. 1 shows a basic schematic plan view of a clean room filling
device for use with the method of the present application;
[0029]FIG. 1A shows a more detailed schematic plan view of FIG. 1, of a
clean room arrangement utilized for sterilizing and filling containers
passing therethrough;
[0030]FIG. 2 shows a basic schematic connection diagram of FIG. 1; and
[0031]FIG. 2A shows a more detailed schematic diagram of the fluid system
shown in FIG. 2, for servicing that clean room arrangement.
[0032]A machine designated in its entirety as 1 for the filling of
containers, for example for bottles or cans with beverages, etc., is
shown in greater detail in FIGS. 1 and 1A. The complete machine is
enclosed in a housing 2, which protects the entire interior from
contaminants from the outside so that clean room conditions prevail in
[0033]The machine 1 has a container opening 3, through which the bottles
to be filled can gain admission to the interior of the machine. The
containers are then sterilized in a sterilization device 4. They move
around a circular track together with a plurality of vaporization heads
that direct vaporous H2O2 into the interior and the upper outer
region of the container. Due to the temperature differences between the
vaporized H2O2 and the wall of the container, the sterilizing
agent precipitates and forms a condensation film. The containers are then
conveyed into a first activation device 5, in which hot air or hot steam
is directed against the outside or the inside of the container. This
initiates a decomposition reaction in the deposited H2O2, in
which it decomposes via a number of intermediate steps. During the
reaction, any germs or impurities present are attacked and broken down by
the reaction products produced intermittently, until essentially only
water and a few residual decomposition products remain.
[0034]Because the reaction requires and/or desires some time, once the
containers have completed a partial rotation through the first activation
device 5, the containers also complete another rotation in a second
activation device 6 downstream of the first, so that there is sufficient
time for the decomposition reaction to be completed when the end of the
second activation device 6 is reached. The bottles then move into the
filling device 7, in which the bottles are filled as they move around the
machine before they are closed in a closing device 8. They then leave the
bottling machine through the container outlet 9.
[0035]To maintain the clean room conditions in the interior of the machine
1, the interior must be sterilized periodically. The method according to
the present application is performed as follows:
[0036]First productive operation of the machine is stopped, in one
possible embodiment the supply of bottles is interrupted and the various
machines in the interior of the machine 1 are shut down. The cleaning
cycle is then started.
[0037]As shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 2A, there are filtered
ventilation devices 12, such as in the form of HEPA filters, for the
supply of sterile fresh air to the interior of the machine 1.
[0038]In one possible embodiment of the present application, these filters
are also cleaned during a cleaning cycle. To this end, these filters are
equipped with a device that supplies liquid or vaporous H2O2 to
the filter layers. In one possible embodiment, the filtered ventilation
devices 12 have an integrated heating device, which can then be activated
to activate the H2O2 in the interior of the filter, as a result
of which the sterilization reaction described above can also occur in the
interior of the filtered ventilation devices 12.
[0039]The sterilization device 4 of the machine 1 is then activated in a
second step. Since, as mentioned above, no containers move through the
interior of the machine during sterilization of the machine,
sterilization heads 13 discharge the vaporous H2O2 generated
for sterilization directly and unimpeded into the interior of the space
encircling the device 4. As described above, the vaporous H2O2
precipitates on all surfaces, where it forms a condensation film. To
prevent, restrict, and/or minimize the medium/the vaporous H2O2
from escaping to the outside, there is a sealing door 14, which is closed
at the beginning of the cleaning cycle.
[0040]To distribute the vaporous H2O2 discharged from the
sterilization heads 13 throughout the entire machine 1, any partition
doors between the individual machine sections are opened and closed via
control action. To provide a controlled air flow in the interior of the
machine, an extraction device 15 located at the outlet, for example, can
be activated by control action so that air begins to flow through the
machine 1, which air flow transports the vaporous H2O2 emerging
from the sterilization heads 13 through the entire machine 1, where it
condenses on each and every surface to form a condensation film as
[0041]In one embodiment the two activation devices 5 and 6 can also be
used to distribute the gaseous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
Because these devices also include dispensing heads 16 and 17,
respectively, for activating the reaction in the containers, vaporous
H2O2 can be dispensed through these heads during the
sterilization cycle rather than the hot air or hot steam dispensed during
[0042]The lines 10, 11 for the product, for example, are then impinged
with a mixture of H2O2 and hot steam, so that these are
sterilized by the sterilization reaction described above. Some of the
decomposition products, such as water and other residues, pass through
the piping into the interior of the machine. If there are branch lines,
valves, etc., a controller essentially ensures or promotes that all
sections of the piping are sequentially supplied with a sufficient amount
of the sterilizing mixture.
[0043]Once the targeted admission of air and the dispensing of an
appropriate amount of the sterilizing medium has produced a sufficient
concentration in the interior of the machine and thus a sufficient
condensation film has formed on the surfaces in the machine, the reaction
must be activated by the addition of a sufficient amount of heat.
[0044]The filtered ventilation devices 12 described above are used for
this purpose. In this embodiment, these are equipped as described with an
integrated heating device and can thus direct an appropriate amount of
hot, filtered air into the interior of the machine until the reaction
starts. Alternatively, an external heat source can be installed upstream
of the filters, which heat source directs an amount of air sufficient for
sterilization through the filtered ventilation devices.
[0045]After the addition of the appropriate amount of hot air, the
described decomposition reaction begins and the precipitated and possibly
vaporous H2O2 still in the machine decomposes into water and
decomposition residues, while any germs and other impurities are broken
down and thus the entire machine is sterilized.
[0046]Once the reaction has ended, any residues of the vaporous or gaseous
sterilization medium are removed from the interior of the machine,
whereby it is possible to dry the machine at the same time.
[0047]This is done by activating the extraction devices 15 and 18, opening
the inlet door 14 and drawing hot air into the interior of the machine
through the heated filtered ventilation devices 12 and then extracting it
through the extraction devices 15, 18.
[0048]In at least one possible embodiment according to the present
application, it is possible to feed the hot air into interior of the
machine, in one possible embodiment at the approximate center of the
process path, and then to extract it in the direction of the two ends of
the process path via the extraction devices 15 and 18, in other words in
the direction of the inlet 14 and in the direction of the container
outlet 9 so that the ingress of germs is further impeded by this
[0049]The machine is now sterilized and can be restarted for productive
[0050]The present application is not restricted to the embodiments above
and can be modified in numerous ways without straying from the basic
principle. The configuration of the machine, for example, is highly
variable. The method sequence can also be changed, or a portion of the
steps can take place simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. The
sterilizing medium used can also be modified as long as it satisfies
sterilization performance requirements or desires and is appropriate for
the intended use of the machine.
[0051]The description above referred only to a vaporous sterilizing
medium, for example, but it is obvious to a technician skilled in the art
that the above is also applicable to an aerosol sterilizing medium. The
sterilizing medium can also be in a state in which the aggregate states
vapor and liquid occur together or simultaneously or in constant
[0052]All that is important for the aggregate state of the sterilizing
medium is that once it is discharged from its source, such as the
sterilization heads 13, into the interior of the clean room, its interior
walls are wetted as completely as possible with a condensation or
precipitation film.
[0053]The present application comprises an aseptic beverage container
filling plant for filling containers with an aseptic fluid, the container
filling plant comprising a clean room arrangement comprised of a
"clustered," generally circular housing enclosure 35 having a
distribution system 25 which maintains the enclosure 35 under positive
atmospheric pressure, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 1A, by the
controllable fluid distribution system 25, servicing that clustered
housing enclosure 35. The distribution system 25, is represented in FIGS.
2 and 2A. The clustered housing enclosure 35, comprises a generally
annular array of adjacent, interconnected, segregated and independently
operable chambers, 4, 5, 6 and 7, which are in one possible embodiment
collectively utilized, as for example, a container/bottle filling machine
1. The container/bottle filling machine 1 has in a first position, a
container introduction arrangement 3 in which a series of containers 37,
(e.g. bottles) are fed onto a first rotary table 20 through a first inlet
[0054]The inlet door 14 may be of manual operation in one embodiment, or
may be automatically opened by, for example, sensors triggered by the
containers 37. The first inlet door 14 is openable to an initial
container sterilization chamber 4. The sterilization chamber encloses a
circular track comprising a second star wheel rotary table and container
articulation mechanism 22, for either "batch" or "sequentially"
orienting, re-orienting and physically manipulating the containers 37 and
transferring the containers 37 through that sterilization chamber 4 onto
a third star wheel rotary table 39 within that chamber 4, as the
containers 37 are sterilized, as will be described more completely,
hereinbelow. Those containers or bottles 37 travel, during sterilization,
on their serpentine path within the sterilization chamber 4 on the third
rotating table 39 thence to a transport line 26 and may travel through
another or second openable and closable chamber-sealing, passageway door
14, and into a first activation chamber 5. Such second door 14 may be of
manual operation, or alternatively, be automatically controlled by sensor
means, not shown, within the sterilization chamber 4. Those containers 37
are carried therewithin on a first activation chamber star wheel
container-manipulating rotary table 28 where the containers 37 may be
"batch" or "sequentially" cleansed, prepped, "standards-evaluated", and
then may be advanced onto a bottle transfer line 30 through a third or
further openable/closable, sealable door 14 into a second activation
chamber 6. The third door 14 may be of manual or automatic operation, in
a manner described hereinabove for the other "between-chamber" doors 14.
Those containers 37 are thence rotated about a second activation chamber
star wheel container-manipulating rotary table 32. The rotary table 32
may include container draining manipulation mechanisms to promote the
cleansing and sterilization process. The containers 37 are thence
directed to a container/bottle transfer line 34 via a serpentine path
comprising two inter-communicating star wheel rotatable-table transfer
mechanisms 33. The rotatable transfer mechanisms 33 may in one
embodiment, include means for further evaluation of cleansing standards
by an container evaluator and automatic failed-container-reject device as
part of the transfer mechanisms 33, and thence delivered into the
container filling chamber 7. It is noted that some beverage fillings may
tolerate a limited amount of treatment fluid in or on the containers and
some may not, depending on the characteristics of the fillings.
[0055]The containers 37 within the container filling chamber 7 are carried
about on a rotary container/bottle support table filling apparatus 36 in
which the containers 37 are filled with a "consumptive filling" by a
proper container filling mechanism, not shown for clarity of viewing.
Those now-filled containers 37 then continue on the rotary filling table
36, and may include in another embodiment, a further examination and
pass/fail evaluation through an evaluation mechanism as part of a series
of three inter-communicating rotary table transfer modules 38 and thence
into a container closing device 8. The individual containers 37 are
therein sealed and passed onto a container alignment track 40. The
container/bottle alignment track 40 may in a further embodiment, include
a label mechanism, to label the successfully-filled, sterilized,
non-rejected containers 37, which then pass through a further outlet door
14 and thence through a filled-container discharge port 9, which may in
one embodiment, have an excess cleansing fluid drain 42 therein.
[0056]A cleansing fluid inlet line 44, represented in FIGS. 1, 1A, 2 and
2A, which feeds a pressurized "treatment fluid" through a set of valving
arrangements into first the bottled entry port 3, and also into the
sterilization chamber 4. This cleansing fluid supply conduit 44 effects
discharge of cleansing fluid through a plurality of discharge heads 13
directed downwardly onto the containers 37, and either sequentially
and/or alternately, onto the rotary table arrangements 20, 22 and 24
within that initial sterilization chamber 4 of the cluster housing
assembly 35. That fluid cleansing fluid input line 44 through an
arrangement of controlled valving means 45, directs cleansing fluid which
may in multiple embodiments, be accomplished in timed, temperature and/or
a pressure controlled manner, into the first activation chamber 5,
through a plurality of discharge heads 16 arranged within the first
activation chamber 5, spraying cleansing fluid downwardly onto the
containers 37 which are moving on the rotary table 28 in the first
activation chamber 5.
[0057]In an alternative machine cleansing format, the discharge heads 13,
16, and 17 are utilized to spray cleansing fluid directly onto
empty/unloaded rotary tables 22, 24, 28, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 38, 40 and
50, and their interlinked associated transfer and container manipulation
mechanisms, when it is time and necessary or desired for such mechanism's
sterilization/cleaning without any containers in the machine 1, at all.
[0058]During such a machine 1 cleansing/sterilization operation, the
positive pressure fluid inlet port 44 further directs pressurized fluid
through a further controlled set of valves 45 and discharge heads 17,
into the second activation chamber 6. That cleansing fluid is directed
downwardly onto containers 37 maintained on the second rotary table 32
and onto the rotary table 32 by itself, in the second activation chamber
6 therewithin, when such rotary table 32 and associated mechanism
requires cleaning. The dispensing heads 17 controllably dispense
cleansing fluid onto the rotary table 32 (and the containers traveling
thereon within that entire housing as well, when the machine 1 is
utilized to clean the containers 37) in a controlled, container-free,
pressure and timed sequence. The cleansing fluid input line 44 further
provides a controlled array of discharge heads 17 within a portion of the
container filling device 7.
[0059]A fluid discharge line 46 comprises the return flow of cleansing
fluid from the input line 44 circuit. The fluid system input line 44 also
provides a controlled shower spray fill-table washer head 50 arranged in
the container filling chamber 7 within the housing 2 of the clean room
arrangement 1, to cleanse and sterilize the rotary table mechanism 36
when the table mechanism 36 is not supporting containers being filled.
[0060]The first activation chamber 5, the second activation chamber 6 and
the container filling chamber 7, are also in fluid communication with one
another through a controlled network of pressurizable filter vents 12
represented in FIGS. 1, 1A, 2 and 2A. Those filter vents 12 are arranged
to provide pressurized heated, treated, air and/or steam to those
centralized first activation chamber 5, the second activation chamber 6
and the container filling chamber 7. That filter vent system 25 provides
a positively pressurized gaseous fluid flow within each of those chambers
4, 5, 6 and 7, thence outwardly, through one and/or both of the inlet
port 3 and the adjacently aligned product discharge port 9, so as to
present a positive pressurized flow of sterilized gaseous fluid, thus
denying ingress of contaminants into the housing 2 of the sterilizable
clean room arrangement 1 by a constant, or controllably variable,
simultaneous, or substantially simultaneous flow of gaseous cleansing
fluid out of both the container ingress port 3 and the container egress
port 9, either during the container cleansing and filling process, or
during the cleansing/sterilization of the machine 1, by itself, without
any containers traveling therewithin, thus eliminating, restricting,
and/or minimizing contaminant entry into the clean room container filling
machine arrangement 1 under any and all operating conditions.
[0061]The present application may also include a method for the
containers, whereby at least one device for the sterilization of
containers 4 using a vaporous or aerosol sterilizing medium is located in
the interior of the clean rooms, and wherein the vaporous or aerosol
sterilizing medium is dispensed from the device for the sterilization of
containers 4 into the environment, the dispensed vaporous or aerosol
sterilizing medium is directed into the clean room by means of targeted
air routing, after which a precipitation or condensation film is formed
inside the clean room from the sterilizing medium; and wherein the
sterilizing medium and/or the precipitation or condensation film is
activated and the sterilization reaction started by the addition of an
activation medium; wherein the vaporous H2O2 is used as the
sterilizing medium; and wherein heated air and/or gas and/or steam is
used as the activation medium; and wherein the pipelines present are
sterilized using the same sterilizing and/or activation medium; and
wherein at least one container sterilization device 4 and/or one
container filling device 7 is used inside the clean room; and wherein at
least one container activation device 5 and/or one closing device 8 is
used inside the clean room; and wherein the vaporous sterilizing medium
is also dispensed to the environment from the activation device 5; and
wherein controlled ventilation devices 12 and/or controlled air inlets
and/or controlled air outlets and/or controlled doors 14 are used for
targeted air routing; and wherein the residues of the sterilizing medium
and/or the decomposition products in the clean room are extracted by
means of at least one extraction device 15, 18; and wherein heated air or
heated gas is admitted, in one possible embodiment in the center of the
handling path, to extract residues of the sterilizing medium and/or
decomposition products in the clean room and/or to dry the clean room,
which air or gas is extracted in the direction of the container inlet 3
and/or in the direction of the container outlet 9; including a cleaning
device for the sterilization of clean rooms for the handling and/or
filling of containers using the method according to the present
[0062]A method for the sterilization of clean rooms for the handling
and/or filling of containers is to be provided that enables effective
[0063]To achieve this, the vaporous or aerosol sterilizing medium is
dispensed from a device for the sterilization of containers 4 into the
environment, the dispensed vaporous or aerosol sterilizing medium is
directed into the clean room by means of targeted air routing, after
which a condensation film is formed inside the clean room from the
sterilizing medium.
[0064]The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or
incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possible
embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.
[0065]The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally
to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine
quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent
application. The description of the technical field is believed, at the
time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the
technical field of this patent application. However, the description of
the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any
patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements
made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims
in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any
[0066]The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions,
proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention,
are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this
[0067]The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of
this patent application, to adequately provide background information for
this patent application. However, the background information may not be
completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent
application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application,
and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent
application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background
information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should
not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0068]All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the
various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of
the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.
[0069]The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to
determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent
application. The description of the object or objects is believed, at the
object or objects of this patent application. However, the description of
the object or objects may not be completely applicable to the claims as
made relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the
claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims
[0070]All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited
herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated
by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.
[0071]The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent
application, to adequately summarize this patent application. However,
portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be
application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are
not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be
interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0072]It will be understood that the examples of patents, published patent
applications, and other documents which are included in this application
and which are referred to in paragraphs which state "Some examples of . .
. which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment of the
present application . . . " may possibly not be used or useable in any
one or more embodiments of the application.
[0073]The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published patent
applications and other documents either incorporated by reference or not
[0074]All of the patents, patent applications or patent publications,
which were cited in the International Search Report dated Oct. 31, 2007,
and/or cited elsewhere are hereby incorporated by reference as if set
forth in their entirety herein as follows: EP 0 243 073, having the title
"CLEAN AIR SYSTEM," published on Oct. 28, 1987; JP11 208782, having the
following English translation of the Japanese title "METHOD AND APPARATUS
FOR STERILIZING FILLING MACHINE," published on Aug. 3, 1999; DE 44 25
219, having the following English translation of the German title
"CLEANING AND STERILISING BOTTLE RINSING MACHINE," published on Jan. 18,
1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,259, having the title "STERILIZATION METHOD FOR
A PACKING MACHINE THAT USES LIQUID DISINFECTANT," published on Dec. 22,
1992; and JP 08 091490, issued to Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd., published on
Apr. 9. 1996.
[0075]Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. DE 10 2006 036
476.7, filed on Aug. 4, 2006, and its corresponding International Patent
Application No. PCT/2007/006806, filed on Aug. 1, 2007, having WIPO
Publication No. WO 2008/014992 and inventor Daryoush SANGI are hereby
[0076]All of the patents, patent applications or patent publications,
which were cited in the German Office Action dated Apr. 4, 2007, and/or
cited elsewhere are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in
their entirety herein as follows: DE 37 01 079, having the following
English translation of the German title "METHOD FOR DISINFECTING
PACKAGING CONTAINERS," published on Jul. 28, 1988; and DE 196 42 987,
having the following German title "VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUM
STERILISIEREN UND BEFULLEN VON VERPACKUNGSBEHALTERN," published on Apr.
[0077]The patents, patent applications, and patent publication listed
above, beginning on line 946 on page 46 in the paragraph with the phrase:
"All of the patents, patent applications or patent publications, which
were cited in the International Search Report . . . " and ending on line
976 on page 47 in the paragraph with the phrase: " . . . published on
Apr. 23, 1998" are herein incorporated by reference as if set forth in
their entirety. The purpose of incorporating U.S. patents, Foreign
patents, publications, etc. is solely to provide additional information
relating to technical features of one or more embodiments, which
information may not be completely disclosed in the wording in the pages
of this application. Words relating to the opinions and judgments of the
author and not directly relating to the technical details of the
description of the embodiments therein are not incorporated by reference.
The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee,
particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly,
avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, need, must, only, perpetual,
precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable,
and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned
words in this sentence, when not used to describe technical features of
one or more embodiments, are not considered to be incorporated by
[0078]The corresponding foreign and international patent publication
applications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No.
10 2006 036 475.9, filed on Aug. 4, 2006, having inventors Daryoush SANGI
and Thomas HEROLD, and DE-OS10 2006 036 475.9 and DE-PS10 2006 036 475.9,
and International Application No. PCT/EP2007/006805, filed on Aug. 1,
2007, having WIPO Publication No. WO 2008/014991 and inventors Daryoush
SANGI and Thomas HEROLD, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set
forth in their entirety herein for the purpose of correcting and
explaining any possible misinterpretations of the English translation
thereof. In addition, the published equivalents of the above
corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications,
and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in
corresponding cases in the Federal Republic of Germany and elsewhere, and
the references and documents cited in any of the documents cited herein,
such as the patents, patent applications and publications, are hereby
[0079]The purpose of incorporating the Foreign equivalent patent
application PCT/EP2007/006805 and German Patent Application 10 2006 036
475.9 is solely for the purpose of providing a basis of correction of any
wording in the pages of the present application, which may have been
mistranslated or misinterpreted by the translator. Words relating to
opinions and judgments of the author and not directly relating to the
technical details of the description of the embodiments therein are not
to be incorporated by reference. The words all, always, absolutely,
consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure,
necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually,
expediently, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require,
requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words
substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned word in this sentence,
when not used to describe technical features of one or more embodiments,
are not generally considered to be incorporated by reference herein.
[0080]Statements made in the original foreign patent applications
PCT/EP2007/006805 and DE 10 2006 036 475.9 from which this patent
application claims priority which do not have to do with the correction
of the translation in this patent application are not to be included in
this patent application in the incorporation by reference.
[0081]All of the references and documents, cited in any of the documents
cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in
their entirety herein. All of the documents cited herein, referred to in
the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent
applications and publications cited anywhere in the present application.
[0082]The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at the
embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However, portions
of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not be completely
applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application,
as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as
ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application.
Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments
are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be
[0083]The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may
be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims
during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably
distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.
[0084]The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally to
enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine
application. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of this
patent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of this
patent application. However, the title may not be completely applicable
to the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, the
description of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims as
patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is not
intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted
as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0085]The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by
37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): [0086]A
brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must
commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the
heading "Abstract of the Disclosure." The purpose of the abstract is to
enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the
technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the
scope of the claims.Therefore, any statements made relating to the
abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should
[0087]The embodiments of the invention described herein above in the
context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the
embodiments of the invention to all of the provided details thereof,
since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention.
Patent applications by Daryoush Sangi, Hamburg DE
Patent applications by Thomas Herold, Ahrensburg DE
Patent applications in class With material treatment Patent applications in all subclasses With material treatment User Contributions:
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