Tetra-Dev Co.

Cnh Industrial Italia S.p.a.

Cnh Italia Spa

Giorgio Bordini

Brian E Felsing

Franco Santi

Robert C Prasse

Loreto Panettone

Tong Y Yi

Maurizio Vincenzi

David T Rach

A sterilization method for a sterile liquid-content packing machine using liquid disinfectant for sterilizing parts of a filler pipe and connecting piping in free communication with the filler pipe requiring sterilization. A preheating heat-storage piping is provided having a capacity for holding a predetermined quantity of heat transferred to the heat piping by passing super heated air therethrough. Spray charging of a predetermined quantity of liquid disinfectant occurs for a predetermined period of time into the super heated air passing through the heat storage piping which results in vaporizing the liquid disinfectant while dropping the temperature of the mixture of vaporized disinfectant steam and super heated air due to the vaporization. The drop in the temperature of the mixture is inhibited by heat stored within the heat storage piping. The mixture is communicated within the connecting piping to be sterilized which extends from the heat storage piping. The connecting piping is at a lower temperature than the dew point temperature of the mixture without cooling the connecting piping, whereby the mixture is condensed evenly as a film of liquid disinfectant on the surfaces of inner walls thereof. A second heated air having a lower temperature relative to the super heated air is communicated into contact with the condensed liquid disinfectant for vaporizing the condensed liquid disinfectant and removing the condensed liquid disinfectant from the surfaces of the connecting piping.

Sterilization method for a packing machine that uses liquid disinfectant

A piston unit is disclosed which includes a pressure-compensating device wherein pressure variations in a product line are dampened by subjecting a side of the piston (6) remote from the product line (5) to a variable air pressure. Rolling membranes (7,8) are positioned on both sides of the piston and enclose between them a chamber (13) which is connected to a source of vacuum (14) so as to secure contact of the membranes with the piston. The vacuum is distributed in the chamber (13) with the help of a vacuum line (15) with enlarged outlet area, and is distributed over the end faces of the piston (6) by way of a network of ducts (19,20) in the piston.

Piston unit with rolling membrane

A pump unit comprising co-operating, push-pull connected reciprocating pumps for the pumping in portions of contents to packing containers on a packing machine. The reciprocating pumps (1) each comprise a control piston (4) connected to the pump piston (6) in control cylinders (18), which are joined together in pairs by means of a connecting pipe (20). The pipe is provided with a flow regulating valve (21) for regulating the flow rate of the hydraulic oil and hence the piston speed. The quantity of hydraulic oil in the connecting pipe can be regulated with the help of a supply tank (23) so that the length of stroke of the pistons can be adjusted.

Pump unit with adjustable piston stroke length

In an arrangement for a filling valve on a packing machine after-dripping is prevented by providing that the outside surfaces of the valve which can come into contact with the contents are cleaned with the help of a pressure fluid during operation of the machine. An arrangement in accordance comprises a filling valve whose valve body is provided with a channel for the supply of pressure fluid and an outlet opening situated at the lower end of the valve body which conducts the pressure fluid and causes it to flow along the underside of the valve body so that any residue of the contents is effectively flushed away.

Method and an arrangement for a filling valve in a packing machine

In packing machines which produce aseptic packing containers for e.g. foodstuffs, it is of greatest importance that the machines can be cleaned and sterilized in a satisfactory manner prior to the production of packing containers. In accordance with the invention a method and an arrangement are provided on a packing machine for the sterilization of the lower end of a filling pipe 10 as well as of surrounding parts of a packing material tube 8. Use is made for this prupose of a connecting element 20 which connects two feed ducts 11,12 present in the filling pipe 10 to each other so that cleaning and sterilizing agent can circulate in the filling pipe. In a subsequent stage the connecting element 20 is removed so that sterilizing agent can be made to circulate also along the outside of the filling pipe 10 and in the packing material tube surrounding the filling pipe, whereupon the production of the packing containers commences.

Method and an arrangement on packing machines

A pumping unit for the filling of containers in packaging machines, in particular of foodstuffs with fluid behavior with the presence of suspended particles, which allows reliable operation under aseptic conditions, and which is easily cleanable. The conical shutter of the pumping unit, selectively connecting the pumping piston to the product intake duct and to the product delivery duct, is movable backwards from its seat, so as to allow an easy and reliable cleaning of unit's body, with no danger of product deposit with consequent loss of aseptic conditions.

Pumping unit for the filling of container in packaging machines

In packing machines of the type which manufacture packing containers with liquid contents a filling pipe with a valve arrangement situated at the outlet end is frequently used. The valve arrangement that is described comprises a movable valve element which is manoeuvred with the help of pressure variations in the filling pipe. The movable valve element is cup-shaped and is adapted so that it is lifted through excess pressure in the filling pipe from a fixed seat so that an annular discharge opening results.

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Modena, Italy

Giorgio Bordini