Filling Machine and Method for Packing Comestibles

Abstract

A filling machine and a method for filling foodstuffs, particularly beverages, in composite packages open on top and for sealing the packages, using a package transport device, a sterilization unit, a drying unit, a filling unit, and a sealing unit, are shown and described. In order to have more time available—at the same output—for the individual processes (sterilization, filling, and sealing processes), and in order to prevent undesired foaming, multiple aggregates, made of a sterilization unit, drying unit, and filling unit, which are assembled into processing lines, are positioned fixed on a rotating rotary machine ( 1 ) and the transport direction of the composite packages (P) runs radially around the axis of rotation (R) on the rotary machine.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A filling machine for filling foodstuffs, particularly beverages, in composite packages which are open on top and transported in a rotating fashion, and for sealing the packages, said filling machine comprising a package transport device, a sterilization unit, a drying unit, a filling unit, and a sealing unit, wherein: (a) multiple aggregates, made of a sterilization unit, a drying unit, and a filling unit, which are assembled into processing lines, are positioned fixed on a rotating rotary machine, (b) the processing lines run substantially in radial direction in relation to the axis of rotation of the rotary machine, and (c) the transport direction of the composite packages runs radially around the axis of rotation on the rotary machine.  
     
     
         21 . The filling machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the rotary machine is rotated continuously.  
     
     
         22 . The filling machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the transport of the composite packages occurs in the radial direction each on a plurality of traveling feeders corresponding to the number of the assembly rows.  
     
     
         23 . The filling machine according to  claim 20 , wherein a fixed support rail for the composite packages is positioned below the rotating rotary machine as a floor guide.  
     
     
         24 . The filling machine according to  claim 23 , wherein the fixed support rail has at least one recess for the discharge of the filled and possibly sealed composite packages.  
     
     
         25 . The filling machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the composite packages positioned on the rotating rotary machine and/or the individual units or assemblies are situated so they are displaceable in the vertical direction parallel to the axis of rotation in relation to one another.  
     
     
         26 . The filling machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the composite packages positioned on the rotating rotary machine are displaceable in the radial direction in relation to one another.  
     
     
         27 . The filling machine according to  claim 25 , wherein the relative motion is performed via a curve controller.  
     
     
         28 . The filling machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the rotating rotary machine is sealed in relation to the atmosphere except for the openings for the inward and/or outward transfer of the composite packages.  
     
     
         29 . The filling machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the rotary machine has multiple sealing units.  
     
     
         30 . The filling machine according to  claim 20 , wherein multiple sealing units are provided outside the rotating rotary machine.  
     
     
         31 . The filling machine according to  claim 30 , wherein the sealing units are positioned in a housing, shaped like an annular segment, outside the rotary machine, which is rotatable by a preset angle around the axis of rotation and in relation to the rotary machine.  
     
     
         32 . The filling machine according to  claim 20 , wherein the sealing unit is implemented as an ultrasonic welding unit.  
     
     
         33 . A method for filling foodstuffs, particularly beverages, in composite packages which are open on top and transported in a rotating fashion, and for sealing the packages by means of a filling machine, using a package transport device, a sterilization unit, a drying unit, a filling unit, and a sealing unit, said method comprising the following steps: 
 inserting the composite packages open on top into a rotating rotary machine, on which multiple aggregates made of a sterilization unit, a drying unit, and a filling unit, which are assembled into processing lines, are firmly positioned,    sterilizing and drying the composite packages during the rotational transport,    radially transporting the sterilized and dried composite packages into the filling unit,    filling the composite packages,    radially transporting the filled composite packages to the sealing unit,    sealing the composite packages, and    transferring the composite packages out of the filling machine.    
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the sealing of the filled composite packages is performed inside the rotary machine.  
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the sealing of the filled composite packages is performed outside the rotary machine.  
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the filled composite packages are discharged parallel to the rotary axis.  
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the filled composite packages are discharged downwards.  
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the filled composite packages are discharged radially outwards.