Device and Method for Filling and/or Processing Packagings in a Space Closed by Side Walls

Abstract

Described and illustrated is a device for filling and/or processing packagings, in particular composite cardboard packagings, and/or for processing packages, preferably comprising composite cardboard packagings, with a space delimited at least partially by side walls, in particular for receiving a sterile or aseptic atmosphere, with at least one cell carrier for receiving at least one packaging and/or package and with at least one transport device for transporting the packagings and/or packages at least partially and at least in sections through the space. In order to easily and reliably achieve a sterile or aseptic atmosphere in the limited space, it is provided that at least one side wall with a lower edge is immersed in a liquid bath and that the at least one cell carrier is guided beneath the side wall through the liquid bath outwards to the transport device arranged on the side of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath facing away from the space.

1 . A device for filling and/or processing packagings, in particular composite cardboard packagings, and/or for processing packagings, preferably comprising composite cardboard packagings, with a space delimited at least partially by side walls, in particular for receiving a sterile or aseptic atmosphere, with at least one cell carrier for receiving at least one packaging and/or package and with at least one transport device for transporting the packagings and/or packages at least partially and at least in sections through the space, characterised in that
 at least one side wall with a lower edge is immersed in a liquid bath and that the at least one cell carrier is guided beneath the side wall through the liquid bath outwards to the transport device arranged on the side of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath facing away from the space.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in that   the liquid bath has a front end and a rear end as seen in the direction of transport, and that, preferably, the liquid bath extends between the front end and the rear end at least substantially in a straight line and/or parallel to the direction of transport of the cell carrier.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in that   the transport device is configured at least partially as a linear drive or belt drive and/or that a plurality of cell carriers connected to one another, in particular exclusively, via the transport device are provided for transporting the packagings and/or packages at least partially and at least in sections through the space.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in that   the transport device is configured for partially immersing the cell carrier in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier into the liquid bath in front of the edge of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath, as seen in the direction of transport of the cell carrier, and/or in that the transport device is configured for partially lifting the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, out of the liquid bath as seen in the direction of transport of the cell carrier behind the section of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath.   
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 ,
 characterised in that   the transport device is provided for vertically raising and/or lowering the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, for immersing and/or lifting out the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 ,
 characterised in that   the transport device is provided for pivoting in and/or pivoting out the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, for immersing and/or lifting out the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 4 ,
 characterised in that   the transport device has a guide and/or a link, preferably arranged outside the space, for vertically adjusting and/or pivoting the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, and in that, preferably, the at least one cell carrier is spring-loaded against the link and is provided for sliding and/or rolling on the link.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 4 ,
 characterised in that   the transport device is provided for transporting the at least one cell carrier immersing the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, into the liquid bath and/or for lifting the cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, out of the liquid bath along a clothoid.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in that   the space is an aseptic chamber, a filling and sealing space, a sterilisation space, an aseptic space and/or a sterile space and/or that the device is a filling machine for filling and, preferably, closing the packagings, in particular cardboard composite packagings, and/or that the liquid bath is a water bath.   
     
     
         10 . A method for filling and/or processing packagings, in particular composite cardboard packagings, and/or for processing packages, preferably comprising composite cardboard packagings, preferably using a device according to  claim 1 ,
 in which at least one cell carrier receiving at least one packaging and/or package is transported via at least one transport device at least partially through a space having in particular a sterile or aseptic atmosphere and at least partially delimited by side walls,   in which the at least one cell carrier is immersed in sections in a liquid bath via the at least one transport device,   in which the immersed section of the one cell carrier is arranged between two sections of the cell carrier arranged outside the liquid bath   and is transported away via at least one transport device beneath an edge of the side wall likewise immersed in the liquid bath and   in which the immersed section of the one cell carrier is moved out of the liquid bath after passing the edge of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 ,
 in which the at least one cell carrier is transported by at least one transport device provided outside the space and/or   in which the section of the at least one cell carrier immersed in the liquid bath is immersed at a front end of the liquid bath as seen in the direction of transport and is moved out at a rear end of the liquid bath and/or   in which the section of the at least one cell carrier immersed in the liquid bath is moved through the liquid bath at least substantially in a straight line and/or parallel to the direction of transport of the cell carrier.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 ,
 in which the at least one cell carrier via a linear drive or belt drive of the transport device is in sections immersed in the liquid bath, moved through the liquid bath and/or moved out of the liquid bath and/or   in which several cell carriers connected to one another, in particular exclusively, via the transport device are moved separately from the transport device at least along the liquid bath.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 ,
 in which the at least one cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, as seen in the direction of transport of the cell carrier, is immersed in the liquid bath in front of the edge of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath, in particular is lowered vertically into the liquid bath and/or is pivoted into the liquid bath, and/or   in which the at least one cell carrier, in particular a U-shaped section of the cell carrier, as seen in the direction of transport of the cell carrier, is moved out of the liquid bath behind the edge of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath, in particular is raised vertically out of the liquid bath and/or pivoted out of the liquid bath.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 ,
 is guided on a guide and/or link of the transport device for immersion in sections in the liquid bath, for moving away in sections beneath the edge of the side wall immersed in the liquid bath and/or for moving out of the liquid bath in sections, and   in which, preferably, the at least one cell carrier for sliding and/or rolling on the link is set spring-loaded against the link.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 ,
 in which the at least one cell carrier is moved at least in sections along a clothoid by the transport device for immersion in the liquid bath and/or for movement out of the liquid bath.