Method to Sterilize a Packaging Machine

Abstract

A method to sterilize a packaging machine provided with a feed circuit (100), includes a first feed line configured to feed a first flow of product, a second feed line configured to feed a second flow of sterilizing solution, and a third feed line configured to feed a third flow of gaseous fluid, as well as a forming and filling station equipped with a delivery member fluidically connected to the feed lines and around which it is provided to form a tubular wrapping of heat-sealable film.

1 . A method to sterilize a packaging machine provided with a feed circuit, comprising: a first feed line configured to feed a first flow of product, a second feed line configured to feed a second flow of sterilizing solution, and a third feed line configured to feed a third flow of gaseous fluid, and a forming and filling station equipped with a delivery member fluidically connected to said feed lines and around which it is provided to form a tubular wrapping of heat-sealable film, wherein the start-up step comprises a sterilization sub-step in which said second flow of sterilizing solution is fed into said first feed line. 
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein in said sterilization sub-step said second flow (F 2 ) is fed into the third feed line. 
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 1 , and further providing a sub-step of forming the tubular wrapping of heat-sealable film around the delivery member, wherein said tubular wrapping is closed downstream of said delivery member, said sub-step of forming the tubular wrapping being performed before the sterilization sub-step. 
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 2 , comprising, after said sterilization sub-step, a purging sub-step in which said third flow is fed into said first and third feed lines. 
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 1 , and further providing, before the sterilization sub-step, a sub-step of cleaning or sanitizing the feed circuit, followed by a drying sub-step. 
     
     
         6 . A packaging machine for packaging a product in wrappings provided with a feed circuit comprising a first feed line configured to feed a first flow of product from a first source, a second feed line configured to feed a second flow of sterilizing solution from a second source, and a third feed line configured to feed a third flow of gaseous fluid from a third source, and a forming and filling station equipped with a delivery member fluidically connected to said feed lines and around which it is provided to form a tubular wrapping of heat-sealable film, said packaging machine wherein said first feed line is fluidically connected to said second feed line by means of said third feed line. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging machine as in  claim 6 , comprising at least one closing member disposed on said first feed line downstream of said first source, in the proximity thereof, so as to selectively isolate it from said first feed line. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging machine as in  claim 6 , comprising one or more other closing members configured to selectively isolate the third feed line from said first feed line and/or from said second feed line. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging machine as in  claim 7 , comprising a duct fluidically connected both to the second and also to the third feed line in order to reciprocally connect said second and third feed lines, and a duct which fluidically connects said third feed line to the first feed line in order to reciprocally connect said first and third feed lines. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging machine as in  claim 9 , wherein the ducts each comprise a respective valve so as to be able to isolate each feed line from the other.