STERILIZATION UNIT FOR A FILLING MACHINE

摘要

A sterilization unit comprises at least one nozzle pipe for injection of a sterilization agent into a packaging container to be sterilized. The sterilization unit is driven to move in an axial direction, in a downward stroke and an upward stroke, corresponding to a longitudinal direction of the nozzle pipe such that it is inserted into an open end of the packaging container during sterilization thereof. The nozzle pipe is suspended such as to be displaceable in relation to the sterilization unit, in the axial direction.

主权项

1. A method of operating a sterilization unit for a filling machine, the sterilization unit comprising a frame movable in an axial direction and first and second nozzle pipes for injecting sterilization agent, the first and second nozzle pipes being movable together with the frame in the axial direction to position each of the first and second nozzle pipes in an interior of a respective one of packaging containers to deliver sterilization agent to the interior of the respective packaging container, the method comprising:
vertically moving the frame downward along the axial direction toward upwardly open ends of the packaging containers, the downward movement of the frame also downwardly moving the first and second nozzle pipes, the first nozzle pipe contacting an obstruction during the downward movement toward the upwardly open ends of the packaging containers so that further downward movement of the first nozzle pipe is stopped; continuing the downward movement of the frame and the second nozzle pipe when the first nozzle pipe contacts the obstruction and stops the downward movement of the first nozzle pipe, so that the second nozzle pipe passes through the upwardly open end of a corresponding one of the packaging containers and is positioned in the corresponding packaging container; and injecting sterilization agent from the second nozzle pipe into the corresponding packaging container.