Title of Invention

A METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FORMING PACKAGING UNITS

Abstract The invention relates to a method for forming packaging units each consisting of a container (1) sealed with a keg fitting (3) and filled with a liquid product, the method comprising the steps of : providing the respective container (1) made of plastic; feeding and inserting the respective Fittings (3) into a container opening (2.1); producing a sealed connection between the container (1) and the fitting (3); and filing the container (1) with a liquid product, with their fittings (3) oriented upward; wherein the respective container (1) is having a container volume of 10- 20 Itrs and configured as disposable keg, and wherein the step of providing the container is effected by blow-moulding of the container.
Full Text

The invention pertains to a method and device for forming packaging units.
We know of disposable kegs for beverages, particularly for mineral water or table
water, large-volume plastic containers that are produced by blow moulding from
PET preforms and are filled with the fluid substance. These containers have for
example a volume of 10-20 litres.
The production takes place in such a way that the ready blown containers are
guided to a filing machine for filling with the fluid filling substance and after
filling are sealed with a suitable seal or fitting, which allows release of the fluid
filling substance in case of an application, through a release fitting or a plug
fitting.
It is the task of this invention to present a method with which the production of
such kegs, especially also disposable kegs, can be simplified, particularly also
with respect to the machine-technical requirement.
For fulfilling this task, a method according to patent claim 1 has been designed.
A device for conducting the method forms object of the patent claim 13.
The method according to the invention is preferably carried out in a plant, in
which readying of the containers (also referred to as PET-kegs) produced from a
plastic material, preferably from PET, takes place through blow moulding of the
affiijbilfefe by using plastic performs directly before their application. For the
*ftri^l|^|q(PNifg to the invention there are various variants with respect to the
sequence of the individual process steps, mainly among others:

Variant 1
Blowing of the containers, placing the fittings on the containers, guiding the containers
prepared with the fittings to a filling machine, joining the fittings and the containers in
the filling machine and subsequent filling of the containers with the fluid filling
substance through the fittings.
Variant 2
Blowing of the containers, placing and fitting of the containers and joining the fittings
with the containers in a station or machine preceding the filling machine, subsequently
guiding the containers mounted with the fittings on to the filling machine and filling the
containers through the fittings with the fluid filling substance.
Variant 3
Blowing of the containers, readying the fittings in the filling machine, guiding the fittings
on to the containers in the filling machine, joining the fittings with the containers in the
filling machine and filling the containers with the fluid filling substance through the
fittings.
The fittings are preferably designed as disposable fittings and consist of a plastic fitting
body to be joined with the respective container through screwing, pressing or clicking
and a fitting valve insert made of high grade steel.
Independent of the respective design of the method according to the invention and the
time-wise sequence of the individual process steps, filling of the containers with the fluid
filling substance takes place continuously through the respective fitting after final joining
of the fittings with the containers.
Extensions of the invention form object of the sub-claims. The invention is described in
details below on the basis of figures of design examples. The following are shown:

Fig. 1 In partial depiction, a container (PET-keg) in the region of the keg mouth, along
with a disposable fitting provided at the keg mouth, partly cut;
Fig.2 In a schematic block diagram, a plant for forming and subsequently filling the
PET-kegs;
Fig.3-5 A container in a depiction similar to fig. 1, in different phases of the treatment.
In the figures, 1 is a large-volume container that has been produced by blow moulding
from a plastic material, e.g. from PET, as disposal keg with a volume of 10 - 20 litres.
The container 1 filled with a fluid filling substance, e.g. mineral water, table water, beer
or similar beverage, is tightly sealed in the region of its container neck 2 shown in the
upper part of fig. 1 by a disposable fitting 3. In the depicted design form, the fitting 3 is
made of plastic with a fitting-valve-insert 4 made of high quality steel and is kept
permanently sealed by using a sealing ring 5 by pressing or clicking on to a flange 2.2
formed at the container neck 2.
Fig. 2 shows in a very simplified depiction and as block diagram or functional diagram, a
plant 6 for producing the container 1, for mounting respectively one fitting 3 to each
container 1 and for subsequent filling of each container 1 with the fluid filling substance
through the fitting 3 or the valve insert 4 there.
In fig. 2,7 denotes a blowing machine that has several blow moulds 9 on a rotor 8 that is
can be driven to circulate around a vertical machine axis; the individual containers 1 are
formed on these blow moulds by stretch blowing from preforms 10. The preforms 10
made of a thermoplastic synthetic substance, namely from PET, are fed to the blowing
machine 7 or to the blow moulds 9 there individually and preferably preheated, through a
conveyer stretch or conveyer rail 11. The containers 1 produced by blow moulding are
forwarded by the blowing machine 7 to a transporting element 13, against which the
containers 1 are held with their container axis BA oriented in vertical direction and with
the container mouth 2.1 lying above and held suspended against a flange or neck ring 2.3
formed similarly below the flange 2.2 on the container neck 2 and standing away
outwards radial above the container neck 2, as indicate in fig. 1 with the two-part

container carrier 14. With the help of suitable conveying agents, e.g. by using conveying
air, the containers 1 are conveyed to a working station 15 (arrow A). The preforms 10
are already preformed with the container neck 2, with the container mouth 2.1 and both
the flanges 2.2 and 2.3. While blow moulding the container 1 from the preforms 10 the
wall thickness or the material thickness of these container elements are retained as far as
possible, so that each container 1 has an enhanced stability in the region of its container
neck 2 and the flanges 2.2 and 2.3 there.
In the workstation 15, as shown in fig. 3, a fitting 3 is inserted with a centralizer and
handover element 16 into the container mouth 2.1 of each container that is held
suspended with its flange 2.3 against the container carrier 14. The fittings 3 are fed to the
station 15 through a conveyor stretch from a supply unit 17.
The container 1 thus provided with a fitting 3 then along with its flange 2.3 suspended
against the container carrier 14 reaches a station 18 that is design as filling machine and
in which, according to fig. 4, first the respective fitting 3 pre-mounted with the sealing
ring 5 is fixed permanently sealed by pressing at the container mouth 2.1. The pressing
takes place with the help of a ring-shaped sealing and pressing tool 19, which for
example can be moved in the direction of the container axis BA and with which by
lowering the respective fitting 3 one can press into the container opening 2.1 to the extent
that it ultimately grips the flange 2.2 on the container neck 2 in a tight fit, i.e. it is held
against the container neck 2 by clicking, and the ring seal 5 seals the gap between the
container neck 2 and the fitting 4. The sealing and pressing tool 19 is preferably
designed also simultaneously as centring tool, in order to fix the respective fitting 3
centred with respect to the container axis BA against the container opening 2.1 by
pressing.
Each container 1 thus mounted with a fitting 3, held further at its flange 2.3 against the
container carrier 14 then reaches a station 20, in which according to fig. 5 filling of each
container 1 with the fluid filling substance takes place from above with a filling element
21 against which the containers 1 lie tightly with their fitting 3 during filling. The station

20 thus forms the actual filling machine. This is designed, for example, as leaner filling
machine, or even as filling machine of circulating type with several filling positions
respectively having a filling element 21 as well as the container carrier 14 on the
circumference of a rotor driven to circulate around a vertical machine axis.
The filled containers 1 are then guided by a protractor 22 in conveying direction A to a
further application and/or processing, e.g. to a labelling machine.
It has been assumed above that insertion of the fittings 3 into the container openings 2.1,
pressing of the fittings 3 against the respective container opening 2.1 and filling of the
containers 1 in various successive stations 15, 18 and 20 takes place in transporting
direction A. In a preferred design form of the invention, at least the functions of the
stations 18 and 20 are combined into one station or device, namely in a filling machine of
leaner or circulating type, in which respectively by a relative movement between the
respective container 1 and the pressing tool 19 and eventually the filling element 21, tight
fastening of the respective fitting 3 to the concerned container 1 takes place in the vertical
axis or in the container axis BA, and the sealing condition between the respective
container or its fitting 3 and the filling element 21 is reached for the filling sequence.
The stroke movement required for pressing the fitting 3 against the container 1 and for
creating the sealing condition between the filling element 21 and a container 1 or its
fitting 3 can be generated by means of a common stroke element, for example by suitable
lifting of the respective container carrier 14 and the container 1 held against it, first
against the pressing tool 19 and subsequently against the filling element 21.
If the filling machine is designed at such a circulating type, then on the circumference of
the rotor driven to circulate around a vertical machine axis several filling positions are
foreseen with respectively a filling element 21, with a container carrier 14, with a
pressing tool 19 and with agents that allow a controlled relative movement in vertical
direction between the pressing tool 19 and the container carrier 14 as well as between the
filling element 21 and the container carrier 14 of each filling position. The containers
individually reach a container inlet at one of the filling positions. The filled containers

are forwarded at a container outlet on to the protractor 22. Pressing of the fittings 3 and
subsequent filling then take place in the angular region of the rotation movement of the
rotor between the container inlet and the container outlet.
There is also the possibility of integrating even the function of the station 15 into the
filling machine, in case of a filling machine of circulating type in such a way that after
handing over the respective container 1 to a filling position of the rotor, first the fitting 3
is placed on it and subsequently fastened by pressing on the container.
There is also the possibility of integrating the functions of the stations 15 and 18 into one
machine or device, so that the containers 1 mounted completely with the fittings can be
fed to the filling machine forming the station 20; the bottles 1 are held suspended against
their flange 2.3 from above in this filling machine and filled with the fluid filling
substance.
For all the above described design forms it is common that the containers 1 are produced
by blow moulding only immediately before their application, i.e. immediately before
filling with the fluid filling substance; after production the containers 1 during the entire
process (mounting the fittings 3 and filling the containers 1) are held suspended
continuously against their flange 2.3, i.e. no new orientation and/or new positioning of
the containers 1 is necessary; joining of the fittings 3 with the containers 1 takes place
respectively by placing the fittings on the container mouths 2.1 and by subsequent
pressing, and that too in case of containers supported against their container neck 2 or the
flange 2.3 there, i.e. by supporting the containers at a container region that has a higher
stability on account of its greater wall thickness; the filling takes place only after
mounting the fittings 3.

List of reference signs
1. Container
2. Container neck
2.1 Container mouth
2.2, 2.3 Flange at the container neck
3. Fitting
4. Valve insert
5. Sealing ring
6. Plant
7. Blowing machine
8. Rotor
9. Blow mould
10. Preform
11. Supply unit
12. Conveyor stretch
13. Conveyor stretch
14. Container carrier
15. Station for joining the container 1 and fittings 3
16. Centering or handover element
17. Supply unit
18. Station for permanent tight joining of fitting and container
19. Pressing tool
20. Station for filling the containers
21. Filling element
22. Conveyor stretch
A Conveying or transporting direction

We Claim:
1. A method for forming packaging units each consisting of a container (1)
sealed with a keg fitting (3) and filled with a liquid product, the method
comprising the steps of:
- providing the respective container (1) made of plastic;
- feeding and inserting the respective Fittings (3) into a container opening (2.1);
- producing a sealed connection between the container (1) and the fitting (3);
and
- filing the container (1) with a liquid product, with their fittings (3) oriented
upward; wherein the respective container (1) is having a container volume of 10-
20 Itrs and configured as disposable keg, wherein the respective fitting (3) is
disposable fitting (3), and wherein the step of providing the container is effected
by blow-moulding of the container.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steps of providing the containers
(1), feeding and inserting the fittings (3) into the containers (1), sealing the
fittings (3) with the container opening and filling the containers with liquid
product, are carried out in a plant (6) immediately and sequentially one after the
other.

3. A method as claimed in one of the previous claims, wherein the step of filing
the containers (1) takes place respectively in a filling machine (20) of the plant
(6).
4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step of producing a sealed
connection between the containers (1) and the fittings (3) takes place within
said filling machine.
5. A method as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the step of feeding and inserting
the fitting (3) on the container opening (2.1) takes place within the filling
machine.
6. A method as claimed in any claims 3 to 5, wherein the step of feeding and
inserting the fittings (3) on the container (1) as well as the step of producing a
sealed connection between the fittings (3) and the container openings (2.1) are
carried-out in a station (15,18) preceding the filling machine.
7. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein producing a
sealed connection between the containers (1) and the fittings (3) takes place by
screwing the fittings on to the containers (1).

8. A method as claimed in one of the previous claims, wherein said sealed
connection is produced by pressing and/or clicking the fittings (3) on to the
containers (1).
9. A device for forming packing units consisting of a container (1) sealed with a
keg fitting (3) and filled with a fluid filling substance, with at least one filling
position with filling element (21) against which the respective container (1) with
its fitting (3) to be filled and held against a container carrier (14) can be pressed
for the filling process through relative movement between the filing element (21)
and the container carrier (14), characterized in that at least one tool (19) is
provided at the filling position for creating a joint between the respective
container (1) and the fitting before the filling process, wherein the respective
container (1) is having a container volume of 10-20 Itrs and configured as a
disposable keg, wherein the respective fitting (3) is disposable fitting (3), and
wherein the container is provided to the device by blow-moulding.
10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one tool (19) is
configured as thrusting or pressing tool (19) for creating the joint between the
fittings (3) and the containers (1) by pressing and/or clicking.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one tool is enabled
to produce a screw joint between the containers (1) and the fittings (3).
12. A device as claimed in claim 9, comprising a machine or station (15) disposed
preceding the filling machine, in which feeding the fittings and inserting the
fittings (3) on the containers (1) takes place.
13. A device as claimed in one of the previous claims, wherein the filling machine
is linear type.
14. A device as claimed in one of the previous claims, wherein the filling machine
is of circulating type.
15. A device as claimed in one of the previous claims, wherein the filling machine
comprises means for feeding the fittings (3) and placing the fitting (3) on the
containers (1).



ABSTRACT


TITLE " A METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FORMING PACKAGING UNITS"
The invention relates to a method for forming packaging units each
consisting of a container (1) sealed with a keg fitting (3) and filled with a
liquid product, the method comprising the steps of : providing the
respective container (1) made of plastic; feeding and inserting the
respective Fittings (3) into a container opening (2.1); producing a sealed
connection between the container (1) and the fitting (3); and filing the
container (1) with a liquid product, with their fittings (3) oriented upward;
wherein the respective container (1) is having a container volume of 10-
20 Itrs and configured as disposable keg, and wherein the step of
providing the container is effected by blow-moulding of the container.

Documents:

4979-KOLNP-2008-(18-10-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(21-08-2012)-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(21-08-2012)-AMANDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(21-08-2012)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(24-10-2011)-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(24-10-2011)-FORM 3.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(29-06-2012)-ABSTRACT.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(29-06-2012)-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(29-06-2012)-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(29-06-2012)-FORM-1.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(29-06-2012)-FORM-2.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(29-06-2012)-FORM-3.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(29-06-2012)-FORM-5.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(29-06-2012)-OTHERS.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-(29-06-2012)-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-abstract.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-CANCELLED PAGES.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-claims.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-CORRESPONDENCE 1.4.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-CORRESPONDENCE-1.1.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-CORRESPONDENCE-1.2.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-CORRESPONDENCE-1.3.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-correspondence.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-description (complete).pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-DRAWINGS-1.1.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-drawings.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-ENGLISH TRANSLATION.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-FORM 1-1.1.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-form 1.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-FORM 13.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-FORM 18 1.1.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-form 18.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-FORM 2-1.1.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-form 2.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-FORM 3 1.3.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-FORM 3-1.1.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-form 3.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-FORM 5 1.2.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-FORM 5-1.1.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-form 5.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GPA 1.1.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-gpa.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GRANTED-FORM 3.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GRANTED-FORM 5.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION-COMPLETE.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-INTERNATIONAL EXM REPORT.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-INTERNATIONAL PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-international publication.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT 1.1.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-international search report.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-OTHERS PCT FORM.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-OTHERS.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-PA.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-PCT REQUEST.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

4979-KOLNP-2008-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-specification.pdf

4979-kolnp-2008-translated copy of priority document.pdf

abstract-4979-kolnp-2008.jpg


Patent Number 258155
Indian Patent Application Number 4979/KOLNP/2008
PG Journal Number 50/2013
Publication Date 13-Dec-2013
Grant Date 10-Dec-2013
Date of Filing 08-Dec-2008
Name of Patentee KHS GMBH
Applicant Address JUCHOSTRASSE 20, 44143 DORTMUND, GERMANY
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MONZEL, ALOIS HINTER DEN HECKEN 28, 67591 MOERSTADT
PCT International Classification Number B65 B3/00,B65B39/00
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2007/004600
PCT International Filing date 2007-05-24
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 102006026279.4 2006-06-02 Germany