Dispensing – Processes of dispensing
Patent
1996-02-01
1998-04-21
Kaufman, Joseph
Dispensing
Processes of dispensing
222 83, 222 92, 222148, 222509, G01F 1100
Patent
active
057409455
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a dispensing method and apparatus, particularly to such a method and apparatus for sterile dispensing of product from an aseptic source thereof.
2. Art Background
Such aseptic sources are often packages of food or liquor such as a "bag-in-box" system for wine. The interior of the package and hence the wine is sterilized as is the interior of a membrane sealing an outlet from the package, and which membrane is pierced from the exterior to dispense wine. The problem is that the external surface of the membrane is often not sterilized, so that there is risk of contamination of product when the membrane is pierced from the exterior. EP-A-0 395 933 and GB 1 182 088A are both examples of documents which show prior art apparatus and dispensing methods.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to seek to mitigate this disadvantage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for sterile dispensing of product from an aseptic source thereof, comprising the steps of providing a valve device adapted for mounting on an outlet of the source, mounting the valve device at the outlet, providing sterilizing medium, and sterilizing the outlet and valve with the medium prior to dispensing product, characterised in that the valve is continuously sterilized whilst dispensing of product takes place.
This outlet may comprise a pierceable membrane, and the step of sterilizing same may comprise passing steam over an external, in relation to the product, surface of the membrane.
The method may include the step of sterilizing a flow passage from the valve to a product destination with the steam.
The method may comprise ceasing sterilization, piercing the membrane with membrane piercing means, and then passing product to the product destination.
The method may include the step of disconnecting the source and valve, providing a further aseptic source of product similar to the first source connecting the valve and outlet of the second source, and sterilizing the outlet and valve prior to passing product to the product destination.
There may be the step of monitoring the temperature and/or time of sterilization of an outlet and valve. This is for control of the method.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for sterile dispensing of product from an aseptic source thereof, comprising a valve and a source of sterilizing medium, the arrangement being that the valve, a mounting thereof by which it is adapted to cooperate with the source, and an outlet from the source, are sterilized by the sterilizing medium when the valve and source are mounted one with the other, characterized in that the apparatus includes a sterilizing chamber adapted for sterilization of the valve member whilst product delivery takes place.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A method and apparatus embodying the invention are hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows schematically a longitudinal sectional view of a first step using a method and apparatus according to the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a second step in the method;
FIG. 3 shows a third step in the method;
FIG. 4 shows a fourth step; and
FIG. 5 shows a further step a method of sterilized delivery of product.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, there is shown apparatus 1 for aseptic dispensing of product in a package 2 which has an outlet gland or boss 3, which outlet gland is at least initially closed by a pierceable plastic sheet or membrane 4. The interior of the package 2, and hence of the membrane 4, is aseptic. However, the exterior surface of the membrane 4, and the outlet gland 3 may not be aseptic.
In order to dispense product to a product destination or filling source, there is a valve device 5 which has a reciprocable valve member 6 which depending on its position opens or closes a flow passage 7 for product to the product destina
REFERENCES:
patent: 4273263 (1981-06-01), Voegele
patent: 4757916 (1988-07-01), Goncalves
patent: 5099805 (1992-03-01), Loeliger
patent: 5226565 (1993-07-01), Hladis et al.
patent: 5407099 (1995-04-01), Heucke et al.
patent: 5447254 (1995-09-01), Hoover et al.
patent: 5479955 (1996-01-01), Roodvoets et al.
David S. Smith (Packaging) Limited
Kaufman Joseph
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