US 12,304,795 B2
Aseptic apparatus for filling and closing aluminium receptacles
Abelli Paolo, Sala Baganza (IT); Casappa Luigi, Mamiano (IT); and Comani Andrea, Sala Baganza (IT)
Assigned to GEA PROCOMAC S.p.A., Sala Baganza (IT)
Filed by GEA PROCOMAC S.p.A., Sala Baganza (IT)
Filed on Mar. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/177,053.
Claims priority of application No. 102022000006704 (IT), filed on Apr. 5, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0312322 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. B67C 7/00 (2006.01); B67C 3/24 (2006.01); B67C 3/22 (2006.01)
CPC B67C 7/004 (2013.01) [B67C 3/242 (2013.01); B67C 2003/228 (2013.01); B67C 2007/006 (2013.01); B67C 2007/0066 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aseptic apparatus for filling and closing Aluminium receptacles, the aseptic apparatus comprising:
a filling unit comprising a first chamber housing a filling machine that is configured to receive the receptacles and to inject a product within the receptacles;
at least one transfer star-wheel downstream the filling unit;
a closures placing station arranged on a first zone of the transfer star-wheel that is located beside the filling unit, said closures placing station being configured to place a concave closure onto a mouth of each receptacle, said concave closure being without a thread;
a closing unit downstream the transfer star-wheel, said closing unit comprising a second chamber housing a closing machine that is configured to apply each concave closure around an externally threaded neck of the corresponding receptacle, wherein a thread is created in each concave closure during the application of the concave closure on the neck of the receptacle;
air supplying means for supplying sterile air to the first chamber and to the second chamber, said air supplying means being configured to supply air in such a way that the first chamber is at a first pressure and the second chamber is at a second pressure, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure;
an isolator adapted to define a controlled-contamination and sterile environment, said filling unit, said transfer star-wheel, said closures placing station and said closing unit being arranged inside the isolator.