Aseptic filling technology for near-water products

With a aseptic filling line at its facility in Eilenburg, near Leipzig, the mineral water bottler Franken Brunnen is upsizing the capacity of its east German production operation. Frankenbrunnen here produces mineral waters, lemonades, mixed beverages and fizzy drinks, and supplements the existing Ileburger range with the innovative product lines of Tea (Ileburger Tee-Olé), Near Water (Sport Aktiv, Wellness Relax and Body Balance) and Flavoured Water (Ileburger Früchtchen). The new 40,000-bph aseptic line has been integrated into the existing large bottling hall. The containers produced in the Contiform S24 stretch blow-moulding machine are passed via an AirCo conveyor to the aseptic BLOC.
The process of aseptic filling encompasses three intermeshing steps under sterile conditions in a small cleanroom. First of all, the bottles are disinfected in the steriliser and the rinser. The isolator enclosure ensures maximised dependability for the disinfection process and prevents any recontamination of the containers.
In the Volumetic VODM-PET filler, the sterilised product is filled in the sterilised bottles. Stringent separation of the filling valve from the integrated machinery prevents germs from being carried over into the system. The volumetric filling system incorporates an inductive flow meter and functions without any physical contact between the mouth of the bottle and the filling valve. The closures are sterilised in a disinfectant bath, and fed to the aseptic capper. The aseptic concept for the capper is based on a hygienic construction with a minimised number of components above the bottle’s mouth.