Aseptic solution for low output range

The PET-Asept D Compact filler from Krones has been developed for mid-tier companies, which now have an option for handling even relatively small batches in aseptic mode while retaining viable cost-efficiency.

The technology of the unit has already fulfilled a line acceptance-test by the American FDA (Food and Drug Administration). It no longer needs any sterile-water UHT system in order to operate: the containers and the isolator are sterilised with gaseous hydrogen peroxide. The machine itself is cleaned using caustic and acid, which means that peracetic acid and foam cleaning products are no longer required on the system. Its small footprint on a minimised floor area is comparable with linear machines.

In the core section, the machine’s design concept needs an area of merely six times two metres. In there, the containers are passed by a gripper conveyor system first through a pre-warming zone, then sterilised by means of gaseous H₂O₂ before entering the blow-out section of the steriliser. After this, the containers are filled and capped. The height-adjustable conveyor is already isolated from the sterile zone, which means that minimised change-over times are achieved, while no handling parts need to be replaced.

This machine has an output range covering 6000 to 12,000 containers an hour. It can be installed as a stand-alone line component or monobloc-synchronised with a stretch blow-moulding machine.