IT201900006018A1 - COMBINED SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT AND PACKAGING OF WATER IN BAGS FOR DISTRIBUTORS AND PROCESSING AND PACKAGING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

TITLE: COMBINED SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT AND PACKAGING OF WATER IN BAGS FOR DISTRIBUTORS AND PROCESSING AND PACKAGING METHOD

DESCRIPTION

The present invention is part of the drinking water distribution sector through dedicated distributors, of the "home" type, capable of distributing the water directly into a glass. In particular, the present invention is part of the water packaging sector inside containers intended for use in distributors.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a combined water treatment and packaging system in a flexible bag intended to be used for dispensing water from a dedicated distributor.

It is known to provide systems for containing natural (or in any case potable) water in rigid containers, such as the so-called "bottles", sealed, and intended to be inserted into a water dispenser for dispensing water directly into the glass. Typically, the aforementioned distributors provide a bottle of water placed upside down above a water distributor, which delivers the water directly into a glass or a pitcher or bottle by taking it from the bottle, possibly cooling it.

The bottles of the known art are generally filled with water from a source of natural water and subsequently suitably sealed and then sent to large retailers to reach the water dispensers located in homes or offices.

However, the systems of the known art suffer from some drawbacks. In the first place, rigid containers, such as cans and flasks, and, consequently, known filling systems suffer from some problems related to transport and storage, being bulky, not very flexible for storage in confined environments and also not easy to handle. In particular, the process of filling rigid containers requires large storage spaces for the containers, long filling lines and separate machines dedicated on one side to filling and on the other to closing the bottles.

Further, the filling systems of the bottles require that the source of water from which to draw is close to adequate (and often huge) spaces for the installation of the system, for the filling, closing and storage of the bottles.

Furthermore, once filled, the bottles not only remain stored for a long time in environments in contact with environmental pollutants, but also require a huge commitment of means of transport and logistics to allow the bottles to be distributed in a capillary manner from the remote plant. filling up to the offices.

The present invention is placed in the previous context, proposing to provide a combined system for treating and packaging water in a flexible bag and a method capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks, and in particular designed to ensure adequate purity and composition of the water. packaged and at the same time reduced overall dimensions of the packaging system, as well as speed and efficiency in the water treatment and packaging operations.

This object is achieved by means of a combined water treatment and packaging system in a flexible bag and a treatment and packaging method in accordance with the attached independent claims. The claims dependent on these show preferred embodiments.

The object of the present invention will now be described in detail, with the help of the attached tables, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a combined water treatment and packaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a water treatment machine of the combined water treatment and packaging system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a side view of a water packaging machine of the combined water treatment and packaging system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a front view of a water packaging machine of the combined water treatment and packaging system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to the aforementioned figures, the reference number 1 denotes a combined water treatment and packaging system 1 in a flexible bag 5 made of polymeric material. The polymeric material of the flexible bag 5 is preferably polyethylene, even more preferably extruded polyethylene, for example transparent.

The flexible bag 5 that is obtained at the outlet of the system is intended to be used in a water dispenser, of the type that delivers water directly into a glass or bottle (on tap), typically for domestic use, in offices or homes. .

The combined water treatment and packaging system 1 comprises a water treatment machine 2 comprising a water inlet 20 coming from a water distribution system 21, for example a city aqueduct.

In addition, the water treatment machine 2 includes a reverse osmosis device 22 for treating the water by reverse osmosis, so as to obtain hyperfiltered water. Preferably, the hyperfiltered water leaving the reverse osmosis device 22 has a hardness of less than 10 French degrees.

Furthermore, the water treatment machine 2 comprises a remineralization device 23, of the hyperfiltered water coming from the reverse osmosis device 22 suitable for remineralizing the hyperfiltered water by sliding the hyperfiltered water in a predetermined mineral salt compound, to obtain remineralized water.

In a preferred embodiment, for example shown in Figure 2, the water treatment machine 2 comprises a second remineralization device 23 ', so as to allow the mineral composition of the remineralized water to be obtained to be more finely adjusted. Further, even more preferably, the water treatment machine 2 includes a third 23 '' and a fourth 23 '' remineralization device, to further improve the possibility of obtaining a predetermined remineralization and, therefore, the taste of the water.

Preferably, the remineralization device 23 is arranged in parallel to one or more of the second remineralization device 23 ', the third 23' and the fourth remineralization device 23 ''.

Preferably, the water treatment machine 2 comprises an activated carbon filtering device 24, suitable for clarifying the water. Preferably, the activated carbon filtering device 24 is positioned upstream of the reverse osmosis device 22.

According to a preferred embodiment variant, the water treatment machine 2 comprises an ultraviolet ray sterilization device 25. Preferably, the ultraviolet ray sterilization device 25 is arranged downstream of the remineralization device 23.

According to a variant embodiment, the water treatment machine 2, in addition to the reverse osmosis device 22 and the remineralization device 23, comprises the activated carbon filtering device 24, the ultraviolet ray sterilization device 25 and a first filtering device sock 26, all contained inside the water treatment machine 2.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment variant, the water treatment machine 2 comprises the following devices arranged one after the other in series in the direction that proceeds from the water inlet 20 to a water outlet 200 from the water treatment machine 2 :

- the first sock filtering device 26;

- a second sock filtering device 27, configured to filter particles having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the particles filtered by the first sock filtering device 26;

- the activated carbon filtering device 24; - optionally, a third 28 and a fourth sock filtering device 29;

- the reverse osmosis device 22;

- optionally, a filtering device with activated carbon 24 ', suitable for eliminating any unpleasant odors;

- the remineralization device 23;

- optionally, the second remineralization device 23 ', the third 23' and the fourth remineralization device 23 '', preferably arranged in parallel with the remineralization device 23;

- the ultraviolet ray sterilization device 25.

Preferably, the water treatment machine 2 comprises an external casing 201, for example the walls of a cabinet, which totally encloses the activated carbon filtering device 24, the ultraviolet ray sterilization device 25 and the sock filtering device 26 .

Even more preferably, the outer casing totally encloses the first sock filtering device 26, the second sock filtering device 27, the activated carbon filtering device 24, optionally the third 28 and the fourth sock filtering device 29 , optionally the activated carbon remineralization filter device 24 ', the remineralization device 23, optionally the second remineralization device 23', the third 23 '' and the fourth remineralization device 23 '' ', the ray sterilization device ultraviolet 25.

In accordance with the invention, the water packaging machine 3 comprises a polymeric film feeding unit 31, suitable for providing a thin polymeric film 310, preferably a thin polymeric film having a thickness between 0.06 mm and 1.5 mm.

The water packaging machine 3 also comprises a washing and sterilization unit 32 for the thin polymeric film 310 coming from the polymeric film feeding unit 31 and a remineralized water inlet 30 which receives remineralized water through a channeling system of remineralized water 4 coming from from the water treatment machine 2.

Furthermore, the water packaging machine 3 comprises a water bagging device 33, suitable for receiving the remineralized water from the remineralized water inlet 30 and for wrapping and sealing the thin polymeric film 310 so as to form a flexible bag 5 made of material polymer containing remineralized water.

Preferably, the washing and sterilization unit 32 comprises an ultraviolet ray film sterilization device 32, configured to sterilize the thin polymeric film on the side intended to come into contact with the remineralized water, prior to the formation of the flexible bag containing water.

Preferably, the washing and sterilization unit 32 comprises a film washing device 32 'configured to wet the polymeric film with a disinfectant fluid to disinfect the polymeric film.

According to a preferred embodiment, the water bagging device 33 comprises:

- a guide device 331 shaped for shaping the thin polymeric film from a planar configuration to a substantially tubular shape, in which a first external edge of the film 311 and a second external edge of the film 312, arranged on the opposite side with respect to the first 311, reach an adjacent or at least partially superimposed configuration between them;

- a longitudinal sealing device 332, for example a heated plate, configured to seal the first external edge of the film 311 and the second external edge of the film 312 to each other so as to close the substantially tubular shape;

- a transversal sealing device 333, suitable for transversely sealing the polymeric film so as to seal the tubular shape to form a lower sealing line 51 and to allow the filling of the tubular shape with remineralized water.

Furthermore, preferably, the water bagging device 33 comprises a water dispensing conduit 334, spaced apart from the guiding device 331. In other words, the guiding device 331 comprises a substantially tubular region 331 'spaced apart around the conduit water dispensing device 334. The polymeric film 310 slides over the substantially tubular region 331 'so as to assume the substantially tubular shape.

Advantageously, preferably, the water packaging machine 3 is arranged immediately in cascade to the water treatment machine 2. Furthermore, preferably the water packaging machine 3 and the water treatment machine 2 are both arranged close together and in a single local.

Preferably, the water packaging machine 2 comprises a machine casing 37 which encloses the polymeric film feed unit 31, the washing and sterilization unit 32 of the polymeric film, the water bagging device 33.

Preferably, the treatment and packaging system 1 comprises a bag transport system 6 with a conveyor belt, configured to receive in sequence the water bags 5 from the water packaging machine 3 to a downstream processing system.

The present invention also relates to a method of treating and packaging water in a bag 5 made of flexible polymeric material, preferably comprising, preferably in the order indicated, the steps of:

- provide in one place a water treatment machine 2 and a water packaging machine 3;

- conveying water coming from a water distribution system 21 to the water treatment machine 2;

- treat the water using a reverse osmosis process to obtain hyperfiltered water;

- remineralize the hyperfiltered water by sliding the hyperfiltered water into a predetermined compound of mineral salts, to obtain remineralized water;

- convey the water to a water packaging machine 3;

- prepare a polymeric film 310 in substantially tubular form around an outlet 334 'which delivers remineralized water;

- heat-seal the polymer film 310 so as to form a pocket suitable for accommodating the remineralized water;

- dispense the remineralized water into the pocket;

- heat-seal the polymeric film again to close the pocket and obtain the bag 5 in flexible polymeric material containing the remineralized water.

In particular, the step of heat sealing the polymeric film 310 so as to form a pocket suitable for receiving the remineralized water is carried out by means of the transversal sealing device 333, which is preferably a hot plate or a hot blade suitable for transversely heat sealing the film. polymeric.

Furthermore, preferably, the step of heat-sealing the polymeric film again to close the pocket and obtain the pouch 5 in flexible polymeric material is carried out by means of the same transversal sealing device 333.

At the end of the treatment and packaging method, a bag 5 is thus obtained which includes a thin, flexible and collapsible plastic wall, which encloses an internal chamber that contains water (or a drink).

Preferably, subsequently, the method comprises the step of applying a tear-off tab (not shown in the attached tables), removable, on the outer thin wall of the bag 5, so as to cover a pierceable region of the bag, which will subsequently be perforated when the bag it will be introduced into a water dispenser.

Preferably, the tear tab is fixed by means of a glue or is heat-sealed in a peelable manner to the thin wall.

Innovatively, the combined water treatment and packaging system according to the present invention allows to solve the drawbacks linked to the known art, and in particular it allows to pack in a manageable and hygienically safe way water with an adequate purity and composition in any place, as long as it is provided for a source of water. Therefore, thanks to the combined treatment and packaging system according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide either a natural source of pure water, or expensive and bulky systems for the purification and packaging of water in large bottles.

In particular, thanks to the presence of both the water treatment machine and the packaging machine in a single room, it is possible to optimize the overall dimensions and production efficiency of the bags. Advantageously, moreover, thanks to the phases of water hyperfiltration and subsequent remineralization on site, immediately before its packaging, an adequate composition and taste of the water is guaranteed, which can thus maintain the predetermined properties and taste, in any place, regardless of the original water source from which the water originates, before being treated.

In addition, thanks to the UV sterilization phases of both the water and the polymer film, the absence of any bacterial proliferation is guaranteed, keeping the water long-lasting.

Furthermore, the combined system of treatment and packaging in bags, allows to obtain a high production efficiency even in small rooms, allowing the installation of small plants scattered in many places on the territory, thus allowing an easy capillary distribution of the bags in a timely manner. very quick from the moment of packaging, reducing the storage time of the bags. This ensures that the water contained in the bags is not subjected to deterioration by pollutants and atmospheric agents, as is the case for the bottles of the known art, often stored for long periods in areas away from users.

It is also clear that the combined water treatment and packaging system of the present invention makes it possible to simplify the logistics of distributing packaged water to users, since the treatment and packaging systems are in the immediate vicinity of the users themselves.

To the embodiments of the combined water treatment and packaging system, a person skilled in the art, in order to meet specific needs, could make variations or replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent ones.

These variants are also contained within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS 1. Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) in a flexible bag (5) made of polymeric material comprising: a) a water treatment machine (2) comprising: - a water inlet (20) coming from a water distribution system (21); - a reverse osmosis device (22) for the treatment of water by reverse osmosis and to obtain hyperfiltered water; - a remineralization device (23) of the hyperfiltered water coming from the reverse osmosis device (22) suitable for remineralizing the hyperfiltered water by sliding the hyperfiltered water in a predetermined mineral salt compound, to obtain remineralized water; b) a water packaging machine (3) comprising: - a polymeric film feeding unit (31), suitable for providing a thin polymeric film (310); - a washing and sterilization unit of the thin polymeric film (32) coming from the polymeric film feeding unit (31); - a remineralized water inlet (30) which receives remineralized water through a channeling system of remineralized water (4) coming from the water treatment machine (2); - a water bagging device (33), suitable for receiving the remineralized water from the remineralized water inlet (30) and for wrapping and sealing the thin polymeric film (310) so as to form a flexible bag (5) in material polymer containing remineralized water. 2. Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) according to claim 1, in which said water packaging machine (3) is arranged immediately in cascade to the water treatment machine (2) and in which said water packaging machine (3 ) and water treatment machine (2) are both arranged close together and in a single room. 3. Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the water treatment machine (2) comprises an activated carbon filtering device (24), suitable for clarifying the water. Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water treatment machine (2) comprises an ultraviolet ray sterilization device (25). Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the water treatment machine (2) comprises the activated carbon filter device (24), the ultraviolet ray sterilization device (25 ), a sock filtering device (26), all contained inside the water treatment machine (2). Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the water treatment machine (2) has an outer casing (201), for example the walls of a cabinet, which totally encloses the filtering device a activated carbon (24), the ultraviolet ray sterilization device (25) and the sock filtering device (26). Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water packaging machine (3) comprises an ultraviolet ray film sterilization device (32), configured to sterilize the thin polymer film before of the phase of formation of the flexible bag containing water. Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) according to claims 3, 4, 5, and 7, wherein the water treatment machine (2) comprises the following devices arranged one after the other in series in the direction that proceeds from the water inlet (20) to a water outlet (200) from the water treatment machine (2): - the first sock filtering device (26); - a second sock filtering device (27), configured to filter particles having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the particles filtered by the first sock filtering device (26); - the activated carbon filtering device (24); - the reverse osmosis device (22); - the remineralization device (23); - the ultraviolet ray sterilization device (25). Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water bagging device (33) comprises: - a guide device (331) shaped to shape the thin polymeric film from a planar configuration to a substantially tubular shape, in which a first external edge of the film (311) and a second external edge of the film (312), arranged on the opposite side with respect to the first, they reach an adjacent or at least partially superimposed configuration between them; - a longitudinal sealing device (332) configured to seal the first external edge of the film (311) and the second external edge of the film (312); - a transversal sealing device (333), suitable for transversely sealing the polymeric film so as to seal the tubular form to form a lower sealing line (51) and allow the filling of the tubular form with remineralized water. Combined water treatment and packaging system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a bag transport system (6) with a conveyor belt, configured to receive in sequence the water bag from the water packaging machine (3) to a downstream processing system. 11. Method of treatment and packaging of water in a bag made of flexible polymeric material, comprising the steps of: - provide in one place a water treatment machine (2) and a water packaging machine (3); - conveying water from a water distribution system (21) to the water treatment machine (2); - treat the water using a reverse osmosis process to obtain hyperfiltered water; - remineralize the hyperfiltered water by sliding the hyperfiltered water into a predetermined compound of mineral salts, to obtain remineralized water; - convey the water to a water packaging machine (3); - prepare a polymeric film (310) in a substantially tubular form around an outlet (334 ') of the remineralized water; - heat-seal the polymeric film (310) to form a pocket suitable for accommodating the remineralized water; - dispense the remineralized water into the pocket; - heat-seal the polymeric film again to close the pocket and obtain the bag in flexible polymeric material containing the remineralized water.