Modulfill Bloc FS-C: Can filling on the next hygiene level

An impeccably hygienic production environment is absolutely essential for sensitive beverages like teas and juices to guarantee reliable stability and flawless quality of the drinks concerned. In order to be safe, it is advisable to separate the filling and closing zone from the production environment.

Krones has already translated this into engineered reality in numerous projects for PET lines all around the globe. Meanwhile, an increase in demand has been encountered for an expanded hygienic concept for cans. Therefore, Krones has developed a special hygiene concept – that scores highly in several aspects – for its Modulfill Bloc FS-C canning block.

A definite hygiene-boosting plus

Its enclosed construction, in conjunction with the integrated ventilation system, enables an overpressure to be generated inside the filler and to be maintained throughout, thanks to appropriate sealing. This prevents the production hall’s ambient air from penetrating into the direct filling zone and thus coming into contact with the product.

Smaller footprint

Compared to a system erected with conventional free-standing machine guarding, the footprint is reduced by 35%. In addition, an installed height of 3.5 metres can be achieved with the new concept.

Minimised filling and closing zone

The new hygiene concept minimises not only the space required in the hall, but also the sensitive filling and closing zone. While the latter comprises roughly 80 cubic metres for a filler with a large cleanroom roof, it now comes to a mere eight cubic metres, thus substantially reducing both the air volume involved and concomitantly the number of filters required.

Improved cleaning routine

Since the new hygienic design features an enclosed can treatment zone, it will be possible in the future to clean the filler’s exterior and its interior in parallel – using a closed-cycle cleaning system that covers the treatment zone, the filling valves and the additional piping.

This means:

• Shorter cleaning times; something which given a corresponding production schedule enables production to be run about one hour longer each day
• A reduction in the quantities and variety of cleaning media required, since CIP and COP procedures are performed using the same medium
• Caustic and acid can be used instead of foam
• CIP cups are no longer needed

The new hygiene concept:

• Is suitable for canning plants handling sensitive products or a huge multiplicity of products and containers
• Can be implemented with all can fillers of the Modulfill VFS-C series rated at between 45,000 and 130,000 containers an hour

Technical data