New generation of Innosept Asbofill ABF aseptic linear filling machines are a great success

04 Apr 2012

With the new generation of Innosept Asbofill ABF aseptic linear filling machines, KHS has scored a further market success worldwide.

With the new generation of Innosept Asbofill ABF aseptic linear filling machines, KHS has scored a further market success worldwide. In addition to the Innosept Asbofill ABF 611 (output 12,000 0.1-l to 0.75-l bottles/h) and Innosept Asbofill ABF 711 (output 12,000 0.25-l to 2-l bottles/h), the "Twin Concept" which doubles the machine capacity is also popular here. Innosept Asbofill ABF technology manages the aseptic cold filling of non-carbonated non-alcoholic beverages using the dry sterilization method. The focus here is on milk and yoghurt beverages as well as fruit juices, fruit juice beverages, sports drinks, near water beverages, tea and coffee as products to be filled.

The tremendous interest in innovative Innosept Asbofill ABF technology is thanks to the fact that, with this process, maximum aseptic safety goes hand-in-hand with a very low sterile room volume. While the Innosept Asbofill ABF 711 has sterile zones of just 1.5 m³, a sterile room volume of only 0.9 m³ is required for the Innosept Asbofill ABF 611. A factor which is of decisive importance for maximum aseptic safety is that bottles are conveyed through the machine in just one holder. Aseptic risks, which can occur with conventional switching from one carousel to another, as is the case in the rotary system, are no cause for concern here.

A practice which has previously been implemented in Innosept Asbofill ABF machines is that only bottles with a neck diameter of 38 mm have been processed. With the new generation of Innosept Asbofill ABF machines, KHS now offers the option of processing 28 mm neck diameters in order to best satisfy market requirements. A decision on the required neck size is made at the same time as the decision to invest in the machine. Additional security is provided in that, if it should be desired at a later date to change from the 38 mm neck to the 28 mm neck - or vice versa - this can be quickly implemented on the machine with a simple conversion. Such a conversion is also conceivable with Innosept Asbofill ABF machines of the new generation which have already been installed.

The processing of bottles with 28 mm neck is of utmost importance for the fruit juice sector. From a regional point of view, the 28 mm neck is particularly popular in Asia. Discounters worldwide like to sell plastic bottles with this neck size. The option available for the new Asbofill ABF generation of "placing a drop of liquid nitrogen in the head space of filled plastic bottles" ensures the stability of the bottle. Examples of other options which are available for the latest generation of Innosept Asbofill ABF machines and which can be fitted retrospectively if required are the integration of pulp nozzles into the filling valves, nitrogen flushing before the filling process, double filter instead of single filter units in the valve manifolds, and coding within the production process.

With the new generation of Innosept Asbofill ABF machines, sterilization of the bottles with H2O2 is generally followed by transferring them to the filling station, which is separated from the sterilization process by an intermediate wall. The filling process, which is based on the volumetric filling principle, is carried out without contact by two-stage free-flow filling valves. For sealing the bottles, a choice can be made between screw caps and seals. Like the sterilization of the bottles, the sterilization of the caps is also carried out with H2O2.

As a next step, KHS plans to design the Innosept Asbofill ABF machines of the new generation in such a way that 28 mm necks and 38 mm necks can be processed with just a short changeover time. An appropriate conversion option will be provided for Innosept Asbofill ABF machines already on the market. Also planned is the development of an Innosept Asbofill ESL (Extended Shelf Life) version for non-carbonated non-alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles which are sold via the cold chain.

Source: KHS