EP3215423B1 - Sealing device for a container for aseptically receiving a flowable product and container and method for aseptic filling - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a closure device for a container for aseptically receiving a flowable product according to the preamble of claim 1.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a container for aseptically receiving a flowable product according to the preamble of claim 8. A corresponding closure device and a corresponding container are known from WO 2010/029394 A1 known.
Finally, the invention relates to a method for aseptically filling a container according to claim 9.

With a container having a spout, in particular a bag package, for example, a stand-up bag, meant. Such a bag packaging is made of a single or multilayer material which consists of plastic and / or metal foil. Cans, cartons or bottles, in particular of plastic and / or metal and / or coated cardboard are containers in the context of the invention. Containers of the type mentioned serve, for example, for holding foods, especially for receiving drinks and / or baby food, but also from other flowable (eg liquid or pasty) products.
Especially in the food industry or in the medical field, it is particularly important to germ-free. Therefore, attention must be paid to an aseptic (sterile) environment during manufacture and especially when filling the container. In particular, all elements that come into contact with the container during the filling process and the container itself must be sterile.
To achieve aseptic uptake of a flowable product, it is for example from the DE 10 2010 049 263 A1 known to retract a provided with a spout stand-up pouch in a filling chamber, with spout and bag have been previously sterilized. The sterilization from the inside is usually carried out by applying a gas and / or vapor sterilant. Further sterilization of the entire container takes place by irradiation with gamma, beta, electron and / or microwave radiation. The sterilization takes place with the spout closed, in which case the spout is firmly sealed at its upper opening. In the filling chamber, the sealed area of the spout is cut off, thereby releasing the product filling channel. Subsequently, the filling of the bag with the product takes place by means of a filling head, which is arranged above the spout and from which the product is passed via the spout into the bag. After completion of the Befüllvorgangs the bag is hermetically sealed by placing a closure on the spout. In addition, while the bag is in the filling chamber, to maximize sterility, the bag and spout are irradiated from above by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Also in the in the DE 3 301 315 C2 described prior art is a sterilization of a container to be filled, including the closure cap provided with a spout by irradiation by means of UV radiation from above. The sterility of the filling device should be ensured by spraying the filling head with disinfecting liquid.

From the US 5,129,212 is also known for the aseptic filling of a container to irradiate container, spout and cap with UV radiation from the side. For this purpose, the spout and cap provided container through an elongated tunnel in which the filling chamber is guided, the tunnel walls are provided with longitudinally extending UV tubes, which provide for lateral irradiation. The tunnel is also filled with sterile gas.

The DE 3 108 173 C2 describes a container with a two-part spout, wherein the first spout part is firmly connected to the remaining container and the second spout part is plugged together after filling with the first spout part. The second spout part can also have a tubular mouthpiece. In this prior art, the sterilization is carried out by spraying all components of the filling device with a disinfecting liquid.

From the DE 2 919 388 A1 It is also known to pressurize the filling chamber by means of a sterile pressurized gas, wherein the spout and the bag interior are brought into contact with the sterile gas to ensure aseptic reception of a flowable product.

From an internal prior art it is also known to provide a container body in the form of a not yet provided with a spout bag to sterilize this bag and fill in a filling station through a bag opening at the upper end of the bag with the product, after filling a closure device consisting of a spout and a cap placed on the spout into the bag opening through which the bag was previously filled, and to weld the spout to the bag. The closure device consisting of spout and Cap is provided in a state and connected to the filled bag, in which the cap is in a maximum position on the spout (turned up) position. This position is always referred to as "second position" here. Thus, after the spout of the closure device within the bag opening, through which the product was previously filled, has been welded to the bag, the container (the bag and closure assembly) is completely closed.
However, a problem with the internal prior art described above is that after filling in the region of the opening which is to be welded to the spout of the closure device, that is to say in the so-called sealing area, product residues are present. This has the disadvantage that the weld connection between spout and bag is adversely affected, which in the worst case can lead to a leakage point through which the product can escape or ambient air can penetrate into the bag interior. From a hygienic point of view, contamination of the sealing area is not desirable.
From the US 2013/0160400 A1 Finally, in general, a method for filling containers and from the EP 1 529 734 A1 another spout with a closure element with an elongated seal known. It is an object of the present invention to provide a spout for a container and a corresponding container and a corresponding method for aseptically filling a container, whereby the sterility is optimized during the filling process.
The object is achieved in a closure device according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. The object is also achieved by a method according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

For the purposes of the invention, "radial" or "axial" is always based on the course or longitudinal axis of the product filling channel.
The spout and / or the closure cap of the closure device is in particular formed in one piece (integral, consisting of one piece).
When referring to two "axially different positions", it is meant that the positions are spaced from each other in the axial direction. "Axial form-fitting" means that a positive connection between the parts, in this case between the cap and the spout, against the connecting direction, which runs in the axial direction exists. The latter is realized, for example, in that an external thread is provided on the spout and a complementary internal thread (or vice versa) is provided on the closure cap.

If it is said that the cap is "placed on the spout as far as possible", this means that the cap is in the intended end position, in which a filled and provided with such a closure device bag to retailers and / or consumers becomes. In this position (second position) is the cap on an axial stop on the spout and therefore can not continue (at least not significantly) put on the spout or turn up. "Not placed on the maximum spout" means accordingly that cap and spout are indeed axially positively connected, that is, the possibly existing threads interlock, but the cap even further placed on the spout, in particular turned on, can be, until the maximum patch Position is reached.

By sealingly abutting the spout both in the first and in the second position, it is possible that a container provided with such a closure device can be supplied to a filling station in the sterilized (germ-free) state and there in a particularly simple manner and without destruction of Components of the closure device - since the cap is only in the first of the two positions - the cap can be removed from the spout. Thus, it is no longer necessary to first fill the container body, for example in the form of a bag, without a spout connected thereto and then, in a subsequent step, to weld the spout to the container body or bag with the cap fully fitted. In this way, there is no longer the problem that in the welding of spout and bag, the seal area is contaminated with product residues. In other words, according to the invention, a possibility is created of filling a container which has already been completely manufactured, in which the closure cap can still be removed without, for example, destroying an annular tamper-evident element.

At the same time, an essential criterion of the present invention is that even if the cap is in the first position and thus not yet finally applied (turned on) on the spout, there is already a seal between cap and spout, which prevents a previously sterilized container during transport into a filling station germs can penetrate into the interior of the container. Sealing therefore means that under normal environmental conditions, ie when there is no overpressure outside the container, but the pressure inside the container and outside the container is substantially the same, there is no exchange between the container interior and the external environment; The connection between the closure cap and the spout is therefore hermetically sealed in the first and the second position. The container does not necessarily have to be sterilized inside the filling station before the actual filling process starts. Rather, the container can also be sterilized in large quantities and in an optimized manner and then in the sterile state, when the cap is in the first position, in the filling station or the chamber in which the filling takes place, are transported.

Various embodiments of the closure device according to the invention will now be described below, which favor the advantageous effects described above and in a particularly simple manner allow the production of a container filled with a product, in particular a bag packaging.

According to one embodiment of the closure device according to the invention, the closure cap in the first position and in the second position seals against the closure-side end of the spout. It is particularly preferred if, according to the invention, the closure cap lies in the first and the second position on the inside at the second end of the product filling channel. In this case, therefore, the closure cap, at least a part thereof, overlaps in the radial direction with an end-side section of the spout or product filling channel.

As explained above, there is an axial distance between the first position and the second position, that is to say a distance in the direction of progression of the product filling channel or its axis of rotation. According to one embodiment, this axial distance between the two positions is at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1.0 mm, particularly preferably at least 1.5 mm. This minimum distance is in particular required when the closure cap at the lower end, which faces the container body in the assembled state, has an annular tamper-evident element and this tamper-evident element is moved by moving the closure cap from the first position to the second position via a radially encircling projection on the spout need to bring the tamper-evident element into the final position. In this final position, the tamper-evident element forms a seal indicating to the consumer whether the cap has already been opened once after filling the container or whether the cap is still in its original state (final state after filling and sealing).

Thus, according to the closure device according to the invention, it is provided that the closure cap has an annular tamper-evident element at its container-side end, which is integrally connected to the rest of the closure cap, for example via axial webs which connect the tamper-evident element with the remaining closure cap. On the spout a radially encircling projection is formed on the outside, whose outer diameter is greater than the inner diameter of a portion of the tamper-evident element, wherein in the first position, the portion of the tamper-evident element in the axial direction between the closure-side end of the spout and the radially encircling projection is arranged and wherein the second position of the portion of the tamper-evident element is arranged in the axial direction between the radially encircling projection and the container-side end of the spout. The tamper-evident element is an annular element which acts upon release (partial or complete removal) of the closure cap from the spout the second position of the remaining cap is at least partially dissolved (demolished) and / or destroyed (ring shape is destroyed).

Before the closure cap is brought into the second position for the first time, the tamper-evident element in the first position is not at least partially detached from the remaining closure cap and / or not destroyed. The tamper-evident element is then even not even deformed in particular (compared to an unloaded state). In order to bring the cap from the first position to the second position without destroying the tamper-evident element, the tamper-evident element has a circumferential chamfer (phase) on the inside of the portion whose inside diameter is smaller than the outside diameter of the radially encircling projection of the spout , On the side which faces in the first position of the cap to the radially encircling projection. On the other hand, the portion whose inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the radially encircling projection of the spout, no chamfer, but on this side, which thus faces the radially encircling projection in the second position of the closure cap, the portion has a extending substantially perpendicular to the axial direction, circumferential contact surface. This shape of the said portion of the tamper evident element has the effect that, when the cap is moved from the first position to the second position, said portion is pushed over the radially encircling projection on the spout, said portion due to its resiliency elastic connection with the rest of the cap (temporarily) can deform something, whereas when the cap is brought from the second position to the first position, the described contact surface of said portion of the tamper-evident element on the underside (the container body side facing) of the radially encircling Projection comes to rest and is prevented from overcoming the radial circumferential projection. If the cap is moved to the first position, the Tamper evident element as described by the remaining cap at least partially dissolved and / or destroyed.

The cap according to yet another embodiment of the closure device according to the invention on its axial inside, that is, the axially facing surface, extending in the axial direction (projecting in the axial direction) extension. In particular, this is an annular extension extending in the axial direction (projecting in the axial direction). This extension then serves in particular to ensure the sealing contact between cap and spout. Thus, it is provided in particular that the extension rests in the first position and in the second position sealingly on the spout, preferably on the closure-side end of the spout, in particular on the inside at the second end of the product filling channel. Additionally or alternatively, it is provided that the extension in the first position and in the second position is non-positively connected to the spout, preferably with the closure-side end of the spout, in particular with the inside at the second end of the product filling channel.

To ensure a particularly reliable tightness between cap and spout the extension overlaps with an end portion of the spout or Produktfüllkanals in the radial direction in the first position in a range of 1 to 10 mm, preferably in a range of 1 to 5 mm, particularly preferably in a range of 1 to 3 mm. The sealing contact between extension and spout exists at least in a partial region of the overlap, preferably in the region of the entire overlap, and extends over the entire circumference of the contact region.

• mit einem Behälterkörper, zum Beispiel einem beutelförmigen Behälterkörper, und
• mit einem mit dem Behälterkörper verbundenen, zum Beispiel verklebten oder verschweißten, Ausgießer,

dadurch gelöst, dass der Behälter eine wie zuvor definierte Verschlusseinrichtung aufweist und der Ausgießer Bestandteil der Verschlusseinrichtung ist.The object is also according to a second teaching of the present invention in a container for aseptically receiving a flowable, for example, liquid or pasty product

• with a container body, for example a bag-shaped container body, and
• with a spout connected to the container body, for example glued or welded,

achieved in that the container has a closure device as defined above and the spout is part of the closure device.

• Bereitstellen eines Behälters gemäß Anspruch 8, wobei sich die Verschlusskappe in der ersten Position befindet, das heißt der Ausgießer ist mit dem Behälter fest verbunden und die Verschlusskappe ist nicht maximal auf den Ausgießer aufgesetzt bzw. aufgedreht,
• Sterilisieren des Behälters, während sich die Verschlusskappe weiterhin in der ersten Position befindet,
• Sterilisieren des Inneren einer Kammer einer Befüllstation einschließlich eines Füllkopfes der Befüllstation,
• Transportieren des sterilisierten Behälters ins Innere der (sterilisierten) Kammer,
• Abnehmen der Verschlusskappe im Inneren der (sterilisierten) Kammer,
• Befüllen des Behälters mit dem Produkt im Inneren der Kammer,
• Aufsetzen der Verschlusskappe, wobei die Verschlusskappe in die zweite Position gebracht wird, im Inneren der Kammer und
• Transportieren des befüllten und vollständig verschlossenen Behälters aus der Kammer.

Wie bereits zuvor erläutert wurde, lassen sich die genannten Verfahrensschritte mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Behälter und/oder der erfindungsgemäßen Verschlusseinrichtung auf besonders einfache Weise durchführen und es wird dadurch während des Befüllvorgangs eine optimale Keimfreiheit gewährleistet.The object is achieved according to the present invention by a process for aseptically filling a container with a product, in which the following steps, all or some steps are preferably carried out successively in the order given:

• Providing a container according to claim 8, wherein the closure cap is in the first position, that is, the spout is fixedly connected to the container and the closure cap is not maximally placed on the spout or turned up,
• Sterilizing the container while the cap is still in the first position,
• Sterilizing the interior of a chamber of a filling station including a filling head of the filling station,
• Transporting the sterilized container into the interior of the (sterilized) chamber,
• Removing the cap inside the (sterilized) chamber,
• Filling the container with the product inside the chamber,
• Placing the cap, the cap is placed in the second position, inside the chamber and
• Transporting the filled and completely closed container from the chamber.

As has already been explained above, the mentioned method steps can be carried out with the container according to the invention and / or the closure device according to the invention in a particularly simple manner, thereby ensuring optimum sterility during the filling process.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that after the step of removing the cap inside the chamber and before the step of filling the container with the product inside the chamber of the filling head from a starting position in the direction of the closure end of the spout and in particular a portion of the filling head is lowered into the interior of the Produktfüllkanals and wherein after the step of filling the container with the product inside the chamber and before the step of placing the cap inside the chamber, the filling head is moved back to the starting position.

According to yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that the filling head is sterilized after the step of filling the container with the product inside the chamber, in particular during or after the return to the starting position.

According to yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that after the step of filling the container with the product inside the chamber, in particular after the filling head has been moved back into the starting position, residues of the product which adhere to and / or in the spout, be removed.

Finally, according to yet another embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the sterilization of the container and / or the sterilization of the interior of the chamber and / or the sterilization of the filling head and / or the sterilization of a gripper for the closure cap (this takes the cap in the Chamber before filling from the spout and then sets them back on) by irradiation with UV radiation, in particular with pulsating UV radiation, or by irradiation with γ-radiation takes place.

Fig. 1a) und b)

zueinander senkrechte Schnittansichten eines Behälters gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung mit einer Verschlusskappe in einer ersten Position relativ zum Ausgießer,

Fig. 2a) und b)

zueinander senkrechte Schnittansichten eines Behälters gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung mit einer Verschlusskappe in einer zweiten Position relativ zum Ausgießer, und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung mehrerer Verfahrensschritte zum aseptischen Befüllen eines Behälters gemäß den Figuren 1a) bis 2b).

There are now a variety of possibilities, the closure device according to the invention, the container according to the invention and the inventive Design and develop procedures. In this respect, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to patent claim 1, and, on the other hand, to the description of an embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing show:

Fig. 1a) and b)

mutually perpendicular sectional views of a container according to the present invention with a closure cap in a first position relative to the spout,

Fig. 2a) and b)

vertical sectional views of a container according to the present invention with a cap in a second position relative to the spout, and

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of several process steps for the aseptic filling of a container according to the FIGS. 1a) to 2b ).

In Fig. 1a ) a container 2 is shown with a closure device 1 for aseptically receiving a flowable product in the form of a bag package in a first section parallel to the axial direction X. Fig. 1b ) shows the same container 2 with the same relative arrangement of the individual elements to one another in a likewise parallel to the axial direction X section, which is perpendicular to the section in Fig. 1a ) runs. The FIGS. 2a) and 2b ) show that FIGS. 1a) and 1b ) corresponding sectional views, in which case the individual elements but different than in the FIGS. 1a ) and b) are arranged relative to each other.

The container 2 in the FIGS. 1a) to 2b ) has a container body 6 in the form of a flexible bag and a closure device 1 consisting of a spout 3 and a closure cap 5, wherein the closure device 1 is welded to the container body or bag 6 via a bag-side section 3.2 of the spout 3. According to the invention for the preparation of the compound between spout 3 and container body 6, a heat sealing method or an ultrasonic sealing method may be used.

The FIGS. 1a ) and b) show the bag 2 and in particular the closure device 1 in a state in which the container 2 of a filling station 7 (FIG. Fig. 3 ) can be supplied. The FIGS. 2a ) and b) show a state after filling the container 2, as well as the container 2 also reaches the end user.

The closure device 1 shown in the figures has an integral spout 3 with an external thread, which has a product filling channel 4 with a cylindrical inner side 4c extending axially from a first end 4a to a second end 4b, ie parallel to the axial direction X. The first end 4a is the container-side or bag-side end 3a of the spout 3, so the lower end. The second end 4b is the shutter-side end 3b of the spout 3, so its upper end.

On the spout 3 a one-piece cap 5 is placed, which has a complementary to the thread of the spout 3 internal thread. The closure cap 5 is placed on the spout 3 via the closure-side end 3b of the spout 3 and closes the second end 4b of the product filling channel 4.

The cap 5 is located in the FIGS. 1a ) and b) in an axial first position I and in the FIGS. 2a ) and b) in an axial second position II. In both positions I and II is due to the threaded connection an axial positive connection between the cap 5 and spout 3. The axial distance a between the two positions I and II is here for example 1.5 mm.

The cap 5 is in the first position I, as the FIGS. 1a ) and b) show, not maximally turned on the spout 3, but can still up to the second position II, in the FIGS. 2a ) and b) is shown to be rotated further. In both Positions I and II, the closure cap 5 according to the invention sealingly against the spout 3, which is achieved by an annular extension 5.2 inside the cap 5, which ensures in each of the two positions I and II for a hermetic sealing of the product receiving channel 4 against the external environment ,

The closure cap 5 also has an annular tamper-evident element 5.1 on the bag-side end of the cap 5, which is integrally connected to the rest of the cap 5 via axial webs 5.3.

Further, on the spout 3 outside a radially encircling projection 3.1 is formed, whose outer diameter is greater than the inner diameter of a portion 5.11 of the tamper-evident element 5.1. The section 5.11 has, on its underside, an oblique course (one phase) with respect to the axial direction X, whereas the top side of the section 5.11 has a straight course perpendicular to the axial direction X.

In the in the FIGS. 1a ) and b) shown first position I is the underside of the section 5.11 with the oblique course on the projection 3.1, wherein the section 5.11 is arranged in the axial direction between the closure-side end 3b of the spout 3 and the projection 3.1.

If the cap 5, starting from in the FIGS. 1a ) and b) shown further turned on the spout 3, the section 5.11 of the tamper-evident element 5.1, while the tamper-evident element deformed, led past the projection 3.1 until the cap 5 in the FIGS. 2a ) and b) shown second position II. In position II of the closure cap 5, the portion 5.11 of the tamper-evident element 5.1 is arranged in the axial direction X between the projection 3.1 and the container-side or bag-side end 3a of the spout 3.

The extension 5.2 on the axial inner side 5a of the cap 5 overlaps both in the in the FIGS. 1a ) and b) shown first position I as well as in the in FIGS. 2a ) and b) shown position II in the radial direction (ie transversely to the axial direction X) with the spout 3, wherein in the overlap region in both positions I and II, a frictional connection and over the entire overlap region, a hermetic seal is achieved.

Before the closure cap 5 is brought into the second position II for the first time, the tamper-evident element 5.1 in the first position I is not detached from the remaining closure cap 5 and also not destroyed or deformed. This applies in particular to the entire closure cap 5. At this time or in this position, therefore, this is in particular connected to the spout 3 in an axially form-fitting manner, in particular in a manner free from deformation and non-destructive. The same applies to the second position II, since the said deformation of the tamper-evident element 5.1, while it is guided past the projection 3.1 from the first position I to the second position II, is only temporary. Deformation means that the closure cap 5 or the tamper-evident element 5.1 are not deformed in relation to an unloaded state (elastic or plastic). Destruction means that the closure cap 5 or the tamper-evident element 5.1 is still in the original state (state after production).

In Fig. 3 is shown schematically as a container 2, as for example in the FIGS. 1a) to 2b ) is shown, can be filled aseptically with a product in a simple manner.

Thus, first, a container 2 as described above is provided, which is on the left side of FIG Fig. 3 is shown. With the container body 6 of the spout 3 is firmly connected by welding. The closure cap 5 is not maximally turned on the spout 3, but is in the first position I. In this position I closes the cap 5 the container 2 hermetically sealed.

The thus provided container 2 is now sterilized in this state, for example by γ-irradiation.

The thus sterilized container 2 is then transported into a chamber 7.1 of a filling station 7. The interior of the chamber 7.1 was also previously sterilized, for example by means of γ-irradiation and / or UV irradiation. The filling station has a filling head 7.2 for filling the container 2 with a product. This filling head 7.2 was sterilized before the container 2 was transported into the chamber 7.1.

Inside the chamber 7.1 of the filling station 7, after chamber 7.1 and filling head 7.2 are sterilized, the closure cap 5 is removed from the spout 3 or turned off. In the next step, the container 2 is filled with the product via the filling head 7.2, for which purpose a part of the filling head 7.2 can be lowered into the spout 3. After filling the container 2, the still sterile cap 5 is placed back on the spout 3 and this time turned to the second position II. The container 2 is then completely closed and the tamper-evident element 5.1 is in the final position, which, as explained above, is arranged between the projection 3.1 and the lower end 3a of the spout 3.

As a last step (in Fig. 3 shown on the right side), the filled and completely closed container 2 is removed from the chamber 7.1 of the filling station 7 and transported on.

Claims (13)

1. Closure device (1) for a container (2) for aseptically receiving a flowable product, in particular for a pouch pack (2),

   - having a spout (3) which has a product filling duct (4) extending axially between a first end (4a) and a second end (4b), wherein the first end (4a) forms the container-side end (3a) of the spout (3) and the second end (4b) forms the closure-side end (3b) of the spout (3),

   - having a closure cap (5) which can be mounted onto the spout (3) and which, in the mounted state, closes the second end (4b) of the product filling duct (4),

   - wherein the closure cap (5) is connectable in axially positively locking fashion to the spout (3) in two axially different positions (I, II),

   - wherein the first position (I) of the two axially different positions (I, II) is a position in which the closure cap (5) is not fully mounted on the spout (3),

   - wherein the second position (II) of the two axially different positions (I, II) is a position in which the closure cap (5) is fully mounted on the spout (3),

   - wherein the closure cap (5) bears sealingly against the spout (3) in the second position (II), and

   - wherein the closure cap (5) has a ring-shaped tamper-evident securing element (5.1) on the container-side end of the closure cap (5), which securing element is connected in unipartite fashion to the rest of the closure cap (5),

   characterized

   - in that in the first position (I), the tamper-evident securing element (5.1) is not at least partially detached from the rest of the closure cap (5) and/or is destroyed and is not deformed, and

   - in that the closure cap (5) bears sealingly against the spout (3) in the first position (I).
2. Closure device (I) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the closure cap (5) bears sealingly against the closure-side end (3b) of the spout (3), in particular at the inner side against the second end (4b) of the product filling duct (4), in the first position (I) and in the second position (II).
3. Closure device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axial spacing (a) between the two positions (I, II) amounts to at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 1.0 mm, particularly preferably at least 1.5 mm.
4. Closure device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on the outside of the spout (3), there is formed a radially encircling projection (3.1) whose outer diameter is greater than the inner diameter of a section (5.11) of the tamper-evident securing element (5.1), wherein, in the first position (I), the section (5.11) of the tamper-evident securing element (5.1) is arranged between the closure-side end (3b) of the spout (3) and the radially encircling projection (3.1) in an axial direction (X), and wherein, in the second position (II), the section (5.11) of the tamper-evident securing element (5.1) is arranged between the radially encircling projection (3.1) and the container-side end (3a) of the spout (3) in the axial direction (X).
5. Closure device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure cap (5) has, on its axial inner side (5a), a protrusion (5.2) extending in the axial direction (X), in particular a ring-shaped protrusion (5.2) extending in the axial direction (x).
6. Closure device (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the protrusion (5.2) bears sealingly against the spout (3), preferably against the closure-side end (3b) of the spout (3), in particular at the inner side against the second end (4b) of the product filling duct (4), in the first position (I) and in the second position (II).
7. Closure device (1) according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the protrusion (5.2) is connected in non-positively locking fashion to the spout (3), preferably to the closure-side end (3b) of the spout (3), in particular to the inner side (4c) at the second end (4b) of the product filling duct (4), in the first position (I) and in the second position (II).
8. Container (2) for aseptically receiving a flowable product,

   - having a container body (6) and

   - having a spout (3) connected to the container body (6),

   characterized in that the container (2) has a closure device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and the spout (3) is a constituent part of the closure device (1).
9. Method for aseptically filling a container (2) with a product, in which method the following steps are performed:

   - providing a container (2) according to Claim 8, wherein the closure cap (5) is situated in the first position (I),

   - sterilizing the container (2) while the closure cap (5) remains in the first position (I),

   - sterilizing the interior of a chamber (7.1) of a filling station (7), including a filling head (7.2) of the filling station (7),

   - transporting the sterilized container (2) into the interior of the chamber (7.1),

   - removing the closure cap (5) in the interior of the chamber (7.1),

   - filling the container (2) with the product in the interior of the chamber (7.1),

   - mounting the closure cap (5), wherein the closure cap (5) is placed into the second position (II), in the interior of the chamber (7.1), and

   - transporting the filled and fully closed container (2) out of the chamber (7.1).
10. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that, after the step of the removal of the closure cap (5) in the interior of the chamber (7.1) and before the step of the filling of the container (2) with the product in the interior of the chamber (7.1), the filling head (7.2) is lowered from an initial position in the direction of the closure-side end (3b) of the spout (3), and in particular, a part of the filling head (7.2) is lowered into the interior of the product filling duct (4), and wherein, after the step of the filling of the container (2) with the product in the interior of the chamber (7.1) and before the step of the mounting of the closure cap (5) in the interior of the chamber (7.1), the filling head (7.2) is moved back into the initial position.
11. Method according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the filling head (7.2) is sterilized after the step of the filling of the container (2) with the product in the interior of the chamber (7.1), in particular during or after the movement back into the initial position.
12. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, after the step of the filling of the container (2) with the product in the interior of the chamber (7.1), in particular after the movement of the filling head (7.2) back into the initial position, residues of the product adhering to and/or in the spout (3) are removed.
13. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the sterilization of the container (2) and/or the sterilisation of the interior of the chamber (7.1) and/or the sterilization of the filling head (7.2) and/or the sterilization of a gripper for the closure cap (5) is realized by irradiation with UV radiation, in particular with pulsed UV radiation, and/or by irradiation with γ radiation.

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