CN114538353B - Multifunctional device for filling containers with filling products - Google Patents
Multifunctional device for filling containers with filling products Download PDFInfo
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- CN114538353B CN114538353B CN202111362012.5A CN202111362012A CN114538353B CN 114538353 B CN114538353 B CN 114538353B CN 202111362012 A CN202111362012 A CN 202111362012A CN 114538353 B CN114538353 B CN 114538353B
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- process gas
- line
- filling
- sterile medium
- shut
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Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 237
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Chemical compound O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000008223 sterile water Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 abstract description 7
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 169
- 238000005429 filling process Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 6
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 5
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 5
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 5
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000036512 infertility Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 3
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000001580 bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000013405 beer Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000014214 soft drink Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000014101 wine Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009795 derivation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011012 sanitization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001954 sterilising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/04—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus without applying pressure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/22—Details
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/001—Cleaning of filling devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/06—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
- B67C3/10—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure preliminary filling with inert gases, e.g. carbon dioxide
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
- B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
- B67C3/22—Details
- B67C2003/228—Aseptic features
Abstract
A device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, wherein the device (1) is operable in an operating mode with and without a process gas treatment and has: at least one process gas line (50), said process gas line (50) being arranged to apply a process gas, preferably flushing and/or biasing, to the vessel in said operating mode with process gas treatment; at least one sterile medium inlet arranged to introduce a sterile medium into the process gas line (50); and one or more shut-off valves (58, 59), the shut-off valves (58, 59) being arranged to shut off the process gas line (50) in the operating mode without process gas treatment in such a way that a sterile medium introduced through a sterile medium inlet is held in the process gas line (50).
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a device for filling containers with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, and to a method for operating such a device.
Background
It is known to treat the container with a process gas, for example to flush and/or bias, before filling with the filling product. For example, in the case of carbonated beverages, the container to be filled is brought into pressure-tight contact with the filling member at its mouth, biased with a biasing gas, and then filled with the filling product. The overpressure present in the container must then be relieved to the environment before the container mouth can be separated from the filling member to prevent over-foaming of the filling product. Such a device is described, for example, in EP3020679 A1.
In order to introduce the process gas, to remove the process gas and to possibly relieve the pressure, the filling system requires corresponding lines and connections to the filling members. In order to be able to apply the filling system as much as possible to different types of filling and to different filling products, for example in order to be able to fill carbonated and non-carbonated beverages with the same filling system, it is desirable that both the filling process requiring treatment of the container with process gas and the filling process not requiring such treatment can be performed on the same machine.
In the case of a filling process without treatment with process gas, for example in the case of non-carbonated beverages, the above-mentioned lines and connections for conveying the process gas are not used. In most cases, these lines and connections do not have a defined state. They are separated from the sterile area of the filling system, for example by a valve, or are connected to the product-guiding area of the filling system, the pressure-release channel can be separated from the discharge into the environment by a rotary distributor with a valve, wherein, however, the atmosphere in the interior of the unused process-gas channel is variable and is not monitored.
This undefined state of the unused components presents a certain risk, especially when they are not separated by a sterile barrier. This can lead to the growth of bacteria damaging the product in the event of leakage and over a longer production cycle, which is problematic in particular when filling sensitive products (low-acid products). Thus, the connection to an environment without a sterile barrier, for example by means of the mentioned rotary distributor, is a disadvantage, since this connection can lead to penetration and propagation of bacteria that damage the product in case of leakage.
Disclosure of Invention
The object of the invention is to improve the process reliability of a device for filling containers with a filling product.
This object is achieved by a device having the features of the invention. Advantageous refinements emerge from the invention, the figures of the invention and the description of the preferred embodiments.
The device according to the invention is used for filling containers with a filling product. It is particularly preferred that the device is used in the field of the food industry, since process reliability and hygiene are very important in this case. As filling product, preferably a beverage is considered, such as water (distilled or carbonated), soft drink, beer, wine, fruit juice or mixed beverage.
The device is suitable for different types of filling and for different filling products; in particular, the apparatus may operate in an operating mode with process gas treatment and an operating mode without process gas treatment. Such treatment before and/or after filling the container with the filling product may beSuch treatment is generally referred to herein by the term "process gas treatment" for purposes such as flushing the container (cleaning, sanitizing, etc.), for biasing the container, or for other reasons. Thus, for example, oxygen sensitive products may be protected by flushing and/or biasing the container with a gas, preferably an inert gas. For example CO 2 Or nitrogen, etc. gases may be considered for the process gas treatment.
The apparatus has at least one process gas line arranged to apply process gas, preferably flushing and/or biasing, to the vessel in an operating mode with process gas treatment.
The device further has: at least one sterile medium inlet configured to introduce a sterile medium into the process gas line; and one or more shut-off valves arranged to shut off the process gas line in an operating mode without process gas treatment such that a sterile medium introduced through the sterile medium inlet is maintained in the process gas line. In other words, one or more shut-off valves are provided in order to close the process gas line from the external environment in an operating mode without process gas treatment, wherein the term "external environment" in this case relates to the interior space of the process gas line; that is, any device component, such as a product tank or other process gas source to which a process gas line may be attached, should be considered relative to the external environment of the process gas line.
The introduction of the sterile medium into the process gas line takes place via the above-described sterile medium inlet, which may have its own valve, for example embodied as a shut-off valve. However, the introduction of the sterile medium can also be carried out via existing connectors. Even in the case of such a co-usage of the connection, the connection belongs to the term "sterile medium inlet".
Various gases and/or liquids in various conditions and combinations of various media, such as sterile air, sterile water, steam, condensate, etc., may be considered as sterile media.
Preferably, the sterile medium remains in the process gas line as long as the device is in an operating mode without process gas treatment. However, if desired, the sterile medium may also be refilled and/or replaced while the device is in an operational mode without process gas treatment.
The above description of the device for filling a container with a filling product does not mention any filling members, as these are not necessary for the definition of the process gas line and for the technical means of placing it in a defined sterile state without use. However, of course, the device has at least one filling member (typically a plurality of filling members) arranged to introduce the filling product into the respective container to be filled.
By the construction of the process gas line with at least one sterile medium inlet and at least one shut-off valve, preferably a plurality of shut-off valves, the process gas guiding member of the device can be placed in a defined sterility state when it is not needed, i.e. when the device is in an operating mode without process gas treatment. This minimizes the risk of contamination, in particular bacterial formation, in the interior of the process gas line, thereby improving the process reliability of the device as a whole.
It should be noted that for simplicity of language, terms such as "process gas line", "filling member", "vessel" and the like are often used in the singular. However, unless explicitly or for technical reasons excluded, a plurality is included.
Furthermore, the terms "attached", "connected", "leading" and the like of one fluid guiding component to/towards another fluid guiding component mean that there is a mechanical connection between the two components and that fluid exchange between the components is enabled in at least one direction, preferably in both directions.
The device further has: a product tank for receiving a filling product, which filling product is present in the product tank to a filling level, wherein the product tank has a headspace above the filling level that is filled with a process gas, and a process gas line is attached to the product tank and arranged to withdraw the process gas from the headspace of the product tank in an operating mode with process gas treatment. In this case, at least one of the shut-off valves is preferably installed in the region for attaching the process gas line to the product tank. In other words, the respective shut-off valve is preferably mounted such that it separates the process gas line from the interior of the product tank or closes it off when not in use.
In this case, the product tank serves cooperatively as a process gas source in addition to the supply of the filling product, whereby the device can be constructed particularly compact. Furthermore, it is possible to thereby include CO 2 Counteracting CO release from the filled product in the case of filled product 2 Especially when the gaseous atmosphere in the headspace of the product tank has an overpressure compared to the ambient pressure, i.e. normal or atmospheric pressure.
Preferably, the device further has: at least one filling member attached to the product tank by a product line and arranged to draw a filling product from the product tank through the product line and into a respective container to be filled, wherein a process gas line is attached to the filling member and the filling member is arranged to introduce a process gas (in an operating mode with process gas treatment) into the respective container. In this case, preferably, the further shut-off valve is formed by or integrated in or attached to the filling member. Thus, the filling member itself or its valve structure may be used as a shut-off valve for an operation mode without process gas treatment, thereby reducing the mechanical structural complexity of the device.
Preferably, the device has a turntable which is rotatable relative to the stationary equipment part, wherein the filling member is mounted at the outer circumference of the turntable. In other words, the device is preferably embodied in a gyrator structure. The filling and/or handling process is then carried out during transport of the containers along a circular trajectory at a specific handling angle. In this case, the containers are received by the container receiving portions in a usual manner and placed under the respective filling members with the container mouths. For the filling and/or handling process, the filling member and the mouth of the respective filling member are preferably in pressure-tight, i.e. at least liquid-tight and preferably gas-tight contact. This may be done by lowering the filling member onto the container and/or lifting the container against the filling member. In this case, the container may be flushed and/or biased with process gas and filled under overpressure or under negative pressure. In order to increase the process reliability, the filling members may each be provided with a centering cap, in order to more easily achieve a defined relative position between the container and the outlet of the filling member for the treatment process and/or the filling process. The pressure-tight contact between the filling member and the container is not absolutely necessary if the device provides a free jet filling mode of operation.
Preferably, the at least one process gas line comprises: a process gas introduction line configured to introduce a process gas into a corresponding vessel; and a process gas lead-out line arranged to lead out process gas from the respective vessel. In addition to introducing the process gas into the vessel, it is also desirable to conduct the used process gas in a controlled manner. In this case, this can be, for example, the process gas to be discharged during filling by the filling product or in the case of overpressure filling at pressure release. The process gas outlet line may lead the used process gas, for example, to an external environment or to a treatment device for complete or partial reuse. In order to further increase the process reliability of the device, it is expedient to place not only the process gas introduction line but also the process gas removal line in a defined sterile state when not in use.
Preferably, the process gas introduction line includes: one or more radial introduction lines attached to the product tank (30) such that the radial introduction lines extract process gas from a headspace of the product tank in an operating mode with process gas treatment, wherein at least one sterile medium inlet is preferably mounted at one of the radial introduction lines; and an annular inlet line, the radial inlet line leading to the annular inlet line, wherein at least one filling member is attached to the annular inlet line such that the filling member is supplied with process gas from the annular inlet line. The radial feed line thus extends radially outwards from the product tank and opens into an annular feed line which preferably extends concentrically with the circumference of the turntable. In this case, each of the shut-off valves is preferably mounted in a region for attaching the respective radial inlet line to the product tank. In other words, one or more of the shut-off valves is preferably mounted in such a way that the shut-off valve can separate the process gas line from the interior of the product tank or shut it off when not in use by blocking the corresponding radial inlet line with respect to the product tank. In this way, a reliable and mechanically compact line structure for a process gas introduction line is created, which can be isolated and placed in a defined sterile state in an operating mode without process gas treatment with few additional measures.
Preferably, the process gas derivation line comprises: one or more radial outlet lines and an annular outlet line, the radial outlet lines leading to the annular outlet lines, wherein at least one filling member is attached to the annular outlet lines in such a way that process gases are introduced from the respective container through the filling member into the annular outlet lines and are transported away from the annular outlet lines through the radial outlet lines. In this way, a reliable and mechanically compact line structure for a process gas outlet line is created, which can be isolated and placed in a defined sterile state in an operating mode without process gas treatment with few additional measures.
Preferably, the annular inlet line and the annular outlet line are connected to each other by a connection comprising a shut-off valve. The connection between the two ring lines allows the lines to be cleaned in a simple manner. Furthermore, the connection can be used to apply sterile medium to the annular line in a simple manner, since the annular line thus constitutes a connecting space, instead of two separate lines in the case of process gas introduction and process gas removal.
Preferably, the radial outlet line is attached to a distributor, preferably a rotary distributor, which is arranged to collect or aggregate and to lead out the process gas from the radial outlet line, wherein the distributor has at least one of the shut-off valves which is arranged such that the radial outlet line can be separated from the discharge into the environment. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent impurities from the environment from entering the process gas line via the process gas outlet line, in particular when the process gas outlet is carried out by means of a rotary distributor in the case of a gyrator configuration.
The above object is also achieved by a method for operating a device according to any of the preceding embodiment variants. The method comprises the following steps: the device is placed in an operating mode without process gas treatment by closing one or more shut-off valves and a sterile medium is introduced into the process gas line through at least one sterile medium inlet, so that the sterile medium remains in the process gas line, preferably as long as the device is in an operating mode without process gas treatment. Of course, if desired, the sterile medium may be refilled and/or replaced while the apparatus is in an operational mode without process gas treatment.
Features, technical effects, advantages and embodiments that have been described with reference to the apparatus are similarly applicable to the method.
Preferably, the sterile medium is brought under pressure so that the sterile medium has an overpressure in the process gas line with respect to the ambient pressure, i.e. atmospheric or normal pressure. In this way, the risk of contamination and/or detail formation may be further reduced, as any particles or bacteria tend to be washed out when leakage occurs.
Preferably, the pressure and/or temperature of the sterile medium is monitored in the process gas line by means of one or more sensors. Thus, the maintenance of a defined sterility of the process gas line can be monitored. In particular, the occurrence of any leakage can be determined and corresponding measures (inspection, repair, maintenance, cleaning and/or the like of the device) can be taken. For monitoring the sterile medium, existing sensor systems, for example temperature sensors at the filling member, can be used in conjunction, or own sensor systems can be installed.
Preferably, the sterile medium comprises steam, in particular food-safe steam. In this way, damage to the characteristics of the filled product in the event of any leakage can be excluded or at least minimized.
The sterile medium is preferably introduced in such a way that the process gas line is supplied with (hot) steam and is gradually filled with condensate by cooling the steam. The steam pressure is preferably kept permanently here and the process gas line is thereby placed under pressure. The combination of vapor pressure and condensate allows for reliable and safe sterile maintenance of the process gas line.
According to an alternative embodiment variant, the sterile medium is preferably introduced in such a way that the process gas line is filled with condensate and subsequently vapor pressure is applied. Thereby reducing the heat input into the filled product.
The sterile medium preferably comprises a sterile gas, such as sterile filtered air. After the application of the sterile gas to the process gas line, the sterile medium inlet is closed and the pressure in the process gas line is preferably monitored. If the pressure drops too much, i.e. if the pressure is below a threshold value, this indicates that there is a leak, so that corresponding measures (inspection, repair, maintenance, cleaning and/or the like of the device) can be taken.
Other advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments. The features described herein may be implemented alone or in combination with one or more of the features listed above, provided that such features do not contradict each other. Here, the following description of the preferred embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Drawings
Other preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail by the following description of the drawings. Attached at
In the figure:
fig. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product.
Detailed Description
In the following, a preferred embodiment is described with reference to fig. 1, fig. 1 showing a schematic three-dimensional view of a device 1 for filling a container, not shown in fig. 1, with a filling product. The device 1 is shown in multiple cut-outs to allow viewing of its interior.
The device 1 is embodied, for example, in the form of a gyrator structure and for this purpose comprises a turntable 10, which turntable 10 is rotatably mounted with respect to a stationary part of the apparatus, which is not shown in more detail, and can be brought into a rotational state by a drive, which is also not shown.
The device 1 comprises a plurality of filling members 20, of which only two filling members 20 are shown in fig. 1 for the sake of clarity, the two filling members 20 being mounted at the outer circumference of the turntable 10 and being arranged to introduce the filling products into the containers, respectively. For this purpose, the containers are received by container receiving portions (not shown in fig. 1) and placed with container mouths under the respective filling members 20.
As filling products, in particular beverages are considered, such as water (distilled or carbonated), soft drinks, beer, wine, fruit juices or mixed beverages.
Each filling member 20 has a filling valve 21 and an outlet 22. For treatment processes using process gases and for filling processes, the outlet 22 of the filling member 20 and the container mouth are preferably in pressure-tight, i.e. at least liquid-tight and preferably also gas-tight contact. This may be done by lowering the filling member 20 onto the container and/or lifting the container against the filling member 20. In this case, the container may be flushed and/or biased with process gas and filled under overpressure or under negative pressure. In order to increase the process reliability, the filling members 20 may each be provided with a centering cap, in order to more easily achieve a defined relative position between the container and the outlet 22 of the filling member 20 for the treatment process and/or the filling process.
The pressure-tight contact between the filling member 20 and the container is not absolutely necessary if the device 1 provides a free jet filling mode of operation. Here, the free jet filling generally does not require pretreatment of the container by the process gas of the device 1.
The device 1 also has a product tank 30, which may be implemented as a fixed or rotatable central tank. The product tank 30 comprises a dispenser device 31, by means of which dispenser device 31 the product tank 30 is supplied with a filling product to be filled. For this purpose, the dispenser device 31 comprises a product introduction line 31a. The product introduction line 31a may have a substantially constant flow cross section or diameter throughout the length. Alternatively, the product introduction line 31a may be widened in the lower region, thereby constituting a diffuser 31b, which diffuser 31b reduces the foaming tendency of the filling product when the filling product is introduced into the product tank 30.
Furthermore, the dispenser device 31 may comprise a sterile barrier 31c, preferably a vapour barrier.
The product tank 30 has a headspace 30a above the filling level of the filling product, in which headspace 30a there is preferably a gaseous atmosphere that has little or no effect on the desired properties of the filling product. The gas atmosphere may have an overpressure compared to normal pressure (=atmospheric pressure). For example, in the presence of CO 2 In the case of a filling product of (2), the product tank 30 is preferably overpressurized by the introduced gas via the medium introduction line in order to counteract the release of CO from the filling product 2 。
The product tank 30 is preferably cylindrical and has a bottom (partially omitted from fig. 1 for clarity), a jacket-shaped side wall, and a cover that form the walls of the product tank 30 in one or more pieces. The bottom may be at least partially bent inwards in order to guide the filling product in a direction towards the attachment 41 of the product line 40, through which product line 40 the filling member 20 is supplied with the filling product. The attachment 41 is preferably located in a radially outer region of the product tank 30, i.e. in the vicinity of the side wall.
The product line 40 may be equipped with sensors, such as flow meters, temperature sensors, etc., valves, introduction lines for dosage ingredients, etc., which are partially shown in fig. 1.
The device 1 is also equipped to treat the container with process gas before filling with the filling product. In special cases, it is also possible to carry out the treatment after filling,wherein the process gas is not applied to the entire container, but only to the headspace of the container. Such treatment before and/or after filling may be performed, for example, for the purpose of flushing the container (cleaning, sterilizing, etc.), for biasing the container, or for other reasons, such treatment being generally referred to herein by the term "process gas treatment". Thus, for example, oxygen sensitive products may be protected by flushing and/or biasing the container with a gas, preferably an inert gas. For example CO 2 Or nitrogen, etc. gases may be considered for the process gas treatment.
Process gas is also introduced into the respective container through the filling member 20. Here, the process gas is supplied to the filling member 20 through the process gas introduction line 51.
In the embodiment of fig. 1, the process gas introduction line 51 comprises a plurality of radial introduction lines 52 and an annular introduction line 53, the radial introduction lines 52 leading to the annular introduction line 53. The filling member 20 is supplied with the process gas from the annular introduction line 53. The radial inlet line 52 draws process gas from the headspace 30a of the product tank 30 and is attached to the product tank 30 for this purpose by the lid of the product tank 30. However, it should be noted that this piping diagram for supplying process gas to the filling member 20 according to fig. 1 is only an example. Thus, the process gas may also be extracted from another process gas source and/or supplied to the filling member 20 or container through a different structured line.
The process gas to be removed from the container, for example to be removed after flushing, to be displaced by the filling product during filling and/or to be removed in the case of overpressure filling in the case of depressurization, is carried away via the process gas removal line 54. The process gas outlet line 54 is arranged to carry away process gas which is no longer needed, for example to release it into the environment or to supply it to a treatment plant for full or partial reuse.
In the embodiment of fig. 1, the process gas outlet line 51 comprises a plurality of radial outlet lines 55 and an annular outlet line 56, the radial outlet lines 55 leading to the annular outlet line 56. The process gas is led from the vessel into an annular outlet line 56 and is carried away from the annular outlet line 56 via a radial outlet line 55. The radial outlet line 55 is connected to a rotary distributor 57, which rotary distributor 57 comprises a shut-off valve 59 of the process gas outlet line. Thus, the process gas outlet line 54 may be separated from any discharge into the environment by a rotating distributor 57. However, it should be noted that this piping diagram for a pressure relief vessel or for carrying away process gases according to fig. 1 is only an example. The process gas can also be carried away in different ways and through pipelines of different structures.
The process gas introduction line 51 and the process gas removal line 54, including the respective radial and annular lines 52, 53, 55, 56 and the connections, branches, etc., are included herein in the terms "process gas line 50" or "process gas guide part" shown in phantom in fig. 1.
The annular lines 53 and 56 are connected to each other by a connection 60 having a shut-off valve 61. The connection 60 between the two annular lines 53 and 56 allows cleaning of the lines. Furthermore, the connection 60 can be used to apply sterile medium to the ring lines 53 and 56 in a simple manner, since the ring lines 53 and 56 thus form a connected space instead of two separate lines in the case of process gas introduction and process gas removal.
The filling process without process gas treatment, which is applicable for example to the filling of non-carbonated beverages, is performed by the device 1 in an operating mode without process gas treatment. Similarly, a filling process with a process gas treatment, for example, this applies to the filling of carbonated beverages, performed by the device 1 in an operating mode with a process gas treatment.
In order to avoid the occurrence of attack and growth of product-damaging bacteria or any other type of contamination in the process gas lines 50 in the case of longer production cycles in the operating mode without process gas treatment, these lines are completely or at least partly transformed into a defined state in which a sterile medium, i.e. a sterile or sterile medium, is applied to these lines and preferably under pressure.
For this purpose, shut-off valves are provided which are arranged to shut off the process gas introduction line 51 and/or the process gas withdrawal line 54 from the process gas source and the external environment in an operating mode without process gas treatment. The shut-off on the side of the filling member 20 may be achieved by the filling member 20 itself, i.e. by a valve integrated therein or attached thereto. The shut-off of the process gas supply line 51 on the process gas source side is carried out by means of one or more valves 58 of the process gas supply line. The shut-off of the process gas outlet line is carried out by means of the above-mentioned valve 59 of the process gas outlet line or a plurality of such valves.
In the embodiment of fig. 1, a process gas inlet line valve 58 is provided at each radial inlet line 52 in the area for attachment to the product tank 30, so that the radial inlet line 52 can be separated from the headspace 30a of the product tank 30 or blocked.
Introduction of the sterile medium into the process gas line 50 occurs through a sterile medium inlet. Introduction of the sterile medium may be from below, between the valve 59 and the rotary distributor 57 with additional valves, or alternatively via the distributor device 31, for example between the shut-off valve 58 and the ring line 53, via additional valves. However, introduction of the sterile medium may also be carried out by means of existing connections, such as the filling member 20, the valve 59 of the process gas outlet line, etc. Even in the case of such a co-usage of the connection, the connection belongs to the term "sterile medium inlet".
Various gases and/or liquids in various conditions and combinations of various media, such as sterile air, sterile water, steam, condensate, etc., may be considered as sterile media.
According to one embodiment, the process gas line 50, i.e. the area not used during the operation mode without process gas treatment, is applied with food-safe steam. Over time, the steam cools and the process gas line 50 is filled with condensate. Here, the steam pressure remains present at all times and thus places the process gas line 50 under pressure. Any leakage may be monitored, for example, by temperature monitoring. For this purpose, existing sensor systems, for example temperature sensors at the filling member 20, can be used in conjunction, or own sensor systems can be installed.
According to an alternative embodiment, the process gas line 50 is filled with condensate and then steam pressure is applied. Thereby, the heat input into the filled product is reduced compared to the above-described embodiments. The monitoring of any leakage may again be performed by temperature monitoring.
According to another embodiment, the process gas line 50 may be supplied with a sterile gas, such as sterile filtered air. Subsequently, the valve of the sterile medium inlet is closed and the pressure in the line system of the process gas guiding member is monitored. If the pressure drops too much, i.e. if the pressure is below a threshold value, this indicates that there is a leak, so that corresponding measures (inspection, repair, maintenance, cleaning and/or the like of the device 1) can be taken.
By the described construction of the process gas line 50 and the method of applying a sterile medium during an operating mode without process gas treatment, the process gas guiding members are placed in a defined sterility state even if these are not needed. This minimizes the risk of contamination, especially bacterial formation, when possible leakage occurs. If an overpressure is also created in the interior of the piping system of the process gas guiding component, the risk of contamination can be further reduced, since any particles or bacteria will tend to be flushed to the outside when leakage occurs. The deterioration of the characteristics of the filled product can be avoided by using food-safe steam or sterile filtered air in the event of leakage.
Where applicable, all of the individual features shown in the embodiments can be combined with and/or interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the invention.
Reference numerals illustrate:
1. device for filling a container with a filling product
10. Turntable
20. Filling member
21. Filling valve
22. An outlet
30. Product box
30a headspace
31. Distributor device
31a product introduction line
31b diffuser
31c sterile barrier
40. Product pipeline
41. Attachment piece
50. Process gas line
51. Process gas inlet line
52. Radial ingress line
53. Annular ingress line
54. Process gas outlet line
55. Radial lead-out pipeline
56. Annular export pipeline
57. Rotary distributor
58. Stop valve of process gas inlet pipeline
59. Stop valve for process gas outlet line
60. Connector for process gas inlet line and process gas outlet line
61. Stop valve
Claims (26)
1. A device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, wherein the device (1) is operable in an operating mode with process gas treatment and an operating mode without process gas treatment and has:
at least one process gas line (50), the process gas line (50) being arranged to apply a process gas to the vessel in the operating mode with process gas treatment;
at least one sterile medium inlet arranged to introduce a sterile medium into the process gas line (50); and
one or more shut-off valves (58, 59), which shut-off valves (58, 59) are arranged to shut off the process gas line (50) in the operating mode without process gas treatment in such a way that a sterile medium introduced through a sterile medium inlet is held in the process gas line (50).
2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) is used in a beverage filling apparatus.
3. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the process gas line (50) is arranged to flush and/or bias a container in the operating mode with process gas treatment.
4. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) further has: product tank (30) for receiving a filling product, which is present in the product tank (30) to a filling level, wherein the product tank (30) has a headspace (30 a) filled with the process gas above the filling level, and wherein the process gas line (50) is attached to the product tank (30) and arranged to withdraw the process gas from the headspace (30 a) of the product tank (30) in the operating mode with process gas treatment.
5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one of the shut-off valves (58) is installed in a region for attaching the process gas line (50) to the product tank (30).
6. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the device (1) further has: -at least one filling member (20), which filling member (20) is attached to the product tank (30) by a product line (40) and arranged to withdraw and introduce the filling product from the product tank (30) through the product line (40) into a respective container to be filled, wherein the process gas line (50) is attached to the filling member (20) and the filling member (20) is arranged to introduce the process gas into the respective container, and a further shut-off valve is formed by the filling member (20), integrated in the filling member (20) or attached to the filling member (20).
7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the device (1) has a turntable (10), which turntable (10) is rotatable with respect to a stationary equipment part, and at least one filling member (20) is mounted at the outer circumference of the turntable (10), whereby the device (1) is implemented in a gyrator structure.
8. The apparatus (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one process gas line (50) comprises:
a process gas introduction line (51), the process gas introduction line (51) being arranged to introduce a process gas into a respective vessel; and
a process gas outlet line (54), said process gas outlet line (54) being arranged to conduct process gas from the respective vessel.
9. The apparatus (1) according to claim 8, wherein the process gas introduction line (51) comprises:
one or more radial inlet lines (52), the radial inlet lines (52) being attached to the product tank (30) and arranged to draw the process gas from the headspace (30 a) of the product tank (30) in the operating mode with process gas treatment; and
-an annular inlet line (53), the radial inlet line (52) leading to the annular inlet line (53), wherein the at least one filling member (20) is attached to the annular inlet line (53) such that the filling member (20) is supplied with process gas from the inlet line (53).
10. The device (1) according to claim 9, wherein said at least one sterile medium inlet is mounted at one of said radial introduction lines (52).
11. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that each of the shut-off valves (58) is mounted in a region for attaching the respective radial introduction line (52) to the product tank (30).
12. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein the process gas outlet line (54) comprises: one or more radial lead-out lines (55) and an annular lead-out line (56), the radial lead-out lines (55) leading to the annular lead-out line (56), wherein the at least one filling member (20) is attached to the annular lead-out line (56) and arranged to lead the process gas from the respective container through the filling member (20) into the annular lead-out line (56) and to be carried away from the annular lead-out line (56) through the radial lead-out line (55).
13. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said annular inlet line (53) and said annular outlet line (56) are connected to each other by a connection (60), said connection (60) comprising a connection shut-off valve (61).
14. The apparatus (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the radial lead-out line (55) is attached to a distributor arranged to collect and lead out the process gas from the radial lead-out line (55), wherein the distributor has at least one of the shut-off valves (59), the shut-off valves (59) being arranged such that the radial lead-out line (55) can be separated from the discharge into the environment.
15. Device (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that said dispenser is a rotary dispenser (57).
16. A method for operating the device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises: the device (1) is placed in an operating mode without process gas treatment by closing one or more shut-off valves (58, 59) and a sterile medium is introduced into the process gas line (50) through at least one sterile medium inlet, whereby the sterile medium remains in the process gas line (50).
17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that as long as the device (1) is in the operating mode without process gas treatment.
18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the sterile medium is put under pressure so that the sterile medium has an overpressure in the process gas line (50) with respect to the ambient pressure.
19. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the pressure and/or temperature of the sterile medium is monitored in the process gas line (50) by means of one or more sensors.
20. The method of any one of claims 16-19, wherein the sterile medium comprises steam.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the steam is food safety steam.
22. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the introduction of the sterile medium is performed such that the process gas line (50) is steam-applied and gradually filled with condensate by cooling the steam, or that the introduction of the sterile medium is performed such that the process gas line (50) is filled with condensate and subsequently steam pressure is applied.
23. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the introduction of the sterile medium is performed such that the process gas line (50) is supplied with steam and gradually filled with condensate by cooling the steam, wherein the steam pressure is permanently maintained.
24. Method according to claim 22, characterized in that the introduction of the sterile medium is performed such that the process gas line (50) is supplied with steam and gradually filled with condensate by cooling the steam, wherein as long as the device (1) is in the operating mode without process gas treatment.
25. The method of any one of claims 16-19, wherein the sterile medium comprises a sterile gas or sterile water.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the sterile gas is sterile filtered air.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE102020130628.8 | 2020-11-19 | ||
| DE102020130628.8A DE102020130628A1 (en) | 2020-11-19 | 2020-11-19 | Multifunctional device for filling containers with a filling product |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN114538353A CN114538353A (en) | 2022-05-27 |
| CN114538353B true CN114538353B (en) | 2024-03-29 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202111362012.5A Active CN114538353B (en) | 2020-11-19 | 2021-11-17 | Multifunctional device for filling containers with filling products |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4001206B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN114538353B (en) |
| DE (1) | DE102020130628A1 (en) |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE102020130628A1 (en) | 2022-05-19 |
| CN114538353A (en) | 2022-05-27 |
| EP4001206A1 (en) | 2022-05-25 |
| EP4001206B1 (en) | 2023-09-06 |
| EP4001206C0 (en) | 2023-09-06 |
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