DE102022118571A1 - Free jet filling of a container with a multi-component filling product - Google Patents

Abstract

Filling element (10) for a device (1) for free-jet filling of a container with a multi-component filling product, preferably a multi-component drink, comprising at least one main component (H) and one secondary component (N), the filling element (10) having: a housing (11 ) with a mouth section (23) for introducing the filling product into the container in a free jet; a main product channel (21) extending in the housing (11) to the mouth section (23) and arranged to transport the main component (H) to the mouth section (23); a main valve (25, 25a) with a main valve cone (25) which is arranged in the housing (11), the main valve cone (25) and the housing (11) being displaceable relative to one another in an axial direction via a first actuator (27), to close and open the main product channel (21) accordingly; a by-product channel (22) extending axially through the main poppet (25) to the mouth portion (23) and configured to transport the minor component (N) to the mouth portion (23); and a bypass valve (26, 26a; 26`) configured to open and close the byproduct channel (22).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a filling element of a device for free-jet filling of a container with a multi-component filling product, preferably a multi-component drink, comprising at least one main component and one secondary component.

State of the art

Various technologies are known for mixing and filling beverages consisting of several components. The drinks can be mixed in an upstream process using a mixer and then conveyed to the bottling plant in their final state. Still drinks are often filled using a free-jet system, while carbonated drinks are introduced under pressure and through a wall filling with the container pressed on.

From the US 2008/0271809 A1 It is known to dose and fill the desired components individually, for example via separate dosing stations. However, the use of separate dosing stations for a large number of components leads to a complex system structure and process flow, as the filling of each container is divided into several separate dosing/filling stations at which the container must be positioned for the respective dosing times. Although it is in principle possible to meter the several components into the containers simultaneously and at a common filling station via separate lines and dispensing openings, this is limited by the size of the bottle or container mouth.

Alternatively, the components can be brought together in a common filling valve, see for example EP 0 775 668 A1 and WO 2009/114121 A1 . According to the so-called “double-fill system”, in which a main component is filled as a clear liquid, for example juice, and a secondary component is filled with fruit pieces or fruit fibers, called slurry, the slurry is first dosed into the filling valve, and then both components filled from the filling system into the container. The slurry is added near the product outlet cone. Both processes are carried out one after the other. First it is dosed into the valve, then filled into the container. The filling principle is usually based on free jet filling.

In a further development of this principle, known as “flexible fill”, at least two components, a main component, usually carbonated water, and a secondary component, for example syrup, are mixed in the filling valve and then filled. With this system, several syrups or secondary components are available at the filling valve, which means that different drinks can be filled by selecting the secondary component. Here too, the two processes (dosing and filling) are carried out one after the other.

Another technology for filling multi-component drinks is known as “Dualfill”. This system was specially developed for filling milk with different fat contents. The filling system has a valve where several milk components with different fat contents are present, for example defatted milk with a fat content of less than 0.1% and fresh milk with a fat content between approx. 4% and 4.5%. Depending on the desired fat content in the container, the proportion of the two types of milk is calculated and first the required amount of fresh milk and then the required amount of defatted milk are filled into the container. The two filling processes take place one after the other in time. The filling process is based on free jet filling.

Mixing in the filling valve makes it difficult to optimize the time of the filling process because the dosing process cannot be accelerated as desired, for example using a flow meter. The time the container remains under the dosing point is directly proportional to the performance of the filling line. If there is a higher power requirement, either the dosing time and thus the dosing range must be reduced or a second parallel dosing line must be set up. The possible dosing range depends on the available dosing time and therefore on the line performance.

When changing the type, residues of a previous filling product, in particular any dosage components, may remain in the filling valve. Flavorings, pieces of fruit and the like can be carried over and contaminate subsequent bottlings. To ensure that as little residue as possible remains in the filling valve, the quantity and filling of the main component must be set up in such a way that the filling valve is completely free of residues from the previous filling. The degree of cleaning is determined, among other things, by how quickly and with what pressure the filling valve is flushed when the filling product is dispensed into the container. However, the flushing of the filling valve cannot be accelerated as desired for several reasons become. Foaming can easily occur when filling carbonated drinks. Likewise, the displacement of the atmosphere in the container during filling prevents the filling process from being accelerated.

There is also increasing demand for technical solutions that allow containers/bottles to be reused by refilling them. The idea is that a refill machine, set up in a shopping center for example, allows the end consumer to refill a beverage bottle with beverages, especially carbonated products. As a rule, carbonated drinks are filled under pressure, i.e. pressed against the filling valve. For hygienic reasons, this cannot be implemented in such refilling machines, because in order to prevent contamination, germs, etc. from being transferred from bottle to bottle, the filling product should not be filled using the free-jet principle.

Presentation of the invention

An object of the invention is to provide an improved filling member and an improved method for free-jet filling a container with a multi-component filling product, preferably a multi-component beverage.

The task is solved by a filling element with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of the independent method claim. Advantageous further developments follow from the subclaims, the following description of the invention and the description of preferred exemplary embodiments.

The filling element according to the invention is part of a device for free jet filling of a container with a multi-component filling product. The filling element and the device are particularly preferably used in a beverage filling system, for example for filling soft drinks, smoothies, juices, dairy products, mixed drinks and the like. The filling product includes at least two components, referred to herein as “major component” and “minor component”. The main component is preferably carbonated water, the degree of carbonation of which is preferably variable, and the secondary component can be a syrup.

The filling element comprises a housing which can be assumed to be stationary, i.e. is designed to be stationary in relation to other components of the filling element, but not necessarily absolutely or in relation to external components of the device. The housing has a mouth section for introducing the filling product into the container. The mouth section is designed for free jet filling, i.e. filling takes place without pressure and without contact between the filling element and the container. In particular, the container is not pressed against the mouth section of the filling element for filling and is also not prestressed with a tension gas.

The filling element has a main product channel which extends in the housing to the mouth section and is set up to transport the main component to the mouth section, from where the main component can flow into the container after bridging a free jet area.

The filling element has a main valve with a main valve cone arranged in the housing, the main valve cone and the housing being displaceable relative to one another in an axial direction via a first actuator in order to close and open the main product channel accordingly. Preferably, the main valve cone is mounted in the housing so as to be displaceable in the axial direction and can be lowered via the first actuator into a main valve seat on the housing side and moved out of this in order to correspondingly close or open the main product channel or a main product outlet of the main product channel.

Alternatively or additionally, the housing can be designed to be movable at least in sections, in particular a lower housing part, in order to interact accordingly with the main valve cone in order to correspondingly close and open the main product channel with the main valve cone.

The cone shape of the main valve cone defines the above-mentioned axial direction. In the case of a cylindrical housing, the cylinder axis of the housing and the axial direction of the main valve cone preferably coincide.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, etc. do not specify any order, sequence or prioritization, but only serve to differentiate linguistically.

The filling element further has a by-product channel which extends in the axial direction through the main valve cone to the mouth section and is set up to transport the secondary component to the mouth section, from where the secondary component can flow into the container after bridging the free jet area.

The filling element also has a secondary valve which is set up to open or close the by-product channel.

According to the filling element described above, the multi-component filling product is only finally produced in a postmix process in the container to be filled. For this purpose, the components of the filling product are preferably filled into the container at least in sections or throughout at the same time, whereby a homogeneous filling product consisting of two or more components is then produced in the container. There is no mixing chamber in the filling element or in front of the filling element, which effectively prevents the components of the filling product from being carried over outside the container, in particular in the filling element.

The main poppet is designed to be hollow inside, forming the by-product channel. In this way, the secondary component can be placed in the free jet of the main component, so that the product can be filled as a “jet-in-jet”.

The secondary valve preferably has a secondary valve cone, which is mounted in the main valve cone so as to be displaceable in the axial direction and can be lowered via a second actuator into a secondary valve seat on the main valve side and moved out of it in order to correspondingly close or open the by-product channel or a by-product outlet of the by-product channel. In this way, a secondary valve can be implemented in a mechanically compact manner with synergistic use of the main valve cone.

The main product channel preferably has a hollow cylindrical shape and extends parallel and concentric to the by-product channel, the by-product channel preferably also having a hollow cylindrical shape. In this way, the secondary component is surrounded by the main component in the free jet area after delivery through the filling element, whereby a compact jet is generated in which the components leave the filling element together but separately.

The filling element or the device preferably has a control which is set up to control the first actuator and the second actuator in such a way that the main valve and the secondary valve are at least partially or continuously opened at the same time, so that the main component and the secondary component are at least partially or be filled into the container at the same time. In this way the filling process can be shortened.

The control is preferably set up to control the first actuator and the second actuator in such a way that at the end of a filling process, first the secondary valve and then, for example after a certain flushing time, the main valve is closed. In this way, the still flowing main component can wash any residues of the secondary component, for example syrup residues, from the mouth-side components of the filling element, thereby effectively preventing the carryover of aroma from one filling process to the next.

Preferably, a plurality of main valve cones are provided and are mounted in the housing so as to be displaceable in the axial direction and can be lowered into a respective main valve seat on the housing side and moved out of it in order to correspondingly close and open an associated main product channel. In this case, in each main valve cone, a by-product channel extends in the axial direction through the corresponding main valve cone to the mouth section, the by-product channels being set up to each transport a secondary component, which preferably differs, to the mouth section. In this case, the main valve cones are located in a common housing that contains the main component. The main valve cones are preferably arranged parallel, next to one another. By providing several main valve cones and thus by-product channels next to each other in this way, it is possible to quickly switch between several secondary components, for example several syrups.

Preferably, each by-product channel has a rear shut-off valve which is set up to open or close the corresponding by-product channel. This allows the main valve cones to be more compact and the by-product channels to be arranged closer together. However, the secondary valves can alternatively be implemented via a secondary valve cone and an associated secondary valve seat, as in the previously presented embodiments.

Preferably the major component is carbonated water and the minor component is preferably a syrup. Such free-jet filling of carbonated, multi-component products forms a technical basis for the reuse of containers/bottles by refilling, as the transfer of contaminants, germs, etc. from container to container is effectively prevented.

The above-mentioned object is further achieved by a method for free-jet filling a container with a multi-component filling product, preferably a multi-component drink, comprising at least one main component and one secondary component. The method carried out with a filling member or a device according to the above description comprises: introducing the main component of the filling product into the main product channel of the filling element, and introducing the minor component of the filling product into the by-product channel of the filling element; Opening the main valve and the secondary valve, whereby the main component and the secondary component are released from the mouth section of the filling element and, after bridging a free jet area, are introduced into a container to be filled; and closing the main valve and the secondary valve.

The features, technical effects, advantages and exemplary embodiments that were described in relation to the filling element or the device apply analogously to the method.

For the reasons mentioned above, the main valve and the secondary valve are at least partially or continuously open at the same time during a filling process.

For the reasons mentioned above, the secondary valve is preferably closed at the end of the filling process and then, for example after a flushing time has elapsed, the main valve is closed.

Further advantages and features of the present invention can be seen from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments. The features described therein can be implemented alone or in combination with one or more of the features set out above, provided the features do not contradict each other. The following description of preferred exemplary embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Short description of the characters

• 1 eine vertikale Schnittansicht eines Füllorgans in einer Vorrichtung zum Freistrahlfüllen von Behältern mit einem mehrkomponentigen Füllprodukt;
• 2a, 2b, 2c das Füllorgan der 1 in verschiedenen Betriebszuständen; und
• 3 ein Füllorgan gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Show:

• 1 a vertical sectional view of a filling element in a device for free-jet filling of containers with a multi-component filling product;
• 2a , 2 B , 2c the filling organ of the 1 in different operating states; and
• 3 a filling element according to a further exemplary embodiment.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. The same, similar or identical elements in the figures are provided with identical reference numbers, and a repeated description of these elements is partly omitted in order to avoid redundancy.

The 1 shows a vertical sectional view of a filling element 10, which is used in a device 1 for free-jet filling of containers (not shown in the figures) with a multi-component filling product, in particular a multi-component drink. The filling element 10 is designed as a free jet valve, in which the filling product is introduced into the container without pressure and the filling jet, after leaving the filling element 10, bridges a free jet area and enters the container essentially without external influence. In particular, during free jet filling, the container is not pressed against the filling element and preferably does not come into contact with it. This means that the container to be filled is not pre-tensioned with a tension gas.

Suitable filling products to be filled include, for example, soft drinks, smoothies, juices, dairy products, mixed drinks and the like. The device 1 is particularly suitable for filling carbonated drinks in a free jet.

The filling product comprises at least two components, a main component H and a secondary component N. The main component H is preferably carbonated water (preferably with a variable degree of carbonation), the secondary component N can be a syrup. However, there is no restriction in this regard. For example, the main and secondary components H, N can be milk with different fat contents in order to be able to flexibly set a desired fat content in the bottled product. Alternatively, juices can be filled with fruit pieces, with pulp being mixed into a juice main component H as a secondary component N; the secondary component N can include additives, flavorings, etc. Applications outside the beverage or food industry are also possible, for example in the care sector for filling shampoo and the like.

The filling element 10 is suitable for a quick, flexible change of type, especially when if the various filling products are based on a common carrier medium - the main component H - and various additives - the secondary components N.

The filling element 10 has an elongated, cylindrical housing 11, the main extension of which defines a longitudinal direction or central axis A. When installed, the longitudinal direction normally coincides with the direction of gravity.

In an upper section of the filling element 10, a first product feed line 30 and a second product feed line 40 are provided, both in the 1 shown schematically in order to introduce the main component H and the secondary component N into corresponding channels of the filling element 10. The product supply lines 30, 40 obtain the product components, for example, from a reservoir 31 of the main component H, a reservoir 41 of the secondary component N, a production facility, a product connection or in another suitable manner.

The main component H passes from the first product feed line 30 into a main product channel 21, which is formed in the filling element 10 by a hollow cylindrical region. The secondary component N passes from the second product feed line 40 into a by-product channel 22, which in the exemplary embodiment 1 , 2a , 2 B , 2c is also formed by a hollow cylindrical region which is arranged concentrically within the main product channel 21. In the exemplary embodiment 3 the by-product channel 22 is designed as a central tube which extends centrally through a main valve cone 25 described below.

The main product channel 21 surrounds the by-product channel 22 in a concentric manner, so that the filling product is delivered as a “jet-in-jet” via a mouth section 23 of the filling element 10. The secondary component N is encased in the free jet area by the main component H after delivery through the filling element 10, as in the 1 is shown.

In this way, the filling product is filled into a container without pressure using the free-jet process, with the components of the filling product being present separately in the filling system, in particular in the filling element 10, and the filling product only being finally mixed together in the container.

The filling element 10 is cylindrical in shape and defines a central axis A. The main valve cone 25 is mounted displaceably along the axis A, thus in the axial direction, and can thus be operated via a first actuator 27 (in the 1 shown schematically) are lowered into a main valve seat 25a on the housing side and moved out of it, thereby closing and opening a main product outlet 25b, which is preferably designed as an annular gap or includes one.

The main valve cone 25 and the main valve seat 25a form a valve, in particular a front-flush shut-off valve.

In order to place the secondary component N in the free jet of the main component H, so that the product can be filled as a “jet-in-jet”, the main valve cone 25 is designed to be hollow on the inside, whereby the by-product channel 22 is formed.

In the exemplary embodiment 1 , 2a , 2 B , 2c a secondary valve cone 26 is arranged in the by-product channel 22, which is mounted displaceably along the axis A, thus in the axial direction, and thus via a second actuator 28 (in the 1 shown schematically) can be lowered into a secondary valve seat 26a on the main valve cone side and moved out of it, thereby closing and opening a by-product outlet 26b, which is preferably designed as an annular gap or includes one, of the by-product channel 22.

The secondary valve cone 26 and the secondary valve seat 26a form a valve, in the embodiment of 1 , 2a , 2 B , 2c in particular a front-flush shut-off valve. However, the secondary component N can alternatively be added in another way, for example through a rear shut-off valve 26 ', as in the exemplary embodiment 3 is shown schematically.

The 2a , 2 B , 2c show three operating states of the filling element 10. The 2a shows the filling element 10 with a closed main product channel 21 and a closed by-product channel 22. The 2 B shows the filling element 10 with the main product channel 21 open and the by-product channel 22 closed 2c shows the filling element 10 with the main product channel 21 and by-product channel 22 open.

A controller 50 is used to control the filling element 10 (cf. 1 ) is provided, which is in communication with the actuators 27, 28 of the main valve cone 25 and the secondary valve cone 26 as well as any sensors for monitoring the filling process and is set up to control or regulate the filling process. Communication can be wired or wireless, digital or analog. Communication does not necessarily have to involve an exchange of information in both areas include. A unidirectional data and/or signal flow falls under the term “communication”. The controller 50 does not necessarily have to be formed by a central computing device or electronic control, but rather includes decentralized and/or multi-stage systems, control networks, cloud systems and the like. The controller 50 can also be an integral part of a higher-level system controller or communicate with one.

The control 50 is preferably set up to first close the secondary valve cone 26 towards the end of the filling, so that the still flowing main component H can wash any residues of the secondary component N, for example syrup residues, from the mouth-side components of the filling element 10. In this way, aroma carryover to subsequent filling processes is effectively prevented.

The filling element 10 allows the filling of different filling products, in particular those that are based on a common main component H. In order to further accelerate the variety change, the shows 3 an embodiment of a filling element 10 with several main valve cones 25. The main valve cones 25 sit in a common housing 11, which contains the main component H.

The main valve cones 25 each include a by-product channel 22 which extends axially through the corresponding main valve cone 25. By providing several main valve cones 25 with corresponding by-product channels 22, it is possible to switch particularly quickly between several secondary components N, for example several syrups. Alternatively, several multi-component filling products can be filled at the same time by simultaneously actuating several main and/or secondary valves of the filling element 10.

The filling element 10 according to 3 has no front-flush shut-off valves for the secondary components N, ie no secondary valve cones and secondary valve seats. Instead, the secondary components N are metered in via a rear shut-off valve 26'. However, the secondary valves can alternatively be used as in the exemplary embodiments 1 , 2a , 2 B , 2c be implemented via a secondary valve cone 26 and associated secondary valve seat 26a.

According to the device 1 set out herein, the multi-component filling product is only finally produced in a postmix process in the container to be filled. For this purpose, the components of the filling product are at least partially or continuously filled into the container at the same time, whereby a homogeneous filling product consisting of two or more components is produced. By dispensing with a mixing chamber in the device 1 or in the filling element 10, carryover or mixing of the components outside the container, in particular in the filling element 10, is effectively prevented.

To the extent applicable, all individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined and/or exchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference symbol list

1

Device for free jet filling of a container with a multi-component filling product

10

Filling organ

11

Housing

21

Main product channel

22

By-product channel

23

Mouth section

25

Main poppet

25a

Main valve seat

25b

Main product phase-out

26

Secondary poppet

26a

Secondary valve seat

26b

By-product phase-out

26'

Rear shut-off valve

27

First actuator

28

Second actuator

30

First product supply

40

Second product supply line

31

Reservoir of the main component

42

Reservoir of the secondary component

50

steering

H

main component

N

Minor component

A

axis

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2008/0271809 A1 [0003]
• EP 0775668 A1 [0004]
• WO 2009/114121 A1 [0004]

Claims (13)

Filling element (10) for a device (1) for free-jet filling of a container with a multi-component filling product, preferably a multi-component drink, comprising at least one main component (H) and one secondary component (N), the filling element (10) having: a housing (11) having a mouth portion (23) for introducing the filling product into the container in a free jet; a main product channel (21) extending in the housing (11) to the mouth section (23) and arranged to transport the main component (H) to the mouth section (23); a main valve (25, 25a) with a main valve cone (25) which is arranged in the housing (11), the main valve cone (25) and the housing (11) being displaceable relative to one another in an axial direction via a first actuator (27), to close and open the main product channel (21) accordingly; a by-product channel (22) extending axially through the main poppet (25) to the mouth portion (23) and configured to transport the minor component (N) to the mouth portion (23); and a secondary valve (26, 26a; 26`) configured to open and close the by-product channel (22). Filling element (10). Claim 1 , characterized in that the main valve cone (25) is mounted in the housing (11) so that it can move in the axial direction and can be lowered into a main valve seat (25a) on the housing side via the first actuator (27) and can be moved out of it in order to reach the main product channel (21) accordingly to close and open. Filling element (10). Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the housing (11) can be moved at least in sections, preferably a lower housing part, via the first actuator (27) in order to close and open the main product channel (21) accordingly in cooperation with the main valve cone (25). Filling element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the secondary valve (26, 26a; 26`) has a secondary valve cone (26) which is mounted in the main valve cone (25) so that it can move in the axial direction and via a second actuator (28). can be lowered into a secondary valve seat (26a) on the main valve side and moved out of it in order to close and open the by-product channel (22) accordingly. Filling element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main product channel (21) has a hollow cylindrical shape and extends parallel and concentric to the by-product channel (22), the by-product channel (22) preferably also having a hollow cylindrical shape. Filling element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control (50) is provided which is set up to control the first actuator (27) and the second actuator (28) so that the main valve (25, 25a ) and the secondary valve (26, 26a; 26`) are at least partially or continuously opened at the same time, so that the main component (H) and the secondary component (N) can be filled into the container at least partially or continuously at the same time. Filling element (10). Claim 6 , characterized in that the control (50) is set up to control the first actuator (27) and the second actuator (28) so that at the end of a filling process first the secondary valve (26, 26a; 26`) and then the Main valve (25, 25a) is closed. Filling element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of main valve cones (25) are provided and are mounted in the housing (11) so as to be displaceable in the axial direction and can be lowered into a respective main valve seat (25a) on the housing side and moved out of this in order to achieve one to close and open the associated main product channel (21) accordingly; wherein in each main valve cone (25) a by-product channel (22) extends in the axial direction through the corresponding main valve cone (25) to the mouth section (23), the by-product channels (22) being set up to each contain a secondary component (N), which is preferably distinguish, to transport to the mouth section (23). Filling element (10). Claim 8 , characterized in that each by-product channel (22) has a rear shut-off valve (26 ') arranged to open and close the corresponding by-product channel (22). Filling element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main component (H) is carbonated water and the secondary component (N) is preferably a syrup. Method for free-jet filling a container with a multi-component filling product, preferably a multi-component drink, comprising at least one main component (H) and one secondary component (N), by means of a filling element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises: introducing the main component (H) of the filling product into the main product channel (21) of the filling element (10), and introducing the secondary component (N) of the filling product into the by-product channel (22) of the filling element (10); Opening the main valve (25, 25a) and the secondary valve (26, 26a; 26`), whereby the main component (H) and the secondary component (N) are released from the mouth section (23) of the filling element and, after bridging a free jet area, into one to be filled containers are introduced; and closing the main valve (25, 25a) and the secondary valve (26, 26a; 26`). Procedure according to Claim 11 , characterized in that during a filling process the main valve (25, 25a) and the secondary valve (26, 26a; 26`) are at least partially or continuously opened at the same time. Procedure according to Claim 12 , characterized in that at the end of the filling process, first the secondary valve (26, 26a; 26`) and then the main valve (25, 25a) are closed.

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