EP0308721B1 - Filling head for beverage filling equipment using pre-evacuation - Google Patents

Filling head for beverage filling equipment using pre-evacuation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0308721B1
EP0308721B1 EP88114568A EP88114568A EP0308721B1 EP 0308721 B1 EP0308721 B1 EP 0308721B1 EP 88114568 A EP88114568 A EP 88114568A EP 88114568 A EP88114568 A EP 88114568A EP 0308721 B1 EP0308721 B1 EP 0308721B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas
valve
filling
vacuum
throttle
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP88114568A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0308721A1 (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Dipl.-Ing. Sauspreischkies
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APV Ortmann and Herbst GmbH
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APV Ortmann and Herbst GmbH
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Priority to AT88114568T priority Critical patent/ATE79600T1/en
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    • 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
    • B67C3/12—Pressure-control 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a filling element of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1.
  • Filling elements of this type are used in beverage fillers for high-quality beverages, in particular beer, which have to be protected to a particular degree against exposure to air.
  • the drink In the kettle of the filling device, the drink is under a predominantly CO2 atmosphere and is therefore largely protected against air access. If an empty container is filled with air, the drink comes into contact with pure air. In the usual construction of filling devices, the container air flows back into the boiler as return air and there also results in disturbing air influence on the beverage.
  • a filling device of the type mentioned is known from FR-A-2 078 036.
  • a vacuum line is provided, the vacuum of which is limited at the bottom by a corresponding control device, so that when unstable containers are evacuated, their collapse is prevented.
  • the gas valve is opened, from which compressed gas flows into the container without throttling.
  • the result is that the pressure in the container immediately rises to the high pressure level of the compressed gas supplied. Gas is then still flushed through the container into the vacuum line.
  • this takes place at a high pressure level of typically a few bars, the purging action being limited with regard to the remaining, less disturbing residual gas fractions.
  • there is a high consumption of compressed gas there is a high consumption of compressed gas.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a filling element of the type mentioned at the outset which, with low compressed gas consumption, enables a better purging action with regard to disturbing residual gas fractions.
  • the construction according to the invention provides a throttle in the gas channel, that is to say in the compressed gas supply, which is dimensioned in relation to the vacuum-side suction power in such a way that only very small amounts of gas flow in which the vacuum pressure does not increase or does not increase appreciably. It takes place So flushing with compressed gas at a low vacuum pressure level instead. However, this only gives the essential advantage that small portions of residual gas, in particular portions of disruptive oxygen, are effectively flushed out. The resulting low throughput of compressed gas also leads to savings in compressed gas (CO2). Since the maintenance of the low vacuum pressure level is guaranteed, vacuum pumps can be used which break down if the pressure increases too high.
  • flushing can also be used in this way in those filler organ constructions which work with liquid valves which open automatically under spring pressure and which, of course, must not yet open during evacuation and flushing.
  • the throttle can be switched off so that the gas channel can lead gas into the container with high throughput, ie with great speed, during the prestressing process.
  • the invention is shown for example and schematically in section through a filling element according to the invention with a gas duct designed as a return air pipe.
  • a filling element 2 is connected to the ring bowl 1 of a rotating filling device and extends radially outward.
  • a liquid connection 3 connects the liquid space of the ring bowl with the area above the liquid valve 6 of the filling element and a gas connection 4 connects the gas space of the bowl with the gas space 5 of the filling element.
  • a return air pipe 9 connecting the inside of the bottle to the gas space 5, which is arranged to be vertically movable in the filling element 2 and carries the liquid valve 6.
  • the liquid valve is designed to be self-opening. It is supported by a compression spring 11 against the filling element via a flange 10 on the return air pipe 9 and thus opens automatically when equal pressure is established between the interior of the bottle 8 and the gas space 5.
  • the return air pipe 9 projects with its lower end 12 into the bottle 8 up to the height to which it is to be filled, as is the case with conventional ones Return air pipe constructions for known purposes of controlling the filling stop is common.
  • an expanded pipe section 13 is provided, in which a valve body 14 of the gas valve is provided.
  • the valve body 14 has at its upper end two vertically spaced, transverse actuating plates 15 and 16, between which an actuating lever 17 can be brought into engagement, which can be actuated from the outside via a shaft 18 which passes through the housing of the filling element 2.
  • an actuating lever 17 By pressing the operating lever 17 from above onto the lower operating plate 15, the valve body 14 can be moved downwards and can be moved upwards by pressing from below against the upper operating plate 16.
  • the lower actuating plate 15 is further supported in the usual manner downwards against a flange 20 of the return air pipe via a compression spring 19.
  • annular seal 21 is provided, with which the valve body 14 can come into sealing engagement on the bottom 22 of the expanded pipe section 13, as a result of which the return air pipe 9 is closed.
  • the actuating lever 17 initially remains force-free. Both the return air pipe 9 and the valve body 14 are in the lower closed position and are held there against the pressure of the compression springs 11 and 19 by the gas pressure in the interior of the filling element.
  • the bottle 8 is now brought under the outlet 7 of the filling element and held in the sealing position. Then, by lifting the operating lever 17, the valve body 14 raised, and gas flows into the bottle 8 until it has the same pressure (constant pressure) as in the gas space 5. Then, under the action of the compression spring 11, the liquid valve 6 automatically rises and liquid flows into the bottle 8 until it reaches the lower end 12 of the return air pipe 9.
  • the filling element shown is used for filling high-quality drinks, in particular for filling beer. Care must therefore be taken to ensure that the air influence on the beverage is as low as possible, which is why pre-evacuation is used in a known manner.
  • a vacuum ring line 30 is provided under the ring bowl 1, which is connected in the area of the filling element shown with a connecting pipe 31 to an annular channel 32 arranged in the housing of the filling element around the outlet 7.
  • the vacuum can be connected to the outlet 7, that is to say to the inside of the bottle 8, by actuating a vacuum valve shown in the figure.
  • This has a valve stem 33 which carries a valve plate 34.
  • a button 36 At the outwardly projecting end of the valve stem 33 there is a button 36 which can be actuated from the outside against a spring 35.
  • the Valve plate 34 closes a bore 37 which connects the ring channel 32 to the outlet 7.
  • the vacuum valve shown opens and connects the inside of the bottle 8 to the vacuum ring line 30, which is connected in a suitable manner to a vacuum pump, for example a commercially available water ring pump.
  • pre-evacuation devices on filling elements are known.
  • the container 8 is pre-evacuated by opening the vacuum valve shown, while the liquid valve 6 and the gas valve 21 are closed.
  • the weak suction power of the vacuum pumps usually provided and the long, lossy vacuum lines only a weak vacuum is achieved in the container. So there is still air in the container.
  • the invention provides that the control devices, not shown, which actuate the vacuum valve and the gas valve shown, are designed in such a way that the work cycle described below results:
  • the vacuum valve 36, 34 is first opened and the bottle 8 is evacuated.
  • the gas valve 14, 21 is then opened. Now gas flows from the CO2 atmosphere into gas space 5 in the container. This gas is also drawn off when the vacuum valve is open. This results in a flushing of the interior of the bottle 8 with largely air-free gas from the gas space 5, so that the final resulting air partial pressure in the bottle 8 is significantly lower than if only evacuation.
  • the invention provides for a throttle to be provided in the gas duct, which throttles the gas flow rate.
  • a throttle piece 24 is arranged below the valve body 14 for this purpose, which is arranged concentrically in the return air pipe 9 with a narrow gap 25.
  • the control device controlling the actuating lever 17 is designed such that it raises the valve body 14 slightly during the pre-evacuation, that is to say when the vacuum valve is open, so that the throttle piece 24 remains in the return air pipe 9 over its essential length, the gap 25 having a strongly throttling effect.
  • gas flows into the bottle with a greatly reduced feed rate.
  • the gas valve can be closed again in good time without high precision requirements for the time control, before a constant pressure is established in the bottle and the water valve opens.
  • the throttling action that is to say the dimensioning of the gap 25, is advantageously provided such that the gas inflow power is lower than the vacuum power. So less gas flows in than can be sucked off, and an excessive increase in the gas pressure in the bottle 8 is avoided.
  • the gas valve can also remain open until after the vacuum valve has been closed, so that the bottle 8 is then pretensioned immediately after the end of the evacuation.
  • valve body 14 Since, in this stroke position of the valve body 14, the throttle would also work during the pretensioning, as a result of which the pretensioning time is lengthened unfavorably, the valve body 14 is preferably raised over a substantially larger stroke during the pretensioning, to the position shown in dashed lines. The throttle piece 24 is completely lifted out of the return air pipe, so that it is available with a full cross section for rapid pretensioning.
  • the filling element can be largely varied compared to the illustrated embodiment.
  • the vertical movement of the return air pipe 9 and the liquid valve can be provided separately.
  • a fixed gas channel can also be provided, which can also not be arranged in the center of the filling element, but can, for example, be arranged outside in the wall thereof.
  • the filling element according to the invention can also be varied in a known manner for filling cans.
  • the gas used for purging during the pre-evacuation does not have to come from the gas space 5 of the boiler, as in the illustrated embodiment, but can be supplied for a particularly high requirement from a separate fresh CO2 source, in the feed line in the manner according to the invention a gas valve, if necessary with a throttle.
  • a different throttle construction can be provided, for example in the form of a permanently acting, fixed throttle or, in the case of the preferably provided switchable throttle, in the form of several parallel switchable channels with different throttling effects.

Abstract

A filling head for counterpressure beverage filling using pre-evacuation of the container has control equipment, by means of which gas is let in during the evacuation for the purpose of flushing to improve the air values. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Füllorgan der im Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1 genannten Art.The invention relates to a filling element of the type mentioned in the preamble of claim 1.

Derartige Füllorgane werden bei Getränkefüllern für hochwertige Getränke, insbesondere Bier, eingesetzt, die in besonderem Maße gegen Lufteinwirkung geschützt werden müssen.Filling elements of this type are used in beverage fillers for high-quality beverages, in particular beer, which have to be protected to a particular degree against exposure to air.

Im Kessel der Fülleinrichtung steht das Getränk unter einer überwiegend aus CO₂ bestehenden Atmosphäre und ist somit weitgehend gegen Luftzutritt geschützt. Wird nun ein leerer Behälter, in dem sich zunächst Luft befindet, gefüllt, so kommt hier das Getränk mit reiner Luft in Berührung. Bei üblicher Konstruktion von Fülleinrichtungen strömt die Behälterluft als Rückluft in den Kessel zurück und ergibt auch dort störende Luftbeeinflussung des Getränkes.In the kettle of the filling device, the drink is under a predominantly CO₂ atmosphere and is therefore largely protected against air access. If an empty container is filled with air, the drink comes into contact with pure air. In the usual construction of filling devices, the container air flows back into the boiler as return air and there also results in disturbing air influence on the beverage.

Füllorgane der eingangs genannten Art arbeiten nach dem Prinzip der "Vorevakuierung". Sie evakuieren den Behälter vor dem Füllvorgang. Dadurch wird Luftkontakt des Getränkes im Behälter vermieden, und auch die störende laufende Zuführung von Rückluft zum Kessel wird beseitigt.Filling organs of the type mentioned work on the principle of "pre-evacuation". You evacuate the container before the filling process. This avoids air contact of the beverage in the container and also eliminates the annoying supply of return air to the kettle.

Aus technischen Gründen und insbesondere aus Kostengründen ist es mit üblichen Vakuumpumpen und Vakuumzuführungsleitungen aber nicht möglich, ein vollständiges Vakuum im Behälter zu erzielen. Es befindet sich also immer noch störende Luft im Behälter, wenn der Füllvorgang beginnt.For technical reasons and in particular for cost reasons, it is not possible with conventional vacuum pumps and vacuum supply lines to achieve a complete vacuum in the container. So there is still annoying air in the container when the filling process begins.

Ein Füllorgan der eingangs genannten Art ist aus der FR-A-2 078 036 bekannt. Bei dieser Konstruktion ist eine Vakuumleitung vorgesehen, deren Vakuum mit einer entsprechenden Regeleinrichtung nach unten begrenzt wird, damit beim Evakuieren instabiler Behälter deren Zusammenfallen verhindert wird. Nach dem Evakuieren wird bei geöffnetem Vakuumventil das Gasventil geöffnet, aus dem ohne Drosselung Druckgas in den Behälter strömt. Das führt dazu, daß der Druck im Behälter sofort auf das Hohe Druckniveau des zugeführten Druckgases ansteigt. Es wird dann zwar noch Gas durch den Behälter in die Vakuumleitung gespült. Dies spielt sich aber auf einem hohen Druckniveau von typischerweise einigen Bar ab, wobei die Spülwirkung hinsichtlich verbleibender geringer störender Restgasanteile begrenzt ist. Außerdem ergibt sich ein hoher Verbrauch an Druckgas.A filling device of the type mentioned is known from FR-A-2 078 036. In this construction, a vacuum line is provided, the vacuum of which is limited at the bottom by a corresponding control device, so that when unstable containers are evacuated, their collapse is prevented. After evacuation, with the vacuum valve open, the gas valve is opened, from which compressed gas flows into the container without throttling. The result is that the pressure in the container immediately rises to the high pressure level of the compressed gas supplied. Gas is then still flushed through the container into the vacuum line. However, this takes place at a high pressure level of typically a few bars, the purging action being limited with regard to the remaining, less disturbing residual gas fractions. In addition, there is a high consumption of compressed gas.

Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es daher, ein Füllorgan der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, das bei niedrigem Druckgasverbrauch eine bessere Spülwirkung hinsichtlich störender Restgasanteile ermöglicht.The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a filling element of the type mentioned at the outset which, with low compressed gas consumption, enables a better purging action with regard to disturbing residual gas fractions.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß mit den Merkmalen des Kennzeichnungsteiles des Anspruches 1 gelöst.This object is achieved with the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Die erfindungsgemäße Konstruktion sieht im Gaskanal, also in der Druckgaszuführung eine Drossel vor, die in bezug auf die vakuumseitige Saugleistung derart dimensioniert ist, daß nur kleinste Gasmengen zuströmen, die den Vakuumdruck nicht oder nicht nennenswert ansteigen lassen. Es findet also Durchspülung mit Druckgas auf niedrigem Vakuumdruckniveau statt. Das aber ergibt erst den wesentlichen Vorteil, daß geringe Restgasanteile, insbesondere Anteile von störendem Sauerstoff, wirkungsvoll ausgespült werden. Der sich ergebende niedrige Durchsatz an Druckgas führt außerdem zu einer Einsparung des Druckgases (CO₂). Da die Aufrechterhaltung des niedrigen Vakuumdruckniveaus gewährleistet ist, können Vakuumpumpen verwendet werden, die bei zu hohem Druckanstieg zusammenbrechen. Außerdem läßt sich auf diese Weise das Spülen auch bei solchen Füllorgankonstruktionen einsetzen, die mit unter Federdruck automatisch öffnenden Flüssigkeitsventilen arbeiten, die natürlich während des Evakuierens und Spülens noch nicht öffnen dürfen. Die Drossel ist abschaltbar, damit der Gaskanal während des Vorspannvorganges mit hohem Durchsatz, also großer Schnelligkeit Gas in den Behälter führen kann.The construction according to the invention provides a throttle in the gas channel, that is to say in the compressed gas supply, which is dimensioned in relation to the vacuum-side suction power in such a way that only very small amounts of gas flow in which the vacuum pressure does not increase or does not increase appreciably. It takes place So flushing with compressed gas at a low vacuum pressure level instead. However, this only gives the essential advantage that small portions of residual gas, in particular portions of disruptive oxygen, are effectively flushed out. The resulting low throughput of compressed gas also leads to savings in compressed gas (CO₂). Since the maintenance of the low vacuum pressure level is guaranteed, vacuum pumps can be used which break down if the pressure increases too high. In addition, flushing can also be used in this way in those filler organ constructions which work with liquid valves which open automatically under spring pressure and which, of course, must not yet open during evacuation and flushing. The throttle can be switched off so that the gas channel can lead gas into the container with high throughput, ie with great speed, during the prestressing process.

Vorteilhaft sind die Merkmale des Anspruches 2 vorgesehen. Hierdurch ist eine einfache Drosselkonstruktion gegeben, die ohne wesentlichen konstruktiven Mehraufwand, insbesondere an den Steuereinrichtungen, an bekannten Füllorganen vorgesehen sein kann.The features of claim 2 are advantageously provided. This results in a simple throttle construction, which can be provided on known filling elements without significant additional design effort, in particular on the control devices.

In der Zeichnung ist die Erfindung beispielsweise und schematisch im Schnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Füllorgan mit als Rückluftrohr ausgebildetem Gaskanal dargestellt.In the drawing, the invention is shown for example and schematically in section through a filling element according to the invention with a gas duct designed as a return air pipe.

Wie aus der Figur ersichtlich, ist am Ringkessel 1 einer rotierenden Fülleinrichtung radial nach außen sich erstreckend ein Füllorgan 2 angeschlossen. Dabei verbindet ein Flüssigkeitsanschluß 3 den Flüssigkeitsraum des Ringkessels mit dem Bereich oberhalb des Flüssigkeitsventiles 6 des Füllorganes und ein Gasanschluß 4 den Gasraum des Kessels mit dem Gasraum 5 des Füllorganes.As can be seen from the figure, a filling element 2 is connected to the ring bowl 1 of a rotating filling device and extends radially outward. A liquid connection 3 connects the liquid space of the ring bowl with the area above the liquid valve 6 of the filling element and a gas connection 4 connects the gas space of the bowl with the gas space 5 of the filling element.

Unterhalb des Flüssigkeitsventiles 6 befindet sich der Auslauf 7 des Füllorganes, unter dem eine Flasche 8 in bekannter Weise abgedichtet gehalten ist.Below the liquid valve 6 is the outlet 7 of the filling element, under which a bottle 8 is kept sealed in a known manner.

Es ist ein das Flascheninnere mit dem Gasraum 5 verbindendes Rückluftrohr 9 vorgesehen, das höhenbeweglich im Füllorgan 2 angeordnet ist und das Flüssigkeitsventil 6 trägt. In üblicher Ausgestaltung solcher Füllorgane ist das Flüssigkeitsventil selbstöffnend ausgebildet. Über einen Flansch 10 am Rückluftrohr 9 stützt es sich mit einer Druckfeder 11 gegen das Füllorgan ab und öffnet somit automatisch, wenn Gleichdruck zwischen dem Inneren der Flasche 8 und dem Gasraum 5 hergestellt ist.There is a return air pipe 9 connecting the inside of the bottle to the gas space 5, which is arranged to be vertically movable in the filling element 2 and carries the liquid valve 6. In the usual configuration of such filling elements, the liquid valve is designed to be self-opening. It is supported by a compression spring 11 against the filling element via a flange 10 on the return air pipe 9 and thus opens automatically when equal pressure is established between the interior of the bottle 8 and the gas space 5.

Das Rückluftrohr 9 ragt mit seinem unteren Ende 12 bis zu der Höhe in die Flasche 8 hinein, bis zu der gefüllt werden soll, wie dies bei herkömmlichen Rückluftrohrkonstruktionen zu bekannten Zwecken der Steuerung des Füllstopps üblich ist.The return air pipe 9 projects with its lower end 12 into the bottle 8 up to the height to which it is to be filled, as is the case with conventional ones Return air pipe constructions for known purposes of controlling the filling stop is common.

Am oberen Ende des Rückluftrohres ist ein erweitertes Rohrstück 13 vorgesehen, in dem ein Ventilkörper 14 des Gasventiles vorgesehen ist. Der Ventilkörper 14 weist an seinem oberen Ende zwei im Höhenabstand angeordnete, querstehende Betätigungsplatten 15 und 16 auf, zwischen denen ein Betätigungshebel 17 in Eingriff bringbar ist, der über eine Welle 18, die das Gehäuse des Füllorganes 2 durchläuft, von außen winkelbetätigbar ist. Durch Drücken des Betätigungshebels 17 von oben auf die untere Betätigungsplatte 15 kann der Ventilkörper 14 nach unten bewegt und durch Drücken von unten gegen die obere Betätigungsplatte 16 nach oben bewegt werden. Die untere Betätigungsplatte 15 stützt sich ferner in üblicher Weise über eine Druckfeder 19 nach unten gegen einen Flansch 20 des Rückluftrohres ab.At the upper end of the return air pipe, an expanded pipe section 13 is provided, in which a valve body 14 of the gas valve is provided. The valve body 14 has at its upper end two vertically spaced, transverse actuating plates 15 and 16, between which an actuating lever 17 can be brought into engagement, which can be actuated from the outside via a shaft 18 which passes through the housing of the filling element 2. By pressing the operating lever 17 from above onto the lower operating plate 15, the valve body 14 can be moved downwards and can be moved upwards by pressing from below against the upper operating plate 16. The lower actuating plate 15 is further supported in the usual manner downwards against a flange 20 of the return air pipe via a compression spring 19.

An der unteren Querfläche des Ventilkörpers 14 ist eine Ringdichtung 21 vorgesehen, mit der der Ventilkörper 14 auf dem Boden 22 des erweiterten Rohrstückes 13 in abdichtenden Eingriff gelangen kann, wodurch das Rückluftrohr 9 verschlossen wird.On the lower transverse surface of the valve body 14, an annular seal 21 is provided, with which the valve body 14 can come into sealing engagement on the bottom 22 of the expanded pipe section 13, as a result of which the return air pipe 9 is closed.

Bei einem Füllvorgang mit dem insoweit konventionell konstruierrten Füllorgan bleibt zunächst der Betätigungshebel 17 kraftfrei. Sowohl das Rückluftrohr 9 als auch der Ventilkörper 14 liegen in der unteren Schließstellung und werden dort gegen den Druck der Druckfedern 11 bzw. 19 vom Gasdruck im Innenraum des Füllorganes gehalten. Es wird nun die Flasche 8 unter den Auslauf 7 des Füllorganes gebracht und in Dichtlage gehalten. Sodann wird durch Anheben des Betätigungshebels 17 der Ventilkörper 14 angehoben, und es strömt Gas in die Flasche 8, bis in dieser derselbe Druck (Gleichdruck) herrscht, wie im Gasraum 5. Dann hebt automatisch unter Einwirkung der Druckfeder 11 das Flüssigkeitsventil 6 an, und Flüssigkeit strömt in die Flasche 8, bis sie das untere Ende 12 des Rückluftrohres 9 erreicht. Dadurch wird dieses gegen aus dem Inneren der Flasche 8 in den Gasraum 5 rückströmendes Gas verschlossen und somit die Füllung gestoppt. Dabei steigt aber Flüssigkeit im Rückluftrohr 9 auf. Der Ventilkörper 14 wird nun nach unten in Schließstellung bewegt. Es sind dann sowohl das Flüssigkeitsventil 6 als auch das Gasventil 21 geschlossen, und die Flasche 8 kann gefüllt abgezogen werden.In the case of a filling operation with the filling member which is conventionally constructed in this respect, the actuating lever 17 initially remains force-free. Both the return air pipe 9 and the valve body 14 are in the lower closed position and are held there against the pressure of the compression springs 11 and 19 by the gas pressure in the interior of the filling element. The bottle 8 is now brought under the outlet 7 of the filling element and held in the sealing position. Then, by lifting the operating lever 17, the valve body 14 raised, and gas flows into the bottle 8 until it has the same pressure (constant pressure) as in the gas space 5. Then, under the action of the compression spring 11, the liquid valve 6 automatically rises and liquid flows into the bottle 8 until it reaches the lower end 12 of the return air pipe 9. As a result, this is closed against gas flowing back into the gas space 5 from the inside of the bottle 8 and the filling is thus stopped. However, liquid rises in the return air pipe 9. The valve body 14 is now moved down into the closed position. Both the liquid valve 6 and the gas valve 21 are then closed, and the bottle 8 can be withdrawn when filled.

Das dargestellte Füllorgan wird zur Füllung hochwertiger Getränke, insbesondere zur Füllung von Bier, verwendet. Es muß daher dafür Sorge getragen werden, daß die Luftbeeinflussung des Getränkes so niedrig wie möglich ist.Daher wird in bekannter Weise mit Vorevakuierung gearbeitet.The filling element shown is used for filling high-quality drinks, in particular for filling beer. Care must therefore be taken to ensure that the air influence on the beverage is as low as possible, which is why pre-evacuation is used in a known manner.

Dazu ist unter dem Ringkessel 1 eine Vakuumringleitung 30 vorgesehen, die im Bereich des dargestellten Füllorganes mit einem Anschlußrohr 31 an einen im Gehäuse des Füllorganes um den Ausfluß 7 herum angeordneten Ringkanal 32 angeschlossen ist.For this purpose, a vacuum ring line 30 is provided under the ring bowl 1, which is connected in the area of the filling element shown with a connecting pipe 31 to an annular channel 32 arranged in the housing of the filling element around the outlet 7.

Aus dem Ringkanal 32 kann das Vakuum mit dem Auslauf 7, also mit dem Inneren der Flasche 8 in Verbindung gesetzt werden durch Betätigung eines in der Figur dargestellten Vakuumventiles. Dieses weist einen Ventilschaft 33 auf, der einen Ventilteller 34 trägt. An dem nach außen ragenden Ende des Ventilschaftes 33 ist ein von außen gegen eine Feder 35 betätigbar Knopf 36 vorgesehen. Der Ventilteller 34 verschließt eine Bohrung 37, die den Ringkanal 32 mit dem Auslauf 7 in Verbindung setzt.From the ring channel 32, the vacuum can be connected to the outlet 7, that is to say to the inside of the bottle 8, by actuating a vacuum valve shown in the figure. This has a valve stem 33 which carries a valve plate 34. At the outwardly projecting end of the valve stem 33 there is a button 36 which can be actuated from the outside against a spring 35. The Valve plate 34 closes a bore 37 which connects the ring channel 32 to the outlet 7.

Wird der Knopf 36 eingedrückt, beispielsweise durch eine entsprechende Führungskurve, so öffnet das dargestellte Vakuumventil und setzt das Innere der Flasche 8 mit der Vakuumringleitung 30 in Verbindung, die in geeigneter Weise an eine Vakuumpumpe, beispielsweise eine handelsübliche Wasserringpumpe, angeschlossen ist.If the button 36 is pressed in, for example by a corresponding guide curve, the vacuum valve shown opens and connects the inside of the bottle 8 to the vacuum ring line 30, which is connected in a suitable manner to a vacuum pump, for example a commercially available water ring pump.

Insoweit sind Vorevakuierungseinrichtungen an Füllorganen bekannt. In bekannter Weise wird durch öffnen des dargestellten Vakuumventiles der Behälter 8 vorevakuiert, während das Flüssigkeitsventil 6 und das Gasventil 21 geschlossen sind. Dabei wird aber aufgrund der schwachen Saugleistung der üblicherweise vorgesehenen Vakuumpumpen sowie der langen verlustreichen Vakuumleitungen nur ein schwaches Vakuum im Behälter erreicht. Es verbleibt also immer noch Luft im Behälter.In this respect, pre-evacuation devices on filling elements are known. In a known manner, the container 8 is pre-evacuated by opening the vacuum valve shown, while the liquid valve 6 and the gas valve 21 are closed. However, due to the weak suction power of the vacuum pumps usually provided and the long, lossy vacuum lines, only a weak vacuum is achieved in the container. So there is still air in the container.

Um dem abzuhelfen, sieht die Erfindung vor, daß die nicht dargestellten Steuereinrichtungen, die das dargestellte Vakuumventil und das dargestellte Gasventil betätigen, derart ausgebildet sind, daß sich das im folgenden beschriebene Arbeitsspiel ergibt:
Es wird zunächst das Vakuumventil 36, 34 geöffnet und die Flasche 8 evakuiert. Sodann wird das Gasventil 14, 21 geöffnet. Nun strömt Gas aus der CO₂-Atmosphäre in Gasraum 5 in den Behälter. Auch dieses Gas wird bei geöffnetem Vakuumventil abgesaugt. Dadurch ergibt sich eine Durchspülung des Innenraumes der Flasche 8 mit weitgehend luftfreiem Gas aus dem Gasraum 5, so daß der endgültig sich ergebende Luftpartialdruck in der Flasche 8 wesentlich niedriger ist, als wenn nur evakuiert wird.To remedy this, the invention provides that the control devices, not shown, which actuate the vacuum valve and the gas valve shown, are designed in such a way that the work cycle described below results:
The vacuum valve 36, 34 is first opened and the bottle 8 is evacuated. The gas valve 14, 21 is then opened. Now gas flows from the CO₂ atmosphere into gas space 5 in the container. This gas is also drawn off when the vacuum valve is open. This results in a flushing of the interior of the bottle 8 with largely air-free gas from the gas space 5, so that the final resulting air partial pressure in the bottle 8 is significantly lower than if only evacuation.

Es kann dabei auf mehrere Arten gearbeitet werden. So kann zunächst evakuiert, dann bei geschlossenem Vakuumventil Gas eingelassen und sodann bei geschlossenem Gasventil erneut evakuiert werden. Es kann aber auch während des Evakuierens laufend Gas zugeführt und somit durchspült werden.You can work in several ways. So it can first be evacuated, then let in gas with the vacuum valve closed and then evacuated again with the gas valve closed. However, gas can also be continuously supplied during the evacuation and thus flushed.

Könnte das Gasventil 14, 21 aber nur mit großer öffnung geöffnet werden, so ergäbe sich der Nachteil, daß sich in der Flasche 8 sehr schnell Gleichdruck mit dem Gasraum 5 des Behälters aufbaut, da das unter sehr hohem Druck strömende Gas sehr schnell die Flasche füllt. Dies führt einerseits zu einer Überlastung der Vakuumpumpe und andererseits dazu, daß bei dem dargestellten, automatisch öffnenden Ventil bei sich einstellendem Gasdruck das Flüssigkeitsventil 6 öffnen würde. Es würde also während des Vorevakuierungsvorganges Flüssigkeit in den Behälter strömen, was katastrophale Folgen hätte.If the gas valve 14, 21 could only be opened with a large opening, there would be the disadvantage that the bottle 8 very quickly builds up constant pressure with the gas space 5 of the container, since the gas flowing under very high pressure fills the bottle very quickly . This leads on the one hand to an overload of the vacuum pump and on the other hand to the fact that in the illustrated, automatically opening valve, the liquid valve 6 would open when the gas pressure set. Liquid would flow into the container during the pre-evacuation process, which would have catastrophic consequences.

Um dem abzuhelfen, sieht der Erfindung vor, in dem Gaskanal eine Drossel vorzusehen, die die Gasströmungsgeschwindigkeit drosselt. Bei der in der Figur dargestellten Ausführungsform ist zu diesem Zweck unter dem Ventilkörper 14 ein Drosselstück 24 angeordnet, das konzentrisch im Rückluftrohr 9 mit einem engen Spalt 25 angeordnet ist. Die den Betätigungshebel 17 steuernde Steuereinrichtung ist so ausgebildet, daß sie beim Vorevakuieren, also bei geöffnetem Vakuumventil, den Ventilkörper 14 geringfügig anhebt, so daß das Drosselstück 24 über seine wesentliche Länge im Rückluftrohr 9 verbleibt, wobei der Spalt 25 stark drosselnd wirkt.To remedy this, the invention provides for a throttle to be provided in the gas duct, which throttles the gas flow rate. In the embodiment shown in the figure, a throttle piece 24 is arranged below the valve body 14 for this purpose, which is arranged concentrically in the return air pipe 9 with a narrow gap 25. The control device controlling the actuating lever 17 is designed such that it raises the valve body 14 slightly during the pre-evacuation, that is to say when the vacuum valve is open, so that the throttle piece 24 remains in the return air pipe 9 over its essential length, the gap 25 having a strongly throttling effect.

Dadurch strömt Gas mit stark verringerter Zufuhrleistung in die Flasche. Über eine geeignete Zeitsteuerung kann das Gasventil ohne hohe Präzisionsanforderungen an die Zeitsteuerung rechtzeitig wieder geschlossen werden, bevor sich in der Flasche Gleichdruck einstellt und das Wasserventil öffnet.As a result, gas flows into the bottle with a greatly reduced feed rate. Using a suitable time control, the gas valve can be closed again in good time without high precision requirements for the time control, before a constant pressure is established in the bottle and the water valve opens.

In anderer Betriebsweise, wenn gleichzeitig das Vakuumventil und das Gasventil geöffnet sind, also durchgespült wird, ist die Drosselwirkung, also die Dimensionierung des Spaltes 25, vorteilhaft so vorgesehen, daß die Gaseinströmleistung niedriger ist als die Vakuumleistung. Es strömt also weniger Gas zu als abgesaugt werden kann, und es wird dadurch ein zu hohes Ansteigen des Gasdruckes in der Flasche 8 vermieden.In another mode of operation, if the vacuum valve and the gas valve are opened at the same time, that is to say flushed through, the throttling action, that is to say the dimensioning of the gap 25, is advantageously provided such that the gas inflow power is lower than the vacuum power. So less gas flows in than can be sucked off, and an excessive increase in the gas pressure in the bottle 8 is avoided.

Das Gasventil kann auch bis nach dem Schließen des Vakuumventiles geöffnet bleiben, so daß dann sofort nach Beendigung des Evakuierens die Flasche 8 vorgespannt wird.The gas valve can also remain open until after the vacuum valve has been closed, so that the bottle 8 is then pretensioned immediately after the end of the evacuation.

Da bei dieser Hubstellung des Ventilkörpers 14 die Drossel auch während des Vorspannens arbeiten würde, wodurch sich die Vorspannzeit ungünstig verlängert, wird vorzugsweise während des Vorspannens der Ventilkörper 14 über einen wesentlich größeren Hub angehoben, und zwar bis in die gestrichelt dargestellte Stellung. Dabei ist das Drosselstück 24 ganz aus dem Rückluftrohr ausgehoben, so daß dieses mit vollem Querschnitt zum schnellen Vorspannen zur Verfügung steht.Since, in this stroke position of the valve body 14, the throttle would also work during the pretensioning, as a result of which the pretensioning time is lengthened unfavorably, the valve body 14 is preferably raised over a substantially larger stroke during the pretensioning, to the position shown in dashed lines. The throttle piece 24 is completely lifted out of the return air pipe, so that it is available with a full cross section for rapid pretensioning.

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung kann das Füllorgan weitgehend gegenüber der dargestellten Ausführungsform variiert werden.In the context of the present invention, the filling element can be largely varied compared to the illustrated embodiment.

So kann abweichend von der dargestellten Konstruktion die Höhenbewegung von Rückluftrohr 9 und Flüssigkeitsventil getrennt vorgesehen sein. Auch kann anstelle des dargestellten höhengesteuerten Rückluftrohres 9 ein feststehender Gaskanal vorgesehen sein, der auch nicht mittig das Füllorgan durchsetzend, sondern beispielsweise außen in dessen Wandung verlaufend angeordnet sein kann.In a departure from the construction shown, the vertical movement of the return air pipe 9 and the liquid valve can be provided separately. Instead of the height-controlled return air pipe 9 shown, a fixed gas channel can also be provided, which can also not be arranged in the center of the filling element, but can, for example, be arranged outside in the wall thereof.

Anstelle, wie dargestellt zum Füllen von Flaschen, kann das erfindungsgemäße Füllorgan auch zum Füllen von Dosen in bekannter Weise variiert werden.Instead of, as shown, for filling bottles, the filling element according to the invention can also be varied in a known manner for filling cans.

Das zum Spülen während des Vorevakuierens verwendete Gas muß nicht, wie in der dargestellten Ausführungsform, aus dem Gasraum 5 des Kessels stammen, sondern kann für besonders hohe Anforderungen aus einer getrennten frisch-CO₂-Quelle zugeführt werden, wobei dann in erfindungsgemäßer Weise in der Zuführungsleitung ein Gasventil, gegebenenfalls mit Drossel vorzusehen ist.The gas used for purging during the pre-evacuation does not have to come from the gas space 5 of the boiler, as in the illustrated embodiment, but can be supplied for a particularly high requirement from a separate fresh CO₂ source, in the feed line in the manner according to the invention a gas valve, if necessary with a throttle.

Auch anstelle der dargestellten Ausführung der Drossel als am Ventilkörper 14 angeordnetes Drosselstück 24 kann eine abweichende Drosselkonstruktion vorgesehen sein, beispielsweise in Form einer ständig wirkenden, fest angeordneten Drossel oder im Falle der vorzugsweise vorgesehenen schaltbaren Drossel in Form mehrerer paralleler schaltbarer Kanäle mit unterschiedlicher Drosselwirkung.Instead of the illustrated embodiment of the throttle as a throttle piece 24 arranged on the valve body 14, a different throttle construction can be provided, for example in the form of a permanently acting, fixed throttle or, in the case of the preferably provided switchable throttle, in the form of several parallel switchable channels with different throttling effects.

Claims (2)

  1. Filling head of an apparatus for filling containers with beverages from a reservoir (1) under a counterpressure, including a gas passage (9) connecting a compressed gas source with the container (8) via a gas valve (14) and including a vacuum valve (36, 34) for connecting the container (8) with a vacuum line (30) and including control devices controlling the valves which are so constructed that when the vacuum valve (36, 34) is open the gas valve (14) is opened, characterised in that a throttle (25), which may be rendered inoperable, is provided in the gas passage (9) which is so dimensioned that the gas supply capacity produced by the throttle at the prevailing pressure differential (25) is smaller than the suction capacity produced when the vacuum valve (36, 34) is open.
  2. Filling head as claimed in Claim 1 with a gas valve constructed as a valve body which closes the gas passage and whose position is controlled in the direction of the passage, characterised in that the throttle is constructed as a throttle member (24), which is secured to the valve body (14) and projects into the gas passage (9) and restricts its cross-section, whereby the valve body is controllable into two positions in which, when the gas valve is open, the throttle member projects into the gas passage and is lifted out of it, respectively.
EP88114568A 1987-09-22 1988-09-07 Filling head for beverage filling equipment using pre-evacuation Expired - Lifetime EP0308721B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88114568T ATE79600T1 (en) 1987-09-22 1988-09-07 FILLING ORGAN FOR BEVERAGE FILLING DEVICES WITH PRE-EVACUATION.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19873731757 DE3731757A1 (en) 1987-09-22 1987-09-22 FUEL ORGAN FOR DRINKING FUEL DEVICES WITH PREVACUATION
DE3731757 1987-09-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0308721A1 EP0308721A1 (en) 1989-03-29
EP0308721B1 true EP0308721B1 (en) 1992-08-19

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88114568A Expired - Lifetime EP0308721B1 (en) 1987-09-22 1988-09-07 Filling head for beverage filling equipment using pre-evacuation

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EP (1) EP0308721B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE79600T1 (en)
DE (2) DE3731757A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5241996A (en) * 1990-05-19 1993-09-07 Holstein Und Kappert Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for filling liquid into containers
DE4434174A1 (en) * 1994-09-24 1996-03-28 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Process for filling a liquid product into bottles or similar containers
DE19941456C1 (en) * 1999-08-31 2001-04-12 Sasib Beverage Deutschland Gmb Filling machine with filling elements that can be subjected to vacuum
DE102013102547A1 (en) 2013-03-13 2014-09-18 Khs Gmbh Method and filling machine for filling cans or the like. Containers with a liquid product
DE102013102611A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-18 Khs Gmbh Method for rinsing containers
DE102013108638A1 (en) 2013-08-09 2015-03-05 Khs Gmbh Method and system for rinsing containers

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2467684A (en) * 1946-04-29 1949-04-19 Meyer Geo J Mfg Co Filler valve
DE1217814B (en) * 1961-05-18 1966-05-26 Paul Windelincx Method and device for filling gaseous liquids
DE1216722B (en) * 1963-03-21 1966-05-12 Brauerei Und Kellereimaschinen Device for controlling a filling organ without a filling tube for bottle filling machines
DE2003909A1 (en) * 1970-01-29 1971-08-12 Holstein & Kappert Maschf Process for filling beer and other air-sensitive beverages
US4688608A (en) * 1986-04-21 1987-08-25 Figgie International, Inc. Filling valves for cans and like containers

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3873865D1 (en) 1992-09-24
EP0308721A1 (en) 1989-03-29
ATE79600T1 (en) 1992-09-15
DE3731757A1 (en) 1989-03-30

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