EP0450377B1 - Device for filling containers with a liquid - Google Patents

Device for filling containers with a liquid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0450377B1
EP0450377B1 EP91104094A EP91104094A EP0450377B1 EP 0450377 B1 EP0450377 B1 EP 0450377B1 EP 91104094 A EP91104094 A EP 91104094A EP 91104094 A EP91104094 A EP 91104094A EP 0450377 B1 EP0450377 B1 EP 0450377B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
valve body
valve
switching
filling
Prior art date
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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EP91104094A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0450377A1 (en
Inventor
Jacek Walusiak
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ALFILL GETRAENKETECHNIK GMBH
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Alfill Getranketechik GmbH
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Publication of EP0450377A1 publication Critical patent/EP0450377A1/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
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a filling device for filling containers, in particular bottles or cans, with a predetermined amount of a liquid, in particular a carbonated liquid under pressure, according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Filling devices for filling liquids into containers such as cans, bottles or the like usually have a storage container in which the liquid to be filled is kept ready and which has a gas space above the liquid.
  • a control device ensures that the liquid level in the storage container is kept as constant as possible in order to create defined and reproducible conditions for the filling process.
  • the storage container is normally designed as a rotating vessel, for example as a ring vessel, with a central liquid supply.
  • the storage container is normally designed as a rotating vessel, for example as a ring vessel, with a central liquid supply.
  • centering and sealing means for andocculating successive containers to be filled, which contain the necessary liquid passages and valves as well as air and gas lines with the associated actuators.
  • These devices are preferably used for filling beverages, specifically both for still beverages, such as still water, juices, milk or the like, and particularly for carbonated beverages which are filled under counterpressure.
  • the necessary equipment such as tension and return gas lines are integrated in the filling head.
  • a known filling head for a filling device is described for example in DE-OS 30 25 786.
  • a filling head that offers the possibility of volumetric dosing of the liquid to be filled is described in DE-OS 22 57 449.
  • the liquid passage of each metering container can be closed with a liquid valve which can be actuated through the storage container.
  • the outlet of each metering container has centering and sealing means for docking containers to be filled and can be closed by means of an outlet valve which can also be actuated through the storage container.
  • the valves can be operated independently of one another. Since the actuation of the valves is cam-controlled, the speed at which the valves open and close depends on the circulating speed of the storage container.
  • this filling device and the associated valve arrangement are relatively complex and require extensive installations and conversions on the storage container.
  • the dosing container is filled from above, the gas (air) from the dosing container having to rise in bubbles through the liquid in the storage container.
  • This device is therefore not suitable for measuring and filling carbonated liquids under pressure.
  • a container filling machine of the type specified at the outset which is known from US Pat. No. 3,459,340, is also unsuitable for measuring and filling carbonated liquids under pressure.
  • this machine On its circumference, this machine has filling elements with can containers, which can be connected alternately for filling with the storage container and for emptying with the container to be filled, in each case by means of a double-seat valve.
  • the double-seat valve is operated by cam control so that the speed of opening and closing of the liquid also depends on the speed of rotation of the storage boiler.
  • the valve is switched over, undetermined quantities of liquid flow through the passages and outlets and falsify the dosage in an undefined manner.
  • the can containers on this machine are attached to the outer circumference of the storage kettle and thus cause a not inconsiderable increase in its size and thus the space required for installation.
  • the invention is based on the object of specifying a further filling device of the type described at the outset, which works with higher and constant metering accuracy even at changing speeds.
  • Claim 2 contains features of a preferred embodiment and arrangement of the filling elements on the storage container, which makes it possible to fill the dosing chamber from below, which prevents foaming in carbonated liquids.
  • the mutual actuation of the passage valve and the outlet valve with the common actuating device is also possible here.
  • this structure requires relatively little space because the filling elements are largely within the circumferential profile of the storage tank.
  • Claims 3 to 4 contain further features of the actuating device for switching the passage and exhaust valve, which are of independent inventive importance.
  • Claim 5 relates to the actuation of the actuating device during the circulation of the storage container.
  • Claims 6 and 7 contain features of the liquid passage and the liquid outlet, with which it is ensured that sliding seals in the area of the passage and outlet valve are not required and that the liquid in the metering chamber can nevertheless be measured with a sufficiently high level of accuracy. These features also have independent inventive significance.
  • claims 8 and 9 relate to an embodiment of the valve which, on the one hand, permits the flow through both valves, that is to say the passage valve and the outlet valve, at the same time in predetermined phases of switching, but on the other hand limits the flow rate through the valves.
  • the invention provides in a very advantageous manner a structurally and functionally very simple and at the same time very powerful filling device for filling liquids into bottles, cans and the like.
  • the device is especially designed for filling pressurized, carbonated liquids.
  • the filling element itself and all the switching and actuating elements required for the dosing and filling processes are below or outside of the storage container, so that apart from the attachment of the liquid passages, no conversions and installations for the filling elements on the storage container are required.
  • the operation of the passage and the outlet valve is very simplified and optimally coordinated.
  • the valves have no sliding seals.
  • the throttle sections provided instead according to the invention along the switching path of the valve body limit the flow rates during the switching process and reduce the metering error to a minimum.
  • the switching speed of the double-seat valve is independent of the rotating speed of the storage container, which also limits the flow rate during the switching process and makes it a defined and therefore calculable quantity. Filling with constant high dosing accuracy is guaranteed at any working speed.
  • the invention offers the advantage of a filling device of simple construction, reliable functioning and high dosing accuracy with high work productivity.
  • FIG. 1 an embodiment of a filling device according to the invention is shown schematically in a cross section.
  • 1 designates a storage tank designed as an annular vessel, which contains a liquid 2 to be filled and a gas space 3 with a gas under a predetermined pressure, for example CO2.
  • Filling elements 4 with centering and sealing means 6 for docking successive containers 7 to be filled are attached to the underside of the circumference of the storage container 1 at regular angular intervals.
  • the storage container 1 is connected in a known manner via feed lines 8 for the liquid to be filled and gas lines 9 to a central supply unit, not shown in the drawing. With known means, not shown in the drawing, the liquid level in the reservoir is kept at a predetermined level.
  • the pressure in the gas space 3 is regulated as constant as possible in order to create as constant conditions as possible for the filling of the liquid.
  • the storage container 1 runs around a vertical axis (not shown), successive containers 7 to be filled being docked, filled and released again one after the other onto the filling members 4. This process is known and need not be described here.
  • openings 12 are provided in the circumferential direction next to one another, to which downwardly extending container extensions 13 are attached.
  • the container lugs 13 are preferably designed as cylindrical tube pieces which are flanged around the bottom openings 12 on the storage container.
  • Each container extension 13 protrudes from above into a metering chamber 14 and has a liquid passage 16 at its lower end from the storage container 1 to the metering chamber 14.
  • the metering chamber preferably forms a structural unit with the container attachment, the attachment of which the reservoir does not require any further modifications or additions to the reservoir.
  • the dosing chamber is provided at its lower end with a liquid outlet 17, to which the centering and sealing means 6 known per se and therefore not shown in more detail are assigned for docking the containers 7 to be filled.
  • the dosing chamber has a dosing space 23 for receiving a predetermined amount of the liquid to be filled and above it a gas space 24 which limits the dosing space 23 in the dosing chamber 14 upwards.
  • a return gas line 26 connects the metering chamber 23 of the metering chamber to the gas chamber 3 of the storage container. The return gas line 26 opens below the gas space 24 in the dosing chamber 14.
  • the gas space 24 is closed off from the outside and thus contains a gas buffer which limits the dosing volume of the dosing chamber upwards.
  • the metering volume of the metering chamber 23 of the metering chamber 14 can be changed with a displacer body 27 that is vertically adjustable from the outside.
  • a displacer body 27 that is vertically adjustable from the outside.
  • an actuating rod 28 is provided which extends outside the storage container 1 and consequently does not require any conversions or installations on the storage container.
  • the liquid passage 16 and the liquid outlet 17 are arranged opposite one another so that they can be closed alternately by means of a double-seat valve 18 with a common valve body 19.
  • a valve seat 21 on the liquid passage 16 defines a first closed position of the valve body 19, in which the liquid passage from the reservoir 1 to the metering chamber 14 is blocked and the liquid outlet 17 of the metering chamber is open.
  • the second closed position of the valve body 19 is determined by a valve seat 22 of the liquid outlet 17 of the metering chamber 14. In this closed position of the valve body 19, the liquid outlet 17 is blocked, while the liquid passage 16 is open.
  • the valve body 19 is fixedly attached to a return gas pipe 29, which connects the inside of the container 7 to be filled with the gas space 3 of the storage container and can be closed at its upper end with a gas valve 31.
  • the gas valve 31 can be opened and closed via a sliding sleeve 32 concentrically surrounding the return gas tube 29 by means of an actuating member 33 with a cam-controlled eccentric 34.
  • a force element in the form of a spring 36 which is fastened on the one hand inside the container neck 13 and on the other hand outside on the return gas pipe 29, acts on the valve body 19 via the return gas pipe 29 so that it is brought into its upper closed position on the valve seat 21, in which it Liquid passage from the reservoir to the metering chamber is blocked.
  • the valve body 19 is against the force of the spring 36 by the pressure of the liquid in the metering chamber and the reservoir in it lower closed position held on the valve seat 22, in which it blocks the liquid outlet.
  • the force of the spring 36 is therefore less than the force with which the valve body 19 is pressed by the liquid against the valve seat 22.
  • a switching element 37 is provided in order to move the valve body 19 against the pressure of the spring 36, which holds it in the upper closed position on the valve seat 21, into its lower closed position on the valve seat 22, a switching element 37 is provided.
  • This switching element has a bearing housing 38 mounted on the outside of the container shoulder 13 for a shaft 39 on which on the one hand an eccentric tilting element 41 and on the other hand an eccentric 42 are fastened.
  • the eccentric 42 acts on a driver 43 which is attached to the return gas pipe 29.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4c show the return gas pipe 29 with a stop 44 on which the compression spring 36 acts with an upward force.
  • the tilting element 41 is designed as a segment of a circle that can be pivoted about the axis 39 and can assume two end positions defined by stops, not shown.
  • a second force element in the form of a tension spring 46 holds the tilting element 41 in one of the two end positions.
  • the spring 46 is fastened on the one hand to a bolt 49 attached to the tilting element 41 and on the other hand to the housing 38 via a holder 51.
  • the base points of the spring 46 are selected such that the tilting element 41 can be pivoted against the force of the spring from a first stable switching position via an unstable equilibrium position to a second stable switching position. This arrangement thus represents a mechanical FLIP-FLOP element with two stable switching positions.
  • FIG. 4a shows the tilting element in a first stable switching position. It is moved during the rotation of the storage container 1 in the direction of arrow 47 and comes into contact in a predetermined path section with a stationary control element 48 in the form of a curve piece, which moves the tilting element 41 into the unstable equilibrium position shown in FIG 4c shown second stable switching position pivots. From this second stable switching position, the tilting element 41 is pivoted back into its first switching position in a second path section by a second stationary control member 52. The speed of the pivoting movement of the tilting element 41 from its first switching position in the unstable equilibrium position shown in FIG. 4b is dependent on the rotation speed of the storage container 1 because of the interaction with the curve piece 48.
  • valve body 19 As long as no container 7 is docked to the centering and sealing means 6 of the liquid outlet 17, the valve body 19 is in its lower closed position on the valve seat 22 in order to block the liquid outlet. Since there is atmospheric pressure on the outside of the liquid outlet, the valve body is held in this closed position against the force of the spring 36 by the increased pressure prevailing inside the storage container and the metering chamber. The force of this spring is therefore less than the force with which the liquid presses the valve body 19 against the valve seat 22 of the liquid outlet 17.
  • a container 7 to be filled is docked onto the centering and sealing means 6 of the filling element 4.
  • the gas valve 31 is now opened in order to apply the pressure of the gas space 3 to the container, that is to say to prestress it.
  • the storage container 1 with the filling member 4 and the container 7 to be filled continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow 47 in FIG. 4.
  • the tilting element 41 becomes (see FIGS. 4a to 4c) of the switching element 37 by means of the control cam 48 from its upper first switching position, in which the upper closed position of the valve body 19 on the valve seat 21 is released, via the unstable equilibrium position (FIG. 4b) to the second stable switching position (4c), in which the eccentric 42 presses the return gas pipe 29 with the valve body 19 in its lower closed position on the valve seat 22 and thus blocks the liquid outlet 17.
  • the tilting element 41 remains in this second switching position until the pressure of the liquid flowing from the storage container into the metering chamber 14 is sufficient to hold the valve body 19 against the force of the spring 36 in its lower closed position on the valve seat 22. Only then is the tilting element 41 moved from the second switching position shown in FIG. 4c to its stable starting position by means of a further stationary curve piece 52 switched back, wherein the eccentric 42 releases the valve body 19 for the next filling process.
  • the return gas valve 31 of the return gas pipe 29 is closed and a relief valve 53 is opened. Now the filled container 7 can be removed. The arrangement is ready for a new filling process.
  • the double seat valve 18 is designed so that the movement of the valve body 19 does not require sliding seals.
  • the valve body 19 has sealing surfaces 69 and 71 which are inclined conically to the valve axis and cooperate with corresponding sealing surfaces of the valve seats 21 and 22.
  • throttle sections 54 and 56 can be assigned to the liquid passage 16 and the liquid outlet 17, which only open a narrow liquid passage during the movement of the valve body 19.
  • the throttle section 54 consists of an annular gap 57, which is delimited radially outwards by an axial extension 58 of the container extension 13 and radially inwards by the outer circumferential surface of the valve body 19.
  • the annular gap 57 can be selected to be as narrow as desired in order to limit the liquid flow when the valve body 19 is switched over to a value which is as small as possible and which is not significant as a metering error.
  • an annular gap is likewise formed by the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and a cylindrical housing section 59 of the metering chamber.
  • FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the filling device according to the invention, in which, however, essential parts correspond to the embodiment according to FIG. 1. The same parts are therefore provided with the same reference numerals in FIG. 2 as in FIG. 1.
  • the return gas line does not run through the valve body 19.
  • the valve body 19 is attached to an actuating rod 61, via which on the one hand again the spring 36 and on the other hand the switching element 37 act on the valve body 19.
  • the function is the same as described in connection with FIG. 1.
  • the return gas line connecting the interior of the container 7 to be filled with the gas space of the storage container 1 now runs through a pipe section 62 which is fixedly connected to the filling element, through a line section 63 which is fixedly arranged in the dosing chamber and which projects through the container opening 12 into the gas space 3 of the storage container Another pipe section 64.
  • the return gas line can be interrupted in order to prevent a pressure loss in the gas space 3 of the storage container 1 as long as no container 7 is docked to the filling element.
  • the filling element 4 is designed such that it can be attached to the bottom opening 12 of the storage container 1 without further modifications or installations to the storage container being necessary.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Füllvorrichtung zum Füllen von Behältern, insbesondere von Flaschen oder Dosen, mit einer vorgegebenen Menge einer Flüssigkeit, insbesondere einer unter Druck stehenden, kohlensäurehaltigen Flüssigkeit gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1.The invention relates to a filling device for filling containers, in particular bottles or cans, with a predetermined amount of a liquid, in particular a carbonated liquid under pressure, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Füllvorrichtungen zum Abfüllen von Flüssigkeiten in Behälter wie Dosen, Flaschen oder dergl., weisen gewöhnlich einen Vorratsbehälter auf, in dem die abzufüllende Flüssigkeit bereitgehalten wird und der über der Flüssigkeit einen Gasraum hat. Eine Regeleinrichtung sorgt dafür, daß das Flüssigkeitsniveau im Vorratsbehälter möglichst konstant gehalten wird, um für den Abfüllvorgang definierte und reproduzierbare Verhältnisse zu schaffen. Der Vorratsbehälter ist normalerweise als rotierender Kessel, beispielsweise als Ringkessel, mit zentraler Flüssigkeitszufuhr ausgebildet. Entlang seinem Umfang sind eine Vielzahl von Füllköpfen mit Zentrier- und Abdichtmitteln zum Andokken aufeinanderfolgender zu füllender Behälter angebracht, welche die erforderlichen Flüssigkeitsdurchlässe und -ventile sowie Luft- und Gasleitungen mit den jeweils zugehörigen Betätigungsorganen enthalten. Mit solchen Füllvorrichtungen können Flüssigkeiten aller Art in Behälter abgefüllt werden. Bevorzugt eingesetzt sind diese Vorrichtungen zum Abfüllen von Getränken, und zwar sowohl für stille Getränke, wie stille Wässer, Säfte, Milch oder dergl., als auch besonders für kohlensäurehaltige Getränke, die unter Gegendruck abgefüllt werden. Die dafür notwendigen Einrichtungen, wie Spann- und Rückgasleitungen, sind im Füllkopf integriert. Ein bekannter Füllkopf für eine Abfüllvorrichtung ist beispielsweise in der DE-OS 30 25 786 beschrieben.Filling devices for filling liquids into containers such as cans, bottles or the like usually have a storage container in which the liquid to be filled is kept ready and which has a gas space above the liquid. A control device ensures that the liquid level in the storage container is kept as constant as possible in order to create defined and reproducible conditions for the filling process. The storage container is normally designed as a rotating vessel, for example as a ring vessel, with a central liquid supply. Along its circumference there are a large number of filling heads with centering and sealing means for andocculating successive containers to be filled, which contain the necessary liquid passages and valves as well as air and gas lines with the associated actuators. With such filling devices, liquids of all kinds can be filled into containers. These devices are preferably used for filling beverages, specifically both for still beverages, such as still water, juices, milk or the like, and particularly for carbonated beverages which are filled under counterpressure. The necessary equipment such as tension and return gas lines are integrated in the filling head. A known filling head for a filling device is described for example in DE-OS 30 25 786.

Ein Füllkopf, der die Möglichkeit des volumetrischen Dosierens der abzufüllenden Flüssigkeit bietet, ist in der DE-OS 22 57 449 beschrieben. Dort sind am Vorratsbehälter in Umfangsrichtung verteilt mehrere Dosierbehälter angebracht, die jeweils über einen Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß mit dem Vorratsbehälter verbunden sind. Der Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß jedes Dosierbehälters ist mit einem durch den Vorratsbehälter hindurch betätigbaren Flüssigkeitsventil verschließbar. Der Auslaß jedes Dosierbehälters weist Zentrier- und Abdichtmittel zum Andocken zu füllender Behälter auf und ist mittels eines Auslaßventils verschließbar, das ebenfalls durch den Vorratsbehälter hindurch betätigbar ist. Die Ventile sind unabhängig voneinander zu betätigen. Da die Betätigung der Ventile kurvengesteuert erfolgt, ist die Geschwindigkeit des Öffnens und Schließens der Ventile von der Umlaufgeschwindigkeit des Vorratsbehälters abhängig. Die Konstruktion und die Funktionsweise dieser Füllvorrichtung und der zugehörigen Ventilanordnung sind relativ aufwendig und erfordern umfangreiche Ein-und Umbauten am Vorratsbehälter. Außerdem erfolgt das Füllen der Dosierbehälter von oben her, wobei das Gas (Luft) aus dem Dosierbehälter durch die Flüssigkeit im Vorratsbehälter hindurch in Blasen aufsteigen muß. Zum Abmessen und Abfüllen von unter Druck stehenden karbonisierten Flüssigkeiten ist diese Vorrichtung daher nicht geeignet.A filling head that offers the possibility of volumetric dosing of the liquid to be filled is described in DE-OS 22 57 449. There are distributed on the reservoir in the circumferential direction a plurality of metering containers, each of which is connected to the reservoir via a liquid passage. The liquid passage of each metering container can be closed with a liquid valve which can be actuated through the storage container. The outlet of each metering container has centering and sealing means for docking containers to be filled and can be closed by means of an outlet valve which can also be actuated through the storage container. The valves can be operated independently of one another. Since the actuation of the valves is cam-controlled, the speed at which the valves open and close depends on the circulating speed of the storage container. The construction and the mode of operation of this filling device and the associated valve arrangement are relatively complex and require extensive installations and conversions on the storage container. In addition, the dosing container is filled from above, the gas (air) from the dosing container having to rise in bubbles through the liquid in the storage container. This device is therefore not suitable for measuring and filling carbonated liquids under pressure.

Zum Abmessen und Abfüllen von unter Druck stehenden karbonisierten Flüssigkeiten ist auch eine dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 entsprechende, durch die US-PS 3 459 340 bekannte Behälterfüllmaschine der eingangs angegebenen Art nicht geeignet. Diese Maschine weist an ihrem Umfang Füllorgane mit Dosenbehältern auf, die jeweils mittels eines Doppelsitzventils abwechselnd zum Füllen mit dem Vorratsbehälter und zum Entleeren mit dem zu füllenden Behälter verbindbar sind. Die Betätigung des Doppelsitzventils erfolgt kurvengesteuert, so daß die Geschwindigkeit des Öffnens und Schließens der Flüssigkeitsdurch- und -auslässe auch hier von der Rotationsgeschwindigkeit des Vorratskessels abhängt. Dadurch fließen beim Umschalten des Ventils unbestimmte Flüssigkeitsmengen durch die Durch-und Auslässe und verfälschen die Dosierung in undefinierter Weise. Konstruktiv sind die Dosenbehälter bei dieser Maschine am äußeren Umfang des Vorratskessels angebracht und bewirken so eine nicht unerhebliche Erweiterung seiner Baugröße und damit des Flächenbedarfs für die Aufstellung.A container filling machine of the type specified at the outset, which is known from US Pat. No. 3,459,340, is also unsuitable for measuring and filling carbonated liquids under pressure. On its circumference, this machine has filling elements with can containers, which can be connected alternately for filling with the storage container and for emptying with the container to be filled, in each case by means of a double-seat valve. The double-seat valve is operated by cam control so that the speed of opening and closing of the liquid also depends on the speed of rotation of the storage boiler. As a result, when the valve is switched over, undetermined quantities of liquid flow through the passages and outlets and falsify the dosage in an undefined manner. In terms of design, the can containers on this machine are attached to the outer circumference of the storage kettle and thus cause a not inconsiderable increase in its size and thus the space required for installation.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine weitere Füllvorrichtung der eingangs beschriebenen Art anzugeben, welche auch bei wechselnden Geschwindigkeiten mit höherer und gleichbleibender Dosiergenauigkeit arbeitet.The invention is based on the object of specifying a further filling device of the type described at the outset, which works with higher and constant metering accuracy even at changing speeds.

Gelöst wird diese Aufgabe erfindungsgemäß durch eine Vorrichtung der eingangs beschriebenen Art mit den kennzeichnenden Merkmalen des Anspruch 1. Auf diese Weise ergibt sich eine konstruktiv und funktionell sehr einfache Füllvorrichtung mit einem Füllorgan, das zum Füllen und zum Entleeren der Dosierkammer eine Ventilanordnung mit einem einzigen Ventilkörper erfordert und somit mit nur geringem Aufwand für die Ventilbetätigung auskommt, wobei die Stelleinrichtung so ausgebildet ist, daß sie zwei stabile Schließstellungen des Ventilkörpers gewährleistet und das Umschalten des Ventilkörpers aus einer Schließstellung in die andere mit einer von der Umlaufgeschwindigkeit des Vorratsbehälters unabhängigen Geschwindigkeit gestattet.This object is achieved according to the invention by a device of the type described at the outset with the characterizing features of claim 1. This results in a structurally and functionally very simple filling device with a filling element which has a valve arrangement with a single valve body for filling and emptying the metering chamber requires and thus requires little effort for valve actuation, the actuating device being designed in such a way that it ensures two stable closed positions of the valve body and allows the valve body to be switched from one closed position to the other at a speed that is independent of the circulation speed of the storage container.

Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen und Weiterbildungen der Erfindung mit eigenständig erfinderischem Rang sind in den Unteransprüchen enthalten. Dabei enthält der Anspruch 2 Merkmale einer bevorzugten Ausbildung und Anordnung der Füllorgane am Vorratsbehälter, die es ermöglicht, die Dosierkammer von unten zu füllen, was bei karbonisierten Flüssigkeiten der Schaumbildung vorbeugt. Gleichzeitig ist auch hier die wechselseitige Betätigung des Durchlaß- und des Auslaßventils mit der gemeinsamen Stelleinrichtung möglich. Außerdem erfordert dieser Aufbau relativ wenig Flächenbedarf, weil sich die Füllorgane weitgehend innerhalb des Umfangsprofils des Vorratskessels befinden. Die Ansprüche 3 bis 4 enthalten weitere Merkmale der Stelleinrichtung zum Umschalten des Durchlaß- und Auslaßventils, denen selbständig erfinderische Bedeutung zukommt.Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention with independent inventive rank are contained in the subclaims. Claim 2 contains features of a preferred embodiment and arrangement of the filling elements on the storage container, which makes it possible to fill the dosing chamber from below, which prevents foaming in carbonated liquids. At the same time, the mutual actuation of the passage valve and the outlet valve with the common actuating device is also possible here. In addition, this structure requires relatively little space because the filling elements are largely within the circumferential profile of the storage tank. Claims 3 to 4 contain further features of the actuating device for switching the passage and exhaust valve, which are of independent inventive importance.

Anspruch 5 bezieht sich auf die Ansteuerung der Stelleinrichtung während des Umlaufs des Vorratsbehälters. Die Ansprüche 6 und 7 enthalten Merkmale des Flüssigkeitsdurchlasses und des Flüssigkeitsauslasses, mit denen gewährleistet wird, daß schiebende Dichtungen im Bereich des Durchlaß- und Auslaßventils nicht erforderlich sind und daß trotzdem die Flüssigkeit in der Dosierkammer mit ausreichend hoher Genauigkeit abgemessen werden kann. Auch diesen Merkmalen kommt eigenständige erfinderische Bedeutung zu. Die Ansprüche 8 und 9 schließlich beziehen sich auf eine Ausbildung des Ventils, die in vorgegebenen Phasen des Umschaltens einerseits den Durchfluß durch beide Ventile, also das Durchlaßventil und das Auslaßventil, gleichzeitig gestattet, die Durchflußmenge durch die Ventile aber andererseits begrenzt.Claim 5 relates to the actuation of the actuating device during the circulation of the storage container. Claims 6 and 7 contain features of the liquid passage and the liquid outlet, with which it is ensured that sliding seals in the area of the passage and outlet valve are not required and that the liquid in the metering chamber can nevertheless be measured with a sufficiently high level of accuracy. These features also have independent inventive significance. Finally, claims 8 and 9 relate to an embodiment of the valve which, on the one hand, permits the flow through both valves, that is to say the passage valve and the outlet valve, at the same time in predetermined phases of switching, but on the other hand limits the flow rate through the valves.

Durch die Erfindung wird in sehr vorteilhafter Weise eine konstruktiv und funktionell sehr einfache und dabei sehr leistungsfähige Füllvorrichtung zum Abfüllen von Flüssigkeiten in Flaschen, Dosen und dergl. Portionsbehälter bereitgestellt. Die Vorrichtung ist insbesondere auch für das Abfüllen unter Druck stehender, karbonisierter Flüssigkeiten konzipiert. Das Füllorgan selbst und alle für die Dosier- und Füllvorgänge notwendigen Schalt- und Betätigungsorgane sind unter- bzw. außerhalb des Vorratsbehälters untergebracht, so daß außer der Anbringung der Flüssigkeitsdurchlässe keine Um- und Einbauten für die Füllorgane am Vorratsbehälter erforderlich sind. Die Betätigung des Durchlaß- und des Auslaßventils ist sehr vereinfacht und optimal abgestimmt. Die Ventile weisen keine schiebenden Dichtungen auf. Die stattdessen gemäß der Erfindung entlang dem Umschaltweg des Ventilkörpers vorgesehenen Drosselstrecken begrenzen die Durchflußmengen während des Umschaltvorgangs und reduzieren den Dosierfehler auf ein Minimum. Gleichzeitig ist die Umschaltgeschwindigkeit des Doppelsitzventils unabhängig von der Umlaufgeschwindigkeit des Vorratsbehälters, was die Durchflußmenge während des Umschaltvorganges ebenfalls begrenzt und zu einer definierten und damit kalkulierbaren Größe macht. Bei jeder Arbeitsgeschwindigkeit ist somit das Abfüllen mit gleichbleibend hoher Dosiergenauigkeit gewährleistet. Insgesamt bietet die Erfindung den Vorteil einer Füllvorrichtung einfacher Konstruktion, zuverlässiger Funktionsweise und hoher Dosierungsgenauigkeit bei hoher Arbeitsproduktivität.The invention provides in a very advantageous manner a structurally and functionally very simple and at the same time very powerful filling device for filling liquids into bottles, cans and the like. The device is especially designed for filling pressurized, carbonated liquids. The filling element itself and all the switching and actuating elements required for the dosing and filling processes are below or outside of the storage container, so that apart from the attachment of the liquid passages, no conversions and installations for the filling elements on the storage container are required. The operation of the passage and the outlet valve is very simplified and optimally coordinated. The valves have no sliding seals. The throttle sections provided instead according to the invention along the switching path of the valve body limit the flow rates during the switching process and reduce the metering error to a minimum. At the same time, the switching speed of the double-seat valve is independent of the rotating speed of the storage container, which also limits the flow rate during the switching process and makes it a defined and therefore calculable quantity. Filling with constant high dosing accuracy is guaranteed at any working speed. Overall, the invention offers the advantage of a filling device of simple construction, reliable functioning and high dosing accuracy with high work productivity.

Die Erfindung wird nun anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
einen Schnitt durch ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Füllvorrichtung nach der Erfindung in schematischer Darstellung,
Fig. 2
einen Schnitt durch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Füllvorrichtung nach der Erfindung in schematischer Darstellung,
Fig. 3
einen Schnitt durch ein Schaltorgang nach der Erfindung entlang der Linie III-III in Fig. 1 und
Fig. 4a-c
eine schematische Ansicht des Schaltorgans in Richtung des Pfeils A in Fig. 3 in drei verschiedenen Arbeitspositionen.
The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:
Fig. 1
2 shows a section through a preferred exemplary embodiment of a filling device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,
Fig. 2
3 shows a section through a further exemplary embodiment of a filling device according to the invention in a schematic illustration,
Fig. 3
a section through a switching gear according to the invention along the line III-III in Fig. 1 and
4a-c
is a schematic view of the switching element in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 3 in three different working positions.

In Fig. 1 ist ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Füllvorrichtung gemäß der Erfindung in einem Querschnitt schematisch dargestellt. Mit 1 ist ein als Ringkessel ausgebildeter Vorratsbehälter bezeichnet, der eine abzufüllende Flüssigkeit 2 und einen Gasraum 3 mit einem unter einem vorgegebenen Druck stehenden Gas, beispielsweise CO₂, enthält. Rings am Umfang des Vorratsbehälters 1 sind an dessen Unterseite in regelmäßigen Winkelabständen Füllorgane 4 mit Zentrier- und Abdichtmitteln 6 zum Andocken aufeinanderfolgender zu füllender Behälter 7 angebracht. Der Vorratsbehälter 1 ist in bekannter Weise über Zuleitungen 8 für die abzufüllende Flüssigkeit und Gasleitungen 9 mit einer zentralen, in der Zeichnung nicht dargestellten Versorgungseinheit verbunden. Mit bekannten, in der Zeichnung nicht dargestellten Mitteln wird der Flüssigkeitsspiegel im Vorratsbehälter auf einen vorgegebenen Niveau gehalten. Ebenso wird der Druck im Gasraum 3 möglichst konstant geregelt, um für das Abfüllen der Flüssigkeit möglichst gleichbleibende Bedingungen zu schaffen. Der Vorratsbehälter 1 läuft um eine nicht gezeigte vertikale Achse um, wobei aufeinanderfolgende zu füllende Behälter 7 nacheinander an die Füllorgane 4 angedockt, gefüllt und wieder abgegeben werden. Dieser Vorgang ist bekannt und braucht hier nicht beschrieben zu werden.In Fig. 1 an embodiment of a filling device according to the invention is shown schematically in a cross section. 1 designates a storage tank designed as an annular vessel, which contains a liquid 2 to be filled and a gas space 3 with a gas under a predetermined pressure, for example CO₂. Filling elements 4 with centering and sealing means 6 for docking successive containers 7 to be filled are attached to the underside of the circumference of the storage container 1 at regular angular intervals. The storage container 1 is connected in a known manner via feed lines 8 for the liquid to be filled and gas lines 9 to a central supply unit, not shown in the drawing. With known means, not shown in the drawing, the liquid level in the reservoir is kept at a predetermined level. Likewise, the pressure in the gas space 3 is regulated as constant as possible in order to create as constant conditions as possible for the filling of the liquid. The storage container 1 runs around a vertical axis (not shown), successive containers 7 to be filled being docked, filled and released again one after the other onto the filling members 4. This process is known and need not be described here.

Im Boden 11 des Vorratsbehälters 1 sind in Umfangsrichtung nebeneinander Öffnungen 12 vorgesehen, an welche sich nach unten erstreckende Behälteransätze 13 angesetzt sind. Die Behälteransätze 13 sind vorzugsweise als zylindrische Rohrstücke ausgebildet, die die Bodenöffnungen 12 umschließend am Vorratsbehälter angeflanscht sind. Jeder Behälteransatz 13 ragt von oben in eine Dosierkammer 14 hinein und weist an seinem unteren Ende einen Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 16 vom Vorratsbehälter 1 zur Dosierkammer 14 auf. Vorzugsweise bildet die Dosierkammer mit dem Behälteransatz eine bauliche Einheit, deren Anbau an den Vorratsbehälter keine weiteren Um- oder Einbauten des Vorratsbehälters erfordert.In the bottom 11 of the storage container 1, openings 12 are provided in the circumferential direction next to one another, to which downwardly extending container extensions 13 are attached. The container lugs 13 are preferably designed as cylindrical tube pieces which are flanged around the bottom openings 12 on the storage container. Each container extension 13 protrudes from above into a metering chamber 14 and has a liquid passage 16 at its lower end from the storage container 1 to the metering chamber 14. The metering chamber preferably forms a structural unit with the container attachment, the attachment of which the reservoir does not require any further modifications or additions to the reservoir.

Die Dosierkammer ist an ihrem unteren Ende mit einem Flüssigkeitsauslaß 17 versehen, dem die an sich bekannten und daher nicht näher dargestellten Zentrier- und Abdichtmittel 6 zum Andocken der zu füllenden Behälter 7 zugeordnet sind. Die Dosierkammer weist einen Dosierraum 23 für die Aufnahme einer vorgegebenen Menge der abzufüllenden Flüssigkeit und darüber einen Gasraum 24 auf, welcher den Dosierraum 23 in der Dosierkammer 14 nach oben begrenzt. Eine Rückgasleitung 26 verbindet den Dosierraum 23 der Dosierkammer mit dem Gasraum 3 des Vorratsbehälters. Die Rückgasleitung 26 mündet unterhalb des Gasraumes 24 in der Dosierkammer 14. Der Gasraum 24 ist nach außen abgeschlossen und enthält somit einen Gaspuffer, der das Dosiervolumen der Dosierkammer nach oben hin begrenzt. Mit einem von außen vertikal verstellbaren Verdrängerkörper 27 ist das Dosiervolumen des Dosierraumes 23 der Dosierkammer 14 veränderbar. Zur Höheneinstellung des Verdrängerkörpers 27 ist eine Betätigungsstange 28 vorgesehen, die außerhalb des Vorratsbehälters 1 verläuft und demzufolge keine Umbauten bzw. Einbauten am Vorratsbehälter erfordert.The dosing chamber is provided at its lower end with a liquid outlet 17, to which the centering and sealing means 6 known per se and therefore not shown in more detail are assigned for docking the containers 7 to be filled. The dosing chamber has a dosing space 23 for receiving a predetermined amount of the liquid to be filled and above it a gas space 24 which limits the dosing space 23 in the dosing chamber 14 upwards. A return gas line 26 connects the metering chamber 23 of the metering chamber to the gas chamber 3 of the storage container. The return gas line 26 opens below the gas space 24 in the dosing chamber 14. The gas space 24 is closed off from the outside and thus contains a gas buffer which limits the dosing volume of the dosing chamber upwards. The metering volume of the metering chamber 23 of the metering chamber 14 can be changed with a displacer body 27 that is vertically adjustable from the outside. For adjusting the height of the displacer 27, an actuating rod 28 is provided which extends outside the storage container 1 and consequently does not require any conversions or installations on the storage container.

Der Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 16 und der Flüssigkeitsauslaß 17 sind so einander gegenüberliegend angeordnet, daß sie wechselweise mittels eines Doppelsitzventils 18 mit einem gemeinsamen Ventilkörper 19 verschließbar sind. Ein Ventilsitz 21 am Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 16 definiert eine erste Schließstellung des Ventilkörpers 19, in der der Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß von dem Vorratsbehälter 1 zur Dosierkammer 14 gesperrt und der Flüssigkeitsauslaß 17 der Dosierkammer offen ist. Die zweite Schließstellung des Ventilkörpers 19 ist durch einen Ventilsitz 22 des Flüssigkeitsauslasses 17 der Dosierkammer 14 bestimmt. In dieser Schließstellung des Ventilkörpers 19 ist der Flüssigkeitsauslaß 17 gesperrt, während der Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 16 geöffnet ist.The liquid passage 16 and the liquid outlet 17 are arranged opposite one another so that they can be closed alternately by means of a double-seat valve 18 with a common valve body 19. A valve seat 21 on the liquid passage 16 defines a first closed position of the valve body 19, in which the liquid passage from the reservoir 1 to the metering chamber 14 is blocked and the liquid outlet 17 of the metering chamber is open. The second closed position of the valve body 19 is determined by a valve seat 22 of the liquid outlet 17 of the metering chamber 14. In this closed position of the valve body 19, the liquid outlet 17 is blocked, while the liquid passage 16 is open.

Der Ventilkörper 19 ist fest an einem Rückgasrohr 29 angebracht, das das Innere des zu füllenden Behälters 7 mit dem Gasraum 3 des Vorratsbehälters verbindet und an seinem oberen Ende mit einem Gasventil 31 verschließbar ist. Das Gasventil 31 ist über eine das Rückgasrohr 29 konzentrisch umgebende Schiebehülse 32 mittels eines Betätigungsorgans 33 mit einem kurvengesteuert verstellbaren Exzenter 34 zu öffnen und zu schließen.The valve body 19 is fixedly attached to a return gas pipe 29, which connects the inside of the container 7 to be filled with the gas space 3 of the storage container and can be closed at its upper end with a gas valve 31. The gas valve 31 can be opened and closed via a sliding sleeve 32 concentrically surrounding the return gas tube 29 by means of an actuating member 33 with a cam-controlled eccentric 34.

Ein Kraftelement in Gestalt einer Feder 36, die einerseits innen am Behälteransatz 13 und andererseits außen am Rückgasrohr 29 befestigt ist, wirkt über das Rückgasrohr 29 auf den Ventilkörper 19 so, daß dieser in seine obere Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 21 gebracht wird, in welcher er den Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß vom Vorratsbehälter zur Dosierkammer sperrt. Solange aber am Flüssigkeitsauslaß 17 von außen her Atmosphärendruck anliegt, solange also kein zu füllender Behälter 7 angedockt oder ein angedockter Behälter noch nicht vorgespannt ist, wird der Ventilkörper 19 gegen die Kraft der Feder 36 vom Druck der Flüssigkeit in der Dosierkammer und dem Vorratsbehälter in seiner unteren Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 22 gehalten, in der er den Flüssigkeitsauslaß sperrt. Die Kraft der Feder 36 ist also kleiner als die Kraft, mit der der Ventilkörper 19 von der Flüssigkeit gegen den Ventilsitz 22 gedrückt wird.A force element in the form of a spring 36, which is fastened on the one hand inside the container neck 13 and on the other hand outside on the return gas pipe 29, acts on the valve body 19 via the return gas pipe 29 so that it is brought into its upper closed position on the valve seat 21, in which it Liquid passage from the reservoir to the metering chamber is blocked. However, as long as atmospheric pressure is present at the liquid outlet 17 from the outside, so long as no container 7 to be filled is docked or a docked container is not yet pretensioned, the valve body 19 is against the force of the spring 36 by the pressure of the liquid in the metering chamber and the reservoir in it lower closed position held on the valve seat 22, in which it blocks the liquid outlet. The force of the spring 36 is therefore less than the force with which the valve body 19 is pressed by the liquid against the valve seat 22.

Um den Ventilkörper 19 gegen den Druck der Feder 36, die ihn in der oberen Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 21 festhält, in seine untere Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 22 zu bewegen, ist ein Schaltorgan 37 vorgesehen. Dieses Schaltorgan weist ein außen am Behälteransatz 13 angebrachtes Lagergehäuse 38 für eine Welle 39 auf, an der einerseits ein exzentrisches Kippelement 41 und andererseits ein Exzenter 42 befestigt sind. Der Exzenter 42 wirkt auf einen Mitnehmer 43, der am Rückgasrohr 29 angebracht ist. In den Figuren 3 und 4 ist der Aufbau des Schaltorgans dargestellt. Die Figuren 3 und 4c zeigen das Rückgasrohr 29 mit einem Anschlag 44, an dem die Druckfeder 36 mit einer nach oben gerichteten Kraft angreift. Das Kippelement 41 ist als Kreissegment ausgebildet, das um die Achse 39 schwenkbar ist und zwei durch nicht dargestellte Anschläge definierte Endpositionen einnehmen kann. Ein zweites Kraftelement in Gestalt einer Zugfeder 46 hält das Kippelement 41 jeweils in einer der beiden Endpositionen fest. Die Feder 46 ist einerseits an einem am Kippelement 41 angebrachten Bolzen 49 und andererseits über einen Halter 51 am Gehäuse 38 befestigt. Dabei sind die Fußpunkte der Feder 46 so gewählt, daß das Kippelement 41 gegen die Kraft der Feder aus einer ersten stabilen Schaltposition über eine labile Gleichgewichtsposition in eine zweite stabile Schaltposition geschwenkt werden kann. Diese Anordnung stellt also ein mechanisches FLIP-FLOP-Element mit zwei stabilen Schaltpositionen dar.In order to move the valve body 19 against the pressure of the spring 36, which holds it in the upper closed position on the valve seat 21, into its lower closed position on the valve seat 22, a switching element 37 is provided. This switching element has a bearing housing 38 mounted on the outside of the container shoulder 13 for a shaft 39 on which on the one hand an eccentric tilting element 41 and on the other hand an eccentric 42 are fastened. The eccentric 42 acts on a driver 43 which is attached to the return gas pipe 29. The structure of the switching element is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIGS. 3 and 4c show the return gas pipe 29 with a stop 44 on which the compression spring 36 acts with an upward force. The tilting element 41 is designed as a segment of a circle that can be pivoted about the axis 39 and can assume two end positions defined by stops, not shown. A second force element in the form of a tension spring 46 holds the tilting element 41 in one of the two end positions. The spring 46 is fastened on the one hand to a bolt 49 attached to the tilting element 41 and on the other hand to the housing 38 via a holder 51. The base points of the spring 46 are selected such that the tilting element 41 can be pivoted against the force of the spring from a first stable switching position via an unstable equilibrium position to a second stable switching position. This arrangement thus represents a mechanical FLIP-FLOP element with two stable switching positions.

Fig. 4a zeigt das Kippelement in einer ersten stabilen Schaltposition. Es wird bei der Rotation des Vorratsbehälters 1 in Richtung des Pfeiles 47 bewegt und kommt dabei in einem vorgegebenen Bahnabschnitt mit einem stationären Steuerorgang 48 in Gestalt eines Kurvenstückes in Berührung, welches das Kippelement 41 über die in Fig. 4b gezeigte labile Gleichgewichtsposition in die in Fig. 4c dargstellte zweite stabile Schaltposition schwenkt. Aus dieser zweiten stabilen Schaltposition wird das Kippelement 41 in einem zweiten Bahnabschnitt durch ein zweites stationäres Steuerorgan 52 in seine erste Schaltposition zurückgeschwenkt. Die Geschwindigkeit der Schwenkbewegung des Kippelements 41 aus seiner ersten Schaltposition in die in Fig. 4b gezeigte labile Gleichgewichtsposition ist wegen des Zusammenwirkens mit dem Kurvenstück 48 abhängig von der Rotationsgeschwindigkeit des Vorratsbehälters 1. Die weitere Bewegung des Kippelements 41 aus der labilen Gleichgewichtsposition in die zweite stabile Schaltposition dagegen ist von der Rotationsgeschwindigkeits des Vorratsbehälters unabhängig, weil sie allein von der Zugkraft der Feder 46 bestimmt wird. Der Schaltvorgang läuft also immer unabhängig von der Rotationsgeschwindigkeit des Vorratsbehälters 1 mit derselben Geschwindigkeit ab.4a shows the tilting element in a first stable switching position. It is moved during the rotation of the storage container 1 in the direction of arrow 47 and comes into contact in a predetermined path section with a stationary control element 48 in the form of a curve piece, which moves the tilting element 41 into the unstable equilibrium position shown in FIG 4c shown second stable switching position pivots. From this second stable switching position, the tilting element 41 is pivoted back into its first switching position in a second path section by a second stationary control member 52. The speed of the pivoting movement of the tilting element 41 from its first switching position in the unstable equilibrium position shown in FIG. 4b is dependent on the rotation speed of the storage container 1 because of the interaction with the curve piece 48. The further movement of the tilting element 41 from the unstable equilibrium position into the second stable switching position, however, is independent of the rotation speed of the storage container because it is determined solely by the tensile force of the spring 46. The switching process therefore always takes place at the same speed regardless of the rotational speed of the storage container 1.

Solange kein Behälter 7 an die Zentrier- und Abdichtmittel 6 des Flüssigkeitsauslasses 17 angedockt ist, befindet sich der Ventilkörper 19 in seiner unteren Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 22, um den Flüssigkeitsauslaß zu sperren. Da außen am Flüssigkeitsauslaß Atmosphärendruck herrscht, wird der Ventilkörper durch den im Innern des Vorratsbehälters und der Dosierkammer herrschenden erhöhten Druck in dieser Schließstellung gegen die Kraft der Feder 36 gehalten. Die Kraft dieser Feder ist also kleiner als die Kraft, mit der die Flüssigkeit den Ventilkörper 19 gegen den Ventilsitz 22 des Flüssigkeitsauslasses 17 drückt.As long as no container 7 is docked to the centering and sealing means 6 of the liquid outlet 17, the valve body 19 is in its lower closed position on the valve seat 22 in order to block the liquid outlet. Since there is atmospheric pressure on the outside of the liquid outlet, the valve body is held in this closed position against the force of the spring 36 by the increased pressure prevailing inside the storage container and the metering chamber. The force of this spring is therefore less than the force with which the liquid presses the valve body 19 against the valve seat 22 of the liquid outlet 17.

Solange am Flüssigkeitsauslaß 17 Atmosphärendruck herrscht, ist das Gasventil 31 des Rückgasrohres 29 zum Gasraum 3 hin geschlossen, um einen Druckverlust im Gasraum 3 zu vermeiden.As long as atmospheric pressure prevails at the liquid outlet 17, the gas valve 31 of the return gas tube 29 to the gas space 3 is closed in order to avoid a pressure loss in the gas space 3.

Beim weiteren Umlauf des Vorratsbehälters 1 wird ein zu füllender Behälter 7 an die Zentrier- und Abdichtmittel 6 des Füllorgans 4 angedockt. Mittels des kurvengesteuerten Betätigungssorgans 33 wird das Gasventil 31 nun geöffnet, um den Druck des Gasraums 3 an den Behälter anzulegen, diesen also vorzuspannen.As the storage container 1 continues to circulate, a container 7 to be filled is docked onto the centering and sealing means 6 of the filling element 4. By means of the cam-controlled actuating member 33, the gas valve 31 is now opened in order to apply the pressure of the gas space 3 to the container, that is to say to prestress it.

Nach dem Druckausgleich zwischen dem Innern des zu füllenden Behälters und dem Gasraum 3 des Vorratsbehälters entfällt die Kraft, mit der die Flüssigkeit den Ventilkörper in seiner unteren Schließstellung gehalten hat. Jetzt reicht die Kraft der Feder 36 aus, um den Ventilkörper 19 in seine obere Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 21 zu drücken und dadurch den Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 16 vom Vorratsbehälter zur Dosierkammer hin zu sperren. Gleichzeitig wird der Flüssigkeitsauslaß 17 geöffnet, so daß die in der Dosierkammer 14 abgemessene Flüssigkeitsmenge durch den Flüssigkeitsauslaß 18 in den Behälter 7 strömen kann. Dabei entweicht das im Behälter 7 enthaltene Gas durch das Rückgasrohr 29 in den Gasraum 3 des Vorratsbehälters.After the pressure equalization between the interior of the container to be filled and the gas space 3 of the storage container, the force with which the liquid has held the valve body in its lower closed position is eliminated. The force of the spring 36 is now sufficient to press the valve body 19 into its upper closed position on the valve seat 21 and thereby to block the liquid passage 16 from the reservoir to the metering chamber. At the same time, the liquid outlet 17 is opened so that the amount of liquid measured in the metering chamber 14 can flow through the liquid outlet 18 into the container 7. The gas contained in the container 7 escapes through the return gas pipe 29 into the gas space 3 of the storage container.

Während dieses Füllvorgangs rotiert der Vorratsbehälter 1 mit dem Füllorgan 4 und dem zu füllenden Behälter 7 weiter in Richtung des Pfeiles 47 der Fig. 4. Sobald die ganze abgemessene Flüssigkeitsmenge im Behälter 7 ist, wird (vergl. Figuren 4a bis 4c) das Kippelement 41 des Schaltorgans 37 mittels der Steuerkurve 48 aus seiner oberen ersten Schaltposition, in der die obere Schließstellung des Ventilkörpers 19 am Ventilsitz 21 freigegeben ist, über die labile Gleichgewichtsposition (Fig.4b) in die zweite stabile Schaltposition (4c) umgeschaltet, in der der Exzenter 42 das Rückgasrohr 29 mit dem Ventilkörper 19 in dessen untere Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 22 drückt und damit den Flüssigkeitsauslaß 17 sperrt. Das Kippelement 41 bleibt so lange in dieser zweiten Schaltposition, bis der Druck der aus dem Vorratsbehälter in die Dosierkammer 14 nachströmenden Flüssigkeit ausreicht, um den Ventilkörper 19 gegen die Kraft der Feder 36 in seiner unteren Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 22 festzuhalten. Erst dann wird das Kippelement 41 aus der in Fig. 4c dargestellten zweiten Schaltposition mittels eines weiteren stationären Kurvenstücks 52 in seine stabile Ausgangsposition zurückgeschaltet, wobei der Exzenter 42 den Ventilkörper 19 für den nächsten Füllvorgang freigibt.During this filling process, the storage container 1 with the filling member 4 and the container 7 to be filled continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow 47 in FIG. 4. As soon as the entire measured amount of liquid is in the container 7, the tilting element 41 becomes (see FIGS. 4a to 4c) of the switching element 37 by means of the control cam 48 from its upper first switching position, in which the upper closed position of the valve body 19 on the valve seat 21 is released, via the unstable equilibrium position (FIG. 4b) to the second stable switching position (4c), in which the eccentric 42 presses the return gas pipe 29 with the valve body 19 in its lower closed position on the valve seat 22 and thus blocks the liquid outlet 17. The tilting element 41 remains in this second switching position until the pressure of the liquid flowing from the storage container into the metering chamber 14 is sufficient to hold the valve body 19 against the force of the spring 36 in its lower closed position on the valve seat 22. Only then is the tilting element 41 moved from the second switching position shown in FIG. 4c to its stable starting position by means of a further stationary curve piece 52 switched back, wherein the eccentric 42 releases the valve body 19 for the next filling process.

Nach dem Schließen des Flüssigkeitsauslasses 17 und Öffnen des Flüssigkeitsdurchlasses 16 wird das Flüssigkeitsvolumen des Dosierraumes 23 der Dosierkammer 14 erneut gefüllt, wobei das im Gasraum 24 enthaltene Gas, das nicht entweichen kann, als Gaspolster das Dosiervolumen der Dosierkammer 14 begrenzt.After closing the liquid outlet 17 and opening the liquid passage 16, the liquid volume of the metering chamber 23 of the metering chamber 14 is refilled, the gas contained in the gas chamber 24, which cannot escape, being used as a gas cushion to limit the metering volume of the metering chamber 14.

Nach dem Schließen des Flüssigkeitsauslasses 17 werden das Rückgasventil 31 des Rückgasrohres 29 geschlossen und ein Entlastungsventil 53 geöffnet. Jetzt kann der gefüllte Behälter 7 abgenommen werden. Die Anordnung ist für einen neuen Füllvorgang bereit.After the liquid outlet 17 has been closed, the return gas valve 31 of the return gas pipe 29 is closed and a relief valve 53 is opened. Now the filled container 7 can be removed. The arrangement is ready for a new filling process.

Wie die Beschreibung der Arbeitsweise des Füllorgans 4 zeigt, erfolgt die Bewegung des Ventilkörpers 19 aus seiner ersten Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 21 in die zweite Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 22 unter der Wirkung der Feder 46 des Schaltorgans 37. Die Bewegung des Ventilkörpers 19 aus seiner zweiten Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 22 zurück in seine erste Schließstellung am Ventilsitz 21 wird von der Feder 36 bewirkt. Beide Bewegungen sind somit unabhängig von der Rotationsgeschwindigkeit des Vorratsbehälters 1, wobei sich in jedem Fall definierte und reproduzierbare Verhältnisse für den Abfüllvorgang ergeben.As the description of the operation of the filling element 4 shows, the movement of the valve body 19 from its first closed position on the valve seat 21 into the second closed position on the valve seat 22 takes place under the action of the spring 46 of the switching element 37. The movement of the valve body 19 from its second closed position on Valve seat 22 back into its first closed position on valve seat 21 is effected by spring 36. Both movements are thus independent of the speed of rotation of the storage container 1, which results in defined and reproducible conditions for the filling process.

Wie die Zeichnung zeigt, ist das Doppelsitzventil 18 so ausgebildet, daß die Bewegung des Ventilkörpers 19 keine schiebenden Dichtungen erfordert. Der Ventilkörper 19 weist entgegengesetzt konisch zur Ventilachse geneigte Dichtflächen 69 und 71 auf, die mit entsprechenden Dichtflächen der Ventilsitze 21 und 22 zusammenwirken. Sobald sich der Ventilkörper 19 beim Öffnen des Flüssigkeitsdurchlasses 16 vom Ventilsitz 21 gelöst hat, ist der Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 16 geöffnet, bevor der Flüssigkeitauslaß 17 geschlossen ist. Die während dieser Zeit des Umschaltens durchlaufende Flüssigkeitsmenge beeinträchtigt die Dosiergenauigkeit des Füllkopfes nicht, weil sie wegen der konstanten Schaltzeit des Ventils und der konstanten Druckverhältnisse bestimmt und berücksichtigt werden kann. Um diese Durchlaufmenge der Flüssigkeit aber dennoch zu begrenzen, können dem Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 16 und dem Flüssigkeitsauslaß 17 Drosselstrecken 54 bzw. 56 zugeordnet sein, welche nur einen engen Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß während der Bewegung des Ventilkörpers 19 freigeben. Die Drosselstrecke 54 besteht aus einem Ringspalt 57, der radial nach außen von einer axialen Verlängerung 58 des Behälteransatzes 13 und radial nach innen von der äußeren Umfangsfläche des Ventilkörpers 19 begrenzt wird. Der Ringspalt 57 kann beliebig eng gewählt werden, um den Flüssigkeitsdurchfluß beim Umschalten des Ventilkörpers 19 auf einen möglichst kleinen Wert zu begrenzen, der als Dosierfehler nicht ins Gewicht fällt. Im Bereich des Flüssigkeitsauslasses 17 wird ein ebensolcher Ringspalt ebenfalls von der äußeren Umfangsfläche des Ventilkörpers und einem zylindrischen Gehäuseabschnitt 59 der Dosierkammer gebildet.As the drawing shows, the double seat valve 18 is designed so that the movement of the valve body 19 does not require sliding seals. The valve body 19 has sealing surfaces 69 and 71 which are inclined conically to the valve axis and cooperate with corresponding sealing surfaces of the valve seats 21 and 22. As soon as the valve body 19 when opening the Has liquid passage 16 detached from the valve seat 21, the liquid passage 16 is opened before the liquid outlet 17 is closed. The amount of liquid flowing through during this changeover does not impair the dosing accuracy of the filling head, because it can be determined and taken into account due to the constant switching time of the valve and the constant pressure conditions. However, in order to limit this flow rate of the liquid, throttle sections 54 and 56 can be assigned to the liquid passage 16 and the liquid outlet 17, which only open a narrow liquid passage during the movement of the valve body 19. The throttle section 54 consists of an annular gap 57, which is delimited radially outwards by an axial extension 58 of the container extension 13 and radially inwards by the outer circumferential surface of the valve body 19. The annular gap 57 can be selected to be as narrow as desired in order to limit the liquid flow when the valve body 19 is switched over to a value which is as small as possible and which is not significant as a metering error. In the area of the liquid outlet 17, such an annular gap is likewise formed by the outer peripheral surface of the valve body and a cylindrical housing section 59 of the metering chamber.

Fig. 2 zeigt eine andere Ausführungsform der Füllvorrichtung nach der Erfindung, bei der allerdings wesentliche Teile mit der Ausführungsform nach Fig. 1 übereinstimmen. Gleiche Teile sind daher in Fig. 2 mit denselben Bezugszeichen versehen wie in Fig. 1.FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the filling device according to the invention, in which, however, essential parts correspond to the embodiment according to FIG. 1. The same parts are therefore provided with the same reference numerals in FIG. 2 as in FIG. 1.

Bei der Ausführungsform nach Fig. 2 besteht der wesentliche Unterschied zu der nach Fig. 1 darin, daß die Rückgasleitung nicht durch den Ventilkörper 19 verläuft. Der Ventilkörper 19 ist an einer Betätigungsstange 61 angebracht, über welche einerseits wieder die Feder 36 und andererseits das Schaltorgan 37 auf den Ventilkörper 19 wirken. Die Funktion ist dieselbe wie im Zusammenhang mit der Fig. 1 beschrieben. Die das Innere des zu füllenden Behälters 7 mit dem Gasraum des Vorratsbehälters 1 verbindende Rückgasleitung verläuft jetzt durch ein fest mit dem Füllorgan verbundenes Rohrstück 62, durch einen in der Dosierkammer fest angeordneten Leitungsabschnitt 63 und ein durch die Behälteröffnung 12 in den Gasraum 3 des Vorratsbehälters ragendes weiteres Rohrstück 64. Mit einem Ventil 66, das mittels einer Betätigungseinrichtung 67 zu betätigen ist, kann die Rückgasleitung unterbrochen werden, um einen Druckverlust im Gasraum 3 des Vorratsbehälters 1 zu verhindern, solange kein Behälter 7 an das Füllorgan angedockt ist.In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the essential difference from that according to FIG. 1 is that the return gas line does not run through the valve body 19. The valve body 19 is attached to an actuating rod 61, via which on the one hand again the spring 36 and on the other hand the switching element 37 act on the valve body 19. The function is the same as described in connection with FIG. 1. The return gas line connecting the interior of the container 7 to be filled with the gas space of the storage container 1 now runs through a pipe section 62 which is fixedly connected to the filling element, through a line section 63 which is fixedly arranged in the dosing chamber and which projects through the container opening 12 into the gas space 3 of the storage container Another pipe section 64. With a valve 66, which can be actuated by means of an actuating device 67, the return gas line can be interrupted in order to prevent a pressure loss in the gas space 3 of the storage container 1 as long as no container 7 is docked to the filling element.

In beiden dargestellten Fällen ist das Füllorgan 4 so ausgebildet, daß es an die Bodenöffnung 12 des Vorratsbehälters 1 angesetzt werden kann, ohne daß weitere Umbauten oder Einbauten am Vorratsbehälter erforderlich sind.In both of the cases shown, the filling element 4 is designed such that it can be attached to the bottom opening 12 of the storage container 1 without further modifications or installations to the storage container being necessary.

Claims (9)

  1. Filling apparatus for filling containers, in particular bottles or cans, with a predetermined quantity of a liquid, in particular a carbon dioxide-containing liquid under pressure, having a supply container (1), constructed as a rotating vat, for storing the liquid for filling, and having filling members (4), arranged at uniform angular spacings on the periphery of the vat, for continuously filling successive containers (7) which each have a metering chamber (14), which is connected to the supply container by way of a liquid passage which can be closed by a passage valve (16), for volumetrically measuring a predetermined quantity of the liquid and have a liquid outlet (17) of the metering chamber which can be closed by means of an outlet valve and which has centring and sealing means for docking containers (7) to be filled, the passage valve (16) and the outlet valve (17) being constructed as a double seat valve (18) having a common valve body (19) which in a first closed position blocks the liquid passage (16) and opens the liquid outlet (17) and in a second closed position blocks the liquid outlet (17) and opens the liquid passage (16), characterized in that an adjusting device (29, 36; 37) for switching the valve body (19) of the double seat valve (18) from one closed position to the other and vice versa is provided, which has a force-imparting element (36), which is to act on the valve body (19) in the direction of a closed position, and a switching member (37) which is constructed to move the valve body at a speed which is independent of the rotational speed of the rotating supply container (1) against the action of the force-imparting element from one closed position into the other, and vice versa.
  2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the filling members (4) are mounted on the underside of the supply container (1), in each case one container attachment (13) of the supply container (1), which has a liquid passage (16) at its lower end, projecting from above into the metering chamber (14), in that the liquid outlet (17) is arranged opposite the liquid passage in the base of the metering chamber (14), and in that the liquid passage (16) and the liquid outlet (17) can be alternately blocked off and opened by means of a double seat valve (18) having a common valve body (19).
  3. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the switching member (37) for switching the valve body (19) from one closed position into the other, and vice versa, has a mechanical flip-flop element (41, 46).
  4. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switching member (37) has a rocker element (41) which can be pivoted about a hinge pin (39) and which has two stable switching positions, and in that the rocker element in one switching position releases the closed position of the valve body (19) defined by the first force-imparting element (36) and on the transition into its second switching position moves the valve body (19) into its second closed position by means of a second force-imparting element (46) against the action of the first force-imparting element (36).
  5. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that stationary control members (48, 52) are associated with the rotating supply container (1) for activating the switching members (37).
  6. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one throughflow throttle section (54, 56) which limits in defined manner the amount of liquid which flows through during the switching movement of the valve body (19) is arranged at the liquid passage (16) and/or at the liquid outlet (17) towards the metering chamber (14).
  7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that the throttle section (54, 56) is formed by an annular channel (57) which is formed on the one hand by a peripheral surface of the valve body (19) and on the other hand by a wall section (58, 59) which comprises the valve body and extends the throughflow channel from the valve seat (21, 22) into the metering chamber.
  8. Apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the valve body has a cylindrical peripheral portion (68) whereof the axial length is such that it delimits both throttle sections (54, 56) at the half-way switching point.
  9. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the valve body (19) has two opposing sealing surfaces (69, 71) which are oriented transversely and concentric to its axis and which cooperate with the corresponding sealing surfaces of the valve seats (21, 22), and in that both the passage opening (16) and the outlet opening (17) are open during the movement of the valve body (19) from one closed position to the other.
EP91104094A 1990-03-31 1991-03-16 Device for filling containers with a liquid Expired - Lifetime EP0450377B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4010413 1990-03-31
DE4010413A DE4010413A1 (en) 1990-03-31 1990-03-31 DEVICE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A LIQUID

Publications (2)

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EP0450377A1 EP0450377A1 (en) 1991-10-09
EP0450377B1 true EP0450377B1 (en) 1994-07-20

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EP91104094A Expired - Lifetime EP0450377B1 (en) 1990-03-31 1991-03-16 Device for filling containers with a liquid

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US (1) US5150743A (en)
EP (1) EP0450377B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH04242591A (en)
CA (1) CA2039476A1 (en)
DE (2) DE4010413A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2058961T3 (en)

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US6354342B1 (en) 1999-11-10 2002-03-12 Shurflo Pump Manufacturing Company, Inc. Hand-held rapid dispensing apparatus and method
US6360556B1 (en) 1999-11-10 2002-03-26 Shurflo Pump Manufacturing Company, Inc. Apparatus and method for controlling fluid delivery temperature in a dispensing apparatus
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0450377A1 (en) 1991-10-09
US5150743A (en) 1992-09-29
CA2039476A1 (en) 1991-10-01
DE4010413A1 (en) 1991-10-02
JPH04242591A (en) 1992-08-31
ES2058961T3 (en) 1994-11-01
DE59102213D1 (en) 1994-08-25

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