EP0614850A1 - Tête de remplissage pour embouteilleuse pour remplir de bouteilles ou des récipients similaires avec un liquide - Google Patents

Tête de remplissage pour embouteilleuse pour remplir de bouteilles ou des récipients similaires avec un liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0614850A1
EP0614850A1 EP94103201A EP94103201A EP0614850A1 EP 0614850 A1 EP0614850 A1 EP 0614850A1 EP 94103201 A EP94103201 A EP 94103201A EP 94103201 A EP94103201 A EP 94103201A EP 0614850 A1 EP0614850 A1 EP 0614850A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
channel
sterilization
filling element
tube
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP94103201A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Ludwig Clüsserath
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.)
KHS Maschinen und Anlagenbau AG
Original Assignee
KHS Maschinen und Anlagenbau AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE4307521A external-priority patent/DE4307521C2/de
Priority claimed from DE19934338669 external-priority patent/DE4338669A1/de
Application filed by KHS Maschinen und Anlagenbau AG filed Critical KHS Maschinen und Anlagenbau AG
Publication of EP0614850A1 publication Critical patent/EP0614850A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
    • B67C3/286—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves related to flow rate control, i.e. controlling slow and fast filling phases
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/06—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
    • B67C3/10—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure preliminary filling with inert gases, e.g. carbon dioxide
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2642—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for sterilising prior to filling
    • 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
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C2003/2651—The liquid valve being carried by the vent tube
    • 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
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C2003/2685—Details of probes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
  • Filling elements are known in various designs, in particular also in a design in which a functional element in the form of a suction pipe which determines the filling height can be moved by an actuating device in a vertical filling element axis between an upper stroke position and a lower stroke position, this movement being controlled as a function of the takes place in the respective working state in which the filling element is currently located.
  • a lifting rod provided with a cam roller and interacting with a lifting curve is used as the actuating device for each filling element or for the functional element there.
  • a filling element (DE-OS 38 09 852) which is suitable, inter alia, for use in a method or in a filling machine for the aseptic or sterile filling of a liquid filling material in containers, in particular in bottles.
  • the known filling element is designed as such with a filling tube which protrudes over the underside of the filling element.
  • the actual filling phase which is initiated when the liquid valve is opened, is preceded, inter alia, by the treatment or sterilization of the respective container with a hot sterilization medium, preferably with steam.
  • the filling tube is connected via a controllable sterilization medium connection formed in the filling element to a source for the hot sterilization medium, so that this emerges at the lower end of the filling tube protruding into the container.
  • the end of the filling tube ie the exit point for the sterilization medium determined by this end during the sterilization is so deep in the container at a short distance from the container base that the container base is sufficiently loaded with the sterilization medium and, for example, along the container base radially to the container axis or to the axis of the filling element or the filling tube to the outside and then from the container base in particular also along the inner surface axially upward of the container circumference results in an intensive flow of the sterilization medium and thereby an optimal sterilization of the container interior is also achieved in the lower region, ie in particular on the inner surface of the bottom, the container circumference and at the angle formed between them.
  • a disadvantage of this known filling element is, among other things, that a relatively large stroke for the container arranged on a container carrier is required for the insertion of the filling tube, which is longest for optimal sterilization, into the container - until the container lies tight against the filling element (sealing position) is. A relatively long cycle time is thus also required until the container has reached the sealing position and the pressure of the hot sterilization medium can be applied to the interior of the container, as is necessary in many cases in order to achieve an optimal result for the sterilization.
  • the object of the invention is to show a filling element in which a functional element can be moved between an upper and a lower lifting position in a particularly simple manner, depending on the respective operating state of the filling element.
  • the up and down movement of the functional element which is, for example, an element determining the fill level (for example a probe) or a sterilization tube, is carried out by at least one gaseous operating medium, which is also used to fill the containers.
  • This operating medium is, for example, an inert compressed gas and / or a sterilization medium and / or a vacuum or negative pressure.
  • Another advantage of the invention is, among other things, that in addition to the operating media used and required for filling, no further control and drive media are required for the lifting movement of the functional element.
  • the filling element according to the invention is preferably one without a filling tube or one with a short filling tube, so that a short stroke and thus a short cycle time are sufficient for attaching and removing the respective container to or from the filling element.
  • the functional element is a sterilization tube
  • this is moved from its upper stroke position to its lower stroke position, in which the lower one provided with at least one outlet opening, when attaching or after attaching the container End of this tube protrudes deep into the container, with the smallest possible distance from the bottom of the container, so that an optimal sterilization of the entire container interior is possible with a small amount of sterilization medium and in a short treatment time.
  • the sterilization tube and the parts connected to it, in particular also the actuating device provided for the movement of the tube can be designed with low mass. There is therefore no need for large mass accelerations, which is particularly important in the case of a filling machine running at high power.
  • the control elements controlling the respective filling element also control the sterilization tube and the associated actuating device in such a way that at least during the filling phase, but preferably also during a pre-stressing phase possibly preceding this filling phase, in which the interior of the container in the sealing position with the filling element is pretensioned to a predetermined pressure, the sterilization tube is in the upper stroke position in such a way that this tube is not damaged in the event of a burst or breakage, possibly defective containers, and above all is protected so that liquid contents cannot accumulate on the tube , which also contributes to increasing the quality of the sterilization.
  • the actuating device is designed such that the sterilization tube is moved into the lower stroke position by the pressure of the sterilization medium and is held there. This not only simplifies the actuating device and the associated control, but also ensures that the sterilization tube is in the lower stroke position when hot sterilization medium emerges from this tube.
  • the sterilization medium emerges at the lower end of the sterilization tube.
  • the sterilization medium fed into the container for example via a gas channel
  • the sterilization medium is discharged from the container via the lower end of the sterilization tube
  • any condensate or condensate residues to be contained in the sterilization medium drain the sterilization tube.
  • control is also possible in such a way that hot sterilization medium emerges from the sterilization tube already in the upper stroke position, which makes it possible to treat those parts with the sterilization medium that are in the area with the container even before a container is attached come into contact with the container mouth.
  • the sterilization tube is inserted into the respective container to such an extent that the sterilization medium is sufficiently applied to the container base.
  • 1 is a ring bowl which is provided on an otherwise not shown rotor of the filling machine which rotates around a vertical machine axis and which serves to fill the bottles 2 with a carbonated beverage, for example beer, under counterpressure.
  • a carbonated beverage for example beer
  • a multiplicity of filling points are formed on the circumference of the rotor or ring bowl 1, each of which has a filling element 3 and beneath it a bottle holder which can be moved up and down in the vertical direction.
  • the filling elements 3 are attached to the circumference of the ring bowl 1.
  • This forms an inner space 4 which surrounds the vertical machine axis and which is filled up to a predetermined level N with the beverage or with the liquid filling material, so that below the level N a liquid space 4 'occupied by the liquid filling material and above the level Gas space 4 '' is formed for a gas under pressure, for example inert gas (for example CO2 gas).
  • inert gas for example CO2 gas
  • Each filling element has a housing 5, in the lower part of which a liquid channel 6 is formed, which is connected at one end to the filling space 4 'and on the underside of the filling element 3 or the housing 5 a ring-shaped ring concentrically enclosing the vertical filling element axis FA Dispensing opening 7 forms.
  • the liquid valve 8 is provided, which is shown in its open position in FIG. 1.
  • This liquid valve consists of a valve body 9, which can be moved by a predetermined movement stroke in the direction of the axis FA by actuating means (not shown in more detail) and, in the closed state of the liquid valve 8, rests with a valve body surface against a valve seat formed in the liquid channel 6.
  • 10 denotes a centering bell and 11 denotes an annular seal enclosing the discharge opening 7, against which the bottle 2 located in the sealing position with the filling element 3 bears with its mouth 2 '.
  • annular residual gas channel 12 which is common to all filling elements 3, is provided in the ring bowl 1. Furthermore, a supply channel 13 for the sterilization medium, namely for water vapor, which is also common to all filling elements 3, is provided on the ring bowl 1 or on the rotor having this ring bowl.
  • Each filling element 3 has a sterilization tube 14 which is arranged coaxially with the axis FA, which is open at its lower tube end 14 'and is guided through the valve body 9 through a bore of the valve body 9 which is coaxially with the axis FA.
  • the outer diameter of the sterilization tube 14 and the inner diameter of the bore mentioned are adjusted to one another in such a way that a gas or annular channel 15 results within the valve body 9 or within a plunger-like extension 9 'which is produced in one piece with this valve body and extends upwards the underside of the filling element 3 is open and is surrounded concentrically by the annular discharge channel 7.
  • the sterilization tube 14 can be displaced in the axis FA by a predetermined stroke such that the tube end 14 'in the upper stroke position is at the same level or approximately as the same level with the lower end of the valve body 9, that is is inserted into the filling element 3 or into the valve body 9 and in the lower stroke position shown in FIG. 1 is inserted so far into the bottle 2 lying in the filling element 3 that the pipe end 14 'is in the immediate vicinity of the inner surface of the bottom 2 '' of the bottle 2 is located, or at least only so far from the floor that the floor is also sufficiently exposed to the water vapor.
  • the actuating device 16 is formed by a cylinder 17, in which a piston 18 is provided so as to be displaceable in the axis FA.
  • the upper, open end of the sterilization tube 14 is attached to the piston 18.
  • a channel 19 which is coaxial with the axis FA, via which the upper, open end of the sterilization tube 14 is connected to the side of the piston 18 facing away from this tube.
  • the space of the cylinder 17 facing away from the sterilization tube 14 above the piston 18 opens into a channel 21 which is connected to the supply channel 13 via an individually controllable and individually controllable electrical control valve 22 for each filling element 3.
  • the part or space of the cylinder 17 provided below the piston 18 can be acted upon by a pneumatic pressure of a control pressure line 45 or vented to the atmosphere via an electrically actuated control valve 23, which is again provided separately for each filling element 3.
  • each filling element 3 has three individually controllable control valves 24-26, which form a control block and control various channels, some of which are formed in the housing 5 of the filling element and some of which are in the ring bowl 1.
  • the control valves 24 - 26 are connected to the following channels:
  • a connecting channel 27 which opens into a channel 28 leading to the residual gas channel 12, and on the output side to a channel 29 which opens onto the inner surface of the cylinder 17 and which is connected to the channel 19 when the piston 18 is in the lower stroke position or when the sterilization tube 14 is in the lower stroke position.
  • the peculiarity of the filling element 3 is that when the sterilization tube 14 is in the upper stroke position, in which the control pressure is applied to the piston 18 on its underside with the control pressure, by opening the control valve 22 a steam outlet at the tube end 14 'and thus on the underside of the filling element 3 is possible in order to sterilize the parts or surfaces there and also the bottle 2 when it is placed in the region of its mouth 2 '.
  • the sterilization tube 14 is completely inserted into the bottle 2, so that the tube end 14 'is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the inner surface of the base 2' '.
  • the pressure of the sterilization medium or steam acting on the upper surface of the piston 18 when the control valve 22 is open is used, with the control valve 23 providing targeted or controlled relief of the space formed below the piston 18 of the cylinder 17 takes place.
  • the cross section of the piston 18 in comparison to the cross section of the sterilization tube 14 ensures that the sterilization medium exerts a sufficiently large pressure on the top of the piston 18, although this sterilization medium constantly emerges at the lower tube end 14 '.
  • a basic advantage is also that the retractable sterilization tube 14 only requires a small stroke despite the optimal sterilization for the bottle carrier 20, and that the retracted sterilization tube 14 is particularly useful when the bottle is in and out, but also in critical phases of the filling process , for example during the preloading of the bottle 2 to the filling pressure, is protected in the retracted state.
  • the filling element 3 enables the following mode of operation:
  • the steam flow optimally sterilizes the bottle 2 on its inner surfaces.
  • the sterilization tube 14 is also included in this sterilization, namely through the steam flow inside and outside.
  • control valve 26 is closed, so that steam is introduced into the bottle 2 via the still open control valve 22 and the sterilization tube 14 until pressure equalization with the pressure in the supply channel 13 is reached.
  • the control valve 22 is closed.
  • the vapor overpressure is discharged into the residual gas channel 12 via the control valve 26 which is opened again.
  • the control valves 24 and 25 are opened, so that inert gas passes from the gas space 4 '' into the bottle 2 via the channels 30 and 31 as well as via the ring channel 15, and in this case the residual steam via the sterilization tube 14, the channel 29, the connecting channel 27 and the channel 28 to the residual gas channel 12 is displaced. Because the tube end 14 'is provided directly on the inner surface of the base 2' ', condensate residues can also be removed from the bottle 2 during this displacement.
  • the valve 24 is closed, so that the prestressing can take place via the opened valve 25 and the channels 30 and 31.
  • the sterilization tube 14 is moved into its upper stroke position by corresponding actuation of the control valve 23, so that this tube is completely retracted into the filling element 3 and is therefore also protected against broken glass bottles.
  • the filling preferably comprises several phases, namely a slow filling phase, a quick filling phase and a subsequent slow filling phase.
  • a magnetic inductive flow meter 32 is provided for each filling element 3, which is one of the Flow rate, ie the respective bottle 2 with the amount flowing to the opened liquid valve 8 delivers a corresponding signal to a control device which, when the measured amount or volume size corresponds to a predetermined value, delivers a signal causing the closing of the liquid valve 8.
  • the sterilization tube 14 in such a way that in its lower stroke position it stands with the lower tube end 14 'on the floor at 2', in such a way that steam can escape at the same time.
  • the sterilization tube 14 is provided at the tube end 14 'or at the edge there, for example with notches or recesses, in such a way that projections are formed on the lower tube end and open recesses are formed between them toward the tube inside, tube outside and tube bottom. If the sterilization tube 14 stands with the tube end 14 'in the lower stroke position on the bottom 2''of the bottle 2, then essentially the same conditions can be achieved in the treatment of these bottles regardless of the tolerances of the bottles 2.
  • the CIP cleaning of the filling elements 3 is preferably carried out in such a way that the upper part of the cylinder 17 above the piston 18 is pressurized with the pressurized CIP media, specifically with the lower cylinder chamber vented via the control valve 23.
  • the sterilization tube 14 is thereby moved into the lower stroke position and extends over its entire length into the rinsing sleeve attached to the filling element during CIP cleaning, so that the entire length of the sterilization tube 14 is included inside and outside in the CIP cleaning can.
  • FIG. 2 shows a filling element 3a, which differs from the filling element 3 essentially only in the features mentioned below, but otherwise corresponds to the filling element 3, so that the same reference numbers are used for all elements corresponding to the filling element 3 in FIG. 2 as used in FIG. 1, which also applies to the filling elements 3b and 3c of FIGS. 3 and 4 described below.
  • the filling element 3a differs from the filling element 3 in that the actuating device 16a instead of the piston 18 has a piston 18a with a channel 19a which is connected to the upper end of the sterilization tube 14 and is only open on the peripheral surface of the piston 18a , in such a way that in the lower stroke position of the sterilization tube 14, the channel 19a communicates with a channel 34 which is formed in the cylinder 17 and leads to a further control valve 33.
  • a channel 35 is provided in the filling element 3a instead of the channel 29, which connects the valve 24 on the output side to the channel 21.
  • a connecting channel 36 is finally provided, which connects the valve 24 on the input side to the channel 31.
  • An essential difference in the operation of the filling element 3a compared to the filling element 3 is that for the steam treatment with open control valves 22, 24 and 33, a steam flow from the supply channel 13 via the ring channel 15 into the bottle 2 and from this bottle back over in his Sterilization tube 14 located at the lowest stroke position, channels 19a and 34 and control valve 33 are possible, for example, in the residual gas channel 12 or in an additional collecting channel.
  • the piston 18b of the actuating device 16b has a channel 19b, which in turn opens into the sterilization tube 14, is open at the top of the piston 18b and is offset radially with respect to the axis FA.
  • a channel 37 is provided which is connected on the output side to the control valve 24 and opens into the upper cylinder chamber at the upper end of the cylinder 17.
  • the connection channel 27 has also been omitted and the control valve 24 is also connected to the channel 30 on the input side.
  • control valve 3b on the piston has an upwardly projecting rod 38 which is guided on the top of the cylinder 17, that is to say forms an additional guide also for the sterilization tube 14.
  • the rod 38 has an axial channel 39, which is open at the top of the rod and communicates with an annular channel 40, which is located on the circumference of the piston 18b between one upper and a lower seal 41 is provided. Compressed air or steam residues can be removed via channels 40 and 39.
  • a vacuum channel 42 common to all filling elements 3b is also provided, to which each filling element 3b is connected via a control valve 43, specifically via channel 21.
  • the additional connection to the vacuum channel 42 enables vacuum treatment of the bottle 2. Furthermore, in the case of the filling element 3b, it is possible to rinse the bottle 2 via the sterilization tube 14, this tube being affected by the pressure of the inert gas or CO2 gas used for rinsing, which flows out of the gas space 4 'via the open control valve 24 and the channel 37 is supplied in the upper cylinder space of the cylinder 17, moved into the lower stroke position and held there.
  • Fig. 4 shows as a further possible embodiment, the filling element 3c, which differs from the filling element 3 essentially only in that in addition to the supply channel 13 for steam, the vacuum channel 42 is also provided, so that by correspondingly controlling the control valves 22 and 43 the channel 21 can optionally be connected to the supply channel 13 or to the vacuum channel 42.
  • the channel 21 in the filling element 3c does not open into the upper cylinder space of the cylinder 17, but rather into a channel 44 formed in this cylinder, which, when the piston 18c of the actuating device 16c or sterilization tube 14 is in the lower stroke position, leads into the channel 19c provided in the piston 18c opens, which is in constant communication with the sterilization tube 14 and in the lower stroke position also with the channel 29.
  • a control valve 23 ' is provided, both of which are connected to the control pressure or compressed air line 45 and from which the control valve 23 'controls the upper and the control valve 23 continues to control the lower cylinder space of the cylinder 17.
  • the stroke of the sterilization tube 14 is thus effected in both directions by the control pressure medium (compressed air).
  • the control pressure medium compressed air
  • the cylinder spaces of the actuating device 16c are kept completely free of such media, which also get into the respective bottle 2 or are used to treat this bottle, but with the additional control valve 23 'being accepted.
  • the procedures described above in connection with the filling element 3 are possible, but in addition, in particular, also using the vacuum in the vacuum channel 42, suction of condensate via the sterilization tube 14.
  • the sterilization tube 14 is located in the lower one Stroke position, ie The upper cylinder chamber of the cylinder 17 is acted upon by the control pressure via the control valve 23 ′ and the lower cylinder chamber is vented via the control valve 23.
  • the control valves 22, 24, 25 and 26 are closed and the control valves 43 are open, the condensate is extracted.
  • FIG. 5 shows a sterilization tube 14a, which is provided with a head or valve body 46 at its lower end 14a '.
  • a valve seat for example formed by an O-ring 47, which is provided on the valve body 9 in the region of the lower, open end of the ring channel 15.
  • the valve body 46 bears against the O-ring and thereby closes the ring channel 15.
  • the sterilization tube 14a thus simultaneously functions as a control valve.
  • the control valve 26 in the filling elements 3, 3a, 3b and 3c can be dispensed with, the channel 28 then being connected directly to the channel 31, however.
  • the rod 38 is preferably formed in one piece with the sterilization tube 14 of a length of a tube profile, the interior of which Pipe profile is closed in the region of the piston 18b, so that the sterilization tube 14 and the channel 39 separate from this tube result.
  • the flow meters 32 can also be used instead of the flow meters 32, e.g. Light or ultrasound sensors that scan the level of the liquid contents in the container via a return gas path or the sterilization tube.
  • the sterilization tube can be designed as an element that determines the filling height, preferably with a light or ultrasound sensor.
  • Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a filling element 3d, which differs from the filling element 3 of Figure 1 essentially only in that a treatment of the bottles 2 with the sterilization medium (water vapor) is not provided and accordingly instead of the sterilization tube 14 in the direction of the filling element axis FA axially displaceable filling height-determining probe 48 is used.
  • a treatment of the bottles 2 with the sterilization medium water vapor
  • the filling element 3d has a housing 5 which is fastened to the outer surface of the ring bowl 1 and in which, among other things, the liquid channel 6 with the liquid valve 8 formed by the valve body 9 is provided.
  • the valve body 9 In addition to the upwardly extending tubular or plunger-like extension 9 ', the valve body 9 also has a lower tubular extension 9'', which is located in a bottle with its mouth 2' via the seal 11 of the centering tulip 10 in a sealing position with the filling element 3d 2 with a short length through this mouth 2 'into the bottle. Between the outer surface and the inner surface of the valve body 9 and the extensions 9 ′ and 9 ′′, an annular channel 49 corresponding to the ring channel is formed, which is open at the lower end of the extension 9 ′′ and opens into a space 50 ′ of the channel 50 at the top , which, like the channels 51-55, are formed partly in the housing 5 and partly in the ring bowl 1.
  • the filling element 3d has three individually controllable control valves 56, 57 and 58 and an actuating device 16d, which is formed by a piston 18d which can be moved up and down in a cylinder 59 in the direction of the filling element axis FA.
  • the probe 48 With the actuating device 16d, the probe 48 is between a lowered working position (in the lifting position) in FIG. 6, in which the probe 48 projects beyond the lower end of the extension 9 ′′ and with its lower probe tip 48 ′, which forms the active part of the probe. extends through the mouth 2 'into the interior of the bottle, and a raised rest position (upper stroke position) is movable, in which the probe tip 48' is received by the extension 9 '' and is protected by it. For movement, the probe 48 is slidably guided in the area of its upper end on the top and bottom of the cylinder 49.
  • the piston 18d is fixedly provided on the probe 48.
  • the channels 50-55 and the control valves 56-58 are connected as follows:
  • Control valve 58
  • a vacuum channel 61 which is common to all filling elements 3d of the filling machine and is provided in the ring bowl 1.
  • the channel 55 there is also a connection between the channel 50 and the pressure or cylinder space 62 formed above the piston 18d.
  • the openings of the channels 54 and 55 into the pressure spaces 60 and 62 are located at the lower and upper, respectively Wall delimiting pressure chambers.
  • the check valve 57 is designed such that it allows a flow of fluid from the cylinder space 60 into the cylinder space 62 through the opening 66, but blocks a flow of fluid in the opposite direction.
  • the basic advantage of the filling element 3d is that the movement of the probe 48 between the upper stroke position and the lower stroke position takes place through the treatment medium, namely through the inert gas used for the prestressing, specifically controlled by one of the bottles 2 when filling necessary and thus existing control valves, namely using the control valve 56.
  • the filler element 3d enables the following mode of operation, the following description starting from the closed state of the control valves 56-58, unless the open state of a control valve is expressly indicated in a special method step:
  • control valve 56 is opened.
  • the bottle 2 arranged in the sealing position with the filling element 3b is evacuated by means of the vacuum channel 61.
  • a vacuum is also established in the cylinder chamber 62 via the channel 55, by means of which the transmitter 48 is moved into the upper stroke position if this position is not already present.
  • control valve 57 is opened so that gas from the return gas channel 12 via the channels 52 and 54 into the cylinder chamber 60, from there via the opening check valve 65 also into the cylinder chamber 62 and from there via the channel 55 into the annular channel 49 from which the gas enters bottle 2. Since both pressure chambers 60 and 62 are subjected to essentially the same pressure, the pressure in the cylinder chamber 60 being greater due to a pressure drop in the openings 64 and 66, the piston 18b and thus the probe 48 remain in the upper stroke position.
  • control valve 56 is opened, whereby the pressure of the gas space 4 ′′ in the cylinder space 62, which is above the pressure of the return gas channel 12, is effective via the channels 50, 51 and 55, causing the piston 8d and with it the probe 48 into the lower stroke position can be moved.
  • the interior of the bottle 2 is connected to the gas space 4 ′′, so that on the one hand the bottles 2 are pretensioned with the gas from the gas space 4 ′′ and on the other hand (after opening the liquid valve 8) the gas displaced from the bottle 2 during filling is returned to the gas space 4 ′′.
  • control valve 57 is opened so that a connection to the return gas channel 12 is provided via the ring channel 49, the channel 55, the cylinder chamber 62, the throttle 63, the cylinder chamber 60, the channel 54 and the channel 52 for filling from the bottle 2 displaced gas.
  • the filling speed in this slow filling phase is determined by the throttle 63 provided in the piston 18d.
  • the pressure in the cylinder chamber 62 (filling pressure) is higher than the pressure in the cylinder chamber 60 (return gas pressure), so that the probe 48 remains in its lower working position.
  • the actual filling phase was ended by closing the liquid valve 8.
  • the control valve 57 remains open for the preliminary relief.
  • the pressure in the bottle 2 is then slowly reduced to the pressure level of the return gas channel 12. At the end of this process there is a pressure equalization between the pressure spaces 60 and 62.
  • the piston 18d and the probe 48 remain in the lower stroke position.
  • the control valve 57 is briefly opened again, so that the pressure in the return gas channel 12, which is above atmospheric pressure, is applied to the cylinder space 60 via the channels 52 and 54, and thus the piston 18d and the probe 48 in their upper stroke position are moved back, ie the probe is moved with its probe tip 48 'out of the bottle 2 and drawn into the extension 9' '.
  • a spring is designated by 67, which balances the weight of the piston 18d and the probe 48 at least to such an extent that the probe 48 remains in any stroke position without the action of a treatment medium on the piston 18d.
  • the spring 67 also serves as an electrical connection or connection element between the probe 48 and an electrical connection or conductor on the housing side.
  • the filling element 3d has the advantage that no additional operating media (e.g. compressed air, electrical storm) are required for the movement of the probe 48.
  • the filling element 3b and in particular also the actuating device 16d can be easily cleaned, using the following cleaning methods:
  • the liquid cleaning medium passes from the return gas channel 12 via the channels 52 and 54 into the cylinder chamber 60 and from there via the throttle 63 and above all via the check valve 65 into the cylinder chamber 62, from where the cleaning medium then can flow into the CIP return.
  • the Piston 16d and the probe 48 are in the upper stroke position and are held in this position because the pressure drop in the openings 64 and 66 increases the pressure in the cylinder space 60 than in the cylinder space 62.
  • the liquid cleaning medium passes from the boiler interior 4 via the opened liquid valve 8 and a rinsing sleeve, which is not shown, but is in the sealing position with the filling element 3d in the same way as the bottle 2, into the annular channel 49 and from there via the channel 50 and the channel 55 into the cylinder space 62.
  • the pressure of the cleaning medium moves the piston 18d and the probe 48 into the lower position and holds it there.
  • the cleaning medium flows through the nozzle or throttle 63 into the cylinder chamber 60 and from there via the channel 54 and the opened control valve 57 into the return gas channel 12.
  • both pressure spaces 60 and 62 are thus included in the CIP cleaning cycle.
  • Figure 7 shows in a similar representation as Figure 6, a filling element 3e, which differs from the filling element 3d essentially only in that the channels 52, 53 and 54, the control valves 57 and 58 and the vacuum channel 61 are omitted and instead of Channel 53 a channel 68 is provided, which constantly connects the return gas channel 12 to the cylinder space 60, in the region of the lower end face of the cylinder 59.
  • a channel 68 is provided, which constantly connects the return gas channel 12 to the cylinder space 60, in the region of the lower end face of the cylinder 59.
  • the control valve 56 is opened so that a connection between the gas space 4 ′′ and the interior of the bottle 2 is established for prestressing via the channels 50 and 51 and the annular channel 49.
  • the cylinder chamber 62 is acted upon via the channel 55 by the higher pressure of the gas chamber 4 ′′ compared to the pressure in the return gas channel 12, so that the piston 18d and the probe 48 move into their lower stroke position and the probe 48 with the probe tip 48 '' is inserted into bottle 2 and thereby assumes its measuring position.
  • control valve 56 is closed, so that the gas displaced during filling from the bottle 2 via the annular channel 49, the channel 55, the cylinder space 62, the throttle 63, the cylinder space 60 and Channel 68 can flow into the return gas channel 12. Since the pressure in the cylinder chamber 62 is still higher than in the cylinder chamber 60, the probe 48 remains in the lower stroke position.
  • the liquid valve 8 is closed. Immediately after the liquid valve 8 is closed, the pressure in the bottle 2 decreases via the nozzle 63 to the pressure level of the return gas channel 12.
  • the pressure in the return gas duct 12 is set to an overpressure, for example between 0.5 and 1.0 bar. At the end of the preliminary relief, there is a pressure equalization between the pressure spaces 60 and 62. The probe 48 remains in the lower stroke position.
  • the actuating device 16d can also be cleaned, namely:
  • the cleaning medium passes from the return gas channel 12 into the cylinder chamber 60 and from there partly via the throttle 63 and partly via the check valve 65 into the cylinder chamber 62, from which the cleaning medium via the channel 55 and the annular channel 49 reaches a flushing bell provided on the filling element, from which it then flows out into the interior 4 of the boiler via the opened liquid valve.
  • the piston 18d and the probe 48 are moved into the upper stroke position by the pressure of the cleaning medium.
  • the cleaning medium passes from the interior 4 of the boiler via the annular channel 49 and the channel 55 into the cylinder chamber 62 and from there via the nozzle 63 into the cylinder chamber 60, from which the cleaning medium then flows via the channel 68 flows to the return gas duct 12. Due to the higher pressure of the cleaning medium in the cylinder chamber 62, the piston 18 and the probe 48 are moved downward.
  • the filling element according to the invention can also be used for filling cans.
  • All control valves of the filling elements 3, 3a - 3d, including the liquid valves of these filling elements, are controlled in a filling machine by a central control device.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
EP94103201A 1993-03-10 1994-03-03 Tête de remplissage pour embouteilleuse pour remplir de bouteilles ou des récipients similaires avec un liquide Withdrawn EP0614850A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4307521A DE4307521C2 (de) 1993-03-10 1993-03-10 Füllelement für Füllmaschinen zum Abfüllen eines flüssigen Füllgutes in Flaschen o. dgl. Behälter
DE4307521 1993-03-10
DE4338669 1993-11-12
DE19934338669 DE4338669A1 (de) 1993-11-12 1993-11-12 Füllelement für Füllmaschinen zum Abfüllen eines flüssigen Füllgutes in Flaschen oder dergleichen Behälter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0614850A1 true EP0614850A1 (fr) 1994-09-14

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EP94103201A Withdrawn EP0614850A1 (fr) 1993-03-10 1994-03-03 Tête de remplissage pour embouteilleuse pour remplir de bouteilles ou des récipients similaires avec un liquide

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Country Link
US (1) US5445194A (fr)
EP (1) EP0614850A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

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EP0705788A3 (fr) * 1994-09-24 1996-06-12 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Procédé pour remplir des bouteilles ou des récipients similaires avec un produit liquide
EP0752388A1 (fr) * 1995-07-05 1997-01-08 KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Tête de remplissage
EP0829450A1 (fr) * 1996-09-11 1998-03-18 KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Méthode de nettoyage d'une machine de remplissage au moyen d'une installation CIP ainsi que machine de remplissage
DE102006051237A1 (de) * 2006-10-31 2008-05-08 Khs Ag Spülgaseinbringung in Getränkedosen
DE102007040262A1 (de) * 2007-08-24 2009-02-26 Khs Ag Füllelement und Verfahren zur sauerstoffarmen Füllung großvolumiger Behälter mit einem flüssigen Füllgut

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IT1292602B1 (it) * 1997-06-06 1999-02-08 Gabriele Stocchi Processo per il riempimento di contenitori simultaneamente alla loro sterilizzazione.
DE19855975C1 (de) 1998-12-04 2000-03-30 Crown Simplimatic Inc N D Ges Getränkefüllorgan mit Rückgasrohr
US6131624A (en) * 1999-01-19 2000-10-17 Crown Simplimatic Incorporated Filling valve assembly
US6481468B1 (en) 1999-02-02 2002-11-19 Steuben Foods Incorporated Apparatus and method for providing container filling in an aseptic processing apparatus
DE10012684A1 (de) * 2000-03-15 2001-09-20 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Einrichtung zur Rückgewinnung eines inerten Gases
ES2603060T3 (es) * 2000-11-01 2017-02-23 Elliott Company Disposición de válvula de alta estabilidad para una válvula de regulador
DE20110362U1 (de) * 2001-06-22 2001-08-30 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Füllrohrloses Füllelement für eine Füllmaschine zum sauerstoffarmen Abfüllen eines Getränks
ITBO20030411A1 (it) * 2003-07-03 2005-01-04 Stk Stocchi Progetti S R L Rubinetto per il riempimento sterile di liquidi alimentari.
CN1835886A (zh) * 2003-08-16 2006-09-20 克罗内斯股份公司 背压灌装设备和用于背压灌装的方法
US7306200B2 (en) * 2005-05-25 2007-12-11 Progress Materials, Inc. Controlled rate feeder systems for fine particle solids and methods thereof
DE102008029208A1 (de) * 2008-06-19 2009-12-24 Krones Ag Freistrahlfüllsystem
MX2011012864A (es) * 2009-06-05 2012-02-23 Sidel Spa Con Socio Unico Maquina de llenado y metodo de llenado de un envase.
DE102010024522A1 (de) * 2010-06-21 2011-12-22 Khs Gmbh Verfahren sowie Füllelement zum Druckfüllen von Behältern mit einem flüssigen Füllgut
EP2582612A1 (fr) * 2010-06-21 2013-04-24 Sidel S.p.A. Con Socio Unico Vanne de remplissage
FR2994691B1 (fr) * 2012-08-24 2014-09-05 Philippe Perrier Procede et machine pour le remplissage de recipients
CN105692527B (zh) * 2013-03-22 2018-11-27 百事可乐公司 容器填充系统和用于容器填充系统的阀
EP4015443A1 (fr) * 2014-07-21 2022-06-22 Patent Agencies Limited Machine de remplissage
DE102018122062B4 (de) * 2018-09-11 2021-07-08 Khs Gmbh Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Befüllen von Behältern mit einem flüssigen Füllgut
DE102019108829A1 (de) * 2019-04-04 2020-10-08 Khs Gmbh Verfahren zum Füllen von Behältern mit einem flüssigen Füllgut
FR3101074B1 (fr) * 2019-09-19 2021-10-01 Pep Tech Procédé et machine pour remplir un récipient à un niveau souhaité de liquide

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FR1528477A (fr) * 1967-06-14 1968-06-07 Robinet automatique pour le soutirage de boissons gazeuses ou non
EP0318463A1 (fr) * 1984-10-02 1989-05-31 SIMONAZZI A. & L. S.p.A. Machine de remplissage travaillant en continu
DE3809852A1 (de) * 1988-03-24 1989-10-05 Seitz Enzinger Noll Masch Verfahren zum aseptischen bzw. sterilen abfuellen von fluessigem fuellgut in behaelter sowie vorrichtung zum durchfuehren dieses verfahrens
WO1991018823A1 (fr) * 1990-06-06 1991-12-12 Krones Ag, Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik Procede et dispositif de remplissage sterile de recipients avec des boissons

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0705788A3 (fr) * 1994-09-24 1996-06-12 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Procédé pour remplir des bouteilles ou des récipients similaires avec un produit liquide
EP0752388A1 (fr) * 1995-07-05 1997-01-08 KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Tête de remplissage
EP0829450A1 (fr) * 1996-09-11 1998-03-18 KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Aktiengesellschaft Méthode de nettoyage d'une machine de remplissage au moyen d'une installation CIP ainsi que machine de remplissage
DE102006051237A1 (de) * 2006-10-31 2008-05-08 Khs Ag Spülgaseinbringung in Getränkedosen
US9067698B2 (en) 2006-10-31 2015-06-30 Khs Gmbh Method for the filling of beverage cans in a beverage can filling plant, a method for the filling of cans in a can filling plant, and an apparatus therefor
DE102006051237B4 (de) * 2006-10-31 2015-09-10 Khs Gmbh Spülgaseinbringung in Getränkedosen
DE102007040262A1 (de) * 2007-08-24 2009-02-26 Khs Ag Füllelement und Verfahren zur sauerstoffarmen Füllung großvolumiger Behälter mit einem flüssigen Füllgut
US9181074B2 (en) 2007-08-24 2015-11-10 Khs Gmbh Container filling plant for filling containers, such as demijohns and kegs, which filling plant has filler elements for filling of large volume containers with a liquid product, and method therefor

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