EP0775668A1 - Filling machine and filling head for such a machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has one flow meter (29) in the liquid channel (7) for each filling element and a second flow meter (35) in the feeder line (31) to each filling element (3). The flow meters are connected to the electronic circuitry (27) which controls a liquid valve (10) and a dosing valve (33) in the feeder line according to the signals of both flow meters so that desired mixture is achieved. The dosing valve for each filling element of the filling machine is separately and individually controlled. The control electronics control the dosing valve arrangement so that the additive is added before and/or during the filling phase with the liquid valve open.

Description

The invention relates to a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling element for use in such a machine according to the preamble of claim 11.

Competition among beverage producers has led to a steady increase in the number of types of drinks on the market in recent years. For example, In the market segment of soft drinks (e.g. lemonades) and fruit drinks, a wide range of different flavors is offered, which include the entire range of fruit types, aromatics, etc. suitable for beverage production. There are also variants of reduced-calorie products. Beverage manufacturers are therefore forced to switch their filling systems to different products at shorter and shorter intervals. With the filling systems currently used, this leads to a considerable reduction in the output and thus to increased production costs, since these systems are not very suitable for high product change cycles.

The filling machines for soft drinks or fruit juice beverages customary today generally consist of the filling machine and an upstream beverage mixing system (mixer), in which the individual components, namely the liquid base product (e.g. water + CO2) and an additive, e.g. syrup, fruit syrup or a other concentrate containing the flavorings, the filling or finished drink is mixed. A product change means that both the filling machine and the mixer have to be changed, i.e. Both units have to be emptied, rinsed and refilled with new product.

A filling tube for filling different liquids into bottles or similar containers is already known (DE-PS 968 900). It is provided here that the different liquids are successively poured into the bottle in question to initiate, namely via several channels provided separately in a filling tube, each of which form discharge openings spatially offset from one another on the filling tube.

The object of the invention is to show a filling machine or a filling element for such a machine, which, if the basic product is optimally mixed with the respective additive, enables this additive to be metered precisely.

To solve this problem, a filling system is designed according to the characterizing part of claim 1 or a filling element for this system according to the characterizing part of claim 11.

In the invention, a quantity or volume measurement of the base product flowing into the respective container and the additive to be mixed is carried out with two independent flow meters, both of which cooperate with control electronics, which then both the respective liquid valve and a metering valve device in the feed line of each filling element for the Additional controls. This metering valve device is preferably a valve which can be switched between two states, i.e. can only assume two states, namely a closed state or an open state.

The addition is preferably carried out with the liquid valve open, so that intimate mixing takes place during filling. The addition of the additive can also take place in several successive stages, for example in such a way that the valve forming the metering valve device is opened and closed several times for a short time, the number of openings of this valve corresponding to the desired proportion of additive or concentrate during a filling phase .

Developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Schnittdarstellung ein füllrohrloses Füllelement einer Gegendruck-Füllmaschine rotierender Bauart zusammen mit dem Ringkessel der Füllmaschine sowie mit einer an das Füllelement angesetzten Flasche;

Fig. 2

in sehr vereinfachter Teildarstellung eine weitere Ausführung eines Füllelementes der Erfindung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified sectional view, a filler tube-less filling element of a counter-pressure filling machine of rotating design together with the ring bowl of the filling machine and with a bottle attached to the filling element;

Fig. 2

in a very simplified partial representation, a further embodiment of a filling element of the invention.

In FIG. 1, 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 for filling bottles 2 under counterpressure with a carbonated drink, which as drink components comprises at least one liquid basic drink or basic product and contains at least one additive. These beverage components are, for example, water + CO2 in the case of soft drinks and a concentrate (for example syrup) containing the flavorings.

A multiplicity of filling points are formed on the circumference of the ring bowl 1, each of which has a filling element 3 and, below this, a bottle carrier 4 which can be moved up and down in the vertical direction.

The ring bowl 1 forms an inner space 5 which surrounds the vertical machine axis in an annular manner and which is filled up to a predetermined level N with the carbonated base product (for example water + CO2), so that below the level N a liquid space 5 'occupied by the base product and above that Levels N a gas space 5 ″ is formed for the CO2 gas under pressure P1.

Each filler element has a housing 6 in which a liquid channel 7 is formed, which is connected at one end to a passage 8 with the liquid space 5 'and on the underside of the filler element 3 or the housing 6 a concentrically enclosing the vertical filler element axis FA annular discharge opening 9 forms.

In the liquid channel 7, the liquid valve 10 is provided, which is shown in its closed position in FIG. 1. This liquid valve consists of the valve body 11, which is movable for opening and closing by a predetermined movement stroke in the direction of the axis FA, namely by a pneumatic actuating device 12, and which, in the closed state of the liquid valve 10, bears against a valve seat formed in the liquid channel 7. With 13 a centering tulip is designated, which has an annular seal 14 against which the bottle 2 located in the sealing position with the filling element abuts with its mouth 2 '.

Each filling element 3 has a return gas pipe 15, which is arranged coaxially with the axis FA, on which the valve body 11 is provided and which extends upward through the liquid channel 7 to the actuating device 12. With its lower end, the return gas tube 15 protrudes beyond the underside of the housing 6, extends into the mouth region of this bottle when the bottle 2 is pressed on, and is connected with the upper open end to a space 16 formed in the housing 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, each filling element 3 has two individually controllable and pneumatically operated control valves 17 and 18, which form a control block and control various channels, some of which are formed in the housing 6, but some are in the ring bowl 1. In particular, the control valves 17 and 18 are connected to the following channels.

Control valve 17:

On the input side to a connecting channel 19, which is partly formed in the ring bowl 1 and partly in the housing 6 and is connected to the gas space 5 ″ and
on the output side with a channel 20 which opens into room 16.

Control valve 18:

On the input side with a channel 21 and
on the output side with a connecting channel 22, which is partly formed in the housing 6 and partly in the ring bowl 1 and opens into a return gas channel 23, which is a ring channel that is common to all filling elements 3 and surrounds the vertical machine axis in a ring.

Parallel to the channel 21 is a channel 24 with a check valve and throttle. The check valve is designed so that it opens for a flow from the channel 20 into the channel 22, blocks for a flow in the reverse direction.

• mit Vorspannen bei geöffnetem Steuerventil 17 und geschlossenem Steuerventil 18 sowie geschlossenem Flüssigkeitsventil 10,
• mit langsamem Anfüllen bei geöffnetem Flüssigkeitventil 10 und geschlossenen Steuerventilen 17 und 18 während der Füllphase,
• mit Schnellfüllen bei geöffnetem Flüssigkeitsventil 10 und geöffnetem Steuerventil 18 während der Füllphase,
• mit langsamem Füllen am Ende der Füllphase bei geöffnetem Flüssigkeitsventil 10 und geschlossenen Steuerventilen 17 und 18,
• mit Beendigung des Füllvorganges durch Schließen des Flüssigkeitsventiles 10 und
• mit Entspannen der gefüllten Flasche 2 durch Öffnen des Steuerventiles 18.

With the individually controllable control valves 17 and 18, the usual filling of the bottle in the sealing position with the filling element 3 is possible

• with pretensioning with open control valve 17 and closed control valve 18 and closed liquid valve 10,
• with slow filling when the liquid valve 10 is open and the control valves 17 and 18 are closed during the filling phase,
• with quick filling with the liquid valve 10 open and the control valve 18 open during the filling phase,
• with slow filling at the end of the filling phase with the liquid valve 10 open and the control valves 17 and 18 closed,
• at the end of the filling process by closing the liquid valve 10 and
• relaxing the filled bottle 2 by opening the control valve 18.

The actuation device 12 is controlled by an electronic control device 27, which is preferably a computer-assisted control device, via an electrically controllable pneumatic valve 28, which is provided individually for each actuation device 12.

In the same way, the control valves 17 and 18 are likewise controlled via a pneumatic control valve which is controlled by the control device 27 and is not shown in the figure.

In particular, the closing of the liquid valve 10 is initiated via the control device 27 by a signal from a flow meter 29, which is preferably a magnetic-inductive flow meter (MID), specifically when a predetermined amount of base product is in the sealing position with the filling element 3 Bottle 2 has reached.

30 with a channel on the rotor or ring bowl of the filling machine for all filling elements 3 is designated which guides the additive (concentrate) to be added to the base product with a pressure P2. To the ring channel 30, a separate channel 31 is connected for each filling element 3, which opens into the liquid channel 7 of this filling element 3, based on the direction of flow of the base product when the liquid valve 10 is open, immediately before this liquid valve or the valve seat, as is the case with the Opening 32 is indicated. In the line 31 there is a pneumatically controllable control valve 33, which is also controlled by the control device 27 via a pneumatic valve 34 and is closed in the idle state, and a flow meter 35 which supplies its measurement signal to the control device 27 and is also preferably a MID. The pressure P2 is preferably greater than the span gas pressure P1 in the gas space 5 ″.

The admixture of the additive, that is to say the opening of the control valve 33, takes place, for example, at the beginning of the filling phase, ie after the opening of the liquid valve 10, for example in the slow filling phase, the control valve 33 remaining open until a predetermined amount of additive has been measured by the flow meter 35 has been. As soon as this is the case, the control valve 33 is closed by the measurement signal of the flow meter 35. Since the admixture of the additive takes place when the liquid valve 10 is open, it is prevented that additive can reach the interior 5 via the liquid channel 7. At the same time it is also achieved that the Flow through the relatively narrow annular channel formed between the open valve body 11, the end of the return gas tube 15 projecting downwards via this valve body and the wall delimiting the liquid channel 7, and through liquid guide or swirl elements which are present there and flow along the filling material when the liquid valve 10 is open cause the inner surface of the wall of the bottle 2, an intimate mixing of the additive and the base product takes place, further mixing within the bottle 2 being ensured in the rapid filling phase.

As shown in Figure 1, the opening 32 is in the immediate vicinity of the valve seat of the liquid valve 10, i.e. the opening 32 has a distance from this valve seat in the direction of the axis FA which is substantially smaller than the distance which the opening 32 has in the direction of the axis FA from the passage 8. This contributes significantly to the fact that no additive reaches the liquid space 5 'via the passage 8.

The filling machine has the advantage that in the manufacture and filling of soft drinks, mixing devices upstream of the filling machine can be dispensed with and the end product is mixed directly in the filling machine.

The filling machine described enables simple cleaning of the ring bowl 1 and the channels formed in the filling elements 3 in the usual form (CIP cleaning), but also simple cleaning of the ring channel 30 and the lines 31 for the concentrate.

The mixing ratio between the additive and the base product is predefined in the control device 27 or in a data memory there by corresponding input and can be changed if desired. Different mixing ratios are preferably predefined in the control device 27 for different finished beverages, so that when a product is changed only that new product or a corresponding identifier on the input device of the control device 27 must be entered by the operating personnel.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment which differs from the embodiment of Fig. 1 essentially in that each line 31 for admixing the additive does not open at an opening 32 in the liquid channel 7, but in a concentrically provided in the return gas pipe 15 and from a tube 36 formed concentrate feed. The tube 36 protrudes somewhat from the underside of the return gas tube 15 and is open there and has such a small cross section that the concentrate is retained in the concentrate feed when the control valve 33 is closed. In this embodiment, for example, the admixture of the additive with the predetermined amount also takes place parallel to the entry of the base product into the respective bottle 2, i.e. with the liquid valve 10 open.

Since the amounts of additive required for the filling process are significantly lower than the amounts required for the base product and accordingly the cross sections for both the annular channel 30 and for the lines 31 and the pipes 36 can be kept very small, one is also easy and quick product change possible. For this purpose, the old additive is pressed out of the lines 31 and the pipes 36 using water as a separating agent. The filling process can continue until the resulting mixing zones of additive and water in the lines 31 are directly in front of the filling elements 3. The ring channel 30 and the lines 31 are then flushed out with a suitable flushing medium, for example with hot water, namely with the control valves 33 open and the liquid valves 10 closed. The ring channel 30 is then acted upon with the new control valves 33 which are still open, which then adds the the lines 31 and the tubes 36 water remaining at the filling elements 3 or at the openings of the tubes 36 are pushed out into the open. If this state has occurred, the control valves 33 are closed, so that the filling machine is then ready for filling with the new product.

Due to the relatively small cross-sections of the feeders for the additive, a product change is possible in a short, timely manner. The base product remains unaffected under pressure in the ring bowl 1 during the change of concentrate.

The invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It goes without saying that changes and modifications are possible without departing from the inventive idea on which the invention is based. For example, a filling element with or without a filling tube can also be used.

Reference list

1

rotor

2nd

bottle

2 '

Bottle mouth

3rd

Filling element

4th

Bottle carrier

5

inner space

5 '

Space for basic product

5 ''

Gas space

6

casing

7

Liquid channel

8th

Passage

9

Delivery opening

10th

Liquid valve

11

Valve body

12th

Actuator

13

Centering tulip

14

poetry

15

Return gas pipe

16

room

17, 18

Control valve

19-22

channel

23

Return gas duct

24th

channel

27

Control device

28

Pneumatic valve

29

Flow meter

30th

channel

31

management

32

opening

33

Control valve

34

Pneumatic valve

35

Flow meter

36

pipe

Claims (20)

Filling machine for filling a liquid filling material into bottles (2) or similar containers, the filling material consisting of at least one liquid base product and at least one liquid additive added to this base product during filling, with filling elements (3, 3a), each of which has a liquid valve ( 10) which have a liquid channel (7) and form a discharge opening (9), via which the base product flows to the respective container (2) attached to the respective filling element (3, 3a) in a filling phase with the liquid valve open, and with a feed ( 31, 36), via which each filler element (3, 3a) the additive is controlled or metered in an amount which corresponds to the desired mixing ratio between base product and additive in the respective container (2) after filling, characterized in that in Liquid channel (7) of each filling element (3) a first flow meter (29) and in the supply ng (31, 36) of each filling element (3) a second flow meter (35) is provided, which cooperate with a control electronics (27), which the liquid valve (10) and a metering valve device (33) provided in the feeder (31) in dependence controls signals from both flow meters (29, 35) in such a way that the desired mixing ratio is achieved. Filling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the metering valve device (33) is provided separately and individually controllable for each filling element (3, 3a) of the filling machine. Filling machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control electronics (27) controls the metering valve device (33) in such a way that the addition takes place before and / or during the filling phase with the liquid valve (10) open. Filling machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the control electronics (27) the metering valve device (33) for adding the additive before and / or after the time Opening the liquid valve (10) opens. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed (31) opens into the liquid channel (7) of the respective filling element (3, 3a), namely in front of the liquid valve (10) in relation to the direction of flow of the base product when the liquid valve ( 10). Filling machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the feed (31) opens into the liquid channel (7) of the respective filling element (3, 3a) at a distance from the liquid valve or from a valve seat of this liquid valve, which (distance) is significantly smaller than the distance to a passage (8) through which the liquid channel (7) communicates with a boiler (5) or a feed for the base product. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed has a pipe section (36) which is guided centrally through a return gas pipe (15) of the filling element (3a) and has a lower, open end for dispensing the additive. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a channel (30) for the addition common to all filling elements (3, 3a), to which (channel) the feed (31, 36) of each filling element (3, 3a) is connected. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the flow meters (29, 35) of each filling element (3, 3a) is formed by an MID. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling elements (3, 3a) are those without a filling tube. Filling element for filling machines for filling a liquid filling material into bottles (2) or similar containers, the filling material consisting of at least one liquid base product and at least one liquid additive added to this base product during filling, with a liquid valve (10) and a discharge opening ( 9) forming liquid channel (7), via which the base product flows to the respective container (2) attached to the filling element (3, 3a) in a filling phase with the liquid valve (10) open, and with a feed (31, 32; 36) , via which the additive is controlled or metered in an amount which corresponds to the desired mixing ratio between base product and additive in the respective container (2) after filling, characterized in that a first one in the liquid channel (7) of the filling element (3) Flow meter (29) and in the feed (31) for the addition a second flow meter (35 ) are provided which interact with control electronics (27) which control the liquid valve (10) and a metering valve device (33) provided in the feed (31) in dependence on signals from both flow meters (29, 35) such that the desired mixing ratio is reached. Filling element according to claim 11, characterized in that the metering valve device (33) is provided separately and individually controllable for each filling element (3, 3a) of the filling machine. Filling element according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the control electronics (27) controls the metering valve device (33) such that the addition of the additive takes place during the filling phase with the liquid valve (10) open. Filling element according to claim 13, characterized in that the control electronics (27) open the metering valve device (33) for the admixing of the additive in time after the opening of the liquid valve (10). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed (31) opens into the liquid channel (7), specifically in front of the liquid valve (10) in relation to the direction of flow of the base product when the liquid valve (10) is open. Filling element according to claim 15, characterized in that the feed (31) opens into the liquid channel (7) at a distance from the liquid valve or from a valve seat of this liquid valve which (distance) is significantly smaller than the distance to a passage (8 ), via which the liquid channel (7) is connected to a boiler (5) or a feed for the base product. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed has a pipe section (36) which is guided centrally through a return gas pipe (15) of the filling element (3a) and has a lower, open end for dispensing the additive. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the flow meters (29, 35) is formed by an MID. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is one without a filling tube. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is one with a filling tube.

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