EP1162167B1 - Method and device for filling bottles, cans and similar containers with a liquid product - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for filling bottles, cans or the same container with a liquid filling, in particular with drinks according to Preamble of claim 1 and a filling machine according to the preamble Claim 19. In EP-A-697 369 such a Process or machine described.

It is common today to have carbonated drinks before bottling or similar containers in a mixing system upstream of a filling machine by mixing water with at least one further component and by subsequent carbonation (carbonization) the latter in a carbonation device, which is part of the mixing system or is a separate device. Among other things, this means that in addition to the filling machine a carbonation device is necessary.

The object of the invention is to demonstrate a method which simplifies the manufacture of bottled carbonated products, in particular also of carbonated beverages.

To solve this problem are a method according to claim 1 and a filling machine for performing this method according to the Claim 19 trained.

The peculiarity of the invention is that the displacement of the contents with Carbonic acid, i.e. not carbonizing the product in one Carbonation device, but in the filling machine, i.e. in the respective Container is done.

The filling material, for example water or a fully mixed beverage without CO2 or with a reduced or negligible CO2 content, the container at the supplied each filling point and only mixed with CO2 gas there so that the The contents in the container finally have the required CO2 content.

With the method according to the invention e.g. in the production of bottled CO2-containing drinks, such as mineral or table waters, lemonades, etc. on the Previously necessary carbonization device or system upstream of the filler to be dispensed with. It is also particularly possible, for example, drinks that are in be mixed in a tank and fed directly to the filling machine.

Fig. 1

in sehr vereinfachter schematischer Darstellung und in Draufsicht eine Füllmaschine umlaufender Bauart zum Füllen von Flaschen;

Fig. 2

in vereinfachter Darstellung ein Füllelement der Füllmaschine der Figur 1.

Developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using an exemplary embodiment, which show:

Fig. 1

in a very simplified schematic representation and in plan view a filling machine of the rotating type for filling bottles;

Fig. 2

a filling element of the filling machine of FIG. 1 in a simplified representation.

The filling machine, generally designated 1 in the figures, is used for filling Containers, namely bottles 2 with a liquid filling material in the form of a Beverages, for example with lemonades, table and mineral water, and then adding the filling material in the respective bottle 2 with carbon dioxide or CO2 gas (carbonization). The filling machine 1 has in a known manner a rotor 3 rotating around a vertical machine axis in uniform Angular spacing distributes a large number of filling points, each by one Filling element 4 and a container carrier 5 are formed, which in the illustrated Embodiment, the respective bottle 2 on a bottle neck in the area of Bottle mouth 2 'formed behind and controlled by a fixed flange Lift curve 6 and a lifting cylinder 7 a vertical lifting movement for lifting and Lowering the bottle 2 against the associated filling element 4 or from this performs.

The upright bottles 2 are placed on one by a conveyor 8 Bottle inlet 9 fed to filling stations 4/5 individually. The filled bottles 2 with the carbonized contents are filled at a bottle outlet 10 4/5 removed and handed over to the transporter 8. The rotor 3 is in the direction of arrow A of Figure 1 driven all round.

• Spülen der jeweiligen Flasche 2 mit CO2-Gas,
• Füllen der jeweiligen Flasche 2 mit dem flüssigen, CO2-freien Füllgut (Getränk),
• Vorspannen der gefüllten Flasche mit CO2-Gas,
• Karbonisieren des Füllgutes,
• Beruhigen und Vorentlasten der mit dem karbonisierten Füllgut gefüllten Flasche,
• Restentlasten.

Between the bottle inlet 9 and the bottle outlet 10, in the case of bottles 2 raised to the filling elements 4 and located there in the sealing position, the filling and carbonization process takes place, namely in several process steps, ie in the embodiment shown in a total of six successive process steps, namely:

• Purging each bottle 2 with CO2 gas,
• Filling the respective bottle 2 with the liquid, CO2-free filling material (beverage),
• Prestressing the filled bottle with CO2 gas,
• Carbonization of the filling material,
• Calming and relieving the pressure on the bottle filled with the carbonated product,
• Relieve rest.

The filling machine 1 shows how to carry out the aforementioned method steps the embodiment shown a training from that in Figure 2 for a Filling element 4 is shown in detail. The filler tube-free filler element 4 has in a housing 11 a liquid channel 12 with a liquid valve, which by an actuator, not shown, for initiating the actual Filling phase is opened and closed again at the end of the filling phase.

The liquid channel 12 is provided with an annular bowl 14 provided on the rotor 3 or connected to the local product space 14 'occupied by the product, and via a line 12 '. Above the product space 14 'is in the ring bowl 14 Gas space 14 "formed, the pressureless CO2 gas in the embodiment shown, i.e. C02 gas under atmospheric pressure or approximately under atmospheric pressure contains. The product space 14 "is connected to the liquid product via a line 15 provided. The product level is kept at a predetermined level. The Gas space 14 "is supplied via a gas line 16 with CO2 gas under atmospheric pressure provided.

• Ein CO2-Ringkanal 17, der über eine Leitung 18 mit der Leitung 16 bzw. mit dem Gasraum 14" verbunden ist,
• ein Rückgas-Ringkanal 19, der der Vorentlastung dient und in dem ein dem Vorentlastungsdruck entsprechender Druck eingeregelt ist,
• ein Ringkanal 20, der von einer nicht dargestellten CO2-Gas-Quelle über eine Leitung 21 mit CO2-Gas mit einem Druck versorgt wird, der über einem Sättigungsdruck liegt
• ein Ringkanal 35 für die Restentlastung.

For the individual treatment or process steps, the rotor 3 in the illustrated embodiment for all filling elements 4 is also jointly provided:

• A CO2 ring channel 17, which is connected via a line 18 to line 16 or to gas space 14 ″,
• a return gas ring channel 19, which serves for the preliminary relief and in which a pressure corresponding to the preliminary relief pressure is regulated,
• an annular channel 20 which is supplied from a CO2 gas source, not shown, via a line 21 with CO2 gas at a pressure which is above a saturation pressure
• an annular channel 35 for the residual relief.

Each filling element 4 also has a return gas tube 22, which is on the filling element 4 attached bottle 2 with its lower, open end in the interior of the Bottle 2 and with its upper, open end in a formed in the housing 11 Gas channel 23 'opens, the component of further executed in the housing 11 and in Fig. 2 is generally designated 23 gas paths. The return gas pipe 22 is on the underside of the housing 11 from the annular liquid opening 12 "of the Liquid channel 12 enclosed, the (liquid opening) in the direction of flow of the filling material follows the liquid valve 13. The gas paths 23 are on Individually controllable control valve device 24 provided for each filling element 4 controllable so that the interior of the respective filling element 4 with the Bottle mouth 2 'in the sealing position provided bottle 2 for the individual process or treatment steps etc. also with the respective process step corresponding ring channel 17, 19 and 20 can be connected, as this will be explained in more detail below. The control valve assembly 24 has the Embodiment shown three individually controllable control valves 24 ', which in suitably control the inner gas paths 23, i.e. especially opening and Conclude.

each filling element 4 also has a carbonization tube 25, which inside of the return gas tube 22 and is arranged coaxially with it, in such a way that the carbonization tube 25 with its lower, open end relatively far above that protrudes lower, open end of the return gas tube 22. With the top end it is Carbonization tube 25 sealed by the gas space or channel 23 ' passed and connected to the ring channel 20 via a line 26. In the Line 26 is provided individually for each filling element 4 Control valve 27 and also a volume or quantity measuring device 28 with which which, when the control valve 27 is open, flows through the line 26 and at the bottom, open end of the carbonization tube 25 emerging amount of CO2 gas measured becomes. The line 26 is connected to the gas channel 23 'via a check valve 29. connected, in the flow direction of the line 26 flowing through and emerging from the lower end of the carbonizing tube 25 CO2 gas behind the control valve 27. The check valve 29 is further designed so that it for opens a gas flow from line 26 into gas channel 23 'for gas flow in the opposite direction but locks.

Between the inside diameter of the return gas pipe 22 and the outside diameter the carbonization tube 25 is an annular return gas channel 30 is formed, the lower end of the return gas pipe 22 is open and at the upper end of the return gas pipe in the gas channel 23 'opens.

In detail, the described process steps are the following in the execution Filling a bottle 2 possible, the filling machine 1 before the start of filling of course with all the media required for filling (filling material and CO2 gas in the Ring boiler 14 and CO2 gas are supplied under pressure in the ring channel 20):

1. Flush the bottle with CO2

After lifting the respective bottle 2 against the filling element 1, it lies finally sealed with its bottle mouth 2 'against the bottom of the Filling element 4 or against a seal 31 there so that the return gas pipe 22 and the carbonation tube 25 through the bottle mouth 2 'into the interior reach into the bottle 2 and the interior of the bottle 2 also with the in Flow direction provided behind the liquid valve 13 annular Liquid opening 12 "of the liquid channel 12 is connected Liquid valve 13 is closed.

To initiate the flushing process, the control valve 27 is opened and at the same time the Control valve assembly 24 is controlled so that this in the direction of flow part of the liquid channel 12 formed below the liquid valve 13 with the Ring channel 19 is connected. CO2 gas thus flows via the opened valve 27 into the carbonization tube 25 and enters at the bottom, far into the bottle 2 protruding end of this tube in the direction of the bottle bottom and thus displaces the air in the bottle 2 from below, which passes through the Ring opening 12 "reaches the channel 19 from the bottle. A certain proportion of CO2 gas passes through the check valve 29 into the gas channel 23 ', from there into the Return gas channel 30 also flows in via the lower open end of the gas channel 30 the interior of the bottle 2 and contributes to the displacement of the air from the bottle 2.

This purging process is continued until the desired inert gas atmosphere in the bottle 2 is reached. The duration of the rinsing process is, for example, one Time control set.

2. Filling bottle 2 with the non-carbonized filling material.

With the valve 27 closed again and with the control valve device 24 interrupted connection between the lower end of the liquid channel 12 and the ring channel 19 is used to fill the bottle 2 with the liquid filling material.

For this purpose, the gas channel 23 'with the ring channel is via the control valve device 24 17 connected, so that in the bottle 2 the pressure of the gas space 14 ", i.e. at shown embodiment sets the atmospheric pressure. Then that will Liquid valve 13 opened so that the filling material via the ring opening 12 "along the Inner surface of bottle 2 flows into the bottle interior. As soon as the target filling quantity is reached, the liquid valve 13 is closed. In parallel to this is also about the control valve device 24 interrupts the connection to the ring channel 17. to Control of the target filling quantity is in the ring bowl 14 with the liquid channel 12 connecting line 12 'in the illustrated embodiment Volume measuring device 33 is provided.

At the nominal filling level, the level of the product level in bottle 2 is below the lower level Gas channel 30 opens, but well above the lower end of the carbonization tube 25th

3. Prestressing the filled bottle

In order to be able to carbonize the liquid filling material in a later process step, the filled bottle is first pre-stressed with CO2 gas. For this, over the control valve assembly 24 of the gas channel 23 'via a line 34 with the Ring channel 20 connected, which carries the CO2 gas under pressure. Via the return gas duct 30 the CO2 gas arrives at this level in the above the product level formed and not occupied by the contents of the respective bottle 2.

By means not shown in line 34, the bias pressure is so set that when prestressing the pressure in the bottle 2 to a pressure level increases, which is in the range of the saturation pressure. The preload required amount of gas is very small since the head space of the respective bottle 2 only has a relatively small volume and only this headspace with the span gas filled and brought to the tension or saturation pressure.

With the prestressing of bottle 2, a subsequent carbonization Foaming avoided. If the product or beverage shows only a slight inclination for the development of foam on and / or in the following Carbonation step only a low carbon content can be generated, so in principle, there is no need for preloading.

4. Carbonize the contents

A CO2 pressure is regulated in the ring channel 20, which is clearly above the Saturation pressure, i.e. above the external pressure at which the desired amount of CO2 gas is dissolved in the finished beverage.

This is used to carbonize the contents filled into the respective bottle Control valve 27 opened so that 25 carbon gas under pressure through the carbonization tube flows into the filling in a jet. Due to the relatively long length, this is Carbonation tube 25 immersed deep in the contents. The one you want Degree of carbonization or the desired amount of that supplied during carbonization CO2 gas is in the illustrated embodiment on the Volume measuring device 28 controlled. Basically, however, is also a time control or a combination of time control and mass or volume measurement possible.

During carbonation, the pressure in bottle 2 rises significantly above that Saturation pressure. The product absorbs the carbonic acid under these conditions immediately.

5. Calm down and relieve the pressure

After the carbonation phase has ended, the control valve 27 is closed. about the control valve assembly 24 becomes the gas channel 23 'and thus the interior of the Bottle 2 connected to the ring channel 19, whereby the pressure in the bottle 2 throttled to a regulated pressure that is significantly below the CO2 saturation pressure is in the product or beverage. At this pressure level takes place then a temporary calming of the filling takes place. Still in the product remaining gas bubbles rise to the surface without any appreciable foam formation Surface on.

To avoid the carbonization step inside the Carbonizing tube 25 still present and while calming and relieving pressure then expanding CO2 gas from the lower end of the carbonization tube 25 as Gas bubbles escaping, causing a worry or a Foaming of the filling material comes, the carbonizing tube 25 is over the Check valve 29 connected to the gas channel 23 ', so that this residual CO2 gas the carbonization tube 25 via the gas channel 23 ′ and the control valve arrangement 24 is also discharged into the ring channel 19.

During the carbonization phase, the pressure in the carbonization tube 25 is significant higher than the gas pressure in the bottle head space or in the gas channel 30 and gas space 23 ', so that the check valve 29 is closed during the carbonation process. Only after carbonation has been completed, i.e. after the valve 27 closes equal pressure between the carbonation tube 25 and the bottle head space a, so that the pressures during the pre-relief and calming phase in the carbonation tube 25 and in the head space of the bottle 2 when open Check valve 29 can dismantle in parallel, to avoid a harmful gas leakage from carbonization tube 25 as above has been described.

6. Residual relief

Shortly before the respective bottle 2 is pulled off the filling element 4, is over the control valve device 24 the interior of the bottle to the atmosphere or but via the common for all filling elements 4 ring channel 35, the communicates with the atmosphere. In the intended for this residual relief The gas path is preferably a throttle element, for example a nozzle with a predetermined flow cross section provided so that the internal pressure of the bottle 2nd is reduced in a controlled manner to atmospheric pressure.

The additional process time required for carbonization can be determined by a Acceleration of the filling are compensated in the previous filling step, in particular because it is compared to products containing CO2 the filling with still products or drinks much faster and therefore in can be done in a shorter time. The filling machine 1 can therefore be the same Filling capacity can be dimensioned in today's order of magnitude, but with the advantage that a separate carbonation plant is no longer is needed.

The invention has been described above using an exemplary embodiment. It it goes without saying that numerous changes and modifications are possible without that this leaves the inventive idea on which the invention is based. For example, it is possible for the respective bottle 2 to be pretensioned Prestressing or saturation pressure to provide an additional ring channel that the CO2 gas leads under saturation pressure and is common to all filling elements 4. Furthermore, it is of course also possible to pretension the bottles 2 the bias or saturation pressure before the filling step, then the Gas space 14 "of the ring bowl 14 which is under prestressing or saturation pressure CO2 gas. The above-described version, in which the pretensioning only after the filling phase takes place, but has the advantage that only small amounts of CO2 gas for the biasing is required as described above.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filling Machine

2

bottle

2 '

bottle mouth

3

rotor

4

filler

5

container carrier

6

stroke curve

7

lifting cylinder

8th

carrier

9

bottle infeed

10

bottle outlet

11

casing

12

liquid channel

12 '

management

12 "

ring opening

13

liquid valve

14

annular channel

14 '

Füllgutraum

14 "

headspace

15, 16

management

17

annular channel

18

management

19

annular channel

20

annular channel

21

management

22

Return gas pipe

23

gas path

23 '

gas channel

24

Control valve assembly

24 '

control valve

25

Karbonisierungsrohr

26

management

27

control valve

28

Volume or quantity measuring element

29

check valve

30

Gas channel in the return gas pipe

31

poetry

33

volume measuring

34

management

35

annular channel

A

Direction of rotation of the rotor

Claims (23)

1. Method of filling bottles, cans or similar containers (2) with a liquid product, by using a filling machine (1) having a plurality of filling positions which each have a filling device (4), against which device the respective container (2) abuts with its container mouth (2') in a sealing position, at least during one part of a filling process, and via which device the interior of the container is filled with the liquid product in a controlled manner in a filling phase and is charged with a pressurised CO₂ gas in at least one method step, characterised in that the liquid product in the respective container (2) is mixed with carbon dioxide, or respectively carbonised, by the introduction of the CO₂ gas under pressure.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the carbonisation of the product in the container (2) is effected after termination of the filling phase.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the product, introduced into the container (2) during the filling phase, is one which does not contain CO₂, or is one having a CO₂ content which is substantially lower that the CO₂ content of the decanted product.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carbonisation of the product in the container (2) is effected via at least one gas opening, which is immersed in the liquid product, by the introduction of the CO₂ gas under pressure.
5. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the carbonisation of the product is effected via a carbonisation pipe (25), which is immersed through the container opening (2') into the liquid product at some distance below the level of the product with a lower end which forms the gas opening.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, prior to the carbonisation of the liquid product, the container (2) is initially pressurised to an initially pressurising pressure or saturation pressure.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that the initial pressurising of the container is effected in an initially pressurising phase preceding the filling phase.
8. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that initial pressurising of the container is effected after the filling phase.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for carbonisation purposes, the CO₂ gas is introduced into the liquid product at a pressure which lies clearly above the initially pressurising pressure or saturation pressure.
10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the respective container (2) is initially pressurised to an initially pressurising pressure or saturation pressure prior to the carbonisation process.
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the interior of the container (2) is rinsed with an inert gas in a method step preceding the filling phase.
12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the rinsing with the inert gas or CO gas is effected via the carbonisation pipe (25).
13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filling of the container (2) is effected under atmospheric pressure during the filling phase.
14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filling of the container (2) is effected under counterpressure during the filling phase.
15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pressure in the container is reduced to atmospheric pressure after the carbonisation process.
16. Method according to claim 15, characterised in that the pressure is reduced to atmospheric pressure in at least two steps, that is to say that initially there is an initial reduction in pressure to an initially reduced pressure, which lies above the atmospheric pressure, and subsequently there is a remaining reduction in pressure to atmospheric pressure.
17. Method according to claim 16, characterised in that a settling phase is provided between the reduction in pressure to the initially reduced pressure and the remaining
18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, after the carbonisation process and during the pressure reducing process, there is also a reduction in the pressure of the interior of the carbonisation pipe (25).
19. Filling machine for filling bottles, cans or similar containers (2) with a liquid product, said machine having a plurality of filling positions which each have a filling device (4), against which device the respective container (2) abuts with its container mouth (2') in a sealing position, at least during one part of a filling process, and via which device the interior of the container is filled with the liquid product in a controlled manner in a filling phase and is charged with a pressurised CO₂ gas in at least one method step, characterised by means (25) for carbonising the liquid product in the respective container (2) by introducing the CO₂ gas into the product under pressure.
20. Filling machine according to claim 19, characterised by at least one gas opening in the filling device, which opening is immersed in the liquid product, and via which opening the carbonisation of the product in the container (2) is effected by introducing the CO₂ gas under pressure.
21. Filling machine according to claim 20, characterised by a carbonisation pipe (25) which forms the gas opening with a lower end and protrudes beyond the underside of the filling device (4).
22. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the filling devices (4) are those without a filling pipe.
23. Filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the carbonisation pipe (25) protrudes from an opening of a return gas duct (30) beyond the underside of the filling device (4).

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