EP2019809B1 - Method and system for controlled foaming of a filling material accommodated in bottles or similar containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a device according to the preamble of claim 14.

In the beverage industry is known bottles, barrels or the like containers that have been filled in a filling machine with a liquid filling material, preferably with a filling material containing carbonic acid, before closing with a pressurized liquid Aufschäummedium. The aim is foaming the filling material in the respective container in order thereby to displace air or existing atmospheric oxygen above the level of contents in the container and to avoid the deterioration of the contents or its durability and taste due to oxygen. For example, water is used as the liquid foaming medium, for example in each case in the heated state. At least one injection nozzle, which is supplied with the foaming medium under pressure and under which the containers filled with the contents are passed on a transport path between a filling machine and a closing machine following this filling machine in the production line, serves to introduce the foaming medium. The introduction or injection of the frothing liquid should also take into account product-specific parameters as well as the production line performance, i. depending on the number of per unit time treated with the Aufschäummedium done so that on the one hand, a sufficiently strong foaming is achieved, on the other hand, a foaming is avoided. Furthermore, it is necessary to carry out the introduction of the Aufschäummediums germ-free.

The introduced into the container for foaming energy input depends on various parameters, including the temperature and amount of in the respective container introduced Aufscheuummediums and also the injection pressure with which this medium is injected into the container. Also the injection time has to be considered.

In known methods or devices for foaming, the injection pressure and the volume flow of the foaming medium for the respective filling material and for a specific nominal output of the filling machine or the production line are fixed. Fluctuations in the performance of the production line then inevitably lead to a faulty foaming of the contents in the containers, i. either insufficient foaming or foaming.

Also known is a device for the controlled feeding of an inert gas, for example CO2 gas, to beverage cans during the capping operation in order to improve the shelf life of the product by displacing air and atmospheric oxygen above the product level ( DE 196 13 142 B4 ). Depending on the closing speed, the supplied gas quantity is regulated.

Also known was a frothing device for displacing the residual air volume from containers filled with a foamable liquid filling material EP 0479 030 A1 , Essential in the device presented by this document is that the pressure of the Aufschäummediums is regulated in dependence on the degree of foaming, wherein the pressure is regulated by a pressure control valve. Since the pressure generating pump is always operated at high power in this device, this is subject to a large mechanical stress, which is to be seen as a disadvantage. This document corresponds to the preamble of claims 1 and 14.

Also known has been an apparatus for producing foam in the neck of carbonated beverage bottles after delivery DE 1 632 034 , In the device presented by this document, it is provided that the spray liquid used for foaming is placed under high pressure before entering the intended spray nozzle. A disadvantage of the teaching of DE 1 632 034 is that this writing is a measure of adaptation of the Provides device to different numbers of foaming containers per hour.

The object of the invention is to provide a method by which an improved foaming of a bottled or similar container filled filling material is achieved.

To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. An apparatus for carrying out the method is the subject of patent claim 14.

According to a recognition on which the invention is based, from these parameters essentially only the injection pressure is suitable for controlling the energy input or the foaming process as a function of the performance of the production line or as a function of the performance of the filling machine and the subsequent closing machine. However, the invention is still based on the finding that a regulation of the foaming process and in particular the injection pressure in dependence on the performance of the production line or the filler and thus also by the number of per unit time treated with the Aufschäummedium container is only possible if the injection pressure can be regulated in a wide range, for example in a range between at least 1 bar and 8 bar, preferably in a range between at least about 1 bar and 15 bar, namely at a correspondingly low volume flow of the liquid Aufschäummediums, for example at a maximum flow 2 l / min, preferably of a maximum of 1.5 l / min for the injection pressure generating pump. In the invention, in this way, a true control of the energy input and the foaming process in dependence on the performance of the production plant. By selecting the product-specific parameters, namely the type of filling material, the filling temperature, the type of container or bottles, etc. on the control device or on an input device provided there, the setpoint for the injection pressure is determined by this control device for the respective power of the production line , for example, by removal from an electronically stored in the memory list or table. By measuring the injection pressure at the injector with a there provided pressure sensor, this actual injection pressure is compared as an actual value with the setpoint and the speed and / or power of the pump readjusted such that the actual value corresponds to the desired value.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figure, which shows a simplified representation of a device according to the invention for high-pressure injection.

The generally designated 1 in the figure device is part of a production line for filling bottles 2 or the like container with a liquid product and for closing the filled bottles 2 and serves to fill the bottles 2 filled product, in particular carbonated product by a controlled Enriching energy input so that is displaced by the foam forming air and in particular atmospheric oxygen above the Füllgutspiegels from the bottle 2, without causing overfoaming. The energy input is controlled by at least one injection nozzle 3, which is provided above the movement path of the upright bottles 2 between a filling machine, not shown, and a sealing machine, also not shown. For foaming a certain amount of a liquid foaming causing possibly heated medium is introduced with a certain injection pressure in each passing under the injection nozzle 3 bottle. The Aufschäummedium is for example water or filling.

The respective energy input is in particular from the kinetic energy, ie from the amount and from the injection pressure of the introduced Aufschäummediums and from the heat energy, ie from the temperature of the Aufschäummediums together. In order to keep the energy input in each bottle 2 as constant as possible even with different performance of the production plant, ie with different number of bottles per unit time filled and sealed bottles 2 or with different number of per unit time the injector 3 passing bottles 2, is in the device. 1 in the manner described in more detail below at constant or substantially constant temperature of the Aufschäummediums the kinetic energy of the energy input controlled by changes in the injection pressure as a function of the power, wherein during the operation of the device 1, the foaming medium constantly emerges from the injection nozzle 3 with the adjusted to the performance of the production line and the adjusted injection pressure from the injection nozzle 3.

In detail, the device 1 is u.a. from a pump circuit 4, the essential part of which is a high-pressure pump 5 with a frequency-controlled drive motor. The inlet of the pump 5 communicates via a flowmeter 6 and a conduit 7 with a source 8 which provides the liquid foaming medium. This source 8 is, for example, the respective supply network for fresh water, in which case in the line 7 even more elements such. As control and / or check valves, filters, etc. are provided. 9 designates a temperature sensor provided in the line 7, with which the temperature of the foaming medium provided by the source 8 is determined.

Parallel to the series arrangement of the pump 5 and the flow meter 6 is a bypass, which is essentially formed by a line 10, which connects the output of the pump 5 with the upstream of the pump 5 in the flow direction of Aufschummummed inlet of the flow meter 6. In the line 10 u.a. a throttle 11 and a pressure at the output of the pump 5 measuring pressure sensor 12 and another temperature sensor 13 is arranged. The flow cross-section formed by this throttle 11 is selected so that even with a low volume flow or in the absence of a volume flow at the output of the pump circuit 4 sufficient for the lubrication and cooling of the pump 5 minimum flow is ensured by the pump 5.

The output of the pump circuit 4 is connected via a line 14 to the input of an example electrically operated boiler 15, which is an integral part of a heating circuit 16 and to which in the illustrated embodiment, inter alia, a pressure sensor 17, a level sensor 18 and a temperature sensor 19 are provided. The output of the boiler 15 is connected via a line 20 to the injection nozzle 3, for example, a defined, but adjustable to the respective contents nozzle or Has flow cross-section. In the line is located in front of the injection nozzle 3, an electrically controllable check valve 21 and in the flow direction in front of this check valve another temperature sensor 22nd

Between the temperature sensor 22 and the check valve 21 branches off from the line 20 from a bypass line 23, in which an electrically controllable check valve 24 is provided and which leads to a drain 25. A similar bypass line 26, in which an electrically actuated shut-off valve 27 is provided and leading to a drain 28, branches off at the inlet of the boiler 15.

1. 1. Füllen des Heizkessels 15 mit dem flüssigen Aufschäummedium und Aufheizen des Aufschäummediums auf Betriebstemperatur.
   Für die Inbetriebnahme der Vorrichtung 1 wird der Heizkessel 15 zunächst mit dem Aufschäummedium (beispielsweise Wasser) gefüllt und das Aufschäummedium auf eine Temperatur etwas oberhalb der späteren Betriebs- oder Arbeitstemperatur dieses Mediums erhitzt, beispielsweise bei einer Betriebs- oder Arbeitstemperatur von 85°C auf eine Temperatur von 90°C. Das Füllen des Heizkessels 15 erfolgt über die beispielsweise abgeschaltete Pumpe 5 und/oder den Pumpen-Bypass 10. Die Heizung des Heizkessels wird aktiviert, sobald der Füllstandsmesser 18 das vollständige Befüllen des Heizkessels festgestellt hat.
2. 2. Beheizen der Leitung 20 und der Bypass-Leitungen 23 und 26
   Bei eingeschalteter Pumpe 5, geschlossenem Sperrventil 21 sowie geöffnetem Sperrventil 24 erfolgt ein Strom des flüssigen erhitzten Aufschäummediums aus dem Heizkessel 15 über die Leitung 20 an die Bypass-Leitung 23 und von dort in den Ablauf 25. Über die Temperatursensoren 19 und 22 erfolgt eine Regelung der Temperatur des Aufschäummediums auf Betriebstemperatur (beispielsweise 85°C), und zwar durch entsprechende Steuerung der Heizung des Heizkessels 15.
3. 3. Laufender Betrieb der Vorrichtung 1
   Für den Betrieb der Vorrichtung 1 wird die Bypass-Leitung 23 mit dem Sperrventil 24 geschlossen und das Sperrventil 21 geöffnet, sodass das auf Betriebstemperatur erhitzte Aufschäummedium mit dem durch die Pumpe 5 erzeugten Pumpendruck in die unter der Einspritzdüse 3 vorbeibewegten Flaschen 2 eingespritzt wird.
4. 4. Produktionsunterbrechung
   Bei einer Produktionsunterbrechung wird das Sperrventil 21 geschlossen und die Bypass-Leitung 23 über das Sperrventil 24 geöffnet, sodass weiterhin erwärmtes Aufschäummedium die Leitung 20 unter Aufrechterhaltung der erforderlichen Temperatur durchströmt. In analoger Weise könnten dann, wenn die von dem Temperatursensor 22 gemessene Temperatur einen vorgegebenen unteren Schwellwert unterschreitet, das Sperrventil 21 geschlossen und die Bypass-Leitung 23 über das Sperrventil 24 geöffnet werden, und zwar bei Unterbrechung der Produktion.
5. 5. Produktionsende
   Zum Entleeren, insbesondere auch des Heizkessels 15 am Produktionsende werden bei geschlossenem Sperrventil 21 die Bypass-Leitungen 23 und 26 über die zugehörigen Sperrventile 24 und 27 geöffnet.

Controlled by a central control unit 29, which, inter alia, the signals of the various temperature sensors and pressure sensors are supplied, the following basic operations are initially possible:

1. 1. Fill the boiler 15 with the liquid foaming medium and heat the foaming medium to operating temperature.
   For the commissioning of the device 1, the boiler 15 is first filled with the Aufschäummedium (for example, water) and the Aufschäummedium heated to a temperature slightly above the later operating or operating temperature of this medium, for example, at an operating or operating temperature of 85 ° C to a Temperature of 90 ° C. The filling of the boiler 15 via the example switched off pump 5 and / or the pump bypass 10. The heating of the boiler is activated as soon as the level gauge 18 has detected the full filling of the boiler.
2. 2. heating the line 20 and the bypass lines 23 and 26th
   When the pump 5, closed check valve 21 and open check valve 24 is a stream of liquid heated Aufschäummediums from the boiler 15 via the line 20 to the bypass line 23 and from there into the sequence 25. About the temperature sensors 19 and 22 is a control of the Temperature of Aufschumummiums to operating temperature (for example, 85 ° C), by appropriate control of the heating of the boiler 15th
3. 3. Continuous operation of the device 1
   For the operation of the device 1, the bypass line 23 is closed with the check valve 24 and the check valve 21 is opened so that the Aufschäummedium heated to operating temperature is injected with the pump pressure generated by the pump 5 in the past under the injector 3 2 bottles.
4. 4. Production interruption
   In a production interruption, the check valve 21 is closed and the bypass line 23 is opened via the check valve 24, so that further heated Aufschummummium flows through the line 20 while maintaining the required temperature. In an analogous manner, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 22 falls below a predetermined lower threshold, the check valve 21 could be closed and the bypass line 23 can be opened via the check valve 24, namely when the production is interrupted.
5. 5th production end
   For emptying, in particular also of the boiler 15 at the end of production, the bypass lines 23 and 26 are opened via the associated shut-off valves 24 and 27 when the shut-off valve 21 is closed.

As stated above, the control of the energy input in the high-pressure injection by controlling the pressure at the outlet of the pump 5 and thus the injection pressure of the Aufschäummediums at the injection nozzle 3 in response to a typical for each product performance-dependent setpoint occurs. This product-typical desired value is stored, for example, as a data set in a memory 30 of the computer-aided control device 29, so that the control device 29 can regulate the pump 5 product and performance-dependent (container / hour), taking into account one of the performance of the production line (filled and closed Bottles 2 per time unit) corresponding and for example derived at the filling machine control signal and taking into account the voltage applied to the injection nozzle 3 and, for example, determined by the pressure sensor 17 pressure, each as actual values.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 5 and the pump circuit 4 are formed so that a regulation of the pump pressure in the range between at least 2 bar and 16 bar is possible, namely at a relatively small flow in the range of about 0.7 - 1, 5 l / min.

Since with increasing performance of the production plant, the time duration in which each bottle 2 is located below the injection nozzle 3 and thus also the amount of Aufschäummedium introduced, the injection pressure is increased with increasing performance of the production plant.

Depending on the respective contents of the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the injection nozzle 3 is changed, i. for a product which is liable to froth, e.g. Weißbier, an injection nozzle 3 is used with reduced nozzle diameter. Conversely, in a product or product, which is difficult to foaming, an injection nozzle 3 with a larger nozzle diameter is used.

The table below shows typical process parameters for three different products, taking into account bottles 2 with an internal diameter of 22 mm at their mouths. Product or product Energy input in mJ Nozzle diameter in mm Maximum volume in ml / fl ¹⁾ Minimal volume in ml / fl ²⁾ Product 1 1.96 0.20 0,008 0,002 Product 2 6.00 0.35 0,015 0,050 Product 3 12.24 0.50 0,030 0.009 ¹⁾ is the maximum introduced into the respective bottle 2 volume V _max of Aufschäummedium and is each for a minimum power of about 1 800 bottles per hour, at pump pressure of 2.3 bar.
²⁾ is the minimum introduced into the respective bottle 2 volume V _min of Aufschäummedium and is each for a maximum power of about 29 000 bottles per hour, at an injection pressure of 15 bar.

For the pump 5, the operating points summarized in the following table result: Nozzle diameter mm Pump operating point 1 800 bph 29,000 bph Volume l / min 0.7 1.0 0.20 Pressure bar 1.7 14.1 Volume l / min 0.8 1.2 0.35 Pressure bar 1.3 14.1 Volume l / min 0.7 1.4 0.5 Pressure bar 1.3 14.1

In general, it can be seen from the above tables, inter alia, that irrespective of the particular product, the ratio V _max / V _{min is} about 3-4, the pump pressure at high power is well above 8 bar and the maximum injected quantity V _max of the foaming medium even at the hardly foamable product 3 and at low output of the production plant is well below 0.05 ml per bottle.

The small amount of Aufschäummedium to be introduced into the bottles 2 also has the advantage that when using water as a Aufschäummedium no or substantially no dilution of the product occurs and that in particular the consumption of Aufschäummedium is substantially reduced.

By formed by the line 10 pump bypass, it is possible to keep the emerging from the injection nozzle 3 amount of Aufschäummedium small in the desired manner and still ensure a sufficient minimum flow for the pump 5, especially for lubrication and / or cooling Pump 5. Furthermore, the pump bypass avoids overshoot in regulating the pump pressure as a function of the output of the production plant, ie With only extremely small pressure fluctuations, for example in the range of a maximum of +/- 0.3 bar, readjustment of the pump pressure can be achieved in an extremely short time, for example in 0.5 sec., even in the case of extreme changes in system performance.

Thus, it is possible, for example, with a following in the transport path of the bottles 2 to the injection nozzle 3 sensor, e.g. with an opto-electric sensor 31, for example in the form of a camera, to detect the foaming produced by the high-pressure injection as an actual foaming and to compare it with an associated desired foaming so that relevant parameters of the injection process, in particular injection pressure, etc., can be acted upon or controlled in a controlled manner ,

It has been assumed above that the injection pressure is controlled by the pressure of the pump 5. Other measures are conceivable, for example a control by controlled opening and closing of a bypass line, for example the bypass line 26 and / or by controlled opening and closing of the pump bypass line forming 10. Also different combinations for controlling the injection pressure the injection nozzle 3 are conceivable.

Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a plurality of injection nozzles 3, each with a check valve 21 and an associated controllable bypass line 23, and For example, in such a way that each bottle 2 for foaming a plurality of injection nozzles 3 happens.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Fuel injection device

2

bottle

3

injection

4

pump circuit

5

pump

6

Flowmeter

7

management

8th

Source for the liquid foaming medium

9

temperature sensor

10

Management of the pump bypass

11

throttle

12

pressure sensor

13

temperature sensor

14

management

15

boiler

16

heating circuit

17

pressure sensor

18

level sensor

19

temperature sensor

20

management

21

check valve

22

temperature sensor

23

Bypass line

24

check valve

25

procedure

26

Bypass line

27

check valve

28

procedure

29

control device

30

Storage

31

sensor

Claims (30)

1. Method for the controlled foaming of a filling material accommodated in bottles (2) or similar containers, under application of at least one spray nozzle (3), by means of which a liquid foaming medium is injected under pressure (injection pressure) into the containers (2) passing the nozzle (3), wherein the injection pressure is raised with an increasing number of containers (2) passing the nozzle (3) per time unit, i.e. is raised with increasing processing performance, and the injection of the foaming medium at a processing performance of perceptibly above 1800 containers (2) per hour takes place at a pressure greater than 8 bar, making use of a pump circuit (4) with a pump (5),
   characterised
   by the use of a pump (5) with a frequency-controlled drive for regulating the injection pressure, and a pump bypass, via which a connection is provided between a pump outlet and a pump inlet and which is arranged parallel to the pump (5), and comprises a nozzle (11), the flow cross-section of which is selected in such a way that, even at a low volume flow at the outlet of the pump circuit (4), a minimum flow through the pump (5) is ensured which is adequate for the lubrication and cooling of the pump (5).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the injection pressure at a processing performance of some 2 800 containers (2) per hour is between 1 and 3 bar, such as, for example, 2.3 bar.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the injection pressure at a processing performance of some 25 000 to 30 000 containers (2) per hour is perceptibly above 8 bar.
4. Method according to claim 3, characterised in that the injection pressure at a processing performance of some 25 000 to 30 000 containers (2) per hour is some 15 bar.
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the quantity of foaming medium injected into the respective container (2) is less than 0.05 ml.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the quantity of foaming medium injected into the respective container (2) is raised as the processing performance is reduced.
7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the quantity of foaming medium injected as a function of the processing performance is changed as a maximum in the ratio of 1:4 or 1:3.
8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the foaming medium is introduced into the containers in a hot state, for example at a temperature in the range between 80 °C and 90 °C.
9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that water is used as the foaming medium.
10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the filling material introduced into the containers is used as the foaming medium.
11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, after the introduction of the foaming medium, the foaming of the filling material is monitored by means of a sensor, preferably by means of an optoelectric sensor, and/or the introduction of the foaming medium into the containers (2) and/or other parameters influencing the foaming are controlled by the use of the sensor signal delivered by the sensor
12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that the injection pressure and/or the speed at which the containers pass the at least one injection nozzle (3) are controlled by the sensor signal.
13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by the use of a pump (5) with a pump pressure which by altering the revolution speed can be changed by the factor of at least six, and, for example, by the factor of seven.
14. Device for the controlled foaming of a filling material accommodated in bottles (2) or similar containers, with at least one injection nozzle (3), by means of which a liquid foaming medium is injected into the containers (2) passing the nozzle (3) under pressure (injection pressure), wherein the injection pressure is raised with the increasing number of container (2) passing the nozzle (3) per time unit, i.e. is raised with the increasing processing performance, and the injection of the foaming medium at a processing performance of perceptibly above 1 800 containers (2) per hour takes place at a pressure of greater than 8 bar with the use of a pump circuit (4) with a pump (5), characterised in that
    the pump (5) is designed for regulating the injection pressure with a frequency-controlled drive, and that, parallel to the pump (5) a pump bypass is provided, over which a connection is provided between a pump outlet and a pump inlet, and comprises a nozzle (11), the flow cross-section of which is selected in such a way that, even at a low volume flow at the outlet of the pump circuit (4), a minimum flow through the pump (5) is ensured which is adequate for the lubrication and cooling of the pump (5).
15. Device according to claim 14, characterised in that the injection pressure controlled by the control device (29) at a processing performance of some 2 800 containers (2) per hour lies in the range between 1 and 3 bar, for example 2.3 bar.
16. Device according to claim 14, characterised in that the injection pressure controlled by the control device (29) at a processing performance of some 25 000 to 30 000 containers (2) per hour lies perceptibly above 8 bar.
17. Device according to claim 16, characterised in that the injection pressure controlled by the control device (29) at a processing performance of some 25 000 to 30 000 containers (2) per hour is some 15 bar.
18. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterised in that, controlled by the control device (29), the quantity of the processing medium injected into the respective containers (2) is less than 0.05 ml.
19. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterised in that, controlled by the control device (29), the quantity of the foaming medium injected into the respective containers (2) is increased as the processing performance is reduced.
20. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterised in that, controlled by the control device (29), the quantity of foaming medium introduced is changed as a function of the processing performance to a maximum in the ratio of 1:4 or 1:3.
21. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 20, characterised in that the foaming medium is water.
22. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 20, characterised in that the foaming medium is the filling material introduced into the containers (2).
23. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 22, characterised by a sensor, preferably an optoelectric sensor (31) for monitoring the foaming of the filling material.
24. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 23, characterised by a pump with a pump pressure which can be altered by a change in the revolution speed by at least the factor of six, for example by the factor of seven.
25. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 24, characterised in that the delivery capacity of the pump is greater than the quantity of foaming medium emitted at the injection nozzle.
26. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 25, characterised by a device (15) for heating the foaming medium.
27. Device according to claim 26, characterised in that the device for heating the foaming mediums is provided between the pump (5) and the at least one injection nozzle (3).
28. Device according to claim 26, characterised in that a controllable bypass line (26) branches in a connection line between the pump (5) and the device (15) for heating the foaming medium.
29. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 28, characterised in that the at least one injection nozzle (3) is provided at a conveying stretch, formed by at least one conveying element, such as a conveying star wheel, between a filling machine and a closing machine.
30. Device according to claim 29, characterised in that the at least one injection nozzle (3) is provided in the outlet star wheel of the filling machine.

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