EP2162383B1 - Method for filling bottles or similar containers, and filling system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to two methods according to claim 1 and 2, and to a filling system according to claim 7.

Method and filling systems for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid product according to the preamble of claim 1, 2 or 7 are known in various designs, for. B. as in the US 0 378 575 B1 disclosed.

In particular, filling systems or filling machines of circulating design for filling quantity or (filling) volume-controlled filling of bottles or similar containers with a multiplicity of filling elements are also known, on a rotor driven peripherally around a vertical machine axis. Each filling element is associated with its own flow meter, for example a magnetic inductive flow meter (MID), which during the filling phase, i. after opening a provided in the respective filling element liquid valve which measures the respective container amount of filling material and preferably constantly transmits a corresponding measurement signal to a control unit, which then causes the closing of the liquid valve and thus the completion of the filling phase upon reaching the desired Füllgutmenge.

The object of the invention is to provide a method which allows a volume or volume controlled filling of bottles or similar containers with simplified means at the same time reduced cost. To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. A filling system is the subject of patent claim 7.

The peculiarity of the invention is that filled in each filling phase at the same time or approximately at the same time at least two bottles or containers at least two common flow meter filling stations and thereby differences in the filling speed of the filling stations are compensated by time correction, for example by time-delayed opening and / or closing the filling points or the liquid valves of these filling points. Differences in filling speeds can have different causes.

Especially in filling systems or filling machines, in which the filling of the container is carried out essentially by the effects of the geodesic Füllgutdruckes, ie taking advantage of the difference in height between the Füllgutspiegel in a product providing reservoirs or boiler and the level of the respective filling are such differences in the filling speed for example different flow resistance in the Füllgutleitungen or compounds leading to the filling points and / or in particular due to a different height level of the filling stations.

However, the so-called backpressure filling methods are also affected, since in these cases the entire filling process takes place under pressure, but the filling speed is likewise essentially determined by the geodesic filling material pressure.

However, certain free jet filling methods, e.g. for filling syrup, in which the boiler is additionally set under slight overpressure in order to accelerate the outflow of the filling material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the respective filling stations or filling elements associated with a common filling station group or a common flow meter are at different height levels, i. arranged offset in the vertical direction against each other. As a result, it is possible, in particular in the case of filling machines of a rotating design, to increase the number of filling points or filling elements provided on the circumference of a rotor driven peripherally about a vertical machine axis. for example, without it being necessary to increase the diameter of the rotor.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figure, which shows a simplified representation of a filling system according to the invention.

The generally designated 1 in the figure filling system is part of a filling machine of rotating design for filling bottles 2 with a liquid product. The filling system 1 consists in the illustrated embodiment of two filling elements 3 and 4, which are at different height level, ie offset in the vertical direction or one above the other on a vertical machine axis VM circumferentially driven rotor 5 are provided, namely the filling element 3 at a higher level as the filling element 4.

Each filling element 3 or 4 is associated with a bottle or container carrier, not shown, which holds the respective, with its bottle axis oriented in the vertical direction bottle 2 with its bottle mouth 2.1 on the corresponding filling element 3 or 4 for the filling process, namely. in sealing position or for a free jet filling at a distance from the filling element or the Füllelementabgabeöffnung. At the periphery of the rotor 5, a plurality of Füllelementpaaren each consisting of a filling element 3 and a filling element 4 and the associated container or bottle carriers is provided. The filling machine is designed so that, when the rotor 5 rotates, the bottles 2 are transferred to the bottle or container carrier at a bottle or container inlet, and the filled bottles 2 are taken off at a container outlet from the rotor 5 or the container supports there.

To provide the contents of the rotor 5, a boiler 6 is provided which is filled level controlled at least during the filling process up to the level N with the liquid product, in such a way that in the boiler above the Füllgutspiegels a gas chamber 6.1 and below the Füllgutspiegels Liquid space 6.2 result. The boiler 6 is furthermore designed so that it or its bottom are located clearly above the discharge openings of the upper filling elements 3. Via a distributor 7 opening into the boiler 6 at its bottom, the filling element pairs or groups formed by one filling element 3 and one filling element 4 are connected by means of a separate line 8, in which a flow meter 9 common to the two filling elements 3 and 4 of each filling element pair , For example, a magneto-inductive flow meter is provided, which is flowed through during the filling of the bottles 2 of the relevant Füllelementpaares of the liquid product from the boiler 6 and one of the Gesamtfüllgutmenge both filling elements 3 and 4 corresponding measurement signal to a central control unit 10 of the filling machine, for example a computer supplies.

In the flow direction after the flow meter 9, each line branches 8 in lines 11 and 12, of which the line 11, the filling element 3 and the line 12, the filling element 4 connects to the output of the flow meter 9. In each line 11 and 12, a control or liquid valve 13 (in the line 11) and 14 (in the line 12)) is provided. The control or fluid valves 13 and 14, which are for example the usual liquid valves of the filling elements 3 and 4, are individually controllable, by the control device 10. In the conduit 12, at least one adjustable throttle 15 is further provided.

The control of the filling system 1 or the filling machine is basically in the form that after positioning a respective bottle 2 on the filling element 3 and the filling element 4, the filling phase is introduced simultaneously to both filling elements, by simultaneously opening the liquid valves 13 and 14th The total quantity of filling material then flowing to the two bottles 2 of the filling element group is measured with the flow meter 9 and a corresponding measuring signal is transmitted continuously to the control device 10. The filling rate, i. the speed at which the liquid product flows with open liquid valves 13 and 14 of the respective bottle 2, u.a. Depending on the height difference between the level N of Füllgutspiegels in the boiler 6 and the level of the Füllelementabgabeöffnung the filling element 3 and 4. Since the filling element 4 is arranged below the filling element 3, the filling speed of this filling element is generally greater than the filling speed of the filling element. 3

By a corresponding, stored in the control device 10 control program therefore takes place at the end of the filling process closing the liquid valve 14 before closing the liquid valve 13 in such a way that by this time correction after completion of the filling phase measured by the flow meter 9 Gesamtfüllgutmenge on both bottles. 2 evenly distributed, ie both bottles 2 after completion of the filling phase contain the required amount of filling material.

The time delay in closing the liquid valve 13 is determined, for example, by a test run, e.g. in the form that the time required for the volume-accurate filling of the bottles 2 on the filling element 4 is determined and stored as a shutdown for the liquid valve 14 in the memory of the controller 10, and then taking into account this switch-off and supplied by the flow meter 9, the total volume corresponding measurement signal, the liquid valve 13 is then closed when the measured total volume corresponds to a predetermined value. Of course, other control methods of the liquid valves 13 and 14 of the respective filling system 1 are possible.

With the throttle 15 provided in the conduit 12, the flow or filling speed at the lower filling element 4 can be adjusted so that it is equal to or at least approximately equal to the flow or filling speed at the filling element 3, so that a simultaneous or approximately simultaneous closing the liquid valves 13 and 14 is possible.

In order to enable different filling methods, the filling elements 3 and 4 are also formed with the usual, controlled gas paths, which are provided with the rotor 5, for all filling elements 3 and 4 of the filling machine common annular channels 16 and 17 in combination, via a Line 18 with the gas space 6.1 of the boiler (ring channel 16) or via a line 19 (ring channel 17) are connected to the atmosphere and / or with a vacuum or vacuum source.

A significant advantage of the filling system 1 or a corresponding filling machine is a considerable reduction of the required number of flow meters 9, i. in the embodiment described above with two filling elements 3 and 4 per filling element group and flow meter 9, their number compared to conventional filling systems or filling machines can be reduced by 50%, which contributes to a significant reduction in the overall cost of a filling machine.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible.

Thus, it has been assumed above that the time correction compensating for the different flow and fill speeds takes place when the liquid valves 13 and 14 are closed at the end of the respective filling phase. Instead of or in addition thereto, it is also possible to make a corresponding time correction at the beginning of the respective filling phase or the common filling of two bottles on the filling elements 3 and 4, in the form that the liquid valve 13 is opened in front of the liquid valve 14 ,

Furthermore, it is possible to form at least one of the two bottle or container carrier Füllelementgruppe, for example, the filling element 3 associated container carrier with a weighing device or with a corresponding sensor so as to detect the respective bottle 2 inflowed amount of filling by weighing constantly and the Control device 10 to provide a corresponding measurement signal available from the then taking into account the measurement signal of the flow meter 9, the control of the liquid valves 13 and 14 for a volume accurate filling of the bottles 2 on both filling elements 3 and 4.

Another way to compensate for irregularities in the filling times and quantities is also in the outlet of the filling machine means, e.g. Provide sensors, or cameras with image processing systems that measure the level and / or capacity of filled using one and the same flow meter 9 bottles 2 and compare. Differences determined here can then be compensated for by closing time corrections to the closing of the liquid valves 13 and 14 in subsequent filling phases.

Within the scope of a further embodiment, it is provided that the compensating of the differences takes place by influencing the at least one adjustable throttle 15 effected by the means.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filling system

2

bottle

3, 4

filler

5

rotor

6

boiler

6.1

headspace

6.2

liquid space

7

distributor

8th

management

9

Flowmeter

10

Control device or computer

11, 12

management

13, 14

Control or liquid valve

15

throttle

16, 17

annular channel

18, 19

management

VM

vertical machine axis

N

Level of the product level in the boiler 6

Claims (14)

1. Method for filling bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid substance from a reservoir or tank (6) containing the liquid substance, using filling elements (3, 4) each comprising a control valve or liquid valve (13, 14) and being controlled in terms of their filling quantity, wherein, for at least two filling elements (3, 4) forming a group of filling elements, the total amount of substance that flows, in a filling phase, into the containers (2) provided at these filling elements (3, 4), is measured using a flow meter (9), the liquid valves (13, 14) being opened and/or closed with time-offset on the basis of the measurement signal delivered from the flow meter (9) and on the basis of a time correction compensating for different filling speeds of the filling elements (3, 4) so that each container (2) contains the required amount of substance at the end of the filling phase.
2. Method for filling bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid substance from a reservoir or tank (6) containing the liquid substance, using filling elements (3, 4) each comprising a control valve or liquid valve (13, 14) and being controlled in terms of their filling quantity, wherein, for at least two filling elements (3, 4) forming a group of filling elements, the total amount of substance that flows, in a filling phase, into the containers (2) provided at these filling elements, is measured using a flow meter (9), with at least one adjustable throttle (15), on the basis of the measurement signal delivered from the flow meter (9), being influenced in such a way that each container (2) contains the required amount of substance at the end of the filling phase, wherein the liquid valves (13, 14) are opened and/or closed simultaneously or almost simultaneously.
3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the liquid valves (13, 14) of the filling elements (3, 4) of the group of filling elements are opened and/or closed with time-offset on the basis of the measurement signal delivered from the flow meter (9) and on the basis of the time correction compensating for different filling speeds of the filling elements (3, 4) such that the containers (2) each contain the same or essentially the same amount of substance at the end of the filling phase.
4. Method according to any one of claims 1, 3, characterised in that, for at least two filling elements (3, 4), arranged at different heights, of the at least one group of filling elements, the time-corrected opening and/or closing of the liquid valves (13, 14) occurs depending on the difference in height between the level (N) of the substance height in the reservoir (6) and the level of the respective filling element (3, 4) or its dispensing opening.
5. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the compensation of the different filling speeds of the filling elements (3, 4) of the at least one group of filling elements occurs, by throttling the substance inflow to the filling element (4), at the higher filling speed.
6. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the substance quantity and/or filling level of those containers (2), which were filled in one and the same filling phase at the filling elements (3, 4) of one and the same group of filling elements, are registered and differences in the filling quantity and/or filling level thus determined are compensated by applying time corrections to the opening and/or closing of the liquid valves (13, 14).
7. Filling system for filling bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid substance from a reservoir or tank (6) containing the liquid substance, with filling elements (3, 4) that comprise control valves or liquid valves (13, 14) and that are controlled in terms of their filling quantity by a control means (10), the filling elements (3, 4) forming at least one group of filling elements with at least two filling elements (3, 4), and with each filling element group being assigned a flow meter (9) for measuring the total amount of liquid substance that is dispensed in each filling phase through the filling elements (3, 4) of this group of filling elements, the control means (10) opening and/or closing the liquid valves (13, 14) with time-offset on the basis of the measurement signal delivered from the respective flow meter (9) and on the basis of a time correction compensating for different filling speeds of the filling elements (3, 4), and/or at least one adjustable throttle (15) being influenced in such a way that each container (2) contains the required amount of substance at the end of the filling phase.
8. Filling system according to claim 7, characterised in that each group of filling elements is assigned a single flow meter (9).
9. Filling system according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the control means (10) opens and/or closes the liquid valves (13, 14) with time-offset on the basis of the measurement signal delivered from the respective flow meter (9) and on the basis of a time correction compensating for different filling speeds of the filling elements (3, 4) such that the containers (2) each contain the same or essentially the same amount of substance at the end of the filling phase.
10. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one group of filling elements comprises at least two filling elements (3, 4,) arranged at different heights.
11. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, for compensating the different filling speeds of the filling elements (3, 4) of the at least one group of filling elements, at least one throttle (15) is provided in a substance line of a filling element (4) at a higher filling speed.
12. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by means that register the substance quantity and/or filling level of those containers (2), which were filled in one and the same filling phase at the filling elements (3, 4) of one and the same group of filling elements, and compensate differences in the filling volume and/or filling level thus determined by applying time corrections to the opening and/or closing of the liquid valves (13, 14).
13. Filling system according to any one of the claims 7-11, characterised by means that register the substance volume and/or filling level of those containers (2), which were filled in one and the same filling phase at the filling elements (3, 4) of one and the same group of filling elements, and compensate differences in the filling volume and/or filling level thus determined by influencing the at least one adjustable throttle (15).
14. Filling system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is part of a filling machine with a large number of groups of filling elements at a rotor (5) that is driven such as to revolve about a machine axis (VM).

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