EP2272791B1 - Device for filling containers with multi-component liquids - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for filling containers with multicomponent liquids according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a corresponding method. Such devices have long been known from the prior art, which serve, for example, to produce carbonated mixed drinks. In this case, a carbonated liquid is enriched with a syrup or the like and filled in this way in a container.

For filling usual filling means are used, which have a valve, with the aid of which the filling can be controlled. In general, such devices also have a volumetric metering chamber, which is connected via a controllable inlet valve with a reservoir for the liquid and a controllable outlet valve with a filler neck.

Certain problems are partly caused by drinks such as fruit juices. These fruit juices sometimes have pieces of fruit or pulp. These pieces of fruit may cause unwanted lateral splashes and the like at the valve of the filling devices.

From the WO 2010 / 017888A1 and from the WO 2009 / 103426A1 two devices according to the preamble of claim 1 are known. These two patents fall under Article 54 (3) EPC.

From the EP 0 775 668 A1 is still a device and a method for filling containers with multi-component drinks known.

From the DE 43 24 799 A1 a device for filling liquids is known. In this case, at least one sensor responsive to the level is arranged in metering chambers, which controls an inlet valve and an outlet valve. Furthermore, at least one additional reservoir for a liquid is provided, with which each dosing chamber can be connected.

The EP 0 354 130 A1 describes a method to add a product to a liquid. In this case, a dose of the product to be added is determined and this dose is added to the main product.

The US 2,372,899 describes a bottling plant, in particular a plant for producing carbonated drinks, in which syrup is added.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a device which prevents dirt or unwanted splashes through the filling device, especially in fruit-containing drinks. Furthermore, a possibility should be created to equip a corresponding device with standard filling devices, such as standard Vollstrahlventilen. Furthermore, therefore, the cost of producing such systems should be reduced.

These objects are achieved according to the invention by the subject-matter of independent claims 1 and 6. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

An inventive device for filling containers with liquids and in particular with beverages has a filling device which fills the liquid into the container, wherein the filling device has a valve device for controlling the liquid flow into the container. Furthermore, the device has a first supply line in order to supply a first liquid to the filling device. Furthermore, a second supply line is provided to supply the filling device with a second liquid, which differs in particular from the first liquid, wherein the first supply line and the second supply line are at least partially separated from each other.

According to the invention, the device has a control device which is designed such that at the beginning and at the end of a filling process for a particular container of this container is filled only with the first liquid.

It is therefore proposed according to the invention that the container is filled in such a way that first the first liquid is filled up to a certain proportion, then shares are filled, which also contain the second liquid and finally at the end of the filling process again only the first liquid is filled in the specific container.

In order to ensure that the second liquid at small quantities, e.g. between 100 ml and 300 ml, is completely rinsed out, can here also advantageously the dosage of the second liquid to be started at the same time as the filling process.

Preferably, the first liquid is a clear liquid or a liquid which has no fruit pieces and the like. This ensures that no pieces of fruit pass through it, especially during the periods when the filling valve opens and closes. In this way, splashes are prevented by the filling process. Furthermore, can be used by this procedure on standard valves. More specifically, it is achieved that a pulp dosage is in the middle of the entire liquid dosage, which is filled in the container. Therefore, it can not come to a crushing of the pulp through the valve cone or other valve elements.

According to the invention, the second supply line opens into the first supply line. This procedure is particularly advantageously suitable for feeding pulp doses to the first liquid or for forming pulp grafts within the first liquid.

It has proved to be advantageous when filling small quantities, for example between 100 ml and 300 ml, when the metering of the second liquid takes place directly into the filling device and not into the first product line lying in front of the filling device. This ensures that sufficient first liquid is passed through the filling device after the grafting of the second liquid in order to achieve a complete rinsing of the second product from the filling device.

The device according to the invention has a measuring device in order to determine the quantity of the second liquid to be supplied. According to the invention, this measuring device has a measuring probe. This probe can, for example, check the level in an intermediate container and ensure in this way that only a predetermined amount of second liquid enters the container.

According to the invention, the device has a rinsing device in order to rinse components of the device with a rinsing medium. Thus, it is possible that as part of a CIP cleaning, a cleaning medium is passed through the filling device, but it is also possible that this flushing medium or cleaning medium is passed through the Dosage device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a dosing device for dosing the second liquid. With this dosage device can ensure that only certain amounts of liquid get into the first liquid line. The above-mentioned measuring device is advantageously part of the dosing device.

This is preferably done a pulp dosage by means of a probe. The use of a probe has the advantage that the conductivity of the pulp or the second liquid does not have to be present. Furthermore, it may be possible to dispense with a second annular container for the second liquid, since the metering chamber is independent of intake pressure fluctuations by inlet and outlet valves.

Advantageously, the dosing device has at least one diaphragm valve. This means that the control of the pulp feed takes place with at least one diaphragm valve. In this way, a product-friendly closing behavior is ensured. Advantageously, the dosing device has two diaphragm valves. In a further advantageous embodiment, the said measuring probe or measuring device is arranged between these two diaphragm valves.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a second measuring device which determines the amount of liquid filled into the container. This second measuring device may, for example, be a flow measuring device, which is particularly preferably provided downstream with respect to the supply of the second liquid. Particularly advantageous, however, this second measuring device is a weight measuring device which determines the weight of the bottle filled with the product. Based on data from this second measuring device, the valves of the filling devices can be controlled accordingly.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the dosage device is procedurally involved in such a way that an optional separate CIP cleaning of both the first product path and the second product path can be done. Thereby, e.g. the main product remain in the product route while the product route for e.g. Pulphaltige filling product is cleaned. In this way, a rapid changeover of the filling device from a first filling product with a first additional product to a second filling product with a second additional product without loss of standing in the product path main product can be done.

The present invention is further directed to a method for filling containers with liquids and in particular beverages by means of a device according to the invention, wherein a container by means of a filling device, a mixture of a first liquid and a second liquid is supplied, and the first liquid of the filling device by means of a the first supply line is fed, wherein the second liquid is supplied by means of a second supply line in the first supply line, and wherein the device has a purging device to flush components of the device with a flushing medium.

According to the container at the beginning and at the end of a filling process, only the first liquid is supplied and at least one further between the beginning and the end of the filling process period of the filling at least the second liquid.

Therefore, it is also proposed in terms of the method that the beginning and the end of the filling take place with the first and in particular clear or piece-free liquid. Advantageously, the time period in which the second liquid is supplied, provided in a central region of the entire temporal filling process.

According to the invention, a mixture of the first and the second liquid is supplied to the container using a valve means, and the second liquid passes through this valve means only in a substantially fully opened state of the valve means. In this case, the second liquid is advantageously again such a liquid, which may have pieces of fruit or the like, ie for example pulp.

In a further advantageous method, the second liquid is metered into the first feed line in which the first liquid flows. By means of this feed already into the first supply line, it is achieved that a standard filling device can be used as the filling device.

In a further advantageous method, a filling state of the containers is measured. The filling state can be determined for example by means of load cells. This advantageously results in a dosage by means of a load cell and advantageously also by means of a probe for the second liquid. In this way, a particularly favorable standard deviation in the filling of the containers is achieved.

Instead of measuring the respective dosages, it would also be possible to carry out the metering of the pulp over a time switch or a similar dosage.

In a further advantageous method, the second liquid is supplied in margins to the first liquid. Through this margin-wise supply can be ensured in a particularly favorable manner that during the opening and closing operation of the valve, the second liquid does not pass this valve.

In a further advantageous method, an amount of the second liquid to be supplied is determined, as explained in greater detail above.

Further advantages and embodiments will become apparent from the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Anlage zum Befüllen von Behältnissen;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung zur Veranschaulichung des zeitlichen Ablaufes der Befüllung sowie

Fig. 4

eine weitere vorteilhafte Ausführungsform der Dosage-Einrichtung.

Show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a system according to the invention for filling containers;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the device according to the invention and

Fig. 3

a representation to illustrate the timing of the filling and

Fig. 4

a further advantageous embodiment of the dosage device.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system 60 for filling containers. This plant 60 in this case has a container feed 62, which feeds containers along an arrow 64 via a feed star 64 to a rinsing device 66 or a rinser.

The reference numeral 68 refers to an outlet star of the rinsing device 66, which takes over the rinsed containers and passes over a transfer star 70 and a Füllereinlaufstern 72 to a device 1 for filling the drinks. With this device 1 here two-component drinks are filled. The reference numerals A to G denote different process steps, which are traversed when bottling the drinks. Thus, in a step A, the container is pressed against a filling device and in a step B, a bias takes place or the container is subjected to a gaseous medium, such as carbon dioxide. In a step C, a clear stuffing of the container with a major product, such as a carbonated beverage. In a step D, a secondary product can be supplied or a secondary product graft can be introduced into the main product. In area E, refilling of the main product takes place. The reference symbol T _E denotes the end of the filling of the container with the beverage.

In a step F, a calming or relieving the bottled beverage can be made and in step G, a removal of the container from the filling device.

The reference numeral 78 refers to an outlet starter of the device 1 and the reference numeral 80 to a Verschließeinrichutng to close the containers with closures, wherein the reference numeral 82 refers to a supply container for the container closures. The reference numeral 84 denotes an outlet star of the capper and the reference numeral 86 a discharge device for transporting away the filled containers.

The reference numeral 76 indicates a blind spot in which no containers are filled or no containers are arranged at corresponding filling stations. In this blind spot between the Füllerauslauf- and -einlaufstern a dosage of the additional product to the main product is possible. Thus, this angle is used for the filling process and in this way the overall performance of the filler can be increased. This dosage will be described in detail with reference to the other figures. In terms of the method, it is therefore proposed that the metered addition of the further liquid to the first liquid take place in a time-delayed manner to the filling of the container.

This serves the in Fig. 1 also shown apparatus for mixing drinks from at least two or more different liquids. These liquids can be, for example, water, syrup and / or flavorings in a predetermined mixing ratio per container volume to be filled. Again, it is advantageous to merge the different liquids in the room, which follows after the division to the individual filling valves. In one aspect of the invention, it is proposed that the bringing together of the different media takes place so close to the filling valve outlet that the metered-in medium is advantageously discharged independently with the subsequent container filling. By doing so, each successive filling can be varied with multiple flavor feeds. In addition, critical products such as pulp can be flushed away from the valve device or the valve cone in this way.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation for illustrating the invention. In this case, reference numeral 2 refers to a filling device, which fills a beverage in containers 10. The reference numeral 24 denotes a weight measuring device such as a load cell, which measures a weight of the filled with the liquid or the product container, in particular also running. Based on the data of this measuring device, the filling process can be controlled. It is noted that while doing any known from the prior art control methods for filling using a load cell can be used, such. As regards buoyancy of the load cell after receiving the containers or stuffing with a first filling speed and finished filling with a second, different from the first filling speed filling speed. The person skilled in the necessary control methods and execution details of the filling facilities are well known. It should also be pointed out that the term "liquid" is used here in the following, and this term is also intended to cover viscous media, such as, for example, oils, honey, ketchup and the like.

This filling device has a valve device 4 or a valve body, which can control the inflow of the liquid to the container or which can at least block or release it.

Via a first supply line or liquid line 12, the filling device 2 is supplied with the first liquid F1 starting from a reservoir 18. This first liquid F1 is in particular a clear liquid. The reference numeral 42 denotes a drive unit for driving the valve body 4.

Via a second supply line 14, which opens here into the first supply line 12, the filling device 2 is supplied with a further liquid, which may be pulp here. This second liquid is supplied to the first supply line 12 via a supply line 15, a dosage device 20, and a feed line 14. In this case, the supply of the second liquid, as indicated by the black dots F2, takes place like a margin into the first liquid F1. These margins are advantageously supplied in such a way that at the beginning and at the end of a filling process of the containers 10 only the first liquid F1 is supplied. The dosing unit 20 has two diaphragm valves 44 and 46 for metering the second fluid, ie here the pulp. Between these two diaphragm valves, a measuring device 22, which has a measuring probe 26, is provided in order to check the respectively supplied margin of liquid F2. The reference numeral 26 designates a corresponding capacitive probe.

The reference numeral 30 refers to a control device for controlling the valve device 4. Furthermore, this control device 30 also controls the two diaphragm valves 44 and 46, in order to achieve in this way an accurate dosage of the second fluid F2. Reference numerals 32, 34 and 36 refer to corresponding (electrical) line connections between the control device and the said elements. Also, the measuring probe 26 is connected via a line connection 38 to the control device. It can also be seen that the filling level of the second liquid is higher than the filling level of the first liquid F1. This level difference is marked with the reference symbol U. In this way it is ensured that the second liquid F2 can always be pressed into the first liquid F1.

Numeral 52 refers to a CIP splitter for performing CIP cleaning. The CIP distributor represents the connection between the device 1 and a CIP system, not shown, and is well known in its structure and possible embodiments to those skilled in the art. It can be seen that a connecting line 54 via a cleaning ring channel 56 both the filling device 4 and a purge line 45 cleans components of the dosing unit 20. The reference numeral 48 refers to an annular channel for supplying the second liquid F2.

FIG. 3 illustrates the process flow when filling the container 10. First, as indicated by the reference character F1, only the first liquid is supplied (time start F1). From a certain point in time (start F2), the supply of the second liquid F2 also begins and ends again at a further advanced time end F2. Only after the end of the filling with the product F2 also ends the filling with the liquid F1 (time end F1). In order to achieve a central implementation of the second liquid F2 in this way, the volumes are advantageously taken into account, which after the supply of the supply line 14 into the supply line 12 (see FIG. Fig. 2 ) are located.

FIG. 4 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the procedural integration of the dosing in the product and cleaning paths. Here is in addition to the in Fig. 2 components shown an additional purge line 49 installed. This purge line 49 branches as far as possible dead space directly in front of the diaphragm valve 44 from the second supply line 14 off and can be shut off at this junction by another example diaphragm valve 47. Furthermore, a further shut-off valve is installed between cleaning ring channel 56 and filling device 2. With this procedural circuit can now be a separate cleaning, for example, the second product route for example, the pulp-containing product.

For this purpose, the shut-off valve 41 and the diaphragm valves 44 and 47 are closed. The diaphragm valves 43 and 46 are opened. Now cleaning medium via the supply line 15 through the measuring device 22, shown here with a float probe, and the purge line 45, the annular channel 48 and the connecting line 54 are passed. If the measuring device 22 has been sufficiently flushed through, the diaphragm valve 47 is opened. Since the second supply line 14 and the purge line 49 each have a larger diameter than the purge line 45, the main stream of cleaning medium is now passed from the measuring device 22 through the conduit 14 and the purge line 49 to the cleaning ring channel 56. It is also possible to close the diaphragm valve 43, whereby the entire stream of cleaning medium passes through the latter path. After cleaning with e.g. Sodium hydroxide is applied in the same manner e.g. acid cleaning, followed by rinsing with water to remove all cleaning media.

Finally, the valves 41 and 47 are closed. Thereupon, a second liquid for the purpose of filling in combination with the first liquid can be returned to the metering device via the feed line 15. In this case, this additional product may differ from the originally bottled product.

As in Fig. 2 shown, the two liquids F1 and F2 or products are fed from above, which results in a lower product loss, since the, in bottom-fed product lines, supplied product can not be emptied Ententladeerend. The metering takes place as mentioned, with the help of the load cell 24 and the measuring device 22. It should be noted that the filling device shown here can also be retrofitted to existing systems. The original design of the filling device is not essential. Instead of or next to the in Fig. 3 However, shown feeding control is also a time-based control possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

filling device

4

valve body

10

containers

12

first liquid supply line, first supply line

14

second liquid supply line, second supply line

15

supply

18

reservoir

20

Dosageeinrichtung

22

measuring device

24

Weight measuring device

26

probe

30

control device

32, 34, 36, 38

line connections

41

shut-off valve

42

drive unit

43, 44, 46, 47

diaphragm valves

45, 49

flushing line

48

annular channel

52

CIP manifold

54

connecting line

56

Cleaning annular channel

62

container supply

64

feed star

66

flushing

68

outlet star

70

transfer star

72

Filler inlet star

76

blind spot

78

outlet star

80

closing

82

feeding

84

Outlet starter of the capper

86

removal device

A - G

steps

F1

first liquid

F2

second liquid

T _E

End of filling

U

Difference in level

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus (1) for filling containers with liquids and in particular with beverages, comprising a filling device (2) which fills the liquid into the container (10), wherein the filling device (2) has a valve device (4) for controlling the liquid flow into the container (10), comprising a first supply line (12) for supplying a first liquid to the filling device (2), and comprising a second supply line (14) for supplying a second liquid to the filling device (2), wherein the first supply line (12) and the second supply line (14) are separate from one another at least in some sections, wherein the apparatus (1) has a control device which is configured in such a way that, at the start and at the end of a filling process for a container, this container is filled only with the first liquid, wherein the second supply line (14) opens out into the first supply line (12) and wherein the apparatus has a rinsing device for rinsing components of the apparatus with a rinsing medium , characterised in that the apparatus has a measuring device (22) with a measuring probe (26) for determining the quantity of the second liquid (F2) to be supplied.
2. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus has a dosing device (20) for dosing the second liquid.
3. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the dosing device (20) has at least one diaphragm valve (44, 46).
4. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the dosing device (20) has two diaphragm valves (44, 46).
5. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the apparatus has a second measuring device (24) which determines the quantity of liquid that has been filled into the container.
6. Method for filling containers with liquids and in particular with beverages by means of an apparatus according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 - 5, wherein a mixture of a first liquid and a second liquid is supplied to a container by means of a filling device (2) and the first liquid is supplied to the filling device (2) by means of a first supply line (12), wherein the apparatus has a rinsing device for rinsing components of the apparatus with a rinsing medium, and wherein, at the start and at the end of a filling process, only the first liquid is supplied to the container (10) and, at least during a further time segment of the filling process between the start and the end of the filling process, at least also the second liquid is supplied to the container, wherein the mixture is supplied to the container (10) using a valve device (4), and the second liquid passes this valve device (4) only in an essentially completely open state of the valve device (4).
7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that the second liquid is dosed into the first supply line.
8. Method according to at least one of the claims 6-7, characterised in that a filling state of the containers (10) is measured.
9. Method according to at least one of the claims 6-8, characterised in that the second liquid is supplied marginally to the first liquid.
10. Method according to at least one of the claims 6-9, characterised in that a quantity to be supplied of the second liquid is determined.
11. Plant for filling containers, characterised in that in comprises at least on apparatus according to one of the claims 1 - 5.

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