EP2307304B1 - Filling system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a constant-pressure or non-pressurized filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method according to the preamble of claim 9.

Filling systems or filling machines of this type are known as Gleichdruckfüllsysteme or pressureless filling systems, in which the filling speed at the respective filling element (filling) from the static height difference between the product outlet on the filling element, i. the local discharge opening, and the Füllgutniveau in the boiler (reservoir) results, and reduced by pressure losses that result in the liquid product as it flows through the communication channels boiler and filler. Level fluctuations of the mirror of the liquid contents in the boiler and in particular also pressure fluctuations in the gas space of the boiler lead to significant changes in the filling speed of the respective filling element. The consequences of this are u.a. an increased and undesirable foaming by too high a filling speed, negative effects on the accuracy of the measurement of the filling level and / or the filling volume, etc.

Although it is customary to provide the respective boiler during the filling operation level-controlled or -regulated with the liquid contents, changes, especially sudden changes in the level of Füllgutspiegels In the boiler, however, can not be excluded, especially when interrupting the filling or "empty" the corresponding filling machine.

To exclude the influence of pressure fluctuations on the filling speed, it is customary to connect the gas space of the boiler over as large a cross-section with the atmosphere, so that it does not lead to a compression or expansion of the Gas volume in the gas space above the liquid product and thus can not come to changes and in particular not to sudden changes in Füllgesohwindigkeit. It is of particular importance that the pressure of the gas volume in the gas space above the liquid product as possible corresponds to the pressure of the gas surrounding the discharge opening of the filling material, as avoided by this approach further, negative factors influencing the filling speed.

The above-described ventilation or connection of the gas space of the boiler with the atmosphere for pressure equalization is not possible in filling systems for aseptically filling a product because of the risk of penetration of germs or microorganisms from the atmosphere, so that has already been proposed for the pressure equalization in the gas space the boiler at this at least one ventilation or equalization opening with at least one, germs or microorganisms retaining filter, preferably provided with at least two in series successively arranged filters.

The disadvantage here, however, that inevitably results in a pressure loss in each filter and it can not be completely avoided by pressure fluctuations in the boiler with sudden changes in the level of Füllgutspiegels, these pressure fluctuations affect the filling speed in an undesirable manner. Furthermore, such filters, especially if they are formed over a large area, cause high investment costs. Moreover, it is not possible, at least not with a technically feasible effort, to monitor the condition of the filter and to detect a filter defect in good time before it comes to a contamination of the contents in the boiler with microorganisms or germs from the environment.

Also known is a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1 ( DE 718 389 C ). In this known filling machine, the respective bottle during the filling process and during the subsequent closing in one, the bottle received relatively tightly enclosing and sealed to the outside chamber. Before the actual filling with the liquid product, the respective bottle is acted upon by a return gas pipe and a control valve having a gas line for biasing with the pressurized gas of the gas space of the filling boiler. Subsequently, the contents are introduced from the boiler in the then applied in sealing position against the filling element bottle via a liquid valve. After filling the respective bottle is further lowered in the closed chamber remaining in this chamber and closed in the lowered state. It is also contemplated to pressurize the respective bottle and the closed chamber with a sterilant prior to biasing.

Also known are filling machines for volume-accurate filling of a liquid filling material in bottles ( EP 1 022 250 A1 ), the filling system consisting essentially of a partially filled with the contents of the boiler, filling elements and bottle carriers below a discharge opening of the respective filling element. During filling, the respective bottle is received in a relatively tightly enclosing and outwardly sealed chamber which communicates via a gas path with the gas space of the boiler, which in turn is open for pressure equalization through openings to the environment, under Acceptance of the penetration of germs or microorganisms.

The invention has for its object to avoid this disadvantage. To solve this problem, a filling machine is designed according to claim 1, which makes it possible to produce a pressure equilibrium between the gas space in the boiler and the gas environment of the discharge opening of the contents under clean room conditions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas or vapor connection opens for pressure equalization or pressure equalization connection via at least one connecting piece in the boiler, but preferably in the insulator or sterile space in which the containers are arranged at least during their filling at least with their mouth region. The at least one connecting piece forms an interior space with at least one pressure equalization opening, which can be closed by a closure and connected to a flushing line, so that the interior of the connection piece as well as the pressure equalization connection in total during a cleaning and / or sterilization of a cleaning and / or sterilization medium can be flowed through.

Instead of the at least one pressure equalization opening of the at least one connecting piece opening into the sterile chamber pressure equalization connection or in addition to this connection, for example, a further pressure equalization connection is provided via a provided on the filling element in the region of the discharge opening of the filling element gas or pressure equalization opening in the sterile room empties. These pressure equalization opening and the associated pressure equalization connection can be traversed by a cleaning and / or sterilization medium in a cleaning and / or sterilization, namely after positioning a closure or flushing element on the respective filling element such that this closure element is an outwardly formed closed, in which open both the at least one pressure equalization opening and the discharge opening of the filling element.

During filling operation, the at least one pressure equalization connection between the gas space of the boiler and the sterile room is open, so that a constant constant pressure between the boiler and the sterile room prevails and thus the influence of pressure fluctuations in the gas space of the boiler to the filling speed is eliminated.

For cleaning and / or sterilization, the junction of the at least one pressure equalization connection in the sterile space is closed, so that a perfect cleaning and / or sterilization in particular also the pressure equalization compound is possible without the media used here come into the sterile room or come into contact with this.

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 figures, which show a simplified representation of a filling system of a filling machine, for example, a filling machine of rotating design for the aseptic filling of containers in the form of bottles.

In the FIG. 1 1 is a filling element which is provided together with a plurality of similar filling elements on the circumference of a rotating around a vertical machine axis rotor of a filling machine for the aseptic filling of bottles 2 with a liquid product. From the rotor is in the FIG. 1 only one rotor element 3 with the wall sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 shown. This rotor element forms together with a provided on the machine frame and not rotating with the rotor, the wall sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 having shielding 4 a vertical machine axis concentrically enclosing annular insulator or a sterile chamber 5 outwardly final annular enclosure.

During the filling process, the bottles 2 are completely, or at least taken up with their mouth region in the sterile room 5. After filling, the bottles 2 are slid on to a closing machine, the bottles 2 remaining in a sterile room at least until they are closed.

Each filling element 1 is assigned a container carrier 6 in the sterile space 5, on which the respective bottle 2 is held on a mouth flange 2.1 with its bottle opening 2.2 below the filling element 1 or a dispensing opening 1.1 formed by it. Each filling element 1 is connected via a product line 7 with a flow meter 8 to a boiler 9, which is arranged at a height level above the filling elements 1 and the discharge openings 1.1 respectively and partially during the filling operation, i. is filled to a predetermined level N with the liquid product, so that during the filling operation, the interior of the boiler 9 forms a liquid occupied by the product volume 9.1 and lying above a gas chamber 9.2. Via a product line 10 with rotary coupling 11, the liquid product is fed to the boiler 9 for compliance with the level N regulated. As well as the product lines 7 also opens the product line 10 in the boiler 9 at the bottom of the vessel.

The gas chamber 9.2 is controlled via a line 12 with valve 13 controlled by a sterile gaseous or vaporous medium, for example, with sterile air, in such a way that in the gas space 9.2 a predetermined pressure, for example, an atmospheric pressure is maintained. In the gas space 9.2 further opens a line 14 with valve 15, which in turn is connected to an exhaust duct 16, so that the gas space 9.2 during the filling operation of the supplied via line 12 and discharged via line 16 gas and / or vapor sterile Medium is flowed through and by appropriate control, for example, the valve 13, the pressure in the gas space 9.2 can be adjusted to a predetermined pressure value, for example, to atmospheric pressure. The two lines 12 and 16 are also passed through the rotary joint 11.

Via a branching line 17 with valve 18, the line 12 is also connected to the sterile room 5, i. the line 17 opens via at least one connecting piece 19 forming a pressure equalization opening 19.1 into the space 5, so that there is a pressure equalizing connection via the lines 12 and 17 which effects a pressure equalization between the gas space 9.2 and the interior 5. The peculiarity of the connection piece 19 is that a closure 20, for example in the form of a closure flap, is provided on the latter, with which the (pressure) equalization opening 19 can be closed. Another special feature is that on the interior of the connecting piece 19, a line 21 is connected to valve 22, which is in the manner described in more detail below as a purge line part of a cleaning cycle.

Also for supplying or discharging the gaseous and / or vaporous sterile medium into and out of the space 5, each filling element 1 is connected via a line 23 to the line 16, in such a way that the interior 5 via a filling element at the first In the region of the discharge opening 1.1 formed opening 24, via the lines 23, 16 and 14 and via the open valve 15 for pressure equalization with the gas chamber 9.2 is in communication. The opening 24 thus also serves as a pressure equalization opening, but may also have other functions.

The filling of the bottles 2 thus takes place in a constant pressure filling system in which the filling speed results from the static height difference between the discharge opening 1.1 of the respective filling element 1 and the level N of the liquid level of the filling material in the boiler 9, specifically reduced by pressure losses that occur when flowing through the product lines 7, the flow meter 8 and liquid channels within the filling elements 1 result. About the pressure equalization compounds is a constant constant pressure between boiler 9 and room. 5

A significant feature of the filling system of the FIG. 1 is that all rooms and lines can be easily cleaned and / or sterilized by flowing through with a corresponding cleaning and / or sterilization medium. For the cleaning and / or sterilization process, the closure flap 20 is closed so that it tightly seals the pressure compensation opening 19.1, also with the help of a seal provided on the outer edge of the pressure compensation opening 19.1 or the closure 20, for example an annular lip seal.

For cleaning and / or sterilizing the lines 12 and 17, the liquid cleaning and / or sterilizing agent is supplied via the line 12 and flows via the line 17 into the interior of the closed connection piece 19 and from there via the line 21 and the open valve 22 discharged. The cleaning and / or sterilization medium also flows through the line 12, the open valves 13, the interior of the boiler 9 and is discharged from the boiler 9 via the product line 10. The other lines and channels formed in the filling elements 1 are also passed through for cleaning and / or sterilization of the cleaning and / or sterilizing medium, for example after the application of appropriate cleaning or rinsing caps on the filling elements 1 in such a way in that the dispensing opening 1.1 and thus the liquid channel formed in the respective filling element 1 are connected to the annular pressure equalization opening 24 by the respective cap so that the cleaning or sterilizing medium is then opened with the filling element 1 open via the product line 7 via the liquid channel formed in each filling element , via the discharge opening 1.1, via the pressure equalization opening 24 and via line 23 into the conduit 16 can flow through which the cleaning and / or sterilization medium is discharged. At the same time, the cleaning and / or sterilization medium also flows through the line 14 when the valve 15 is open, namely from the interior of the boiler 9 into the line 16.

The cleaning and / or sterilization of the inner space 5 takes place by spraying a suitable cleaning and / or sterilization or disinfectant, namely with closed by the closure 20 connecting piece 19, so that even in this spray cleaning or disinfection no disinfectant in the pipe 17th can get.

The embodiment of the invention thus enables a flawless cleaning and / or sterilization or disinfection of all communication paths and interiors, without the cleaning and / or sterilization media used in this case coming into contact with the interior 5. At the same time, the described design of the filling system also allows proper cleaning and / or sterilization or disinfection of the interior space 5, without the media used in this case getting into the pressure equalization between the sterile chamber 5 and the boiler 9 causing connections.

The FIG. 2 shows as a further embodiment, a filling system, which differs from that in the FIG. 1 illustrated filling system 1 only differs in that the branching line 17, the valve 18, the connecting piece 19 and the line 21 is dispensed with the valve 22 and in the line 16 between the connection of the lines 23 and the line 14, a valve 25 is provided is. During normal filling operation, the necessary for aseptic filling and in particular a germination of the product in the boiler 9 preventing sterile gas and / or vapor medium is again supplied via line 12 and passes after flowing through the gas chamber 9.2 of the boiler 9 via the line 14 and the open valve 15 in the conduit 16, via which it is then partially discharged. A portion of the sterile gaseous and / or vaporous medium also passes via the lines 23 to the pressure equalization openings 24 of the filling elements 1 and passes through the pressure equalization openings 24 in the interior 5, from which the sterile gas and / or vapor medium is then discharged via a suitable outlet.

Also in the in the FIG. 2 illustrated filling system is a pressure equalization between the gas chamber 9.2 and the interior 5, with open valves 15 and 25 via the lines 14, 16 and 23 and the pressure equalization openings 24. A cleaning and sterilization or disinfection of the communication paths and spaces is in the filling system of the FIG. 2 also possible in a simplified manner, for example by the fact that when placed on the filling elements 1 cleaning caps and open filling elements 1 via the line 12 supplied cleaning and / or sterilization medium into the interior of the boiler 9 and from this partially via the line 14 in the line 16 and partly via the product lines 7, the liquid channels of the open filling elements 1, the cleaning and rinsing caps and the lines 23 flows into the conduit 16, from which the cleaning and / or sterilizing medium is then discharged.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

So it is possible, for example, in the filling system of FIG. 2 for discharging the sterile gaseous and / or vaporous medium in the space 5 to provide a connection 19 corresponding port with closure or flap, which is then connected to the line 16 for discharging the gaseous and / or vaporous medium, wherein one of the line 21st corresponding line is connected via a valve to the line 12, so that when the closure is closed, a cleaning of the connection paths by flowing through with the cleaning and / or sterilization medium is possible and also prevents that in a cleaning and / or sterilization, especially in a spray cleaning and / or sterilization media used in communication paths that serve during normal filling operation for discharging the sterile gas and / or vapor medium.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filler

2

bottle

2.1

Mündungsflansch

2.2

bottle mouth

3

Housing element on the rotor

2.1 - 2.3

wall element

4

Housing element on the machine frame

4.1 - 4.3

wall element

5

sterile room

6

container carrier

7

product line

8th

Flowmeter

9

boiler

9.1

liquid space

9.2

headspace

10

product line

11

rotary joint

12

management

13

Valve

14

management

15

Valve

16

management

17

management

18

Valve

19

spigot

19.1

Pressure equalization port

20

shutter

21

flushing line

22

Valve

23

management

24

Pressure equalization port

25

Valve

N

level

Claims (10)

1. Constant pressure or pressureless filling machine of circulating design for the sterile filling of bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid filling material, with a rotor (3) capable of being driven about a vertical machine axis, with a plurality of filling elements (1) provided at the rotor (3) with, in each case, a discharge opening (1.1) for the discharge of the liquid filling material into the respective container (2), wherein the filling elements (1) are accommodated at least with their discharge openings (1.1), and the containers (2) are accommodated at least with a container section comprising the respective container opening (2.2), in a sterile chamber (5), with a tank (9) which is connected to each filling element (1) via a product line (7), and forms a partial chamber (9.1) serving to accommodate the liquid filling product, and a gas chamber (9.2) located above said partial chamber, to which can be applied a sterile gaseous and/or vaporous medium, and with at least one pressure equalization connection (12, 17, 19; 14, 23, 24) connecting the gas chamber (9.2) of the tank (9) with the sterile chamber
   characterised in that the sterile chamber (5) is an annular chamber surrounding the vertical machine axis, in which all the filling elements (1) are arranged in common at least with their discharge openings (1.1), and that, with the filling drive running, the at least one pressure equalization connection (12, 17, 19; 14, 23, 24) between the gas chamber (9.2) of the tank (9) and the sterile chamber (5) is opened, such that a constant gas pressure pertains between the tank (9) and the sterile chamber (5), and therefore the influence of pressure fluctuations in the gas chamber of the tank on the filling rate is eliminated.
2. Filling machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the pressure equalization connection can be closed at its opening (19, 24) into the sterile chamber (5) and/or gas chamber (9.1) by a closure element (20).
3. Filling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the opening of the pressure equalization connection (14, 23) is formed from at least one pressure equalization opening (24), which is provided at the at least filling element (1) in the region of the discharge opening (1.1), and that the pressure equalization opening (24) can be closed by a closure element, such as a flushing cap, which in the closed state closes a flushing chamber formed at the filling element (1), into which the at least one pressure equalization opening (24) and the discharge opening (1.1) of the filling element (1) open.
4. Filling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pressure equalization connection (12, 17, 19) open via at least one pressure equalization opening (19.1) of a connection piece (19) into the sterile chamber (5), that a closure element (20) is provided at the connection piece (19) for closing the at least one pressure equalization opening (19.1), and that the interior of the connection piece (19) is connected via a line (21) for the flushing of the pressure equalization connection, including the interior of the at least one connection piece (19).
5. Filling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the gas chamber (9.2) of the tank (9) is connected via a first gas path (12), comprising preferably at least one valve (13), to a source for delivering the sterile gaseous and/or vaporous medium, that the gas chamber (9.2) is connected via a second gas path (14, 16), comprising preferably at least one valve (15), for conducting away the sterile gaseous and/or vaporous medium, and that the first gas path (12) is connected to the sterile chamber (5) via a third gas path (17), comprising preferably at least one valve (18), and/or the second gas path (14, 16) is connected to the sterile chamber (5) via a fourth gas path (23).
6. Filling machine according to claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the third gas path (17) opens into the sterile chamber (5) at the at least one connection piece (19).
7. Filling machine according to claims 5 and 6, characterised in that the fourth gas path (23) opens into the sterile chamber (5) via the pressure equalization opening (24) provided at the at least one filling element (1).
8. Filling machine according to claim 4, characterised in that the closure element (20) is formed at the at least one connection piece (19) of a flap valve.
9. Method for cleaning and/or sterilizing a filling machine which is configured in accordance with one of the preceding claims 5 to 8, characterised in that, for the cleaning and/or sterilizing of the pressure equalization line, the respective cleaning and/or sterilization medium is conducted, flowing through the first gas path (12), to the interior of the tank (9), and is conducted away from this, and/or is conducted, flowing through the third gas path and the cleaning and/or sterilization line (21) connected to the connection piece (19), to the interior of the at least one connection nozzle closed by its closure element (20), and is then conducted away from this again.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that, for the cleaning and/or sterilization of the second gas path (14, 15), the cleaning and/or sterilization medium is conducted to the interior of the tank (9), flowing through the second gas path (14, 16) and is conducted away from the interior of the tank (9).

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