EP2409948B2 - Device for filling containers with cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for treating containers. The invention is described with reference to a device for filling containers with liquid and in particular with beverages, but it is also pointed out that the invention can also be used in other container treatment systems, such as blow molding machines, which form plastic preforms into plastic containers.

Such filling machines have long been known from the prior art. For example, the DE 201 20 014 a rotary filler for filling bottles with liquid, which has a rotor which is rotatable about a vertical axis and on which several filling valves are arranged. It is known from the prior art that such filling devices can be cleaned with a liquid cleaning agent as part of a cleaning mode. This cleaning agent is usually supplied via the product feed line and thus cleans the individual filling elements and is then returned using a so-called CIP cap or cover. As a result of this procedure, it is therefore sometimes necessary for the cleaning agents to be returned through the system via relatively complex routes.

The DE 195 42 432 describes a rotary device for the treatment of objects and in particular of containers. A rotary connection is provided for the transport of fluid between a stator assembly and a rotor assembly.

The GB 1015188 describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention is based on the object of improving the cleaning options for such systems. According to the invention, this is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A device according to the invention for filling containers with a liquid and in particular with a drink has a plurality of filling elements, each of which has an outlet to pour the drink into the containers, as well as a valve device to control the supply of the liquid into the containers . Furthermore, the device has a transport device which transports the containers and preferably also the filling elements along a predetermined transport path at least temporarily while they are being filled with the liquid. Furthermore, a cleaning device is provided which applies a cleaning medium to at least one area of the device that is in contact with the liquids to be filled, and in particular at least one area of the filling elements.

According to the invention, at least one filling element is designed such that the cleaning medium emerges freely from this filling element during the cleaning operation.

While the cleaning medium is usually returned in the prior art, it is therefore proposed within the scope of the present invention that the cleaning medium be deliberately allowed to escape from the filling element or its outlet. This means that the cleaning medium is not fed back into a channel, but comes out freely. In particular, the cleaning medium is at least partially not guided in a channel after exiting the filling element, but falls freely downwards, ie preferably exits into an area which is arranged below the filling element, ie closer to the center of the earth than the filling element.

The individual filling elements are advantageously guided along a circular transport path. The filling elements are advantageously arranged on a carrier which can be rotated about an essentially vertical axis. During the cleaning operation, the cleaning medium advantageously emerges essentially freely from several filling elements and preferably from all filling elements.

The area contacted by the liquid to be filled is in particular areas of the filling elements, such as the valve device, but also other supply lines via which the product is supplied to the filling elements.

The applicant has recognized that, in contrast to the devices known in the prior art, it is also possible to let the cleaning medium escape freely. The device advantageously has a collecting device in order to be able to collect the cleaning medium emerging from the filling element.

The device is advantageously a rotary filling machine, which particularly preferably has a central warehouse. No SIP (sterilization in place) or CIP (cleaning in place) return via a media distributor is provided here, but rather the sterilization medium or cleaning media are left out directly.

According to the invention, the device has a clean room and the at least one filling element is designed in such a way that the cleaning medium exits into this clean room during the cleaning operation. In particular, the invention is particularly suitable for configurations with a clean room, since in this way contamination from splashes is avoided, since the cleaning medium first enters the clean room. The clean room is advantageously essentially closed apart from the supply and discharge devices for the containers.

In a further advantageous embodiment if the clean room has a drain for discharging the cleaning medium. This drain serves at the same time as a collecting device to collect the cleaning medium and to discharge it again in a targeted manner. The cleaning medium can be fed to a return or processing device.

According to the invention, the device has a separating device for separating gaseous and liquid media emerging from the clean room. Gaseous media, such as an application gas for the containers, can also exit via said drain. A separation of these media is provided, as can be done, for example, by providing a siphon or the like.

According to the invention, the device has a liquid guiding device which is applied to the outlet in a cleaning mode.

In this way, the cleaning medium can be prevented from splashing in a multitude of directions starting from the outlet, but rather the liquid guiding device guides the liquids specifically into certain areas, for example in the direction of the outlet, which is arranged in the sterile room.

This liquid guiding device has an opening. The liquid guide device can thus be a plate which has, for example, a circular opening through which the cleaning medium passes.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has at least one feed device in order to feed a gaseous medium to the containers (in particular before or during the filling process). The device is also advantageously designed in such a way that this gaseous medium can be released into the clean room. This embodiment is particularly suitable for filling machines which fill beverages with bound gases. During this filling process, the containers are initially preloaded with a certain gas pressure. This gas is then released again after the filling process, it being suggested here that the gas is now also discharged into the clean room.

It should be noted that the discharge of the pre-stressing gases described here and in particular the discharge of the pre-stressing gases into the sterile or clean room can also be used independently of the above-mentioned discharge of the cleaning medium into the clean room. The gaseous medium, which is used to pretension the containers, is advantageously not released directly from the containers into the clean room, but rather via an outlet line which particularly preferably opens into the clean room. In an advantageous embodiment, the device has a valve device for releasing the gaseous medium - in particular into the clean room.

It is pointed out, however, that the draining of the cleaning liquid described here can also be used, for example, in reshaping devices, in which case the cleaning medium can be let out, for example, via a blow nozzle, which applies a gaseous medium to the plastic preforms in order to expand them can be removed from the sterile room. Such a reshaping device advantageously also has a blow mold within which the plastic preforms can be expanded to form plastic containers.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has at least one cleaning device for cleaning the clean room. For example, spray nozzles can be arranged inside the clean room, which clean areas of the clean room and in particular wall areas within the clean room. These cleaning devices are advantageously arranged above the outlet, so that the cleaning medium emerging from this can be discharged via the outlets.

The present invention is further directed to a system for treating containers with a device of the type described above and a sterilization device for sterilizing the containers, which is arranged upstream of this device in a transport direction of the containers. The system advantageously also has a shaping device for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, and this shaping device is advantageously arranged in front of said sterilization device.

It would thus be possible for the containers to be preheated again after they have been reshaped, then exposed to a mixture of H ₂ O ₂ and sterile air, and possibly then blown out with sterile hot air. The containers could then be cooled by blowing in cold sterile air and then fed to the filling device.

A device could be used as the sterilization device, for example, which has an evaporator for evaporating H ₂ O ₂ and which then produces the said mixture and applies it to the containers. However, other sterilization devices would also be conceivable, for example devices which sterilize the containers through the use of electron or laser beams or through the use of UV light. Several sterilization processes could also be combined or several sterilization devices could also be arranged one behind the other in the transport direction of the containers.

The present disclosure is also directed to a method for operating a device for filling containers with liquids, with the containers to be filled being transported along a predetermined transport path and at least temporarily during this transport being filled with a liquid medium by means of a plurality of filling elements and with a cleaning mode is provided in which at least parts of the filling elements are acted upon with a cleaning medium. After it has acted on the parts of the filling elements, the cleaning medium emerges freely from them Filling elements. In terms of the method, it is therefore also proposed that the cleaning medium should not be returned but instead should be discharged directly into a clean room in particular.

Further advantages and embodiments emerge from the attached drawings:

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Füllmaschine, die besonders geeignet ist, Produkte unter sterilen Bedingungen abzufüllen;

Fig. 2

eine Aufsicht auf die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1; und

Fig. 3

eine Detaildarstellung eines Füllelements für eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung.

Show in it:

Fig. 1

a filling machine according to the invention which is particularly suitable for filling products under sterile conditions;

Fig. 2

a plan view of the device Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 3

a detailed representation of a filling element for a device according to the invention.

The Fig. 1 shows the filling machine according to the invention in production. No return of the media via a distribution device is provided for cleaning and sterilizing the product paths. The liquid product is fed to the rotating product container 3 via a feed line 2. The product flows through several lines 4 via filling valves 5 into the container 6, the filling quantity preferably being determined by a measuring device, particularly preferably a flow meter, in the supply line 4 (not shown). Alternatively, the filling quantity can also be determined on the container receptacle 7 via a weighing device. The level of the liquid in the product container 3 is expediently determined via a level probe 8, which is advantageously integrated in the stationary part of the rotary media distributor 9 and which particularly advantageously determines the level without contact. Since a cleaning medium is also fed via the supply line 2, the supply line 2 is also a component of the cleaning device of the filling machine.

Normally, pressure equalization with the environment or with the clean room 12 is established via a gas path 11 in order to be able to carry out a purely gravimetric filling. In the case of a particularly highly viscous product, the gas path 11 can also be used to produce an overpressure in the product container 3; in many cases a piston filling valve can then be used.

The reference number 9 identifies a media distributor which distributes the liquid product to the individual filling valves 5. The rotary media distributor 9 has a mechanical seal 10 which, in the case shown, does not come into contact with the product. The mechanical seal on the rear side is expediently also sterilized at least temporarily during production. For this purpose, hot water or steam is fed in via a supply line 13 and placed elsewhere at the lowest point via a discharge line 14, preferably on the rotating part, for example on a condensate trap. In order to be able to guide the mechanical seal 10, a bearing 15 is provided. This is expediently separated from the supply line 2 and the mechanical seal 10 in order to minimize the heat flow, especially during sterilization with steam. The temperature separation can either take place through cavities 16, thin-walled webs 17 or bolts 18, or thermal insulation elements can also be used. The bearing housing can be provided with lubrication bores 27 and the feed line 2 can simultaneously act as a torque support 28.

Reference number 3 denotes a receptacle for receiving the liquid product. The product container 3 expediently rotates. If there are several product lanes, there may also be several product containers which are then appropriately arranged on the stationary part of the machine. In this case, a multi-lane media distributor is arranged between the product containers and the filling valves. The sight glass 19 is expediently positioned so that a spray ball 20 can also be exchanged during maintenance work. Instead of an agitator, an agitator blade 21 is provided in the product container 3, which is preferably located at the end of the feed line 2 and particularly preferably between the container feed and discharge unit 22/23 (see also FIG Fig. 2 ) is arranged. It is used to stir up products with fibers, pulp or other solids so that these solids cannot settle on the bottom of the container. The advantage of this arrangement is that, because of the relative rotational movement between the agitator blade and the product container, no separate drive is necessary for the agitator blade.

The reference number 24 denotes a base frame of the device. The base frame carries the rotating upper part 25 by means of a centrally located hollow shaft 26. Lines for supplying the upper part with power, control signals and pneumatic air can pass through the hollow shaft 26. A rotary distributor 29 is preferably arranged below the (electromotive) drive unit 30. The frame 24 also includes the upright clean room housing 31, which preferably seals the upright part from the rotating part of the filling machine by means of hydraulic sealing systems 32 in order to be able to maintain the clean room. Sterile air, possibly dried, is supplied via one or more supply air pipes 33. Media can be drawn off via one or more outlets 34. Downstream of the outlets 34 there is a separation (not shown) of liquid media (for example downwards via a siphon) and gaseous media (for example upwards via a suction unit). The clean room is cleaned with one or more cleaning nozzles 35, which are connected to an automatically controlled cleaning system (not shown). In the housing 31, several treatment units, such as. B. Container sterilization / cleaning and / or Closing units be integrated. Such treatment units for container sterilization or cleaning can use a wide variety of treatment methods such as treatment with liquid and / or gaseous media, treatment with plasma, treatment with radiation (UV, electron beams) and are for example in DE102005012507A1 , DE102007034837A1 , DE102010012569.5 , DE10134037B4 or DE10217145A1 described.

The drive unit 30 can, for example, be a - in particular gearless - direct drive which preferably has a high torque (so-called torque motor). The central shaft or hollow shaft 26 and the rotor 64 of the motor can be designed as a common component or can be designed in one piece. It would be possible, for example, for permanent magnets of the rotor 64 to be integrated into the hollow shaft 26, so that the rotor of the motor and the hollow shaft advantageously form a structural unit

The stator 66 of the drive unit 30 and the housing 68 could also be designed as a common component or form a structural unit. It would thus be possible for the stator magnets and, if necessary, also supply lines to supply these magnets with current, to be already integrated into the housing. These stator magnets are preferably electromagnets.

In the Fig. 1 The bearings 72, 74 shown are advantageously not part of the drive unit 30, but are part of a machine mounting which could also be used when a conventional motor is used. These bearings 72, 74 advantageously support the housing 68 with respect to the hollow shaft 26. In this embodiment, there is advantageously no additional mounting in the motor between the motor shaft or hollow shaft 62 and the motor housing 68. The bearings 72, 74 are preferably sealed to prevent the entry of foreign matter.

It is therefore proposed to use a direct drive as the drive for the device according to the invention. It should be noted that this embodiment can also be used independently of the invention presented at the beginning for corresponding devices for filling containers.

In addition, a direct drive designed in this way could, however, also be used for other devices for handling containers, which in particular have a transport device which transports the containers by means of a rotatable carrier. Such a device can be, for example, transport stars, sterilization devices, blow molding machines and the like.

Reference number 52 denotes a boundary wall of the clean room that is stationary during operation, reference number 54 a wall that is movable during operation of the device and reference number 57 denotes the outer circumference of the central shaft (which is also movable during operation), which here also forms a boundary wall of the clean room. Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the filling machine. The agitator blade 21 is preferably arranged in the area of the angle A, since the filling valves 5 are closed here. This means that the product flows more smoothly in the area of the open filling valves. In the container 3 three spray balls are preferably arranged. The in Fig. 1 The bottom 58 of the housing 31 shown is arranged obliquely so that the media can run off to a channel 46 in which the outlet 34 is also arranged. The channel 46 is formed here all around and inclined in the direction of the outlet 34, so that at least liquid media are directed towards the outlet 34.

In the following, the cleaning and / or sterilization of the product-contact or media-contacting routes is described with reference to Fig. 1-3 described. In contact with the product are the upstream product preparation routes (e.g. product sterilization by means of short-term heating or UHT), possibly a sterile product buffer tank (which is preferably arranged above the filling machine 1 if available), the supply line 2 in which valves may be installed, and the Product container 3 up to outlet 37 ( Fig. 3 ) of the filling valve 5. That is, the surfaces of the outlet 37, which are arranged between the filling valve cone 38 and the aperture 36, are also included here. If there are several product routes (e.g. for a drink and a syrup additive for the drink), these are also affected by the product. All paths which otherwise lead to the product container 3 and / or to the filling valve 5 but also lead away are in contact with the media. For example, nitrogen can be used to flush the container at the filling valve outlet 37 (cf. Fig. 3 ) to be supplied to render the interior volume of the container inert.

The cleaning of the media and product contact paths is mostly done with liquid cleaning media such as. B. alkali or acid which are supplied via the supply lines 2 or via the gas path 11. By opening the filling valve cone 38 by means of a valve drive (not shown) (pneumatic, magnetic or electric motor), they are then let into the clean room and withdrawn via one or more outlets 34 and, if necessary, at least temporarily to the CIP system for further use (e.g. in the cleaning circuit) or processing returned or pumped. For example, it is possible that a first part of the cleaning media or pre-rinse water is discarded into the channel via a suitable, automatically controllable valve arrangement after it has been withdrawn from the outlet, since in this step a great deal of product residues are still rinsed out of the system. Once the majority of the product residues have been rinsed out, the valve arrangement is switched so that the circuit to the CIP system is closed.

Fig. 3 shows the filling valve 5 in the sterilization cycle. A pivoting or pressing device 35a has pivoted a screen 36 with a bore 36a. The orifice has a defined bore diameter that controls the vapor pressure (if the target temperature is greater than 100 ° C, an overpressure must be built up in relation to the clean room 12) in the filling valve 5. Thus, the filling valve 5, the feed line 4, the product container 3 and other components that come into contact with the product or come into contact with the media are sterilized. The steam is supplied at least temporarily via the supply line 2 and / or via the gas path 11 and / or via another, possibly additional track that leads to the product container 3. The diaphragm 36 can be designed to be adjustable in order to set the optimum bore diameter when the device is started up.

The sterilization medium (preferably water vapor) can also be gaseous, such as. B. H ₂ O ₂ or liquid, such as. B. PES, sterilizing media may be added. The whole process is usually called SIP (sterilization in place). The sterilization process is monitored via one or more temperature sensors, which are preferably arranged in the filling valves and are particularly preferably integrated in the panel. It is also possible to arrange a single temperature sensor in a stationary manner under the cover 36, which then temporarily records the temperatures at the bore 36a when the upper part 25 rotates when the valve moves over it. The sensor can also be arranged so that it can be swiveled in and is preferably arranged at an angle between the container feed unit 22 and the container discharge unit 23 (sector A in Fig. 2 ).

After the sterilization process there is normally a cooling phase of the upper part 25, this phase also being able to be media-supported, for example with dried, possibly cooled sterile air or sterile noble gas.

Cleaning or sterilization is not required every time the product is changed. When filling from a clear to a cloudy product, it is advisable to fill the mixed phase into the container and to transport it either closed or unlocked from the clean room using the normal container transport route. In the case of viscous products, intermediate rinsing with a low-viscosity medium (e.g. drinking water with 5% liquid H ₂ O ₂ ) is more appropriate. If a certain amount is exceeded, it is advisable to let the medium into the clean room via the filling valve and to dispose of it via one or more outlets 34.

The pivoting or pressing device 35a is preferably used to pivot a screen 36 which seals the filling valve outlet 37 either axially on the filling valve or preferably also radially. Reference numeral 40 denotes a bracket on which the screen 36 is arranged. The seal 39 can either be made of an elastomer or a hard plastic or also of metal and have a defined shape. The rotary or translational movement of the diaphragm with lever can be driven either pneumatically / hydraulically and / or electromagnetically. Depending on the requirement, it may be necessary to swivel in diaphragms with different bore diameters, in which case an electromagnetic drive is preferred, as in FIG Figure 3 shown comes into play. For example, a cap (screen without a bore) can also be swiveled in to prevent media from getting into the filling valve during the cleaning and / or sterilization of the clean room 12. A plurality of filling valves can also expediently be operated with a pivoting or pressing device 35a. It is advantageous in terms of sterility if the drive (s) are located outside the clean room. The rod 41 is preferably sealed by a shaft sealing ring 42 which is movable in the X direction or which is placed on a bellows or membrane (not shown). If only products that are not very microbiologically demanding are filled on the machine, the pivoting and pressing device can also be located in the clean room. One or more segments 43 ( Fig. 2 ) with several diaphragms 36 retracted.

The filling of beverages with bound gases (e.g. carbonated beverages) is described below. In order to be able to fill carbonated beverages, the container 6 must be in a certain area B ( Fig. 2 ) are preloaded. The container 6 is pressed against the filling valve outlet 37 via a lifting device or a bell of the filling valve moves towards the container in order to seal the container from the clean room. Normally, when filling carbonated beverages, there is another line (not shown) between the filling valve outlet 37 and the gas space of the product container 3, which can be switched via one or more valves. The valve is switched on after the container has been pressed on, so that pressure equalization between the empty container 6 and the product tank 3 is established. In contrast to the clean room, a pressure of up to 4 bar and more then prevails in the prestressed container 6. By opening the filling valve cone 38 (in the filling area C), product can now flow into the container purely by gravity. When the desired filling quantity has been reached, the filling valve cone 38 is closed.

In relief area D ( Fig. 1 ) the filled bottle must now be relieved (gently) and sometimes in several steps. This requires a further line or bore that extends into the head space of the container and leads into the environment, the flow of which in the relief area is controlled by one or more valves and / or throttle devices. The line or bore can be passed through the filling valve cone or, for example, extend laterally into the outlet 37 of the filling valve. Since communication between the container, filling valve and the environment is not desired because of the maintenance of sterility in the product path or in the clean room, the relief gas (CO ₂ ) is preferably blown off into the clean room. As a result of the exchange of air in the clean room, the relief gas is sucked off through one or more outlets 34.

This media-contacted path can also be advantageous through a connection (not shown) at a suitable point on the line or described above Bore for pretensioning and / or relieving, can be acted upon with cleaning media and / or sterilization media, whereby the respective medium can exit into the clean room at the outlet 37 of the filling valve and can be discharged via the outlet 34.

In principle, beverage mixes can also be produced on such a filling system according to the invention. Two or more product paths then lead to the filling machine 1 and the different types of products are then fed to the filling valves via preferably multi-lane media distributors. For example, milk with different fat contents can then be mixed in two product routes in the filled container with a milk with a specific, predetermined fat content. The metering of syrup, for example, into a closed filling valve 5 in area A of the filling machine is particularly interesting. The syrup portion is then completely rinsed into the container 6 by the following main portion of the filling product, for example water. Advantageously, in the production preparation, all further routes that are in contact with the product or media are adequately cleaned by switching on valves provided for this purpose on the rotating upper part 25 and, if aseptic (aseptic) filling is desired, also adequately sterilized.

List of reference symbols

1

Filling machine, device

2

Supply line

3

Product container, receiving container, product tank

4th

management

5

Filling valves

6

container

7th

Container holder

8th

Level probe

9

Rotary media distributor

10

Mechanical seal

11

Gas path

12th

Clean room

13

Supply line

14th

Derivation

15th

storage

16

Cavities

17th

Bridges

18th

bolt

19th

Sight glass

20th

Spray ball

21st

Impeller

22, 23

Container feed and discharge unit

24

Base frame

25th

Top

26th

Hollow shaft

27

Lubrication holes

28

Torque arm

29

Rotary distributor

30th

Drive unit

31

Clean room enclosure

32

hydraulic sealing system

33

Windpipe

34

Outlet

35

Cleaning nozzle,
35a swiveling or pressing device

36

cover

36a

drilling

37

Outlet

38

Filling valve cone

39

poetry

40

boom

41

pole

42

Shaft seal

43

Segments

46

Gutter

52

Boundary wall

54

movable wall

56

wave

57

Outer circumference of the central shaft

58

Bottom of the enclosure 31

64

Runner of the drive unit

66

Drive unit stator

68

Drive unit housing

72, 74

warehouse

A - D

Sectors, Sections

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus (1) for filling containers (6) with a liquid and, in particular, with a beverage, with a plurality of filling elements (5) which in each case have an outlet (37) in order to pour the beverage into the containers (10), and a valve device (38) in order to control the supply of the liquid into the containers (6), with a conveying device which conveys the containers (10) along a pre-set conveying path at least for a time during the filling thereof with the liquid, and with a cleaning device which acts with a cleaning medium upon at least one region contacted by the liquid to be filled, wherein the apparatus (1) has a liquid guiding device (36) which is applied to the outlet (37) in a cleaning mode and has an opening (36) through which the cleaning medium is freely discharged from the filling element (5) during this cleaning mode instead of being guided back in a channel and the apparatus (1) has a clean room (12) and the at least one filling element (5) is arranged in such a way that the cleaning medium is discharged into this clean room during the cleaning operation,
   characterized in that
   the apparatus (1) has a separating device for separating gaseous and liquid media discharged from the clean room.
2. An apparatus (1) according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the clean room (12) has an outflow (34) for the removal of the cleaning medium.
3. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1-2,
   characterized in that
   the apparatus (1) has at least one supply device in order to supply a gaseous medium to the containers, and the apparatus (1) is designed in such a way that this gaseous medium is capable of being released into the clean room (12).
4. An apparatus (1) according to claim 3,
   characterized in that
   the apparatus (1) has a valve device for releasing the gaseous medium into the clean room (12).
5. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1-4,
   characterized in that
   the apparatus has at least one cleaning device (35) for cleaning the clean room (12).
6. A plant for the treatment of containers with an apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims and a sterilization device arranged upstream with respect to this apparatus (1) in a conveying direction of the containers (6) in order to sterilize the containers.

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