EP2488440A2

EP2488440A2 - Method and device for filling containers with a filling material composed of multiple liquid components.

Info

Publication number: EP2488440A2
Application number: EP10752315A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andre NEUHÄUSER; Norman Gras
Original assignee: KHS GmbH
Current assignee: KHS GmbH
Priority date: 2009-10-15
Filing date: 2010-09-07
Publication date: 2012-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-07
Also published as: WO2011044972A2; US8944120B2; WO2011044972A3; EP2488440B1; PL2488440T3; SI2488440T1; US20120180902A1; DE102009049583A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an associated device for filling containers (2) with a filling material composed of at least one first and one second liquid component (3, 4) at a predetermined ratio, wherein in order to fill the container (2), the first liquid component (3) is fed from a first tank (5) to the container (2) by means of at least one filling material line (7), which can be closed by means of at least one first filling valve unit (8), wherein in order to determine the amount (M1) of the first liquid component (3) conducted through the at least one filling material line (7), at least one flow rate measuring unit (9) is provided. Especially advantageously, the second liquid component (4) is fed to the filling material line (8) filled at least partially with the first liquid component (3), and in order to determine the amount (M2) of the second liquid component (4) fed, the motion of the first liquid component (3) generated in the filling material line (7) by the second liquid component (4) fed is detected by means of the at least one flow rate measuring unit (9).

Description

Method and device for filling containers with a filling material consisting of at least one first and second liquid component in a predetermined ratio

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 10.

Methods and devices for filling containers with a filling material consisting of at least two components are known in principle. Such methods and devices find particular use in the beverage and packaging industries.

For filling with a filling material consisting of at least two liquid components often electronic flow measuring units are used, via which contact the liquid supplied volume of at least one of the liquid components is detected and by appropriate control of the supplied amount of at least two liquid components a predetermined amount or Mixing ratio is adjustable. This can be made of several liquid components existing mixed drinks with almost any mixing ratios. Disadvantageously, such methods and devices have insufficient accuracy if at least one of the liquid components has solid constituents or solids, such as pulp or fibers. Also, such methods and devices for filling of highly viscous or pasty components are by no means suitable.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for filling containers with a filling consisting of at least two components, which allows sufficiently accurate mixing of at least two liquid components, in particular if one of the liquid components has solid constituents or viscous or pasty. To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is provided. An apparatus for filling containers with a filling material consisting of at least two components is the subject of claim 10.

The essential aspect of the method according to the invention can be seen in that the second liquid component is supplied to the filling material line filled at least partially with the first liquid component and that for determining the supplied amount of the second liquid component generated by the supplied second liquid component in the Füllgutleitung Movement is detected at least a subset of the first liquid component using the at least one flow measuring unit. In this way, an indirect detection of the supplied amount of a second liquid component with solid constituents or pasty or viscous structure is possible in an especially advantageous manner, namely via the quantity of first liquid component displaced by the supply of the second liquid component from the fill material line closed at least on one side. Due to its pure liquid structure, this is easily detectable electronically via conventional flowmeters, in particular so-called magnetically inductive flowmeters. The measurement signal obtained in this way can be evaluated by an appropriate control unit to evaluate the current mixing ratio.

Particularly advantageously, at least before the supply of the second liquid component in the at least one Füllgutleitung the first filling valve unit is closed, wherein the second liquid component is supplied from a second boiler via a further Füllgutleitung and connected thereto second Füllventileinheit the Füllgutleitung, preferably under Print. For this purpose, an overpressure is built up in the second boiler, so that when the second filling valve unit is open, the second liquid component is pressed into the filling material line.

Further advantageous is the supply of the second liquid component located in the Füllgutleitung first liquid component at least partially displaced therefrom and the displaced quantity of the first liquid component is detected via the at least one flow measuring unit. In this case, the displaced amount of the first liquid component can be at least partially returned to the first boiler or at least partially guided in a buffer and / or in a return line.

In a preferred embodiment, the first liquid component contained in the product line is moved in a first or second flow direction, or displaced from the product line in a first or second flow direction, wherein the first flow direction is opposite to the second flow direction. In addition, a mixing chamber is provided between the flow measuring unit and the first filling valve unit, which is in fluid communication with the Füllgutleitung.

The essential aspect of the device according to the invention is to be seen in that for supplying the second liquid component, the Füllgutleitung is connected via a second filling valve and a further Füllgutleitung with the second boiler, wherein the at least one flow measuring unit for detecting the second liquid supplied from the component in the Füllgutleitung generated movement is formed at least a subset of the first liquid component.

In this case, it is also possible to wipe the flow measuring unit and the first filling valve unit to provide a mixing space in fluid communication with the filling material line.

Also may be provided between the flow measuring unit and the first boiler a standing in fluid communication with the Füllgutleitung intermediate memory. Alternatively or additionally, there is the possibility of a return line, through which between the first filling valve unit facing the free end of the Füllgutleitung and the first boiler, a fluid connection is made. According to a further embodiment, a third filling valve unit or a check valve is connected downstream of the first boiler.

Preferably, the flow measuring unit is designed to detect the flow rate in a first and second flow direction, preferably as a magnetically inductive flow meter.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features, in themselves or in any combination, are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their combination in the claims or their backward relationship. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

1 shows a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of a device for filling containers with a filling material;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment with additional mixing space; FIG.

3 shows a schematic block diagram of a third embodiment with a buffer,

Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a fourth embodiment with check valve in the supply line and separate return line with filling valve unit and .Fig. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of a fifth embodiment with a return line and a further filling valve unit in the feed line.

In FIGS. 1-5, different embodiments of the devices 1 according to the invention for filling containers 2 with a filling material consisting of at least one first and one second liquid component 3, 4 are illustrated by way of schematic block diagrams. The device or filling device 1 may for example be part of a bottle treatment plant, via which different process steps are realized in the context of the filling of filling material.

These embodiments are each designed to carry out the method according to the invention for filling containers 2 with the filling material consisting of at least one first and second liquid component 3, 4. The inventive method is preferably used in the beverage industry, namely for filling mixed drinks in containers, in particular bottles 2, which consist at least of the first and second liquid component 3, 4.

The filling device 1 comprises for each separate receiving the first and second liquid component 3, 4, a first and second boiler 5 and 6, in the present embodiment, the first liquid component 3 in the first boiler 5 and the second liquid component in the second boiler. 6 added.

The first component 3 is preferably purely liquid, ie has no solid constituents, whereas the second liquid component comprises at least partially solid constituents or is pasty or highly viscous. The second liquid component 4 may thus include solids such as fruit pieces, pulp or the like, which impede the measurement of the flow rate with the required accuracy by means of non-contact measurement techniques known per se. The first liquid component 3 receiving first boiler 5 is connected via a first Füllgutleitung 7 with a first filling valve unit 8, which is preferably disposed on the first boiler 5 opposite free end of the first Füllgutleitung 7, wherein the remaining free end of the first Füllgutleitung. 7 is preferably connected to the first boiler 5.

Further, the second liquid component 4 receiving second boiler 6 is connected via a second Füllgutleitung 10 with a second filling valve unit 11 via which a fluid connection to the first Füllgutleitung 7 can be produced. Preferably, the one free end of the second Füllgutleitung 10 with the second boiler 6 and the other, opposite free end to the second filling valve unit 11 is connected, which in turn is connected to the first Füllgutleitung 7, in the area between the first filling valve unit 8 and The first boiler 5 via the second filling valve 11 thus the supply of the second liquid contained in the second boiler 6 liquid component 4 in the first Füllgutleitung 7 is controllable. In a preferred embodiment, overpressure prevails in the second vessel 6, so that it is possible to supply the second liquid component 4 under pressure and thus without mechanical pumps which could impair or damage the solid constituents contained.

To produce a mixed beverage, the first and second liquid components 3, 4 are supplied to the container 2 in a predetermined quantity ratio M1 / M2.

Preferably, in the present embodiment, the mixing of the first and second liquid component 3, 4 in the first Füllgutleitung 7. For this purpose, it is initially provided that the first Füllgutleitung 7 is completely filled with the liquid component 3. When the first filling valve unit 8 is closed, the second liquid component 4 is conveyed into the first filling material line 7 in a first step.

In order to determine the quantity of the second liquid component 4 supplied to the first filling material line 7, a flow measuring unit 9 is provided which is in operative connection with the first filling material line 7. By means of the flow measuring unit 9 is at For example, the funded by a measuring point liquid volume of the first liquid component 3 preferably detectable without contact.

If the desired quantity of the second liquid component 4 is present in the first filling material line 7, then the second filling valve unit 11 and open first filling valve unit 8 are filled with the entire desired quantity of filling material in the container 2, the entire desired quantity of product being conveyed by means of the flow meter unit 9 is detected.

The flow measuring unit 9 is designed, for example, as a magnetically inductive flow meter, MID for short, i. E. as a non-contact, magnetically inductive flow meter, which generates a magnetic field in a known manner in a flowed through by the filling channel, which induces an electrical voltage through the measuring channel flowing through the electrically conductive filling material, which is proportional to the flow rate and as the flow rate determining measurement signal is evaluated. In a preferred embodiment, the flow measuring unit 9 is designed to detect the flow rate in a first flow direction FR1 and a second, oriented opposite to the first flow direction FR1 flow direction FR2.

Alternatively, for example, the first quantity M1 of the first liquid component 3 supplied to the first filling material line 7 from the first vessel 5 is first detected via the at least one flow measuring unit 9 and then the first filling valve unit 8 is closed. The flow of the first liquid component 3 through the flow measuring unit 9 or the first Füllgutleitung 7 takes place here in the first flow direction FR1.

Subsequently, the second filling valve unit 11 is opened and the second liquid component 4 is introduced from the second boiler 6 via the second Füllgutleitung 10 in the first Füllgutleitung 7, wherein in a preferred embodiment, the second liquid component 4 is pressurized and thus the in of the the first Füllgutleitung 7 existing second liquid component 4 pushed back at least, however, moves, preferably in the second flow direction FR2.

In order to determine the supplied second quantity M2 of the second liquid component 4 into the first filling material line 7, the quantity M3 of the first liquid component 3 displaced by the supplied second liquid component 4 from the first filling material line 7 is determined via the at least one flow measuring unit 9, in accordance with FIG the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in the second flow direction FR2.

The displaced quantity M3 of the first liquid component 3 corresponds at least approximately to the second quantity M2 of the second liquid component 4 fed into the first fill material line 7. Starting from the knowledge of the supplied first quantity M1 of the first liquid component 3 and the displaced quantity M3 of the first liquid Component 3 or the second quantity M2 of the second liquid component 4 derived therefrom, the current quantity ratio M1 / M2 can be detected and thus a predetermined quantity ratio or mixing ratio M1 / M2 can be set by means of a suitable control unit (not shown in the figures). By means of the control unit, depending on the flow rates determined by the flow measuring unit 9, the first and second filling valve units 8, 11 are opened or closed in order to set a predetermined mixing ratio M1 / M2.

In an alternative embodiment according to FIG. 2, the first filling material line 7 comprises a mixing space 12, which is arranged between the flow measuring unit 9 and the first filling valve unit 8. Preferably, the second filling valve unit is connected to the mixing chamber 12, so that after opening the second filling valve unit, the second liquid component 4 is introduced into the mixing chamber 12 filled with the first liquid component 3. Advantageously, thereby the receiving volume of the first Füllgutleitung 7 can be increased. According to the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 3, an intermediate store 14 is provided between the flow-measuring unit 9 and the first boiler 5 and is in fluid communication with the first filling-material line 7. To prevent backflow into the first vessel 5, a check valve 13 is preferably provided between the connection point of the intermediate store 14 and the first vessel 5, which in particular prevents a return of the displaced first liquid component 3 into the first vessel 5. Instead, the displaced first liquid component 3 is guided into the buffer 14, which is dimensioned accordingly. The flow rate measuring unit 9 is used to measure the flow rate M1, M3 in the first and second flow directions FR1, FR2.

According to the embodiment variants shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a flow measuring unit 9 is provided which is designed only for detecting the flow rate in the first flow direction FR1. In this case, a check valve 13, which in particular prevents a return of the displaced first liquid component 3 via the first Füllgutleitung 7 in the second flow direction FR2 in the first boiler 5 is in turn the first boiler 5. However, in order to allow a reflux of the displaced first liquid component 4 in the first vessel 5, a separate return line 15 is additionally provided, which extends from the first filling valve unit 8 facing the free end of the first Füllgutleitung 7 in the first vessel 5. In a preferred embodiment, the return line 15 may comprise a third filling valve unit 16. When the second liquid component 4 is supplied, ie when the first filling valve unit 8 is closed and the second filling valve unit 11 is open, the first liquid component 3 is displaced from the first filling material line 7 into the separate return line 5 and possibly into the first vessel 5. When supplying the second liquid component 4, the third filling valve unit 16 - if provided - opened almost simultaneously with the second filling valve 11 and thus a return via the return line 15 of the displaced amount M3 of the first liquid component 3 in the first vessel 5 or possibly one provided temporary storage 14 (not shown in Figure 4). FIG. 5 shows, for example, Example, a variant in which the check valve 13 is replaced in Figure 4 by a third filling valve unit 16.

In the case of the embodiment variants shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a second flow measuring unit is provided, which is likewise provided only for detecting the flow rate in a flow direction, namely flow direction FR2. By this second flow measuring unit, the movement of at least a subset of the first liquid component generated by the displacement of the first liquid component is detected.

Due to the separate supply of the first and second liquid components 3, 4, the possibility of adjusting any desired mixing ratios is made particularly advantageous and, on the other hand, it is ensured that the same mixing ratio always exists in the respective container 2. Upon provision of the already mixed contents in tanks, filling tanks, etc., it is disadvantageous to float or settle solid constituents of the second liquid component 4 mixed with the first liquid component 3. This is not the case with the method or device according to the invention, and indeed the use of complex agitators can thus be avoided particularly advantageously.

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

In the previous embodiments, only one flow measuring unit 9 was described in each case. It is understood that for determining the flow rates M1 to M3, a plurality of flow measuring unit 9 arranged separately from one another can also be provided, for example also in the return flow line 15 and / or in the feed to the intermediate storage device 14. These can be used both to detect a first and a second flow rate be formed / or second flow direction FR1, FR2. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 device or filling device

2 containers

3 first liquid component

4 second liquid component

5 first kettle

6 second boiler

7 first filling material line

8 first filling valve unit

9 Flow measuring unit

10 second Füllgutleitung

11 second filling valve unit

12 mixing room

13 check valve

14 temporary storage

15 return line

16 third filling valve unit

FR1 first flow direction

FR2 second flow direction

M1 first lot

M2 second lot

M3 suppressed crowd

Claims

claims

1. A method for filling containers (2) with a filling material consisting of at least a first and second liquid component (3, 4) in a predetermined amount ratio, wherein for filling the container (2) the first liquid component (3) from a first vessel via at least one Füllgutleitung (7) to the container (2) is supplied, which is closable via at least a first filling valve unit (8), wherein for determining the at least one Füllgutleitung (7) guided amount (M1) of the first liquid component (3) at least one flow measuring unit (9) is provided, characterized in that the second liquid component (4) of at least partially filled with the first liquid component (3) Füllgutleitung (8) is supplied and that for determining the amount supplied (M2 ) of the second liquid component (4) of the supplied second liquid component (4) in the Füllgutleitung (7) generated movement of he most liquid component (3) via the at least one flow measuring unit (9) is detected.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least before the supply of the second liquid component (4) in the at least one Füllgutleitung (7), the first filling valve unit (8) is closed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second liquid component (4) from a second boiler (6) via a further Füllgutleitung (10) and a connected thereto second filling valve unit (11) of the Füllgutleitung (7) is, preferably under pressure, wherein the second liquid component (4) comprises solid constituents or is pasty or viscous

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that by the supply of the second liquid component (4) in the Füllgutleitung (7) located first liquid component (3) at least partially from these is displaced and the displaced amount (M3) of the first liquid component (3) via the at least one flow measuring unit (9) is detected.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the displaced amount (M3) of the first liquid component (3) is at least partially returned to the first vessel (6).

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the displaced amount (M3) of the first liquid component (3) at least partially in a buffer memory (14) and / or in a return line (16) is guided.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second liquid component (4) between the at least one flow measuring unit (9) and the filling valve unit (8) of the Füllgutleitung (7) is supplied.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first liquid component (3) from the Füllgutleitung (7) in a first or second flow direction (FR1, FR2) is displaced, wherein the first flow direction (FR1) opposite to the second flow direction (FR2) runs.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second liquid component (4) is supplied to a with the Füllgutleitung (7) in fluid communication standing mixing chamber (12) between the flow measuring unit (9) and the first filling valve unit (8) is provided.

10. An apparatus for filling containers (2) with a filling material consisting of at least one first and second liquid component (3, 4) in a predetermined quantity ratio, consisting of at least a first, the first liquid component (3) receiving boiler (5) and at least one second, the second liquid component (4) receiving boiler (6), wherein the first boiler (5) via at least one Füllgutleitung (7) with a first Füllven- tileinheit (8) is connected and in which for determining the at least one Füllgutleitung (7) guided amount (M1) of the first liquid component (3) at least one flow measuring unit (9) with the Füllgutleitung (7) is in operative connection, characterized in that, for supplying the second liquid component (4), the filling material line (7) is connected to the second vessel (6) via a second filling valve unit (8) and a further filling material line (11), wherein the at least one flow measuring unit (9) detects the is formed by the supplied second liquid component (4) in the Füllgutleitung (7) generated movement of the first liquid component (3).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that between the flow measuring unit (9) and the first filling valve unit (8) with the Füllgutleitung (7) in fluid communication standing mixing chamber (12) is provided.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that between the flow measuring unit (9) and the first boiler (5) with the Füllgutleitung (7) in fluid communication intermediate storage (14) is provided.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a return line (16) is provided, by which between the first filling valve unit (8) facing the free end of the Füllgutleitung (7) and the first boiler (5), a fluid connection is established ,

14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the first boiler (5) is followed by a third filling valve unit (8) or a check valve (13).

15. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the flow measuring unit (9) for detecting the flow rate in a first and second flow direction (FR1, Fr2) is formed, preferably as a magnetically inductive flow meter.