EP2509911B1 - Method and adapter for handling kegs - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and to an adapter according to the preamble of claim 4.

Large-volume containers in the form of KEGs are in particular also known for receiving beverages, for example beer, and consist essentially of a KEG interior enclosing, for example barrel-like and made of a metallic material, e.g. Steel or stainless steel, manufactured KEG body with a KEG fitting received in a KEG body opening. This is done by treating the respective KEG, in particular also cleaning, disinfecting and / or rinsing the KEG interior, filling the KEG with the respective liquid contents and removing the liquid contents from the KEG interior. For this purpose, the KEG fitting forms two connection or media paths, each of which can be closed by spring-loaded valve means, accessible on the KEG fitting outer side and opening into the KEG interior, namely a channel formed in the middle of the KEG fitting, which is located in one in the KEG Continued inside riser continues, which extends into the immediate vicinity of the opposite of the KEG fitting bottom of the KEG body, and an annular channel, the cross-sectional area in the open state is significantly greater than the cross-sectional area of the opened central channel and the riser.

The treatment (disinfecting, cleaning, rinsing, filling, etc.) as well as the transport of these metal KEGs done in the usual treatment plants or machines overhead, ie in such a way that the KEGs arranged with their KEG fitting facing down are pressed and for the treatment with the underlying KEG fitting on the respective treatment head with a relatively large contact pressure. For this purpose, device or system-side contact pressure means, for example pneumatic cylinders, are provided which act with the required contact pressure on the side of the respective KEG which is at the top during the treatment. The contact pressure, which is chosen sufficiently large for a tight connection of the KEG fitting with the treatment head is about transfer the wall of the KEG body, which is possible with KEG made of metal (steel or stainless steel) without any problems.

The overhead arrangement of the KEGs in the treatment has the advantage that the respective liquid medium flow through the open annular channel with the larger cross-sectional area in the KEG interior and in this case from the KEG interior displaced vapor or gaseous medium, such as air, can be removed via the riser, so that a large volume flow of the liquid medium in the KEG interior and thereby, for example, when filling a high filling speed can be achieved by the large cross-sectional area.

Recently, KEGs (plastic KEGs) have also been proposed, whose KEG bodies produced, for example, by blowing or stretch blow molding from a preform are thin-walled and made of plastic, for example PET, in one piece with a KEG body opening KEG neck into which the KEG fitting is tightly inserted (KEG body opening). These plastic KEGs are very advantageous as disposable packaging for liquid products, especially for drinks, such as beer, but have the disadvantage that because of the very low mechanical strength of the thin-walled KEG body made of plastic treatment, especially filling in the conventional form is not possible. For this reason, plastic KEGs are currently overhead with their KEG fitting, i. not arranged overhead and treated at the KEG neck or at a local neck ring treated or filled.

This procedure is possible because of the KEG-fitting having KEG neck and the neck ring have a much larger material thickness than the wall of the KEG body and thus added the KEG on this KEG neck or trained there neck ring and with the required force or counterforce can be pressed against the treatment or filling head, without a power transmission via the wall of the KEG body. However, this procedure makes it necessary that the introduction of the liquid Medium, for example, the liquid product in the KEG interior via the riser pipe with the reduced cross-sectional area and in this case displaced from the KEG interior displaced gas and / or vapor medium (eg air) is discharged via the annular channel. The reduced cross-sectional area of the riser tube results in a considerable extension of the treatment or filling time or a considerable reduction in the filling speed. Filling the plastic KEGs, each with an upwardly directed KEG fitting, over the opened annular channel of the KEG fitting having the significantly larger cross-sectional area is, for one thing, out of the question, because this leads to undesired foaming of a carbonated product (eg. of beer) in the KEG interior, and because an escape of the gas and / or vapor medium (eg air) displaced during filling from the KEG interior would not be possible anyway via the riser pipe, which was increasingly immersed in the filling material.

The treatment or filling of the plastic KEGs with upwardly facing KEG fitting furthermore also has the very decisive disadvantage that existing treatment or filling systems or machines designed for the overhead treatment can not be used, but instead considerable investment costs for new suitable machines and plants are necessary.

WO 2004/063087 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and an adapter according to the preamble of claim 4.

The object of the invention is to provide a method which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages and allows a treatment and in particular a filling of plastic KEGs with reduced treatment or filling time. To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. An adapter for use in this method is the subject of claim 4.

With the invention, it is also possible KEGs whose KEG body is mechanically low, especially plastic KEGs and thereby especially those whose KEG body is made by blow molding of preforms (preforms), in turn overhead, ie with the KEG fitting facing down, and to the usual equipment and machinery specially developed for this type of treatment or for the treatment of metal KEGs.

The advantages of the invention include u.a. The fact that even with KEGs with a mechanically only slightly loadable KEG body short treatment times and especially short filling times or high filling speeds are achievable, namely by the fact that the liquid medium, for example, the filling in turn via the open ring channel of the respective KEG Introduced fittings in the KEG interior and the thereby displaced from the KEG interior gas and / or vapor medium (eg air) are derived via the riser. Investments in new or additional machinery and equipment, especially for the treatment of KEGs with a mechanically low loadable KEG body are not required.

This is achieved in the invention in that the respective KEG, at least during the treatment period, in particular during the duration of filling is added to or in an adapter that allows the KEG with the KEG fitting oriented down safely and without damage by a To lead system and press against the respective treatment or filling head, with the necessary contact force acting on the adapter and is transmitted from this only on the KEG neck or on the local neck ring, while the KEG body is kept free of mechanical stress , In or on the adapter, the respective KEG is fixed to its KEG neck or to a neck ring formed there.

The adapter is preferably designed to fully accommodate and / or conform to the dimensions of the standardized KEGs made of metal, such as slender KEGs having a diameter of 240 mm and a length of 580 mm. By this measure, there is the additional advantage that the adapter and thus also recorded in it KEG can be driven by existing machinery or equipment without being in the machine or Plant replacement of functional elements, such as guide parts, etc. is necessary.

It goes without saying that the adapters according to the invention can also have dimensions or dimensions such that they correspond to the dimensions of other conventional KEGs, these preferably corresponding to the usual DIN or EURO standards or dimensions known to the person skilled in the art.

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 alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter schematischer Darstellung ein aus Kunststoff, beispielsweise aus PET gefertigtes KEG;

Fig. 2

in perspektivischer Darstellung einen KEG-Adapter zur Aufnahme der aus Kunststoff gefertigten KEGs während einer Behandlung, zusammen mit einem im Adapter angeordneten KEG;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite bzw. auf das Kopfstück des Adapters der Figur 2.

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

Fig. 1

in a simplified schematic representation of a plastic, for example made of PET KEG;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of a KEG adapter for receiving the made of plastic KEGs during a treatment, together with a arranged in the adapter KEG;

Fig. 3

a plan view of the underside or on the head piece of the adapter of FIG. 2 ,

In the figures, 1 is a KEG embodied for example as a disposable packaging with a KEG body 2 made of plastic, which forms a KEG interior 3 for receiving a liquid filling material, for example for receiving a beverage, for example for holding beer, and in one piece in a known manner with a KEG-jacket 2.1 and with upper and lower KEG-bottoms 2.2 and 2.3, for example is made by blow molding, for example made of PET. In the center of the upper KEG bottom 2.2, the KEG body 2 is made in one piece with a KEG neck 4 forming the KEG body opening with a radially protruding neck ring 4.1.

At or in the KEG neck 4, the KEG-fitting 5, which tightly closes the KEG interior 3 at the KEG body opening, is provided in a suitable manner, which has the training known to the person skilled in the art, in particular also with a central, with one Riser 6 connected channel 5.1, with an annular channel 5.2 and with spring-acting valve means which close the two channels in the non-actuated state tight. The riser 6 extends directly to the inner surface of the lower bottom 2.3.

While the KEG body 2 is formed on the KEG casing 2.1 and also on the upper and lower KEG soil 2.2 or 2.3 thin-walled and therefore mechanically or only slightly resilient, the KEG neck 4 and in particular also the neck ring 4.1 by corresponding material thickness a strength that is sufficient for the treatment of the KEGs 1, in particular for the necessary when filling the KEGs 1 pressing the KEG fitting 5 against a treatment or filling head.

In order to enable an overhead treatment, in particular an overhead filling of the KEGs 1, despite the thin-walled and therefore unsuitable for the transmission of contact forces training of the KEG body 2, an adapter 7 is provided in which the respective KEG 1 during treatment or is fully absorbed during filling and that enables the beneficial overhead treatment of KEGs 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adapter 7, inter alia, consists of a cage-like or round cage-like adapter body 8, which is arranged substantially coaxially with each other and coaxially with an adapter axis A and spaced apart in the direction of this axis rings 9 - 11, from a likewise coaxial with the axis A arranged circular disk-like floor or wall element 12 and of a plurality of the rings 9-11 and the circular disk-shaped wall element 12 connecting to the cage-like structure longitudinal struts 13 is formed. These are oriented with their longitudinal extent in each case parallel to the axis A and provided offset by this axis at equal angular intervals against each other. The ring 9 forms the open top of the adapter 7, through which the respective KEG 1 can be introduced with its KEG neck 4 ahead in the adapter 7 and removed from this again. The ring 11 forms the underside or the standing or support surface of the adapter 7. The wall element 12 adjacent to the lower ring 11 forms an adapter base, which closes the adapter interior serving to receive the respective KEG 1 downwards, a supporting surface for the KEG bottom 2.2 forms the respective KEGs 1 and in the manner described below also for clamping or fixing the KEGs 1 in the adapter, by receiving on his neck ring 4.1. The ring 10 is provided for additional support of the longitudinal bars 13 and to increase the strength of the adapter 7 between the upper ring and the circular disk-shaped wall element 12. It is understood that the adapter 7 is designed so that the respective KEG 1 completely fits into the adapter 7 and the axial length of the adapter 7 (spacing of the rings 9 and 11) is greater than the axial length of the KEG 1.

The wall element 12 is formed with a plurality of openings, with a central opening 14 and with other, distributed around this central opening openings 15 at the edge region. The central opening 14 is designed so that the KEG 1 projects after its insertion into the adapter interior with its KEG neck 4, in particular with its neck ring 4.1 through the opening 14 on the bottom ring 11 facing bottom of the wall element 12 and thus can be locked or fixed on the neck ring 4.1 in the adapter 7 or on the wall element 12. For this purpose, two locking elements 16 and 17 with the aid of joints 18 about axes parallel to the axis A pivotally provided on the underside of the wall element 12 facing the lower ring 11. The two locking elements 16 and 17 are biased by compression springs 19 in an interlocking position in which they are connected to a section 16.1 or 17.1 in the adapter. 7 engage inserted KEG 1 on neck ring 4.1. By a on the wall element 12 with respect to the axis A radially movable slide 20, which cooperates with 16 formed on the locking elements 16 and 17 control or inclined surfaces 16.2 and 17.2, the locking elements 16 and 17 against the action of the compression springs 19 from the locking position in a non-locking or the respective KEG or the neck ring 4.1 releasing position movable. The elements of the adapter 7 are corrosion-protected made of steel or stainless steel.

Using the adapter 7, it is possible to treat, and in particular to fill and transport, the KEGs 1 in conventional machines and installations, namely overhead, i.e., in the conventional manner. with the respective KEG fitting 5 lying down and pressed in the treatment against the respective treatment or filling head. For this purpose, the respective KEG 1 is inserted in the manner described above in the adapter 7 and fixed with its neck ring 4.1 by the locking elements 16 and 17 on the wall element 12. The KEG accommodated in the adapter 7 is then moved via the existing transport elements of a conventional KEG treatment plant or machine to the treatment or filling position, where it is replaced by clamping elements acting on the upper side of the adapter 7, for example on the upper ring 9. Fitting 5 tightly pressed against the treatment or filling head without the risk of damage or destruction of the KEGs 1. During this pressing, the connection between the KEG fitting 5 and the KEG neck 4 is only slightly loaded, especially as the KEG fitting 5 is supported on the locking elements 16 and 17 via the neck ring 4.1.

The adapter 7 preferably corresponds in its external dimensions to conventional metal-made KEGs, for example slim KEGs with an outside diameter of 285 mm and a length of 580 mm, so that the respective adapter 7 with the KEG 1 accommodated therein without exchange of guide parts, etc . Can be driven by the treatment or filling plant concerned.
In a plant in which the KEGs 1 are treated, a plurality of adapters 7 is preferably provided, which are connected to a KEG task for introducing the KEGs 1 are ready and are moved after treating or filling the respective KEGs 1 to a KEG decrease, from which each adapter 7 is then conveyed back to the KEG task after removal of the KEG 1.

In principle, there is also the possibility that the adapter 7 are components or recordings of a transport system with which the KEGs are moved through the treatment or filling machine.

The insertion of the respective KEGs 1 into the adapter 7 takes place at the earliest after their manufacture, i. for example, after stretch blowing the bubble-shaped KEG body 2 and after joining the KEG fitting 5 to the KEG body. The insertion and removal of the KEGs 1 preferably takes place mechanically in a plant that processes or fills it.

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

Thus, the application of the present invention expressly extends to those KEGs made of metal or other material. Although the embodiments described above refer to such KEGs that were produced by blowing or stretch blow molding, and thus - forcibly - consist of a plastic material, but the application of the adapter according to the invention allows a material and thus a cost reduction even with conventional, made of metal or another material existing KEGs. In this case, the fact that the greatest mechanical stress caused by pressing and treating acts on the KEGs, and not by the internal pressure prevailing in them, is essentially of great importance.

If, therefore, the maximum load occurring during pressing is taken up substantially or even completely by the adapter according to the invention, Thus, even with conventional KEGs reduced wall thicknesses and thus also significant cost reductions are possible. In the Applicant's company, the present invention has become known by the term "Petkegadapter".

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

KEG

2

KEG body

2.1

KEG-coat

2.2, 2.3

KEG-floor

3

KEG interior

4

KEG-neck

4.1

collar

5

KEG fitting

5.1, 5.2

Opening in the fitting 5

6

riser

7

adapter

8th

adapter body

9 - 11

ring

12

circular disk-shaped floor or wall element

13

longeron

14, 15

Opening in the floor element 12

16, 17

locking element

18

joint

19

compression spring

20

pusher

A

adapter axis

Claims (9)

1. Method for handling, in particular filling, kegs (1) having a keg body (2), which can only withstand reduced loading and/or has thin walls, encloses a keg interior space (3) and is provided with a keg neck (4), which forms a keg body opening and protrudes beyond a keg body outer surface, and having a keg fitting (5), which is tightly fitted into the keg body opening, wherein, for handling, the kegs (1) lie with their downwardly facing keg fitting (5) pressed against a handling head by pressing elements, characterised in that, for the handling, the kegs (1) are fitted in each case into an adapter (7), capable of withstanding much higher loading in comparison with the keg body (2), and are fixed in the adapter (7) at their keg neck (4) preferably by positive fit rear engagement of the keg neck (4) or of a neck ring (4.1) in the adapter (7), and that the pressing of the respective keg (1) with its keg fitting (5) against the handling head takes place by the effect of a pressing force onto the adapter (7), and wherein the respective keg can be removed from the adapter (7) again after the handling.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the respective keg (7) is accommodated fully in the adapter (7) or in an adapter body (8).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by the use of kegs with a keg body (2) consisting of plastic, such as PET; and manufactured, for example, by blow-moulding or stretch blow-moulding.
4. Adapter for use during the handling, in particular the filling of kegs (1) with a keg body (2), which can only withstand reduced loading and/or has thin walls, enclosing a keg interior space (3) and provided with a keg neck (4), which forms a keg body opening and protrudes beyond a keg body outer surface, and having a keg fitting (5), which is tightly fitted into the keg body opening, characterised in that the adapter (7) forms a mounting, in which the respective keg (1) can be fixed at its keg neck or at a neck ring (4.1) formed there, and that the adapter (7) comprises an adapter region (9) for the taking effect of a pressing force, with which the keg (1), accommodated in the adapter (7), can be pressed with its keg fitting (5) against a handling head without imposing loading on the keg body (2), and wherein the respective keg can be removed from the adapter (7) again after the handling.
5. Adapter according to claim 4, characterised in that it, or an adapter body (8), can be configured for the complete accommodation of the respective keg (1).
6. Adapter according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that it or the adapter body forms a lattice-type structure accommodating the respective keg (1).
7. Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims 4-6, characterised in that the adaptor or its mounting or adapter body (8) comprises an opening for the introduction and removal of the respective keg (1), and a base structure (12), spaced at a distance from the opening, at which fixing or locking means (16, 17) are provided for the fixing of the keg (1) at the keg neck (4) or the neck ring (4.1) formed there.
8. Adapter according to claim 7, characterised in that at least one opening (14) is provided in the base structure (12) for guiding the keg neck (4) through, and that the fixing or locking means (16, 17) are provided in the region of the opening (14), preferably on the side of the base structure facing away from the mounting.
9. Adapter according to any one of the preceding claims 4-8, characterised in that it is a constituent part of a machine or system for handling, preferably for filling, of kegs (1), and that the machine or system comprises a device for the mechanical placing of the kegs (1) into the respective adapter (7) and for the mechanical removal of the kegs (1) from the respective adapter (7).

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