EP2528850B1 - Method and filling system for pressure-filling containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling system according to the preamble of claim 6. Methods and filling systems for pressure filling, i. for filling bottles, cans or other containers with a liquid product under counter pressure (clamping or filling pressure) are known in various designs. This method has in common that the respective filling process has at least two treatment phases in which the respective container is pressed in sealing position against the relevant filling element, namely a pretreatment phase, in which the container interior with an inert gas, e.g. CO2 gas is biased to the clamping or filling pressure, and a filling phase, in which the actual filling of the container with the liquid product takes place under counterpressure. The filling is followed by a relief phase in which the interior of the container is relieved to ambient pressure, wherein the relief is preferably carried out in at least two stages, first on a Vorentlastungsdruck and then to ambient pressure.

As a rule, the filling process has further treatment phases, for example at least one treatment or evacuation phase in which the respective container interior is evacuated, and / or at least one treatment or rinsing phase in which the respective container interior is filled with the inert gas, e.g. CO2 gas is purged, whereby several alternately successive evacuation and rinsing phases may be used. Furthermore, individual treatment phases may have several partial phases, e.g. also the filling phase partial phases for slow stuffing, for fast filling, for slow rest filling and for calming the contents, etc.

In known methods and filling systems, the initiation and termination of significant treatment phases is timed, ie with for the individual Treatment phases predetermined treatment times whose beginning is eg machine-controlled and / or their duration (beginning and / or end) stored in the control (computer) of the filling and / or input, for example, product and / or container specific.

The choice or setting of the treatment times and / or their duration for the individual treatment phases usually based on experience, taking into account the switching times, which are required for the opening and closing of the treatment media during the treatment phases controlling valves. The disadvantage here is, inter alia, that the actual sequence of treatment phases is not monitored and the setting is heavily dependent on the experience of the respective operators and that even the slightest carelessness and / or inaccuracies to a reduction in the quality of the product and / or bottled Increase the inert gas or CO2 gas consumption and thus lead to increased operating costs. A method and filling system for pressure-filling containers according to the preambles of claims 1 and 6 ( DE 100 08 426 A1 ). The aim is inter alia, a monitoring and / or diagnosis of the individual filling elements during the current filling process to detect a malfunction of the filling elements early and to be able to initiate countermeasures. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide an independent pressure sensor for measuring the pressure profile on each filling element.

Also known is a filling system for pressure filling of containers. The aim is to optimize the duration of the discharge phase after completion of the actual filling process. For this purpose, inter alia, it is provided to provide a plurality of filling elements on a filling element, a pressure sensor, which detects the pressure profile of the container internal pressure during the discharge phase and hereby the duration of the discharge phase is set for all filling elements of the filling system.

The invention has for its object to avoid the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a way of objectively checking and / or monitoring of the treatment phases and their flow in a method for pressure filling of containers, in particular with the possibility of optimal adaptation of the treatment times to actual requirements , To solve this problem, a method according to claim 1 is formed. A filling system is the subject of claim 6. In the context of the present invention, the term pressure curve to understand that the height of a pressure is measured or determined at short intervals, so that finally the actual values of this pressure over time and also the Changes in the actual value of this pressure over time are known.

The invention is based inter alia on the finding that the pressure profile of the internal pressure of the respective container in sealing position with the filling element contains all the required information about the course of the individual treatment phases during the filling process, ie this pressure profile provides information about whether the filling process or its treatment phases in run the desired manner or have expired, especially taking into account the fact that especially in more complex filling processes or filling methods, such as in the oxygen-poor filling of beer or the filling of other CO2-containing products, the pressure curve in each container not only a complete traceability and / or monitoring of the individual treatment phases, but in particular the quality and durability of the bottled product significantly influenced. For example, in a more complex filling process with previous evacuation and CO2 rinsing phases, the correct course of these phases is crucial for the subsequent CO2 concentration as well as for the oxygen content in the filled product and thus for the shelf life of the filled product.

The invention has the great advantage that the filling process, but also the amount and / or composition of the gases contained in the respective container and thus in particular the CO2 and oxygen content can be determined and calculated relatively accurately, taking into account the pressure curve of the container internal pressure and by applying, for example, the equation of state for (real) gases P * V = m * R * T. Thus, for example, it is possible to determine in a simple manner which composition comprises the gas within a container after the individual treatment phases, for example after the first, second and third pre-evacuation in connection with a first and second purge with pure CO2 gas. The invention also makes it possible to optimally design the respective filling process, in particular with regard to the inert gas or CO 2 gas consumption, while taking into account different container volumes in a simple manner, in particular by a low oxygen uptake or concentration in the medium with the lowest possible CO 2 consumption guarantee.

However, in order to keep the measurement and control effort both in terms of hardware and software as low as possible, the filling positions of the filling system form at least one group with a plurality of filling positions, which are then assigned a filling position with a pressure measuring device, for example for joint monitoring, adjustment and / or correction of the treatment times of all filling positions of this group. Based on the measured pressure curve, statements about the course of the treatment phases at all filling positions of the group and / or a correction and / or change of the treatment time (also with regard to the beginning and / or duration) of one or more treatment phases are then possible, the latter by comparing the measured pressure profile as Actual pressure profile with a specified or stored nominal pressure profile. This change or correction is then carried out so that by changing the beginning and / or end of the respective treatment phase, the container internal pressure required for this phase can be adjusted. This adjustment and / or correction of Treatment times, for example, manually or by machine and / or for all filling positions of the group.

If the filling system is a filling machine, for example a filling machine of a rotating design, then for example only one filling position or one filling element or only two, with respect to a machine axis, diametrically opposite filling elements are embodied with a pressure measuring device which detects the internal container pressure. The treatment times of all filling elements are then changed and / or corrected in accordance with the pressure profile of the container internal pressure detected by these measuring devices.

In detail, the control or regulation of the treatment time, for example, so that in the machine control of the filling a for each filling material or product to be filled and for the type of container to be filled valid, so product and container specific target pressure profile is stored, namely ggs. together with desired control times for the valves controlling the individual treatment phases of the filling process, these desired control times being e.g. based on values from the past. During the current filling process, the pressure profile of the container internal pressure at the respective filling position is detected at least temporarily as an actual pressure profile with the at least one pressure measuring device. Taking into account this actual pressure profile and the desired pressure profile or corresponding data, it is then possible to make a statement about the course of the treatment phases as well as an adjustment and / or correction of the treatment duration and / or times, i. the current times and time intervals for the opening and / or closing of the individual treatment phases controlling valves, even for those filling positions that do not have the pressure measuring device.

Preferably, a continuous detection of the actual pressure profile takes place, any necessary corrections or changes in the treatment times being continuously determined and used for controlling the filling positions.

In a preferred embodiment, the pressure profile determined by the at least one pressure measuring device is furthermore stored in a computer, preferably in the computer controlling the filling system, so that this pressure profile can be displayed at any time on a display or operator screen.

It is furthermore also possible, in particular, to provide the monitoring of the actual pressure profile with limit values by software whose overshoot and / or undershoot only causes the change or correction of the treatment times and / or triggers alarm functions and / or error messages.

If the discharge phase is also monitored in an analogous manner, the advantage of the invention is particularly evident in filling systems or filling machines in which the remaining relief is achieved directly in a ring channel serving as a vacuum channel to save a further gas or annular channel on the rotor. In these filling systems a very careful adjustment of the treatment or discharge time is necessary because even a short-term exceeding the treatment time leads to a reduced pressure or even to a negative pressure and thus to an undesirable foaming of the bottled product in the container. In the invention, this problem is solved, namely the fact that the treatment time of the residual discharge phase can be adjusted very accurately, taking into account the pressure profile detected by the pressure measuring device without difficulty.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the invention further provides that the measured pressure profiles or the corresponding data via a data transmission network, for example via an internal or external data transmission network, eg via the general Internet or their server to at least one workstation or computer within the filling machine or The operation of the filling system and / or at a location remote therefrom, and preferably for remote maintenance and / or diagnosis, in particular by specialists, for example by specialists of the manufacturer of the filling machine or the filling system.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures.

• Fig. 1 in vereinfachter Prinzipdarstellung eine Füllposition einer Füllmaschine zum Druckfüllen von Behältern in Form von Flaschen, zusammen mit einem Prozessrechner zum Steuern der Behandlungszeiten;
• Fig. 2 in einem Diagramm den Druckverlauf innerhalb einer Flasche während des mehrere Behandlungsphasen aufweisenden Füllprozesses.

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 filling position of a filling machine for pressure filling of containers in the form of bottles, together with a process computer for controlling the treatment times;
• Fig. 2 in a diagram, the pressure curve within a bottle during the multiple treatment phases having filling process.

In the figures, 1 is a filling system or a filling machine for pressure filling of containers in the form of bottles 2 with a liquid, such as CO2-containing filling material, eg beverage, for example beer. Shown is the filling machine only a section through a ring bowl 3, which is part of a rotatable about a vertical axis of the machine rotor 4. The interior of the ring vessel 3 is partially filled during the filling operation with the liquid contents, to form a lower, occupied by the contents liquid space 3.1 and an overlying gas space 3.2, of an inert gas under pressure, for example, from a CO2 gas taken under pressure. By control and / or control elements, not shown, the level of the liquid filling material in the ring bowl 3 to a predetermined level adjusted or adjusted. Furthermore, the inert gas pressure in the gas space 3.2 is set or adjusted to a predetermined filling or clamping pressure P1.

In the rotor 4 or in the part of the rotor 4 forming the ring bowl 3 further two annular channels are formed, namely an annular channel 5.1, which serves as an inert gas collecting channel and the inert gas with a pressure P2, e.g. with a slight overpressure leads, and a ring channel 5.2, which has a vacuum P3 during the filling operation as a vacuum channel.

On the circumference of the rotor or the annular vessel 3 are distributed at uniform angular intervals about the vertical axis of the machine filling elements 6 are provided, each forming together with an associated container carrier 7 filling positions 8. The bottles 2 to be filled are each held suspended at the individual filling positions 8 or at the local container carriers 7, namely at a container or mouth flange and with the container carrier 7. With this, the bottles 2 are in sealing position against the respective filling element 6 in FIG Area of a discharge opening 9 for the liquid product and a gas opening 10 for evacuation, pre and pressure spans pressed, as will be explained in more detail below.

For controlled delivery of the liquid filling material into the respective bottle 2, a liquid channel with a controlled liquid valve communicating with the liquid space 3.1 is provided in each filling element 6. Furthermore, 6 gas paths for controlled treatment of the interior of the respective bottle 2 with vacuum, with rinsing and biasing gas for controlling slow and Schnellfüllphasen, to relieve the respective filled bottle, etc. are provided in each filling element. The necessary to control these gas paths valves are housed in a valve block 11. These valves are, for example, pneumatic valves, which are actuated by a computer 13 via an electro-pneumatic control valve arrangement 12.

Only one filling position 8 or the local filling element 6 is equipped with a pressure measuring device in the form of a pressure sensor 14 which detects the internal pressure of the bottle 2 located on this filling element 6 via the gas opening 10 during the respective filling process and a corresponding measuring signal via the measuring line 15 the computer 13 delivers, specifically to form and store the temporal pressure curve 16 of the bottle internal pressure of the filling element located on the bottle 2 or a corresponding record.

The filling of the bottles 2 is carried out in principle such that each bottle 2 passed to a container inlet of the filling machine 1 to a container carrier 7 and then with this container carrier in sealing position against the associated filling element 6 and with its bottle mouth against a in the region of the discharge opening 9 and the Gas opening 10 arranged seal of the filling element 6 is pressed, so that both the discharge opening 9 and the gas opening 10 with the interior of the bottles 2 are in communication. The filled bottles 2, after they have been lowered with the container carrier 7 from the filling element 1, removed at a container outlet of the filling machine 1, for example, fed to a capping machine.

• ein dreifaches Evakuieren durch Verbinden des Flascheninnenraums mit dem Ringkanal 5.2, jeweils mit einem Inertgas-Spülen des Flascheninnenraums zwischen dem ersten und zweiten bzw. dem zweiten und dritten Evakuieren z.B. durch Verbinden des Flascheninnenraumes mit dem Ringkanal 5.1,
• ein Teilvorspannen der Flasche 2 z.B. durch Verbinden des Flascheninnenraums mit dem Ringkanal 5.1 und/oder mit dem Gasraum 3.2,
• ein Vorspannen der Flasche 2 durch Verbinden des Flascheninnenraumes mit dem Gasraum 3.2 auf den endgültigen Spann- oder Fülldruck P1,
• ein Schnellfüllen der Flasche 2 mit dem flüssigen Füllgut aus dem Flüssigkeitsraum 3.1 bei geöffnetem Flüssigkeitsventil bei Spann- und Fülldruck P1,
• ein Langsamfüllen der Flasche 2 bei Spann- und Fülldruck P1 vor dem Schließen des Flüssigkeitsventils und kurz vor Erreichen der erforderlichen Füllhöhe und/oder Füllmenge,
• ein Beruhigen des Füllgutes in der Flasche 2 bei Vorspann- und Fülldruck P1 und bei geschlossenem Flüssigkeitsventil,
• ein Vorentlasten der Flasche 2 auf einem deutlich unterhalb des Spann- und Fülldrucks P1 liegenden Vorentlastungsdruck, beispielsweise auf dem Druck P2,
• ein anschließendes Restentlasten auf Atmosphären- oder Umgebungsdruck, beispielsweise durch Verbinden des von dem Füllgut nicht eingenommenen Teils des Flascheninnenraumes über die Gasöffnung 10 mit dem Ringkanal 5.2.

On the angular range of the rotational movement of the rotor 4 between the container inlet and the container outlet, the filling of the bottles 2 takes place in several treatment phases and, for example, in chronological succession

• a triple evacuation by connecting the bottle interior with the annular channel 5.2, each with an inert gas flushing of the bottle interior between the first and second or the second and third evacuation eg by connecting the bottle interior with the annular channel 5.1,
• a partial prestressing of the bottle 2, for example by connecting the bottle interior with the annular channel 5.1 and / or with the gas space 3.2,
• a biasing of the bottle 2 by connecting the bottle interior with the gas space 3.2 to the final clamping or filling pressure P1,
• a quick filling of the bottle 2 with the liquid product from the liquid chamber 3.1 with the liquid valve open at clamping and filling pressure P1,
• Slow filling of the bottle 2 at clamping and filling pressure P1 before closing the liquid valve and shortly before reaching the required level and / or capacity,
• a calming of the contents in the bottle 2 at pre-charge and filling pressure P1 and with the liquid valve closed,
• a pre-unloading of the bottle 2 at a pre-relief pressure which is clearly below the tensioning and filling pressure P1, for example at the pressure P2,
• a subsequent residual relieving at atmospheric or ambient pressure, for example by connecting the part of the bottle interior not occupied by the filling material via the gas opening 10 with the annular channel 5.2.

• 16.1 Beginn des Füllprozesses
• 16.2 Vorevakuierung der Flasche 2
• 16.3 Inertgasspülung der Flasche 2
• 16.4 Teilvorspannen der Flasche 2 z.B. auf den Druck P2
• 16.5 Vorspannen der Flasche 2 auf den Spann- oder Fülldruck P1
• 16.6 Schnellfüllen, Langsamfüllen und Beruhigen
• 16.7 Vorentlastung beispielsweise auf den Druck P2
• 16.8 Restentlasten auf Atmosphärendruck
• 16.9 Ende des Füllprozesses.

In the FIG. 2 1 schematically shows the pressure profile 16 also detected by the pressure sensor 14 on the filling element 6, wherein the sections 16.1 - 16.9 are to be assigned:

• 16.1 Start of the filling process
• 16.2 Pre-evacuation of the bottle 2
• 16.3 Inert gas flushing of the bottle 2
• 16.4 Partial prestressing of the bottle 2 eg to the pressure P2
• 16.5 Preloading the bottle 2 to the clamping or filling pressure P1
• 16.6 Fast filling, slow filling and calming
• 16.7 Pre-discharge, for example, to the pressure P2
• 16.8 residual relieves to atmospheric pressure
• 16.9 End of the filling process.

As mentioned above, the pressure curve during the filling process, in particular also the pressure curve in the individual treatment phases, determine the course of these phases and thereby, among other things, also the quality and the quality Durability, especially the CO2 and oxygen content of the bottled product. By detecting the pressure curve 16 is thus a review and monitoring, but also a control of the filling process and the treatment phases possible.

In the case of the multiplicity of filling elements 6 of the filling machine 1, an immediate pressure-dependent control of the filling element 6 is not possible, at least with a justifiable control effort. Rather, it is necessary to perform time-controlled the individual treatment phases of the filling process, in synchronism with the rotational movement of the rotor 4 and with stored in the computer 13 treatment times, with which a temporal control u.a. the valves of the electro-pneumatic control valve devices 12 and the valve blocks 11 takes place. The treatment or control times, i.a. Also include the respective time interval between the discontinuation of a control signal and the actual complete switching (eg opening or closing) of a valve are, for example, chosen so that in particular taking into account the volume of the bottles 2 and the pressure of the used for the respective treatment phase Medium, the respective desired result of the respective treatment phase can be achieved as far as possible.

In order to monitor this timing of the treatment phases of the filling process and to optimally adapt to the ideal pressure curve of the filling process, the actual actual pressure curve 16 is measured at the filling positions 8 equipped with the pressure sensor 14 and at least temporarily stored in the computer 13. This actual pressure profile 16 or actual data of this course can then be compared, for example, with a desired pressure profile which is ideal for the respective contents and for the type of bottles 2 and stored in the computer 13 or with corresponding desired data. In the case of distinct deviations between the measured actual pressure profile and the desired pressure profile in one or more treatment phases, that is to say predetermined limit values, the treatment times (beginning and / or end) of these treatment phases for all filling elements 6 of the filling machine 1 then become jointly changed such that the actual pressure curve corresponds to the desired pressure curve with sufficient accuracy. With the new or corrected treatment times then the subsequent control of all filling elements 6 takes place during the respective filling process. The correction takes place, for example, manually as a function of the graphical representation on an image monitor 17 of the computer 13 and / or automatically or computer-controlled. Furthermore, the corrected treatment times are stored, for example, in the computer 13 as typical for the type of bottles 2 and the filling material treatment times, so at a later refilling the same bottles 2 or the same bottle type with the same contents on these treatment times or data for the control of Filling process can be used. In particular, it is possible to enter in a first use of the filling machine 1 for filling bottles 2 of a certain type with a product of a certain type, the treatment times based on empirical values on an operator monitor 17 with input keyboard in the computer 13. In a test run of the filling machine 1, the treatment times entered are then corrected in the manner described by comparing the measured actual pressure profile with the desired pressure profile and stored as typical for the type of container and the contents, reusable data in the computer 13. A variety of other types of control of the filling machine 1 are possible with the training.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filling Machine

2

bottle

3

ring bowl

3.1

liquid space

3.2

headspace

4

rotor

5.1, 5.2

Ring channel in the rotor 4

6

filler

7

container carrier

8th

filling position

9

Füllgutabgabeöffnung

10

gas opening

11

manifold

12

electro-pneumatic control valve device

13

computer

14

pressure sensor

15

Measurement line

16

pressure curve

16.1 - 16.9

various treatment phases associated portion of the pressure curve 16th

17

operator monitor

P1

Clamping or filling pressure

P2

reduced pre-relief pressure

P3

vacuum

Claims (9)

1. Method for the pressure filling of bottles, cans, or like containers (2) with a liquid filling product with the use of a filling system, with at least one filling element group with a plurality of filling elements (6), wherein the respective container (2), arranged during the filling process in a sealing position at a filling element (6), is pre-tensioned, for filling against a tensioning pressure or filling pressure (P1) in at least one treatment phase, with an inert gas, for example with CO2 gas, to the tensioning pressure or filling pressure (P1), and, in a further treatment phase, is filled against the tensioning pressure or filling pressure (P1), and, after the filling, are pressure-relieved in at least one pressure-relief phase down to ambient pressure, wherein the treatment duration or treatment time of the treatment phase is determined by a time control, and wherein, during the entire treatment phase, the pressure characteristic (16) of the container interior pressure is detected,
   characterised in that
   by means of a pressure measuring device (14), the pressure characteristic (16) of the container interior pressure is detected only at one filling element (6) of the at least one filling element group, and, by using this pressure characteristic (16), the treatment duration and/or treatment times of all the treatment phases of all the filling elements (6) of the filling element group are monitored and/or corrected,
   and that the pressure characteristic (16) of the container interior pressure, detected by the one pressure measuring device (14), as the actual pressure characteristic, is compared with a reference pressure characteristic for the display and/or monitoring of the course of the treatment phase and/or for the changing or correction of the treatment duration and/or duration time.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the treatment phase which serves to impose on the containers (2) the tensioning pressure or filling pressure (P1) is preceded by at least one further treatment phase, in which the containers (2) are evacuated and/or flushed with an inert gas, such as CO₂ gas, preferably at a pressure (P2) which is less than the tensioning pressure or filling pressure (P1), and that the pressure characteristic of the container interior pressure is also detected during these treatment phases.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, with the at least one pressure measuring device (14), the pressure characteristic of the container interior pressure is also detected during the filling phase.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, with the configuration of the filling system as a filling machine of circulatory design, with a plurality of filling positions (8) formed in each case from a filling element (6), at a rotor (4) rotatably driven about a vertical machine axis, the pressure characteristic of the container interior pressure is detected at one or two filling positions (8) diametrically opposite in relation to the machine axis.
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the changed or corrected treatment duration and/or treatment times are in each case stored for a renewed use which is container-specific and/or product-specific, preferably in a computer of the filling system.
6. Filling system for the pressure filling of bottles, cans, or the like containers (2) with a liquid filling product, in each case in a filling process, with at least one filling element group with a plurality of filling elements (6) for the filling of the containers (2) against a tensioning pressure or filling pressure (P1), wherein the containers (2) are pre-tensioned in at least one treatment phase with an inert gas, for example with CO₂ gas, up to the tensioning pressure or filling pressure (P1), and, in a further treatment phase, are filled against the tensioning pressure or filling pressure (P1), and, after the filling, are pressure-relieved in at least one pressure-relief phase down to ambient pressure,
   with a control device (13) for a time control of the treatment duration and/or treatment time of the treatment phases, and
   with means for detecting the pressure characteristic (16) of the container interior pressure during the treatment phases of the filling process,
   characterised in that
   for all the filling elements (6) of the filling element group, only one single pressure measuring device (14) is provided which forms the means for detecting the pressure characteristic, and that the control device (13) is configured for monitoring and/or correction of the treatment duration and/or treatment times of all the treatment phases of all the filling elements (6) of the filling element group as a function of the pressure characteristic detected by the pressure measuring device (14), and that a control device or a computer (13) is provided which is configured for making a comparison of the actual pressure characteristic (16) of the container interior pressure, detected by the pressure measuring device (14), with a reference pressure characteristic, for the display and/or monitoring of the treatment phase and/or for the changing or correction of the treatment duration and/or duration time.
7. Filling system according to claim 6, characterised in that the pressure measuring device (14) is configured for the detection of the pressure characteristic (16) of the container interior pressure of all the treatment phases, and that the control device (13) is configured for a correction of the treatment duration and/or treatment times of all the treatment phases as a function of this pressure characteristic (16).
8. Filling system according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that, with the configuration of the filling system as a filling machine of circulating type, with a plurality of filling positions (8), forming in each case a filling element (6) at a rotor (4) rotatably driven about a vertical machine axis, a pressure measuring device (14) is provided at one single or two filling positions (8) diametrically opposite in relation to the machine axis.
9. Filling system according to any one of claims 6-8, characterised in that the control device (13) is configured for the storing of the changed or corrected treatment duration and/or treatment times in each case.

Images