EP2937310A2 - Device and method for filling a container with a filling product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for filling a container (100) with a filling product (110) in a beverage filling plant, comprising providing the filling product (110) under an overpressure and evacuating the container (100) to be filled to achieve a negative pressure the pressurized filling product (110) is introduced into the negative pressure container (100).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a method and a device for filling a container with a filling product in a beverage filling plant, preferably for filling a carbonated filling product, such as beer, soft drinks or mineral water.

State of the art

A variety of different methods and devices for filling filling products in beverage filling plants are known. For filling carbonated filling products, such as beer, mineral waters or soft drinks, it is known, for example, to bias the container to be filled with a clamping gas to an overpressure before filling with the respective filling product, and only then to fill the filling product in the container thus prestressed. As span gas, for example, CO _{2 is} used here. Accordingly, the CO ₂ bound in the carbonated filling product is filled during filling into the container to be filled against the increased CO ₂ pressure, so that debindering of the CO ₂ can be reduced or completely prevented from the filling product. This process is also referred to as backpressure filling. In this way, the foaming of the filling product can be reduced or avoided in the container to be filled, so that in this way the filling process is accelerated overall.

Typically, prior to biasing the container to be filled with the clamping gas, the container is first evacuated, then flushed with the span gas, then evacuated again to be brought before the actual filling with the clamping gas to the appropriate biasing pressure before the filling product is introduced. By evacuating and rinsing a defined gas atmosphere can be created in the container, in particular a largely oxygen-free atmosphere, which is especially desired for beer or other oxygen-sensitive products

Depending on the design of the counter-pressure method, a filling height correction in a prestressed and filled container can also be carried out by forcing the filling product back into the filling product reservoir via a return gas tube which dips into the filling product filled in the container. This can be achieved, for example, by further charging the filled container with a pressurized gas under increased pressure, for example CO ₂ . The filling product is then accordingly pressed out of the container via the return gas pipe until the return gas pipe is no longer immersed in the filling product and accordingly the tensioning gas escapes from the filled container directly into the filling product reservoir via the return gas pipe.

By providing the return gas tube in such a counter-pressure filling process, the interior of the container and the pressure in the gas space above the filling product in the filling product reservoir can be kept at the same overpressure level while the filling product flows into the container.

Furthermore, a so-called vacuum filling method is known in which silent liquids are introduced into a pre-evacuated container to be filled. An exact filling height correction takes place in such a way that a suction tube dips into the container filled with the filling product and the filling product is withdrawn from the container by a vacuum applied to the suction tube until the desired filling level, which is defined by the lower edge of the suction tube, is reached. The suction tube is in fluid communication with the vacuum present in the filling product reservoir above the filling product, so that rapid suction of the liquid and drip-free holding of the filling product in the suction tube can be achieved. Examples of such vacuum fillers can be found in the DE 83 08 618 U1 and the DE 83 08 806 U1 ,

Vacuum fillers, such as the Krones types VV, VVHK, VVHL, allow a correction phase after completion of the filling phase. The vacuum applied in the ring bowl is connected to a return air tube. About the immersion depth of the return air tube in the respective container to be filled, the filling height can be controlled. By the return air tube is brought into fluid communication with the vacuum in the ring boiler, according to the upcoming over the lower end of the return air tube filling product is sucked back into the ring bowl. In this case, unfavorable as flavor and / or alcohol losses occur, for example, when filling spirits. By providing the suction tube in a vacuum filling process, the container interior as well as the space lying above the filling product in the filling product reservoir can be brought to the same level of negative pressure.

The vacuum fillers or vacuum fillers were not used to fill carbonated beverages because the applied vacuum or applied vacuum would immediately release the CO ₂ in the respective carbonated beverages and, correspondingly, a filling operation would result in a very high foaming tendency and hence a long filling time. Accordingly, the filling of carbonated fill products with vacuum filling has been excluded in the prior art.

From the DE 199 11 517 A1 is a beverage filling known, in which CO ₂ -free, so not carbonated, drinks can be filled into containers. To achieve sterility and oxygen protection of the bottled CO ₂ -free beverage, the filling stations of the beverage filling machine run in an evacuated interior of the filler housing. An evacuation of the container is achieved solely by inserting the respective container into the filler housing. In other words, the containers are evacuated by the prevailing in the filler housing vacuum, then fed to the respective filling stations and then filled. Since the containers are introduced via a lock wheel into the interior of the filler housing and are discharged from the filler housing after filling, the vacuum achievable in the filler housing is severely limited.

Filling of a filling product in a prestressed container is also known to maintain the sterility, such as from DE 41 26 136 A1 known.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product, preferably with a carbonated filling product, which show improved filling behavior.

This object is achieved by a method for filling a container with a filling product with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

Accordingly, a method for filling a container with a filling product in a beverage filling plant is proposed, comprising providing the filling product under an overpressure and evacuating the container to be filled to achieve a negative pressure. According to the invention, the filling product under pressure is introduced into the container under negative pressure.

By introducing the over-pressurized filling product into the container under negative pressure, the inflow of the filling product into the container can be accelerated. In particular, a sudden filling of the container to be filled with the filling product becomes possible in this way.

Due to the negative pressure present in the container to be filled, initially no gas is displaced from the container interior when filling the container, but only the negative pressure is reduced. Correspondingly, no fluid flow directed counter to the incoming filling product takes place, and in particular no gas is displaced from the container to be filled by the filling product, which then would have to flow out through the mouth of the container. Accordingly, the entire mouth cross-section for inflating the filling product is available for filling the container. The required return gas pipe disadvantageously claimed as part of the maximum available free mouth cross-section of the container.

In conventional filling methods, for example the counter-pressure method, it is necessary, however, that the gas displaced out of the container by the inflowing product flow of product escapes again simultaneously with the inflow of the product through the mouth. Correspondingly, two oppositely directed fluid streams divide the orifice cross-section of the container to be filled, namely, firstly, the fluid flow of the filling product directed into the container and, secondly, the fluid flow of the displaced gas directed out of the container.

In the case of a vacuum filling method, the entire outlet cross section is likewise not available, since the return gas tube is guided through the mouth cross section, via which a filling height correction, as known from the prior art, is carried out. Thus, even in a vacuum filling process according to the prior art, two counter-rotating fluid flows are present, namely, the filling product stream flowing into the container to be filled and the opposing return gas flow or vacuum flow through the return gas tube, which is then replaced in the correction phase by the refluxing product flow.

Preferably, the container is evacuated prior to introduction of the filling product to a negative pressure with an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 0.05 bar, preferably 0.3 to 0.1 bar, particularly preferably 0.1 bar. By filling the filling product in a corresponding negative pressure in the container, the interior of the container is evacuated so that when filling with the filling product no gas is displaced by the filling product and accordingly no gas must flow out of the interior of the container. Rather, the entire mouth cross-section of the container can be used to inflow the filling product. In other words, only a filling product stream directed into the container occurs here. The filling of the filling product is further assisted by the provided pressure difference between the negative pressure in the container to be filled and the overpressure in the filling product reservoir.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the filling product is provided under an overpressure which corresponds to the ambient pressure, preferably under an absolute pressure of 1 bar. The overpressure is correspondingly designed as overpressure relative to the vacuum located in the container, so that there is a pressure gradient between the provided filling product and the container.

The overpressure may also correspond to the saturation pressure of the filling product and preferably be at an absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar. Due to the presence of the overpressure at the respective saturation pressure, debinding of the CO ₂ in the case of a carbonated filling product can be counteracted.

In one development, the overpressure is above the saturation pressure of the filling product and is preferably present under an absolute pressure of 1.6 bar to 9 bar. By a high overpressure, which is in particular above the saturation pressure of the filling product, it can be achieved that the CO _{2 is present} in the filling product in saturation and at the same time the pressure gradient between the provided filling product and the container is even greater, to further accelerate the filling process.

About the provided pressure gradient between the filling product and the container, a sudden filling of the container can be achieved. Here, for example, a filling of a conventional beer bottle with the filling product can be achieved in about 0.3 seconds, compared to the conventional filling time of about 4.5 seconds. Here, the sudden filling takes place essentially at the beginning of the filling process. At the end of the filling process, when the container is already largely filled with the filling product, an equalization of the pressures between the pressure in the headspace of the container and the pressure of the over-pressurized filling product can take place, since the residual gas in the container now at atmospheric pressure or may increase to the pressure provided by the filling product. However, the achieved pressure difference or the equalization of the pressures depends on the initial pressures and in particular on the initial negative pressure in the container to be filled.

In other words, the pressure profile in the container to be filled during filling depends on the pressure in the container to be filled at the beginning of the filling process and thus also on the residual gas in the container. Due to the filling product, the container is filled so that the filling product shares with the residual gas the remaining space. Accordingly, the pressure in the container increases. Due to the resulting pressure curve, the respective filling state of the container can therefore also be determined and, for example, the filling end to be achieved can also be determined on this basis.

In order to achieve a particularly hygienic and oxygen-poor filling of the filling product in the container to be filled, the container to be filled is particularly preferably before the actual evacuation for filling the container with the filling product ever evacuated initially and then rinsed with a purge gas, whereupon the container is evacuated again to the above negative pressure and then the filling product is poured into the thus evacuated container. In this way it can be achieved that the residual gas, which is located in the container, a largely defined gas, such as CO ₂ , is to a filling of the container to be filled in a defined atmosphere and in particular a low-oxygen To allow atmosphere. As a result, a prolonged storage period can be achieved and thus also oxygen-sensitive products such as beer can be bottled.

After filling the product, the filled container is preferably pressurized with an inert gas at an absolute pressure of from 2 bar to 9 bar, preferably under an absolute pressure of from 3.5 bar to 7 bar, more preferably under an absolute pressure of from 3.8 bar to 5, 5 bar. In this case, an inert gas, for example CO _2, can be used with particular preference as the span gas.

Upon loading the filled container with a clamping gas under elevated pressure, for example with CO ₂ , present in the headspace of the filled container present Füllproduktschaum be pushed back and pressed into the container. Furthermore, the filling product line can be emptied of foam and residual filling product. In addition, by applying the container with the clamping gas, a renewed binding or dissolving of the CO ₂ in the filling product can be promoted, so that the settling time for the filling product in the filled container can be reduced and, accordingly, a discharge or closing of the filled container can be prepared can.

The overpressure of the clamping gas, with which the filled container is charged after the introduction of the filling product, particularly preferably corresponds to the overpressure with which the filling product is provided.

Carbonated beverages are preferably bottled with said process. Contrary to the present prior art prejudice that a filling of a container to be filled with a carbonated filling product is not possible if the container has a negative pressure or a vacuum, by the method proposed here, a sudden filling of the container with a filling product is possible, when the container is under a negative pressure or has a vacuum and the Füllproduktreservoir is under an overpressure.

In order to shorten the settling time of the filling product in the filled container and to prevent foaming or foaming of the filling product when the container is brought to ambient pressure after filling, sealing of the filled container preferably takes place without an exchange of the container interior with the environment taking place , Particularly preferred is a closing of the filled container after filling and possibly after pressurizing the container with a clamping gas, without changing the pressure conditions in the headspace of the filled container, and in particular without bringing the filled container into contact with the environment.

The container is preferably closed after filling with the filling product without relieving the container to ambient pressure in order to achieve foaming, overflowing or shooting out of the filling product. So you do not have to wait for a calming of the filling product, but the closing can be done directly. The filled container is preferably under an overpressure at an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 9 bar, preferably under an overpressure at an absolute pressure of 2.5 bar to 6 bar, or under an overpressure corresponding to the saturation pressure of the filling product, preferably at a Absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar, or under an overpressure which is above the saturation pressure of the filling product, preferably under an absolute pressure of 1.6 bar to 9 bar, sealed. The overpressure under which the filled container is closed is preferably the overpressure provided by the clamping gas.

The actual closing of the filled containers can be carried out by means of well-known cappers with well-known closures. The filled containers can be closed accordingly, for example, with crown caps, plugs, screw caps or retractable closures.

Evacuation of a soft-walled container, such as a PET container or other thin-walled plastic container is made possible by the container is placed in an evacuated chamber and the chamber is also evacuated before or during evacuation of the container to be filled. For this purpose, either a filler chamber can be evacuated, or else a separate space enclosing the respective container can be provided, which permits evacuation in such a way that the pressure conditions on the inside and on the outside of the evacuated container to be filled are the same. Correspondingly, soft-walled containers can also be subjected to filling with the proposed method.

Preferably, the container is connected before evacuation with a filling product line for supplying the vacuum, the clamping gas and the filling product fluid-tight.

At least one flavor and / or a beverage additive and / or a beverage component is preferably metered into the interior of the plastic container before and / or during and / or after the introduction of the filling product into the interior of the plastic container. Beverage additives are also understood here as syrups and / or preservatives.

By dosing the aroma and / or the beverage additive and / or the beverage component in the interior of the plastic container, a flexible metering of flavors and / or beverage additives and / or beverage components can be achieved, which makes a quick change between different flavors and flavors possible. Due to the rapid filling process, as described above, a part of the treatment angle in a rotary filler can be occupied by other functions. Accordingly, the method described above makes it possible in addition to provide an aroma doser for metering in flavors and / or beverage additives and / or beverage components, so that an advantageous change between different flavors becomes possible.

The above object is further achieved by a device having the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

Accordingly, an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product according to the method described above is proposed, comprising a filling product supply for supplying the filling product and a filling product line, which is fluid-tight contact with the container to be filled, a vacuum device for evacuating a container to be filled and furthermore a control device. According to the invention, the control device is configured to first evacuate the container by means of the vacuum device and then to introduce the filling product into the evacuated container.

Particularly preferably, a capper is provided, by means of which the filled container can be closed to ambient pressure without relieving the container. Thus, a relieving of the filled container can be avoided and thus the filling process can be accelerated, since a calming of the filling product before closing to avoid foaming, shooting out and overflowing of the filling product does not have to wait. Closure rather takes place under the same conditions, especially under equal pressure conditions, such as filling.

The actual closing of the filled containers can be carried out by means of well-known cappers with well-known closures. The capper may accordingly be, for example, a crown corker, a plug sealer, a screw capper or roll capper.

Advantageously, a capping head is provided, which has a sealed against the environment Verschließkopfraum, which receives the filling product line and a capper together with the mouth of the container. Particularly preferably, the Verschließkopfraum for receiving the container is obvious and closable, and preferably has two Verschließkopfbacken, which are openable and closable for receiving the container and preferably for supplying a container closure. By means of such a capping head, filling and sealing can be carried out in the same gas atmosphere and at the same pressure in the capping head space.

The Füllproduktzuführung is advantageous acted upon by an overpressure and preferably as Füllproduktreservoir with a present over a Füllproduktepiegel and pressurized gas space, or filled with the filling product and under pressure line, more preferably a pressurized black filled line formed.

In an advantageous development, the filling product line has the same cross-section as the mouth cross-section of the container to be filled, and in particular the complete mouth cross-section of the container to be filled for filling the filling product usable. By using the entire cross section of the mouth, a particularly fast filling of the filling product can be achieved.

In a further advantageous development, an aroma doser is provided for metering in an aroma and / or a beverage additive and / or a beverage component into the interior of the plastic container. The flavoring agent can be provided for example in the form of a peristaltic pump, by means of which the aroma and / or the beverage additive and / or the beverage component is pumped from a corresponding reservoir and metered.

The above object is further achieved by a filling system with the features of claim 22.

Accordingly, a filling plant for filling a filling product is proposed in a container comprising a filler with filling points for filling the container with the filling product according to the method described above and a closure arranged downstream of the filler with closing points for closing the filled containers. According to the invention, the number of filling stations essentially corresponds to the number of sealing points. Correspondingly, cappers and fillers can have the same dimensions and particularly preferably be integrated with one another. Such an arrangement is made possible by the significantly increased filling speed of the method, since the time periods for filling the containers to be filled and the closing of the containers to be filled with each other.

In this way, a compact filling system can be constructed, since due to the possibility of the sudden filling of the container by the proposed method, the filling process can proceed similarly fast as the closing process.

Thus, a much more compact filling system can be provided, as known from the prior art, in which the number of filling stations is substantially greater than the number of Verschließstellen.

In a preferred embodiment, the number of filling stations corresponds to 1 to 3 times, preferably 1 to 2 times, the number of closing points. The capper can therefore be made only slightly smaller than the filler.

In a further preferred embodiment, the number of closing points corresponds to 1 to 3 times, preferably 1 to 2 times, the number of filling points. The filler can therefore be made smaller than the capper. This embodiment can be realized due to the much shorter filling times.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt;

Figur 2

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt;

Figur 3

eine weitere schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt mit einem befüllten Behälter;

Figur 4

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung von der Seite betrachtet eines Verschließkopfes einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters;

Figur 5

eine Draufsicht auf den Verschließkopf der Figur 4 in einer geschlossenen Position;

Figur 6

eine Draufsicht auf den Verschließkopf der Figuren 4 und 5 in einer geöffneten Position;

Figur 7

eine weitere schematische teilgeschnittene und seitliche Darstellung des Verschließkopfes aus den Figuren 4 bis 6;

Figur 8

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Verschließkopfes in einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 9

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Verschließkopfes in noch einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 10

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer weiteren Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt mit einem geöffneten Verschließkopf zum Zuführen eines zu befüllenden Behälters sowie eines Verschlusses;

Figur 11

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der Vorrichtung aus Figur 10 mit geschlossenem Verschließkopf und an den Innenraum des Behälters angebundener Füllproduktleitung beim initialen Evakuieren des zu befüllenden Behälters;

Figur 12

schematische Schnittdarstellung der Vorrichtung aus Figuren 10 und 11 beim Spülen des zu befüllenden Behälters mit einem Spanngas;

Figur 13

die Vorrichtung der Figuren 10-12 in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung beim Bereitstellen eines Unterdruckes in dem zu befüllenden Behälter;

Figur 14

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der Vorrichtung der Figuren 10-13 beim Befüllen des zu befüllenden Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt unter Überdruck in den unter Unterdruck stehenden zu befüllenden Behälter;

Figur 15

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der Figuren 10-14 nach Beenden des Befüllens des zu befüllenden Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt und Beaufschlagen mit einem Spanngas;

Figur 16

die Vorrichtung gemäß den Figuren 10-15 beim Beaufschlagen des Verschließkopfraumes mit dem Spanngas;

Figur 17

die Vorrichtung der Figuren 10-16 in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung beim Lösen der Verbindung der Füllproduktleitung von dem befüllten Behälter;

Figur 18

die Vorrichtung der Figuren 10-17 in einer schematischen Schnittdarstellung beim Zurückziehen der Füllproduktleitung;

Figur 19

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der Vorrichtung aus den Figuren 10-18 beim Verschließen des befüllten Behälters;

Figur 20

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der Vorrichtung aus den Figuren 10-19 beim Entlasten des Verschließkopfraumes;

Figur 21

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der Vorrichtung aus den Figuren 10-20 bei geöffnetem Verschließkopf zum Ausschleusen des befüllten und verschlossenen Behälters;

Figur 22

die schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt gemäß Figur 1 in einer Weiterbildung mit einem Aromadosierer;

Figur 23

die schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt gemäß Figur 2 in einer Weiterbildung mit einem Aromadosierer; und

Figur 24

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Verschließkopfes einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters gemäß Figur 4 in einer Weiterbildung mit einem Aromadosierer.

Preferred further embodiments and aspects of the present invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Showing:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product;

FIG. 2

a further schematic representation of an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product;

FIG. 3

a further schematic representation of an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product with a filled container;

FIG. 4

a schematic sectional view viewed from the side of a closing head of a device for filling a container;

FIG. 5

a plan view of the capping of the FIG. 4 in a closed position;

FIG. 6

a plan view of the capping of the FIGS. 4 and 5 in an open position;

FIG. 7

a further schematic partially cut and side view of the capping of the FIGS. 4 to 6 ;

FIG. 8

a schematic sectional view of a closing head in a further embodiment;

FIG. 9

a schematic sectional view of a closing head in yet another embodiment;

FIG. 10

a schematic sectional view of another device for filling a container with a filling product with an open capping head for supplying a container to be filled and a closure;

FIG. 11

a schematic sectional view of the device FIG. 10 with a closed capping head and filling product line connected to the interior of the container during the initial evacuation of the container to be filled;

FIG. 12

schematic sectional view of the device FIGS. 10 and 11 when flushing the container to be filled with a clamping gas;

FIG. 13

the device of Figures 10-12 in a schematic sectional view when providing a negative pressure in the container to be filled;

FIG. 14

a schematic sectional view of the device of Figures 10-13 when filling the container to be filled with a filling product under pressure in the vacuum under pressure to be filled container;

FIG. 15

a schematic sectional view of Figures 10-14 after completing the filling of the container to be filled with a filling product and applying a clamping gas;

FIG. 16

the device according to the Figures 10-15 when loading the Verschließkopfraumes with the clamping gas;

FIG. 17

the device of Figures 10-16 in a schematic sectional view when releasing the connection of the filling product line from the filled container;

FIG. 18

the device of Figures 10-17 in a schematic sectional view when retracting the filling product line;

FIG. 19

a schematic sectional view of the device of the Figures 10-18 when closing the filled container;

FIG. 20

a schematic sectional view of the device of the Figures 10-19 when relieving the Verschließkopfraumes;

FIG. 21

a schematic sectional view of the device of the Figures 10-20 with the capping head open to remove the filled and closed container;

FIG. 22

the schematic representation of an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product according to FIG. 1 in a further development with a flavor doser;

FIG. 23

the schematic representation of an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product according to FIG. 2 in a further development with a flavor doser; and

FIG. 24

a schematic sectional view of a closing head of a device for filling a container according to FIG. 4 in a further development with a flavor doser.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements in the different figures are denoted by identical reference numerals and a repeated description of these elements will be omitted in the following description in part in order to avoid redundancies.

FIG. 1 1 schematically shows a device 1 for filling a container 100 with a filling product 110. The filling product 110 to be filled is accommodated in a filling product feed arranged above the container 100 in the form of a filling product reservoir 2 which can be provided, for example, in the form of a central boiler or a ring vessel of a rotary filler. The filling product 110 is present in the lower part of the filling product reservoir 2, so that a gas space 20 is formed above the filling product 110 in the filling product reservoir 2.

Depending on the respective filling product 110 to be filled, a corresponding gas or gas mixture is present in the gas space 20. For example, in the case of a carbonated beverage to be filled, the gas space 20 will have CO ₂ , which is preferably under an overpressure which causes the CO ₂ bound in the carbonated beverage not to be released. Furthermore, by the CO _2, the oxygen can be displaced from the gas space 20, so that in the Füllproduktreservoir 2 and hardly any oxygen is present, which is especially preferred for oxygen-sensitive filling products such as beer. When filling still beverages, another inert gas may also be present in the gas space 20, which allows a particularly gentle handling of the filling product 110.

A filling product line 3, which comprises a centering bell 30, is shown schematically in the figure. To the centering bell 30 of the container to be filled 100 is sealingly pressed with its mouth 102, so that a gas-tight and liquid-tight connection is formed. Accordingly, there is a gas-tight and liquid-tight connection between the filling product line 3 and the interior of the container 100 by means of the centering bell 30th

Via a filling product valve 32, the filling product 110 can reach the interior of the container 100 from the filling product reservoir 2 via the filling product line 3. The filling product valve 32 controls the start of filling and the filling end, so that the container 100 is filled with a predetermined amount of filling product 110.

The filling and thus closing of the filling product valve 32 can be determined, for example, by reaching a predetermined filling level N in the container 100, by reaching a predetermined filling weight and / or by reaching a predetermined filling volume. As a further possibility, a metering chamber can be provided, in which the filling product is pre-metered and then also present in this metering chamber under the overpressure. With emptied dosing the filling process ends.

As a further possibility for determining the filling end, the pressure profile in the container 100 to be filled during the filling process with the filling product 110 can be considered and controlled on the basis of the pressure curve of the filling process and the filling end. For example, the filling end can be achieved when a certain pressure inside the container 100 is exceeded. For this purpose, a pressure sensor 38 can be provided in the filling product line 3, which monitors the pressure conditions in the container 100 during the filling process.

A throttle valve 36 may be provided in front of the filling product valve 32 in the product-carrying line, by means of which the maximum flow rate can be controlled with open Füllproduktventil 32. By means of the throttle valve 36, the course of the filling process can be influenced in a targeted manner and, for example, only a reduced flow can be made available at the end of the filling process in order to allow, for example, the exact reaching of the filling end.

Furthermore, a vacuum device 4 is provided, which via a vacuum valve 40 also with the filling product line 3 and thus also with the interior of the container 100 in communication can be brought. By means of the vacuum device 4, the interior of the container 100 can be evacuated and accordingly the located in the interior of the container 100 gas can be pumped out. The pressure to be provided with the vacuum device 4 in the interior of the container 100 is preferably at an absolute pressure of 0.5 bar to 0.05 bar, preferably 0.3 bar to 0.1 bar, more preferably at about 0.1 bar. Accordingly, by means of the vacuum device 4, a large part of the gas located in the container interior can be pumped out.

The gas space 20 of the Füllproduktreservoirs 2 is acted upon via a pressure line 22 with an overpressure, so that the Füllproduktreservoir 2 is under pressure. The gas taken up in the gas space 20 of the filling product reservoir 2 is preferably an inert gas and particularly preferably CO ₂ , in particular when the filling product 110 is a carbonated beverage, for example beer, a soft drink or mineral water.

If the filling product 110 is a carbonated filling product, by supplying CO ₂ via the pressure line 22 into the gas space 20 above the filling product 110, a pressure can be provided which prevents debinding of the CO ₂ from the filling product 110. Particularly preferably, an absolute pressure of 1 bar to 9 bar is provided here, preferably an absolute pressure of 2.5 bar to 6 bar, more preferably an absolute pressure of 2.8 bar to 3.3 bar held in the gas space 20.

In a further development, the filling product 110 is provided in the filling product reservoir 2 under an overpressure which corresponds to the ambient pressure, preferably under an absolute pressure of 1 bar. The filling product 110 can also be provided in the filling product reservoir 2 under an overpressure which corresponds to the saturation pressure of the filling product 110, preferably at an absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar. The filling product 110 can be provided in the filling product reservoir 2 in a further embodiment even under an overpressure which is above the saturation pressure of the filling product 110, preferably under an absolute pressure of 1.6 bar to 9 bar.

By means of the vacuum device 4, which can be brought into fluid communication with the interior of the container 100 via the filling product line 3, the container 100 can be evacuated prior to the actual filling with the filling product 110. For this purpose, when the vacuum valve 40 is opened, via the vacuum device 4, the gas, which is located in the container 100, deducted. When the container 100, for example, coming from the ambient atmosphere is connected to the centering bell 30, so is located on the vacuum device 4 located in the container 100 Withdrawn ambient air. If the container 100 has already been subjected to a gas atmosphere, for example an inert gas or CO ₂ , then the vacuum device 4 pumps correspondingly this gas atmosphere from the container 100. The vacuum device 4 is preferably designed so that it can provide a significant negative pressure, for example in the range of an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 0.05 bar, in the container 100.

The valves, in particular the filling product valve 32 and the vacuum valve 40, are controlled via a control device 7. The control device 7 can be embodied either as analog control, or expediently as programmed control, for example in the form of a PC or industrial PC. The control device 7 can also be a module of the entire system control of a rotary filler, a rotary server or a filling system.

The control device 7 is configured to perform the method described below and is in particular programmed to carry out this method and to control the corresponding system components. Accordingly, the valves and components are sequentially controlled so that the process proceeds in the described form.

Particularly preferably, but not shown in the figures, the control device 7 is connected to sensors and encoders which monitor, for example, the pressure conditions in the container 100 or in the filling product line 3 connected to the container 100 and in the filling product reservoir 2.

The filling method, which by means of the device 1 according to FIG. 1 can be carried out, now provides first the loading of the Füllproduktreservoirs 2 and the gas space 20 of the Füllproduktreservoirs 2 with an overpressure. The overpressure can be provided, for example, by supplying a corresponding gas under pressure via the pressure line 22.

In an embodiment not shown in the figure, the filling product supply 2 can also be provided in the form of a conduit in which the filling product 110 is guided under pressure. Particularly preferred may be a so-called black-filled, so completely and filled without gas space, line can be used.

In order to fill a container 100 with the filling product 110, the interior of the container 100 is evacuated with closed filling product valve 32 and opened vacuum valve 40 via the vacuum device 4 and brought to a negative pressure accordingly. If the predetermined negative pressure, for example 0.1 bar, is reached in the container 100, the vacuum valve 40 is closed and the filling product valve 32 is opened. Due to the large pressure difference between the interior of the container 100, in which there is a negative pressure, and the Füllproduktreservoir 2, in which there is an overpressure, there is a sudden filling of the container 100 with the filling product 110. The filling process can thus be carried out very quickly and is completed accordingly quickly.

Since no gas is displaced from the container 100 during the filling process due to the already located in the container 100 negative pressure at least in the first phase of filling when the filling product 110 flows, but only the negative pressure is reduced, the filling product over the entire mouth cross-section d the mouth 102 of the container 100 into the container 100 away.

Thus, when filling the container 100 with the filling product 110, the filling process can be achieved at least over the largest region of the filling process with a fluid flow in only one direction, namely a fluid flow which is directed exclusively into the container 100. A countercurrent of a fluid, for example a gas, does not take place since a displacement of gas from the container 100 into the filling product line 3 and / or into the filling product reservoir 2 does not take place. Rather, only the vacuum located in the container 100 is slowly reduced by the filling of the container 100. Only at the end of the filling process, if it in the head space K of the container 100, so over the filling level N of the filling product 110 in the container 100 lying space, to a slow increase in pressure and possibly to an adjustment of the pressure conditions in the container 100 to the pressure conditions comes in the filling product line 3, the inflow of the filling product 110 from the Füllproduktreservoir 2 will slow down.

Depending on the particular vacuum provided in the container 100, however, such a slowdown can also be avoided. The lower the pressure in the container to be filled 100, the slower the slowdown will be because at a lower pressure of the container to be filled 100 even at the time of closing the filling product valve 32, a significant negative pressure in the container 100 still prevails.

The time of deceleration therefore depends on the vacuum present in the container 100 and thus on the design of the vacuum device 4. The lower the pressure in the container 100, the later there is an approximation of the pressure conditions or in an extreme case of a particularly high vacuum in the container 100 not at all to an approximation of the pressure conditions, but it will still exist in the headspace K, a negative pressure, even if the desired filling level N has already been reached and the filling product valve 32 has already been closed.

The overpressure in the fill product reservoir 2 remains substantially constant over time. During filling, however, the pressure in the container 100 increases because of the inflowing filling product 110. If the negative pressure in the container 100 to be filled has been selected such that the pressure in the container 100 and in particular in the head space K has exceeded a certain level at the end of the filling process, regulation of the filling product stream flowing into the container 100 can also be achieved by the increasing pressure become. Accordingly, at the end of the filling process, the filling product stream slows down so that reaching a filling end can be easily supported and then the filling product valve 32 can be closed.

Accordingly, by means of the in FIG. 1 shown apparatus 1 for filling a container 100 with a filling product 110 a very fast, sudden filling of the filling product 110 can be achieved in the container 100, characterized in that a large pressure gradient between the Füllproduktreservoir 2 and the interior of the container 100 is present and thus a high flow rate can be achieved because the filling product by the pressure gradient quasi pressed into the container 100 (from the perspective of Füllproduktreservoirs 2) and sucked (from the perspective of the container 100) is. At the same time, the negative pressure in the container 100 to be filled ensures that there is a fluid flow directed exclusively into the container 100 and no counter-current gas flow occurs, so that the filling of the container can be carried out using the entire mouth cross-section d of the mouth 102 of the container ,

This makes it possible to achieve the filling of the container 100 in very short filling times, for example when filling a conventional 0.5 l beer bottle in a filling time of 0.3 seconds. For comparison, the filling times of a similar beer bottle in the counter-pressure method are settled by a hydrostatic pressure at about 4.5 seconds. Accordingly, with the proposed method, a sudden filling of the container to be filled 100 can be achieved, so that the filling process can be performed faster overall. From this Either a higher capacity for a given filler size can result, or a filler, for example a rotary filler, can be formed with smaller dimensions and a reduced number of filling points.

Preferably, the number of filling points substantially corresponds to the number of closing points. In a further development, the number of filling points preferably corresponds to 1 to 2 times the number of closing points. Thus, a particularly compact filling system can be provided.

In FIG. 2 a development of the device 1 is shown, wherein in addition to the Füllproduktreservoir 2, which is connected via the filling product valve 32 with the filling product line 3, and the vacuum device 4, which is connected via the vacuum valve 40 to the filling product line 3, a clamping gas device 5 is still provided which is also connected via a clamping gas valve 50 with the filling product line 3. Also, the clamping gas valve 50 can be controlled by means of the control device 7. The control device 7 is set up so that the described method runs.

By means of the clamping gas device 5, for example, CO _{2 can be introduced} via the filling product line 3 into the container 100 when the clamping gas valve 50 is open. As span gas, another inert gas can be used. The span gas can pressurize the filled container 100 under an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 9 bar, preferably under an absolute pressure of 3.5 bar to 7 bar, particularly preferably under an absolute pressure of 3.8 bar to 5.5 bar.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping gas device 5 is connected to the gas space 20 of the filling product reservoir 2. The gas to be supplied to the container 100 in this manner is correspondingly under the same pressure as the gas received in the gas space 20 and, accordingly, is also the same gas.

A preferred filling method, which is a further development of FIG. 1 initially, the container 100 can be evacuated by opening the vacuum valve 40 with the filling product valve 32 closed and the clamping gas valve 50 closed by means of the vacuum device 4. At a pressure of 0.1 bar by evacuation, 90% of the atmospheric oxygen from the container 100 is accordingly away. If the desired negative pressure in the container 100 is reached, for example a pressure of 0.1 bar, the vacuum valve becomes 40 closed and the clamping gas valve 50 is opened, and introduced via the clamping gas device 5 according to span gas, for example, CO ₂ , into the container 1.

After introducing the clamping gas via the clamping gas device 5, the clamping gas valve 50 is closed again, and the vacuum valve 40 is opened again, so that in turn the gas mixture can be withdrawn from the container 100 via the vacuum device. In this way, when the pressure in the container 100 is reduced again to 0.1 bar, a 99% reduction in the oxygen content in the container 100 is achieved compared to the initial state.

Then, the evacuated in this way and correspondingly under vacuum container 100 after closing the vacuum valve 40 and opening the Füllproduktventils 32, as well as FIG. 1 described, suddenly filled with the filling product 110 from the filling product reservoir 2. The fill product valve 32 is closed when the desired fill level N in the container 100 is reached.

In a particularly preferred refinement, once the filling product valve 32 has been closed, in turn the tensioning gas valve 50 can be opened and tensioning gas can be introduced into the filling product line 3 via the tensioning gas device 5. As a result, the negative pressure which is still located in the head space K or in the container 100 is reduced and, instead, an overpressure is built up or an existing overpressure, which already exists in the head space K, is further increased. At the same time, residual filling product located in the filling product line 3 is pressed into the container 100 by the inflowing span gas. In particular, when filling a filling product 110 with a high tendency to foaming, it may happen after the abrupt filling of the container 100 with the filling product that fill product foam is still present in the filling product line 3 and the head space K of the container 100. By opening the clamping gas valve 50 and the charging of the filling product line 3 and the head space K with the clamping gas of this foam can be pushed back into the container 100, so that in the filling product line 3 substantially no filling product, in particular no Füllproduktschaum longer exists.

When loading the container 100 or the head space K of the container 100 with a clamping gas, for example CO ₂ , under an elevated pressure, for example at 1.1 to 3 bar, preferably at 2 bar, the debinding of a carbonated filling product 110 can continue be suppressed in the container 100 or a re-binding of entbundenem during the filling CO _{2 are supported} by the increased pressure.

The filling is then completed.

In FIG. 3 schematically another device 1 is shown, the construction of which FIG. 2 similar. The container 100 can in turn be filled via the filling product line 3 with the filling product 110 fed from a filling product feed in the form of the filling product reservoir 2. Via a corresponding clamping gas device 5 or a vacuum device 4, vacuum or clamping gas can be supplied to the container 100. The clamping gas and the vacuum are guided in a combined gas line 45. A shut-off valve 34 is provided, which closes off the gas line 45 of the vacuum device 4 and the tensioning gas device 5 combined with respect to the filling product line 3. The shut-off valve 34 is controlled via the control device 7. The control device 7 is set up accordingly so that the described method is executed.

This results in a reached filling level N, a head space K, which lies between the maximum filling level A of the container 100 and the filling level N. Furthermore, a foam space C is formed, which corresponds to the volume between the filling level N and the filling product valve 32 and the shut-off valve 34. Accordingly, the foam space C has a volume which corresponds to the head space K plus the portion of the filling product line 3 between the mouth 102 of the filled container 100 and the filling product valve 32 and the shut-off valve 34.

The foam space C is preferably to be kept as small as possible in order to achieve the sudden filling of the container 100 with the filling product 110, that in particular when filling a carbonated filling product 110 is present only a limited amount of foam. By applying the foam space C or the filling product line 3 with the pressurized gas under tension, for example CO ₂ , from the clamping gas device 5 can be achieved accordingly, that the foam from the foam chamber C is pressed into the container 100. By minimizing the foam space C, it can be achieved here that all foam is already pressed into the container 100 via the clamping gas device 5 by means of a moderately predetermined overpressure. Furthermore, the filling accuracy is increased when the foam space C includes only a moderate volume. The foam room C After the filling product valve 32 has been switched off, the filling product residue located thereon has an insignificant influence on the filling level N, so that an accurate filling is possible.

In preferred embodiments, the ratio of foam space C to the head space K is 1.1 to 3, preferably about 2, so that a complete introduction of the Füllproduktschaums by the introduction of the clamping gas into the container 100 can be achieved.

FIGS. 4 to 7 show preferred embodiments of a portion of a device 1 for filling a schematically indicated container 100 with a filling product. Here, a capping head 6 is provided, which serves to fill the container 100 and to close the filled container 100.

The container 100 to be filled is held with its mouth region 102 on the capping head 6 in a sealed manner. For this purpose, the capping head 6 has a container seal 600, which comes into sealing contact with the mouth region 102 of the container 100. The capping head 6 has a Verschließkopfraum 60, which communicates with the interior of the container via the projecting into the Verschließkopfraum 60 mouth.

A filling product line 3 is also provided which has a centering bell 30 which has a seal 300 sealingly engageable with the mouth 102 of the container 100 to provide a gas tight and fluid tight connection. Accordingly, as shown in the previous figures in other embodiments, a fluid-tight and gas-tight sealing of the filling product line 3 with the interior of the container 100 can be made. The filling product line 3 can be displaced together with the centering bell 30 in the displacement direction X, such that the filling product line 3 is advanced with the centering bell 30 so that it is placed sealingly directly on the mouth 102 of the container 100. In the in FIG. 4 However, the centering bell 30 is retracted so that the space above the orifice 102 in the capping head space 60 is free. The advanced position of the centering bell 30, in which the centering bell 30 sealingly abuts the mouth 102, is in FIG. 7 shown schematically.

The passage of the filling product line 3 into the closing head space 60 is sealed off via filling product line seals 620, so that the closing head space 60 is opposite the

Environment is sealed, even if the fluid product line 3 is moved in the direction of displacement X.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, a capper 62 is furthermore provided, which holds a container closure 104 via a magnet 622, wherein the container closure 104 is designed here in the form of a crown cork. The capper 62 can be lowered and raised in the lifting direction Y, the capper sealing the capping head space 60 from the environment via a closure seal 640.

The capper 62 is arranged coaxially with the container axis 106 of the container 100 and thus also coaxially with the mouth 102 of the container 100 in order to be able to reliably apply the container closure 104 to the container 100.

In FIG. 5 the closure head 6 is shown in a plan view, wherein it can be seen that the capping head 6 has two Verschließkopfbacken 64, 66, which, as for example, from FIG. 6 results directly, can be opened and closed. The Verschließkopfraum 60, which in FIG. 6 can be correspondingly formed around the mouth 102 of the container 100 by a corresponding closing of the Verschlußkopfbacken 64, 66. The capper 62 is arranged above the mouth 102 of the container 100, in order to allow a corresponding closure of the container 100.

In the in FIG. 6 shown open position of the Verschließkopfbacken 64, 66 of the capping head 6, a container 100 can be introduced or discharged.

The filling process is correspondingly such that, such as in FIG. 7 shown schematically, the capping head 6 is closed and sealed the container 100 holds so that the mouth 102 of the container 100 is located in Verschließkopfraum 60. By advancing the filling product line 3 in such a way that the centering bell 30 with its seal 300 is sealingly pressed onto the mouth 102 of the container 100, a direct connection of the filling product line 3 and thus of the interior of the container 100 with a filling product reservoir 2, with a vacuum device, can accordingly take place 4 and with a clamping gas device 5 are formed.

The actual filling process then runs according to the already to the Figures 2 and 3 described manner. In particular, a rinsing of the Container 100 carried out with CO ₂ , to which first evacuation takes place via the vacuum device 4 and then the container 100 is flooded with CO ₂ . Thereafter, it is pumped off again via the vacuum device 4 and then introduced into the resulting vacuum or the negative pressure in the container 100 into the filling product by opening the filling product valve 32. Accordingly, a sudden filling of the container 100 with the filling product 110 takes place.

If the filling product valve 32 is closed again after reaching the filling end, a clamping gas is applied via the clamping gas device 5 such that foam possibly located in the foam space is pressed completely into the container 100 and an overpressure is correspondingly established in the head space of the container 100.

When the desired pressure in the container 100 is reached, the sealing of the centering bell 30 is lifted with the interior of the container 100, for example by lifting the Zentrierglocke 30. Then the filling product line 3 is withdrawn so that the centering bell 30 in the example in FIG. 4 shown park position is withdrawn.

The Verschließkopfraum 60 is now also acted upon by the clamping gas, since in a retraction of the filling product line 3, the filling product line 3 then enters into fluid communication with the Verschließkopfraum 60. Accordingly, in the retracted position of the centering bell 30, as shown in FIG FIG. 4 is shown, via the filling product line 3 and the Verschließkopfraum 60 with the clamping gas, for example, CO ₂ , are applied. In one variant, the closing head space 60 can also be supplied with tensioning gas even before the container 100 is filled, and this can preferably be achieved by means of a centering bell 30 not yet sealingly applied to the container 100.

Accordingly, when releasing the Zentrierglocke 300 no relaxation of the pressure present in the container 100 takes place, but the pressure applied by the clamping gas device 5 pressure is maintained and applied to the interior of the container 100. This is achieved in particular by the fact that the interior of the container 100 communicates with the closing head space 60. This can be achieved accordingly, that a debinding of the CO ₂ or a shooting out of the filling product from the container 100 is avoided from the mouth 102 and the same state is maintained, which after the sudden filling of the container 100 and the subsequent application of the Headspace of the container 100 is achieved with the clamping gas. In other words, an overflow or foaming or shooting out of the filling product can be avoided, since the pressure level in the container 100 is not changed even when the connection of the filling product line 3 from the mouth 102.

If the filling product line 3 is then withdrawn and the centering bell 30 corresponding in the in FIG. 4 When the parking position shown is arranged, the capper 62 can be lowered and the container closure 104, for example the crown cap, applied to the container 100. The closing of the container 100 takes place correspondingly under the pressure which is present in the closing head space 60, that is to say under an overpressure.

Once the container closure 104 has been applied to the container 100, the pressure in the closure head space 60 can be released. This is achieved in the illustrated embodiment in that the Verschließkopfbacken 64, 66 are opened. Then the finished filled and sealed container 100 can be discharged.

The Verschließkopfbacken 64, 66 are, as already described above, provided with a plurality of seals, which make it possible to provide both a secure seal of the mouth portion 102 of the container 100, as well as a secure seal against the movable filling product line 3 and against the capper 62nd provide when the Verschlußkopfbacken 64, 66 in the closed position, such as in FIG. 5 shown are arranged. By means of corresponding recesses, the respective components are correspondingly received in the closing head jaws 64, 66.

The filling product line 3 with the centering bell 30 and the capper 62 remain relatively in the same position when the Verschließkopfbacken 64, 66 are opened and closed. In the opened position of the Verschließkopfbacken 64, 66 not only the container to be filled 100 can be added, but it can also be a new container closure 104 are transferred to the capper 62.

By arranging the capper 62 and the filling product line 3 with the centering bell 30 in the closed Verschließkopfraum 60 can be achieved accordingly that after filling of the container 100, a closure of the container 100 is possible without the Container 100 is relieved or without changing the pressure conditions between the filling and the closing.

In the Verschließkopfraum 60 is preferably a positive pressure. This overpressure may preferably be at an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 9 bar, particularly preferably at an overpressure with an absolute pressure of 2.5 bar to 6 bar, or at an overpressure which corresponds to the saturation pressure of the filling product 110, preferably at an absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar, or at an overpressure which is above the saturation pressure of the filling product 110, preferably at an absolute pressure of 1.6 bar to 9 bar. Due to the above overpressures, especially when CO _{2 is used} as the clamping gas, debindering of the CO ₂ from the carbonated, suddenly filled filling product 110 can be prevented and, accordingly, a foaming, leakage or ejection of the filling product 110 from the mouth 102 of the container 100 after removal the centering 30 are prevented.

The described arrangement provides a combined system of capper and filler in which the number of filling members substantially corresponds to the number of capping members. Particularly preferably, the number of filling stations corresponds to 1 to 2 times the number of closing points. In one development, filling members and closing members may also be provided in different rotary carousels, but the number of filling members and the closing members is substantially the same.

The different process steps, such as the opening and closing of valves, the advancing or retracting or pivoting of the centering bell 30, the raising and lowering of the capper 62 or the opening and closing of the Verschlußkopfbacken 64, 66 are total, or at least a large proportion on the Control device 7 controlled. The control device is set up and designed such that the method steps proceed as described.

FIG. 8 shows a variant of a capping head 6, wherein the filling product line 3 is not, as in the FIGS. 4 to 7 shown, is slidable along its length, but is pivotable about an axis of rotation 320 around. Accordingly, the filler cap 30 can be filled with its respective seal 300 with the mouth 102 of the container 100 by a corresponding positioning of the centering bell 30 above the mouth 102 and after completion of the filling process, the filling product line 3 can about the pivot axis 320 in the Verschließkopf 62 are pivoted to a parking position, after which the capper 62 can close the container 100.

In the embodiment shown, there is also a filling product valve 32, which is designed as a cone seat valve, and also designed as a cone seat valve shut-off valve 34, which shuts off the combined gas line 45, which allows either providing a vacuum or providing a clamping gas via the filling product channel 3. The lines and valves extend along the axis of rotation 320 in order to achieve the simplest possible connection of the fluid-carrying lines.

Is the filling product line 3 in the in FIG. 8 pivoted embodiment shown in its parking position, in turn, a loading of the Verschließkopfraumes 60 done with the clamping gas on the filling product line 3. Again, an admission of Verschließkopfraums 60 with the clamping gas can be carried out before the start of the filling process.

Due to the arrangement of the filling product valve 32 and the shut-off valve 34 very close to the centering bell 30, the foam space C can only have a small volume, which on the one hand enables precise filling of the container 100 and, on the other hand, makes it possible to completely empty the filling product channel 3 with the clamping gas. and thus a drip-free filling.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a capping head 6, wherein here the filling product line is not shown. There are two Verschließkopfbacken 64, 66 are provided, which can be pivoted against each other and which allow a quick and easy opening of the Verschließkopfraumes 60 for receiving the container 100. For this purpose, the front Verschließkopfbacke 66 is pivoted in the direction of arrow upwards, in which case the front Verschließkopfbacke 66 can be pivoted laterally over a vertical toggle lever 680 to receive a container 100, or auszuschleusen a fully filled container 100. The opening also serves to transfer a container closure 104 to the capper 62.

In the in FIG. 9 In the embodiment shown, only the container 100 or the mouth 102 of the container 100 is received by the pivoting of the Verschließkopfbacken 64, 66. The remaining components, such as the capper 62 and not shown filling product inlet, but are not enclosed by the wear head jaws 64, 66 together, but are included in the stationary wear head jaw 64. This allows the wear behavior and sealing performance of the respective seals can be improved.

In an embodiment not shown, a separate chamber is provided for each container 100 which, independently of the capping head space 60, receives the container 100 in a sealed environment, leaving at least the mouth 102 of the container 100 so as to leave it can dip into the Verschließkopfraum 60.

In the separate chamber in which the container 100 is received, also a negative pressure can be applied, which preferably corresponds to the negative pressure generated in the container 100. In this way, 100 equal pressure conditions can be created on the inside and the outside of the container to be filled, so that container 100 can be evacuated with soft or resilient walls and accordingly the filling product can be filled in the acted upon by a vacuum container.

Hereinafter, the proposed method in a particularly preferred embodiment with reference to Figures 10-21 shown again.

In FIG. 10 schematically a device 1 for filling a container 100 is shown with a filling product, wherein the container 100 has an orifice 102 through which the filling product is to be introduced into the interior of the container 100.

The device 1 comprises a filling product line 3, which has a centering bell 30, which is provided for receiving the mouth 102 of the container 100. The filling product line 3 is displaceable in a displacement direction X to be positioned over the mouth 102 of the container 100 and, in the in FIG. 10 shown, withdrawn position, a closure 62 to give the possibility of applying a container closure 104.

The capper 62 is in FIG. 10 also shown in a retracted position, in which a container closure 104, which is shown here in the form of a crown cork, the capper 62 can be supplied. The capper 62 is in the lifting direction Y of the capper liftable and lowerable, to suitably between the in FIG. 10 shown retracted position and a closing position to be moved back and forth.

The filling product line 3 and the capper 62 extend into a sealing head 6, shown schematically, which encloses a closing head space 60. A pressure-tight seal of the passage of the filling product line 3 is achieved via a filling product line seal 620, a pressure-tight passage of the capper 62 is achieved by a closure seal 640 and a pressure-tight reception of the mouth 102 of the container 100 is achieved by a container seal 600. In the in FIG. 10 In the embodiment shown, the capping head 6 is opened so that both the container closure 104 can be supplied to the capper 62 and a container 100 with its mouth 102 can be introduced. The mouth 102 is thereby received by the container seal 600, that the interior of the container 100 is sealed with the Verschließkopfraum 60 throughout, and accordingly forms a common volume, which is sealed from the environment.

Accordingly, in FIG. 10 a state of the device 1 is shown, in which the capping head 6 is opened, for example by opening Verschließkopfbacken not explicitly shown here, such that the capper 62 can be loaded with the container closure 104 and the container to be filled 100 with its mouth 102 also can be absorbed sealingly. In this state, both the capper 62 and the filling product line 3 are preferably arranged in a retracted position, for example in a parked position, in which they do not hinder each other and also do not block the receptacle 100 to be filled.

The capper 62 naturally moves along the container axis 106 in the lifting direction Y of the capper 62 to allow the container closure 104 to be applied to the mouth 102 of the container 100 in a known manner. The capper 62 can, as in the Figures 10-21 be shown, such a capper, by means of which a crown cap is applied. In an alternative embodiment, however, the capper 62 can also apply roll-up closures, screw caps or stoppers. The capper 62 in the embodiments shown here is only to be understood schematically and not limited to the Kronkorkenverschließer shown. Rather, any type of closure can be applied by means of a corresponding capper 62.

In order to enable a corresponding application of the container closure 104 on the container 100 or on its mouth 102, the container receptacle 68 of the capping head 6 is designed so that it together with the container seal 600, the container 100 holds so that a trouble closing the container 102 is enabled by the capper 62. Firstly, the container receptacle 68, which is indicated here only schematically, is formed so that the mouth 102 is arranged substantially centered to the capper 62, such that by lowering the capper 62 in the stroke direction Y of the container closure 104 directly to the mouth 102 can be applied. Furthermore, the container receptacle 68 is designed such that a closing force exerted by the capper 62 can be removed onto the capping head 6 without the container 100 being substantially displaced in the container receptacle 68. In the case of the capper 62 designed as a crown cap sealer, the container 100 in the container receptacle 68 is held correspondingly so that a force exerted in the direction of the stroke direction Y by the capper 62 on the mouth 102 of the container 100 can be absorbed.

If the capper 62 is designed as a screw capper for applying screw caps or as a roll capper for applying rolling shutters, the container receptacle 68 is correspondingly designed such that it can also remove the torque introduced via the screw capper in such a way that the container 100 is in the container receptacle 68 not or only slightly rotates.

Furthermore, the container receptacle 68 is formed so that the mouth 102 of the container 100 so far into the Verschließkopfraum 60 stands that a trouble-closing is made possible without the capper 62 or the container closure 104 to structures or inner surfaces of the Verschließkopfraum 60 defining Verschließkopfes. 6 would bump.

The filling product line 3 is, as already described above, connected via a filling product valve 32 with a filling product supply in the form of a filling product reservoir 2, via a vacuum valve 40 with a vacuum device 4 and via a clamping gas valve 50 with a clamping gas device 5.

A particularly preferred method for filling a container 100 with a filling product, in particular with a carbonated filling product, such as beer, carbonated soft drinks, mineral waters, sparkling wines, etc., will now be described below.

In FIG. 10 the container 100 is supplied to the container receptacle 68 and the container closure 104 is fed to the capper 62. Thereafter, the capping head 6 is closed so that the Verschließkopfraum 60 is closed to the environment gas-tight and pressure-tight.

In FIG. 11 a further step is shown in which the container 100 is connected to the filling product line 3, the vacuum valve 40 is opened and correspondingly the vacuum device 4 via the filling product line 3 is in communication with the interior of the container 100 and evacuated according to the interior of the container 100 , In this way, the still present in the container 100 ambient air is withdrawn from the interior of the container 100.

In FIG. 12 If the vacuum valve 40 is closed and the clamping gas valve 50 is opened in order to introduce an inert gas, preferably CO ₂ , into the interior of the container 100 via the clamping gas device 5. As a result, after the evacuation in the in FIG. 11 shown step still diluted in the container volume of the container 100 ambient air diluted by the inert gas.

In the next step, which in FIG. 13 is shown, in turn, the vacuum valve 40 is opened to put the interior of the container 100 via the filling product line 3 with the vacuum device 4 in communication. In this way, the remaining in the container volume of the container 100 residual air together with the inert gas, for example, the CO ₂ , again withdrawn, such that a negative pressure is generated in the container to be filled 100, in which case an absolute pressure of 0.5 bar to 0 , 05 bar, preferably from 0.3 bar to 0.1 bar, particularly preferably from 0.1 bar is reached. In this way, the residual oxygen content in the container volume V can be further reduced in order to achieve, for example, a 99% reduction in atmospheric oxygen in the container, which is then under reduced pressure, compared to the initial state. Such an oxygen-poor state in the container volume V of the container 100 to be filled is of particular importance when oxygen-sensitive filling products are to be filled, for example when bottling beer or fruit juices.

After reaching the negative pressure in the container 100 in the in FIG. 13 As shown, the filling product valve 32 is now opened, such that the filling product supply 2 is in communication with the filling product line 3 and the container 100. The filling product supply 2 comprises the filling product 110 under an overpressure with respect to the vacuum present in the container 100. The overpressure in the product feed 2 is preferably at an absolute pressure of 1 bar to 9 bar, preferably at an absolute pressure of 2.5 bar to 6 bar, more preferably at an absolute pressure of 2.8 bar to 3.3 bar.

If now in the method step in FIG. 14 the filling product valve 32 is opened, the filling product 110 shoots abruptly through the filling product line 3 into the volume V of the container 100. The container 100 is filled correspondingly abruptly and correspondingly extremely fast with the filling product. Upon reaching the filling end, the filling product valve 32 is closed again accordingly.

Since the container 100 was not evacuated with an absolute vacuum, but is at an absolute pressure of preferably 0.5 bar to 0.05 bar, the vacuum in the container 100 is gradually reduced by the filling with the filling product. Due to the fact, however, that an overpressure of 1 bar to 9 bar is present in the filling product feed 2, the pressure gradient between the container 100 and the filling product feed 2 is also ensured towards the end of the filling process.

The filling and corresponding closing of the filling product valve 32 can be determined by different methods. For example, a volume filling can be displayed using a flow meter or a time filling, in which after a certain opening time the filling product valve 32 is closed again.

In an alternative, the pressure increase in the container 100 is determined to determine the filling end, and the filling product valve 32 is closed when a certain pressure in the container 100 is exceeded.

After closing the filling product valve 32, the container 100 is filled with the filling product. However, a carbonated filling product will also show a very strong Aufschäumneigung due to the filling in the standing under negative pressure container CO ₂ , such that in the filling product line 3 and in the head space K of the container 100 is a foam.

In FIG. 15 Accordingly, the clamping gas valve 50 is opened to bring the container 100 with the clamping gas device 5 in communication. The clamping gas is preferably introduced under an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 9 bar, preferably under an absolute pressure of 3.5 bar to 7 bar, more preferably under an absolute pressure of 3.8 bar to 5.5 bar, wherein the Pressure of the clamping gas, which is provided via the clamping gas device 5, with the pressure in the Füllproduktzufuhr 2 may be identical.

By subjecting the filling product line and the container 100 and in particular the head space K of the container 100 with the clamping gas, the foam, which is still in the filling product line 3, is pressed into the container 100 in order in this way to substantially empty the filling product line 3 reach. Furthermore, the head space K of the container 100 is acted upon by the clamping gas, whereby here, too, the existing foam is pushed back. Furthermore, because of the high clamping gas pressure, the renewed dissolution of the CO ₂ in the filling product, which is located in the container 100, is supported, so that the filling product calms down faster.

In the in FIG. 14 shown state is done by filling the filling product in the under vacuum standing to be filled container 100, a partial delivery of CO ₂ . Accordingly, there are a plurality of microbubbles of released CO ₂ in the filling product filled in the container 100. By applying to the pressurized gas span a correspondingly faster calming of the filling product can be achieved.

After in the in FIG. 15 shown step, both the filling product line 3 and the head space K of the container 100 are acted upon by the clamping gas with open clamping gas valve 50, the filling product line 3, as in FIG. 16 shown slightly lifted from the mouth 102 of the container 100, such that the Verschließkopfraum 60 is also charged with the clamping gas. Accordingly, when adjusting the pressure balance in both the head space K and in the Verschließkopfraum 60 the same gas is under the same pressure. Thus, the Verschließkopfraum 60 is under a pressure with the inert gas, such as CO ₂ , which at an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 9 bar, preferably at an absolute pressure of 3.5 bar to 7 bar, particularly preferably at an absolute pressure of 3.8 bar to 5.5 bar, and particularly preferably at the same pressure, which also prevails in the Füllproduktzufuhr 2.

In FIG. 17 the next step is shown in which the filling product line 3 is completely lifted off the mouth 102 of the container 100 and the clamping gas valve 50 is still open. Accordingly, the pressure in the head space K of the container 100 as well as in the closing head space 60 of the closing head 6 is maintained via the filling product line 3. In this way For example, the filling product line 3 can be lifted off the mouth 102 of the container 100 without causing the filling product to escape from the mouth 102 or because the filling product foams because the pressure applied in the closing head space 60 keeps both the foam in the head space K of the container 100 pushed back. as well as further support a redissolution of the CO ₂ in the container 100.

Accordingly, can be achieved by applying the Verschließkopfraumes 60 with the clamping gas under an elevated pressure that even with the previous sudden filling of the container 100 with carbonated filling products, for example, with beer, a foaming even after a short residence time of the filling product and a not yet calmed or not completely soothed filling product, in which still a part of the CO ₂ volume has not gone back into solution, a lifting of the filling product line 3 can be achieved without leaking product from the mouth 102.

In FIG. 18 is shown schematically that the filling product line 3 is retracted along the direction of displacement X and is spent accordingly in the parking position. The pressure of the clamping gas in Verschließkopfraum 60 is still maintained on the open clamping gas valve 50.

Accordingly, as in FIG. 19 shown schematically, now the capper 2 along the stroke direction Y are lowered so that the container closure 104 can be applied to the mouth 102 of the container 100. The capping head space 60 is still under pressure because the span gas is still present in the capping head space 60. The head space K of the filled container 100 is also still under pressure, under the same pressure that prevails in the capping chamber 60. Accordingly, closing the container 100 by applying the container closure 102 through the capper 62 may be performed under overpressure without leaking fill product.

After completion of the closing process, as in FIG. 20 shown, the Verschließkopfraum 60 vented via a vent valve 602, such that the pressure in the Verschließkopfraum 60 is released to ambient pressure.

Thereafter, the capping head can be opened, as in FIG. 21 shown, and the now filled container, which is closed with the container closure 104, can be discharged. Thereafter, the next container to be filled 100, as from FIG. 10 shown to be refilled by the same method.

Before venting the Verschließkopfraumes 60 in FIG. 20 Also, the clamping gas valve 50 is closed again.

In FIG. 22 is another embodiment based on the already FIG. 1 described device 1 shown. In addition to the in FIG. 1 provided features an aroma doser 39 is provided by means of which flavors and / or beverage additives and / or beverage additives can be metered into the interior of the container 100. Beverage additives are also understood here as syrups and / or preservatives.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the flavoring agent 39 discharges into the filling product line 3 in such a way that the supplied aroma and / or the beverage additive and / or the beverage component reaches the interior of the container 100 via the same path as the filling product supplied via the filling product line 3.

Aromadosierer 39 opens in the embodiment shown downstream of the filling product valve 32 in the filling product line 3, so that a metered addition of flavors and / or beverage additives and / or beverage components can take place even when the filling product valve 32 is closed. The metered addition may therefore be carried out before the introduction of the filling product from the filling product feed 2, during the filling of the filling product or after the completion of the filling operation. The dosing after the completion of the filling operation and after a calming of the filling product in the container 100 is preferred here.

The flavoring agent 39 can be designed, for example, in the form of a peristaltic pump, by means of which an accurate metering of the respective aroma or of the respective beverage additive from a corresponding reservoir is possible.

It is also possible to provide a plurality of flavoring devices 39 or to supply optionally different flavors and / or beverage additives and / or beverage components by means of a flavoring meter 39, so that the flavoring agent (s) 39 are set up and can be controlled in such a way that a different flavor concentration for each individual filling operation , Added beverage concentration or composition of flavors and / or beverage additives and / or beverage components can be selected. In the regular filling operation, however, batches of a first flavor are usually filled for reasons of operation, before it comes to a change of flavor. The same applies to a change between beverage types such as between drinks with fruit fibers and drinks without fruit fibers.

In FIG. 23 is another embodiment based on the in FIG. 2 shown embodiment shown. Here too, the flavoring agent 39 opens into the filling product line 3 downstream of the filling product valve 32.

In FIG. 24 is another embodiment based on in FIG. 4 shown device 1 shown. In addition to the schematically indicated and displaceable or pivotable filling product line 3, the inlet of an aroma meter 58 is also provided in the capping head 6.

The flavor doser 39 may be positioned over the mouth of the container 100 to dose flavors and / or beverage additives and / or beverage components into the container 100. In this case, the flavoring agent 39 can be positioned above the mouth before filling the container 100 with the filling product or after completion of the filling process. The filling product line 3 and the aroma doser 39 accordingly alternate in their position over the mouth of the container 100.

Where applicable, all individual features illustrated in the individual embodiments may be combined and / or interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Device for filling a container

100

container

102

muzzle

104

container closure

106

container axis

110

filling product

2

Füllproduktzufuhr, preferably filling product reservoir or line

20

headspace

22

pressure line

3

Füllproduktleitung

30

centering

32

Füllproduktventil

34

shut-off valve

36

throttle valve

38

pressure sensor

39

Aromadosierer

300

poetry

320

axis of rotation

4

vacuum device

40

vacuum valve

45

combined gas line

5

Spangas device

50

Span gas valve

6

seaming

60

Verschließkopfraum

62

capper

64

Verschließkopfbacke

66

Verschließkopfbacke

68

container receptacle

600

container seal

602

vent valve

620

Füllproduktleitungsdichtung

622

magnet

640

Verschließerdichtung

660

Verschließkopfdichtung

680

vertical toggle clamp

7

control device

A

maximum filling height

K

headspace

N

filling level

C

foam space

V

container volume

X

Displacement direction of the filling product line

Y

Lifting direction of the capper

d

Opening cross-section

Claims (15)

A method for filling a container (100) with a filling product (110) in a beverage filling plant, comprising providing the filling product (110) under an overpressure and evacuating the container (100) to be filled to achieve a negative pressure,
characterized in that
the pressurized filling product (110) is introduced into the negative pressure container (100). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (100) before introducing the filling product (110) to a negative pressure at an absolute pressure of 0.5 bar to 0.05 bar, preferably 0.3 bar to 0.1 bar, particularly preferably of 0.1 bar, is evacuated,
and / or the filling product (110) is provided under an overpressure with an absolute pressure of 1 bar to 9 bar, preferably under an absolute pressure of 2.5 bar to 6 bar, particularly preferably under an absolute pressure of 2.8 bar to 3.3 bar. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filling product (110) is provided under an overpressure corresponding to the ambient pressure, preferably under an absolute pressure of 1 bar, or under an overpressure equal to the saturation pressure of the filling product (110). is provided, preferably at an absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar, or under an overpressure which is above the saturation pressure of the filling product (110), is provided, preferably under an absolute pressure of 1.6 bar to 9 bar, wherein the filling product preferably contains dissolved carbonic acid. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filled container (100), preferably after the introduction of the filling product (110), is subjected to a clamping gas under an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 9 bar, preferably under an absolute pressure of 3, 5 bar to 7 bar, more preferably under an absolute pressure of 3.8 bar to 5.5 bar,
and / or the filled container (100), preferably after the introduction of the filling product (110), is acted upon by a clamping gas which is provided under an overpressure which preferably corresponds to the overpressure of the filling product (110). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that prior to evacuation of the container to be filled (100), the container to be filled (100) is initially evacuated initially, then rinsed with a purge gas, and then the container to be filled (100) evacuated is then introduced to the pressurized filling product (110) in the vacuum under pressure container (100),
and / or the filling product is a carbonated filling product, preferably a carbonated beverage, particularly preferably beer, a carbonated soft drink, or mineral water. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (100) after filling with the filling product (110) is closed under an overpressure, preferably without relieving the container (100) to ambient pressure. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the filled container (110) under an overpressure at an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 9 bar, preferably under an overpressure at an absolute pressure of 2.5 bar to 6 bar, or under an overpressure, the corresponds to the saturation pressure of the filling product (110), preferably at an absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar, or under an overpressure which is above the saturation pressure of the filling product (110), preferably under an absolute pressure of 1.6 bar to 9 bar , is closed. A method according to claim 4 and 7, characterized in that the container (100) is closed after filling with the filling product (110) under an overpressure corresponding to the pressure of the clamping gas. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (100) is introduced into an evacuatable chamber before evacuation and during the evacuation of the interior of the container (100) also the chamber is evacuated, preferably to the same pressure level,
and / or the container (100) is fluid-tightly connected to a filling product line (3) for supplying the vacuum, the filling product and the clamping gas before evacuation, and the container is kept closed until a closure is sealed against the ambient atmosphere,
and / or before and / or during and / or after the introduction of the filling product (110) into the container (100) an aroma and / or a beverage additive and / or a beverage component in the container (100) is metered. Device (1) for filling a container (100) with a filling product (110) according to the method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a filling product supply (2) for supplying the filling product (110) and a filling product line (3), which with the filling container (100) can be brought into fluid-tight contact, and a vacuum device (4) for evacuating a container to be filled (100), further comprising a control device (7),
characterized in that
the control device (7) is adapted to first evacuate the container (100) by means of the vacuum device (4) and then to introduce the filling product (110) into the evacuated container (100). Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that a capper (62) is provided, by means of which the filled container (100) without prior relief or pressure equalization of the container (100) is closed to ambient pressure,
and / or a capping head (6) is provided, which has a sealed against the environment Verschließkopfraum (60), which receives the filling product line (3), a capper (62) and the mouth (102) of the container to be filled (100), wherein preferably the Verschließkopfraum (60) for receiving and dispensing the container (100) is openable and closable, and particularly preferably two Verschlußkopfbacken (64, 66), which for receiving and dispensing the container (100) and particularly preferably for supplying a Container closure (104) can be opened and closed. Device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the Füllproduktzufuhr (2) is acted upon by an overpressure and preferably as Füllproduktreservoir (2) with a gas space (20) or as a line, particularly preferably as a black-filled line is formed
and / or the filling product line (3) has the same cross section as the mouth cross section (d) of the container to be filled (100) and in particular the complete mouth cross section (d) of the container to be filled (100) is usable for filling the filling product. Device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that an aroma doser (39) is provided for metering in a flavor and / or a beverage additive and / or a beverage component into the container (100). Filling plant for filling a filling product into a container, comprising a filler with filling points for filling the containers with the filling product and a closure device arranged downstream of the filler with closing points for closing the filled containers,
characterized in that
the number of filling points essentially corresponds to the number of closing points. Filling plant according to claim 14, characterized in that the number of filling points 1 to 3 times, more preferably 1 to 2 times, the number of Verschließstellen corresponds or the number of Verschließstellen 1 to 3 times, more preferably 1 to 2 times, the number of Filling points corresponds.

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