EP3019436A1

EP3019436A1 - Filling system and method for the treatment of containers with a process gas

Info

Publication number: EP3019436A1
Application number: EP14739372.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ludwig Clüsserath
Original assignee: KHS GmbH
Current assignee: KHS GmbH
Priority date: 2013-07-09
Filing date: 2014-07-03
Publication date: 2016-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-03
Also published as: SI3019436T1; US20160152458A1; DE102013107256A1; WO2015004001A1; US9809436B2; EP3019436B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling system for filling bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid product, having a product vessel (1) in which, during the filling process, there are formed a lower liquid space (1.1), which is taken up by product, and a gas space (1.2) above said liquid space, having at least one filling element (4) which is arranged below the product vessel (1) and which has a filling element housing (7) in which there is formed a liquid duct (8) which is connected to the liquid space (1.1) and which forms a product dispensing opening (10) at an underside, facing away from the product vessel (1), of the filling element housing (7), having a liquid valve (11) which is arranged in the liquid duct (8) and which has a valve body (12), which valve body is provided on a valve plunger (13) arranged coaxially with a filling element axis (FA) and which valve body, for the purposes of opening and closing the liquid valve and controlled release of the product, can be moved axially into the container (2) arranged at the filling element (4), having a first gas duct (14) which is formed in the valve plunger (13) and issues at an upper end into the gas space (1.2) of the product vessel (1) and at the lower end into a head space of the container (2) arranged at the filling element (4), having a first gas valve (16) which is provided in the first gas duct (14) and which has a gas valve body (17), which gas valve body is movable for the purposes of opening and closing the first gas valve (16), and having at least one actuation element (18) which interacts with the gas valve body (17) of the first gas valve (16).

Description

Filling system and method for treating containers with a

process gas

The invention relates to a filling system according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for treating containers with a process gas according to claim 19.

Filling system having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 and methods for treating containers with a process gas are known (EP 0 953 542 B1). Also known is a filling system (DE 75 36 390 U), in which in a valve tappet for opening and closing the liquid passage of a

Filling element, a gas channel is formed, which surrounds an inner gas pipe as an annular channel and when biasing a container arranged on the filling element via an opening formed in the Füllelementgehäuse opening into the container interior. The inner gas pipe is in the filling with a pipe section in the

Headspace of the container and is axially movable relative to the valve lifter. At the upper end of the gas pipe, a valve body is provided which opens the annular channel and provided in the interior of the gas pipe gas channel to the gas space of the Füllgutkessels out with closed liquid valve for biasing the arranged in sealing position on the filling container container to form two parallel flow paths. When the liquid valve is open, both are

Although gas ducts continue to be connected to the gas space of the filling material boiler, the connection between the space occupied by the contents of the filling element and the annular channel is blocked by a valve body provided on the gas pipe.

A disadvantage of the aforementioned known filling systems in principle, that the respective container per unit time flowing amount and / or flowing out of the container amount of gas or process gas is not controlled controlled variable.

Also known are filling systems DE 10 2010 022 985 A1, in which the containers arranged in sealing position on the filling element per unit time flowing or flowing out of this container amount of gas or process gas is controllable by a switching valve which is drivingly or mechanically switchable between at least two switching states by the actuator of the liquid valve of the respective filling element, in such a way that the gas path in question in the first state a first larger Flow cross-section for a biasing and in the second state a second, for example

Has reduced flow cross-section for a return gas during pressure filling.

However, these filling systems or their filling elements require additional, for example, pneumatically actuated control valves.

Furthermore, it is generally also known to evacuate the respective container or its container interior before filling and then to rinse it with a purge gas formed by an inert gas (for example CO2 gas or sterile air) in order to remove ambient air or another gas and / or or remove vaporous medium from the container interior, but not in filling systems according to the preamble of claim 1. A purging of the container interior is particularly because of the fact that the oxygen contained in the ambient air is displaced from the container interior, since this on the in the container

contents to be absorbed have negative effects in terms of taste, color or the like. may have.

A disadvantage of previously known filling systems or methods for treating containers is, inter alia, that when rinsing to achieve the highest possible

Ambient air displacement a relatively high amount of purge gas is consumed. As a result, the filling of the container is significantly more expensive.

The object of the invention is to provide a filling system and a method for treating containers with a process gas, which allows a particularly effective rinsing of the respective container interior with low consumption of purge gas. To solve this problem, a filling system according to claim 1 and a method for treating containers according to claim 19 are formed. The invention first relates to a filling system for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid filling material, with a Füllgutkessel, in which during filling a lower, occupied by the contents

Liquid space and above a gas space are formed, with at least one arranged below the Füllgutkessels filling element with a

Filling element housing, in which a communicating with the liquid chamber liquid channel is formed, which forms a Füllgutabgabeöffnung at one of the Füllgutkessel underside of the Füllelementabgabeöffnung with a disposed in the liquid channel liquid valve with valve body, which is provided on a coaxially arranged with a Füllelementachse valve stem and opening and closing the liquid valve and for a controlled discharge of the contents in the container arranged on the filling element is axially movable, formed with a valve stem in the first gas channel disposed at an upper end in the gas space of the Füllgutkessels and at the lower end in a headspace of the filling element Container opens with a first gas channel provided in the first gas valve with an opening and

Closing the first gas valve movable gas valve body, as well as with at least one cooperating with the gas valve body of the first gas valve

Actuator.

The essential aspect of the filling system according to the invention is that in the gas valve body, a second gas channel is formed, which is formed at least temporarily fluid-tight connectable to the first gas channel. This can be created by means of the gas valve body another, second gas valve, via which an exposure of the container interior with a process gas with a

lower volume flow compared to the opening of the first gas valve is made possible. In other words, by the formed in the gas valve body second gas passage can be a multi-stage admission of the container with a

Process gas can be achieved, wherein the volume flow of the gas supplied into the container interior is different at the respective stages. In a preferred embodiment, the second gas channel has a reduced cross section compared to the first gas channel. As a result, the volume flow of the process gas is throttled by the reduced cross section in the second gas channel.

Preferably, in the second gas passage, a throttle for reducing the

Gas flow may be provided through the second gas passage. As a result, the volume flow through the second gas channel and thus into the container

introduced volume flow of the process gas can be further reduced. The throttle preferably has a bore with a diameter of 0.5 - 2.0 mm with a throttle thickness in the flow direction of the gas of 0.3 mm - 1, 0 mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the gas valve body has a in

Gas space arranged, a second gas valve forming opening, via which in the open state, a gas flow through the first and second gas channel is made possible in the arranged on the filling element container. In this case, the second gas channel is preferably connected in a fluid-tight manner to the first gas channel formed in the valve tappet. By opening or closing the second gas valve, a controlled supply of the process gas contained in the gas space via the second gas channel, the first gas channel and a gas pipe extending into the head space of the container can thus be achieved. This allows a rinsing of the container with a throttled supply of the process gas from the gas space of

Filling container can be achieved. Preferably, the flushing process is in two consecutive

Completed process steps, in a first process step in which the container interior is evacuated by connecting to a vacuum source and then takes place in a second, subsequent process step, the actual rinsing of the container by blowing the purge gas. The remains

Container interior preferably further connected to the vacuum source, so that the blowing of the purge gas in a vacuum or high vacuum in the

Container interior done. The evacuation of the container in the first step the purging takes place, for example, so that a pressure of about 0.05-0.4 bar, preferably a pressure of about 0.05-0.25 bar, is established in the container, that is to say a negative pressure of about 0.6 bar to 0 , 95 bar, preferably 0.75 - 0.95 bar relative to the ambient pressure. The introduction or injection of the purge gas is carried out on the basis of the throttling of the volume flow in the second gas channel or due to the in

Gas space contained pressure such that here at best a lower

Pressure increase in the container interior results, for example, a pressure increase of at most 0.05 bar to 0.2 bar. Of particular advantage may be that after closing the purge gas, the connection with the vacuum source remains open for a certain period, so that in the container of the original

Negative pressure can be restored. But this is by no means absolutely necessary.

Preferably, the opening is open or closed over a first partial stroke of the actuating element. Preferably, only the second gas valve is opened, with the first gas valve still closed, i. the second

Gas channel is fluid-tightly connected to the first gas channel. Thus, the flushing of the container interior can be effected by a first partial stroke of the actuating element with a process gas having a throttled volume flow. In a preferred embodiment, the gas valve body for opening and closing the first gas valve in the Füllelementachse is movable and cooperates with a formed in the first gas passage valve surface. That is, the gas valve body is to open the first gas valve along the

Raised filler element axis, so that the sealing seat of the gas valve body is released in the provided in the valve stem bore or the valve seat provided there. In the reverse direction, the gas valve body is lowered to close the first gas valve along the Füllelementachse, so that a sealing seat between the gas valve body and the valve seat formed in the valve stem is achieved. Preferably, the movement of the gas valve body takes place by means of

Actuator, via a second partial stroke, wherein the stroke paths of the first and second partial strokes are coaxially identical. This can be done by a and the same actuating element, which is designed to effect a two-stage lifting movement, both the first gas valve and the second gas valve are actuated. Preferably, the first gas valve is designed to effect a larger gas flow per unit time than the second gas valve. As a result, when the second gas valve is opened, a throttled volume flow of process gas into the

Container interior can be achieved in comparison to the opening of the first gas valve.

In a preferred embodiment, the gas valve body of the first gas valve is received with a partial length in the first gas channel and protrudes with an upper end of the first gas channel. Furthermore, it preferably cooperates with this end with the actuating element. The first gas channel can be formed stepped, with the first gas channel extended stepwise by the gradation upwards. The gas valve body can be partially received in an upper region of the first gas channel.

In a further preferred embodiment, the opening of the gas valve body forming the second gas valve is provided on a partial length protruding beyond the first gas channel, in particular on the upper end side of the gas valve body. The above-described interaction of the

Actuating element with the gas valve body consists in particular that is opened or closed by a provided on the actuating element or a portion of the actuating element itself, the opening forming the second gas valve.

Preferably, the actuating element by two coaxially with each other and preferably also coaxially with the Füllelementachse arranged lifting elements, hereinafter also called piston-cylinder arrangements formed, of which a first lifting element acts via a plunger and an adapter on the gas valve body and of which a second Lifting element a stop for the

Hubbewegung of the first lifting element forms in such a way that in a first State of the second lifting element of the stroke of the first lifting element is limited to a first partial stroke and in a second state of the second lifting element, the second lifting element is raised by a second partial stroke, so that the stroke of the first lifting element is increased to the sum of the two partial strokes. As a result, a two-stage lifting movement of the plunger can be realized, wherein only the second gas valve is opened during the first partial stroke and when completing the second partial stroke following the first partial stroke, the first gas valve is also opened. In a preferred embodiment, the adapter causes in the lowered, lower state of the first lifting element sealing the opening and thus closing the second gas valve. In this case, the adapter preferably has a surface section which, in the lowered state of the first lifting element, presses on a seal or sealing surface provided on the opening, in order to prevent the latter

To effect closure of the second gas valve.

In the state of the lifting element which is raised by the first partial lift, the adapter, in particular the surface section of the closure effecting the closure, is preferred

Adapters lifted from the opening and thus opened the second gas valve. The first gas valve, however, remains due to the further lowered

Gas valve body closed. Thus, by the multi-stage lifting movement of the actuating element after completion of the first partial stroke by loosening the

Sealing seat of the adapter from the gas valve body the second gas valve to be opened. Furthermore, the adapter preferably has a first control surface which does not come into contact with the gas valve body during the first partial stroke and against which the gas valve body partially rests during the second partial stroke of the lifting element in order to lift the gas valve body out of the sealing position of the valve surface formed in the first gas duct , In particular, the adapter has a hook-shaped section which is designed to engage behind a projection of the gas valve body, referred to below as the control section. At this hook-shaped portion, the first control surface is provided, the against the projection of the gas valve body during the second partial stroke is applied and thus raises the gas valve body at an upward movement of the plunger upwards. Due to the lack of investment of the first control surface relative to the gas valve body in the first partial stroke is achieved that, although the surface portion of the adapter, which causes a closure of the opening of the second gas valve body is lifted from the opening of the gas valve body, but during this first Teilhubs still no lifting the gas valve body and an associated opening of the first gas valve takes place.

Preferably, the adapter has a second control surface which cooperates with the valve tappet for closing the liquid valve. In particular, the second control surface is a surface opposite the first control surface

For example, is provided on the hook-shaped portion of the adapter. By means of this second control surface of the adapter preferably acts on the upper side of the valve stem, for example on a flange-like projection, so that by the actuating element when returning to the starting position, in which the plunger is maximally advanced into the product container, closing the

Liquid valve is achieved by pressing the valve body to the valve seat. Advantageously, this causes the actuating element not only an actuation of the first and second gas valve but also an active closing of the liquid valve.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid valve has a

Opening spring, which biases the liquid valve in its open state. This opening spring, which is designed in particular as a compression spring, in this case has a spring force which is dimensioned such that upon reaching a certain biasing pressure within the container, the spring force of the opening spring

relative to the gravity of the valve body and the valve stem and the fluid column on the valve body predominates (frictional forces

negligibly), so that the liquid valve is automated by the

Opening spring is opened, ie without the action of another, actively actuated drive means. The second gas channel can at least temporarily with a gas from the gas

Füllgutkessels be connected independent, further gas space. This is done for example via a provided in the plunger of the actuator

Gas channel, for example, via at least one other line and possibly

at least one valve establishes a connection to the further gas space.

In particular, the second gas channel may be connectable to flush the container to be filled with the gas space and for biasing the container with the other gas space. This makes it possible that in particular the

Vorspannprozess by applying the container interior with a

Process gas takes place, which is different from the gas contained in the gas space of the product container. As a result, the tempering process can be carried out with a more favorable process gas.

The invention further relates to a method for treating containers with a process gas prior to their filling using a

Filling element to which the respective container is arranged during the treatment in a sealing position and via which a process gas introduced into the container and a process gas and a displaced by this gas and / or vapor

Medium, for example, air is discharged from the container, and wherein the

Evacuated container before introducing a process gas or the vacuum of a vacuum source is applied, wherein the filling element has a first gas channel, which opens at an upper end in the gas space of the product container and at the lower end in a headspace of the filling element arranged container, wherein in the first gas channel, a first gas valve is provided with a gas valve body movable to open and close the first gas valve.

About a formed in the gas valve body and at least temporarily fluid-tightly connected to the first gas channel second gas channel with a second

Gas valve takes place after the application of the vacuum to the container, a discharge of a first process gas for flushing the container by opening the second gas valve, wherein the container during the flushing continues with the Vacuum source is connected. Furthermore, after the flushing of the container by opening the first gas valve, a biasing of the container with a second process gas, wherein the volume flow of the second process gas through the first gas valve during biasing of the container is greater than the volume flow of the first process gas through the second gas valve during purging of the container.

The first process gas may in this case be the same as the second process gas, but the use of different process gases is preferred. In a preferred embodiment, the volume flow of the in the

Container introduced during purging first process gas and the negative pressure of the vacuum source set such that in which the container interior

flowing through the first process gas in the container adjusts a flushing pressure which is equal to the ambient pressure or slightly above or below the ambient pressure. This is an effective flushing of the bottle interior with a significant reduction in the consumption of purge gas and thus no significant

Cost savings achieved.

In particular, the pressure and / or volume flow of the first process gas and the pressure of the vacuum source can be adjusted so that a purge pressure between 0.05 bar and 0.45 bar results, these values being absolute values. With a flushing pressure set in this way, a particularly effective flushing process is achieved. In a preferred embodiment, in a first method step, the container is evacuated to a pressure in the range between 0.05 bar and 0.2 bar, and in a second, temporally following method step, the introduction or

Blowing the first process gas into the container, preferably in such a way that the pressure in the container by the introduction or injection of the first

Process gas does not or only slightly, for example by 0.05 bar - 0.2 bar increases. Particularly preferably, the introduction of the first process gas for purging the container takes place via a throttle provided in the second gas channel. The throttle preferably has a bore with a diameter of 0.5 - 2.0 mm with a throttle thickness in the flow direction of the gas of 0.3 mm - 1 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the opening or

Closing of the second gas valve by a first partial stroke of a with the

Gas valve body cooperating actuating element, wherein furthermore preferably the opening or closing of the first gas valve takes place by raising or lowering of the gas valve body by the actuating element.

In sealing position with the filling element befindlicher container means in the sense of

Invention, that the respective container in the manner known to those skilled with its container mouth tightly pressed against the filling element or to a local seal.

For the purposes of the invention, containers are in particular cans and bottles, in each case made of metal, glass and / or plastic, for example. The term "substantially" or "approximately" or "approx." Means in the sense of

Deviations from the respective exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by + 1-5% and / or deviations in the form of insignificant for the function

Changes. Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination, in principle, the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their

Dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments, in which:

Figure 1 in a simplified representation and in vertical section a in one

Filling container at least partially received filling element of a filling system according to the invention;

Figure 2 in a simplified representation and in vertical section the inventive

Filling system during the rinsing process;

3 shows the second gas valve of the filling system according to the invention in one

Detailed view;

Figure 4 in a simplified representation and in vertical section the inventive

Filling system during the vacuuming of the container;

Figure 5 in a simplified representation and in vertical section the inventive

Filling system during the pretensioning of the container;

Figure 6 in a simplified representation and in vertical section the inventive

Filling system during filling of the container;

Figure 7 in a simplified representation and in vertical section the inventive

Filling system at the end of the filling process;

Figure 8 in a simplified representation and in vertical section the inventive

Filling system with closed liquid valve;

Figure 9 in a simplified representation and in vertical section the inventive

Filling system when unloading the container; FIG. 10 shows a simplified representation and a vertical section of a first alternative embodiment of the filling system according to the invention; and

Figure 1 1 in a simplified representation and in vertical section a second alternative

Embodiment of the filling system according to the invention.

In the figures, 1 is designed as a ring vessel Füllgutkessel a Einkammer- filling system or a single-chamber filling machine of rotating design for filling containers 2, which are shown as bottles, with a liquid product. The Füllgutkessel 1 is part of a rotatable about a vertical axis of the machine rotor. During the filling operation, the product vessel 1 is partially filled in a level-controlled manner with the filling material, so that a lower liquid space 1 .1 occupied by the product is formed in the interior of the product container 1, and above that a gas space 1 .2 which is filled, for example, with an inert gas, e.g. CO2 gas or nitrogen or sterile air is filled.

At the bottom of the product vessel 1 are preferably in uniform

Offset angular distances about the vertical axis of the machine, filling positions 3 are formed, each having a filling element 4 and a container carrier 5, on which the container 2 with its bottom and with which the container 2 during filling with its container opening via a ring seal a centering tulip 6 in Sealing layer are arranged pressed on the filling element 4. Each filling element 4 comprises in the embodiment shown a flat plate-like

Füllelementgehäuse 7, in which u.a. a liquid channel 8 is formed, which via an opening 9 in the bottom of the Füllgutkessels 1 with the local

Liquid space 1 .1 communicates and at the bottom of the

Füllelementgehäuses 7 one enclosed by the ring seal

Füllgutabgabeöffnung 10 forms, via which the filling material when filling the respective container 2 flows. Within the liquid channel 8, a discharge of the liquid contents to the respective container 2 controlling liquid valve 1 1 is provided. This essentially consists of a valve body 12, which bears against a formed in the liquid passage 8 valve seat with closed liquid valve 1 and which is provided on a tubular and coaxial with a vertical Füllelementachse FA valve tappet 13. To open and close the

Liquid valve, the valve body 12 is moved in the manner described in more detail below in the Füllelementachse FA up and down. In the valve tappet 13, a first gas channel 14 is formed, which continues in a gas pipe 15 which extends at sealing in the filling element 4 arranged container 2 through the container opening into the headspace of the container 2 and there at its lower end, the lower opening of the first gas channel 14 forms. In the first

Gas channel 14, a first gas valve 16 is provided, which is formed by a partially in an upper part length of the gas channel 14 and arranged coaxially with the Füllelementachse FA arranged, hollow needle gas valve body 17 which is raised to open the first gas valve 16 relative to the valve stem 13 and closing of the first gas valve 16 is lowered relative to the valve stem 13 so that a preferably arranged at the lower end of the gas valve body 17 valve surface abuts against a valve seat formed in the first gas channel 14 and thereby the first gas valve 16 blocks. The hollow needle-like

Gas valve body 17 has an outer cross-section, which is selected so that the gas channel 14, this valve body 17 spaced from enclosing to the upper, open end of the valve stem 13 continues.

In the interior of the gas valve body 17, a second gas channel 21 is formed, which is coaxially with the first gas passage 14 and preferably the

Gas valve body 17 passes through one of its entire length. The gas valve body 17 accordingly forms a tubular valve body which opens fluid-tightly at a first, lower free end when the first gas valve 16 is closed in the first gas channel and at its second, upper free end has an opening 24, the one second gas valve 23 forms, which can be opened or closed in the manner described in more detail below.

For controlling the first and second gas valves 16, 23 is preferably at the top of the product container 1 and further preferably outside this

Füllgutkessels 1 an actuator 18 is provided, which is preferably a pneumatic actuator 18. The actuator 18 acts on a coaxial with the Füllelementachse FA arranged ram 19 and an adapter 20 on the upper end of the gas valve body 17 a. In particular, at this upper end of the gas valve body 17, a control section 17.1 is provided, which expands the gas valve body 17 freiendseitig radially outward, so that an outside gradation of the gas valve body 17 results.

The actuator 18 is controlled, for example, by electro-pneumatic control valves, not shown, for a controlled, two-stage axial movement of the plunger 19 and thus of the adapter 20 formed in the Füllelementachse FA and consists of two control chambers forming pneumatic

Lifting elements, which are formed in the illustrated embodiment as a piston-cylinder assemblies 18a and 18b. The piston 18.1 of the piston-cylinder assembly 18a is provided directly on the plunger 19, i. the latter forms the piston rod of this piston-cylinder arrangement 18a. The piston 18.2 of the upper piston-cylinder assembly 18b is provided on a further piston rod, which is also arranged coaxially with the Füllelementachse FA. A

Bellows seal seals the passage area of the plunger 19 through the top of the product vessel 1 from.

The piston rod of the upper piston-cylinder assembly 18b forms

Stroke element for the piston rod of the lower piston-cylinder assembly 18a, so that through the upper piston-cylinder assembly 18b of the stroke of the lower

Piston-cylinder arrangement 18a is limited. In the event that the upper piston-cylinder assembly 18b assumes a lower position, the stroke of the

Piston rod of the lower piston-cylinder assembly 18a to the partial stroke H1 limited. If the upper piston-cylinder arrangement 18b is actuated in such a way that it assumes an upper position, ie the upper piston-cylinder arrangement 18b is raised by a partial stroke H2, the lower piston-cylinder arrangement 18a can carry out an increased stroke, and Although a hub, the sum of the

Partial strokes H1, H2 (H1 + H2) corresponds.

The arranged on the plunger 19 adapter 20 has a hook-shaped portion 20a with a control surface 20.1, the body 17 is formed for engaging behind the control portion 17.1 of the gas valve. Furthermore, the adapter 20 has a

Surface portion 20.2, which cooperates with the upper side provided on the gas valve body opening 24 and a sealing surface provided there to form the second gas valve 23. When applying the surface portion 20.2 to the sealing surface of the opening 24, the control portion 17.1 of the gas valve body 17 engaging behind control surface 20.1 is spaced in the axial direction to the control section 17.1. This results in the lifting of the plunger 19 an axial clearance, in which the surface portion 20.2 already from the sealing surface of the opening 24th

is lifted (i.e., the second gas valve 23 is already open), but the

Control surface 20.1 to the control section 17.1 is still spaced or just against this rests, so that by the plunger 19 no lifting of the

Gas valve body 17 and thus no opening of the first gas valve 16 is carried out. The axial distance between the control surface 20.1 and the surface portion 20.2 of the adapter 20 along the vertical Füllelementachse FA is preferably equal to or greater than the partial stroke H1. In the event that the plunger 19 is advanced by means of the lower piston-cylinder assembly 18a in a lower position, ie extends with a maximum part length in the product container 1, the surface portion 20.2 of the adapter 2 is opposite to the provided at the opening 24 seal on, so that the second gas valve 23 is closed. The gas valve body 17 is thereby fully inserted into the first gas channel 14, so that the first gas valve 16 is closed, that is, the second gas channel 21 is fluid-tightly connected to the first gas channel 14. When positioning the piston rod of the upper piston-cylinder assembly 18b in the lower position of the plunger 19 is raised upon actuation of the lower piston-cylinder assembly 18a and thus the adapter 20 by the partial stroke H1. In this case, the surface portion 20.2 of the adapter 20 is lifted from the seal provided at the opening 24 and the second gas valve 23 is opened. By arranging the opening 24 in the gas space 1 .2 of the product container 1, the gas located there can penetrate via the opening 24, the second gas channel 21, the first gas channel 14 and the gas pipe 15 in the head region of the container 2 arranged on the filling element 4.

Preferably, the second gas channel 21 has a reduced channel cross-section compared to the first gas channel 14. As a result, a throttled supply of the gas from the gas space 1 .2 is achieved in the container 2. Furthermore, in the region of the opening 24, a throttle may additionally be provided, which likewise causes throttling of the gas feed from the gas space 1 .2 into the container 2.

After positioning the piston rod of the upper piston-cylinder assembly 18b in the upper position, the plunger 19 can be raised by the lower piston-and-cylinder assembly 18a by the stroke corresponding to the sum of the partial strokes H1 and H2, and at enforcement This stroke of the gas valve body 17 is pulled out by the engagement of the control section 17.1 by the control surface 20.1 at least partially from the first gas channel 14 upwards and thus the first gas valve 16 is opened. Furthermore, one extending between the upper end of the valve stem 13 and a tubular and spaced around the valve stem 13, a

Füllguteinlauf forming element 27 acting opening spring 24 is provided, which is received within the Füllgutkessels 1 and designed as a compression spring in the manner described below, an opening of the liquid valve 1 1 causes.

1 shows the filling element 4 and the actuating element 18 in a first operating state, ie in a state in which both the liquid valve 1 1 as also the gas valves 16 and 23 are closed. The container 2 is pressed by means of the container carrier 5 from below to the annular seal in the region of the centering tulip 6, so that the container 2 is in sealing position on the filling element 4. Subsequently, by opening a control valve 28, a connection between a vacuum source 30 with the container interior via the provided in Füllelementgehäuse 7 channel 29. The vacuum source 30 and the control valve 28 are preferably controlled such that in the interior of the container 2, a pressure of 0 , 05 - 0,25bar. For example, the container 2 is a

95% vacuum evacuated.

Subsequently, as shown in Figure 2, and in particular in Figure 3, the second gas valve 23 is opened in the manner previously described, i. by lifting the plunger 19 by the actuator 18 to the partial stroke H1, so that the surface portion 20.2 is lifted from the seal in the region of the opening 24. As a result, between the gas space 1 .2 and the container interior

through the opening 24, the second gas channel 21, the fluid-tight manner connected to the second gas channel 21 first gas channel 14 and the gas pipe 15. By introducing the gas contained in the gas space 1 .2 inert gas, preferably CO2, into the container interior becomes one

Flushing the container 2 causes. In this case, the container interior remains connected via the channel 29 with the vacuum source 30, so that the displaced by the incoming purge gas is sucked air. This results in a particularly intensive or effective flushing of the interior of the container. 2

As the gas pipe 15 extends far into the interior of the container 2 down, the purge gas exiting the gas pipe 15 also reaches the bottom of the container 2, for example Area of the opening 24 arranged choke, the purge gas flow or the flow rate of the purge gas are throttled so far that the negative pressure, which has set during the vacuuming before introducing the purge gas, only slightly increases by the purge, for example by about 0.05 bar - 0.2 bar. This results during the rinsing process, an internal pressure or scavenging pressure in the container 2, which is still significantly below the ambient pressure, for example, about 0.15 to 0.45 bar. To intensify the flushing, the supply of purge gas can be timed and without interruptions. Alternatively, the supply of purge gas but also at intervals, so take place in several sub-steps.

As shown in Figure 4, after completion of the purging operation, closing the second gas valve 23, i. by advancing the plunger 19 to a lower position, the container interior will continue to remain connected to the vacuum source 30 via the channel 29 and the control valve 28, so that the container 2 is preferably vacuumed to the original negative pressure prior to commencement of the flushing operation. This further increases the efficiency of the rinsing process. In order to achieve the fastest possible biasing of the subsequently to be filled container 2 to the filling pressure, as shown in Figure 5, the piston rod of the upper piston-cylinder assembly 18b moved to an upper position, so that the piston rod of the lower piston-cylinder -Anordnung 18b the maximum stroke, which is equal to the partial sum of the partial strokes H1 + H2, can accomplish, while the 1. Gas valve 16 is opened, which releases a much larger volume flow from the gas space 1 .2 in the container interior.

The spring force of the pressure spring designed as opening spring 25 is dimensioned such that the spring force is slightly greater than the force acting on the valve body 12 and the valve stem 13 gravity or acting on the valve body 12 liquid column of the contents contained in the product container 1 (neglecting friction effects). As a result, in pressure equality between the pressure in the container interior and in the product container. 1

prevailing pressure lifted by the opening spring 25 of the valve body 12 from its valve seat in the Füllelementgehäuse 7, so that the contents contained in the product container 1 can enter via the liquid channel 8 and the Füllgutabgabeöffnung 10 in the container interior. The biasing of the container 2 used in inert gas can flow back via the gas pipe 15, the first gas channel 14 and the opened first gas valve 16 in the gas space 1 .2 of the product container 1. The valve body 12 preferably has in the area immediately above the

Poppet a gas barrier 12.1 on, by means of after dipping the

Gas pipe 15 in the container 2 located Füllgutspiegel an automatic termination of the filling process is effected. The gas barrier 12.1 thereby causes the gas to rise from the headspace of the container 2 past the valve body 12 into the liquid space 1 .1 of the product container 1.

The closing of the liquid valve 1 1 of the filling element 4 takes place actively by the action of the actuating element 18 on the valve tappet 13. The action of the actuating element 18 on the valve tappet 13 takes place by means of the adapter 20, namely with a hook-shaped portion 20 a of the adapter 20

provided control surface 20.3, for example, parallel to the control surface 20.1 and this is opposite. The control surface 20.3 acts together with a flange-like upper side portion of the valve stem 13. At the

Moving back the piston rod of the lower piston-cylinder assembly 18 a in the lower starting position and thus the return part of the plunger 19 comes

Control surface 20.3 relative to the flange portion of the valve stem 13 to the plant and thus causes insertion of the valve body 12 against the spring force of the opening spring 25, so that the valve body 12 is fluid-tight against the Füllelementgehäuses 7. When dividing back the plunger 19, both the first and the second gas valve 16, 23 are closed again, so that the gas channels 14, 21 are separated from the gas space 1 .2.

After closing the liquid valve 1 1 and the gas valves 16, 23 takes place, as shown in Figure 9, relieving the container interior to ambient pressure, for example, by connecting the container interior via the channel 29 and the control valve 31 with the ambient air. Relieving this can preferably in stages via a plurality of expansion steps and / or using a throttle in the channel 29.

After discharge, the container 2 can be deducted from the sealing position of the filling element 4, for example by lowering the container carrier 5.

FIG. 10 shows a first alternative embodiment of the filling system according to the invention. The basic structure of the filling system is identical to the structure of the filling system described above, so that below only the differences of the alternative embodiment to those described above

Embodiment will be explained.

The filling system has a further gas space 26, preferably by a gas contained in the gas space 1 .2 different gas, for example, nitrogen (N ₂ ), a vaporous medium o.ä. is included. Alternatively, CO ₂ may also be contained in the gas space 26. The gas space 26 is connected via a control valve 32 and via a preferably flexible conduit 33 to the piston rod of the actuating element 18, in which an axially extending third

Gas channel 34 is inserted, i. the third gas passage 34 extends through the piston rod in the longitudinal direction, preferably along the Füllelementachse FA. The third

Gas channel 34 is connected at its lower end via the opening 24 with the second gas channel 21, with a closed second gas valve 23, in which the surface portion 20.2 of the adapter 20 bears against the opening 24. In this position of the adapter 20, the first gas valve 16 is also closed, so that a continuous gas channel from the other gas space 26 via the line 33, the third gas passage 34, the second gas passage 21, the first gas passage 14 and the gas pipe 15 into the container interior consists.

The essential advantage of this alternative embodiment is that a more favorable compared to CO2 process gas or inert gas can be stored in the other gas space 26, which is used in particular for biasing the container 2. The actuating element 18 can in this case in particular for Activation of only one-stage stroke be formed, wherein the stroke is dimensioned such that only an opening of the second gas valve 23 is effected by the actuating element 18, so that when lifting the plunger 19 and the associated opening of the second gas valve 23 in the gas space. 1 .2 contained gas, as described above, throttled when the control valve 32 is closed is supplied to the container interior for purging, the biasing of the container 2 but with closed first and second gas valve 16, 23 by opening the control valve 32 contained in the other gas space 26

Process gas is supplied to the container interior. This can be a

more cost-effective filling of the container 2 can be achieved.

The filling system according to the invention can also have a Trinox functionality, wherein a Trinox gas is supplied to the head space of the container 2 via a Trinox channel 35 coupled to the channel 29 from a Trinox gas space 36 in order to adjust the filling height within the container 2 reach, in such a way that the level of contents within the container 2 corresponds to the lower edge of the gas pipe 15. By supplying the Trinox gas, the filling material, which is located above the lower edge of the gas pipe 15, is conveyed via the gas pipe 15, the first gas channel 14, the second gas channel 21 and the third gas channel 34 and the line 33 in the direction of the connecting channel 37 , which connects the line 33 controlled by a control valve with the interior of the product container 1.

This allows the container 2 overfilling contents via this path the

Füllgutbehälter l are supplied. FIG. 11 shows a second alternative embodiment of the filling system according to the invention similar to the embodiment according to FIG. 10.

The essential difference from the embodiment according to FIG. 10 consists firstly in the fact that in the region of the second gas channel 21 of the gas valve body 17 no throttle is provided for reducing the gas flow through the hollow needle gas valve body 17 but the throttle is displaced to the outside, in the region the line 33, the third gas channel 34 with the other Gas space 26 connects. Furthermore, the line 33 between the third gas channel 34 and the other gas space 26 at least one branch point 38, by means of which the channel formed in the conduit 33 branches into two or more mutually parallel channels 39, 40, wherein all of these parallel channels 39, 40 open into the further gas space 26. In each of these mutually parallel channels 39, 40 a control valve 32 a, 32 b is provided, by means of which the individual channels 39, 40 are each independently visible or closable to establish a connection between the third gas duct 34 and the other gas space 26 to be able to. Throttles 41, 42 are provided in the mutually parallel channels 39, 40, by means of which the volume flow through the respective channels 39, 40 is limited. Preferably, the throttles 41, 42 of the channels 39, 40th

dimensioned differently, so that in the channels 39, 40, a different volume flow can be effected. For example, the throttle 39 has a smaller bore than the throttle 40, so that the throttle 39 allows a lower volume flow than the throttle 40 (each at a constant pressure within the other gas space 26). As a result, the volume flow through the third gas channel 34 or the line 33 can be changed by selecting the opened channel 39 or 40, depending on the type of rinsing method. This is of considerable advantage in particular if both filling of the containers with vacuum support (for example glass bottles) or without

Vacuum support (e.g., PET bottles) can be made, since depending on the prevailing in the container to be filled rinsing the volume flow into the other gas space 26 can be changed.

The invention has been described above in several embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 product container or ring bowl

1 .1 liquid space

1 .2 gas space

2 containers

3 filling position

4 filling element

5 container carriers

6 centering tulip

7 filling element housing

8 fluid channel

9 opening

10 filling material discharge opening

1 1 fluid valve

12 valve body

12.1 gas lock

13 valve tappets

13.1 upper, flange-like portion of the plunger 13th

14 first gas channel

15 gas pipe

16 first gas valve

17 gas valve body

17.1 control section

18 actuator

18a, 18b piston-cylinder arrangement

18.1, 18.2 Pistons

19 pestles

20 adapters

20a hook-shaped section

20.1, 20.3 control surface

20.2 area section 21 second gas channel

22 throttle

23 second gas valve

24 opening

25 opening spring

26 more gas room

27 element

28 control valve

29 channel

30 vacuum source

31 control valve

32, 32a, 32b control valve

33 line

34 third gas channel

35 Trinox channel

36 Trinox gas space

37 connecting channel

38 branch point

39 channel

40 channel

41 throttle

42 throttle

FA vertical filler axis

H1, H2 partial lift

Claims

claims

1 . Filling system for filling bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid product, with a Füllgutkessel (1), in which during filling a lower, occupied by the filling liquid space (1 .1) and above

Gas space (1 .2) are formed, with at least one below the Füllgutkessels (1) arranged filling element (4) with Füllelementgehäuse (7), in which a with the liquid space (1 .1) in communication standing liquid channel (8) is formed, at one of the Füllgutkessel (1) facing away from the underside of

Füllelementgehäuses (7) forms a Füllgutabgabeöffnung (10), with a in

Liquid channel (8) arranged liquid valve (1 1) with valve body (12) arranged on a coaxial with a Füllelementachse (FA) valve stem (13) and for opening and closing of the liquid valve and for a controlled discharge of the filling material in the filling element (4) arranged container (2) is axially movable, with a in the valve stem (13) formed first gas channel (14) which is arranged at an upper open end in the gas space (1 .2) of the product container (1) and the lower end from one on the valve lifter (13)

provided gas pipe (15) is formed, which extends into a head space of the filling element (4) arranged container (2), with a first gas channel (14) provided in the first gas valve (16) with a gas valve body (17), with a the first gas channel (14) formed valve seat and is cooperable with at least one actuating element (18) for opening and closing the first gas valve (16) in the first gas channel (14),

characterized,

in that a second gas channel (21) is formed in the gas valve body (17) which is at least temporarily fluid-tightly connectable to the first gas channel (14), and in that the gas valve body (17) has the gas valve body (17) at its end remote from the valve surface Valve opening (24), which has a second

Gas valve (23) forms and on the open state, a gas flow through the first and second gas channel (14, 21) in the filling element (4) arranged container (2) is made possible.

2. full system according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas valve body (17) is designed as a hollow needle.

3. Filling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second

Gas channel (21) has a reduced compared to the first gas channel (14) cross-section.

4. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the second gas channel (21) has a throttle (22) for reducing the

Gas flow through the second gas channel (21) is provided.

5. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (18) for opening and closing the valve opening (24) in a first partial stroke (H1) is formed.

6. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas valve body (17) for opening and closing of the first gas valve (16) in the Füllelementachse (FA) is movable and cooperates with a in the first gas passage (14) formed valve surface.

7. Filling system according to claim 6, characterized in that the movement of the gas valve body (17) by means of the actuating element (18), via the first partial stroke (H1) and a second partial stroke (H2), wherein the stroke paths of the first and second partial strokes (H1, H2) have the same axis.

8. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first gas valve (17) is designed to effect a larger gas flow per unit time than the second gas valve (23).

9. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas valve body (17) of the first gas valve (16) with a partial length in the first gas channel (14) received and with an upper end of the first Gas channel (14) protrudes and cooperates with this end with the actuating element (18).

10. Filling system according to claim 9, characterized in that the second gas valve (23) forming the valve opening (24) of the gas valve body (17) on one over the first gas channel (14) protruding part length is provided, in particular on the upper end side of the gas valve body (17).

1 1. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the actuating element (18) by two coaxially

is formed with each other and preferably also coaxially with the Füllelementachse (FA) arranged lifting elements (18.1, 18.2), of which a first

Lifting element (18.1) via a plunger (19) and an adapter (20) on the

Gas valve body (17) acts and of which a second lifting element (18.2) forms a stop for the lifting movement of the first lifting element (18.1) in such a way that in a first state of the second lifting element (18.2) of the stroke of the first lifting element (18.1) a first partial stroke (H1) is limited and in a second state of the second lifting element (18.2), the second lifting element (18.2) is raised by a second partial stroke (H2), so that the stroke of the first lifting element (18.1) on the sum of the both partial strokes (H1, H2) is increased.

12. Filling system according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the adapter (20) in the lowered, lower state of the first lifting element (18.1) causes a seal of the opening (24) and thus closing of the second gas valve (23).

13. Filling system according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that in the first partial stroke (H1) raised state of the lifting element (18.1) of the adapter (20) is lifted from the opening (24) and thus the second gas valve (23). is open.

14. Filling system according to one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that the adapter (20) has a first control surface (20.1) which does not come into contact with the gas valve body (17) during the first partial stroke (H1), and against the gas valve body (17) during the second partial stroke (H2) of the

Lifting element (18.1) partially abuts to lift the gas valve body (17) from the sealing position of the first gas channel (16) formed valve surface.

15. Filling system according to one of claims 1 1 to 14, characterized in that the adapter (20) has a second control surface (20.2) which cooperates with the valve stem (13) for closing the liquid valve (1 1).

16. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a the liquid valve (1 1) biasing in its open state

Opening spring (25).

17. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the second gas channel (21) is at least temporarily connected to a further gas space (26) independent of the gas space (1 .2) of the product chamber (1).

18. Filling system according to claim 17, characterized in that the second gas channel (21) for flushing the container to be filled (2) with the gas space (1 .2) and for biasing the container (2) with the further gas space (26) connectable is trained.

19. A method for treating containers (2) with a process gas prior to filling using a filling element (4) on which the respective container (2) is arranged in a sealed position during the treatment and via which a process gas into the container (2) introduced and a process gas and a displaced from this gas and / or vapor medium, for example, air is discharged from the container (2), wherein the filling element (4) has a first gas channel (14) at an upper end in a gas space (1 .2) of a product container (1) and at a lower end in a headspace of the container arranged on the filling element (2) opens, wherein in the first gas channel (14) a first gas valve (16) having an opening and closing of the first gas valve (16) movable gas valve bodies (17) is provided, in which a second gas channel (21) is formed, which is at least temporarily fluid-tightly connected to the first gas channel (14), and wherein by opening the first gas valve (16) biasing of the container (2) with a first process gas a gas space (1 .2) of a product vessel (1) takes place,

characterized,

in that prior to pretensioning with the first process gas, the container (2) is acted upon by the vacuum of a vacuum source (30) and then via the second gas channel (21) with a second gas valve (23) an introduction of a second

Process gas for flushing the container (2) by opening the second gas valve (23) takes place,

the container (2) continues to be connected to the vacuum source (30) during the flushing, and

the volume flow of the first process gas through the first gas valve (16) during pretensioning of the container (2) is greater than the volume flow of the second process gas through the second gas valve (23) during rinsing of the container (2).

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the first

Process gas is the same or different to the second process gas.

21. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the volume flow of the second process gas introduced into the container (2) during purging and the vacuum of the vacuum source (30) are set such that at the container interior through-flowing second process gas in the container (2) a scavenging pressure set equal to the ambient pressure or slightly above or below the ambient pressure.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 - 21, characterized in that the pressure and / or flow rate of the second process gas and the pressure of the vacuum source (30) are adjusted so that a flushing pressure between 0.1 bar and 0.45bar results ,

23. The method according to any one of claims 19 - 22, characterized in that in a first process step, the container (2) is evacuated to a pressure in the range between 0.05 bar and 0.2 bar, and that in a second, temporally following Process step, the introduction or injection of the second process gas in the container (2) takes place and preferably such that the pressure in the container (2) by the introduction or injection of the second process gas not or only slightly, for example by 0.05bar - 0.2 bar rises.

24. The method according to any one of claims 19 - 23, characterized in that the introduction of the second process gas for purging the container (2) via a second gas channel (21) provided throttle takes place.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that the throttle has a bore with a diameter of 0.3 - 1 mm with a length of the throttle in the flow direction of the gas of 0.5 mm.

26. The method according to any one of claims 19-25, characterized in that the opening or closing of the second gas valve (23) by a first partial stroke (H1) of the gas valve body (17) cooperating actuating element (18).

27. The method according to any one of claims 19 - 26, characterized in that the opening or closing of the first gas valve (16) by lifting or

Lowering of the gas valve body (17) by the actuating element (18).