EP3074339B1 - Filling head and filling machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a filling element for filling cans or similar containers according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 14.

Filling machines for filling, especially for pressure filling of containers in the form of cans with a liquid filling material (for example, beer, soft drinks, etc.) are known in various designs. Especially in filling machines of high performance (number of filled containers per unit time), it is common that the sealing layer between the respective arranged below a filling element on or on a container carrier container and the filling element by lowering a Abdichttulpe on the container, which then with a seal sealed against the opening edge of the container in question and thereby a ua creates the container opening and the discharge opening of the filling element enclosing, sealed to the outside space. The sealing tulip formed by an annular body is displaceably arranged on a housing section of the filling element housing in the direction of a filling element axis, namely between a raised position and the lowered position. The displacement of the Abdichttulpe is preferably controlled by control means, which are formed in particular by control rods.

For high-purity filling of containers in particular filling machines are known which have a clean room separated from the environment in which the actual filling of the container takes place. The filling elements extend at least partially from an area in which lower purity requirements exist in the clean room. In particular, the mechanical control of the control means by an actuator outside the clean room, whereas the Abdichttulpe to be moved is within the clean room. Therefore, it is necessary that the control means extend from the region of lower purity requirements into the clean room, ie penetrate the interface between these areas. These penetrations may interfere with the separation between the two named areas.

The subsequently published, applicant's own publication DE 10 2012 014 957 A1 apparently a filling element with sealing means for sealing the transition between the Füllelementgehäuse and a Abdichttulpe.

Furthermore, also the applicant's own publication discloses DE 10 2006 017 706 A1 a filling element, in which a projecting into a clean room container carrier is guided by a bellows seal in the clean room. Further, the US 5040574 a filling element according to the preamble of claim 1.

The object of the invention is to show a filling element which enables an optimized separation of the clean room from the area with lower purity requirements and thus a high-purity filling of the filling material is ensured. To solve this problem, a filling element according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A filling machine is the subject of patent claim 14.

The invention initially relates to a filling element for filling cans or similar containers with a liquid filling material. The filling element comprises a filling element housing which has at least one discharge opening for the controlled delivery of the filling material into the respective container on a housing section. Further, the filling element comprises a Abdichttulpe which is movable relative to the housing portion parallel to the Füllelementachse relative to the housing portion between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the Abdichttulpe rests in sealing position against an opening edge of the container by means of at least one control means. The Abdichttulpe is connected by means of a first sealing element with the Füllelementgehäuse for sealing the transition between the Abdichttulpe and the Füllelementgehäuse, wherein the first sealing element is provided between the housing portion and the control means. Preferably, the first sealing element is provided spaced from the housing portion and further preferably extends along the control means. The filling element further comprises a first filling element area, which is intended for an arrangement outside a clean room of a filling machine, and a second, the sealing tulip and the discharge opening having Füllelementbereich, which is provided for arrangement in a clean room of a filling machine. Furthermore, a second sealing element is provided, which is connected at a first free end to the Abdichttulpe, radially outside the control means surrounds the first sealing element on the outer peripheral side and seals the transition between the Abdichttulpe and the separation point between the first and second Füllelementbereich. This ensures that the control means in the area between the Abdichttulpe and the separation point is completely separated from the clean room and thus contamination of the clean room on the implementation of the control means is prevented from the area outside the clean room into the clean room inside.

In a further embodiment, the sealing tulip and the first sealing element enclose the housing section on its outer or outer surface to form an annular gap between the outer surface of the housing section and an inner surface of the Abdichttulpe and the first sealing element. This ensures that on the one hand there is no sliding of the first sealing element on the housing portion, whereby lubrication is unnecessary, for example, by a lubricant or lubricant. On the other hand, the spacing of the housing section from the sealing element substantially minimizes the accumulation of germs in the annular gap.

In a further embodiment, the second sealing element surrounds the first sealing element concentrically or substantially concentrically. Furthermore, the second sealing element may be spaced from the first sealing element, so that an annular space results.

Preferably, the first and second sealing element are designed as expandable and compressible in their length, tube-like sealing elements. In this case, the sealing elements each have a central longitudinal axis, which run parallel to each other or coincide in a common central longitudinal axis.

In a further embodiment, a partial length of the at least one control means is provided in the intermediate space located between the first and second sealing element. It is thereby achieved that the movable, in particular displaceable control means with the partial length extending into the clean room extends, surrounded on both sides by the respective sealing elements and thus a separation from the clean room is given.

In a further embodiment, the intermediate space located between the first and second sealing element can be acted upon by an overpressure. The overpressure is preferably above the atmospheric pressure, i. the pressure that exists in the vicinity of the filling element. This ensures that the penetration of germs is effectively prevented. In addition, by means of the overpressure, a shape stabilization of the sealing elements, in particular of the first sealing element. Preferably, the overpressure is generated by means of a sterile or inert gas.

In a further embodiment, a pressure sensor for monitoring the overpressure in the intermediate space between the first and second sealing element is provided. Thus, the pressure prevailing in the intermediate space pressure can be determined and thus carried out a check for a possible leakage. The pressure sensor is not shown in the figures.

In a further embodiment, the intermediate space located between the first and second sealing element can be acted upon by a negative pressure. By doing so, there is the advantage that in the event of leakage, no substances or gases from the space between the first and second sealing element 7,8 could get into the clean room, which would certainly preclude contamination of the clean room.

In a further embodiment, the at least one control means is at least partially guided in the Füllelementgehäuse, wherein the control means are, for example, control rods. The guide is preferably carried out in the middle region of the control means and further preferably over a partial length greater than half of the control means portion projecting from the clean room. This ensures that the control rods are dimensioned with a reduced cross-section.

In a further embodiment, the second sealing element is connected to the second, the Abdichttulpe remote free end of the Füllelementgehäuse. As a result, the intermediate space between the first and second sealing element is closed on the upper side by the Füllelementgehäuse. In this case, a channel for supplying a pressurized medium, for example a gas, may be provided in the filling element housing, by means of which the intermediate space is pressurized.

In a further embodiment, at least two control means are arranged distributed around the Füllelementachse around. Preferably, partial lengths of these control means are provided in the intermediate space located between the first and second sealing elements. By using a plurality of distributed control means, a secure, tilt-free displacement in the vertical direction and a distribution of the contact forces on the container along the circumference of the Abdichttulpe is achieved without sliding the Abdichttulpe.

In a further embodiment, the first and / or second sealing element is a bellows.

In a further embodiment, the housing portion is formed on its outer or outer surface circular cylindrical or substantially circular cylindrical. As a result, the outer or outer surface can be cleaned more easily, in particular rinsed in a CIP process.

In a further embodiment, at least one channel for introducing a cleaning medium opens into the annular gap. Thus, the sealing element delimiting the annular gap on a first side and the housing section delimiting the annular gap on the opposite, second side can be cleaned by rinsing off. Preferably, the channel opens to initiate a cleaning medium at one of the Abdichttulpe remote channel end in the annular gap, so that the annular gap is traversed along its entire length of the cleaning agent. In particular, the introduction of the cleaning agent can take place at an angle to the filling element axis, so that the cleaning agent flows through the annular gap in a meandering or spiral-line manner.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a filling machine for filling cans or similar containers with a liquid product having a plurality of on a rotating transport element, for example, provided on a rotating around a vertical axis of the machine rotor filling elements. The filling elements of the filling machine are designed as described above.

However, the filling element according to the invention is in particular not designed exclusively for pressure filling of cans or the like containers and in this case also especially for high-pressure filling. For example, the filling element according to the invention is also suitable for a non-pressurized jet filling.

For the purposes of the invention, "pressure filling" is generally to be understood as meaning a filling process in which the container to be filled in each case rests in a sealing position against the filling element and, as a rule, before the actual filling phase, i. is biased before opening the liquid valve via at least one controlled, formed in the filling gas path with a pressurized gas clamping gas (inert gas or CO2 gas), which is then displaced during filling of the inflowing the container contents increasingly as return gas from the container interior , also via at least one controlled gas path formed in the filling element. This biasing phase may be preceded by further treatment phases, for example, evacuation and / or flushing of the container interior with an inert gas, e.g. CO2 gas, water vapor, etc., also via the gas paths formed in the filling element.

"In sealing position with the filling element befindlicher container" means in the context of the invention that the respective container to be filled pressed with its container mouth and tightly against the filling element or at the local Abdichttulpe.

The expression "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.

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

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung und im Teilschnitt ein Füllelement gemäß der Erfindung zusammen mit einem zu füllenden Behälter bei angehobener Abdichttulpe;

Fig. 2

in vereinfachter Darstellung und im Teilschnitt ein Füllelement gemäß der Erfindung zusammen mit einem zu füllenden Behälter bei abgesenkter Abdichttulpe;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittdarstellung entlang der horizontalen Schnittebene des Füllelements gemäß Fig. 1.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation and in partial section a filling element according to the invention, together with a container to be filled with raised Abdichttulpe;

Fig. 2

in a simplified representation and in partial section a filling element according to the invention, together with a container to be filled with lowered Abdichttulpe;

Fig. 3

a sectional view along the horizontal sectional plane of the filling element according to Fig. 1 ,

Shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2 in each case the filling position of a filling machine for pressure filling of containers 2 in the form of cans with a liquid filling material, for example with a carbonated filling material, eg with beer or with a soft drink. The filling position includes, inter alia, a filling element 1, which is arranged together with a plurality of similar filling elements on the circumference of a rotatably driven around a vertical machine axis rotor. Under the filling elements 1, a standing surface 20 is formed on the rotor, on which the container 2 to be filled stand up with its bottom. Alternatively, the containers can also be kept hanging.

Each filling element 1 comprises a filling element housing 3, in which u.a. a liquid channel 12 is formed for the filling material. The liquid channel 12 is connected at its upper, not shown in the figures area with a common for all filling elements 3, provided on the rotor and the filling material providing boiler. At the lower end of the Füllelementgehäuse 3, an annular discharge opening 13 is provided, via which the contents emerge from the liquid channel 12 and can enter the container 2.

In the liquid channel 12, a liquid valve 14 is provided in the flow direction of the filling material in front of the discharge opening 13, which essentially consists of a valve body 14.1 cooperating with a valve seat in the liquid channel 12, which is formed in the region of a lower end of a gas pipe 15 serving as a valve body 14.1. With the gas pipe 15, which is arranged with its axis in a direction parallel to the machine axis Füllelementachse FA, which is in particular a vertical Füllelementhochachse, and in which a open at the bottom of the filling element 3 gas channel 15.1 is formed, the valve body 14.1 from his in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown closed position raised by an actuator, not shown, for opening the liquid valve 14 and lowered to close the liquid valve 14 again.

The Füllelementgehäuse 3 forms at its lower portion a tubular housing portion 3.1 with a reduced diameter. At this housing section 3.1, on which the discharge opening 13 and the valve seat for the liquid valve 14 are provided, a Abdichttulpe 5 is provided in the direction of the Füllelementachse FA movable. The sealing tulip 5 is embodied as a ring body surrounding the housing section 3.1, which is provided at the end side with a ring seal 5.1 enclosing the filler element axis FA concentrically at a lower annular body section. After lowering the Abdichttulpe 5 on an opening edge 2.1 of the container 2 by means of the ring seal 5.1 is a tight connection between the interior of the container 2 and the Abdichttulpe 5. The Abdichttulpe 5 may also be cone-shaped, so that when lowering the Abdichttulpe 5 on the container 2 at the same time centering the same with respect to the filling element.

To seal the transition between the Abdichttulpe 5 and the Füllelementgehäuse 3 a the housing section 3.1 above the Abdichttulpe 5 enclosing first sealing element 7 is provided with its first, upper, the discharge opening 13 farther away free end with the Füllelementgehäuse 3 and with its lower , the discharge opening 13 nearer free end with the Abdichttulpe 5, in particular with a ring seal 5.1 facing away from the top of Abdichttulpe 5 is connected. The first sealing element 7 is made of a suitable elastic and / or flexible material, for example ^Teflon® . Preferably, the first sealing element 7 is a bellows, ie an accordion-like tube with a plurality of folding points. As the FIGS. 1 and 2 show, enclose both the Abdichttulpe 5 and the first sealing element 7, the housing portion 3.1 at a distance to form an annular gap. 9

With respect to the filling element axis FA in the radial direction outside of the first sealing element 7, at least one control means 6, 6 'is provided, by means of which the sealing tulip 5 can be moved. In particular, the at least one control means 6, 6 'is rod-shaped and extends radially offset to the filler element axis FA parallel to this. In the embodiment shown, a pair of control means 6, 6 'is provided, in such a way that the control means 6, 6' are diametrically opposed with respect to the Füllelementachse FA. The control means 6, 6 'are each connected at their lower free ends to the Abdichttulpe 5 and are coupled with their lower free ends opposite the upper ends with an actuator 16. The actuator 16 is formed in the illustrated embodiment by a cam control. Notwithstanding this, other actuating means 16 may be provided, for example, hydraulic or pneumatic actuating means. The control means 6, 6 'are held displaceably in the axial direction on the filling element 1, so that the sealing tulip 5 can be moved in the axial direction by means of a lifting movement of the control means 6, 6' initiated by the actuating means 16.

The filling element 1 is particularly suitable for use in a filling machine for ultra-clean filling or aseptic filling of containers 2. In particular the filling element 1 is designed for use in a filling machine for filling cans. For this purpose, the filling element 1 has at least a first, upper Füllelementbereich 1 a and a second, lower Füllelementbereich 1 b, wherein the first Füllelementbereich 1 a for arrangement outside a clean room R and the second Füllelementbereich 1 b is provided for arrangement within the clean room R. Within the clean room, the filling of the container 2. The second Füllelementbereich 1 b in this case includes in particular the discharge opening 13 for the contents and the Abdichttulpe 5. To separate the clean room R from the area above it, in which lower purity requirements are present, is a separation point T provided at the boundary between the clean room R and the area above it with lower purity requirements. In particular, a separation device can be provided at the separation point T, which separates the clean room R from the area above it with lower purity requirements.

The sealing tulip 5 actuated control means 6, 6 'are taken with a first partial length in the clean room R and protrude with a second partial length in the area above with lower purity requirements. In order to avoid that due to the penetration of the separation point T by the control means 6, 6 'an undesirable connection between the clean room R and the area above it with lower purity requirements, which would entail a reduction of the purity conditions in the clean room R, is a second sealing element 8 is provided, which is preferably designed comparable to the first sealing element 7 as a bellows and made of an elastic and / or flexible material, such as Teflon consists. The second sealing element 8 is connected at its first free end to the sealing tulip 5 and extends in a direction parallel to the Füllelementachse FA up to the region of the separation point T. Preferably, the second sealing element 8 is formed like a tube and circumferentially surrounds both the first sealing element 7 as also the control means 6, 6 'on the projecting into the clean room R part length. Particularly preferably, the second sealing element 8 is arranged concentrically with the filling element axis F. In this case, the second sealing element 8 accommodates in its interior both a partial length of the housing section 3.1 and the first sealing element 7 and a partial length of the control means 6, 6 '. This ensures that even when in the clean room R protruding partial lengths of the axially displaceable control means 6, 6 ', the separation between the clean room R and the overlying area is maintained with lower purity requirements.

Preferably, the second free end of the second sealing element 8 opposite the sealing tulip 5 is connected to the filler element housing 3, i. the separation point T between the clean room R and the overlying area with lower purity requirements is formed on the Füllelementgehäuse 3.

Further preferably, the Füllelementgehäuse 3 is in the transition region between the first Füllelementbereich 1 a and the second Füllelementbereich 1 b, i. formed in the transition region between the area with lower purity requirements and the clean room R multi-tiered. In particular, a first grading 3.2 is provided, on which the upper, second free end of the second sealing element 8 is arranged. Radially inwardly offset thereupon a further, second graduation 3.3 is provided, on which the upper free end of the first sealing element 7 is provided. At the plane lying between the first and second stages 3.2, 3.3, to which the filler element axis FA is perpendicular, a passage for the control means 6, 6 'is provided. That the control means 6, 6 'extend in a region enclosed by the first and second sealing elements 7, 8. This ensures that the projecting into the clean room R partial lengths of the control means 6, 6 'by the first and second sealing element 7, 8 are housed in such a way that there is no connection to the clean room R.

Further preferably, the control means 6, 6 'in the first Füllelementbereich 1a in the Füllelementgehäuse 3, that is guided in it, parallel to the Füllelementachse FA extending bores. Preferably, the length of the sliding guide in Füllelementgehäuse 3 is more than half of the partial length of the control means 6, 6 'extending outside of the clean room R. This ensures that the control means 6, 6 'can be dimensioned with a reduced cross-section, since only small bending forces occur due to the long sliding guide.

In the upper region of the annular gap 9 formed between the first sealing element 7 and the outer surface of the housing section 3.1 opens a channel 11, which serves, for example, in a CIP cleaning of the filling machine and the filling elements 1, a liquid cleaning and / or sterilization medium in the Annular gap 9 to initiate, which then flows through this annular gap 9 for the cleaning and / or sterilization of the inner surfaces of the first sealing element 7 over the entire axial length. The channel 11 may also serve, for example, for rinsing and / or biasing a container already in sealing position at the filling position.

For filling the respective container 2 arranged with its container opening below the filling element 1, first the sealing tulip 5 is lowered onto the container 2 along the filling element axis FA ( FIG. 2 ), so that the ring seal 5.1 bears sealed against the opening edge 2.1. As a result, the container in question 2 is then centered and in sealing position on the relevant filling element. 1

Before the actual filling, the respective container 2 located in sealing position on the filling element 1 is prestressed, for example via the gas channel 15.1, with a pressurized inert gas, for example pressurized CO2 gas. After pretensioning, the actual filling phase is initiated by opening the liquid valve 14, whereby the inert gas displaced from the container 2 by the filling material is removed via the gas channel 15.1.

FIG. 3 shows a section along a horizontal sectional plane of the filling element according to Fig. 1 , This shows the concentric structure of the filling valve 1 in the region of the housing section 3.1. The gas pipe 15 located in the center, which comprises the concentric gas channel 15.1, is circumferentially surrounded by a tubular housing section 3.1 spaced, so that between the gas pipe 15 and the housing section 3.1 of the annular fluid channel 12 results. The housing section 3.1 in turn is surrounded by the first sealing element 7 spaced apart, wherein the first sealing element 7 is preferably formed annular in cross section. Due to the spacing of the first sealing element 7 from the housing section 3.1, the annular annular gap 9 results.

The outer peripheral side around the first sealing element 7 is spaced apart from this, the second sealing element 8 is arranged, which is also preferably formed in cross-section annular and circumferentially the first sealing element 7 completely surrounds. Due to the distance between the first and second sealing element 7, 8, an annular gap 10 is created between these sealing elements, which extends in the axial direction parallel to the Füllelementachse FA and preferably concentrically surrounds this Füllelementachse FA. In this gap 10, the control means 6, 6 'are provided. By connecting the lower free ends of the sealing elements 7, 8 with the Abdichttulpe 5 and the connection of the upper free ends of the sealing elements 7, 8 with the Füllelementgehäuse 3 or arranged on this Füllelementgehäuse 3 elements in the clean room R projecting partial lengths of the control means 6, 6 'completely separated from the clean room R.

In the intermediate space 10, a channel formed in the filling element housing 3 can end, in particular on the upper side, by means of which a pressurized medium, in particular a pressurized gas, can be fed to the intermediate space 10. Furthermore, a pressure sensor may be provided, by means of which the pressure in the intermediate space 10 can be measured. By supplying a pressurized medium into the gap 10, wherein the prevailing pressure in the gap is preferably above the atmospheric pressure, penetration of germs into the gap 10 can be effectively prevented.

Preferably, the pressure in the intermediate space 10 can be selected such that a shape stabilization of the first sealing element 7 takes place. In particular, when filling the container 2 with high filling pressures, a deformation of the first sealing element 7 may occur during the filling process or before the filling process when biasing the container 2, which is undesirable. By applying pressure to the intermediate space 10, a back pressure is created which counteracts the deformation of the first sealing element 7 and effectively prevents or at least minimizes it.

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

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filler

1a

first filling element area

1b

second filling element area

2

Container or can

2.1

opening edge

3

filling element

3.1

housing section

3.2

first grading

3.3

second grading

5

Abdichttulpe

5.1

ring seal

6, 6 '

control means

7

first sealing element

8th

second sealing element

9

annular gap

10

gap

11

channel

12

liquid channel

13

discharge opening

14

liquid valve

14.1

valve body

15

gas pipe

15.1

gas channel

16

actuator

20

footprint

FA

filling element

R

cleanroom

T

separation point

Claims (14)

1. Filling element for filling cans or like containers (2) with a liquid filling product, with a filling element housing (3), which exhibits on a housing section (3.1) at least one discharge opening (13) for the controlled discharge of the filling product into the respective container (2), with a sealing tulip (5), which, by means of at least one control means (6, 6'), can be moved relative to the housing section (3.1) parallel to the filling element axis (FA) between a raised position and a lowered position, in which the sealing tulip (5) is in contact in a sealing position against an opening edge (2.1) of the container (2), wherein the sealing tulip (5) is connected by means of a first sealing element (7) to the filling element housing (3) for sealing the transition between the sealing tulip (5) and the filling element housing (3), characterised in that the first sealing element (7) is provided between the housing section (3.1) and the control means (6, 6'), wherein the filling element (1) comprises a first filling element region (1a), which is provided for an arrangement outside a clean space (R) of a filling machine, and a second filling element region (1 b), comprising the sealing tulip (5) and the filling element region (1 b) exhibiting the discharge opening (13), which is provided for arrangement in a clean space (R) of a filling machine, and that a second sealing element (8) is provided, which is connected at a first free end to the sealing tulip (5), surrounds the first sealing element (7) on the outer circumference side, radially outside the control means (6, 6'), and seals the transition between the sealing tulip (5) and a separation point (T), formed by a separation device, between the first and second filling element region (1a, 1b).
2. Filling element according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealing tulip (5) and the first sealing element (7) surround the housing section (3.1) on its outer surface or casing surface, with the formation of a ring gap (9) between the outer surface of the housing surface (3.1) and an inner surface of the sealing tulip (5), as well as of the first sealing element (7).
3. Filling element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the second sealing element (8) surrounds the first sealing element (7) concentrically or essentially concentrically.
4. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in an intermediate space (10) located between the first and second sealing element (7, 8), at least one part length of the at least one control means (6, 6') is provided.
5. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the intermediate space (10) located between the first and second sealing element (7, 8) can be subjected to an over-pressure or an under-pressure.
6. Filling element according to claim 5, characterised in that a pressure sensor is provided for monitoring the over-pressure in the intermediate space (10) between the first and second sealing element (7, 8).
7. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the at least one control means (6, 6') is conveyed at least in sections in the filling element housing (3).
8. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second sealing element (8) is connected to the filling element housing (3) at the second free end, facing away from the sealing tulip (5).
9. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least two control means (6, 6') are arranged distributed around the filling element axis (FA).
10. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or second sealing element (7, 8) is a folding bellows.
11. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing section (3.1) is configured on its outer surface or casing surface as circular cylindrical or essentially circular cylindrical.
12. Filling element according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterised in that at least one channel (11) for introducing a cleaning medium opens into the ring gap (9).
13. Filling element according to claim 12, characterised in that the channel (11) opens into the ring gap (9) at a channel end located remotely from the sealing tulip (5).
14. Filling machine for filling cans or like containers (2) with a liquid filling product, with a plurality of filling elements provided at a circulating transport element, for example at a rotor circulating about a vertical machine axis, characterised in that the filling elements are configured in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

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