EP3118154B1 - Device and method for introducing a gas in a container to be filled - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product, preferably for introducing an inert gas into a container to be filled with an oxygen-sensitive filling material in a beverage filling plant.

State of the art

Devices for introducing a gas into a container, in particular for use in beverage filling plants, are well known. It is customary, in particular when filling a container with a product with high oxygen sensitivity, to rinse the container to be filled before the actual filling with the filling product with an inert gas, usually CO ₂ , to a gas atmosphere in the container with the lowest possible oxygen concentration achieve. The supply of the inert gas takes place mostly via an inlet of clean gas or with gas from the headspace of the filling material providing boiler. For rinsing the container, a common purge and bias valve for introducing the inert gas into the container and an outlet valve for discharging the purge gas from the container are simultaneously opened. The flushing and biasing valve is dimensioned so that it can also be used for subsequent biasing of the container for the preparation of a counter-pressure filling. During rinsing, therefore, due to the pressure of the gas flowing into the container, a pressure also builds up in the container to be filled, which can have a negative effect on the rinsing result, since the inflow of gas volume is thereby hindered. When flushing, therefore, there is a relatively high consumption of inert gas to obtain an acceptably low oxygen concentration.

The flushing operation may be followed by pre-tensioning of the purged container to allow backpressure filling. Here, the rinsed container on the open Spül- and The biasing valve is pressurized with the gas, wherein the exhaust valve is then in a closed position.

To counteract these disadvantages, it is known to provide a purge valve and a separate biasing valve, which can be switched separately from each other. However, this additional cost piping, valves and control devices are provided.

From the DE 43 42 142 A1 a device for filling bottles or the like container with a liquid product is known which comprises a device for introducing a gas according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein four control valves are provided for controlling the respective functional sequences, whereby a complex piping and control for rinsing and biasing the container is necessary.

The EP 1 216 952 A2 shows a continuous type filling machine for filling bottles, wherein a filling element of the filling machine has at least four gas paths, three control valves and three restrictors to allow different filling methods on the filling machine.

In the US 4,390,048 It is disclosed to pass a purge gas through a pressure regulator to set the desired pressure.

From the EP 0 705 788 A2 is a method for filling bottles or the like container with a liquid material to be removed under counter pressure, wherein at least two rinsing operations are provided with a steam, wherein in each case a prior and subsequent loading of the interior of the container takes place with a negative pressure.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product.

This object is achieved by a device for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product, preferably for introducing an inert gas into a container to be filled with an oxygen-sensitive filling material in a beverage filling plant, with the Characteristics of claim 1 solved. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

Accordingly, an apparatus for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product, preferably for introducing an inert gas into a container to be filled with an oxygen-sensitive medium to be filled in a beverage filling plant, proposed which can be switched via an inlet valve gas inlet for supplying the gas to a comprises in the container to be filled opening gas outlet. According to the gas supply between the inlet valve and the gas outlet is divided into a purge line for purging the container with the gas and a biasing line for biasing the container with the gas, wherein the biasing line comprises a biasing valve for opening and closing the biasing line, and wherein the biasing valve at The presence of a pressure difference between the upstream pressure present in the biasing line upstream of the biasing valve and the downstream pressure present downstream of the biasing valve between an open position and a closed position itself switches.

Thereby, the device can be provided with a simple structure and further with a low consumption of the gas during rinsing. By dividing the gas inlet between the inlet valve and the gas outlet into a flushing line for flushing the container and a biasing line for biasing the container, wherein the biasing line has a self-switching biasing valve for opening and closing the biasing line, the volumetric flow of the gas at the gas outlet can be adjusted according to the distribution be adjusted by bias line and purge line. Thus, the gas consumption during rinsing can be reduced due to the closed by the closed biasing valve bias line, whereby a gentle purging of the container is achieved with a low gas consumption. At the same time, no excessive build-up of pressure in the container takes place during this flushing with a low volume flow. When the preload valve is opened and the preload line is thus switched on, the volumetric flow rate at the gas outlet is correspondingly increased, as a result of which rapid preloading is achieved.

A particularly simple construction of the device is achieved in that the biasing valve due to the pressure ratio of the present in the biasing line upstream of the biasing valve upstream pressure and the downstream of the biasing pressure present downstream pressure between an open position and a closed position itself switches. Thus, no additional control or regulating devices for controlling or regulating the preload valve are necessary, which would otherwise be expensive and expensive to integrate into the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the biasing valve is biased against the flow direction of the gas in the open position. The bias of the biasing valve can be provided in addition to springs, elastomers and / or magnets, by gravity. As a result, the preload valve is usually in the open position. Thus, the position of the biasing valve can be provided in a defined position.

In a further preferred embodiment, the biasing valve is at a positive pressure upstream of the biasing valve in the closed position and the biasing valve below a predetermined pressure difference between upstream pressure and downstream pressure in the open position. This can be achieved that the biasing valve is closed when flushing the container and opens to bias the container.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, an outlet conduit is provided for discharging gases and / or air in the container, wherein an outlet valve is provided on the outlet conduit for opening and closing the outlet conduit, inter alia, to prevent the gas from flowing into the operating area and Furthermore, to ensure a clean rinse the container.

In order to be able to provide a particularly simple construction of the device, in a further preferred embodiment the open state of the outlet circuit is provided by a gap between the gas outlet and the container and the sealed state of the outlet circuit is provided by a connection of the gas outlet to the container.

In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the purge gas line is smaller than the diameter of the biasing line. As a result, a volumetric flow flowing through the purge line is correspondingly smaller than a volumetric flow flowing through the pretensioning line. In this way, a particularly gentle purging of the container with a low consumption of the gas and an effective and rapid biasing of the container can be achieved.

In the case of lines with a non-circular cross-section, the diameter is understood to be a conversion value which corresponds to the diameter of a circular cross-section having the same cross-sectional area as the non-circular cross-section of the line.

A particularly simple construction of the preload valve and furthermore a reliable independent switching of the preload valve can be provided in that in a further preferred embodiment, the preload valve has a valve body which opens or closes the preload valve, preferably a ball.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a positioning member holds the valve body away from a sealing position in the open position of the biasing valve. Thereby, the valve body can be securely positioned and thus a defined switching position of the biasing valve can be provided. The positioning element provides the bias of the biasing valve.

In a further preferred refinement, the positioning element is provided as an elastic spring element, preferably as a tension spring, or as a magnetic element having magnetizable or magnetic material, the valve body having magnetic or magnetizable material as magnet element at least in the embodiment of the positioning element. Thereby, the biasing valve can be made particularly simple and robust, at the same time a secure positioning of the valve body can be achieved.

In a preferred development, a gas supply device is arranged on the gas inlet, wherein the gas can be fed to the gas inlet via the gas supply device from one or several sources. Characterized in that the gas inlet a gas supply device is arranged, wherein the gas is supplied to the gas inlet via the gas supply from one or different sources, the gas can be adjusted or adjusted in terms of its composition, its concentration and the pressure at the gas inlet.

As the gas here gases, in particular inert gases such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, but also multi-component gases or gas mixtures understood.

The object to be achieved is also achieved by a method having the features of claim 12. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

Accordingly, a method is proposed for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product, preferably for introducing an inert gas into a container to be filled with an oxygen-sensitive filling material in a beverage filling installation. According to the invention, the method comprises the step of connecting the container to a gas outlet, the step of opening a gas inlet for supplying the gas to the gas outlet, the gas inlet being divided into a flushing line for flushing the container and a biasing line for biasing the container A step of closing a biasing valve disposed on the biasing line, wherein the biasing valve itself switches to a closed position in the presence of a pressure difference between the upstream pressure present in the biasing line upstream of the biasing valve and the downstream pressure present downstream of the biasing valve, the step of purging the container with a gas, wherein the gas is passed via the purge line into the container, the step of opening the biasing line occluding the biasing valve, wherein the biasing valve below a predetermined, due to the Druckansti For example, in the container, decreasing pressure difference between the upstream pressure upstream of the biasing valve and the downstream pressure downstream of the biasing valve itself switches to an open position, and the step of biasing the container with the gas, wherein the gas passes through the purge line and the opened biasing line into the container is directed.

In this way, a particularly efficient rinsing and / or biasing of the container can be provided. In particular, the rinsing can be very smooth, with a low gas consumption, and the bias can still be done very quickly. Furthermore, a device performing the method may have a simple structure, since no peripheral control and / or regulating devices are needed for controlling the biasing valve.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, an outlet circuit is switched between an open state between the gas outlet and the container and a closed state between the gas outlet and the container, wherein the outlet circuit is kept in the open state during rinsing of the container and for biasing the container in the closed state is switched. This can be changed particularly efficiently between a gentle rinsing of the container and a rapid biasing of the container.

In a further preferred embodiment, when the container is purged, gas and / or gas in the container are discharged through an outlet line of the outlet circuit, an outlet valve of the outlet circuit for switching the outlet between the open state and the closed state Condition is used. This can be avoided that the gas is discharged into the operating area and also a clean rinse the container can be achieved.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

schematisch eine Schnittansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Einleiten eines Gases in einen mit einem Füllprodukt zu befüllenden Behälter in einer Position während des Spülens des Behälters;

Figur 2

schematisch eine Schnittansicht der Vorrichtung aus Figur 1 in einer Position während des Vorspannens des Behälters;

Figur 3

schematisch eine Schnittansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Einleiten eines Gases in einen mit einem Füllprodukt zu befüllenden Behälter in einer zweiten Ausführungsform in einer Position während des Spülens des Behälters;

Figur 4

schematisch eine Schnittansicht der Vorrichtung aus Figur 3 in einer Position während des Vorspannens des Behälters;

Figur 5

schematisch eine Schnittansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Einleiten eines Gases in einen mit einem Füllprodukt zu befüllenden Behälter in einer dritten Ausführungsform in einer Position während des Spülens des Behälters; und

Figur 6

schematisch eine Schnittansicht der Vorrichtung aus Figur 5 in einer Position während des Vorspannens des Behälters.

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

FIG. 1

schematically a sectional view of an apparatus for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product in a position during the rinsing of the container;

FIG. 2

schematically a sectional view of the device FIG. 1 in a position during the pretensioning of the container;

FIG. 3

schematically a sectional view of an apparatus for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product in a second embodiment in a position during the rinsing of the container;

FIG. 4

schematically a sectional view of the device FIG. 3 in a position during the pretensioning of the container;

FIG. 5

schematically a sectional view of an apparatus for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product in a third embodiment in a position during the rinsing of the container; and

FIG. 6

schematically a sectional view of the device FIG. 5 in a position during the pretensioning of the container.

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 are denoted by identical reference numerals. To avoid redundancy, the repeated description of these elements will be omitted in the following description.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a sectional view of a device 1 for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product 8 in a position during the purging of the container 8. A gas supply, not shown here, a gas is supplied to a gas inlet 2. The gas inlet 2 can be opened and closed by means of an inlet valve 20. Since the inlet valve 20 is in an open position, the gas passes in the flow direction S through the gas inlet 2. In the flow direction S downstream of the inlet valve 20, the gas inlet 2 divides into a purge line 4 and a biasing line 5, both of which open into a gas outlet 3. The gas outlet 3 is connected to the container 8 in such a way that between the gas outlet 3 and the container 8, a substantially tight connection is formed, in other words that between the gas outlet 3 and the container 8 has a barrier effect against leakage of the gas such is provided that upon introduction of the gas in the container 8, the gas pressure in the container 8 can be increased.

Through the purge line 4, the gas enters the container 8, flushes through this and exits through an opening provided in the gas outlet 3 outlet 7 with an outlet 72 through an open outlet valve 70 of the outlet 72 again from the container 8. Since the diameter 40 of the purge line 4 and thus the flow cross-section compared to the gas inlet 2 is relatively small, only a correspondingly small amount of gas from the purge line 4 enters the container 8, whereby a gentle purging of the container 8 with a low volume flow and thus is provided with a low consumption of the gas.

The outlet circuit 7 may also be provided through a gap between the container 8 and the gas outlet 3. The switching of the outlet circuit 7 in the sealed state can be achieved by pressing the container 8 to the gas outlet 3.

Furthermore, the biasing line 5 has a biasing valve 6, which is in a closed position. In this case, a valve body 60 in the form of a ball closes the outlet 64 of the biasing valve 6 sealingly, so that no gas through the biasing line 5 in the container. 8 can get. The biasing valve 6 is thereby self-switching due to the pressure difference between the upstream pressure p1 present in the biasing line 5 upstream of the biasing valve 6 and the downstream pressure p2 downstream of the biasing valve 6 between an open position and a closed position, the valve body 60 basically being positioned by means of the positioning element 62 in the form of an elastic spring against the flow direction S is biased in the open position. Since the pressure in the container 8 remains almost unchanged during the flushing of the container 8 with the outlet valve 70 open, the upstream pressure p1 present upstream of the closed biasing valve 6 is greater than the downstream pressure p2 present downstream of the closed biasing valve 6. Due to the resulting overpressure p1> p2 upstream of the biasing valve 6, the valve body 60 is pressed against the bias of the positioning member 62 to the outlet 64 of the biasing valve 6, whereby the biasing valve 6 is in the closed position.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a sectional view of the device 1 from FIG. 1 in a position during the preloading of the container 8. The inlet valve 20 is further in the open position. Since the outlet valve 70 is closed, gas flowing into the container 8 through the flushing line 4 can no longer flow out of the container 8 through the outlet line 72. As a result, the pressure in the reservoir 8 has increased, as a result of which the pressure in the biasing line 5 downstream of the biasing valve 6 has also increased. Due to the resulting lower pressure difference p1-p2, which has fallen below a predetermined pressure difference below which the biasing valve 6 switches from the closed position to the open position, the valve body 60 is moved away from a sealing position of the biasing valve 6 by means of the positioning element 62 and held away so that the biasing valve 6 is in the open position.

The gas is thus passed through the purge line 4 and the opened biasing line 5 in the container 8. By this connection of the newly opened preload line 5, the resulting flow cross section through which the gas flows into the container 8 and thus the volume flow of the gas increases. Since the diameter 50 of the biasing line 5 is greater than the diameter 40 of the purge line 4, corresponding to the ratio of the diameter 50, 40 correspondingly again larger volume flow of the gas, as when flushing the container 8 with closed biasing valve 6, in the container. 8 introduced, whereby a particularly fast biasing of the container 8 is achieved.

In FIG. 3 1 schematically shows a sectional view of a device 1 for introducing a gas into a container 8 to be filled with a filling product in a second embodiment in a position shown during the rinsing of the container 8, which device 1 is made FIG. 1 corresponds, wherein the positioning member 62 is formed in the form of a permanent magnet. The magnetizable material having valve body 60 is attracted by the permanent magnet and thus biased in the open position of the biasing valve 6.

Alternatively, the valve body 60 may comprise magnetic material, in which case the positioning element 62 may also comprise magnetizable material. Furthermore, the positioning element 62 may also be provided as an electromagnet or in the form of a coil.

Analogous to the device 1 from FIG. 1 the gas in the device 1 is off FIG. 3 in the flow direction S through the gas inlet 2 with open inlet valve 20 via the purge line 4 into the container 8 and discharged out therefrom through the outlet line 72 and the open outlet valve 70, so that an effective rinsing of the container 8 is provided.

The biasing valve 6 is due to the in FIG. 1 described pressure difference p1-p2 between upstream pressure p1 and downstream pressure p2 in the closed position, wherein the valve body 60 is pressed against the biasing force acting on this by the positioning member 62 in the outlet 64 of the biasing valve 6 and sealingly closes this.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a sectional view of the device 1 from FIG. 3 in a position during the preloading of the container 8. Analogous to the description of FIG. 2 is the valve body 60 due to the reduced pressure difference p1-p2, but here held by the magnetic attraction between the positioning member 62 and the valve body 60, away from a sealing position of the biasing valve 6.

Out FIG. 5 schematically is a sectional view of a device 1 for introducing a gas into a container to be filled with a filling product 8 in a third embodiment in a position during purging of the container 8 to remove. The device 1 here corresponds to that of the FIGS. 1 and 3 wherein the biasing valve 6 is arranged such that the bias voltage is provided by means of the gravitational pull E and the weight force of the valve body 60 is. The outlet 64 of the biasing valve 6 is disposed at the upper end of the biasing valve 6, in other words at the Erdanziehung E opposite end of the biasing valve 6. Analogous to the devices 1 of the FIGS. 1 and 3 is in the device 1 in FIG. 5 the upstream pressure p1 due to the opened exhaust valve 70 is greater than the downstream pressure p2, so that the valve body 60 is sealingly pressed into the outlet 64 of the biasing valve 6 against its weight.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a sectional view of the device 1 from FIG. 5 in a position during the biasing of the container 8. Due to the closed outlet valve 70 there is a pressure distribution analogous to that of Figures 2 and 4 , The valve body 60 is moved away due to its weight from the sealing position in the direction of Erdanziehung E.

The valve body 60 is pushed by the gas flowing in the flow direction S away from an inlet 66 of the biasing valve, so that the gas is passed through the purge line 4 and the opened biasing line 5 into the container 8. Thus, a fast biasing of the container 8 is provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

gas supply

20

inlet valve

3

gas outlet

4

flushing line

40

Diameter of the flushing line

5

bias line

50

Diameter of the prestressing line

6

Pre-load valve

60

valve body

62

positioning

64

Outlet of the preload valve

66

Inlet of the biasing valve

7

Auslassschaltung

70

outlet valve

72

outlet pipe

8th

container

e

gravity

S

flow direction

p1

upstream pressure

p2

downstream pressure

Claims (14)

1. Device (1) for introducing a gas into a container (8) to be filled with a filler product, preferably for introducing an inert gas into a container (8) to be filled with an oxygen-sensitive filler product in a bottling machine, comprising a gas inlet (2) switchable via a feed valve (20) for supplying the gas to a gas outlet (3) opening into a container (8) to be filled,
   characterised in that
   the gas inlet (2) between the feed valve (20) and the gas outlet (3) is divided into a rinsing line (4) for rinsing the container (8) with the gas and a preloading line (5) for preloading the container (8) with the gas, wherein the preloading line (5) comprises a back-pressure valve (6) for opening and closing the preloading line (5), and wherein the back-pressure valve (6) due to a pressure difference between the upstream pressure (p1) in the preloading line (5) upstream of the back-pressure valve (6) and the downstream pressure (p2) downstream of the back-pressure valve (6) switches itself between an open position and a closed position.
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the back-pressure valve (6) is preloaded against the flow direction (S) of the gas in the opened position.
3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that in the case of overpressure (p1>p2) upstream of the back-pressure valve (6) the back-pressure valve (6) is in the closed position and below a predefined pressure difference (p1-p2) between the upstream pressure (p1) and downstream pressure (p2) the back-pressure valve is in the open position.
4. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an outlet circuit (7) is provided for switching between a sealed state between the gas outlet (3) and the container (8) and an open state between the gas outlet (3) and the container (8).
5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the outlet circuit (7) comprises an outlet line (72) for letting out gases and/or air in the container (8), wherein an outlet valve (70) is provided on the outlet line (72) for opening and closing the outlet line (72).
6. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the open state of the outlet circuit (7) is provided by a gap between the gas outlet (3) and the container (8) and the sealed state of the outlet circuit (7) is provided by connecting the gas outlet (3) to the container (8).
7. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the diameter (40) of the rinsing gas line (4) is smaller than the diameter (50) of the preloading line (5).
8. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the back-pressure valve (6) comprises a valve body (60), preferably a ball, which opens or closes the back-pressure valve (6).
9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that a positioning element (62) holds the valve body (60) in the open position of the back-pressure valve (6) away from a sealed position.
10. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the positioning element (62) is provided as an elastic spring element, preferably a tension spring, or as a magnet element comprising magnetisable or magnetic material, wherein the valve body (60) comprises magnetic or magnetisable material as the magnet element, at least in the embodiment of the positioning element (62).
11. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at the gas inlet (2) a gas supply device is arranged, wherein the gas can be supplied to the gas inlet (2) via the gas supply device from one source or various sources.
12. Method for introducing a gas into a container (8) to be filled with a filler product, preferably for introducing an inert gas into a container (8) to be filled with an oxygen-sensitive filler product in a bottling plant, comprising the steps:

    - connecting the container (8) to a gas outlet (3);

    - opening a gas inlet (2) for supplying the gas to the gas outlet (3), wherein the gas inlet (2) is divided into a rinsing line (4) for rinsing the container (8) and a preloading line (5) for preloading the container (8);

    - closing a back-pressure valve (6) arranged on the preloading line (5), wherein the back-pressure valve (6) due to a pressure difference (p1-p2) between the upstream pressure (p1) in the preloading line (5) upstream of the preloading value (6) and the downstream pressure (p2) downstream of the preloading valve (6) switches itself into a closed position;

    - rinsing the container (8) with a gas, wherein the gas is directed via the rinsing line (4) into the container (8);

    - opening the back-pressure valve (6) closing the preloading line (5), wherein the back-pressure valve (6) below a prespecified pressure difference (p1-p2), which is decreasing due to the increase in pressure in the container (8), between the upstream pressure (p1) upstream of the back-pressure valve (6) and the downstream pressure (p2) downstream of the back-pressure valve (6) switches itself into an open position;

    - preloading the container (8) with the gas, wherein the gas is directed through the rinsing line (4) and the opened preloading line (5) into the container (8).
13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that an outlet circuit (7) is switched between an open state between the gas outlet (3) and the container (8) and a closed state between the gas outlet (3) and the container (8), wherein the outlet circuit (7) when rinsing the container (8) is held in the open state and is switched into the closed state for preloading the container (8).
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that when rinsing the container (8) gas directed into the container (8) and/or gases located in the container (8) and/or air are removed through an outlet line (72) of the outlet circuit (7), wherein an outlet valve (70) of the outlet circuit (7) is used for switching the outlet circuit (7) between the open state and the closed state.

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