EP3345862B1 - Filling assembly and method for filling cylindrical containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a filling arrangement and a method for filling cylindrical containers, in particular cans, with fluid.

Filling devices and methods for filling containers are known in various embodiments. In the case of oxygen-sensitive liquids, it must be prevented that the liquid comes into contact with the oxygen in the ambient air and undesirable gas binding, gas exchange or gas entry occur, which can result in a change in the quality of the liquid due to oxidation reactions or increased bacterial contamination. Containers that are to be filled with such a liquid are therefore, for example, evacuated before the actual filling process and / or the interior of the container is flushed with an inert gas, etc., for which purpose controllable supply and discharge gas paths are usually formed in the respective filling devices.

In order to displace the atmospheric oxygen from the container for the filling process, a flushing process with an inert gas usually takes place beforehand; in the case of filling with carbonated beverages such as beer, carbon dioxide is usually used as the flushing gas. For this purpose, the filling devices can have, for example, movable pipes and valves, so that the purge pipe can be inserted into the container before a purge gas supply is opened.

Another approach to avoid contact with atmospheric oxygen is the use of filling devices which have a balloon-like, expandable body which is inserted into the container enveloping a tube before the filling process. An expansion medium is introduced into the balloon-like body through this tube, so that it expands until it completely fills the interior of the container and thereby displaces the ambient air from the container. The liquid then fed into the container causes the expansion medium to be pushed back out of the balloon-like body via the tube. A corresponding method and a device are in the DE 10 2011 100 560 B3 described.

In order to always fill the container with the same amount of fill, the state of the art for filling the container with a desired fill volume determines the fill amount via the fill height, which is set by the position of the opening of a return air pipe or a return air bore of the filling device or by means of a sensor (fill level probe ) and actuator (valve) and suitable control logic - usually electronically or electro-pneumatically. The control logic by means of flow rate meters (usually magnetically inductive or by means of the Coriolis force) offers another possibility to fill the same filling quantity into the containers. With this control logic, the container volume is not important, since the amount of liquid is measured directly. The disadvantage of these measuring devices is their price / performance ratio and that expensive control electronics (PLC) must be very precise and therefore expensive actuators must be used.

A method and a device for measuring-less filling of a container with a constant filling level even with different container shapes are eliminated DE 10 2014 014 317 A1 known. The method provides that a valve cap, which has a gas valve and a liquid valve with valve seats in a housing, is placed tightly on a container, and that a displacement element, which is axially displaceable from the housing, in which it unites with the surrounding valve seats Forms annular gap, is inserted into the container. By opening the liquid valve, filling fluid flows into the container until the annular gap is also flooded before the liquid valve is closed. The displacement element is pulled out of the container, the liquid volumes running from the annular gap into the container. These volumes are exactly as large as the volume of the section of the displacement element in the flooded section, so that the same containers are filled with the same level.

To fill foaming liquids such as beer or soft drinks, the container must also be covered with increased pressure to prevent or minimize foaming during the filling process. In the case of so-called pressure filling, the container to be filled lies in a sealed manner on the filling device, so that prior to the actual filling phase, a gas path formed in the filling device is usually pretensioned with a pressurized gas (inert gas or carbon dioxide gas). This is displaced as return gas from the interior of the container by the liquid flowing into the container during the filling process, which can also be done via a controlled gas path formed in the filling device.

DE 10 2013 113 070 B3 relates to a filling device that enables high-purity filling through optimized separation of a clean room from an area with lower cleanliness requirements and is intended in particular for pressure filling cans due to the improved sealing. This is achieved by a sealing bell, which, as usual, includes the container opening and the discharge opening of the filling device in a filling arrangement, but now has two sealing elements, one of which seals the transition between the sealing bell and the housing of the filling device and the second, the the free end, which faces the container in the filling arrangement, surrounds the first sealing means radially outside of a control means on the outer circumference and thus seals the transition between the sealing tulip and the separation point between the clean room area and the other area.

The reduction of ambient air oxygen inside the container required for filling containers such as cans, the provision of the clamping pressure required for pressure filling and the monitoring and compliance with the correct filling quantity lead to a complex construction of the filling device and to a fault-prone filling process

The US 3,830,265 discloses a method and a filling arrangement for pressurizing a cylindrical container with a filling product, the container being vented, sealed from the atmosphere, pre-stressed and filled. A filling element comprising filling product is introduced into the container, and the filling product is transferred into the filling element via a filling valve. In order to escape the return gas, the filling arrangement further comprises a return gas pipe and valve arrangement.

Starting from this prior art, it is the object of this invention to enable the filling of (essentially) cylindrical containers such as cans with a device of simpler construction and with reduced oxygen uptake, even without a rinsing step, without the need for complex measurement and control technology.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device with a simpler apparatus which enables cylindrical containers or at least essentially cylindrical containers such as cans with reduced oxygen absorption to be filled even without a rinsing step and without complex measurement and control technology.

This object is achieved by the filling arrangement with the features of independent claim 1.

The further task, a reliable and simplified procedure for filling (in To provide essentially) cylindrical containers such as cans, in which the consumption of flushing and clamping gases is reduced, is solved by a method with the features of the independent claim 7.

Further developments of the device and the method are set out in the subclaims.

The filling arrangement according to the invention includes u. a. a filling valve, which has a piston which is guided in a controlled manner in a filling tube, for filling a cylindrical container whose concentric container opening has a diameter which is 70 to 99.5% of the inside diameter of the container, as is the case, for example, with 80 to 90% for the most common standard sizes of Beverage cans is the case. According to the invention, the filling valve now has an outer diameter which is adapted to the diameter of the container opening, so that a filling tip of the filling valve - the filling tip is understood to mean the entire section of the filling valve that can be accommodated in the container - coaxially frictionless through the container opening in the container can be received when a relative movement between the filling valve and the container is carried out to each other. This can be the insertion of the filling valve into the container, but the container can also be moved axially in the direction of the filling valve by means of a correspondingly movable container receptacle in order to accommodate the filling valve in the container, so that in both cases the inserted portion of the filling valve - even without expandable balloon elements - occupies a volume in the container that, depending on the filler valve diameter, accounts for up to 99% of the container volume. As a result, up to 99% of the ambient air (and thus oxygen) in the container can be displaced from the container, so that flushing gas can be dispensed with or the use can at least be minimized. Or the ambient air in the container is compressed when the container opening is sealed when the filling valve is inserted, so that the pressure in the container increases and tension gas can be dispensed with; in any case, the amount of clamping gas can be significantly reduced, since the pressure is generated by the mechanical displacement by means of the filling valve.

A filling arrangement according to the invention accordingly consists of a filling device and a cylindrical container, the concentric container opening of which has a diameter which is 70 to 99.5% of the inside diameter of the container. In such Containers are mostly cans that are made from a metal such as aluminum or tinplate very precisely in terms of their volume. Cylindrical containers are also to be understood here to mean the shapes typical of cans, in which the upper end tapers slightly conically towards the filling opening. In addition, cylindrical containers should not only include the typical circular cross-section, but also different shapes, such as elliptical or polygonal cross-sectional shapes. It is essential that the filling opening is concentric with the cross-sectional shape of the container and has a congruent shape, the dimensions of which make up approximately 70 to 99.5% of the cross-sectional dimensions of the container.

A filling device with a filling valve is used to fill such predetermined containers - because they are known in terms of shape and volume - with a filling valve which, as usual, has a piston controllably guided in a filling tube. According to the invention, the filling valve is designed such that the outside diameter of the filling valve is adapted to the diameter of the container opening, i. H. turns out slightly smaller, so that the coaxial insertion of the filling valve into the container through the container opening can take place with almost no play, for example with a maximum radial play of 1 mm, but the filling valve can nevertheless be inserted and executed without contact and friction.

The filling valve will usually also have a circular cross-section corresponding to the usual circular cross-sectional shapes of the containers such as cans. If the shape of the container to be filled and the container opening deviate from the circular shape, the outer contour of the filling valve is adapted to it, so that here too the insertion of the filling valve into the container at the container opening is almost free of play.

The filling device of a filling arrangement according to the invention is designed such that the filling valve and the container can be moved relative to one another, the filling valve or a container receptacle being movable accordingly. The arrangement ensures that the filling tip of the filling valve is inserted coaxially, ie centered, into the container through the container opening. With the geometrical conditions of the container diameter, the opening diameter and the filler valve diameter it is achieved that the inserted filler tip of the filler valve allows a volume to be taken up in the container that is in the range of 49 to 99% of the container volume and provides for a corresponding displacement or compression can. The ones to introduce The predetermined filling tip of the filling valve therefore has a volume which occupies a volume in the container in the range from 49 to 99% of the container volume.

In a preferred embodiment, the filling arrangement can have a filling valve which has a separating tube at the filling tip around the filling tube and which can be moved in a controlled manner independently of the filling tube and the piston. The outer diameter of the filling valve, which is adapted to the container diameter, is determined here by the separating tube. With the separately movable separating tube, a particularly advantageous filling method according to the invention can be carried out, which is described below.

Alternatively, the filling pipe can be designed as a combined separating filling pipe, the outer diameter of which is adapted to the diameter of the container opening. However, the combined separating filling tube is thin-walled and has an enlarged inner diameter compared to a conventionally dimensioned filling valve. Consequently, the controlled piston is designed as a correspondingly widened piston, the diameter of which is adapted to the inner diameter of the separating filling tube. In this embodiment, which can also be used to carry out a method according to the invention, it is important that the piston has at least a second open position in addition to a first open position in which the piston is arranged proximal to a sealing seat of the separating filling tube which the piston is arranged distal to the sealing seat of the separating filling tube.

The filling arrangement according to the invention has a sealing element, which at the container opening around the filling valve, i. that is, depending on the embodiment, is arranged around the filling pipe, the separating pipe or around the combined separating filling pipe.

If necessary, the filling arrangement can additionally have a volume compensator salt which is arranged between the sealing element and the container opening around the filling valve (filling pipe, separating pipe or combined separating-filling pipe). In order to prevent an unwanted increase in pressure in the container during filling, the seal or the volume compensator salt can have a valve, preferably a check or overflow valve.

Furthermore, depending on which filling valve is used, the filling valve can have radial flow channels on an end face of the filling tube, the separating tube or the combined separating-filling tube which faces a container bottom, in order to allow fluid to escape from an open filling valve which contacts the container bottom. Completely accommodating the filling valve to ground contact is advantageous for maximum displacement / compression. For contacting, the end face of the filling valve can also be shaped according to the contour of the container bottom. When contacting the bottom of the container, however, care must be taken to control the relative movement precisely in order to prevent the container from being deformed and thus damaged. Since the exact container geometry determines the filling volume, it is particularly important that no deformations occur on the container that lead to a change in the container volume. It may therefore be preferred that the filling valve has a circumferential or a plurality of spacers arranged in a distributed manner on an end face of the filling pipe, the separating pipe or the combined separating-filling pipe facing a container bottom, which are designed to be elastic / resilient and can thus contact the container bottom without risk deforming it.

A circumferential, single-acting ring seal with valve function, such as a sealing lip, can be used with particular preference, which not only acts as a resilient spacer, but also opens in one direction in order to allow fluid to flow from the filling valve into the container, but vice versa seals, and so on a backflow - or. if the tank pressure is higher than the filling pressure, gas from the tank is prevented from entering the area under the filling valve opening.

According to one embodiment, in order to completely displace the air present in the container, it can be provided that the filling valve has an elastically expandable along at least a section along the insertable filling tip or around a section of the filling pipe or the separating pipe (or the combined filling-separating pipe) Body.

To underneath the coaxial centered intake of the filling valve through the container opening. support, the filling valve may also have a centering section tapering towards the end face at the filling tip.

1. a) Zunächst wird eine Relativbewegung zwischen dem geschlossenen Füllventil und dem Behälter zueinander durchgeführt, sodass das Füllventil durch die Behälteröffnung in den Behälter eingeführt wird (oder der Behälter mit seiner Öffnung über das Füllventil gestreift wird), bis die Füllspitze des Füllventils in dem Behälter aufgenommen ist. Vorzugsweise wird die Füllspitze möglichst tief aufgenommen, gegebenenfalls bis eine Stirnfläche des Füllventils den Boden des Behälters kontaktiert, um eine größtmögliche Verdichtung der im Behälter vorhandenen Luft (oder eines anderen Gases) zu erreichen-Zur Kontaktierung kann die Stirnfläche des Füllventils wie oben beschrieben entsprechend geformt sein oder Abstandshalter etc. aufweisen.
2. b) Zum einströmen Lassen des Fluids in den Behälter, bzw. in das ringförmige Spaltvolumen, wird das Füllventil durch Überführung des Kolbens in eine geöffnete Stellung geöffnet und eine Aufwärtsbewegung des Füllrohrs mit dem Kolben in geöffneter Stellung durchgeführt. Gegebenenfalls kann bei einem den Boden kontaktierenden Füllventil hierbei vorgesehen sein, dass in der Stirnfläche des Füllventils, genauer gesagt des Füllrohres, Kanäle eingebracht sind, die das Einströmen des Fluids nach Öffnen des Ventils auch schon dann gestatten, wenn die Stirnfläche des Füllventils noch den Boden des Behälters kontaktiert, bevor das geöffnete Füllventil aufwärts bewegt wird. Das eingeströmte Fluid hat nur im Spaltvolumen Kontakt mit dem in dem Behälter vorhandenen Gas. Da durch die geometrischen Bedingungen der Füllanordnung diese Kontaktfläche sehr klein ist, ist selbst bei Vorhandensein von Luftsauerstoff die Aufnahme in das Fluid äußerst gering. Zudem handelt es sich um einen unterschichtigen Befüllvorgang von unten nach oben, der sich durch minimale Verwirbelungen und Turbulenzen auszeichnet, wodurch eine weitere Verringerung der möglichen Sauerstoffaufnahme erreicht wird.
3. c) Dabei wird eine relative Aufwärtsbewegung des Füllventils innerhalb des Behälters (je nach Ausführung erfolgt dies durch Bewegung des Füllventils oder des Behälters) bis zur Behälteröffnung während des Befüllvorgangs nach einem vorbestimmten Steuerungsparameter abgestimmt, der das vorbestimmte Füllvolumen in dem Behälter berücksichtigt, sodass das Füllvolumen erreicht ist, wenn das Füllventil im Bereich der Behälteröffnung ankommt.
4. d) Das Füllventil wird geschlossen, wenn das vorbestimmte Füllvolumen in dem Behälter erreicht ist.
5. e) Das geschlossene Füllventil wird zurückgezogen, um das Verfahren an einem nächsten Behälter ausführen zu können.

A first embodiment of a method according to the invention for filling a cylindrical container, the concentric container opening of which has a diameter which is approximately 70 to 99.5%, preferably 80 to 90%, of the inner diameter of the container includes the following steps:

1. a) First, a relative movement between the closed filling valve and the container is carried out so that the filling valve is inserted through the container opening into the container (or the container is slid with its opening over the filling valve) until the filling tip of the filling valve is received in the container is. The filling tip is preferably received as deeply as possible, if necessary until an end face of the filling valve contacts the bottom of the container in order to achieve the greatest possible compression of the air (or another gas) present in the container. For contacting, the end face of the filling valve can be shaped accordingly as described above be or have spacers etc.
2. b) To allow the fluid to flow into the container or into the annular gap volume, the filling valve is opened by moving the piston into an open position and an upward movement of the filling tube with the piston in the open position is carried out. If necessary, in the case of a filling valve contacting the bottom, it can be provided that channels are introduced in the end face of the filling valve, more precisely the filling tube, which allow the inflow of the fluid after opening the valve even if the end face of the filling valve is still on the bottom of the container contacted before the opened filling valve is moved upwards. The inflowing fluid is only in contact with the gas in the container in the gap volume. Since this contact area is very small due to the geometric conditions of the filling arrangement, the absorption into the fluid is extremely low even in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. In addition, it is a bottom-up filling process that is characterized by minimal turbulence and turbulence, which further reduces the possible oxygen uptake.
3. c) A relative upward movement of the filling valve within the container (depending on the design, this is done by moving the filling valve or the container) until the container is opened during the filling process according to a predetermined control parameter that takes into account the predetermined filling volume in the container, so that the filling volume is reached when the filling valve arrives in the area of the container opening.
4. d) The filling valve is closed when the predetermined filling volume in the container is reached.
5. e) The closed filling valve is withdrawn in order to be able to carry out the process on a next container.

Basically, filling processes can be differentiated in whether in step a) the gas is displaced from the container if the container opening is not sealed around the filling valve, in contrast to the present invention, or is compressed in the container according to the present invention if the container opening around the filling valve is sealed.

As an alternative to the direct or indirect contact of the bottom via the filler valve via the spacer or the preferably used ring seal, when the filler valve is completely accommodated in the container, it can be provided that the filler valve is received up to a predetermined distance from the bottom of the container, which ensures that the bottom of the container is not deformed by contact with the filling valve.

The described advantages of the method according to the invention, which are based on an adaptation of the filling valve diameter to the filling opening diameter of a container with a small difference between the container diameter and the opening diameter, are further improved by a further embodiment in which the filling valve around the filling pipe additionally has a separating pipe which is independent of the filling tube and the piston can be moved in a controlled manner. The outer diameter of the filling valve is determined by the separating tube that surrounds the filling tube and is matched accordingly to the diameter of the container opening. This also enables the use of conventional filling valves by retrofitting a separator tube that can be moved separately. by adjusting the diameter of the filling valve to the container opening through the separating tube. If necessary, this can also be used to adapt a filling valve to different container openings by using correspondingly different separating pipes.

• b0) Zur Öffnung des Ventils wird der Kolben in die geöffnete Stellung überführt, so dass das Fluid in das radiale Spaltvolumen zwischen der Behälterwand und dem Trennrohr einströmen kann. Fluid strömt solange in das radiale Spaltvolumen ein, bis ein Druckausgleich zwischen einem voreingestellten Fülldruck und einem vorbestimmbaren Behälterdruck vorliegt, wodurch eine Füllhöhe in dem radialen Spaltvolumen bestimmt wird.
• b1) Es wird eine relative Aufwärtsbewegung des Füllrohrs mit dem Kolben in geöffneter Stellung innerhalb des Trennrohres durchgeführt, das dabei in seiner vollständig eingeführten Position belassen wird, in der es den axialen Spalt zum Boden aufweist. Mit der Aufwärtsbewegung des Füllrohrs mit dem Kolben in geöffneter Stellung wird das Trennrohr mit Fluid gefüllt.
• b2) In einer vorbestimmten Höhe, die zwischen Behälterboden und Behälteröffnung liegt, wird die Aufwärtsbewegung des Füllrohrs beendet und der Kolben in Schließstellung überführt.
• c) Auch hierbei wird die Aufwärtsbewegung des Füllventils, bzw. des Füllrohrs mit Kolben, innerhalb des Behälters bis zur Behälteröffnung nach einem vorbestimmten Steuerungsparameter abgestimmt, der das vorbestimmte Füllvolumen in dem Behälter berücksichtigt.
• d1) Wenn das radiale Spaltvolumen vollständig gefüllt ist und in Schritt b2) die vorbestimmte Höhe in einem Bereich der Behälteröffnung liegt und der Behälter vollständig gefüllt ist, erfolgt das Zurückziehen des Trennrohres, und daraufhin in Schritt e) das Zurückziehen des geschlossenen Füllventils mit Trennrohr, um einen nächsten Behälter zur Befüllung zuführen zu können.

In the embodiment of the method that can be carried out with this filling valve, it is provided that in the filling valve accommodated with the entire filling tip in the container in step a), an axial gap of, for example, 3 to 5 mm remains between the lower end of the separating tube and the container base in order to Opening the filling valve to allow the fluid to flow into the annular gap volume between the container wall and the separating tube. In a preferred embodiment, the unidirectional ring seal can be arranged in the axial gap. Step b) is now divided into several sub-steps:

• b0) To open the valve, the piston is moved into the open position so that the fluid can flow into the radial gap volume between the container wall and the separating tube. Fluid flows into the radial gap volume until there is pressure compensation between a preset filling pressure and a predeterminable container pressure, whereby a filling level in the radial gap volume is determined.
• b1) There is a relative upward movement of the filling tube with the piston in the open position within the separating tube, which is left in its fully inserted position in which it has the axial gap to the floor. With the upward movement of the filling tube with the piston in the open position, the separating tube is filled with fluid.
• b2) At a predetermined height, which lies between the container bottom and the container opening, the upward movement of the filling tube is ended and the piston is brought into the closed position.
• c) Here, too, the upward movement of the filling valve, or the filling tube with piston, within the container up to the opening of the container is adjusted according to a predetermined control parameter which takes into account the predetermined filling volume in the container.
• d1) If the radial gap volume is completely filled and in step b2) the predetermined height is in a region of the container opening and the container is completely filled, the separating tube is withdrawn and then in step e) the closed filling valve with separating tube is withdrawn, in order to be able to feed a next container for filling.

• a1) nach Schritt b2) und vor d1) Durchführen einer relativen Abwärtsbewegung des Füllrohrs mit dem Kolben in Schließstellung, wobei das in dem Trennrohr bis zur vorbestimmten Höhe vorliegende Fluidvolumen durch den axialen Spalt in das radiale Spaltvolumen gedrückt wird und dort die Füllhöhe ansteigt.
  Gegebenenfalls können die Schritte b0) bis a1) wiederholt werden, bis in Schritt a1) das Spaltvolumen vollständig bis zur maximalen Füllhöhe gefüllt ist.
• c1) Dann wird mit dem Füllrohr mit dem Kolben in geöffneter Stellung eine relative Aufwärtsbewegung innerhalb des Trennrohres bis zu der vorbestimmten Höhe durchgeführt, die dann in einem Bereich der Behälteröffnung liegt, wobei erneut das Trennrohr mit Fluid gefüllt wird. Allerdings kann das Trennrohr auch konzertiert mit dem Füllventil relativ aufwärtsbewegt werden, sobald das radiale Spaltvolumen vollständig gefüllt ist. Die Öffnung des Trennrohrs sollte dabei aber immer unterhalb des Flüssigkeitsspiegels bleiben.
• d1) nach Schließen des Füllventils im Bereich der Behälteröffnung entsprechend Schritt b2) folgt das Zurückziehen des Trennrohrs, wobei das im Trennrohr vorliegende Fluid im Behälter verbleibt.

In the event that in step b0) the fill height achievable in the radial gap volume is less than a maximum fill height (complete filling of the gap volume) specified by the container in the radial gap volume, the method also comprises the steps:

• a1) after step b2) and before d1) performing a relative downward movement of the filling tube with the piston in the closed position, the fluid volume present in the separating tube up to the predetermined height being pressed through the axial gap into the radial gap volume and the filling level increasing there.
  If necessary, steps b0) to a1) can be repeated until in step a1) the gap volume is completely filled up to the maximum filling level.
• c1) Then, with the filling pipe with the piston in the open position, a relative upward movement is carried out within the separating pipe up to the predetermined height, which is then in a region of the container opening, the separating pipe again being filled with fluid. However, the separating tube can also be moved in a concerted manner with the filling valve as soon as the radial gap volume is completely filled. The opening of the separation tube should always remain below the liquid level.
• d1) after the filling valve has been closed in the region of the container opening in accordance with step b2), the separating tube is pulled back, the fluid present in the separating tube remaining in the container.

Preferably, in a process step before the actual filling process for complete filling of the radial gap volume in a single step a1), a first height in a first step b) depending on the filling height achievable in step b0) can also be done with the preset filling pressure and the predeterminable container pressure is previously known in the radial gap volume and thus predetermined, so that the volume, which is limited in the separating tube by the filling tube in the first predetermined height, corresponds to a volume difference of the gap volume between the maximum filling height and the achievable filling height.

In addition to the minimized contact area and the associated reduced oxygen uptake and the mechanical displacement of the gas present in the container when the filling valve is introduced, the separating tube above all improves the lower-layer filling process, so that quasi-laminar flow conditions can be achieved. Since the fluid level in the gap volume rises extremely smoothly without turbulence, the oxygen uptake at the contact surface is further reduced.

According to one embodiment of the method, the predetermined control parameter in step c) can be a preset filling time, which results from a predetermined filling volume in the container and a set filling volume flow of the filling device. In the case of cans, the predetermined filling volume corresponds to a nominal volume since, unlike bottles, cans are manufactured very precisely. Thus, the filling valve is closed in step d) after the predetermined filling time. In order to control the filling process, the filling time can thus be predetermined before the filling process and can be entered into the control device of the filling device in one process step. Likewise, the predetermined height at which the upward movement of the filling valve or the filling tube is ended and the piston is brought into the closed position is used to control the filling process and is accordingly entered into the control device.

The method according to the invention, which uses the filling arrangements according to the invention, is carried out virtually without measuring means - none of the measuring devices or measuring means required in the prior art are required. The setting and monitoring of the desired filling volume by means of a control instrument such as a magnetic-inductive flow meter or by means of a filling level determination can be dispensed with.

• a0) zu einem Zeitpunkt vor oder während Schritt a), also ebenfalls vor dem eigentlichen Befüllvorgang ein Abdichten der Behälteröffnung um das Füllventil zur Einrichtung der Füllvorrichtung für das vorgesehene Befüllverfahren erfolgt, etwa, indem ein ringförmiges Dichtelement, beispielsweise eine Abdichttulpe aufgesetzt wird, die den Übergang zwischen Füllventil und Behälter an der Behälteröffnung abdichtet. Dabei bestimmt der Zeitpunkt des Abdichtens vor oder während des Einführens des Füllventils den Druck, der nach vollständigem Einführen des Füllventils in dem abgedichteten Behälter vorliegt. Der gewünschte Druck kann basierend auf den geometrischen Größen des Füllventils und des Behälters eingestellt werden, wozu näherungsweise das Boyle-Mariotte-Gesetz, dass der Druck idealer Gase bei gleichbleibender Temperatur und gleichbleibender Stoffmenge umgekehrt proportional zum Volumen ist, verwendet werden kann: p*V = const. Aus den gegebenen geometrischen Größen wie dem Volumen des leeren Behälters und dem Differenzvolumen, das durch das Volumen des bis zu einer jeweiligen Höhe eingedrungenen Abschnitts des Füllventils bestimmt wird, kann für einen vorgegebenen Druck die entsprechende Höhe der Eindringtiefe des Füllventils bestimmt werden.

The method for pressure filling according to the invention can also be used to fill foaming or carbonated fluids such as beer or soft drinks. It is intended that

• a0) at a time before or during step a), i.e. also before the actual filling process, the container opening is sealed around the filling valve to set up the filling device for the intended filling method, for example by placing an annular sealing element, for example a sealing tulip, on the Seals the transition between the filling valve and the container at the container opening. The time of sealing before or during the insertion of the filling valve determines the pressure that is present in the sealed container after the filling valve has been completely inserted. The desired pressure can be set based on the geometric sizes of the filling valve and the container, including the Boyle-Mariotte law, that the pressure of ideal gases at a constant temperature and a constant amount of substance is inversely proportional to the volume, can be used: p * V = const. From the Given geometric sizes such as the volume of the empty container and the differential volume, which is determined by the volume of the portion of the filling valve which has penetrated to a respective height, the corresponding height of the penetration depth of the filling valve can be determined for a predetermined pressure.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that to set up the filling device, when sealing the container opening around the filling valve, a volume compensator attachment is inserted between the container opening and the sealing element in a sealing manner. The volume compensator attachment is designed such that a volume of an annular gap which is formed in the volume expansion attachment between its wall and the filling valve corresponds to a displaced volume which is caused by a part of the filling valve which is still inside when the filling valve is closed in step d) of the container. In this case, the volume present in the container corresponds to the difference between the predetermined filling volume and the displaced volume. So that after the retraction of the closed filling valve in step e), the predetermined filling volume is present in the container, the fluid volume that flows into the annular gap of the volume compensator attachment when the container is filled in accordance with steps b) and c), which corresponds to the displaced volume, when the container is retracted closed filling valve in step e) run into the container.

Another embodiment provides that the sealing element, or, if used, the volume compensator attachment has a non-return or overflow valve. This prevents the pressure in the container from exceeding a maximum pressure predetermined for the filling process. A low overpressure during pressure filling, which is kept constant, in combination with the reduced contact area and the low-turbulence filling leads to a further reduced oxygen input. In particular, in the variant of the filling method which uses the filling device with a separating tube around the filling tube, the pressure can also be during the "pumping step" when the fluid volume present in the separating tube below the closed filling tube is pressed into the annular gap by the relative downward movement of the closed filling tube , are kept constant. Furthermore, when the gas still present in the gap volume is displaced by the non-return or overflow valve, this repressing or pumping ensures that the oxygen uptake remains minimal or is further reduced is, with this pressing a very fast quasi "laminar" under-layer filling process is achieved.

In an alternative embodiment of the method, a filling valve with a combined separating filling tube is used which, with the same outside diameter, which is designed to match the diameter of the container opening, has a larger inside diameter than the above filling tubes and is therefore thin-walled. The associated controlled guided piston has a diameter which is adapted to the enlarged inner diameter of the separating filling tube, i.e. H. is also enlarged. In addition, the piston guide in the separating filling tube is designed such that, in addition to the open position in which the piston is arranged proximal to a sealing seat of the separating filling tube to allow the fluid to flow in, the piston has at least a second open position in which the piston is arranged distal to the sealing seat of the separating filling tube, so that a displacement volume can be provided within the separating filling tube, which volume supplements the fluid volume flowing into the gap volume to the predetermined filling volume.

• b0) Nach dem vollständigen Einführen des Füllventils in Schritt a) wird der Kolben in die erste geöffnete Stellung des Füllventils zum einströmen Lassen des Fluids in das radiale Spaltvolumen zwischen der Behälterwand und dem Trenn-Füllrohr überführt, und
• b1.1) eine Aufwärtsbewegung des Trenn-Füllrohrs mit dem Kolben in geöffneter Stellung durchgeführt, wobei das Fluid weiter in das radiale Spaltvolumen einströmt, bis in dem radialen Spaltvolumen eine von dem voreingestellten Fülldruck und einem vorbestimmbaren Behälterdruck abhängige Füllhöhe erreicht ist, die vor dem Befüllvorgang vorbestimmt wird.
• b2) In einer zweiten vorbestimmten Höhe wird die Aufwärtsbewegung des Trenn-Füllrohrs beendet und der Kolben wird in Schließstellung überführt. Die zweite vorbestimmte Höhe wird auch hier vor dem eigentlichen Befüllvorgang in Abhängigkeit der in b1.1) erreichbaren Füllhöhe in dem radialen Spaltvolumens festgelegt, sodass ein Volumen, das unter dem Trenn-Füllrohr in der zweiten vorbestimmten Höhe begrenzt wird, einer Volumendifferenz des Spaltvolumens zwischen der maximale Füllhöhe und der in b1.1) erreichbaren Füllhöhe entspricht.
• a1): Erneut wird das Trenn-Füllrohr mit dem Kolben in Schließstellung vollständig eingeführt, wobei durch dieses Nachdrücken bzw. Pumpen das im Spaltvolumen vorliegende Gas komprimiert und durch das Überdruckventil verdrängt wird, so dass auch hier die Sauerstoffaufnahme minimal bleibt bzw. weiter reduziert wird.

In this method too, in step c) the predetermined control parameter is a filling time which is coordinated with the movements of the filling valve. This embodiment has the following steps:

• b0) After the complete insertion of the filling valve in step a), the piston is transferred into the first open position of the filling valve to allow the fluid to flow into the radial gap volume between the container wall and the separating filling tube, and
• b1.1) an upward movement of the separating filling tube with the piston in the open position is carried out, the fluid continuing to flow into the radial gap volume until a filling level dependent on the preset filling pressure and a predeterminable container pressure is reached in the radial gap volume, which before Filling process is predetermined.
• b2) At a second predetermined height, the upward movement of the separating filling tube is ended and the piston is brought into the closed position. The second predetermined height is also determined here before the actual filling process as a function of the filling height achievable in b1.1) in the radial gap volume, so that a volume that is limited under the separating filling tube in the second predetermined height corresponds to a volume difference of the gap volume corresponds to the maximum level and the level that can be achieved in b1.1).
• a1): Again, the separating filling tube with the piston is fully inserted in the closed position, whereby the gas present in the gap volume is compressed and displaced by the pressure relief valve by this pressing or pumping, so that here too the oxygen uptake remains minimal or is further reduced .

After step b0) has been carried out again in step c1), the separating filling tube is transferred to a position in which an axial gap of 3 to 5 mm remains between the lower end of the separating filling tube and the container bottom. The separating filling pipe remains in this position while the piston is transferred to the second open position of the filling valve, which is in the region of the container opening, and the separating filling pipe is filled with the intended displacement volume of fluid. When the separating filling tube is withdrawn (step d1)), the piston moves into the closed position and the fluid passes from the displacement volume of the separating filling tube into the container, so that the container is completely filled, and in step e) the closed filling valve is withdrawn to fill a next container.

• a1) Nachdem in Schritt a) das geschlossene Füllventil durch die Behälteröffnung in den Behälter vollständig eingeführt wurde, wird der elastisch expandierbare Körper expandieren gelassen. Dies kann aktiv durch Einleitung eines Gases in den elastisch expandierbaren Körper erfolgen; in Fällen, in denen der Behälter ausreichend außendruckfest und auch aus druckfesterem Material als der elastisch expandierbare Körper ist, kann nach dem vollständigen Einführen des Füllventils, wobei Luft verdrängt wurde, nach Abdichten des Behälters durch Zurückziehen des Füllventils, bzw. des Füllrohres mit dem Kolben in Schließstellung in dem Trennrohr, ein Unterdruck im Behälter geschaffen werden, der zur Expansion des elastisch expandierbaren Körpers führt. Die Expansion wird fortgesetzt, bis der elastisch expandierbare Körper
• a2) an den Innenflächen des Behälters und, falls eingesetzt, an der Innenfläche des Volumenkompensatoraufsatzes anliegt, wobei die gesamte Luft aus dem Behälter durch das Ventil gedrückt wird.
• b1) Es folgt das Überführen des Kolbens in die geöffnete Stellung des Füllventils zum einströmen Lassen des Fluids, wobei der elastisch expandierbare Körper a) komprimiert wird, bis er b) wieder an dem Füllventil anliegt und das radiale Spaltvolumen zwischen der Behälterwand und dem Füllventil und, falls eingesetzt, der Ringspalt zwischen dem Volumenkompensatoraufsatzes und dem Füllventil gefüllt ist.
• b2) Anschließend wird eine Aufwärtsbewegung des Füllrohrs mit dem Kolben in geöffneter Stellung bis zu einer vorbestimmten Höhe in einem Bereich der Behälteröffnung durchgeführt.

Although the above measures can significantly and in many cases sufficiently reduce oxygen uptake from the air, a further reduction in oxygen contact may be necessary for particularly oxygen-sensitive fluids. In order to be able to dispense with a rinsing step here, too, it is provided in a further embodiment of the method that the filling valve has an elastically expandable body on at least one or around a section which is completely inserted into the container in step a). For example, a balloon body the filling pipe, separating pipe or filling separating pipe can be arranged radially surrounding in the corresponding area. The process comprises the following steps:

• a1) After the closed filling valve has been completely inserted into the container through the container opening in step a), the elastically expandable body is allowed to expand. This can be done actively by introducing a gas into the elastically expandable body; In cases in which the container is sufficiently pressure-resistant and also made of more pressure-resistant material than the elastically expandable body, after the filling valve has been completely inserted, air being displaced, the container can be sealed by pulling back the filling valve or the filling tube with the piston in the closed position in the separating tube, a negative pressure is created in the container, which leads to the expansion of the elastically expandable body. The expansion continues until the elastically expandable body
• a2) on the inner surfaces of the container and, if used, on the inner surface of the volume compensator attachment, all the air being pushed out of the container through the valve.
• b1) This is followed by moving the piston into the open position of the filling valve to allow the fluid to flow in, the elastically expandable body a) being compressed until it b) rests against the filling valve and the radial gap volume between the container wall and the filling valve and , if used, the annular gap between the volume compensator attachment and the filling valve is filled.
• b2) An upward movement of the filling tube with the piston in the open position is then carried out up to a predetermined height in a region of the container opening.

In the case of a fill valve in which the elastically expandable body is located on or around the separator tube, during step b2) the separator tube is left in the fully inserted position during the upward movement of the filler tube with the piston in the open position, the separator tube with fluid is filled. In the next step
d1) the filling valve is closed or the piston is moved into the closed position when the predetermined height in the area of the container opening is reached in step b2), so that the sum of the volumes within the separating tube and the gap between the container and separating tube and, if applicable, the volume compensator attachment result in predetermined filling volumes, so that by pulling back (d2) the separating tube, the fluid volume from the separating tube passes into the container and, if used, the volume from the volume compensator attachment runs into the container when the seal is opened, so that the container is completely filled, if the closed filling valve is withdrawn in step e).

Fig. 1

Seitenschnittansichten einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Füllanordnung mit einem Füllventil aus Füllrohr und Kolben,

Fig. 2

Seitenschnittansichten einer alternativen nicht erfindungsgemäßen Füllanordnung mit einer Füllvorrichtung, die zusätzlich ein Trennrohr aufweist,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenschnittansicht einer Ausführungsform der Füllanordnung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung,

Fig. 4

eine Seitenschnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Füllanordnung gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 5

Seitenschnittansichten der Füllanordnung aus Fig. 3 entsprechend den Schritten b2), a1) und b1) als eine Fortsetzung der Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens gemäß Fig. 2,

Fig. 6.1 und 6.2

Seitenschnittansichten einer weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Füllanordnung mit einem Füllventil aus dem dünnwandigen kombinierten Trenti-Füllrohr und einem breiteren Kolben mit größerem Hubweg und zwei geöffneten Stellungen gemäß den Schritten a) bis d1) einer alternativen Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,

Fig. 7.1 und 7.2

Seitenschnittansichten einer weiteren erfindungsgemäßen Füllanordnung entsprechend Fig. 4, zusätzlich mit einem das Trennrohr umgebenden elastisch expandierbaren Körper gemäß den Schritten a) bis d1) einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,

Fig. 8

schematische Seitenschnittansichten einer Füllanordnung entsprechend Fig. 1 gemäß den Schritten 0) bis e) mit Verlauf der Füllhöhe,

Fig. 9

schematische Seitenschnittansichten einer Füllanordnung entsprechend Fig. 2 und 5 gemäß den Schritten 0) bis e) mit Verlauf der Füllhöhe,

Fig. 10

eine Seitenschnittansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Füllanordnung gemäß der Erfindung mit einem Ventil in dem Dichtelement und einer einseitig wirkenden Ringdichtung an der Stirnseite des Füllventils, um beim Drucklüllen Rückfließen aus dem Ringspalt zu vermeiden,

Other embodiments, as well as some of the advantages associated with these and other embodiments, will become clearer and better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures. Objects or parts thereof which are essentially the same or similar can be provided with the same reference symbols. The figures are merely a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention. Show:

Fig. 1

Side sectional views of a filling arrangement not according to the invention with a filling valve consisting of filling tube and piston,

Fig. 2

Side sectional views of an alternative filling arrangement not according to the invention with a filling device which additionally has a separating tube,

Fig. 3

2 shows a sectional side view of an embodiment of the filling arrangement according to the present invention,

Fig. 4

2 shows a sectional side view of a further embodiment of the filling arrangement according to the invention,

Fig. 5

Side sectional views of the filling assembly Fig. 3 corresponding to steps b2), a1) and b1) as a continuation of the embodiment of the method according to the invention Fig. 2 .

Fig. 6.1 and 6.2

Side sectional views of a further filling arrangement according to the invention with a filling valve made of the thin-walled combined Trenti filling tube and a wider piston with a longer stroke and two open positions according to steps a) to d1) of an alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention,

Fig. 7.1 and 7.2

Side sectional views corresponding to a further filling arrangement according to the invention Fig. 4 , additionally with an elastically expandable body surrounding the separating tube in accordance with steps a) to d1) of a further alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention,

Fig. 8

schematic side sectional views of a filling arrangement accordingly Fig. 1 according to steps 0) to e) with the course of the fill level,

Fig. 9

schematic side sectional views of a filling arrangement accordingly Fig. 2 and 5 according to steps 0) to e) with the course of the fill level,

Fig. 10

2 shows a side sectional view of a further embodiment of the filling arrangement according to the invention with a valve in the sealing element and a one-sided ring seal on the end face of the filling valve in order to prevent backflow from the annular gap during pressure spouts,

The invention relates to the filling of cylindrical containers - such as cans - by means of a special filling arrangement. This takes advantage of the fact that cans, which alongside bottles and boxes are the most important packaging for beverages, especially for carbonated beverages such as beer or soft drinks, have an extremely precisely manufactured cylindrical shape with a coaxial filling opening that is only slightly smaller than the container diameter. The most common can volumes in Europe are 0.33 l and 0.5 l, but there are also cans with a volume of 0.15 l, 0.2 l and 0.25 l and 1 l and 5 l. According to the invention, however, containers can also be filled with other volumes as long as the container volume is known.

In the figures, sequences of the filling arrangement are shown in different process steps; Reference symbols are therefore not assigned in every illustration of the filling arrangement. The assignment to the unscaled components and objects is, however, readily given due to the equivalence of the representations. The embodiments of Fig. 1 . 2 . 8th and 9 do not correspond to the present invention in that they do not include a sealing element.

Fig. 1 shows a simple example of a method and a suitable filling arrangement, which consists of the filling valve 1 and the container 2. This is a can, the essentially cylindrical shape of which is somewhat tapered at the upper end towards the coaxial filling opening 21. The taper primarily serves to accommodate the lid, not shown here, which is put on after the filling process has been completed and is connected to the edge of the can by (multiple) flanging. The method utilizes this difference between the container (inner) diameter D and the diameter d _{Dl Do} of the container opening 21, which is 70 to 99.5%, typically between 80 to 90% of the container inner diameter d _Dl.

The movable filling valve 1, which consists of a filling tube 11 and a controllably guided piston 10, has an outer diameter d _Fa which is adapted to the diameter d _{D0 of} the container opening 21 such that the filling valve 1 does Can be inserted into the container 2 through the container opening 21 in a contact-free and friction-free manner but also as free of play as possible. The procedure, which is also simplified schematically in Fig. 8 provides that the container 2 (in step 0) is arranged in relation to the filling valve 1 in such a way that a coaxial central insertion of the filling valve 1 through the container opening 21 into the container 2 is made possible - this can be done by axially moving the Filling valve or the container, for example via a correspondingly movable container holder (not shown). Before the introduction, the container volume V _{D is} filled with ambient air (but possibly also another gas) at an outlet pressure p ₀ (e.g. ambient pressure).

In step a0) in Fig. 8 is indicated by the block arrow that the filling valve 1 is inserted into the container 2, whereby the pressure p in the container increases when the container opening 21 is sealed. But even without sealing there can be a (temporary) pressure increase if the air can only escape slowly through the filling opening 21 around the filling valve 1.

Step a) shows in Fig. 1 and Fig. 8 the filling valve 1 completely inserted into the container 2. The filling tip of the filling valve 1 with the volume V _{F that} has penetrated into the container 2 leads either to an increase in pressure in the remaining gap volume ΔV. if the container opening 21 is sealed, or to displace a large part of the gas volume from the container, so that the amount of gas or air and thus oxygen present in the gap volume ΔV (difference between container volume V _D and introduced filling valve volume V _F ) is significantly reduced.

As further in Fig. 1 can be seen, the container 2 has a shaped bottom 22. So that the filling valve 1 can be completely retracted without deforming the bottom 22, the filling tube 11 at the front end, which has the sealing seat 13 for the piston 10, corresponds to the shape of the bottom 22 shaped.

In method step b), the valve 1 is brought into an open position by moving the piston 10, so that fluid flows into the container 2, while at the same time the opened filling valve 1 is moved upwards. In Flg. 8, step b) is shown in two representations, one of which is shown by the block arrow, the opening of the filling valve 1, which is barely lifted from the bottom of the container - or channels in the end face has - so that fluid can penetrate into the gap volume AV. In the second representation of step b), the block arrow indicates the upward movement of the opened filling valve 1, the speed of the upward movement being coordinated with the inflow speed of the fluid, so that the end face of the valve 1 with the valve opening is always below the fluid level in the gap volume AV.

It is clear that the contact surface of the fluid in the gap volume ΔV is only a circular ring with the ring width s (difference between half the inner diameter of the container d _Di and half the outer diameter of the filling valve d _Fa ). Due to this under-layer filling, in which the fluid level in the gap volume ΔV lies above the end face of the filling valve 1, the fluid comes into contact with the gas present in the container 2 only at the annular contact surface. The circular ring of the ring width s represents an extremely small contact area, as a result of which the absorption of gas (in particular atmospheric oxygen) into the fluid is very small. The lower-layer filling process is continued by the upward movement of the filling tube 11 with the piston 10 in the open position, with hardly any turbulence and thus the gas input via the contact surface is further reduced. The reduced contact area with the reduced air volume and the lower layer filling process leads to a significantly reduced oxygen absorption in the fluid,

Step c) shown in Fig. 1 shows the opened filling valve 1 at a height of the container opening 21, up to which the upward movement of the filling valve 1 within the container 2 is coordinated with respect to the filling process or the filling quantity or the filling speed. For this purpose, a predetermined control parameter is used, which takes into account the predetermined filling volume in the container 2. Since cans are manufactured very precisely with regard to their volume, the predetermined filling volume corresponds to the nominal volume. In the in Fig. 1 and 8th In the method shown, the control parameter in step c) can be a preset filling time, which results from a predetermined filling volume in the container 2 and a set filling volume flow of the filling device. Advantageously, no complex sensor technology is required.

After the predetermined filling time, during which the upward movement of the opened filling valve 1 with the lower-layer inflow process takes place, the filling valve 1 is closed in a step d), as indicated by the block arrow in the corresponding illustration in FIG Fig. 8 is indicated, the predetermined filling volume in the container 2 is reached. Finally, in step e) the closed filling valve 1 is withdrawn so that a next container 2 can be subjected to the filling process.

Figures 2 to 5 and Flg. 9, 10 show method steps with a preferred filling arrangement in which the filling valve 1 additionally has a separating tube 12 which is arranged directly and coaxially around the filling tube 11 and can be moved independently of it in a controlled manner. Fig. 2 shows the filling arrangement without sealing and Fig. 5 with seal according to the invention. The method steps shown in each case can be used for both variants. Designated process steps that the in connection with the in Flg. 1 and 9 correspond to described methods, may not be described again. The method which is carried out with the filling device with separating tube 12 is also characterized by the reduced contact area, a reduced air volume and the lower layer filling process, which lead to a significantly reduced oxygen uptake in the fluid.

Thus, in step a), the filling valve 1 is completely inserted through the container opening 21 into the container 2. However, an axial gap A remains between the lower end of the separating tube 12 and the container base 22 in order to allow fluid to flow into the gap volume ΔV, which is formed between the container wall 20 and the separating tube 12, if, as in FIG Fig. 9 in step b0) is represented by the block arrow in the piston, the piston 10 has been transferred into an open position of the filling valve 1.

The filling process that uses a filling valve 1 with a separating tube 12 can, as with Fig. 2 shown, without sealing the container opening 21, so that gas or air can escape. However, this filling method is not part of the present invention.

In particular, however, in the variant with the separating tube 12, a pressure filling process can be carried out according to the invention, in which the container opening 21 is sealed around the filling valve 1, as in FIG Fig. 3.4 . 5 and 10 is shown.

In step b0), the piston 10 is transferred to an open position of the filling valve 1 and the fluid flows through the axial gap A into the radial gap volume ΔV between the container wall 20 and the separating tube 12. The fluid flows into the radial gap volume ΔV until there is pressure equalization between the filling pressure preset in the filling device and the container pressure p, as a result of which the filling height h in the radial gap volume ΔV is determined. The tank pressure p can be predetermined and depends on whether the tank opening is sealed or not and whether there is a check or overflow valve.

Thus, the fluid level in the gap volume ΔV in the container 2 does not increase further when the filling valve 1 is open when a pressure equalization between the pressure in the container 2 and the filling pressure has been reached.

In order to fill the gap volume completely up to the filling height h _max , a pumping step is preferably carried out (if necessary, however, several of the pumping steps described below can also be carried out).

During the subsequent upward movement of the filling pipe 11 with the piston 10 in the open position within the separating pipe 12, as indicated in step b1) by the block arrow above the piston, the separating pipe 12 is left in its fully inserted position, so that the separating pipe 12 fills with fluid.

Next is in Fig. 2 and Fig. 9 shown that in step b2) the upward movement of the filling tube 11 with the piston 10 in the open position is ended at a predetermined height H and the piston 10 is transferred to the closed position. This height H is predetermined as a function of the filling height h in the radial gap volume ΔV, which is achieved with the preset filling pressure and the predeterminable container pressure p in step b0): The height H can be calculated from the volume which in the separating tube 12 through the Filling tube 11 is limited in height H and that should correspond to the volume difference of the gap volume ΔV between the maximum filling height h _max and the achievable filling height h.

The volume of fluid that is present in the separating tube 12 up to the predetermined height H after step b2) is determined in step a1) ( Fig. 5 and 9 ) by completely inserting the filling tube 11 with the piston 10 in the closed position from the separating tube 12 through the axial gap A in the radial gap volume AV pressed. The fluid level there increases accordingly - preferably up to the maximum filling level, the remaining gas being completely displaced from the container. If the complete filling of the gap volume AV cannot be achieved with a pumping step, the sequence of steps b0) -b1) -b2) -a1) -b0) ... may have to be repeated until in a step a1) the gap volume AV is completely up to an area of the container opening 21 is filled.

In the in Fig. 9 Outlined step c1), the filling tube 11 is then moved upward with the piston in the open position within the separating tube 12 up to a region of the container opening 21, the entire separating tube volume being filled with fluid. The upward movement (s) of the filling valve 1 within the container 2 to the container opening 21 is also time-controlled here, since all volumes (filling volume, gap volume, differential volume, volume in the separating tube, etc.) can be predetermined or predefined. After c1), in step d1) the piston 10 is brought into the closed position and the separating tube 12 is withdrawn, the fluid column previously present in the separating tube 12 remaining up to the valve remaining in the container 2, which is thus completely filled, so that the filling valve 1 in step e) is withdrawn.

In order to carry out a pressure filling process with the repressurization made possible by the separating tube 12, the container 2 is sealed on the filling valve 1, as in FIG 3 or 4 is shown. Fig. 3 shows a method step a0) during the insertion of the filling valve 1 into the container 2 at a time at which the seal 14 is put on. The point in time at which the seal 14 is fitted or the depth of penetration of the filling valve 1 into the container 2 at this point in time determines the pressure p which is present in the sealed container 2 when the filling valve 1 has been fully inserted in accordance with step a). Depending on the desired pressure p, the seal 14 can also be placed on the container 2 before the filling valve 1 is inserted, a maximum pressure being that of the container volume V _D and the volume V _{F of} the fully inserted section of the filling valve 1 after the complete insertion of the filling valve 1 is achieved by compressing the amount of gas present in the container volume Vo. For pressure filling in order to prevent foaming of fluids containing carbonic acid when filling, a chip pressure of 3 bar can be set in container 2, for example, if a filling pressure of 2 bar is provided.

In such a case it is particularly advantageous if, as in Fig. 10 indicated, a circumferential, single-acting ring seal 18, such as a sealing lip, is used on the end face of the separating tube 12 in the axial gap A, which prevents fluid or gas from flowing back into the separating tube 12 from the gap volume ΔV. Fluid is allowed to exit through the axial gap A, and can in particular take place through one or more of the pumping steps described above.

Fig. 4 shows the additional arrangement of a volume compensator attachment 15 which is used sealingly between the container opening 21 and the sealing element 14 when the container opening 21 is sealed around the filling valve 1. The volume compensator attachment 15 is preferably used in one embodiment of the method, which additionally has an elastically expandable body, and which will later be used in connection with Flg. 7 will be described in detail.

So that a predetermined maximum pressure for the respective filling process in the container 2 is not exceeded, in the sealing element 14 (see Fig. 5 and 6 ) or in the volume compensator attachment 15 (see Fig. 7 ) a pressure relief valve 16 can be arranged which, as shown, can, but does not have to, open into a gas discharge line 16 '.

The pressure relief valve 16 is used for "repressing" in step a1), the fluid volume which is present in the separating tube 12 up to the predetermined height H after step b2) by completely inserting the filling tube 11 with the piston 10 out of the separating tube 12 in the closed position the axial gap A is pressed into the radial gap volume ΔV, prevents the pressure p in the container 2 from exceeding the predetermined maximum pressure. In addition, by keeping the pressure in the container 2 constant, an increased gas input is avoided, as would otherwise take place with increasing pressure,

Fig. 6 shows in eight representations an embodiment of the method that uses an alternative filling valve 1 with a combined separating filling tube 112. The difference to the filling valve 1 from Fig. 1 consists in the fact that the separating filling tube 112, with the same outside diameter d _Fa , which is adapted to the diameter d _{Do of} the container opening 21, has a larger inside diameter d _Fl and consequently has a significantly thinner wall than the filling tube 11 Fig. 1 is. Consequently, the associated controlled-guided piston 100 has a correspondingly larger diameter d _K , which is adapted to the inner diameter d _{Fi of} the separating filling tube 112. Another difference from the filling valve 1

Fig. 1 lies in a significantly increased stroke distance of the piston 100 in the separating filling tube 112: in addition to the (first) open position in which the piston 100 as in FIG Fig. 1 is arranged proximal to a sealing seat 13 of the separating filling tube 112, the thick piston 100 in the separating filling tube 112 can be moved into a second open position, in which the piston 100 is arranged distal to the sealing seat 13 of the separating filling tube 112. In this second open position, the piston 100 limits a displacement volume V _v within the separating filling tube 112, which results in the predetermined filling volume of the container 2 with the gap volume ΔV.

Also in the in Flg. 6 process variant shown, the filling valve 1 is completely inserted into the container 2 in step a) until the end face of the filling valve 1 contacts the container bottom 22. The variant shown shows a pressure filling, the container opening 21 being sealed around the filling valve 1. The pressure is set as described above. The method can also be carried out without sealing.

The pressure filling method that can be carried out with this filling arrangement with the separating filling tube 112 combines the method steps of the methods described above, wherein in step b0) the filling valve 1 is opened by moving the piston 100 into the first open position of the filling valve 1, so that fluid can flow into the radial gap volume ΔV between the container wall 20 and the separating filling pipe 112. Next, in step b1.1), an upward movement of the separating filling tube 112 with the piston 100 in the open position is carried out, an under-layer filling process also being achieved here by the fluid level (not shown) in the gap volume ΔV during the filling process in the upward movement lies above the end face of the filling valve 1. The further advantages of the above examples are also realized with this embodiment.

Thus, in step b2), the upward movement of the separating filling tube 112 with the piston 100 in the first open position is stopped at a predetermined height H and the piston 100 is moved into the closed position. Even without a separate separating tube 12, in step a1), by completely inserting the separating filling tube 112 with the piston 100 in the closed position, a pressing or pumping step can be carried out, with which the level of the fluid level in the gap volume ΔV is raised, the pressure in the container 2 remains constant due to the pressure relief valve 16. Then step b0) takes place again - whether steps b1.1), b2) and a1) are repeated depends on the geometric conditions and the predetermined height H - before in step c1) the separating filling tube 112 is transferred to a position in which, as with the separating tube 12, an axial gap A remains between the lower end of the separating filling tube 112 and the container bottom 22 before the piston 100 is moved into its second open position, whereby the separating filling tube 112 fills with fluid. The position of the piston 100 in the second open position is selected such that the displacement volume Vv within the separating filling tube 112 supplements the gap volume ΔV to the predetermined filling volume, so that in step d1) the separating filling tube 112 is withdrawn until the piston 100 in The closed position comes, so that the fluid passes from the separating filling tube 112 into the container 2 and the latter is completely filled. This is followed by step e), not shown, in which the filling valve 1 is withdrawn. This method also uses the known geometric parameters and can be carried out in a time-controlled manner with a coordinated movement sequence.

Another exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention with a filling arrangement also according to the invention is shown in Fig. 7 shown. Here, a filling valve 1 with a separating tube 12 is used, which is surrounded by an elastically expandable body 17, which extends along the entire section of the separating tube 12 that is inserted into the container 2 (including the volume compensator attachment 15 in this embodiment). Of course, different arrangements are also conceivable here. For example, a plurality of elastically expandable bodies can be circumferentially and / or axially distributed around and arranged on the filling valve 1. An arrangement of an elastically expandable body on one of the filling valves described without a separating tube 1 is also conceivable. And in a variant without a volume compensator attachment 15, the elastically expandable body extends correspondingly only along the entire section of the separating tube 12 inserted into the container 2. The type, number and arrangement of the elastically expandable body or bodies depends on the fact that, after step a ) the closed filling valve 1 has been completely inserted into the sealed container 2, is allowed to expand in step a1), so that it is in step a2) on the inner surfaces of the container 2 and, as in the example shown, on the inner surface of the volume compensator attachment 15 System comes and almost completely presses the ambient air (or another gas) previously present in the container 2 through the pressure relief valve 16 present in the volume compensator attachment 15. The expansion of the elastically expandable body 17 can be brought about by supplying an expansion fluid, which can be a gas, but it is also conceivable that after the filling valve 1 has been completely inserted, as a result of which gas has been displaced from the container, the Filling tube 11 with the piston 10 is moved upwards in the closed position, as a result of which a vacuum is created in the container 2, which leads to the expansion of the elastically expandable body 17. The latter is only possible for containers with sufficient external pressure resistance; Because beverage cans usually have a high internal pressure resistance, the external pressure resistance of unfilled cans is not very high - empty cans can be pressed together relatively easily. Consequently, expansion by supplying an expansion fluid may be preferred.

In the next b-steps, the piston 100 is first transferred into the open position of the filling valve 1, so that fluid flows into the radial gap volume ΔV between the container wall 20 and the filling valve 1, whereby the elastically expandable body 17 is compressed in step b1a) until it rests against the separating tube 12 (step b1b). If the gap volume .DELTA.V and the annular gap between the volume compensator attachment 15 and the filling valve 1 are filled, an upward movement of the filling tube 11 with the piston 10 in the open position up to a predetermined height H in a region of the container opening 21 is carried out in step b2) (not shown) performed, with the separation tube 12 in the fully retracted position, in which the axial gap A remains, so that the separation tube 12 fills with fluid. The filling valve 1 is closed in step d1) when the predetermined height H in the region of the container opening 21 has been reached in step b2). In step d2), the separating tube 12 is pulled back, which advantageously opens the seal 14, which is connected to the separating tube 12. The closed filling valve 1 is then withdrawn from the completely filled container 2 in step e), which is not shown.

The volume compensator attachment 15, which is also in Fig. 4 with the annular gap 15 ′, which is formed between the inner wall of the volume compensator attachment 15 and the separating tube 12, provides a volume which corresponds to a displaced volume, which is caused by the part of the filling valve 1 which occurs when the filling valve 1 is closed in step d1) is present inside the container 2, in the present case the separating tube 12. In this way, the fluid that has flowed in steps b) and c) when the container 2 is filled, first of the gap volume ΔV into the annular gap 15 'of the volume compensator attachment 15, when the seal 14 is opened by moving the separating tube 12 in Follow step d2) into the container 2 so that the predetermined filling volume is present in the container 2.

It is evident that, based on the basic idea of the invention, a large number of different embodiments of the method are conceivable, some of which are exemplified here and which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Any modification that uses the basic ideas of the invention should be included: According to the invention, the filling material is determined by the known geometries (volume) of the container (can) and the filling valve, which at the same time represents a displacement element. Different designs are conceivable for the filling valve. A filling valve according to the invention (with or without a separating tube, expansion body ...) is matched with its outer diameter to the diameter of the container to be filled, which has only a slight difference to the container diameter. Compared to the prior art, expensive measuring devices such as MID sensors can thus be omitted. It is also possible to dispense with the control of the filling by filling level, which is set by the position of the opening of a return air pipe or a return air bore or by means of a sensor, actuator and suitable control logic.

With the geometric conditions of the filling arrangement - the size of the annular surface between the container wall and the filling valve is dependent on the container diameter and the container opening diameter and can therefore also be very small - the contact surface is reduced, which results in a reduced gas absorption in the filled fluid while in the prior art the ambient air present in the container is flushed out by carbon dioxide, which requires a very high consumption of carbon dioxide, the amount of oxygen according to the invention is already significantly reduced by the mechanical displacement of the air from the container due to the geometric conditions, even in embodiments without an expandable body. The lower layer filling process around the separating or filling tube results in less or no swirling of the filled fluid and residual gas in the container, which further minimizes the oxygen uptake. In the variant with the pumping step or "repressing", when the fluid is transferred into the gap volume, further residual gas (and thus oxygen) is removed from the container through the pressure relief valve, so that no oxygen is taken up here either. In addition, this "pressing" can result in a very fast, almost laminar filling process.

Furthermore, the pressure required for pressure filling (counter pressure, saturation pressure, filling pressure), which is generated in the prior art by compressed gas, usually carbon dioxide or nitrogen, can be provided mechanically by sealing the filling opening during the insertion of the filling valve, so that tensioning gas and the like Devices for feeding can be omitted. The desired pressure can be set simply by determining the required insertion depth under given geometric conditions.

In addition, a return air tube-free pressure filling is made possible, whereby the separate control, cleaning and maintenance of the return air tubes or return air lines is no longer required, which is still required in the prior art: the one-chamber principle for filling is usually used there. The container to be filled and a storage container on the filling device (ring bowl) form a chamber during the actual filling process. The liquid flowing into the container to be filled displaces the gas present there into the storage container. There are also multi-chamber solutions that have not yet become established, since the individual chambers can only be properly separated if a loss of product is accepted. A real separation of the chambers can only be done with a balloon element or impermeable membrane.

In total, with the invention, when filling containers such as cans, there is no need for measuring means for monitoring the filling quantity or for flushing or tensioning gas, the filling device used being extremely simple in construction and hardly susceptible to errors. But even if the invention preferably does not require flushing and tensioning gas, the implementation of such steps in the method according to the invention is not excluded.

Known quantities which do not change before, during and after the filling process are used in this invention. It is crucial that these variables cannot be changed or regulated. The ambient pressure, the can volume and the displacement volume of the filling valve remain and cannot be regulated. These quantities are determined (measured or calculated) at any time and used at another time for pressure and (filling) volume determination during the filling process. These variables are also used in such a way that a target pressure and / or a target volume alone occur at a predetermined point in time during the filling process through a relative movement of the individual parts (filling valve, seal, separating pipe ...) along an axis in relation to the container.

REFERENCE SIGN LIST

1

Filling valve

10

piston

11

Filling pipe

12th

Separation tube

13

Sealing seat / contact surface

14

Sealing element

15

Volume compensator attachment

16

Valve

16 '

Gas discharge

17

elastically expandable body

18th

single-acting ring seal, sealing lip

19

Centering section

100

wide piston

112

combined separating filling pipe

2

cylindrical container, can

20th

Container wall

21

Container opening

22

Tank bottom

d _company

Outside diameter filling device

d _fl

Inner diameter of filling pipe

d _K

Piston diameter

d _Tue

Inner container diameter

d _Th

Inner diameter of container opening

A

axial gap

H

predetermined height

h, h _max

Filling height in the gap volume, maximum

s

Gap width in the gap volume

V _D

Container volume

V _V

Displacement

V _F

introduced filling valve volume

AV

radial gap volume

p ₀

Ambient pressure

p

Tank pressure

Claims (16)

1. Filling arrangement of a filling device and a predefined cylindrical container (2) whose concentric container opening (21) comprises a diameter (d_Do) which amounts to 70 to 99.5 % of the container interior diameter (d_Di),
   wherein the filling device comprises a filling valve (1) that comprises a piston (10, 100) controllably guided in a filling tube (11, 112), wherein
   the filling valve (1) comprises an outer diameter (d_Fa) which is embodied to match the diameter (d_Do) of the container opening (21) so that a filling tip of the filling valve (1) is insertable coaxially into the container (2) through the container opening (21),
   wherein the filling tip of the filling valve (1) intended for insertion comprises a volume (V_F) that occupies in the container (2) a volume in the range of 49 to 99 % of the container volume (V_D), and wherein
   the filling arrangement comprises a sealing element (14) that can be arranged about the filling valve (1) at the container opening (21), for sealing the passage between the filling valve (1) and the container (2),
   and wherein the filling device is embodied without return air tube and comprises no measuring means for surveillance of the filling quantity,
   wherein
   the filling arrangement is configured such that the sealing element (14) can be arranged about the filling valve (1) at the container opening (21) before or during insertion of the filling valve (1) into the container (2) for setting a nominal pressure (p) in the sealed container (2) at a predefined point in time depending on the nominal pressure (p), and wherein
   relative movement between the filling valve (1) and the container (2) can be controlled, such that a speed of an upward movement of the filling valve (1) can be matched with a flow speed of fluid into the container (2) for performing a filling process below fluid level from bottom to top by means of a control device, so that an end face of the filling valve (1) with the valve opening is always located below a fluid level in a gap volume (ΔV) which is defined by a difference of the container volume (V_D) and the inserted filling valve volume (V_F).
2. Filling arrangement according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   at the filling tip the filling valve (1) comprises about the filling tube (11) a separation tube (12) that is movable controllably independent of the filling tube (11) and of the piston (10).
3. Filling arrangement according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the filling tube (11) is embodied as a combined separation/filling tube (112) whose outer diameter (d_Fa) is embodied to match the diameter (d_Do) of the container opening (21), wherein the controllably guided piston (100), in addition to a first open position, in which the piston (100) is arranged proximal to a sealing seat (13) of the separation/filling tube (112), has at least one second open position, in which the piston (100) is arranged distal to the sealing seat (13) of the separation/filling tube (112), wherein the piston (100) in the second open position limits a displacement volume (V_v) within the separation/filling tube (112) that together with the gap volume (ΔV) results in the predefined filling volume of the container (2), wherein the combined separation/filling tube (112) comprises an enlarged inner diameter (d_Fi) and with the same outer diameter (d_Fa) is thus thin-walled, and wherein the controllably guided piston (100) is embodied as a widened piston (100) comprising an enlarged diameter (d_K) matched to the inner diameter (d_Fi) of the separation/filling tube (112).
4. Filling arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that
   the filling arrangement comprises a volume compensation attachment (15) that is arranged about the filling valve (1) between the sealing element (14) and the container opening (21),
   wherein preferably the sealing element (14) or the volume compensation attachment (15) comprises a valve, preferably a check valve or an overflow valve.
5. Filling arrangement according to at least any one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that
   the filling valve (1), at an end face facing the container bottom (22), comprises radial flow channels or spacers, preferably elastic or springy spacers and/or a unilaterally acting annular seal (18), wherein the end face is provided at the filling tube (11), the separation tube (12) or the combined separation/filling tube (112).
6. Filling arrangement according to at least any one of claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that
   the filling valve (1) comprises an elastically expandable body (17) along the filling tip at least at one section or about a section of the filling tube (11) or of the separation tube (12)
   and/or
   the filling valve (1), at the filling tip, comprises a centering section (19) tapering toward the end face.
7. Method for filling a cylindrical container (2) with a fluid by using a filling arrangement according to at least any one of claims 1 to 6 comprising the steps

   a) performing a relative movement between the closed filling valve (1) and the container (2), wherein the filling tip of the filling valve (1) is received through the container opening (21) in the container (2), wherein gas contained beforehand in the container (2) is displaced in accordance with a volume (V_F) of the received filling tip of the filling valve (1) out of the container (2) or is compressed in the container (2);
   wherein step
   a0) sealing the container opening (21) about the filling valve (1) with a sealing element (14), wherein the point in time of sealing determines a pressure (p) which exists in the sealed container (2) in a gap volume (ΔV) after complete insertion of the filling valve (1), said gap volume (ΔV) being defined by a difference of the container volume (V_D) and the inserted filling valve volume (V_F),
   is carried out at a point in time prior to or during step a), then

   b) opening the filling valve (1) and allowing flow of the fluid into the container for a filling process below fluid level from bottom to top,

   c) matching a relative upward movement of the filling valve (1) within the container (2) up to the container opening (21) according to a predefined control parameter, which takes into consideration the predefined filling volume in the container (2), wherein the speed of the upward movement is matched with the flow speed of fluid into the container (2), so that the end face of the filling valve (1) with the valve opening is always located below the fluid level in the gap volume (ΔV),

   d) closing the filling valve (1) when the predefined filling volume in the container (2) is reached, and

   e) removing the closed filling valve (1) from the container (2).
8. Method according to claim 7,
   wherein in step a) the filling valve (1) is received up to a predefined distance relative to a bottom (22) of the container (2) or is completely received in the container (2) up to the point of the end face of the filling valve (1) contacting the bottom (22) directly or indirectly via the spacer.
9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the filling valve (1) comprises a separation tube (12) about the filling tube (11),
   wherein in step a) the filling valve (1) that comprises the separation tube (12) is received with the filling tip in the container (2) and an axial gap (A) remains between the lower end of the separation tube (12) and the container bottom (22),
   comprising the steps
   b0) transferring the piston (10) into an open position of the filling valve (1) for allowing flow of the fluid through the axial gap (A) into a radial gap volume (ΔV) between the container wall (20) and the separation tube (12), wherein the fluid flows into the radial gap volume (ΔV) until a pressure compensation between a pre-adjusted filling pressure and a pre-definable container pressure (p) is present, whereby a filling level (h) in the radial gap volume (ΔV) is determined,
   b1) performing a relative upward movement of the filling tube (11), with the piston (10) in open position, within the separation tube (12) that remains in its position relative to the container bottom (22), wherein the separation tube (12) is filled with fluid,
   b2) at a predefined height (H) terminating the relative upward movement of the filling tube (11) and transferring the piston (10) into closed position, d1) retracting the separation tube (12) when in step b2) the predefined height (H) is in a region of the container opening (21) and the container (2) is completely filled.
10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the filling level (h) achievable in the radial gap volume (ΔV) is smaller than a maximum filling level (h_max) predefined by the container (2) in the radial gap volume (ΔV),
    comprising the steps
    a1) performing a relative downward movement of the filling tube (11) with the piston (10) in closed position after step b2) and prior to d1), wherein the fluid volume which is present in the separation tube (12) up to the predefined height (H) is forced through the axial gap (A) into the radial gap volume (ΔV), and optionally repeating the steps b0) to a1) until in step a1) the gap volume (ΔV) is filled completely up to the maximum filling level (h_max),
    c1) upward movement of the filling tube (11), with the piston (10) in open position, within the separation tube (12) up to the predefined height (H) which is located in a region of the container opening (21), wherein the separation tube (12) is filled with fluid,
    d1) retraction of the separation tube (12) after step b2), wherein the fluid present in the separation tube (12) remains in the container (2).
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein, prior to performing the filling process for filling the radial gap volume (ΔV) in a single step a1), the determination of a first predefined height (H₁) in a first step b) is realized as a function of the filling level (h) in the radial gap volume (AV) that is achievable in step b0) with the pre-adjusted filling pressure and the pre-definable container pressure (p), so that a volume, which is limited in the separation tube (12) by the filling tube (11) at the first predefined height (H), corresponds to a volume difference of the gap volume (AV) between the maximum filling level (h_max) and the achievable filling level (h).
12. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 7 to 11,
    wherein
    the predefined control parameter is

    - a pre-adjusted filling time which is derived from a predefined filling volume in the container (2) and an adjusted filling volume flow of the filling device, wherein closing of the filling valve (1) in step d) is realized after the predefined filling time.
13. Method according to one of the claims 7 to 12,
    wherein
    the filling device comprises a volume compensation attachment (15) that, prior to the filling process, is arranged during sealing of the container opening (21) about the filling valve (1) between the container opening (21) and the sealing element (14), wherein a volume of an annular gap (15'), formed between the volume compensator attachment (15) and the filling valve (1), corresponds to a displaced volume that is caused by a portion of the filling valve (1) that, when closing the filling valve (1) in step d), is present within the container (2) so that the fluid, which has flowed into the annular gap (15') upon filling the container (2) in the steps b) and c), flows into the container (2) upon retraction of the closed filling valve (1) in step e) so that the predefined filling volume is present in the container (2),
    and/or wherein
    it is prevented that the pressure (p) in the container (2) surpasses a predefined highest pressure for the filling process by arrangement of a check valve or overflow valve (16) in the sealing element (14) or in the volume compensation attachment (15).
14. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 7 to 13, wherein the filling valve (1) comprises

    - a combined separation/filling tube (112) and a controllably guided piston (100) which, in addition to a first open position, in which the piston (100) is arranged proximal to a sealing seat (13) of the separation/filling tube (112), has at least one second open position, in which the piston (100) is arranged distal to the sealing seat (13) of the separation/filling tube (112), wherein the piston (100) in the second open position limits a displacement volume (V_v) within the separation/filling tube (112) that together with the gap volume (AV) results in the predefined filling volume of the container (2),
    wherein the combined separation/filling tube (112) comprises an enlarged inner diameter (d_Fi) and with the same outer diameter (d_Fa) is thus thin-walled, wherein the controllably guided piston (100) is embodied as a widened piston (100) whose enlarged diameter (d_K) is matched to the inner diameter (d_Fi) of the separation/filling tube (112),
    comprising the steps
    b0) transferring the piston (100) into the first open position of the filling valve (1) for allowing flow of the fluid into a radial gap volume (AV) between the container wall (20) and the separation/filling tube (112), and
    b1.1) performing an upward movement of the separation/filling tube (112) with the piston (100) in open position, wherein the fluid flows farther into the radial gap volume (AV) until in the radial gap volume (AV) a pre-definable filling level is reached that depends on the pre-adjusted filling pressure and a pre-definable container pressure (p),
    b2) at a second predefined height (H₂), termination of the upward movement of the separation/filling tube (112) and transfer of the piston (100) into closed position, wherein the second predefined height (H₂) is determined, prior to the filling process, as a function of the filling level in the radial gap volume (AV) achievable in b1.1), so that a volume that is limited below the separation/filling tube (112) at the second predefined height (H₂) corresponds to a volume difference of the gap volume (AV) between the maximum filling level (h_max) and the filling level (h) achievable in b1.1),
    a1) complete insertion of the separation/filling tube (112) with the piston (100) in closed position,
    and after repeating step b0),
    c1) transfer of the separation/filling tube (112) into a position in which an axial gap (A) between the lower end of the separation/filling tube (112) and the container bottom (22) remains, and transfer of the piston (100) into the second open position of the filling valve (1), such that a displacement volume (Vv) within the separation/filling tube (112) is provided that supplements the fluid volume flowed into the gap volume (AV) to result in the predefined filling volume, wherein the separation/filling tube (112) is filled with fluid,
    d1) when in step c1) the second open position is reached, retraction of the separation/filling tube (112) until the piston (100) is in closed position, wherein the fluid passes from the separation/filling tube (112) into the container (2) so that the latter is completely filled.
15. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 7 to 14, wherein the filling valve (1) comprises an elastically expandable body (17) which in step a) is received completely in the container (2),
    comprising the steps
    a1) after complete insertion of the closed filling valve (1) through the container opening (21) into the container (2) in step a), allowing the elastically expandable body (17) to expand until the latter
    a2) contacts the inner surfaces of the container (2) and, if used, the inner surface of the volume compensation attachment (15),
    b1) transfer of the piston (100) into the open position of the filling valve (1) for allowing flow of the fluid, wherein the elastically expandable body (17) in step b1a) is compressed until in step b1b) it contacts the filling valve (1) and the radial gap volume between the container wall (20) and the filling valve (1) and, if used, the annular gap between the volume compensation attachment (15) and the filling valve (1) is filled,
    b2) performing an upward movement of the filling tube (11) with the piston (10) in open position up to a predefined height (H) in a region of the container opening (21).
16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the elastically expandable body (17) is arranged at or about the separation tube (12),
    comprising the steps
    leaving the separation tube (12) during step b2) in the completely inserted position during upward movement of the filling tube (11) with the piston (10) in open position, wherein the separation tube (12) is filled with fluid,
    d1) closing the filling valve (1) when in step b2) the predefined height (H) in the region of the container opening (21) is reached and the container (2) is completely filled,
    d2) retracting the separation tube (12), and
    e) retracting the closed filling valve (1).

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