EP3650402B1 - Procédé de remplissage par contre-pression des récipients et système de remplissage d'une remplisseuse par contre-pression - Google Patents

Procédé de remplissage par contre-pression des récipients et système de remplissage d'une remplisseuse par contre-pression Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3650402B1
EP3650402B1 EP19202253.1A EP19202253A EP3650402B1 EP 3650402 B1 EP3650402 B1 EP 3650402B1 EP 19202253 A EP19202253 A EP 19202253A EP 3650402 B1 EP3650402 B1 EP 3650402B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
container
gas
filling element
valve
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EP19202253.1A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3650402A1 (fr
Inventor
Holger Mueller
Juergen Soellner
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Krones AG
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Krones AG
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Priority to SI201930453T priority Critical patent/SI3650402T1/sl
Publication of EP3650402A1 publication Critical patent/EP3650402A1/fr
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/06—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure
    • B67C3/08—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure and subsequently lowering the counterpressure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for filling containers with a liquid under increased pressure and a filling system of a counter-pressure filler for carrying out the method.
  • the mouths of the containers to be filled are pressed essentially gas-tight during the filling process against an outlet of the filling element used, so that the filling product enters the container under increased pressure Container can be introduced.
  • the container to be filled can be lifted by means of a suitable movement device and pressed against the filling element, ie the outlet of the filling element used, as is the case, for example, in the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 41 34 446 A1 is described.
  • the filling element can be lowered onto the mouth of the container until a gas-tight contact is made, as for example in the German Offenlegungsschrift DE 41 01 891 A1 is described.
  • sealing means and centering means it can be ensured that the outlet opening is placed in the exact position on the mouth of the container to be filled and is kept essentially gas-tight during the filling process.
  • DE 27 22 274 B1 discloses a device for relieving the head pressure in the liquid-free container head during counter-pressure filling, in which a ring-shaped vent gap is produced by means of a lifting device, through which the gas in the head space to be vented escapes in a controllable manner.
  • the container Before filling, the container can be pre-flushed with a rinsing gas, for example nitrogen or carbon dioxide, particularly in the case of oxygen-sensitive products. By filling in the liquid under increased pressure, the pressure in the container also increases continuously.
  • the containers can be prestressed to a prestressing pressure via a stressing gas channel with a stressing gas, in particular with carbon dioxide the container is then filled with the product, in particular a carbonated product, under constant pressure.
  • the pressurized headspace of the container is vented through a relief path and associated relief valve relieved.
  • the relief generally takes place at the ambient pressure.
  • the filling element is pulled off the mouth of the container or the container is lowered so that the filled container can be removed from the filling machine, for example a filler carousel.
  • a filling system of a counter-pressure filler is for example in figure 1 shown.
  • the filling element 100 is arranged in a height-adjustable manner on a holding device 152 .
  • the filling element 100 has already been lowered with the outlet opening 130 of a pressure sleeve 128 onto the mouth 145 of the container 140 to be filled.
  • the container 140 is positioned below the filling element 100 by means of a container holding device 150, for example by means of a gripping element in the form of a neck handling clamp.
  • the figure 1 FIG. 12 also shows a Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) device 180, by means of which the filling element 100 can be cleaned.
  • CIP Cleaning-In-Place
  • the container 140 is prestressed to the prestressing pressure via a prestressing gas channel 160 and an associated prestressing gas valve 170 before the start of the filling process. Then the filling valve 110 of the filling element 100 is opened by moving the valve rod 115 . Due to the upward movement of the valve rod 115, the closure part 125 of the filling valve 110 is pulled back from its valve seat 120, so that the liquid to be filled in can enter the pressure sleeve 128 and the container 140 through the filling channel 105 past the closure part 125. Since the opening of the valve seat 120 has a smaller cross section than the channel present in the pressure sleeve 128, the liquid enters the container 140 through the opening 145 as a free jet.
  • the prestressing gas escapes laterally past the filling valve 110 through the prestressing gas channel 160 and via the prestressing gas valve 170.
  • carbon dioxide used as prestressing gas can be recovered in this way and returned to a storage container. It is also known to return the pressurized gas to a gas space above the product to be filled, for example to a ring bowl. In this way, the container can be filled under constant pressure.
  • the biasing gas can also escape in other ways or partially remain in the container.
  • the headspace of the filled container which is under increased pressure, is relieved by means of the relief valve 165 .
  • the relief valve is opened after the filling valve 110 has been closed, so that the preload gas located in the head space can expand via the preload channel 160 and the relief valve 165 .
  • the relief channel for relieving the headspace of the container before lifting the filling element 100 is partially identical to the preload channel.
  • the relief takes place at ambient pressure, separate relief paths are provided in the usual filling systems, via which the preload gas can escape from the headspace.
  • the relief paths require space inside the filler carousel and must also be integrated into the cleaning circuit.
  • a separate track must be provided in the media distributor, which increases the installation and maintenance costs.
  • the connection is made from the media distributor via several distribution lines that end in a ring channel.
  • the filling valves are connected individually from this ring channel. In order to be able to grant an individual relief for each filling element, each filling element must be equipped with its own relief valve.
  • the object of the present invention to provide a method for filling containers with a liquid under increased pressure and a filling system of a counter-pressure filler for carrying out the method, which avoid the disadvantages described above.
  • a relief of the headspace of the filled container should be made possible without high installation and maintenance costs.
  • the cleaning of the filling system should be simplified.
  • the present invention is the The object is to provide a method and a filling system for bottling, in particular, carbonated beverages that can be used with high hygienic standards and without high maintenance costs.
  • a method for filling containers with a liquid under increased pressure with the steps: creating a substantially gas-tight contact between a container opening of a container to be filled and an outlet opening of a filling element, in particular by pressing the container opening the outlet port; Preloading the container to be filled with a preload gas until a preload pressure is reached by means of a gas connection of the filling element; filling the container with the liquid by means of a filling valve of the filling element; and separating, in particular pulling off, the container opening from the outlet opening after completion of the filling process; wherein the contact between the container opening and the outlet opening is temporarily broken at least once before the container opening is separated or pulled off, in order to bring about an at least partial relief of the preload pressure.
  • the containers can be bottles or cans, for example.
  • an increased pressure is to be understood as meaning a pressure which is above the ambient pressure.
  • the liquid can in particular be a liquid foodstuff, for example a drink.
  • emulsions or suspensions can also be filled in under increased pressure.
  • liquid products that are not foodstuffs for example cosmetic products, cleaning products or the like, can also be filled into the containers under pressure.
  • the container opening for example the mouth of a bottle
  • an outlet opening of a filling element is first pressed against an outlet opening of a filling element, as a result of which an essentially gas-tight contact is produced.
  • this pressing can take place by raising the container and/or lowering the filling element.
  • the filling element can belong to a multiplicity of filling systems designed as a rotary machine along a circumference.
  • the outlet opening of the filling element is shaped and arranged accordingly in order to be able to ensure a substantially gas-tight contact.
  • a substantially gas-tight contact is to be understood here and in the following as a mechanical contact which blocks gas from escaping even under the filling pressure prevailing during the filling process.
  • the outlet opening of the filling element can be attached to a pressure sleeve provided separately for this purpose, such as for example in the figure 1 shown, be provided, the pressure sleeve can be exchanged as a format part when changing to a different type of container.
  • the container to be filled is preloaded with a preloading gas to a preloading pressure above ambient pressure before the start of the filling process.
  • the bias gas for example, on the in the figure 1 shown tensioning gas channel, introduced under pressure into the container until the desired pretensioning pressure is reached. The introduction takes place via a gas connection of the filling element.
  • the biasing gas is or preferably comprises an inert gas such as carbon dioxide.
  • the preload pressure can be selected according to the filling pressure.
  • the counter-pressure filling can take place with a constant pressure that is given by the preload pressure.
  • the prestressing gas is successively fed back out of the container via the prestressing gas channel during filling and is stored, for example, in a gas space above a supply of liquid.
  • the container and the pressurized gas channel and store for example a ring store, form a communicating system in pressure equilibrium for the product to be filled.
  • the container is then filled with the liquid by opening the filling valve of the filling element, it being possible for devices to be provided which ensure filling with a desired filling quantity.
  • devices A variety of such devices are known in the prior art and will therefore not be described in detail here.
  • a probe can be inserted into the container as a filling level sensor, which reports that a desired filling level has been reached.
  • a return gas pipe in particular with a connection to the pressurized gas channel, can also be provided, which is inserted into the container and defines the maximum filling level through its lower end.
  • filling can take place according to the free jet principle, i.e. in particular without a return gas pipe.
  • the desired filling quantity can be guaranteed by means of flow sensors or filling quantity portioning.
  • a correction of the filling quantity can be provided by controlled refilling.
  • the container opening is separated from the outlet opening, for example by pulling it off, so that the filled container can finally be removed for further processing.
  • the removal takes place by lowering the container and/or raising the filling element or filling valve.
  • the gas-tight contact between the container opening and the outlet opening is temporarily broken at least once before the container opening is finally separated, in order to bring about an at least partial relief of the preload pressure.
  • the container and/or the filling element or parts of the filling element are moved at least once in such a way that the container opening and outlet opening are temporarily separated from one another by a gap or a gap to such an extent that a part of the gas present in the head space of the container, which is under increased pressure, in particular pre-pressurizing gas, can escape.
  • This part of the gas in the headspace i.e. in the volume of the container above the filling level inside the container, escapes directly into the environment.
  • the contact is only temporarily broken and then restored again, so that a liquid in the container that is foaming due to the spontaneous pressure drop can calm down again before the contact is broken again or finally.
  • the contact can be temporarily canceled and restored several times before the container opening is finally separated from the outlet opening. This allows the headspace to be successively vented to near ambient pressure or all the way to ambient pressure, resulting in little foaming of the filled product upon final separation.
  • the contact can be eliminated by moving the filling element and/or the container relative to each other.
  • the relative movement takes place in particular along a longitudinal axis of the container or the filling element.
  • the filling element can be lifted pneumatically from the container opening.
  • compressed air can be selectively introduced into chambers provided for this purpose by means of a control and/or regulating unit of the filling machine in order to cause a displacement of the filling element.
  • the filling element can be raised mechanically, for example by means of a servo motor or a cam.
  • the contact can be canceled by temporarily lifting the filling element from the container opening, with the movement of the filling element being limited by a mechanical lock during lifting.
  • the container can be held immovably along the longitudinal axis of the container by a corresponding receiving and/or holding device, while suitable devices are provided to enable displacement of the filling element along the longitudinal axis.
  • the filling element can be raised along the longitudinal axis by blowing compressed air into a chamber provided for this purpose, until a correspondingly designed element, for example a locking element, of the filling element is brought into mechanical engagement with the mechanical lock.
  • the mechanical lock limits the relative movement of the filling element and thus the width of the annular gap that forms at the container opening when the contact is removed. In this way, the rate at which headspace pressure is relieved can be effectively limited.
  • the contact can be temporarily canceled repeatedly before the container opening is finally separated or lifted from the outlet opening.
  • Each momentary cessation of contact causes a further release of pressure in the headspace of the container.
  • the biasing gas can be or include carbon dioxide, in particular, with the liquid being in particular a carbonated beverage.
  • the carbonated drink can be beer, sparkling wine, soft drinks or the like.
  • the use of carbon dioxide as a prepressurizing gas on the one hand displaces oxygen and other foreign gases from the container to be filled, on the other hand maintains the carbonic acid content of the beverage filled in during the filling process.
  • the use of carbon dioxide or another inert gas, such as nitrogen, as or as part of a biasing gas also increases the shelf life of the filled product.
  • the biasing gas can be partially recovered via the gas connection during the filling process.
  • a corresponding pressurized gas valve can be opened during the filling process, so that part of the pressurized gas can flow back out of the container via the pressurized gas valve, for example into a reservoir. In this way, the need for bias gas can be reduced.
  • the methods described can also be used to fill containers with a weakly acidic beverage.
  • Low-acid beverages such as milk or plant-based milk alternatives, generally require higher hygiene standards than, for example, carbonated beverages.
  • the methods described can also be used for filling such weakly acidic beverages can be used, as the difficult-to-clean discharge channels of conventional bottlers are no longer required.
  • a filling system of a counter-pressure filler for carrying out one of the methods described above, the filling system comprising: at least one filling element with an outlet opening which can be pressed in a substantially gas-tight manner against a container opening of a container to be filled, the filling element having a Gas connection for the bias gas and a filling valve for the liquid; and at least one receiving and/or holding device for the container to be filled; wherein the filling element and/or the receiving and/or holding device are designed to be movable relative to one another along an axis, in particular a longitudinal axis of the container, such that the outlet opening of the filling element and the container opening can be brought into contact for filling; a lifting device being provided which is designed to temporarily eliminate the contact between the outlet opening and the container opening by moving the filling element and/or the receiving and/or holding device along the axis.
  • the outlet opening can be formed in a correspondingly shaped pressure sleeve of the filling element.
  • an outlet opening of the filling valve itself can be brought into gas-tight contact with the container opening.
  • the outlet opening is shaped and arranged accordingly in order to ensure the required gas tightness under the filling pressure in contact with the respective container opening.
  • the gas connection for the preload gas can have a preload gas valve that can be opened in a controlled manner to preload the container.
  • a tensioning gas channel can be connected to the gas connection, which can be connected, for example, to a reservoir for the tensioning gas or to a gas space above the filling product in a reservoir for the liquid to be filled.
  • the receiving and/or holding device for the container to be filled can be designed in such a way that the container can be lifted to press against the outlet opening.
  • the receiving and/or holding device can be designed to be fixed in the axial direction, with the filling element being correspondingly lowered in order to establish contact between the outlet opening and the container opening.
  • the receiving and/or holding device can, for example, have a gripping element, in particular for neck handling of plastic bottles.
  • the lifting device can in particular be designed in such a way that it can move the filling element and/or the receiving and/or holding device along the axis in a controlled manner.
  • the lifting device can act pneumatically on the filling element and/or the receiving and/or holding device, with suitable pressure chambers, supply lines, discharge lines, valves, pumps and the like being provided in order to compensate for the relative displacement of the filling element and the receiving and/or holding device to effect.
  • mechanical means for example control curves, levers and/or motors, can be provided which bring about the relative displacement, for example depending on an angular position of the filling element with respect to a filling machine designed as a rotary machine.
  • the filling element can be designed to be relatively movable along the axis, with the lifting device being designed to lift the filling element from the container opening in order to break the contact.
  • the receiving and/or holding device for the container to be filled can be designed to be stationary, in particular with respect to an axial movement.
  • the filling element Due to the fact that the complete filling element is moved in the axial direction, a larger cross-sectional area is available in this further development, on which a gas pressure of a pneumatically operated lifting device can act, for example in a pressure chamber. As a result, the filling element can also be lifted off the container opening against the filling pressure that presses the filling valve onto it. According to a special development, the filling valve itself can be pressed against the container opening instead of the previously mentioned pressure sleeve. The filling valve is thus also temporarily lifted from the container opening with the filling element.
  • the filling valve can be designed as a so-called free jet valve, in which case, in particular, a valve seat of the filling valve can be arranged set back from the outlet opening.
  • a valve seat of the filling valve can be arranged set back from the outlet opening.
  • the gas connection of the filling element can have a tension gas valve, which is arranged at the height of the valve seat when viewed in the direction of the axis.
  • An arrangement at the level of the valve seat is to be understood here as meaning that the tensioning gas valve is within an axial distance less than 2 cm from the valve seat.
  • the radial distance, ie the distance perpendicular to the axis referred to above, of the compressed gas valve can be less than 2 cm.
  • the filling element can have a mechanical lock, in particular a switchable one, for limiting the movement of the filling element during death.
  • a mechanical lock in particular a switchable one, for limiting the movement of the filling element during death.
  • a cam can be provided which limits the lifting of the filling element along the axis. Since only a small stroke is required to relieve the headspace by temporarily lifting the filling element from the container opening, the mechanical lock can be switched on after the filling element has been lowered onto the container opening and switched off after the filling process has been completed, so that the filling element can finally be lifted off the container opening can. The switching of the mechanical lock can take place, for example, via a cam control.
  • the filling system can also include at least one connection for compressed air, the filling element being designed in such a way that it can be lifted pneumatically from the container opening via the compressed air connection.
  • the compressed air can be ambient air or a suitable gas such as nitrogen.
  • the filling system can have one or more controllable valves, which can be opened and closed by means of a control and/or regulating unit of the filling system in order to supply or discharge the compressed air.
  • Appropriate inlet and outlet lines for the compressed air can be provided, as is generally known. Due to the larger cross section of the filling element, even a low compressed air pressure is sufficient to lift the filling element pneumatically.
  • the present invention also provides a counter-pressure filler with a multiplicity of filling systems according to one of the developments described above, which further comprises a control and/or regulating unit which is designed to repeatedly cancel the contact between the outlet opening and the container opening before relief occurs ambient pressure takes place.
  • the relief to ambient pressure can take place in particular by finally separating the outlet opening and the container opening.
  • the control and/or regulation unit can be designed, for example, as a programmable logic controller that determines the number and frequency of the relative movements of the filling element and container as a function of the filling product, the filling pressure and/or the type of container.
  • the filling systems described can be designed explicitly without a separate relief channel or without a relief valve, so that on the one hand the installation effort is reduced and on the other hand complex cleaning systems can be dispensed with.
  • the counter-pressure filler described is therefore also suitable for filling containers with weakly acidic beverages.
  • Figures 3 to 7 show the sequence of a method for filling containers according to the present invention.
  • a filling element 200 according to the present invention is shown schematically. Like the one in the figure 1 illustrated conventional filling element also has the filling element according to the invention a filling valve 210 with a closure part 225 which can be withdrawn from its valve seat 220 by means of a valve rod 215 as indicated by the double arrow.
  • the present invention is not limited to the illustrated development of the filling valve and can use other known filling valves.
  • the one in the figure 2 Filling element shown no separate pressure sleeve is provided. Instead, the filling valve 210 is lowered with its outlet opening 230 directly onto the container opening 145 of the container 140 to be filled.
  • the opening of the filling valve 220 itself is surrounded by an annular opening through which preload gas can be introduced into the container 140 via the preload gas channel 260 .
  • the gas present in the container at the beginning of the filling process escapes via this opening and the compressed gas channel 260 during filling of the container with the filling product.
  • the filling product is filled into the container 140 as a free jet via a filling channel 205 past the valve seat 220 .
  • a pressure sleeve can be provided between the filling valve 210 and the mouth of the container 140 .
  • the biasing gas channel 260 is equipped with a valve 270 which can be opened and closed in a controlled manner so that the introduction of biasing gas into the container and the escape of gas from the container can be controlled.
  • the pressure prevailing in the container during the filling process can be adjusted by means of the valve 270 .
  • the control of the valve 270 can be taken over by a control and/or regulation unit 285 of the filling system.
  • the control and/or regulation unit 285 can be, for example, a programmable logic controller with a processor and at least one storage medium.
  • the one in the figure 2 However, no relief valve is provided for the filling element shown, via which the headspace of the filled container could be relieved before the container is removed.
  • the filling element shown has a lifting device 290, by means of which the entire filling element 200 can be moved pneumatically along a longitudinal axis of the filling element or of the container.
  • lifting device 290 is provided above a holding device 252, which is in particular vertically fixed, for filling element 200, lifting device 290 being fixedly connected to holding device 252, while filling element 200 can move vertically within lifting device 290.
  • the lifting device 290 comprises supply lines 291 and 293 for compressed air, which are connected to corresponding annular chambers 292 and 294.
  • a compressed air supply and/or one or more pumps can be provided in order to pressurize the supply lines 291 and 293 with compressed air in a targeted manner.
  • the supply lines 291 and 293 can serve as discharge lines at the same time.
  • the control of the valves or the compressed air supply via the supply lines 291 and 293 can also be taken over by the control and/or regulating unit 285 .
  • the connection of the tensioning gas channel 260 to the filling element is designed in such a way that the vertical mobility of the filling element is ensured.
  • Appropriately designed sealing elements can be used for this purpose and/or part of the pressurized gas channel can be designed to be flexible.
  • the surface of the generally cylindrical filling element 200 has ring-shaped projections 295 in the form of a ring-shaped shoulder, bar or the like, which can move vertically in a cylindrical cavity of the lifting device 290 .
  • two extensions 295 are provided, between which a sealing ring 296 is arranged, which separates the upper pressure chamber 292 from the lower pressure chamber 294 in a gas-tight manner.
  • Part of the gas in the head space of the container can escape through this annular gap, which causes a partial relief of the gas pressure in the head space.
  • the contact between the filling element and the container opening 145 can be restored, so that the liquid in the container can calm down again. This process can be carried out repeatedly, it being possible to determine how far the gas pressure in the headspace is relieved via the height of the lifting movement and the duration of the elimination of the contact.
  • the present invention is not limited to the illustrated development with a pneumatic lifting device, but can also be implemented using mechanical lifting devices, for example using a mechanical lever, a cam and/or one or more servomotors.
  • the prestressing gas can escape directly into the environment via the annular gap that is produced.
  • the relief paths and relief valves provided with conventional filling elements can be dispensed with. This also eliminates the need for an additional distributor track in the media distributor and the necessary valves for switching the respective relief path on and off when cleaning and sterilizing the filling system.
  • the one in the figure 2 also has a bellows 255 which is provided at the lower end of the filling element 200 and can be lowered over the container opening 145 with the filling element.
  • the bellows 255 prevent dirt from entering the area between the filling valve 210 and the container opening 145.
  • the tensioning gas valve 270 is provided on the side of the tensioning gas channel 260 .
  • the compressed gas valve can be arranged in particular at the height of the valve seat 220, for example in the immediate vicinity of the valve seat. In this way, dead spaces in the clamping gas channel 260 can be reduced to a minimum.
  • FIGS. 3 to 7 show the sequence of a method for filling containers according to the present invention.
  • the figures are limited to the elements that are essential for understanding, in order to make them easier to understand.
  • the filling element according to the present invention is shown in the basic position before the start of the filling process.
  • the filling element has a pressing sleeve 228 with which the gas-tight contact between the outlet opening and the container opening of the container 140 is established.
  • the filling element is separated from the container opening.
  • the container 140 is positioned under the filling element by a receiving and/or holding device designed as a gripping device 250 .
  • the gripping device 250 is fastened to a valve carrier plate 252 which, in addition to the filling element shown, carries a large number of other filling elements, for example as part of a filling machine designed as a rotary machine.
  • FIG 3 schematically shows the tensioning gas channel 260, the bellows 255 described above and the filling valve 210 with its valve seat 220, shown schematically.
  • the closure part of the filling valve shown in black closes the valve seat 220.
  • the tensioning gas channel 260 is also closed by a tensioning gas valve, not shown.
  • the filling element is first lowered onto the container opening in the direction of the arrow, so that a gas-tight contact is formed between the pressure sleeve 228 and the container opening.
  • the filling valve 210 initially remains closed after making contact.
  • the inflating gas channel 260 is opened by appropriate activation of the inflating gas valve, so that the preloading gas is introduced under pressure into the container 140 and preloads it to the preloading pressure.
  • the filling valve 210 is opened by moving the closure part vertically, as indicated by the arrow in FIG figure 5 opened indicated, so that the product enters the container 140 through the opening in the valve seat 220 and the pressure sleeve 228 .
  • the biasing gas in the container can escape via the biasing gas channel 260 and be recycled.
  • the outlet opening of the filling element remains in gas-tight, mechanical contact with the container opening, as indicated by the arrow.
  • the filling process continues until as shown in the figure 5 indicated a desired level is reached in the container.
  • the volume above this fill level is commonly referred to as headspace 142 .
  • the filling valve 210 as indicated by the arrow in FIG figure 6 indicated closed by the closure part is driven against the valve seat 220.
  • the pressurized gas channel 260 is also closed by means of the pressurized gas valve.
  • the gas in particular the preload gas, which is present in the head space 142 after the actual filling process has been completed, is under increased pressure.
  • this increased pressure is relieved according to the method according to the invention as in FIG figure 6 shown, however, by temporarily lifting the filling element from the container opening. This can be done, for example, as described above, by lifting the filling element pneumatically, as indicated by the arrow in the figure, by a limited stroke. The lifting thus opens an annular gap between the pressure sleeve 228 and the container opening, through which the gas can partially escape from the head space 142 . In this way, a partial relief of the gas pressure in the head space thus takes place.
  • the filling element is lowered again onto the container opening after it has been lifted for a short time, so that a gas-tight contact between the pressure sleeve 228 and the container opening is created again.
  • This allows a carbonated beverage foaming during the discharge to settle before repeating the process or finally breaking contact.
  • the depressurization can be carried out once or repeatedly, as described above, before the contact is finally broken.
  • the fill element as indicated by the arrow in the figure 7 indicated completely raised and thus separated from the filled container. This can then be removed by suitable devices and, for example, transferred from the gripping device 250 to an outlet starwheel or a downstream container treatment machine, for example a capper. The filling element is then back in the basic position.
  • the filling elements and filling methods described do not require separately provided relief paths, which means that the installation and cleaning effort can be significantly reduced. Since there are no discharge paths, there is also no considerable process uncertainty, which arises from the lack of monitoring of the cleaning and sterilization of the discharge paths that have been customary up to now.
  • the filling elements according to the invention can also be used for filling weakly acidic products that place increased microbiological demands on hygiene.
  • the methods described can be used for both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, as well as for non-food products.

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  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Procédé de remplissage de récipients (140) avec un liquide sous pression élevée, comprenant les étapes consistant à :
    établir un contact sensiblement étanche aux gaz entre une ouverture de récipient (145) d'un récipient à remplir (140) et une ouverture de sortie (230) d'un élément de remplissage (200) ;
    précontraindre le récipient à remplir (140) avec un gaz de précontrainte jusqu'à atteindre une pression de précontrainte au moyen d'un raccord de gaz (260) de l'élément de remplissage ;
    remplir le récipient (140) avec le liquide au moyen d'une vanne de remplissage (210) de l'élément de remplissage ; et
    séparer l'ouverture de récipient (145) de l'ouverture de sortie (230) après l'achèvement du processus de remplissage ;
    caractérisé en ce que
    le contact entre l'ouverture de récipient (145) et l'ouverture de sortie (230) est supprimé au moins une fois avant la séparation de l'ouverture de récipient, puis rétabli, afin d'obtenir une décharge au moins partielle de la pression de précontrainte.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le contact est supprimé par déplacement relatif de l'élément de remplissage (200) et/ou du récipient (140).
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (200) est soulevé de manière pneumatique à partir de l'ouverture de récipient (145).
  4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le contact est levé en soulevant temporairement l'élément de remplissage (200) à partir de l'ouverture de récipient (145), et dans lequel le déplacement de l'élément de remplissage (200) pendant le soulèvement est limité par un verrou mécanique.
  5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le contact est temporairement supprimé de manière répétée et ensuite rétabli avant que l'ouverture de récipient (145) ne soit séparée de l'ouverture de sortie (230).
  6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le gaz de précontrainte est ou comprend du dioxyde de carbone et dans lequel le liquide est en particulier une boisson gazéifiée.
  7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le gaz de précontrainte est partiellement récupéré via le raccord de gaz (260) pendant le processus de remplissage.
  8. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le liquide est une boisson faiblement acide.
  9. Système de remplissage d'un remplisseur à contre-pression pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, comprenant :
    au moins un élément de remplissage (200) avec une ouverture de sortie (230) qui peut être pressée de manière sensiblement étanche aux gaz contre une ouverture de récipient (145) d'un récipient (140) à remplir,
    dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (200) comprend un orifice de gaz (260) pour le gaz de précontrainte et une soupape de remplissage (210) pour le liquide ; et
    au moins un dispositif de réception et/ou de maintien (250) du récipient à remplir ;
    dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (200) et/ou le dispositif de réception et/ou de maintien (250) sont conçus pour se déplacer mutuellement de manière relative le long d'un axe, en particulier d'un axe longitudinal du récipient, de telle sorte que l'ouverture de sortie (230) de l'élément de remplissage et l'ouverture de récipient (145) peuvent être amenées en contact pour un remplissage ;
    caractérisé par
    un dispositif de levage (290) qui est conçu pour rompre temporairement le contact entre l'ouverture de sortie (230) et l'ouverture de récipient (145) par le déplacement de l'élément de remplissage (200) et/ou du dispositif de réception et/ou de maintien (250) le long de l'axe, puis pour le rétablir.
  10. Système de remplissage selon la revendication 9, dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (200) est conçu pour se déplacer de manière relative le long de l'axe et le dispositif de levage (290) est conçu pour soulever l'élément de remplissage à partir de l'ouverture de récipient (145) pour rompre le contact.
  11. Système de remplissage selon la revendication 10, dans lequel la soupape de remplissage (210) est réalisée sous la forme d'une soupape à jet libre, et en particulier un siège de soupape (220) de la soupape de remplissage est agencé en retrait par rapport à l'ouverture de sortie (230).
  12. Système de remplissage selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le raccord de gaz (260) comprend une soupape de gaz de contrainte (270) agencée au niveau du siège de soupape (220) par rapport à l'axe.
  13. Système de remplissage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 12, dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (200) présente un verrou mécanique, en particulier commutable, pour limiter le déplacement de l'élément de remplissage pendant le soulèvement.
  14. Système de remplissage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 13, comprenant en outre au moins un raccord (291, 293) pour l'air comprimé, dans lequel l'élément de remplissage (200) est formé de telle sorte qu'il peut être soulevé de manière pneumatique à partir de l'ouverture de récipient (145) par l'intermédiaire du raccord d'air comprimé.
  15. Remplisseur à contre-pression comprenant une pluralité de systèmes de remplissage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 14, comprenant en outre une unité de commande et/ou de régulation (285) qui est conçue pour supprimer de manière répétée le contact entre l'ouverture de sortie (230) et l'ouverture de récipient (145) et pour les rétablir ensuite avant qu'une décharge à la pression ambiante ne soit effectuée.
EP19202253.1A 2018-11-09 2019-10-09 Procédé de remplissage par contre-pression des récipients et système de remplissage d'une remplisseuse par contre-pression Active EP3650402B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

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DE102018219119.0A DE102018219119A1 (de) 2018-11-09 2018-11-09 Verfahren zum Gegendruckfüllen von Behältern und Füllsystem eines Gegendruckfüllers

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EP3650402B1 true EP3650402B1 (fr) 2023-01-25

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JP (1) JP7435952B2 (fr)
CN (1) CN111170250B (fr)
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CN118358822B (zh) * 2024-06-17 2024-08-23 福建省晋江巧妈妈食品有限公司 果冻生产用的原料灌装装置及其灌装方法

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DE1147863B (de) * 1960-12-06 1963-04-25 Seitz Werke Gmbh Fuellorgan
DE2722274B1 (de) * 1977-05-17 1978-03-23 Orthmann & Herbst Behaeltergegendruckfuellorgan mit einer Vorrichtung zum Entspannen des Behaelterkopfdruckes
DE4101891A1 (de) 1991-01-23 1992-07-30 Alfill Getraenketechnik Fuellkopf zum abfuellen einer fluessigkeit in behaelter
DE4134446A1 (de) 1991-10-18 1993-04-22 Kronseder Maschf Krones Verfahren und vorrichtung zur schaumbildung in einem mittels eines gegendruckfuellers mit einer gashaltigen fluessigkeit gefuellten gefaess
DE4402980C1 (de) * 1994-02-01 1995-06-01 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Füllsystem zum Abfüllen eines flüssigen Füllgutes in Flaschen, Dosen oder dgl. Behälter
DE102009016322A1 (de) * 2009-04-06 2010-10-07 Khs Ag Füllsystem
CN101941664B (zh) * 2009-07-10 2013-05-15 南京乐惠轻工装备制造有限公司 电子式液体灌装装置
DE102012014957A1 (de) * 2012-07-30 2014-05-15 Khs Gmbh Füllelement sowie Füllmaschine
DE102013106934A1 (de) * 2013-07-02 2015-01-08 Krones Ag Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters und Verfahren zum Sterilisieren einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters
CN104528614A (zh) * 2014-12-19 2015-04-22 重庆正佳饲料有限公司 一种用于营养液的灌装装置
EP3176126B1 (fr) * 2015-12-04 2018-08-08 Sidel Participations Dispositif de remplissage pour une machine de remplissage

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JP7435952B2 (ja) 2024-02-21
SI3650402T1 (sl) 2023-03-31
EP3650402A1 (fr) 2020-05-13
CN111170250A (zh) 2020-05-19
JP2020075766A (ja) 2020-05-21
CN111170250B (zh) 2022-06-07
DE102018219119A1 (de) 2020-05-14

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