EP3838833A1 - Device for filling a container with a filling product - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for filling containers (200) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of filling members (20) each having a filling product line (22) for introducing the filling product into a corresponding container (200); and at least one distribution line (131) to which the filling product lines (22) of the plurality of filling elements (20) are connected.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for filling containers with a filling product, preferably beverages, such as beer, soft drinks, mixed drinks, juices or carbonated filling products.

State of the art

In order to mix and fill filling products consisting of several components, various technologies for dosing the individual components are known, which are briefly presented below:
When filling carbonated drinks, such as CSD products (CSD stands for “carbonated soft drinks”), it is known to produce the drink in a mixer from syrup and water and to carbonize it in the mixer. The drink is then transported to filling organs and filled into containers by type. If frequent product changes are carried out, a not inconsiderable loss of product can occur, for example in the pipelines from the mixer to the filling elements. Furthermore, such systems are hardly profitable for filling small batches, for example up to 10,000 bottles. Filling systems of this type are not very flexible despite measures to shorten changeover times. For example, it is not easily possible to fill half the bottles with lemonade and the other half with orange lemonade in a small batch.

In order to avoid the production of large quantities of product in a mixer, the desired components can be individually dosed and filled using separate dosing stations, for example from the US 2008/0271809 A1 is known. The use of separate dosing stations for a large number of components, however, leads to a complex system structure and process flow, since the filling of each container is divided into several separate dosing / filling stations at which the container must be positioned for the respective dosing times. In principle, it is possible to use the multiple components via separate lines and dispensing openings into the container at the same time and at a common filling station, but this is limited by the size of the bottle or container mouth.

Alternatively, the components can be brought together in a common filling valve, see for example EP 0 775 668 A1 and WO 2009/114121 A1 . A component to be added to a base fluid is metered in front of the filling valve outlet, with the desired amount being measured, for example, by measuring the volume using a flow meter ( EP 0 775 668 A1 ) or by another volumetric dispensing technology ( WO 2009/114121 A1 ), for example by means of a metering piston and / or a diaphragm pump.

High dosing accuracy can be achieved by measuring with the aid of a flow meter. This measures the volume to be dosed or the mass to be dosed and closes a shut-off valve in the dosing line when a threshold value is reached. Other volumetric dosing methods, such as the use of pumps or time / pressure filling, often have greater uncertainties and tend to be more sensitive to changes in the dosing medium, for example changes in pressure, temperature or composition. Frequent calibration, especially when changing the dosage medium, is the result. A gravimetric measurement of the dosages is hardly feasible due to the large differences between the dosage weight for very small quantities (µl) and the container weight.

The technologies outlined above are characterized by the fact that the components are mixed at a later point in time, i.e. either during or shortly before filling. However, late mixing is also associated with technical difficulties. Optimizing the filling process over time is not easily possible, since the dosing process cannot be accelerated at will, for example using a flow meter. The time that the container remains under the dosing point is directly proportional to the capacity of the filling line. With a higher power requirement, either the dosing time and thus the dosing range must be reduced or a second parallel dosing line must be set up. The possible dosing range depends on the available dosing time and thus on the line performance.

In addition, the late mixing results in a not inconsiderable structural complexity. In the case of small container mouths, it is difficult to fill a moving container with a fixed dosing head. Therefore, either the dosing head must move with the container (for example, as a rotary device) or the container must move underneath the dosing head for the dosing and filling process, such as with a linear transfer machine. If a large number of different dosage components are to be available at the same time, both solutions are complex in terms of mechanical engineering, costly and maintenance-intensive, and require a lot of installation space due to the large number of filling points and / or dosage components on the filling valve.

Those dosing techniques that determine the volume and convey the medium at the same time, for example by means of pumps or piston dispensers, have a disadvantage in that no feedback can be given to the controller about the volume actually introduced into the container. This also applies to the time / pressure filling. If a valve does not open or the line is blocked, this cannot be immediately recognized by the system. Since a subsequent quality control of the filled container with individualized filling with several components cannot be implemented or is only possible with great effort, feedback from the dosing system about the actually dosed amount is desirable, if not absolutely necessary.

The technical problems described above have led to a further development of the dosing / filling process, for example from the EP 2 272 790 A1 and DE 10 2009 049 583 A1 emerges. In this case, the components of the filling product are dosed directly during filling by means of a flow meter and fed into the container to be filled together, with a main component being displaced backwards by the added component during the dosing. The displaced volume of the main component is determined by means of the flow meter, and thus the volume of the metered component is also known and controllable. During the subsequent filling of the filling product into the container, the main component together with the added component is completely flushed out of the filling valve into the container, whereby the total filling quantity can be determined with the same flow meter. During the next filling cycle, the filling quantities and also the added component quantities can be redefined. This enables highly flexible filling of individualized beverages without changeover times.

When changing the type, it can happen that residues of a previous filling product, in particular any dosage components, remain in the filling valve. Flavors, pieces of fruit and the like can be carried over and contaminate subsequent bottlings. So that as little residue as possible remains in the filling valve that could contaminate the filling product during the subsequent filling process, the amount and filling of the main component must be this way be set up so that it completely frees the filling valve of residues from the previous filling. The degree of cleaning is determined, among other things, by how quickly and with what pressure the filling valve is flushed when the filling product is dispensed into the container. For several reasons, however, the flushing of the filling valve cannot be accelerated at will. When filling beverages containing carbon dioxide, this can easily lead to foaming over. The displacement of the atmosphere in the container during filling also prevents the filling process from being accelerated.

Another difficulty with flexible filling by metering components into the filling valve is that the carbon dioxide content of the filling product cannot easily be made flexible, i.e. it cannot be adjusted according to the container and / or type. The main component of the filling product, for example water, normally has a defined carbonic acid content. The dosage component, for example fruit syrup, has a defined Brix content. The carbon dioxide content and the Brix content clearly define the mixing ratio. For one type of filling product, the carbonic acid content of the main component can be adjusted so that the desired content is contained in the container after mixing and filling. If only one type of filling product is ever filled on the filler, the carbonic acid content of the main component can be adapted to the type of the next type. However, if two or more types are to be filled immediately one after the other or at the same time through several filling valves that are coupled to one another, which is in principle possible through the individual addition of dosage components, the carbonic acid content of the filled product can no longer be set specifically for the type, as this is determined by the main component.

A further difficulty arises, which is that, due to the discharge of the atmosphere in the container, mostly air, aromas from the product can be carried away via the return gas channel into the product kettle during the filling process. This also counteracts single-type filling (liquid-bound and gas-bound ingredients) in the case of a change of type by container.

For the introduction and dimensioning of main and / or dosage components into the filling element, the latter is connected to fluid lines which draw the respective component from a reservoir and are equipped with valves, flow meters and the like for this purpose. The structural complexity of the system is considerable, especially if it is equipped, for example, as a rotary machine with a large number of filling elements. In addition, the complex, fluid-technical connection of the filling organs make handling and cleaning difficult and impair their reliability.

Presentation of the invention

One object of the invention is to improve flexible filling, in particular to enable filling by container or by container group and / or type-specific filling while reducing the structural complexity.

The object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments follow from the subclaims, the following presentation of the invention and the description of preferred exemplary embodiments.

The device according to the invention is used to fill containers with a filling product. The filling product can be a multi-component filling product made up of at least two components, one of the components being referred to herein as a “base liquid” or “main component” for the purpose of linguistic differentiation. Any further components are referred to as "dosage component (s)". In addition to the filling of the filling product, in the case of several components, the device is set up to combine and, if necessary, at least partially mix the components and to this extent takes over at least part of the manufacturing process for the filling product to be filled. The basic liquid is, for example, water (still or carbonated) or beer. The dosage component (s) may include syrup, pulp containing liquids, pulp, flavorings, and the like. If the filling product consists of only one main component, without dosage component (s), the terms "main component" and "filling product" are used synonymously. The device is therefore particularly preferably used in a beverage filling plant. Carbon dioxide, which can also be added using the filling process described herein, does not come under the term “dosage component”.

The device has a plurality of filling elements, each of which has a filling product line for introducing the filling product into a corresponding container, ie temporarily assigned to the filling element for filling and normally located under the filling element. The device also has at least one distribution line to which the filling product lines of the plurality of filling elements are connected (in a fluid-conducting manner). The distribution line is thus set up to introduce a fluid located therein into the filling product lines of the plurality of filling elements.

In other words, the filling product lines of the filling organs in question are not connected individually to one or more reservoirs, but rather via a common connecting line. The filling product lines can branch off from the connecting line, or the connecting line can have several sections, each of which opens at its ends into the filling product lines of the filling organs. For example, the filling product line of one filling element is initially in fluid connection with the filling product line of an adjacent filling element, this in turn is preferably in fluid connection with the filling product line of the second neighbor, etc. The term "fluid connection" means that a fluid can flow between the components that are in fluid connection. This does not exclude the interposition of components that can prevent the fluid transport, such as valves.

Such a fluidic “series connection”, which comprises a preferred “ring connection”, reduces the mechanical complexity of the device. An individual connection of the filling elements to a base reservoir and / or to dosage reservoirs can be avoided, so that fluid-carrying components such as lines, valves and the like can be dispensed with. This is accompanied by an improvement in the reliability and a reduction in the outlay on maintenance and cleaning of the device.

As already noted above, the filling product lines of the plurality of filling elements branch off from the distribution line preferably via branches. The branches allow filling elements to be connected to the distribution line in a simple manner, creating a modular, easy-to-install and adaptable arrangement of filling elements. It should be pointed out that the distribution line, as set out in detail below, can be set up for the provision and transport of the filling product or a component thereof, such as the base liquid or a dosage component. In particular, several distribution lines can be provided which transport different components of the filling product and can introduce them into the respective filling product lines via corresponding branches. Of course, valves can be installed at the branches and / or at other suitable locations in order to regulate the introduction of the corresponding component (s) into the filling product line (s), in particular to allow and shut off.

The distribution line is preferably a ring line, whereby the filling product or the corresponding component is distributed particularly reliably and evenly to the plurality of Filling product lines is transportable. In addition, such a topology is particularly suitable for a rotary machine.

The distribution line is preferably in fluid connection with a distributor, which is a fluid reservoir, via at least one supply line. The distributor can be a main reservoir or an intermediate reservoir, which in turn is in fluid communication, for example, with a main reservoir. The distributor is preferably located above the filling elements, as a result of which a static pressure for introducing the corresponding component is provided in a structurally simple manner. One or more branches and / or one or more sections of the distribution line are preferably in fluid connection with a distributor via one or more feed lines and draw the corresponding component from the distributor.

It should be pointed out that spatial information such as "below", "below", "above", "above" etc. relate to the installation position of the device, which is clearly determined by the filling in the direction of gravity.

The feed line is preferably designed to be flexible at least in sections. As an alternative or in addition, the distribution line is preferably designed to be flexible, at least in sections. If, for the sake of linguistic simplicity, the supply line or the distribution line is used here in the singular, the named design variants apply analogously to the case of several supply lines or distribution lines. The flexibility can be achieved through a suitable choice of material, preferably Teflon, and / or through mechanical structures, such as the use of one (or more) bellows, joints, rotary distributors, etc. It should be noted that the aforementioned Teflon is a preferred material for some or all of the fluid-carrying components, such as lines, valves, etc., since the transport behavior of the fluids can be improved due to the low surface energy. Teflon also has a very good resistance to any migration of aromatic substances.

A base reservoir is preferably provided which is in fluid connection with the filling product lines of the filling organs and is set up to provide a base liquid. Furthermore, the filling members preferably each have one or more, preferably two or more, metering feed lines, for example metering valves, which are each set up to introduce a metering component from a corresponding metering reservoir into the filling product line. In this case, a distribution line is in fluid connection with the base reservoir and is set up to supply the filling product lines with the base liquid. Alternatively or additionally, at least one distribution line can be connected to one of the dosing reservoirs Are fluidly connected and be set up to supply the filling product lines with the corresponding dosage component.

This means that almost any number of flavors can be filled for individual container groups in a highly flexible manner. A change in the basic liquid, such as an adjustment of the water quality, can be omitted when changing types, which means that any discharge quantities can be minimized. For example, water only needs to be made available as a base liquid of one quality (e.g. still). Several systems can also be supplied with the same water quality, regardless of which types are filled in them. With regard to the mixing in, there does not have to be a container on the filling element during the metering phase, since the metering or mixing does not take place during filling but in the filling product line. The time for mixing can be used synergistically for the transport of the container. The concept presented here can thus be used both for linear indexing machines with one or more filling stations and for rotary machines. In the case of rotary machines, the containers can leave the carousel again after only a small angle of rotation.

The section of the filling product line into which the metering component (s) are introduced is also referred to herein as the “metering space”. The one or more metering valves are preferred versions of metering feed lines. In other words: In certain embodiments in which the introduction and any dimensions of the dosing component (s) into the dosing space is implemented by means external to the filling element, the dosing valves can optionally be dispensed with. In addition, it should be pointed out that no substantial or even complete mixing of the components has to take place in the metering chamber. An actual mixing can also take place during filling or later in the container. Rather, the metering chamber primarily serves to meter one or more metering components into the main component.

The dosage components are preferably provided with a higher pressure than the base component, as a result of which the dosage components can be added by displacing the base liquid backwards.

The device preferably has at least one flow meter, which is arranged between the base reservoir and a filling element, preferably between the base reservoir and the distribution line, and is set up to determine the amount of fluid passing through the flow meter. A flow meter can be assigned to each filling element. However, the present architecture allows only one flow meter to be installed for a group of filling elements or for all filling elements, whereby the structural complexity can be further reduced.

With the "backflow measurement" implemented in this way, i.e. the determination of the volume of the base liquid displaced backwards out of the dosing chamber by the dosing component introduced, the mixing ratio can be determined in a simple, compact and reliable way in terms of mechanical engineering. During the dosing phase there does not have to be a container on the filling element, since the dosing or mixing is not carried out during filling but in the dosing room. The time for dosing can be used synergistically for transporting the container. In addition, only the basic liquid, i.e. in most cases water, flows through the flow meter. This means that the media properties do not change, and the pipe system is not contaminated by different fluids in these areas.

The device is preferably designed as a rotary machine with a carousel for transporting and filling the containers through the filling members. A fluid-technical "series connection" or "ring connection" of several filling elements is particularly preferably used in a rotary machine, since the fluid supply of the filling elements can in this case be integrated structurally in a particularly simple manner. The time for mixing in any dosing components can also be used synergistically for transporting the container, so that the containers can leave the carousel again after only a small angle of rotation.

The filling elements each preferably have a gas line in order _{to evacuate the container to be filled to a negative pressure P low} , the filling elements preferably being set up to introduce the filling product into the evacuated container under an overpressure.

The terms "underpressure" and "overpressure" are initially to be understood relative to one another. However, the negative pressure P _low after the evacuation is preferably below atmospheric pressure (= normal pressure). The overpressure of the filling product under which the filling is carried out can correspond to atmospheric pressure, but is preferably higher.

Thus, before the filling product is introduced, the container is preferably _{evacuated to a negative pressure P low} with an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 0.05 bar, preferably 0.3 to 0.1 bar, particularly preferably about 0.1 bar. The overpressure is preferably above atmospheric pressure, for example at an absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar. In this way, the container is evacuated in such a way that essentially no gas is displaced by the filling product when it is filled with the filling product and accordingly no gas has to flow out of the interior of the container. Rather, the entire mouth cross-section of the container can be used to introduce the filling product. In other words, during filling there is only one flow of filling product directed into the container, but no opposing flow of fluid.

In addition to the sudden filling due to the pressure difference, almost any number of flavors can be filled individually for each container group in a highly flexible manner, without significant flavor carryover or the like occurring. This is because the high pressure difference in the system during filling optimizes the flushing of the filling element, which prevents or at least minimizes any product or aroma carryover into subsequent containers. Since, in addition, no return gas has to be discharged from the container during filling, no aroma can enter the system, in particular a product kettle, via this route.

A treatment chamber is preferably provided for each filling element, into which the container to be filled can be at least partially introduced for evacuation and filling, which can be sealed off from the external environment and has a gas supply which is set up to generate an overpressure in the treatment chamber. In this way, foaming over after filling, in particular after removing the filling member from the container mouth, can be avoided. The overpressure in the treatment chamber preferably corresponds to the overpressure with which the filling product is introduced into the container. In the case of filling products containing carbon dioxide, the overpressure in the treatment chamber preferably corresponds to the filling pressure or saturation pressure of the carbon dioxide, which effectively prevents the filling product from foaming or foaming over after the filling process has ended. If the internal pressure of the treatment chamber is generated by carbon dioxide or a gas containing carbon dioxide, the filling product in the container can also be mixed with carbon dioxide after filling. By choosing the overpressure in the treatment _{chamber, the CO 2} content in the filling product can be set by container group and type.

Each filling element preferably has an opening section and in this case is set up so that the opening section for evacuating and filling the container in the treatment chamber can be brought into sealing fluid communication with the latter, the filling element being at least partially movable for this purpose. The movability can be seen here relative to the treatment chamber. Thus, the evacuation and filling of the container can be carried out quickly and reliably, and at the same time foreign particles are prevented from getting into the interior of the container. For a reliable fit of the mouth section on the container mouth the mouth section have a centering bell with a seal, for example with a suitably shaped rubber pressure pad.

One closure member is preferably provided for each filling member, which closure member is designed to receive a closure and to close the container in the corresponding treatment chamber after filling with the closure. The sealing takes place particularly preferably in the treatment chamber under the overpressure built up therein. For this purpose, the closing element can have a closing head which protrudes into the treatment chamber and can be moved essentially vertically. A closure can be transferred to the closer head in various ways. For example, in a first step per filling / closing cycle, a closure can be introduced into the treatment chamber, for example from a sorting unit and a feed chute, and transferred to the closure head. By closing immediately after filling and under excess pressure in the treatment chamber, the filling process can be accelerated considerably, since essentially no calming phase of the filling product, even if it is carbonized, is required.

The device preferably has means for introducing carbon dioxide into the filling product lines and / or into the containers. This means that almost any carbon dioxide content can be set for each container (or container group) and type-specific. For example, water as a possible main component only has to be made available to one quality (e.g. still or carbonized to a certain degree) as the base liquid. Several systems can also be supplied with the same water quality, regardless of which types are filled in them. In this case, it is not absolutely necessary to focus on the filling product with the lowest carbon dioxide content. In addition, still filling products can be filled in parallel to carbonated filling products.

The device is preferably designed to flush the containers with carbon dioxide before evacuation by means of the filling elements, preferably via their gas lines, and then _{to evacuate the containers to a variable negative pressure P low} in order to adjust the carbon dioxide content in the filled filling product. In this way, the evacuation of the container, thus the sudden filling, is synergistically combined with the individual carbonization of the filling product. The terms “evacuation”, “evacuate” and the like do not necessarily imply an endeavor to bring the negative pressure in the container as close as possible to a perfect vacuum.

The filling device is preferably designed to adapt the overpressure with which the filling product is introduced into the container to the underpressure P _low , preferably in such a way that the pressure difference between the overpressure and the underpressure P _low remains essentially constant. The variation in the negative pressure P _low therefore does not necessarily affect the filling speed and thus the duration of the filling process. The pressure difference can be selected so that the container-specific, type-specific carbonation does not affect the control of the filling process, in particular the cycle rate, cycle duration, etc.

Further advantages and features of the present invention can be seen from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments. The features described there can be implemented alone or in combination with one or more of the features set out above, provided the features do not contradict one another. The following description of preferred exemplary embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht von der Seite betrachtet, die einen Ausschnitt einer Füllvorrichtung zeigt;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit einem mehrkomponentigen Füllprodukt;

Figur 3

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Anordnung mehrerer Füllorgane in einer Rundläufermaschine; und

Figur 4

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines an einen Verteiler angebundenen Füllorgans.

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

Figure 1

a schematic cross-sectional view viewed from the side showing a portion of a filling device;

Figure 2

a schematic representation of a device for filling a container with a multi-component filling product;

Figure 3

a schematic plan view of an arrangement of several filling members in a rotary machine; and

Figure 4

a schematic side view of a filling member connected to a distributor.

Detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar or identically acting elements are provided with identical reference symbols in the figures, and a repeated description of these elements is in some cases dispensed with in order to avoid redundancies.

The Figure 1 shows a section of a filling device 1 for filling a container (in Figure 1 not shown) with a filling product and closing the container with a closure 2 in a beverage filling plant.

The filling device 1 has a filling member 20, which in the Figure 1 Process stage shown protrudes into a treatment chamber 10. The filling element 20 has, accommodated in a filling element housing 21: a filling product line 22; a filling valve 23 which is arranged at the lower, ie downstream end of the filling product line 22; a gas line 24; and a gas valve 25 disposed at the lower end of the gas line 24.

The container can be flushed and / or pretensioned with a gas, for example inert gas, nitrogen and / or carbon dioxide, via the gas line 24 and the gas valve 25. Furthermore, the interior of the container can be adjusted to a desired pressure, for example evacuated. It should be noted that the gas line 24 can be a multi-channel construction, for example by means of a tube-in-tube construction, it can comprise several gas lines in order to supply one or more gases into the container and / or to discharge gas from the container physically separate if necessary.

The gas valve 25 comprises, for example, a gas valve cone and a gas valve seat, which are designed to regulate the gas flow. For this purpose, the gas valve cone can be switched via an actuator (not shown).

The filling product line 22 is preferably designed as a ring line which extends essentially concentrically to the gas line 24. The filling valve 23 comprises, for example, a filling valve cone and a filling valve seat, which are set up to regulate the flow of the filling product. The filling valve 23 is set up to enable the flow of filling product to be shut off completely. In the simplest case, the filling valve 23 has two positions, one open and one completely closed. For this purpose, the filling valve 23 can be switched via an actuator (not shown).

The actuation of the gas valve 25 and the filling valve 23 take place via actuators which are not shown in detail. It should be pointed out that the gas valve 25 and filling valve 23 can be operatively connected to one another, so that, for example, an actuator can be set up for common use in order to simplify the construction of the filling element 20 and to increase the reliability.

At the outlet end of the media, the filling element 20 has an opening section 26 which is set up in such a way that the container opening can be brought against the opening section 26 in a sealing manner. For this purpose, the mouth section 26 preferably has a centering bell with a suitably shaped contact rubber. The filling member 20 with the mouth section 26 is set up for what is known as wall filling, in which the filling product flows down the container wall after exiting the mouth section 26. The filling product line 22 and the mouth section 26 are preferably designed or have corresponding means so that the filling product is swirled during filling, whereby the filling product is driven outwards due to centrifugal force and flows downwards in a spiral movement after exiting the mouth section 26.

In order to achieve a quick change of type, essentially without a changeover time, the filling element 20 has one or more, preferably at least two, metering valves 27, 28 which open into a metering chamber 22a. As a result, the product to be filled can be switched round by round, i.e. in one round the filling element 20 fills, for example, orange lemonade, in the next round, for example, lemonade. In addition, by providing a plurality of metering valves 27, 28, one metering line can be rinsed and cleaned with water, for example, while another metering line is used for filling. In this way, the filling process and any cleaning of parts of the machine can be combined synergistically through simultaneous or temporally overlapping execution, whereby productivity can be increased.

The metering valves 27, 28 are preferred versions or designs of metering feed lines. In other words: In certain embodiments in which the introduction and any dimensions of the dosage component (s) into the dosage space 22a is implemented by means external to the filling element 20, the dosage valves 27, 28 may be dispensed with, so that, for example, only corresponding Dosage lines or channels open into the dosing space 22a.

The metering space 22a can be a section or a suitably shaped part of the filling product line 22. Via the dosing valves 27, 28, to which corresponding dosing lines are connected, one or more dosing components, for example syrup, pulp, aromas, etc., can be added to a main component introduced into the dosing chamber 22a via the filling product line 22, for example water or beer. How the measurement can take place during the metering in of the dosage components is described below with reference to the Figure 2 explained.

The filling member 20 is set up to be at least partially movable, so that the in the Figure 1 The arm-like section of the filling element 20 shown can be retracted into the treatment chamber 10 and either withdrawn therein or partially or even completely removed therefrom. This makes it possible to press the container mouth for the filling process against the mouth section 26 of the filling element 20 and then withdraw the filling element 20 after the filling process has ended so that the container can be closed in the treatment chamber 10.

In order to ensure the movability of the filling element 20 without the atmosphere of the treatment chamber 10 being exposed to uncontrolled external influences, means for sealing are provided, which are provided in the Figure 1 are not shown. For example, after the filling process has ended, the treatment chamber pressure can be greater than the pressure of the external environment, which in this case does not have to be atmospheric pressure, so that the penetration of contaminants into the treatment chamber 10 can be virtually excluded. As an alternative or in addition, the treatment chamber 10 can be located in a clean room or form one.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the filling device 1 also has a closing element 30 for closing the container. The closing member 30 has a closing head 31 which protrudes into the treatment chamber 10 and, in the present exemplary embodiment, can be moved essentially vertically. Like the filling element 20, the closing element 30 is sealed off from the wall of the treatment chamber 10 in order to avoid contamination or uncontrolled impairment of the atmosphere in the interior of the treatment chamber 10 due to external influences.

The closure member 30 is designed and set up to receive and hold a closure 2 on the closure head 31. For this purpose, the closure head 31 can have a magnet, whereby a closure 2, in particular if it is a metal crown cap, can be centered and placed on the container mouth to close the container in a structurally simple manner. Alternatively, the closure 2 can be grasped, held and applied to the container mouth by suitable gripping or clamping means, so that the concept presented here can also be used for plastic closures, rotary closures, etc.

The closing head 31 is designed to be movable in the up / down direction, it being arranged essentially coaxially to the container mouth in order to be able to reliably apply the closure 2 to the container.

A closure 2 can be transferred to the closer head 31 in various ways. For example, a closure 2 can be introduced into the treatment chamber 10 per filling / closing cycle in a first step, for example from a sorting unit and a feed chute. For this purpose, the treatment chamber 10 can be part of the closure member 30 and execute a movement relative to the closure feed, such as the feed channel or a transfer arm, the closure head 31 picking and holding a closure 2 from the closure feed.

It should be noted that the container can also be closed at another point. In particular in the case of filling products containing carbon dioxide, however, the sealing preferably takes place immediately after filling and in the treatment chamber 10 under excess pressure, as explained below.

To fill the container, it is raised, the container mouth is introduced into the treatment chamber 10 and sealed off from the treatment chamber 10. The container mouth is pressed sealingly against the mouth section 26 of the filling element 20 extended into the filling position. The mouth section 26 of the filling member 20 thus marks the end position of the container stroke. The closer head 31 picks up the closure 2 and moves into the treatment chamber 10. The sealing of the treatment chamber 10 from the environment and from the container or its mouth area can be achieved by inflating one or more seals. The treatment chamber 10 itself preferably does not perform any lifting movement.

During the filling process, gas is preferably fed into the treatment chamber 10. The overall process can be optimized through such a parallel execution. During the filling process, the treatment chamber 10 is sealed on all sides, as a result of which a suitable internal pressure is built up in the treatment chamber 10. In the case of carbon dioxide-containing filling products, this preferably corresponds to the filling pressure or saturation pressure of the carbon dioxide, which effectively prevents the filling product from foaming up or over-foaming after the filling process has ended.

The gas supply can be achieved by means of a Figure 1 valve not shown in the wall of the treatment chamber 10 take place. Alternatively or additionally, the gas supply can be at least partially integrated in the filling element 20. For this purpose, the filling element 20 according to the present exemplary embodiment has a treatment chamber gas line 29. The treatment chamber gas line 29, in particular its outlet into the treatment chamber 10, can be set up so that the exiting gas jet hits the underside of the closure 2 when the filling element 20 is in the filling position. In this way, the closure 2 is cleaned at the same time during the filling process. Carbon dioxide is preferably used as the gas, but another medium, such as sterile air, can also be used.

If the container is now filled and the interior of the treatment chamber 10 is brought to the desired pressure, the filling element 20 is withdrawn and the closing head 31 continues its downward movement until the opening of the container is closed when it is reached.

• a) Evakuieren des Behälters auf einen Unterdruck P_low;
• b) Einfüllen des Füllprodukts in den Behälter, vorzugsweise unter einem Überdruck;
• c) Erzeugen eines Überdrucks P_high in der Behandlungskammer 10 sowie gegebenenfalls im Kopfraum des Behälters, um beim Lösen des Füllorgans 20 von der Behältermündung ein auf- und überschäumen des Füllprodukts zu vermeiden;
• d) Aufbringen des Verschlusses 2 auf die Behältermündung und Verschließen des Behälters, ohne vorherige Entlastung auf Umgebungsdruck;
• f) Entlüften der Behandlungskammer 10 und Ausbringen des Behälters zur weiteren Verarbeitung (bspw. Etikettierung, Verpackung usw.).

A preferred process for suddenly filling and closing the container with a filling product can be carried out as follows:

• a) evacuating the container to a negative pressure P _low ;
• b) filling the filling product into the container, preferably under an overpressure;
• c) generating an overpressure P _high in the treatment chamber 10 and optionally in the head space of the container in order to prevent the filling product from foaming up and over when the filling element 20 is released from the container mouth;
• d) applying the closure 2 to the container mouth and closing the container without prior release to ambient pressure;
• f) Venting of the treatment chamber 10 and removal of the container for further processing (e.g. labeling, packaging, etc.).

The terms "underpressure" and "overpressure" are initially to be understood relative to one another. However, the negative pressure P _low after the evacuation in step a) is preferably below atmospheric pressure (= normal pressure). _{The overpressure P high} generated in step c) can correspond to atmospheric pressure, but is preferably higher.

Thus, before the filling product is introduced, the container is preferably _{evacuated to a negative pressure P low} with an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 0.05 bar, preferably 0.3 to 0.1 bar, particularly preferably about 0.1 bar. The overpressure P _high is preferably above atmospheric pressure, for example at an absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar. In this way, the container is evacuated in such a way that essentially no gas is displaced by the filling product when it is filled with the filling product and accordingly no gas has to flow out of the interior of the container. Rather, the entire mouth cross-section of the container can be used to introduce the filling product. In other words, during filling there is only one flow of filling product directed into the container, but not an opposing flow of fluid.

The Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a device 100 for filling a container 200 with a multi-component filling product.

The device 100 has a base reservoir 110 for a base liquid, which can also be viewed as the main product, as well as a filling device 1 with a filling member 20 as described above. The filling device 1 is in the Figure 2 for the sake of clarity only shown schematically, in particular without treatment chamber 10 and without closure member 30.

The base liquid and any dosage components, which can be mixed in via a fluid system described below, are introduced into the container 200 via the filling element 20. The basic liquid is, for example, water or beer. The dosage components can include, for example, syrup, pulp containing liquids, pulp, flavorings, etc.

The device 100 has a base line 120 which is set up for the introduction of the base liquid into the filling element 20 and into which the dosage components can be introduced. Further lines, not shown here, also referred to as "secondary lines", can be provided in order to mix in different amounts and / or further dosage components.

For this purpose, the base line 120 has a base line 121 which extends from the base reservoir 110 to the filling element 20. The base line 121 is equipped with a flow meter 122. The flow meter 122 is preferably a contactless, for example an inductive, measuring device for determining the liquid flow, volume flow, the transported mass or the like passing through the flow meter 122.

The section of the base line 121, which is located between the flow meter 122 and the filling valve 23, is referred to as a dosing space 22a or contains one. The metering space 22a is set up to measure the metering components to be introduced by means of backward displacement, as described below.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, two metering branches 124, 125 open into the metering space 22a. The two metering branches 124, 125 each have a metering reservoir 124a, 125a, a fluidically connected metering line 124b, 125b and a metering valve 27, 28 which brings the associated metering line 124b, 125b into fluid connection with the metering chamber 22a in a switchable manner.

With the provision of several dosage branches 124, 125, the product to be filled can be switched round by round, i.e. in one round the filling element 20 fills, for example, orange lemonade in the next round, for example, lemonade. In addition, a dosing branch 124, 125 can be rinsed and cleaned with water, for example, while another dosing branch 124, 125 is used for filling. In this way, the filling process and any cleaning of parts of the machine can be combined synergistically or carried out at the same time, whereby productivity can be increased.

With the selection of the nominal widths of the metering chamber 22a, the flow meter 122 and / or the metering branches 124, 125, a metering range for the baseline 120 is established.

The dosing and filling process is described below using the device 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG Figure 2 described:
The base line 120 is rinsed with the base liquid at the beginning of each filling cycle, as a result of which the associated metering space 22a is filled with the base liquid when the filling element 20 is closed. When filling the dosing space, the associated flow meter 122 can measure the flow of base liquid in the forward direction, ie the filling direction. In this way, the desired total filling volume of the metering space 22a can be determined and set.

The metering components are then introduced into the metering chamber 22a by opening the corresponding metering valves 27, 28. The dosage components can be introduced simultaneously or one after the other. The introduction of the dosing components has the result that part of the base liquid is displaced backwards out of the dosing space 22a. Here, the backward flow is detected by the flow meter 122. The dosing valves 27, 28, which can be designed as pure shut-off valves or also as controllable shut-off valves, remain open until the desired volume of the dosing component (s) has been filled into the dosing space 22a. For this purpose, the flow meter 122 and the valves of the device 100 are connected in a communicating manner to a control device (not shown in the figures), which is based on the Detection results of the flow meter 122 determine the time of opening / closing or, in general, the switching behavior of the components involved. It should be pointed out that the amount of each individual dosage component can be precisely determined with just one flow meter 122 by introducing different dosage components of a line one after the other.

In the subsequent filling phase, above in relation to the Figure 1 stated, the metering space 22a is emptied into the container 200, whereby the line is completely flushed.

The reservoirs 110, 124a, 125a for the base liquid and the dosage components can each be subjected to a gas pressure in the head space, either separately or together, in order to ensure the necessary pressure difference for the delivery of the corresponding fluids. Alternatively or additionally, the static heights of the reservoirs 110, 124a, 125a can be selected such that the pressure differences enable the dosage components to be introduced into the base liquid.

The introduction and dimensioning of the dosage component (s) carried out in this way by means of backward displacement enables precise dosage to be achieved. The sudden filling due to the pressure difference between the underpressure container 200 and the underpressure filling product not only accelerates the filling process, but also optimal rinsing of the filling element 20 can be achieved, which effectively prevents the carryover of flavors or filling product residues .

The technology presented here for fast and reliable filling of containers 200 by container and type also allows the filling product to be carbonated individually. The carbonation level can be adjusted in different ways:
According to a preferred embodiment, the desired carbonic acid content is determined by the content of CO ₂ in the container 200 before filling. This is possible because the container 200 is brought _{to the negative pressure P low before filling.} If the container 200 is _{flushed with CO 2} before evacuation, the carbon dioxide content can be set individually, in particular according to type and container, by setting P _low. So that a variation in the negative pressure P _low does not affect the duration of the filling process, the positive pressure with which the filling product is introduced into the container 200 can be adjusted accordingly. The overpressure is preferably selected such that the pressure difference between it and P _low remains approximately constant for different P _{low which determine the CO 2 content.}

The carbonic acid content can alternatively or additionally be set by introducing CO ₂ directly into the metering space 22a and / or into the container 200 during filling or at the end of the filling process into the head space of the container 200. For this purpose, the gas line 24 and the gas valve 25, a metering valve 27, 28 or another device of the filling element 20 can be set up to introduce the CO ₂ from a CO ₂ source into the filling product. Alternatively or additionally, the base liquid and / or one or more of the dosage components can be mixed with CO ₂ , so that the type-specific mixing of the components also leads to a type-specific CO ₂ content.

If the internal pressure of the treatment chamber 10 is generated by carbon dioxide or a gas containing carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide can also be added to the filling product in the container in this way after filling. By selecting the overpressure in the treatment _{chamber 10, the CO 2} content in the filling product can thus be adjusted by container and type.

In this way, almost any carbon dioxide content can be set individually, in particular according to type and / or by container. Different filling products with different carbonic acid contents can be filled at the same time. Almost any number of flavors can be filled in a highly flexible manner, individually for each container, without significant flavor carry-over or the like. A change in the basic liquid, such as an adjustment of the water quality, can be omitted when changing types, which means that any discharge quantities can be minimized. For example, water only has to be made available as a base liquid of one quality (e.g. still or carbonated). Several systems can also be supplied with the same water quality, regardless of which types are filled in them. In this case, it is not absolutely necessary to focus on the filling product with the lowest carbon dioxide content. In addition, still filling products can be filled in parallel to carbonated filling products. The high pressure difference in the system during the filling process optimizes the flushing of the filling element 20, as a result of which any product or aroma carry-over into subsequent containers is prevented or at least minimized. Since, in addition, no return gas has to be discharged from the container 200 during filling, no aroma can get into the system, in particular the product kettle, via this route either.

With regard to the metering, no container 200 has to be in contact with the filling element 20 during the metering phase, since the metering or mixing is not carried out during filling but in the metering space 22a. The time for dosing can be used synergistically for transporting the container. The concept presented here is therefore suitable for both linear indexing machines with or several filling stations as well as rotary machines can be used. In the case of rotary machines, the containers 200 can leave the carousel again after only a small angle of rotation.

The flow meter 122 always has only the base liquid flowing through it, i.e. in most cases water. This means that the media properties do not change and the line system is not contaminated by different fluids in these areas.

The mechanical engineering effort to implement the device 100 is justifiable, since the line system can be implemented by pipes or hose lines with a few valves and only one single flow meter (per line). Complicated geometries do not have to be built in, as a result of which the device 100 is easy to clean and maintain. The risk of constipation is low. The device 100 is also suitable for metering highly viscous fluids.

Although the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 a filling device 1 and a device 100 for the sudden filling and closing of containers, an evacuation of the container before the introduction of the filling product, provision of a treatment chamber 10, a closing element 30 and / or other components may be dispensed with, provided this is necessary for the following , in terms of the Figures 3 and 4 Connection of several filling members 20 described are unnecessary.

In order to avoid an individual connection of the filling organs 20 to their own base reservoir 110 and / or to their own dosage reservoirs 124a, 125a in the case of several filling organs 20, several filling organs 20 can be connected to one another in series, as can be seen from the schematic top view of FIG Figure 3 emerges.

For this purpose, the filling product lines 22 or their metering spaces 22a of the filling elements 20 are in fluid connection via respective branches 130 with one or more distribution lines 131, which are preferably implemented as ring lines. In other words, the filling product lines 22 of the filling organs 20 are not connected individually to one or more reservoirs, but rather via one or more common distribution lines 131, from which or from which they branch off. The branches 130 can also be implemented in such a way that sections of the distribution line 131 are connected directly to the filling product lines 22. For example, the filling product line 22 of one filling element 20 is initially in fluid connection with the filling product line 22 of an adjacent filling element 20, which in turn is in fluid connection with the filling product line 22 of the second neighbor, etc.

One or more branches 130 and / or one or more sections of the distribution line (s) are in fluid connection with a distributor 133 via feed lines 132 and draw the corresponding component from the distributor 133. Such a "series connection" or "ring connection" of several filling elements 20 comes particularly preferably in a rotary machine with a carousel for transporting and treating the containers 200 for use.

If the base liquid is provided via a distribution line 131, the filling product lines 22, base lines 121 or metering spaces 22a branch off from the distribution line 131. The distribution line 131 is referred to as "base liquid distribution line" in this case. The distribution line 131 is in turn in fluid connection with a distributor 133 via one or more feed lines 132. In this case, the distributor 133 is referred to as the "base liquid distributor". The base fluid distributor can be the base reservoir 110 or an intermediate reservoir in fluid communication therewith, such as a kettle. The base liquid distributor 133 is preferably arranged above the filling members 20, as is shown schematically in FIG Figure 4 is shown.

The Figure 4 also shows the flow meter 122 and a shut-off valve 134 in the feed line 132 to make it clear that in the case of such a "series connection" of several filling elements 20, one flow meter 122 per filling element 20 does not necessarily have to be assigned and installed. In this way, the structural complexity of the device 100 can be further reduced.

Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the dosage components can be provided via a common distribution line 131, in which case the corresponding dosage lines 124b, 125b or dosage valves 27, 28 branch off from the distribution line 131. In this case, the distribution line 131 is referred to as the "dosage component distribution line". In this case, too, the distribution line 131 is in fluid connection with a distributor 133 via one or more feed lines 132. In this case, the distributor 133 is referred to as a "dosage component distributor". The dosage component distributor may be a dosage reservoir 124a, 125b or an intermediate reservoir in fluid communication therewith, such as a kettle. The metering component distributor is preferably arranged above the filling members 20.

The metering component (s) are introduced into the metering chamber 22a preferably at a higher pressure than the introduction of the base liquid in order to enable or at least to facilitate the metering described above by means of backward displacement. To this The purpose of the dosage component distributor is, for example due to its static height and / or a higher pressure, a higher pressure level than the base reservoir 110 or the base liquid distributor.

The distribution line 131 can consist of a plurality of sections connected to the branches 130 or the filling product lines 22. You can be rigid; however, it is preferably flexible at least in sections in order to enable the filling members 20 to be moved or at least to simplify it. A design of the distribution line 131 that is flexible at least in sections is particularly advantageous if the filling elements 20 are designed for a lifting movement in order to move onto the container 200 from above. The flexibility can be realized through a suitable choice of material, preferably Teflon, and / or through mechanical structures, such as the use of one (or more) bellows, joints, rotary distributors, etc.

Likewise, the feed lines 132 are preferably designed to be flexible, at least in sections, in order to enable or at least to simplify any displaceability of the filling members 20, in particular a lifting movement. The flexibility can be achieved through a suitable choice of material, preferably Teflon, and / or through mechanical structures, such as the use of one (or more) bellows, joints, rotary distributors, etc.

It should be noted that the Teflon mentioned is a preferred material for some or all of the fluid-carrying components, such as lines, valves, etc., since the transport behavior of the fluids is improved due to the low surface energy. Teflon also has a very good resistance to any migration of aromatic substances.

The "series connection" described above, which comprises the preferred "ring connection", provides a machine 100 that is simple, reliable and low-maintenance implementation of the device 100, the containers 200 still being able to be filled almost individually, in particular by type and / or by container group. The handling of the individual filling members 20 is made easier, in particular if the distribution line (s) 131 and / or supply line (s) 132 are designed to be flexible, at least in sections.

As far as applicable, all of the individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference list

1

Filling device

2

Clasp

10

Treatment chamber

20th

Filling organ

21

Filling organ housing

22nd

Filling product line

22a

Dosing room

23

Filling valve

24

Gas pipe

25th

Gas valve

26th

Mouth section

27

Dosing valve

28

Dosing valve

29

Treatment chamber gas line

30th

Closing element

31

Capping head

100

Device for filling a container with a multi-component filling product

110

Base reservoir

120

Baseline

121

Base line

122

Flow meter

124

First dosage branch

124a

Dosage reservoir of the first dosage branch

124b

Dosing line of the first dosing branch

125

Second dosage branch

125a

Dosage reservoir of the second dosage branch

125b

Dosage line of the second dosage branch

130

Junction

131

Distribution line

132

Supply line

133

Distributor

134

Shut-off valve

200

container

Claims (15)

Device for filling containers (200) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, the device comprising: a plurality of filling members (20), each having a filling product line (22) for introducing the filling product into a corresponding container (200); and at least one distribution line (131) to which the filling product lines (22) of the plurality of filling elements (20) are connected. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the filling product lines (22) of the plurality of filling elements (20) branch off from the distribution line (131) via branches (130). Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the distribution line (131) is a ring line. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution line (131) is in fluid connection via at least one supply line (132) with a distributor (133) which is a fluid reservoir, the distributor (133) preferably above the filling elements ( 20) is arranged. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the supply line (132) is flexible at least in sections, the supply line (132) preferably being at least partially made of Teflon and / or at least one bellows and / or at least one joint and / or at least one Having rotary distributor. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution line (131) is at least partially flexible, the distribution line (131) preferably being at least partially made of Teflon and / or at least one bellows and / or at least one joint and / or has at least one rotary distributor. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
a base reservoir (110) is provided which is in fluid connection with the filling product lines (22) of the filling organs (20) and is set up to provide a base liquid;
the filling members (20) each have one or more, preferably two or more, metering feed lines, preferably metering valves (27, 28), which are each set up to feed a metering component from a corresponding metering reservoir (124a, 125a) into the filling product line (22) initiate, whereby
a distribution line (131) is in fluid connection with the base reservoir (110) and is set up to supply the filling product lines (22) with the base liquid, and / or at least one distribution line (131) in fluid connection with one of the dosage reservoirs (124a, 125a) stands and is set up to supply the filling product lines (22) with the corresponding dosage component. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the dosage components are provided at a higher pressure than the base component and can be introduced into the filling product lines (22). Device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it has at least one flow meter (122) which is arranged between the base reservoir (110) and a filling element (20), preferably between the base reservoir (110) and the distribution line (131) is arranged to determine the amount of fluid passing through the flow meter (122). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as a rotary machine with a carousel for transporting and filling the containers (200) by the filling members (20). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling elements (20) each have a gas line (24) in order _{to evacuate the container (200) to be filled to a negative pressure (P low} ), the filling elements (20) preferably being set up are to introduce the filling product under an overpressure into the evacuated container (200). Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that a treatment chamber (10) is provided for each filling element (20), into which the container (200) to be filled can be at least partially introduced for evacuation and filling, which can be sealed off from the external environment and via a Has gas supply which is set up to generate an overpressure in the treatment chamber (10). Device according to claim 12, characterized in that each filling element (20) has an opening section (25) and is set up in such a way that the opening section (25) for evacuating and filling the container in the treatment chamber (10) can be brought into fluid communication therewith in a sealing manner , the filling element (20) being at least partially movable for this purpose. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that a closure member (30) is provided for each filling member (20), which is set up to receive a closure (2) and afterwards the container (200) in the corresponding treatment chamber (10) Fill with the cap (2) to close. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has means for introducing carbon dioxide into the filling product lines (22) and / or into the containers (200), the device preferably being set up to close the containers (200) before evacuation to flush with carbon dioxide by means of the filling elements (20), preferably via their gas lines (24), and then _{to evacuate the containers (200) to a variable negative pressure (P low} ) in order to adjust the carbon dioxide content in the filled filling product.

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