EP4008682A1 - Device and method for filling a container with a filling product - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) and method for treating a container (100), comprising filling the container (100) with a filling product, preferably a beverage, in a beverage bottling plant, the device (1) having: a valve body (10) with an outlet ( 13) for introducing the filling product into the container (100) and a swirl chamber (11) which is in fluid communication with the outlet (13) and is arranged to impart a swirl to the filling product during introduction into the container (100); a valve cone (14) which is at least partially arranged in the valve body (10), defines an axial direction and through which a gas channel (18) penetrates in the axial direction, the valve cone (14) preferably being used for regulating the flow of the filling product through the outlet (13) in is set up to be displaceable in the axial direction; and a sensor device (20) with a sensor head (22) which is set up to detect at least one signal and is arranged in the gas channel (18).

Description

technical field

The present invention relates to a device and a method for treating a container, comprising filling the container with a filling product, preferably a beverage, in a beverage bottling plant.

State of the art

Filling elements of different types are known in the filling of fluids in the foodstuffs sector. A distinction is made here between the basic product types of non-carbonated (still) and carbonated (CSD) liquids. In the case of non-carbonated products, such as in the bottling of still water, juice, etc., the liquid is usually filled into the container in a free jet. In contrast, when filling carbonated products such as beer, sparkling water, soft drinks, etc., the liquid is usually guided into the container along the inner wall of the container in order to reduce outgassing and foaming.

The flow of the filling product through the filling element and thus the introduction into a container is usually controlled by a filling valve which comprises a valve cone which sits in a valve receptacle shaped to complement the valve cone. The filling process is started by lifting the valve cone out of the valve seat, and the filling process is ended again by subsequently lowering the valve cone onto the valve seat.

When filling, in particular, carbonated products, the container to be filled can be sealed against the filling element. In order to further reduce outgassing and foaming, the container can be pressurized using what is known as the counter-pressure process, so that the CO ₂ remains bound in the liquid phase. For this purpose, the container is pressed gas-tight onto the filling element and pre-tensioned with a tensioning gas, for example CO ₂ , before the start of filling. After tempering, filling begins. Instead of a valve cone, as in the case of free-jet filling, a swirler takes over the function of opening/closing the valve in addition, the flowing liquid is rotated. If the swirler is lifted, the product flows through the annular gap into the pressed-on container via an aerodynamically optimized contour for wall filling. The liquid is driven outwards by the centrifugal forces of the rotation and then flows along the inner wall of the container, which is why this type of filling is also referred to as "wall filling". At the same time, the gas in the container can escape through a hole in the swirl body and a valve rod connected to it. At the end of filling, the annular gap is closed by pressing the swirl body against the outlet contour. The container is then relieved of ambient pressure and separated from the filling element.

The filling process can therefore have a series of steps, including the pressure-tight pressing of the container against the filling element, a gas exchange, particularly in the case of oxygen-sensitive filling products, an increase or decrease in pressure in the container, the introduction of the filling product and a relief of the container.

The filling elements are usually equipped with sensors to monitor one or more steps of the filling process. The dosing of the filling product into the container can be monitored, for example, by means of a flow meter in the product inlet or an electric rod probe immersed in the container mouth. In contrast to free-jet filling, the container weight cannot be measured with wall filling because the container is pressed against the filling element. It is also known to integrate a pressure sensor in the gas path of the filling element in order to monitor the intended positive or negative pressure in the container. Ultrasonic barriers are usually used to provide information as to whether a container is correctly positioned under the filling element. For reasons of cost, these are not installed on the rotating carousel, but are installed stationary at the inlet and, if necessary, at a few additional locations.

The sensors set out above monitor the filling of the container either indirectly, for example via the flow of the filling product into the container, or directly by means of an immersing probe. In both cases, however, a defective filling process can only be recognized to a limited extent, since only the step of introducing the filling product into the container is monitored. However, the formation of foam, in particular in the case of carbonated beverages, in the steps of introducing the filling product into the container and depressurizing the container cannot be monitored in this way, or can only be monitored inadequately. With an additional pressure sensor in the filling element, the steps of gas exchange in the container, pressure increase or evacuation as well as relief can be monitored; however, the pressure sensor is mostly an additional sensor, installed in each filling device. The dosing of the filling product into the container cannot be satisfactorily monitored by a pressure sensor, so that a flow meter and/or a filling level probe are also required. The steps of inserting and removing the container are either not monitored or are monitored by additional sensors.

In summary, the filling process is currently either monitored using a large number of sensors, resulting in high costs, high maintenance, etc., or a compromise is sought in which only the most necessary steps are monitored, again at the expense of reliability and quality goes.

Presentation of the invention

One object of the invention is to provide an improved device and an improved method for treating a container, including filling the container with a filling product, in particular improving the reliability of the filling process while at the same time simplifying the mechanical engineering.

The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of the quasi-secondary method claim. Advantageous developments follow from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention and the description of preferred exemplary embodiments.

The device and the method according to the invention serve to treat a container, preferably in a beverage bottling plant. This includes at least the filling of the container with a filling product.

In particular, beverages, for example water, soft drinks, beer, mixed beverages and the like come into consideration as products to be filled. Carbonated beverages are particularly preferably bottled.

In addition to the actual introduction of the filling product into the container, further steps can be useful or necessary, depending on the filling product and/or process. So it is necessary in the context of a counter-pressure or negative pressure process to press the container against a mouth of the filling element and to subject the container to a corresponding negative pressure or positive pressure. Further, steps of purging, cleaning, pressurizing, evacuating, venting, etc. may be part of the filling process, collectively referred to herein as "treating" the container.

The device according to the invention, which is also referred to herein as "filling element", comprises a valve body with an outlet for introducing the filling product into the container and a swirl chamber which is in fluid communication with the outlet and is set up to contain the filling product during introduction to spin in the container. Furthermore, the device has a valve cone which is at least partially arranged in the valve body, defines an axial direction and preferably forms at least part of the wall of the swirl chamber. A gas channel penetrates the valve cone in the axial direction.

The valve cone preferably extends in the axial direction through the valve body, with the wording “extends through” not being understood to mean that the valve cone protrudes beyond the valve body on both sides in the axial direction. In other words, the dimension of the valve plug in the axial direction can be smaller than that of the valve body.

The valve cone is designed to be displaceable, preferably in the axial direction, for regulating the flow of the filling product through the outlet. For this purpose, the valve cone interacts with a valve seat, for example, which can be part of the valve body.

By the term "flow control" is meant herein a change in flow by displacement of the valve plug, including complete cessation of flow, i.e. zero flow. A binary switching on and off of the flow rate is therefore just as much a part of flow control as a gradual change in the volume flow rate. The adjustability of the valve cone preferably takes place in a translatory manner along the axial direction determined by the valve cone and outlet. The valve cone can be gradually adjustable within a working path.

The container mouth is normally located directly below the spout during filling. For this purpose, the container mouth can bear against a mouth section of the valve body. Alternatively, the filling element can also be used as a free jet valve.

According to the invention, the device comprises a sensor device with a sensor head, which is set up to detect at least one signal and is arranged in the gas channel.

The sensor device is preferably the only sensor of the filling element, ie the invention allows the filling element to have no further sensors, such as a flow meter or a level probe, since the sensor device presented herein is arranged and set up in such a way that not only one but preferably several measured variables can be monitored during the treatment of the container.

The use of such a sensor device placed in the gas channel of the filling element with swirl chamber enables a mechanical engineering simplification, since previously used sensors, for example for flow, filling level, container detection (Flada) and pressure, are replaced and at the same time several or even all steps in the filling process are continuously monitored with one sensor can become. This results in less maintenance, improved reliability and cost savings due to fewer sensors and fewer variants.

In addition, steps or processes during the filling process that previously could not be monitored or could only be monitored insufficiently, for example relating to the process of positioning and/or pressing the container against the mouth section of the filling element, can be monitored by the sensor device.

Due to the compact design of the filling element, the sensor head can be positioned at a very short distance from the container mouth, which means that a large sensor field of view can be achieved. This is further supported by the twist of the filling product, which creates a stable "eye" during filling, through which the sensor head can "look" undisturbed.

Since the filling element with the valve body can be used both for wall filling and for free jet filling or for products to be filled at atmospheric pressure, the number of filling element variants for different applications is reduced. This reduces the care and maintenance effort and the number of machine variants. Filling systems that are equipped with filling elements of the type described here can be used universally. They can be used to fill a wide variety of different beverages, container formats and materials (PET, glass, can, still, carbonated, etc.).

The sensor head preferably has a transmission/reception surface which is set up to emit a transmission signal in the direction of the container and to receive a reception signal caused by the transmission signal. The received signal caused by the transmission signal can be, for example, a reflection of the transmission signal or a signal induced by the transmission signal. In other words, according to this embodiment, the sensor head emits a transmission signal into the container positioned at or below the outlet. The container, a gas or fluid located in it, causes or influences, for example, a reflection of the signal, which in turn is detected by the sensor head. From the attenuation, propagation delay, Interference, etc., can now be used to infer measurements such as the distance to the bottom of the container, the filling height in the container, the foam content, the foam height, gas composition, gas pressure, structural condition of the container and the like.

The transmission signal is particularly preferably an ultrasonic signal. In other words, the sensor device is preferably designed as an ultrasonic reflex sensor or ultrasonic sensor. In this case, the gas channel and the container wall form a resonance chamber for the ultrasonic signal. The bottom of the container or the surface of the liquid act as a reflective surface. However, the sensor device can also use a different measuring principle or measuring method, such as an optical measurement or a measuring method based on radar waves or microwaves.

The device preferably has an evaluation device which is in communication with the sensor device and is set up to infer one or more measured variables from the signals detected by the sensor device. The desired measured variable can, for example, be calculated from the detected signals, taken from a functional context or a database, or determined in some other way. Suitable measurement variable(s) are in particular: fill level of the filling product in the container; Gas pressure, composition or concentration in the gas duct and container; foam quantity/height and/or foam quality in the container; container position; Structural condition of the container, i.e. for example whether the container is defective. The communication between the sensor device and the evaluation device can be analogue or digital, wireless or wired. Furthermore, the sensor device and the evaluation device can be realized integrally or by separate electronic components. For example, the evaluation device can be installed together with the sensor head in a single sensor housing.

The device preferably also has a filling element control which is in communication with the evaluation device and is set up to control and/or regulate the treatment of the container. The measured variables determined by the sensor device and the evaluation device can thus be used to control or regulate the filling process. The treatment here preferably comprises one or more of the following steps: positioning the container relative to the filling element; pressure-tightly pressing the container against a mouth portion of the valve body; introducing a gas (e.g. CO ₂ , clean air, nitrogen, etc.) through the gas channel into the container, for example to purge, clean and/or pressurize the container; withdrawing a gas from the container through the gas channel; creating an overpressure in the container; creating a negative pressure in the container; introducing the fill product into the container; relieving the container; Removing the container from the mouth portion of the valve body.

The formulations "positioning of the container relative to the filling element" and "pressure-tight pressing of the container against a mouth section of the valve body" include not only a movement of the container relative to the filling element, but alternatively or additionally the filling element itself can also be moved to the desired relative position or position between the filling element and the container.

The terms "overpressure" and "underpressure" are primarily to be understood relative to one another, but they can also refer to normal pressure.

The evaluation device can be part of the filling element control or can be in communication with such in order to control and/or regulate the filling process. Communication can be analogue or digital, wired or wireless. The evaluation device and filling element control can be implemented centrally or decentrally, as part of Internet-based and/or cloud-based applications, or in some other way, and also access databases if necessary. The evaluation device and filling element control can be implemented with software support by a computing unit, for example.

The swirl chamber preferably has an annular shape or, more specifically, the shape of a torus, the cross-sectional contour of which has a rounded shape in the direction of extension and perpendicular to the direction of extension. The swirl chamber preferably extends essentially axially symmetrically around the valve cone.

In other words, the swirl chamber wall is preferably geometrically essentially continuous and differentiable both along the ring axis of the same and perpendicular thereto. The wording "essentially" indicates on the one hand that corners, for example in the mouth areas of a main inlet and any side inlets described below, cannot always be avoided, and on the other hand that geometric designations such as "continuous, "differentiable", " Corner points" etc., are not to be interpreted ideally mathematically. It is important in this regard that the cross-sectional contours of the swirl chamber mentioned do not have a polygonal, for example rectangular, shape.

It should be pointed out that spatial information such as "below", "below", "above", "above" etc. relates to the installation position of the filling element, which is clearly determined by the direction of gravity. In the installed state, the axial direction thereof corresponds at least essentially to the direction of gravity.

According to this embodiment variant, the valve body does not require swirl bodies, such as guide vanes or swirl channels, or additional flow guides and is therefore very compact, hygienic and tolerant of disperse solid/liquid mixtures that contain, for example, pieces of fruit, slurry, fruit fibers or the like. Furthermore, the size of pieces in the flow is hardly limited due to the absence of swirl bodies. The valve body allows the valve interior to be flushed out completely with a minimal flushing volume, due to the high turbulence that can be achieved in the swirl chamber and a comparatively small surface area. In addition, the swirl chamber has essentially no corners in which aroma substances, pieces of fruit and the like could get caught. This also optimizes the flushability. For these reasons, the valve base body is particularly suitable for flexible, container-by-container filling product changes, in particular due to components that can be added.

As mentioned above, the swirl chamber preferably has the shape of a torus. The term "torus" not only refers to a body of revolution constructed from a circular contour, even if this is preferred, but the contour or surface of revolution can also be elliptical, oval or rounded in some other way, as long as polygonal corners and edges are avoided becomes. Such a rotationally symmetrical structure further supports the formation of a uniform twist and the ability to be rinsed out.

The swirl chamber preferably extends essentially axially symmetrically around the valve cone. In this case, the valve cone penetrates the swirl chamber centrally, as a result of which the valve cone synergistically forms part of the wall forming the swirl chamber. In this way, the basic valve body can be designed to be even more compact, with the functionalities of the valve cone and the swirl chamber being structurally integrated.

The valve body preferably has a main inlet which opens tangentially into the swirl chamber and is set up to introduce the filling product or a main component of the filling product into the swirl chamber in such a way that the filling product is caused to swirl in the swirl chamber.

The term "tangential" here does not require a geometrically perfect tangential connection of the main inlet. Rather, it can make structural sense to let the main inlet flow into the swirl chamber at a certain angle. It is important that the inflow direction in this case is essentially lateral and wall-side, i.e. not from above or laterally and centrally, and thus leads directly to a swirl, i.e. ring flow, in the swirl chamber.

Due to the tangential entry of the filling product from the main inlet into the swirl chamber, this is optimally set in motion, whereby the filling product is driven outwards by centrifugal force and flows downwards in a spiral movement on the container wall after exiting the outlet. The narrowing or constriction of the swirl chamber towards the outlet results in a pressure drop and thus a steadying of the swirl. On the one hand, this leads to an even, well-defined twist over the circumference and, on the other hand, it is a key determining factor for the flow rate. The lateral main inlet, i.e. tangentially into the swirl chamber, also creates space above the swirl chamber. The space is unobstructed and can be used to expand the valve body in a modular way, for example with the sensor device described above, so that the creation of variants or differentiation of the filling element for specific applications can take place late, which saves costs and resources.

At least the axial outer wall of the swirl chamber preferably transitions continuously and differentiated into the main inlet in order to optimize swirl formation and the ability to be flushed out. For the same reasons, the main inlet in the region of the opening into the swirl chamber preferably has essentially the same cross-sectional contour perpendicular to the direction of extension as the swirl chamber. Preferably, both contours are circular with essentially the same diameter. In this way, the tangential feed of the filling product transitions optimally into the annular flow within the swirl chamber.

The outlet is preferably ring-shaped, with the swirl chamber, which is also ring-shaped, gradually tapering towards the outlet, as a result of which the filling product flows downwards in a spiral movement in the container after exiting the outlet. Rapid and controlled filling can be achieved by means of a targeted acceleration of the filling product in the ring channel between the swirl chamber and the outlet. The swirl chamber preferably has a shape that is axially symmetrical to the axis of the annular outlet.

Preferably, the valve body has a valve seat, wherein the valve cone and the valve seat are set up so that the valve cone in a shut-off position for a complete Closing the outlet is in sealing contact with the valve seat. The integration of flow control and shut-off functions in the valve body allows a reduction in the number of components and a simplification of the product path. This leads to lower pressure losses and contributes to gentler product handling and less foaming during the filling process.

The valve cone preferably has a conical outlet contour which tapers towards the outlet and extends at least partially into the swirl chamber. In this way, the design of the valve body is particularly compact.

The valve body preferably has one or more secondary inlets that open into the swirl chamber and are set up to introduce one or more additional components of the filling product into the swirl chamber in such a way that they mix with the main component therein. Due to the side inlets, any additional components are admixed directly in the swirl chamber, which ensures that the valve body can be easily flushed out and any flavor carryover is minimized. In addition, the filling element is particularly suitable for applications in filling plants that are intended for flexible dosing and an immediate product change.

In this case, the filling product is made up of several components, a main component such as water or juice and at least one additional component such as syrup, mixed together directly in the swirl chamber of the filling element. During filling, the additional components of the filling product are introduced into the swirl chamber and introduced together into the container to be filled with swirling.

The additional component(s) can be introduced into the swirl chamber in such a way that the main component previously supplied through the main supply is displaced backwards. The displaced volume of the main component is determined, for example, by means of a flow meter, and the volume of the metered component(s) is thus also known and controllable. During the subsequent filling of the filling product into the container, the main component is completely flushed out of the filling element into the container together with the metered components, with the total filling quantity being able to be determined at the same time using the same flow meter or the sensor device. In the next filling cycle, the filling quantities and also the dosed component quantities can be redetermined. This means that highly flexible and hygienic filling of individualized beverages is possible with essentially no changeover times.

The valve body preferably has a valve housing which forms at least part of the wall delimiting the swirl chamber and the outlet, as a result of which the valve body is structurally simplified and particularly reliable. The valve housing can be manufactured in one piece. Preferably, the valve body is a cast body.

At least one of the secondary inlets is preferably formed by openings in the valve housing. By integrating the supply of dosing components into the valve housing, no hoses or additional lines are required. In this way, the flushability of the valve body is optimized in a structurally simple and reliable manner and any flavor carryover is minimized.

The valve body preferably has a membrane made of a deformable material, which forms part of the wall delimiting the swirl chamber, preferably in the upper region. The membrane is connected to the valve housing at an outer contour, which is preferably circular, and at the valve cone at an inner contour, which is preferably also circular. In addition to the above-mentioned technical effects, the lateral main inlet, i.e. tangentially opening into the swirl chamber, creates space above the swirl chamber, which can be used for mounting the membrane, which seals the swirl chamber in the upper area.

The diaphragm is made of a deformable or flexible material, which allows it to follow the axial movement of the valve cone while ensuring a hygienic seal. The operating range of the valve cone also determines the degree of deformability that the diaphragm material has to provide. It is through this functionality that the terms "flexible", "deformable", etc. in relation to the membrane are determined. The flexibility of the membrane and the material properties, especially in the case of Teflon, also support filling of the filling product with twisting, even with very low filling flows. Any unintended local maximum of the flow rate at the beginning of the filling process, before a uniform flow rate with swirl is established, can be counteracted by adjusting the valve cone or by using a control valve located upstream.

The symmetry of the membrane also allows a design with a high number of load cycles, which is usually necessary for filling elements. The membrane preferably has an annular clamping section which is designed for attachment to the valve housing.

The device preferably has at least one gas path which opens into the gas channel at the side. For example, a gas supply line to span gas, purge gas and / or the like to be supplied to the gas channel, and a gas discharge line to discharge gas from the container can be provided as gas paths. The one or more gas paths are preferably designed accordingly as a flexible hose, as a result of which they can compensate for the axial movement of the valve cone.

One or more of the gas paths preferably open into the gas channel essentially directly below the sensor head. In this way, contamination of the sensor head can be prevented or at least reduced by the synergetic effect of the gas flows in the gas channel.

One or more of the gas paths can be led tangentially into the central gas channel. Such a tangential arrangement of the gas paths leads to an effective cleaning of the sensor head in a cleaning operation, for example with water.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a method for treating a container, comprising filling the container with a filling product, preferably a beverage in a beverage bottling plant, the method having: providing a device according to one of the embodiment variants presented above; introducing the filling product into the swirl chamber of the valve body and causing the filling product to swirl in the swirl chamber; Discharging the swirling filling product from the swirling chamber via the outlet of the valve body into the container, as a result of which the filling product flows along the inner wall of the container into the container; and detecting, by the sensor head of the sensor device, at least one signal propagating from the container through the gas channel.

The features, technical effects, advantages and exemplary embodiments that have been described in relation to the device apply analogously to the method.

For the reasons mentioned above, one or more measured variables are preferably inferred from the signals detected by the sensor device, in particular a fill level of the filling product in the container and/or a gas pressure, composition or concentration in the gas channel and container and/or an amount of foam /-height or foam quality in the container and / or a container position and / or a structural condition of the container.

For the above reasons, the treatment of the container preferably comprises one or more of the following steps: positioning the container relative to the filling member; pressure-tight pressing the container against a mouth portion of the valve body; introducing a gas through the gas channel into the container; withdrawing a gas from the container through the gas channel; creating an overpressure in the container; creating a negative pressure in the container; introducing the fill product into the container; relieving the container; Removing the container from the mouth portion of the valve body.

Further advantages and features of the present invention can be seen from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments. The features described therein can be implemented on their own or in combination with one or more of the features set out above, insofar as the features do not contradict one another. The following description of preferred exemplary embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying figures.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

einen schematischen Querschnitt eines Füllorgans mit einer Sensoreinrichtung, einer Auswerteeinrichtung und einer Füllorgansteuerung;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht eines Ventilgrundkörpers des Füllorgans mit Drallkammer, Ventilkegel und Membran;

Figur 3

eine Querschnittsansicht des Ventilgrundkörpers der Figur 2;

Figur 4

eine Querschnittsansicht eines Ventilgrundkörpers mit Drallkammer, Ventilkegel und Membran gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 5

den Ventilgrundkörper der Figur 4 in einer Draufsicht.

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

figure 1

a schematic cross section of a filling element with a sensor device, an evaluation device and a filling element control;

figure 2

a perspective sectional view of a valve body of the filling element with swirl chamber, valve cone and membrane;

figure 3

a cross-sectional view of the valve body of FIG figure 2 ;

figure 4

a cross-sectional view of a valve body with swirl chamber, valve cone and membrane according to a further embodiment;

figure 5

the valve body figure 4 in a top view.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Elements that are the same, similar or have the same effect are provided with identical reference symbols in the figures, and a repeated description of these elements is sometimes dispensed with in order to avoid redundancy.

the figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a device 1 for filling a container 100 with a filling product. The device 1 is also referred to herein as a “filling element” or includes one. In particular, beverages, for example water, soft drinks, beer, mixed beverages and the like come into consideration as products to be filled. Carbonated beverages are particularly preferably filled through the filling element 1 .

The filling element 1 comprises a valve body 10. The figure 2 is a perspective view of the valve body 10. The figure 3 shows the valve body 10 in a cross-sectional view.

The valve body 10 has a swirl chamber 11 designed as an annular channel or torus. The valve body 10 also has a in the perspective of figures 1 , 2 and 3 not visible main inlet 12, which opens tangentially or essentially tangentially into the swirl chamber 11. The main inlet 12 is from the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 out.

In the lower area of the valve base body 10, the swirl chamber 11 tapers to form an annular outlet 13, from which the filling product exits during filling and runs into a container 100 placed below the valve base body 10.

It should be noted that spatial information such as "below", "below", "above", "above" etc. relates to the installed position of the filling element 1, which is clearly determined by the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the filling element 1 or its main valve body 10 has a clearly defined axial direction due to the annular outlet 13, which in the installed state corresponds at least essentially to the direction of gravity.

The tangential supply of the filling product from the main inlet 12 into the swirl chamber 11 causes it to swirl, whereby the filling product is driven outwards by centrifugal force and, after exiting the valve body 10, continues to flow outwards and flows down the container wall. The narrowing or constriction of the swirl chamber 11 towards the outlet 13 leads on the one hand to a uniform, well-defined swirl over the circumference and is on the other hand a significant determining factor for the flow rate. If the degree of narrowing, in particular the dimensions of the annular gap at the outlet 13, can be adjusted, an integrated flow control can be implemented, possibly right up to the shut-off.

The above flow control can be implemented as follows: According to the embodiment of FIG figures 1 , 2 and 3 For this purpose, the valve base body 10 has a valve cone 14 which has a cylindrical shape tapering towards the outlet 13 . Which The annular gap adjoining the swirl chamber 11 is formed on the inside at least in sections by the outer peripheral surface of the valve cone 14 . On the outside, the annular gap is delimited or formed by a valve housing 15 . According to the present exemplary embodiment, the valve cone 14 is designed to be displaceable in the axial direction, ie up and down. In this way, the annular gap at the outlet 13 can be enlarged and reduced. The height of the valve cone 14 is adjusted within a working range, ie between a fully open position and a closed position or a position of minimum flow, preferably steplessly. If the inner shape of the valve housing 15 forms a valve seat 16 which is in sealing contact with the valve cone 14 when the filling element 1 is in a closed position, the outlet 13 can be completely closed, thereby realizing a shut-off function.

In addition to the technical effects mentioned above, the lateral main inlet 12, i.e. tangentially opening into the swirl chamber 11, also creates space above the swirl chamber 11. The space is unobstructed and can be used for installing a membrane 17, which seals the swirl chamber 11 in the upper area.

The membrane 17 has a circular outer contour which is connected directly or indirectly to the valve housing 15 via a fastening means. The diaphragm 17 is fastened to the valve cone 14 radially on the inside. The membrane 17 is made of a flexible material, preferably Teflon, which allows it to follow the axial movement of the valve cone 14 and at the same time ensures that the swirl chamber 11 is sealed hygienically. The symmetry of the membrane 17 also allows a design with a high number of load cycles, as is usually necessary for filling elements 1.

The valve body 10 also has a gas channel 18 which penetrates the valve cone 14 centrally in the axial direction. The gas channel 18 serves to introduce a gas, such as purge gas, span gas and the like, and at the same time acts as a return gas channel in order to divert any gas that is to be discharged during a gas exchange and/or is displaced from the container 100 during filling. However, the gas channel 18 can also be implemented as a multi-channel construction, for example a pipe-in-pipe construction, for example in order to create separate inlet and exhaust gas paths.

One or more gas paths 18a, 18b open laterally into the gas duct, for example a gas supply line 18a to supply the gas—tension gas, flushing gas, etc.—to the gas duct 18, and a gas discharge line 18b to discharge gas from the container 100. The gas paths 18a, 18b are preferably each designed as a flexible hose, whereby they can compensate for the axial movement of the valve cone 14.

The valve cone 14 essentially ends directly below a throttle point, i.e. the narrowest point of the annular gap forming the outlet 13, whereby a defined change from a single-phase gap flow to a wall-film flow in the container 100 is realized. A well-defined, constant tear-off edge of the liquid is formed in this way, specifically at the point with the highest flow rate. Preferably, the valve seat 16, i.e. the shut-off point, is in close proximity to the stall edge, thereby minimizing the surfaces that could lead to dripping.

The valve cone 14 is preferably made of Teflon, which improves the drainage behavior due to the low surface energy. If, in addition, the valve housing 15 is made of stainless steel, such a material pairing can ensure complete sealing even at high differential pressures.

Apart from the valve cone 14, the valve body 10 requires neither swirl bodies, such as guide vanes or swirl channels, nor additional flow guides and is therefore very hygienic and tolerant of disperse solid/liquid mixtures that contain, for example, pieces of fruit, slurry, fruit fibers or the like. Furthermore, the size of pieces in the flow is hardly limited due to the absence of swirl bodies. For filling large pieces, for example with volumes of 5 × 5 × 5 mm or more, the poppet stroke can be flexibly increased during the filling process.

The valve body 10 is particularly suitable for the wall filling set out above, in which the filling product runs spirally down the inner wall of the container. However, a filling element 1 equipped with the valve body 10 can also be used as a free jet valve. In this case, the valve body 10 can be used as a hygienic control valve by installing it in a corresponding filling product line with a subsequent calming section and, if necessary, a gas barrier at the outlet. If necessary, the swirl can be removed by a radial instead of tangential main gate 12.

The valve base body 10 allows the valve interior, in particular the swirl chamber 11 and the outlet 13 adjoining it in the filling direction, to be flushed out completely with a minimal flushing quantity due to the high turbulence that can be achieved in the swirl chamber 11 and a comparatively small surface. For this reason, the valve body 10 for one frequent, for example up to container-by-container, change of the filling product, in particular components that can be added, is particularly suitable. Because of the particularly good flushability, the valve body 10 can also be used in aseptic filling machines.

The integration of the control and shut-off function in the valve body 10 allows a reduction in the number of components and a simplification of the product path. This leads to lower pressure losses and contributes to gentler product handling and less foaming during the filling process.

The compact design of the valve body 10 also enables a hygienic integration of the valve cone drive and, if necessary, other control functions in the valve head, i.e. above the swirl chamber 11, for example an integration of gas valves for preloading the containers 100, return gas lines, relief lines, solenoid valves for further separate control functions in the area of the filling element 1, such as raising and lowering the valve, dosing components and the like. Likewise, for example, a control board can be installed in the valve head to implement decentralized control architectures.

Since the filling element 1 with the valve body 10 can be expanded in a modular manner and can also be used for wall filling as well as for free jet filling or for products to be filled atmospherically, the number of filling element variants for different applications is reduced. This reduces the care and maintenance effort and the number of machine variants. Filling systems that are equipped with filling elements 1 of the type described herein can be used universally. They can be used to fill a wide variety of different beverages, container formats and materials (PET, glass, can, still, carbonated, etc.).

the figure 4 12 is a cross-sectional view of a valve body 10 with swirl generation according to another embodiment. A plan view of the valve body 10 is in FIG figure 5 shown. The basic structure and the associated technical functions are similar to the exemplary embodiment figures 1 , 2 and 3 . The valve body 10 according to the Figures 4 and 5 however, has an expanded range of functions compared to the embodiment variants described above.

The valve body 10 thus has two further inlets, which are referred to herein as the first and second secondary inlets 12a, 12b. The number of two side feeds 12a, 12b is only an example and can vary depending on the application.

The secondary inlets 12a, 12b enable the supply of further components, which are also referred to herein as additional component(s), directly into the swirl chamber 11. In order to be able to meter the quantities of the additional components, the secondary feeds 12a, 12b can each be equipped with a metering valve 19a. The metering valve associated with the secondary inlet 12b is in the perspective of FIG figure 4 not visible, but can be designed like the metering valve 19a.

The admixing of additional components takes place directly in the swirl chamber 11 through the secondary inlets 12a, 12b, as a result of which a good flushability of the valve body 10 is ensured and any flavor carryover is minimized. By integrating the supply of dosage components into the valve housing 15, no hoses or additional lines are required. In this way, the valve body 10 is particularly suitable for an immediate product change.

The basic valve body 10 has a modular design in several respects and can thus be functionally expanded and adapted in a simple manner. The membrane 17 has a clamping section 17a which is designed for fastening in the valve housing 15 . The clamping portion 17a is an annular structure which may be integral with the diaphragm 17 or attached thereto as a separate member. The membrane 17 is attached to the valve cone 14 in the radially inner area.

A material pairing of Teflon for the valve cone 14 and for the membrane 17 is preferred. The flexibility of the membrane and the nature of the material support filling of the filling product with twisting, even with very low filling flows. In addition, any unintentional local maximum of the flow rate at the beginning of a filling process, before an even flow rate with swirl is established, is counteracted. In combination with a valve cone 14 made of Teflon, which optimizes the drainage behavior due to the low surface energy, uniform, quiet and trouble-free filling with short filling times can be achieved.

The modular structure allows different diaphragms 17 and/or valve cones 14 with different flow and filling properties to be used and combined without the entire valve body 10 having to be redesigned. The rest of the valve base body 10, in particular the valve housing 15, can be an unchangeable, standardized component, while the valve properties are simply variable due to the structural unit made up of the valve cone 14 and membrane 17. In this way, for example, the size of the swirl chamber 11, the shape of the valve cone 14, in particular its outlet contour, Biasing position and biasing force of the valve cone 14 can be easily modified by the membrane 17 and the like and adapted to the desired application environment.

Coming back to the figures 1 and 4 a possible connection of a bottle-shaped container 100 to an opening section 15c of the valve housing 15 is shown therein. The container 100 has a container mouth 101, which is in contact with the mouth section 15c in the wall filling mode, whereby the filling product flows downwards in a spiral movement along the container wall during filling, caused by the swirl chamber 11 to swirl under the influence of centrifugal force.

The tangential main inlet 12 set forth above leaves the top of the valve body 10 unobstructed in a manner that allows one or more modular valve components to be attached. In addition, the space in the axis of the container 100 is only filled with gas due to the wall filling of the filling product, so that these central sections of the filling element 1 can be used for a sensor device 20, the structure and function of which is described below with reference to FIG figure 1 is presented.

The sensor device 20 has a sensor housing 21 which preferably extends centrally in the extension of the valve cone 14 or the gas channel 18 upwards. The sensor device 20 also has a sensor head 22 with a transmitting/receiving surface 22a.

The sensor device 20 is preferably designed as an ultrasonic reflex sensor or ultrasonic sensor. In this case, the gas channel 18 and the container wall form a resonance space for the ultrasonic signal. The bottom of the container or the surface of the liquid act as a reflective surface. However, the sensor device 20 can also implement a different measuring principle or measuring method, such as an optical measurement or a measuring method based on radar waves or microwaves.

Due to the compact structure of the filling element 1, the sensor head 21 can be positioned at a very short distance from the container mouth 101, as a result of which a large sensor field of view S can be achieved. This is further supported by the twist of the filling product, as a result of which a stable "eye" is formed during filling, through which the sensor head 21 can "look" undisturbed. As a result, two options are possible: either use the sensor device 20 directly as a fill level sensor that detects the distance between the liquid surface of the filling product in the container 100 and the sensor head 22, or to additionally install a fill level sensor (not shown in the figures).

One, several or all of the gas paths 18a, 18b preferably open into the gas channel 18 essentially directly below the sensor head 22 . In this way, contamination of the transmitting/receiving surface 22a can be prevented or at least reduced by the synergetic effect of the gas flows in the gas channel 18 .

One, several or all of the gas paths 18a, 18b can be guided tangentially into the central gas channel 18. Such a tangential arrangement of the gas paths 18a, 18b in front of the transmitting/receiving surface 22a leads to an effective cleaning of the transmitting/receiving surface 22a in a cleaning operation, for example with water. In addition, during normal operation without excessive foaming over, the sensor head 22 only comes into contact with gaseous media, but not with liquids. In the event of the container 100 bursting, the sensor head 22 is well protected from flying fragments, such as broken glass, by being placed in the gas channel 18 .

The sensor device 20 allows several or even all steps of the filling process to be monitored. An evaluation device 30 is provided for this purpose, which is in communication with the sensor device 20 and is set up to evaluate the analog or digital detection signals of the sensor device 20 . For example, the detection signals of the sensor device 20 can be used by the evaluation device 30 to infer one or more of the following measured variables: level of the filling product in the container 100; Gas pressure in the gas channel 18 or container 100; Amount/height of foam or foam quality in container 100; container position relative to mouth portion 15c; structural condition of the container 100, i.e. whether the container 100 is intact or damaged.

The evaluation device 30 can be part of a filling element control 40 or can be in communication with such in order to control and/or regulate the filling process. Communication can be analogue or digital, wired or wireless. The evaluation device 30 and filling element control 40 can be implemented centrally or decentrally, as part of internet-based and/or cloud-based applications, or in some other way, and also access databases if necessary. The sensor device 20, evaluation device 30 and filling element control 40 can be realized integrally or by separate electronic components. For example, the evaluation device 30, in contrast to the representation of the figure 1 , Be installed in the sensor housing 21, and the evaluation device 30 and filling element control 40 can be implemented, for example, with software support by a computing unit.

If the position of the container 100 relative to the filling element 1 is changed, for example during the introduction, pressing and removal of the container 100, the signal received by the sensor device 20 also changes, which means that steps associated with a change in position or position of the container 100 go hand in hand, can be monitored and controlled accordingly. In this way, for example, the filling process can be started automatically as soon as a container 100 is present and in the correct position.

Due to the dependence of the speed of sound on gas properties, such as composition, pressure, temperature, etc., steps of gas exchange, pressure increase or reduction/evacuation can also be monitored by the sensor device 20 and controlled accordingly.

Likewise, any foam formation during the filling and/or emptying of the container 100 can be monitored by the sensor device 20 .

The monitoring and control of the dosing of the filling product is possible with all containers 100. The increase in the filling speed can be used as a controlled variable.

Container defects, such as burst bottles, can also be detected by the sensor device 20 .

The scope of application of the sensor device 20 described above is given in the case of a measuring principle that is based on the transmission and detection of ultrasonic waves. However, the scope of application can also be achieved completely or at least partially by other measurement methods such as optical measurements.

The use of such a sensor device 20 placed in the gas channel 18 of the filling element 1 with the swirl chamber 11 enables a mechanical engineering simplification, since previously used sensors, for example for flow, fill level, container detection (Flada) and pressure, are replaced and at the same time several or even all steps in the filling process can be continuously monitored with a single sensor.

In addition, steps or processes during the filling process that previously could not be monitored or could only be monitored insufficiently, for example the process of positioning and/or pressing the container 100 against the mouth section 15c of the filling element 1, can be monitored by the sensor device 20.

The use of a single sensor device 20 in the filling element 1 leads to less maintenance and cost savings due to fewer sensors and fewer variants.

It is possible to use the sensor device 20 for PET bottles as well as for glass bottles, cans or other types of containers, which reduces sensor variants.

In contrast to electrical rod probes, even filling products with low conductivity can be measured without any problems.

The use of flow meters, such as expensive Coriolis mass flow meters, is not necessary.

The necessary communication between the evaluation device 30, the filling element control 40 and/or a higher-level system control can be significantly reduced in the case of decentralized control concepts. The requirement for the permitted transmission delay is also reduced because, for example, the start signal for the filling process no longer has to be transmitted.

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

Reference character list

1

Filling element/device for filling a container with a filling product

10

valve body

11

swirl chamber

12

main inlet

12a

First inflow

12b

Second tributary

13

spout

14

poppet

15

valve body

15c

estuary section

16

valve seat

17

membrane

17a

clamping section

18

gas channel

18a

gas path

18b

gas path

19a

metering valve

20

sensor device

21

sensor housing

22

sensor head

22a

transmission/reception area

30

evaluation device

40

filling element control

100

container

101

container mouth

S

field of view

Claims (15)

Device (1) for treating a container (100), comprising filling the container (100) with a filling product, preferably a beverage, in a beverage bottling plant, the device (1) having: a valve body (10) with an outlet (13) for introducing the filling product into the container (100) and a swirl chamber (11) which is in fluid communication with the outlet (13) and is set up to contain the filling product during introduction into the to spin the container (100); a valve cone (14) which is at least partially arranged in the valve body (10), defines an axial direction and through which a gas channel (18) penetrates in the axial direction, the valve cone (14) preferably being used for regulating the flow of the filling product through the outlet (13) in is set up to be displaceable in the axial direction; and a sensor device (20) with a sensor head (22) which is set up to detect at least one signal and is arranged in the gas channel (18). Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sensor head (22) has a transmission/reception surface (22a) which is set up to emit a transmission signal in the direction of the container (100) and to receive a reception signal caused by the transmission signal , wherein the transmission signal is preferably an ultrasonic signal, optical signal, radar wave or microwave. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises an evaluation device (30) which is in communication with the sensor device (20) and is set up to from the sensor device (20) detected signals on a or several measured variables, preferably a fill level of the filling product in the container (100) and/or a gas pressure, composition or concentration in the gas channel (18) and container (100) and/or a foam quantity/height and/or foam quality in the container (100) and/or a container position and/or a structural condition of the container (100). Device (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that it also has a filling element control (40) which is in communication with the evaluation device (30) and is set up to control and/or to treat the container (100). regulate, the treatment preferably comprising one or more of the following steps: positioning the container (100); pressure-tight pressing of the container (100) against a mouth portion (15c) of the valve body (10); introducing a gas through the gas channel (18) into the container (100); withdrawing a gas from the container (100) through the gas passage (18); creating an overpressure in the container (100); creating a negative pressure in the container (100); introducing the fill product into the container (100); depressurizing the container (100); removing the container (100) from the mouth portion (15c) of the valve body (10). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swirl chamber (11) has an annular shape, preferably the shape of a torus, the cross-sectional contour of which has a rounded shape in the direction of extent and perpendicular to the direction of extent, the swirl chamber (11) preferably extends essentially axially symmetrically around the valve cone (14). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (10) has a main inlet (12) which opens tangentially into the swirl chamber (11) and is set up so that the filling product or a main component of the filling product can flow into the Initiate swirl chamber (11) that the filling product in the swirl chamber (11) is rotated. Device (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that at least the axial outer wall of the swirl chamber (11) merges continuously and differentiated into the main inlet (12), and/or the main inlet (12) in the region of the opening into the swirl chamber (11) essentially has the same cross-sectional contour perpendicular to the direction of extension as the swirl chamber (11). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet (13) is annular and the swirl chamber (12) gradually tapers towards the outlet (13), whereby the filling product after exiting the outlet (13) in a spiral movement in the container (100) flows downwards. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (10) has a valve seat (16), the valve cone (14) and the valve seat (16) being set up in such a way that the valve cone (14) is in one Blocking position for a complete closure of the outlet (13) with the valve seat (16) is in sealing contact. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (10) has one or more secondary inlets (12a, 12b) which open into the swirl chamber (11) and are set up to correspondingly contain one or more additional components of the filling product introduced into the swirl chamber (11) in such a way that they mix therein with a main component of the filling product. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve body (10) has a valve housing (15) which forms at least part of the wall delimiting the swirl chamber (11) and the outlet (13), and a membrane (17 ) made of a deformable material, which forms a further part of the wall delimiting the swirl chamber (11) and is connected to an outer contour on the valve housing (15). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one gas path (18a, 18b), preferably designed as a flexible hose, which opens laterally, preferably tangentially, into the gas channel (18), the at least one Gas path (18a, 18b) preferably opens directly below the sensor head (22) into the gas channel (18). Method for treating a container (100), comprising filling the container (100) with a filling product, preferably a beverage, in a beverage bottling plant, the method having: Providing a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; introducing the filling product into the swirl chamber (11) of the valve body (10) and causing the filling product in the swirl chamber (11) to swirl; discharge of the swirling filling product from the swirling chamber (11) via the outlet (13) of the valve body (10) into the container (100), as a result of which the filling product flows along the inner wall of the container into the container (100); and detecting at least one signal propagating from the container (100) through the gas channel (18) by the sensor head (22) of the sensor device (20). Method according to Claim 13, characterized in that one or more measured variables are inferred from the signals detected by the sensor device (20), preferably a filling level of the filling product in the container (100) and/or a gas pressure, composition or concentration in the Gas channel (18) and container (100) and/or a foam quantity/height and/or foam quality in the container (100) and/or a container position and/or a structural condition of the container (100). Method according to Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the treatment of the container (100) comprises one or more of the following steps: positioning the container (100); pressure-tight pressing of the container (100) against a mouth portion (15c) of the valve body (10); introducing a gas through the gas channel (18) into the container (100); withdrawing a gas from the container (100) through the gas passage (18); creating an overpressure in the container (100); creating a negative pressure in the container (100); introducing the fill product into the container (100); depressurizing the container (100); removing the container (100) from the mouth portion (15c) of the valve body (10).

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