EP4177213A1 - Cip processing of a device for filling containers with a filling product - Google Patents

Abstract

System with a device for filling containers with a filling product, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, and a device for optimizing treatment, as well as a method for treating, preferably cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, a device for filling containers with a filling product. The device has: a CIP device (200) for treating, preferably for cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, components of the device (1) that come into contact with the filling product using a treatment medium; and a control device (300) set up to control a treatment process of the device (1); wherein the device (400) for treatment optimization is in communication with the control device (300) and can be brought into communication with one or more control devices (300a, 300b, 300c) of other devices (1a, 1b, 1c) for filling containers (100). ; and the device (400) for treatment optimization is set up to receive process parameters of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) and to make them available to the control device (300) in order to optimize the treatment process (1).

Description

technical field

The present invention relates to a system with a device for filling containers with a filling product, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, and a device for optimizing treatment, and a method for treating, preferably cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, a device for filling containers with a filling product.

State of the art

Various methods are known for cleaning, sterilizing and rinsing devices for filling containers with a filling product, such as beverages. For example, the so-called CIP method ("Cleaning-In-Place") and SIP method ("Sterilization-In-Place") have become established, in which the cleaning or sterilization of the products touched by the filling product or the intermediate products and auxiliary materials Components and surfaces can essentially be dispensed with dismantling these components and surfaces. For example, the filling elements for cleaning, sterilization and/or rinsing do not have to be removed; instead, when installed, they are rinsed or steamed with a cleaning medium, sterilization medium and/or rinsing medium, collectively referred to below as “treatment medium”.

The CIP treatment of a plant in the food industry, such as a beverage bottling plant, blow molding machine for the production of plastic bottles, etc., is carried out by a CIP device. The treatment medium, for example water with caustic soda, nitric acid or peracetic acid, is prepared in the CIP device, mixed to the correct concentration if necessary, heated if necessary and then conveyed to the plant parts to be treated. For this purpose, the steps of flow, return and circulation can be carried out in order to keep media mixing to a minimum. The preparation, mixing, storage, transport of the treatment medium to the parts of the plant to be treated and any return of the treatment medium are carried out using a pipe system, tanks, Heat exchangers and other fluid technology devices that build the CIP device.

A multi-stage treatment process is usually carried out, for example a three-stage CIP process in the sequence water-lye-water. An acid treatment is usually only carried out at irregular intervals. The DE 10 2009 034 693 A1 describes such a multi-stage CIP process in which several media are used in chronological order during the cleaning and rinsing operation, in particular hot water, acid, lye and fresh water.

The formulation of the treatment medium and the course of the treatment process can be set or carried out as required, for example depending on the filling product with which the surfaces to be treated come into contact, a desired or prescribed degree of cleaning/sterilization and the like. The EP 3 834 954 A1 describes in this context a CIP device with a CIP dosage branch, which is set up to meter a CIP concentrate into a CIP main component, as a result of which a needs-based treatment medium can be produced.

From the EP 3 834 954 A1 also discloses the use of a CIP concentration sensor to monitor the concentration of CIP concentrate in the treatment medium. The CIP concentration sensor can be used to control the dosing of the CIP concentrate.

An automated or semi-automated optimization of the needs-based CIP treatment, however, relies on information from the plant to be treated, in particular on plant-specific sensor equipment. Consequently, in the case of missing or faulty sensors, there may be insufficient or excessive treatment. The function of sensors can be impaired by wear and tear, deposits, etc., or their application can be subject to structural restrictions, so that optimal positioning cannot be achieved, for example.

In order to nevertheless ensure adequate treatment, which is essential in the food industry in particular, over-treatment is regularly sought to be on the safe side, which requires/consumes more time and treatment medium than necessary.

Presentation of the invention

One object of the invention is to improve a treatment process such as cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing a device for filling containers, in particular to optimize the treatment in terms of resource consumption and/or cleaning or sterilization success.

The object is achieved by a system with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of the independent method claim. Advantageous developments follow from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention and the description of preferred exemplary embodiments.

The present invention relates to the treatment, in particular the cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, of a device for filling containers with a filling product. The device is particularly preferably used in a system for bottling drinks, for example water (still or carbonated), soft drinks, juices, smoothies, beer, wine, dairy products, mixed drinks, etc.

The present description distinguishes between regular operation of the device and a treatment or a treatment process. The regular operation of the device relates to the filling of a filling product into containers, while the treatment of the device generally takes place, at least in some areas, outside of regular operation.

The term “treatment” includes the application of a treatment medium to components of the device that carry filling products for the purpose of cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing. "Filling product" is also intended to include ingredients from which the final filling product is made. In other words, the components can, for example, be part of a blending system for producing the filling product.

The treatment takes place as part of a so-called CIP process ("Cleaning-In-Place"), in which dismantling of the components and surfaces that come into contact with the filling product is largely avoided. For the sake of linguistic simplicity, the term "CIP" herein includes not only cleaning, but any treatment using a fluid treatment medium, such as sterilization and rinsing.

The invention now aims to extend the CIP treatment with an optimization based on information from one or more other devices for filling containers with a filling product.

The present device to be treated and the other devices can be located at different locations and can be constructed or configured differently, but comparable or similar for the purpose of the treatment.

In order to optimize the CIP treatment, a system is considered that includes a device (to be treated) for filling containers with a filling product, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, and a device for optimizing the treatment.

The device has a CIP device that is set up for treating, preferably for cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, components of the device that come into contact with the filling product (including any intermediate products and auxiliary materials) using a treatment medium.

For the treatment, the treatment medium is moved in the device, e.g. circulated or brought into circulation, so that the corresponding surfaces to be treated come into contact with the treatment medium. Moving can be done by one or more pumps, for example.

The treatment process, including, for example, treatment media formulation, treatment times, temperatures, pressures, etc., is controlled by a controller, which is considered herein to be part of the apparatus.

The device for optimizing the treatment is in communication with the control device and can also be brought into communication with one or more control devices of corresponding further devices for filling containers or is in communication with them.

The other devices, which can optionally be regarded as part of the system, preferably also each include a CIP device with the functionality described herein.

A device of the other devices can, for example, be at least 20 km away from the device, possibly even located in another country or on another continent.

The treatment optimization device can be part of the device or even part of the control device; however, the device for optimizing the treatment is preferably implemented in a spatially remote manner, for example as part of a decentralized network structure.

The device for optimizing treatment can be located within the reach of the system or device manufacturer or a third entity, which means that continuous improvement/further development of the optimization algorithms is possible on the broadest possible database.

The treatment optimization device is set up to receive process parameters from the other devices, preferably to process them, and to make them available to the control device of the device to be treated in order to optimize the treatment process.

The process parameters are in particular (but not necessarily exclusively) process data from treatment processes of the further devices. The term "process parameters" includes process data, sensor data, configuration parameters, calculated/derived quantities and the like. For example, sensor data (temperatures, pressures, conductivities, deposits (e.g. thicknesses, deposit compositions, deposit build-up speeds), components/concentrations of treatment agents, etc.) but also other process data such as treatment times, control commands, recipes and the like can be received and received by the device for treatment optimization used for the optimization of the present device to be treated.

By collecting process parameters of multiple devices to control the CIP treatment by the treatment optimization device, the CIP treatment of the device can be improved.

The control device is not limited to locally available information, but can benefit from information from other, comparable devices, for example measurement data from different sensor types, sensor positions, etc., even if the present device to be treated is not equipped with the relevant sensors. In other words, process parameters of different devices are combined synergistically, as a result of which the device(s) may need fewer technical resources of their own (sensors, control logic, etc.) and thus the mechanical engineering effort is reduced overall.

Furthermore, the information space expanded in this way can be used to optimize the treatment. The goal of the optimization is quite variable. For example, the treatment can be optimized with regard to the degree of cleaning or sterilization, the duration of the treatment, treatment costs and/or environmental friendliness. In particular, this way determine optimal, resource-saving prescriptions and shorten the overall treatment without the risk of insufficient treatment as a result.

The process parameters received by the treatment optimization device preferably include sensor data from the other devices, in particular sensor data from one or more treatment processes in the other devices. In this way, the process parameters obtained by the additional devices can be used directly for the treatment of the device to be treated.

Preferably, the sensor data originates at least in part from one or more sensors of the further devices that have no equivalent sensors in the device. In other words, the treatment optimization device is preferably set up to receive information or sensor data from different sensor types, sensor positions, etc., to combine and possibly process it, even if the present device to be treated is not equipped with the relevant sensors. This allows the control capability of the device to be expanded to include a set of "virtual" sensors.

The treatment optimization device is preferably set up to influence a formulation of the treatment medium and/or a course of the treatment process and/or a treatment time of the treatment process of the device. In this case, the treatment optimization device can send control commands directly to the control device. Alternatively or additionally, the treatment optimization device can provide information, such as an optimized recipe for the treatment medium, which is then used by the control device to improve the treatment process.

An operator can preferably specify an optimization goal, for example via an input device.

It is conceivable that the optimization target is set depending on the pending filling orders. If, for example, there is no time-critical order, the treatments can be carried out in an energy-related, cost-related, environmentally friendly and/or resource-saving manner. However, if there is a time-critical order, for example, a time-optimized treatment can be carried out in which, for example, the sterilization and/or cleaning medium is heated to higher temperatures for the treatment.

For example, for treatments that are optimized in terms of energy, costs, environment and/or resources, it can be provided that the availability of solar and/or wind energy is included in the optimization. For example, photovoltaic, solar or wind power plants connected at least indirectly to the device can be used at least indirectly (as a heat and/or electricity supplier) for the treatments.

The treatment optimization device preferably comprises an internet/cloud application and/or data processing. An Internet/cloud application simplifies the acquisition and distribution of information to and from the controllers of multiple devices by using standardized infrastructure and information protocols.

The data processing provides, for example, a central or decentralized database and/or a server and/or an AI application.

In addition to data that can be queried automatically, additional data can be entered manually into a database for data processing, for example from laboratory tests.

The data processing can provide further functions, for example an e-shop for selling new formulations for the treatment medium, an AI, neural networks or algorithms for determining improved formulations and/or treatment processes.

Preferably, the process parameters received by the treatment optimization device include one or more of the following parameters: treatment times; acid concentrations; acid types; caustic concentrations; types of lye; temperatures; temperature-time profiles; conductivities; flows; filling products; Information about deposits or residues. The process parameters mentioned are particularly suitable for joint use by a number of devices.

The device preferably has at least one deposit sensor for detecting deposits in a line section of the device that comes into contact with the treatment medium, the deposit sensor being in communication with the control device and the treatment optimization device being set up to receive sensor data from one or more deposit sensors of the other devices received and made available to optimize the treatment process of the control device.

The measuring accuracy of sensors depends, among other things, on their position in the line system of the device. For example, the deposit sensor can be located in an area of strong or weak deposits. In order to achieve further optimization of the treatment process, the sensors can be "interconnected" with sensors from other devices via the treatment optimization device, whereby this applies in particular to deposit sensors, i.e. sensors for determining any deposits or residues of the filling product in the line system.

The device preferably has a short-time heating device (KZE) which is set up to briefly heat the filling product for sterilization or pasteurization. In this case, the deposit sensor is particularly preferably installed in the short-time heating device. Coating sensors can also be arranged in the KZEs of the other devices.

Alternatively or additionally, further sensors can be installed in the device, for example sensors for measuring the sterility and/or the cleaning success. Sensors are particularly preferably located on critical parts such as heat exchangers and tanks.

The device preferably has at least one conductivity sensor for detecting the conductivity of the treatment medium in a line section of the device that comes into contact with the treatment medium, the conductivity sensor being in communication with the control device and the device for optimizing treatment being set up to receive sensor data from one or more conductivity sensors of the to receive further devices and to make them available to the control device in order to optimize the treatment process.

The device preferably has at least one sensor, with the treatment optimization device being set up to optimize the location of the sensor from the process data received.

By "connecting" several devices through the device for treatment optimization, properties of the sensors, such as sensor positions, can be optimized in addition to improving the treatment process. For example, different locations of a sensor on two or more comparable devices can be compared to find the optimal locations, in the case of a deposit sensor, those locations with the most or most constant deposits.

In addition to the components mentioned, the device and other devices can each have degassing devices for degassing the filling product (in particular for reducing dissolved oxygen), carbonators for carbonating the filling product with CO2, mixers for mixing the filling product, valves for controlling the filling product flow to components, filter systems for filtering the fill product, mash tuns, wort kettles, fermentation tanks and/or other sterilization components (e.g. for UV or PEF treatment).

In particular, the CIP facility of the device can treat several (two or more) components separately from one another. In this way, individual components can be treated with different degrees of intensity. A goal of treating one component can thus differ from a goal of treating another component. For example, while a PCU is treated in a time-optimized manner, a degassing device can be treated at least temporarily or partially in terms of energy, costs, the environment and/or resources, if this does not last longer, for example.

The device can also include a sealer for sealing containers filled with the filling product. Furthermore, the device can include a labeling machine, a packer and/or a palletizing machine. The same applies to the other devices.

The system can also include an evaluation device, by means of which the treatment success and/or treatment values (the treatment parameters) can be evaluated in the device and/or in other devices. The evaluation can be done manually or automatically. The evaluation may include laboratory testing of samples taken after treatment of a device. The evaluation device can transmit data about one or more evaluations to the control device and/or the device for treatment optimization. Ratings can be statistically analyzed and evaluated. Ratings can be transferred to a database in which operators of devices can search. Evaluations can be stored with reference to treatment values, evaluator (operator), product and other parameters mentioned. For example, an evaluation can be made by awarding school grades or stars.

For a treatment, in particular cleaning, it can be provided that a gas is metered into a liquid at time intervals. With the system presented, such a treatment can be optimized in terms of cleaning success. For example, by changing the parameters: the ratio of liquid to gas, a duration and amount of an addition, a Time interval between two additions, pressure of the gas during the addition an optimization can be made.

The above object is also achieved by a method for treating a device for filling containers with a filling product, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, the method comprising: Receiving process parameters of one or more other devices for filling containers with a filling product by a facility for treatment optimization; Provision by the device for treatment optimization of the process parameters of the further devices to a control device of the device; Carrying out a treatment, preferably cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, of components of the device that come into contact with the filling product using a treatment medium, the treatment being carried out by the control device depending on the process parameters of the other devices.

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

Thus, the process parameters received from the further devices are preferably processed by the device for treatment optimization before being made available to the control device of the device. For example, a formulation of the treatment medium and/or a course of the treatment process and/or a treatment time of the treatment process of the device can be modified as a function of the process parameters received from the other devices.

For the reasons mentioned above, the process parameters of the further devices preferably include sensor data from the further devices, in particular sensor data from one or more treatment processes of the further devices.

In order to implement the optimization of the treatment process outlined above, the CIP device is preferably able to implement different formulations of the treatment medium and/or different process sequences.

This can be achieved in that the CIP device has several tanks for different treatment media. A first tank can contain an alkaline solution, a tank can contain an acid and a third tank can contain water, in particular hot water, as a result of which different treatment steps can be carried out.

Alternatively, the treatment medium can be produced at least partially "in-line" by mixing one or more CIP concentrates into a CIP main component stream. Different recipes for the treatment medium can then be realized by varying the CIP concentrate proportions.

In order to implement such in-line production, the CIP device can have a CIP inlet for supplying a CIP main component, preferably water, and a CIP dosing branch, which is set up to supply a CIP concentrate, such as a lye, Acid or a disinfectant to meter into the CIP main component, whereby the treatment medium is prepared. Caustic soda, nitric acid and/or peracetic acid are particularly suitable as the CIP concentrate.

The CIP concentrate is preferably metered directly into the CIP main component in the device to be treated, i.e. the treatment medium is at least partially produced in the filling device. In this case, the CIP device is integrated into the device to be treated. However, the CIP device can also be implemented as an independent device separate from the filling device.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a control device and/or software, by means of which the steps of the above-mentioned method for treating a device for filling containers with a filling product, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, are carried out, namely: receiving process parameters of one or several further devices for filling containers with a filling product by means of a treatment optimization device; Provision by the device for treatment optimization of the process parameters of the further devices to a control device of the device; Giving a control command to carry out a treatment, preferably cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, of components of the device that come into contact with the filling product using a treatment medium, the treatment being controlled by the control device and/or software depending on the process parameters of the other devices is calculated and a control command based on this calculation is issued.

Further advantages and features of the present invention are evident 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 drawings.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Behältern mit einem Füllprodukt und einer integrierten CIP-Einrichtung;

Figur 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Behältern mit einem Füllprodukt und einer integrierten CIP-Einrichtung gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Behältern mit einem Füllprodukt und einer CIP-Einrichtung gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer CIP-Optimierungseinrichtung zur Optimierung von CIP-Prozessen in einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Behältern mit einem Füllprodukt; und

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer CIP-Optimierungseinrichtung in Verbindung mit Sensoren einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Behältern mit einem Füllprodukt.

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

figure 1

a schematic representation of a device for filling containers with a filling product and an integrated CIP device;

figure 2

a schematic representation of a device for filling containers with a filling product and an integrated CIP device according to a further embodiment;

figure 3

a schematic representation of a device for filling containers with a filling product and a CIP device according to a further embodiment;

figure 4

a schematic representation of a CIP optimization device for optimizing CIP processes in a device for filling containers with a filling product; and

figure 5

a schematic representation of a CIP optimization device in connection with sensors of a device for filling containers with a filling product.

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.

In the figures 1 , 2 and 3 a device 1 for filling containers 100 with a filling product is shown schematically in each case, the device 1 being shown here in the form of a beverage filling system or as part of such. The device 1 is used, for example, to fill a stream of supplied containers 100 to be filled with a carbonated soft drink.

The figures 1 , 2 and 3 are first described based on the flow of the filling product into the container 100 to be filled:
First, a main component of the filling product, preferably water, which can already be pre-cleaned and processed, is fed in from a main component feed 2 . If necessary, the main component can be routed to a degassing device 20 . The degassing device 20 is indicated here schematically in the form of a degassing tank, in which the main component obtained from the main component supply 2 is sprayed via spray nozzles 22 indicated schematically.

The degassing device 20 can be implemented in the form of a pressure degassing, in which the oxygen and nitrogen components in the main component are removed by the addition of CO ₂ . However, the degassing device 20 can also be realized in the form of a vacuum degassing, in which a negative pressure is generated in the degassing tank, through which the oxygen and nitrogen components in the main component are discharged.

The spraying of the main component via the spray nozzles 22 in the degassing tank of the degassing device 20 serves to increase the surface area of the water, so that the degassing process can be carried out efficiently.

Subsequent to the degassing device 20, the main component prepared in this way is fed to a mixer 3, by which the filling product can be mixed from at least two components.

The first component is the main component already described, i.e. preferably a product water stream. The base material of the soft drink, additives, aroma, syrup, pulp, pulp or the like can be considered as the second component. The one or more additional components are also referred to herein as "dosage components".

Accordingly, the mixer 3 has a dosing valve 34 which feeds a component from a dosing reservoir 32 via a dosing point 31 into the main component supply. Correspondingly, the supplied dosage component is mixed with the supplied, prepared main component in the dosing point 31, and the filling product is mixed in this way.

The dosage reservoir 32 also serves, in particular, as a bubble separator, so that the dosage component drawn from the dosage reservoir 32 is essentially free of bubbles and correspondingly reliable dosing is implemented.

In the embodiments of figures 1 , 2 and 3 only a single dosing branch 30 with dosing point 31 is provided, so that the prepared main component is mixed at this dosing point 31 with a dosing component that is kept in the dosing reservoir 32 here. Depending on the design of the mixer 3, however, two or more dosing branches 30, each comprising a dosing point 31, can be installed in order to finally mix the desired filling product by feeding different components to the respective main component stream (also with components already mixed in).

In the exemplary embodiment shown, a carbonization device 4 is installed downstream of the mixer 3, by means of which the mixed filling product is carbonized. For this purpose, a carbonization point 40 is provided, which can be embodied, for example, as a carbonization nozzle, via which CO ₂ supplied from a CO ₂ supply 42 is introduced into the mixed filling product. The dosage of the CO ₂ that is supplied to the filling product via the carbonization point 40 depends on the desired properties of the filling product.

A bypass 24 is installed around the carbonization point 40, which is set up to always provide the same conditions with regard to the flow and/or pressure for the CO ₂ metering-independently of the mixer performance or the mixer output.

The filling product produced in this way, which is also present in the intended carbonization after the carbonization device 4 , is temporarily stored in a buffer tank 5 .

The buffer tank 5 accordingly receives the mixed and possibly carbonized filling product and forms a filling product reservoir for the filler described below. Any carbonization of the mixed and carbonized filling product can be maintained in the buffer tank 5 by preloading the buffer tank 5 with CO ₂ at such a pressure that the CO ₂ bound in the filling product is prevented from releasing.

The prestressing of the buffer tank 5 is achieved by a prestressing device 50, through which CO ₂ is introduced into the head space of the buffer tank 5 from a CO ₂ supply 52 . A CO ₂ atmosphere is therefore present in the buffer tank under a pressure which prevents the CO ₂ from being released from the mixed and carbonized filling product which is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 5 .

The buffer tank 5 is connected to a filling element 6, which has a filling valve, of a schematically indicated filler for filling the container 100, preferably without a buffer. A fluid connection between the buffer tank 5 and the filling element 6 is thus formed in such a way that intermediate buffering of the filling product is preferably not provided here and is also not possible.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the gas space of the buffer tank 5 is also connected to the filling element 6 via a tensioning gas line 54 in order to make tensioning gas available to the filling element 6 . The buffer tank 5 is connected to the headspace of the container 100 to be filled by this pressurized gas line 54 during the filling process. The container 100 is prestressed via this connection and the return gas is fed back into the buffer tank 6 during filling.

Conventional line connections are not understood as buffers in this context. Rather, only a reservoir designed specifically as a buffer is referred to as a buffer, which has a corresponding volume which not only serves to transport the filling product, but also enables intermediate storage. Process engineering components such as butterfly valves, sensors, flow meters, valves, pipe clamps, branches, etc. are also not understood as buffers in this context, since they serve to guide the filling product, but do not provide a buffer volume and therefore do not have a buffering effect.

A plurality of filling elements 6 are usually provided, which are installed on a filler carousel 60 indicated schematically. The filler carousel 60 is set up to receive a constant stream of containers 100 to be filled, to fill them with the filling product during circulation via the respective filling elements 6 and then to output the filled containers 100 again to a subsequent transport or processing device.

A rotary distributor 72 is installed in order to transfer the filling product from a stationary plant part of the device 1, in which the buffer tank 5 and the filling product line 70 are provided, to the filling carousel 60 rotating relative thereto. The rotary distributor 72 correspondingly transfers the filling product supplied via the filling product line 70 to a further filling product line 74 on the filler carousel 60, by means of which the filling product is then conveyed to the filling elements 6.

In the concrete design of figures 1 , 2 and 3 a filling product line 70 is provided between the buffer tank 5 and the rotary distributor 72 . This is achieved using the rotary distributor 72 Transfer the filling product from the part of the filling product line 70 located in the stationary part of the device 1 to the filler carousel 60 rotating relative thereto. The filling product is then transported on the filler carousel 60 from the part of the filling product line 70 located on the filler carousel 70 to the filling elements 6 . A buffer is preferably not provided between the filling elements 6 and the buffer tank 5 .

The filling elements 6 particularly preferably each have a filling valve which is designed as a proportional valve. By configuring the filling valve as a proportional valve, it is possible to regulate the filling product flow, which is fed from the filling elements 6 to the containers 100 to be filled, in several stages or, particularly preferably, steplessly.

The in the figures 1 , 2 and 3 The exemplary embodiments shown thus enable the mixed and carbonated filling product received in the buffer tank 5 to be transferred buffer-free to the filling element 6 and then to be filled into the container 100 to be filled in a controlled manner.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the buffer tank 5 is arranged above the filling elements 6, and the filling product guide located between the filling elements 6 and the buffer tank 5 is arranged in such a way that it is continuously ascending. Accordingly, there is no siphon effect. In this way, gas that may be present in the filling element 6 can rise continuously towards the buffer tank 5 and vent into it without accumulating at a specific position in the filling product guide. In other words, a gas present in the filling elements 6 and/or in the filling product line 70 can rise in the rising filling product line 70 so that the filling product is correspondingly present at the filling elements 6 without the presence of gas bubbles.

From the figures 1 , 2 and 3 the result is that preferably no buffer is arranged between the mixer 3 and the buffer tank 5 either. Accordingly, the mixer 3 is connected here to the buffer tank 5 without a buffer. This results in a very efficient construction of the device 1, since only a single buffer tank, namely the buffer tank 5, is arranged between the mixer 3 and the filling element 6.

Because preferably only a single buffer tank 5 is installed, the control or regulation of the respective fill level of the filling product in the buffer tank 5 can be carried out easily, and the complex dependencies between different buffer tanks known from the prior art do not occur in the exemplary embodiments shown. so that the process control or process regulation is simplified.

In order to enable the container 100 filled with a carbonized filling product to be vented at the filling element 6 before the container 100 is removed, a relief line 8 is preferably installed, which is discharged to the outside via a rotary distributor 82 . The relief line 8 or the rotary distributor 82 can be used for a CIP outlet 202 described below. Alternatively, this can be arranged on a CIP cap (not shown) for closing the filling element 6 during a treatment (cleaning and/or sterilization and/or rinsing) of the device 1 .

Because only a single buffer tank 5 is provided, the treatment process of the device 1 explained in detail below can also be simplified, and the surfaces involved, which may also lead to cooling of the treatment medium and to increased treatment effort, can be reduced.

In order to be able to monitor and regulate the quality of the filling product in the buffer tank 5, a circulation line 9 can also be provided, in which filling product can be removed from the buffer tank 5 and fed back into it by means of a circulating pump 90. A CO ₂ sensor 92 for monitoring the CO ₂ content of the filling product and a Brix sensor 94 for reading out the Brix values are installed in the circuit line 9 , for example. Other sensors can also or alternatively be installed in the circuit line 9 .

Accordingly, this results in a particularly efficient construction of the device 1, which results in both reduced material expenditure when constructing the device 1 and thus a reduced investment volume, as well as more efficient filling, since the total volume of filling product to be kept available can be reduced and a corresponding Rejection of filling product volumes at the end of production or when changing products can be reduced or avoided.

The components in contact with the filling product in these figures are only an example. Alternatively, components that are only used in breweries, for example, can be part of the device. Alternatively, parts can be dispensed with. For example, carbonization can be dispensed with entirely, so that the elements 40, 42, 50, 52, 54, etc. completely omitted.

A CIP device 200 is fully or at least partially integrated into the device 1 . For this purpose, according to the embodiment of figures 1 and 2 the existing at the mixer 3 dosage branch 30 used to a cleaning and / or sterilization concentrate, herein also referred to as "CIP concentrate", introduced into the line system of the device 1 and mixed in the correct ratio.

Sodium hydroxide solution, nitric acid, peracetic acid or a disinfectant can be used as a CIP concentrate. However, other suitable treating agents can also be used.

The CIP device 200 has a CIP inlet 201, which is preferably arranged on the main component feed 2 or is implemented and set up by it in order to introduce a CIP main component, preferably water, into the line system of the device 1 during a treatment process of the device 1 . Here it is also possible to use the main component for regular filling as the CIP main component, if suitable. A feed at the mixer 3 can thus be used as the CIP inlet 201 . This is a configurable valve combination that makes the CIP circuit independent of the feed lines for the main component and dosing component.

The CIP circulation is accomplished by a return pump located in line 202, for example.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned CIP outlet 202 is provided, which is preferably installed on the filling element 6 or is realized by this. The treatment medium, i.e. the mixture of CIP main component and CIP concentrate, can be dispensed directly via the outlet of the filling element 6. Alternatively, the treatment medium can be discharged via the relief line 8 and the rotary distributor 82 .

The CIP device 200 has a CIP metering branch 210, which first meters the CIP concentrate into the metering branch 30 and then "in-line" into the CIP main component stream. For this purpose, the CIP dosing branch 210 comprises, for example, a CIP concentrate container 211 and a CIP concentrate pump 212, implemented for example by a barrel or compressed air pump, which is set up to pump the CIP concentrate from the CIP concentrate container 211 into the dosing branch 30, preferably between dosage reservoir 32 and metering valve 34 to initiate. The equipment available at mixer 3 can be used in full or in part for dosing.

The CIP dosing branch 210 can also include means for dosing, monitoring emptying, etc. So in the embodiment figure 1 a CIP emptying branch 213, comprising an outlet 213a and valves 213b, for emptying the CIP concentrate container 211 intended. Furthermore, a CIP level measurement 214 can be installed in order to monitor the current level of the CIP concentrate in the CIP concentrate container 211 .

Alternatively or additionally, any conductivity measuring devices that can be configured on the mixer 3 can be used to monitor the concentrations. These can be installed in the inlet of the main component and/or dosage component(s) and/or at the product outlet.

Several CIP dosage branches 210 can be installed in order to be able to mix different treatment media.

Any number of CIP metering branches 210 can be connected together to a metering branch 30 or distributed to a number of metering branches 30 of the mixer 3 . It is also possible to connect the one or more CIP metering branches 210 at another point in the device 1, as is the case in the embodiment of FIG figure 2 is shown.

The treatment medium mixed in this way directly in the device 1 can be circulated via a line system of the CIP device 200 .

The CIP device 200 preferably has a CIP heat exchanger 220 which is set up for temperature control, preferably heating, of the treatment medium. The CIP heat exchanger 200 is installed here, for example, in a connecting line outside the device 1 between the CIP outlet 202 and the CIP inlet 201 and thus does not affect the equipment/design of the integrated mixer 3 and the CIP dosage branch 210. Alternatively or additionally, a cooler/heater (not shown in the figures) that is often arranged on the mixer 3 can be used synergistically for temperature control of the treatment medium.

For example, a CIP cleaning process of the device 1 takes place with the steps water-lye-water. The water connection already present on mixer 3 can be used for the "water steps". The system is thus pre-rinsed and any treatment medium, for example residual caustic, is rinsed out. The CIP concentrate is metered in-line as described above, heated if necessary and its concentration in the treatment medium is monitored.

The CIP device 200 can also have a CIP storage tank 230, which can preferably be cleaned in order to collect the treatment medium after use and, if necessary, to be able to reuse it at this or another location. The CIP stacking tank 230 can be independent of the equipment of the mixer 3 to be installed in the connecting line. The discharge of the treatment medium into the CIP stacking tank 230 can also take place with the already existing return pump.

The optionally available CIP stacking tank 230 can already be heated up during production by means of a CIP recirculation pump via the heat exchanger 220, as is shown in FIG figure 1 is shown by a dashed line.

In the embodiment of figure 1 the CIP concentrate is dosed in-line into the CIP main component stream. The required mixing ratios can be covered directly with the dosage branch 30 on the mixer 3.

The treatment medium mixed in this way is then circulated and optionally heated via the CIP heat exchanger 220, as a result of which the cleaning and/or sterilization of the device 1 is carried out.

Alternatively or additionally, the buffer tank 5 can be used to prepare the treatment medium, as is the case in the exemplary embodiment of FIG figure 2 is shown. This is particularly useful in the case of small CIP dosages, such as with peracetic acid as a CIP concentrate. In this case, the corresponding amount of CIP concentrate is metered into the buffer tank 5 and preferably then filled up with the required CIP main component. This function is also with the embodiment of the figure 1 possible by starting from a template of water in the buffer tank 5, a dosage of treatment medium in the buffer tank 5 and mixing via the circuit line 9 is carried out.

The CIP concentrate can be metered in here via a CIP metering branch 210 ′, analogously to the CIP metering branch 210 . The CIP metering branch 210′ can essentially have the same structure as the CIP metering branch 210 or a different structure.

The treatment medium can be optimally mixed via the circuit line 9 on the buffer tank 5 and "cloud formation", i.e. an inhomogeneous concentration, can be prevented. The buffer tank 5 is large enough to hold enough treatment medium for the integrated mixer 3, and the buffer tank 5 can thus be used as a tank for preparing the treatment medium.

If necessary, a CIP concentration sensor 240 for monitoring the concentration of the CIP concentrate in the treatment medium can be installed in the area of the buffer tank, preferably in the circuit line 9 .

The CIP concentration sensor 240 can be used to control the dosing of the CIP concentrate into the buffer tank 5 . Alternatively or additionally, equipment that is already present in the buffer tank 5 and/or in the circuit line 9, such as the Brix sensor 94, can also be used.

The mixed treatment medium is then circulated and optionally heated via the CIP heat exchanger 220, as a result of which the cleaning and/or sterilization of the device 1 is carried out.

Due to the complete or partial integration of the CIP device 200 into the device 1, existing equipment can be ideally used and thus many components of the CIP device 200 can be saved. These include, for example, dosing pumps, measuring devices, CIP feed pump(s), pipes, valves, etc. The connection of the main component that is already present on mixer 3, usually a water connection, can also be used directly, which means that additional components can also be saved here.

This reduces both the investment costs and the maintenance effort. In addition, the space requirement is significantly lower than with conventional, external CIP systems, which means that the entire system can be more compact overall.

In an exemplary embodiment that is not shown, but which is also in accordance with the invention, the CIP system can be an external CIP system. The external CIP system (or CIP device) can also be seen as part of the device 1 within the meaning of the claims.

The CIP concentrate can be dosed into the system where the greatest contamination occurs, mostly in the dosing branch 30. This cleans these areas with the highest detergent/sterilant concentration, which can reduce cleaning/sterilization time.

The control of the CIP device 200 can be partially or completely integrated into the control of the device 1, such as the mixer control. A control device 300 is shown schematically. This results in simplified operation. In addition, the cleaning time, CIP concentration and process flow are preferably monitored centrally in one machine, which means that the process is less error-prone, faster and more efficient.

Thanks to the integration, the treatment medium is always immediately available. Advances and ejections can be omitted, reducing the cleaning time due to the short distances and fewer mixing phases can be shortened further. Likewise, the need for CIP concentrate can be reduced by fewer mixed phases.

The optionally available CIP stacking tank 230 can already be heated up during production by means of a CIP return pump via the heat exchanger 220. In this way, the provision of the treatment medium can be ideally matched to production. A brand change in the device 1 can be implemented quickly and easily, which means that the product changeover time can be reduced.

The figure 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a device 1 for filling containers 100 with a filling product and a CIP device 200 according to a further exemplary embodiment.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the CIP device 200 comprises a plurality of tanks 250, 260, 270 for different treatment media, in particular cleaning, sterilization and/or rinsing media. Thus, the tank 250 can contain a base, the tank 260 can contain an acid and the tank 270 can contain water, in particular hot water. In contrast to the previous exemplary embodiments, the treatment medium is provided by the tanks, and in-line production by mixing a CIP concentrate into a CIP main component stream is consequently dispensed with.

The fluid connection of the tanks 250, 260, 270 is in the figure 3 only shown schematically. Each tank 250, 260, 270 is preferably located in an individual fluid circuit in which the treatment medium is fed from an outlet of the relevant tank 250, 260, 270 into the sections of the device 1 to be treated and is either discarded or into the corresponding tank 250 , 260, 280 is traceable.

The device 1 according to the embodiment of figure 3 also includes a short-time heating device 55, which is set up to briefly heat the filling product for disinfection and then, if necessary, to cool it down. The short-time heating device 55 is preferably installed in the product feed line to the buffer tank 5 . However, it can also be installed downstream of the buffer tank 5 in the filling product line 70 .

A deposit sensor 55a, which measures the thickness of deposits, is preferably installed in the short-time heating device 55. Additional sensors can be provided, for example Conductivity measurement sensor(s), flow sensor(s), temperature sensor(s), pH sensor(s) and/or pressure sensor(s).

For each of the exemplary embodiments presented above, a control device 300 is shown schematically, which is communicatively coupled to the components to be controlled and/or regulated, as well as to sensors and optionally other system components. The communication can be wireless and/or wired, digital and/or analog. Furthermore, a data or signal exchange in only one direction is subsumed herein under the term "communication". In this case, the control device 300 does not necessarily have to be realized by a central computing device or electronic regulation, but decentralized and/or multi-level as well as hierarchical systems, regulation networks, cloud systems and the like are included. The control device can also be an integral part of a higher-level system control or communicate with such.

As part of a production management system, the control device 300 can be part of an operations control level or a production control system ("Manufacturing Execution System"; MES) and/or a so-called "Enterprise Resource Planning" (ERP), comprising an operating data acquisition (BDE), be.

In order to optimize a needs-based treatment of the device 1, including cleaning and/or sterilization and/or rinsing, via the CIP device 200, the control device includes a device 400 for treatment optimization (cf. figure 1 ) or is in communication with one (cf. figures 4 and 5 ). The treatment optimization device 400 is also referred to herein as a "CIP optimization device".

With reference to the figures 4 and 5 the CIP optimization device 400 is set up to receive and process process parameters, in particular relating to the treatment process, from a plurality of devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c.

In other words, by providing the CIP optimization device 400, process parameters can be compiled from one or more, preferably hundreds, of additional devices 1a, 1b, 1c.

Process parameters can be determined via the further devices 1a, 1b, 1c, processed if necessary and made available to the systems, in particular to the present device 1 to be treated.

The CIP treatment of the device 1 can be optimized by using information from a number of devices 1 for controlling the CIP process, including the formulation of the treatment media, the course of the process, the treatment times and the like. In particular, optimal, resource-saving prescriptions can be determined in this way and the treatment can be shortened overall without this resulting in the risk of insufficient treatment.

In addition, the CIP optimization device 400 can provide a large number of CIP processes for different filling products, which the control device 300 can access.

The embodiment of figure 4 1 shows schematically the CIP optimization device 400 as an external device that is in communication with control devices 300, 300a, 300b, 300c of several devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c and supports them in the manner described above. The other devices 1a, 1b, 1c can be constructed equivalently to the exemplary embodiments presented above or deviate from them.

The CIP optimization device 400 preferably includes an Internet/cloud application 410, which standardizes the acquisition and distribution of information from and to the control devices 300, 300a, 300b, 300c and simplifies it by using existing infrastructures and information protocols.

Furthermore, the CIP optimization device 400 can include data processing 420 in the form of a computing center or decentralized computing structures or be in communication with such.

Data processing 420 can provide a central database, server, AI applications, and so on. In addition to data that can be queried automatically, additional data can be entered manually into a database of data processing 420 as required, for example from laboratory tests.

The data processing 420 can provide additional functions, for example an e-shop for selling new CIP recipes, neural networks or algorithms for determining improved CIP recipes and/or treatment processes.

Parameters that can be measured in one or more of the devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c and obtained from the CIP optimization device 400 include, for example, one or more of the following: Treatment times (cleaning time, sterilization time, rinsing time) depending on different system parts as well as in Dependence on the treatment medium (detergents, sterilants, detergents); total treatment time (total cleaning, total sterilization, total rinsing time); acid concentrations; acid species; caustic concentrations; types of lye; temperatures; temperature-time profiles; conductivities; flows; Filling products (sub-parameters: acidity, solids, protein content, etc.); Information about deposits or residues.

The figure 5 FIG. 4 shows a CIP optimizer 400 in an exemplary application configuration. A line section 56 of a device 1 for filling containers 100 is shown. The line section 56 is located, for example, in or in the area of the short-time heating device 55. The deposit sensor 55a and/or a conductivity sensor 55b are installed in or on the line section 56. These are in communication with the control device 300 .

The measuring accuracy of the sensors 55a, 55b depends, among other things, on their position in the line system of the device 1. Thus, the deposit sensor 55a can be located in an area of heavy or weak deposits. In order to achieve a further optimization of the CIP process, the sensors 55a, 55b can be "interconnected" with sensors of other devices 1a, 1b, 1c via the CIP optimization device 400.

In the figure 5 The sensors 55a, 55b shown are only examples, and alternative or additional sensors can be installed in the device 1, in particular sensors for measuring the sterility and/or the cleaning success.

In this way, information from different sensor types, sensor positions, etc. can be combined and processed by the CIP optimization device 400, even if the present device 1 to be treated is not equipped with the relevant sensors. Through the CIP optimization device 400, which is in communication with control devices 300a, 300b, 300c of various devices 1a, 1b, 1c, the control device 300 of the present devices 1 to be treated can benefit from other systems with sensors and learn from their sensor data. In other words, the sensors of different devices 1 are combined synergistically, as a result of which a single device 1 can possibly manage with fewer sensors and the mechanical engineering effort is therefore reduced overall.

Furthermore, properties of the sensors, such as sensor positions or sensor settings, can be optimized by such an interconnection. For example, different Locations of a sensor on two or more comparable devices 1, 1a, 1b, 1c are compared with one another in order to find the optimal locations, in the case of a deposit sensor 55a, for example those with the most deposits.

The CIP optimization device 400 can also be set up to automatically or manually optimize the CIP treatment of the device 1 as a function of one or more optimization parameters. For example, the CIP treatment can be optimized with regard to the degree of cleaning or sterilization, the duration of treatment, treatment costs and/or environmental friendliness.

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

Device for filling containers

1a

Device for filling containers

1b

Device for filling containers

1c

Device for filling containers

2

main component feed

20

degassing device

22

spray nozzle

3

mixer

30

dosage branch

31

dosing point

32

dosage reservoir

34

dosing valve

4

carbonation device

40

carbonation site

42

CO ₂ supply

5

buffer tank

50

biasing device

52

CO ₂ supply

54

span gas line

55

flash pasteurizer

55a

pad sensor

55b

conductivity sensor

56

line section

6

filling element

60

filler carousel

70

fill product line

72

rotary distributor

74

fill product line

8th

relief line

82

rotary distributor

9

circuit line

90

circulation pump

92

CO ₂ sensor

94

Brix sensor

100

container

200

CIP facility

201

CIP enema

202

CIP spout

210

CIP dosage branch

210'

CIP dosage branch

211

CIP concentrate tank

212

CIP concentrate pump

213

CIP drain branch

213a

Sequence

213b

Valve

214

CIP level measurement

220

CIP heat exchanger

230

CIP stack tank

240

CIP concentration sensor

250

tank

260

tank

270

tank

300

control device

300a

control device

300b

control device

300c

control device

400

Equipment for treatment optimization

410

Internet/Cloud Application

420

data processing

Claims (14)

System with a device (1) for filling containers (100) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, and a device (400) for optimizing treatment, wherein the device (1) has a CIP device (200) for treating, preferably for cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, components of the device (1) that come into contact with the filling product using a treatment medium; and the device (1) has a control device (300) which is set up to control a treatment process of the device (1); whereby the device (400) for treatment optimization is in communication with the control device (300) and can be brought into communication with one or more control devices (300a, 300b, 300c) of other devices (1a, 1b, 1c) for filling containers (100); and the device (400) for treatment optimization is set up to receive process parameters of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) and to make them available to the control device (300) in order to optimize the treatment process (1). System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the process parameters received by the device (400) for treatment optimization comprise sensor data from the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c), preferably sensor data from one or more treatment processes from the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) . System according to Claim 2, characterized in that the sensor data originate at least in part from one or more sensors (55a, 55b, 240) of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) which do not have equivalent sensors (55a, 55b, 240) in the Device (1) have. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (400) for treatment optimization is set up to influence a formulation of the treatment medium and/or a course of the treatment process and/or a treatment time of the treatment process of the device (1). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (400) for treatment optimization comprises an Internet/cloud application (410) and/or data processing (420), the data processing (420) preferably being a central or decentralized database and/or provides a server and/or an AI application. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process parameters received from the device (400) for treatment optimization comprise one or more of the following parameters: treatment times; acid concentrations; acid types; caustic concentrations; types of lye; temperatures; temperature-time profiles; conductivities; flows; filling products; Information about deposits or residues. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has at least one deposit sensor (55a) for detecting deposits in a line section (56) of the device (1) which comes into contact with the treatment medium, the deposit sensor (55a ) is in communication with the control device (300) and the device (400) for treatment optimization is set up to receive sensor data from one or more surface sensors (55a) of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) and to optimize the treatment process (1) to make the control device (300) available. System according to Claim 7, characterized in that the device (1) has a short-time heating device (55) which is set up to briefly heat the filling product for sterilization, the deposit sensor (55a) being installed in the short-time heating device (55). System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has at least one conductivity sensor (55b) for detecting the conductivity of the treatment medium in a line section (56) of the device (1) which comes into contact with the treatment medium, the conductivity sensor (55b) is in communication with the control device (300) and the device (400) for treatment optimization is set up to receive sensor data from one or more conductivity sensors (55b) of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) and to optimize the treatment process ( 1) to make the control device (300) available. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has at least one sensor (55a, 55b, 240) and the device (400) for treatment optimization is set up to optimize the location of the sensor (55a, 55b, 240). Method for treating a device (1) for filling containers (100) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, the method comprising: receiving process parameters of one or more further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) for filling containers (100) with a filling product by means (400) for treatment optimization; Providing the process parameters of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) to a control device (300) of the device (1) by the device (400) for treatment optimization; Carrying out a treatment, preferably cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, of components of the device (1) that come into contact with the filling product using a treatment medium, the treatment being controlled by the control device (300) depending on the process parameters of the other devices (1a , 1b, 1c) is performed. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that the received process parameters of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) are processed by the device (400) for treatment optimization before being made available for the control device (300) of the device (1), preferably a recipe of the treatment medium and/or a course of the treatment process and/or a treatment time of the treatment process of the device (1) depending on the received process parameters of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c). Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the process parameters of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) comprise sensor data of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c), preferably sensor data from one or more treatment processes of the further devices (1a, 1b , 1c). Method according to one of Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the method is carried out with a system according to one of Claims 1 to 10.

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