Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
  • F17C5/02—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with liquefied gases
  • F17C5/04—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with liquefied gases requiring the use of refrigeration, e.g. filling with helium or hydrogen
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
  • B65B31/006—Adding fluids for preventing deformation of filled and closed containers or wrappers
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
  • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B55/00—Preserving, protecting or purifying packages or package contents in association with packaging
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
  • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
  • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
  • B67C3/22—Details
  • B67C3/222—Head-space air removing devices, e.g. by inducing foam
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
  • F17C1/12—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge with provision for thermal insulation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
  • F17C13/04—Arrangement or mounting of valves
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
  • F17C5/06—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with compressed gases
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C6/00—Methods and apparatus for filling vessels not under pressure with liquefied or solidified gases
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
  • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
  • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
  • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
  • F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
  • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/0337—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling
  • F17C2227/0341—Heat exchange with the fluid by cooling using another fluid

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquefied fluid into a container and to a container treatment system comprising the device.
• the invention further relates to a method for dispensing a liquefied fluid into a container.
• the containers are transported along a predetermined path, for example, a circular arc, and filled with a pasty or liquid product, such as a beverage, during this transport.
• a pasty or liquid product such as a beverage
• Liquid nitrogen can also be introduced into the containers. This can improve various properties of a plastic container, such as its mechanical strength (load capacity, transportability on conveyor belts, handling, etc.).
• the shelf life of the filled product can also be improved by displacing oxygen from the headspace of the container.
• the haptics, i.e., the feel of the container, and other properties can also be enhanced.
• Such devices for introducing liquid nitrogen are referred to, for example, as “nitrogen droppers," and the process itself as “dropping.”
• the DE 10 2010 051 543 A1 A device for filling containers with liquids.
• a filling element fills the containers with the liquid.
• a transport device moves the containers along a predetermined transport path.
• An application device applies another flowable medium to the containers filled with the liquid.
• the flowable medium contains, for example, nitrogen.
• Disadvantages of conventional devices for dispensing a liquefied fluid into a container can include, for example, their complexity, the large amount of installation space required, and the comparatively high effort involved in maintenance and repair.
• the invention is based on the objective of creating an improved technique for dispensing a liquefied fluid into a container.
• the associated device should be particularly compact.
• One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device, preferably a nitrogen dropper, for dispensing a liquefied (e.g., sterile) fluid, preferably (e.g., sterile) nitrogen or (e.g., sterile) oxygen, into a container.
• a liquefied (e.g., sterile) fluid preferably (e.g., sterile) nitrogen or (e.g., sterile) oxygen
• the device comprises a (e.g., unpressurized or vacuum) cooling vessel for receiving a cooling medium, preferably a liquid.
• the device further comprises a liquefaction unit arranged in the cooling vessel for cooling and liquefying a gaseous fluid (preferably (e.g., sterile) nitrogen or (e.g., sterile) oxygen).
• the device further comprises a storage container connected to the liquefaction unit for receiving the liquefied fluid from the liquefaction unit and arranged in the cooling vessel for cooling the liquefied fluid.
• the device further comprises a metering device for dispensing the liquefied fluid into the container (e.g. positioned under the metering device), wherein the metering device is connected to the reservoir for receiving the liquefied fluid from the reservoir.
• the device allows for a particularly compact design.
• the condensing unit and the storage tank can be arranged together within the cooling tank, thus sharing the coolant contained within to cool the fluid.
• This also simplifies the internal piping.
• the otherwise critical interface between the condensing unit and the storage tank can be safely located within the cooling tank and therefore within the coolant itself. Operation of the device is also simplified, as, for example, only one coolant level needs to be monitored (rather than two).
• the storage container can be arranged below the liquefaction device, the dosing device can be arranged below the storage container and/or the container can be positioned below the dosing device.
• the device further comprises a fluid gas source, preferably a sterile fluid gas source, particularly preferably a sterile nitrogen gas source or a sterile oxygen gas source, wherein the fluid gas source is connected to the liquefaction unit for supplying the gaseous fluid to the liquefaction unit.
• a fluid gas source preferably a sterile fluid gas source, particularly preferably a sterile nitrogen gas source or a sterile oxygen gas source, wherein the fluid gas source is connected to the liquefaction unit for supplying the gaseous fluid to the liquefaction unit.
• the device also includes a cooling medium source, preferably a cooling liquid source, particularly preferably (e.g., a non-sterile) liquid nitrogen source, wherein the cooling medium source is connected to the cooling container for supplying the cooling medium to the cooling container.
• a cooling medium source preferably a cooling liquid source, particularly preferably (e.g., a non-sterile) liquid nitrogen source, wherein the cooling medium source is connected to the cooling container for supplying the cooling medium to the cooling container.
• the device further comprises a cooling medium level sensor, preferably thermosensitive, which is arranged in the cooling vessel to detect the level of the cooling medium.
• a cooling medium level sensor preferably thermosensitive, which is arranged in the cooling vessel to detect the level of the cooling medium.
• the level of the cooling medium and thus the cooling capacity provided by it can be monitored.
• the device also includes a, preferably thermosensitive, liquefied fluid level sensor, which is arranged in the storage container to detect the fill level of the liquefied fluid.
• a thermosensitive, liquefied fluid level sensor which is arranged in the storage container to detect the fill level of the liquefied fluid.
• processing device can refer to electronics (e.g., implemented as a driver circuit or with microprocessor(s) and data storage) and/or mechanical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic control systems, which, depending on their design, can perform control tasks, regulation tasks, and/or processing tasks.
• control is used here, it can also appropriately encompass or refer to "regulation” or “control with feedback” and/or “processing.”
• the condensing unit has a helical pipe and/or the condensing unit is arranged, preferably directly, above the storage tank in the cooling tank and/or the condensing unit, the storage tank, the cooling tank and the dosing unit form a single unit. This advantageously allows for a particularly compact design.
• the metering device has a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the liquefied fluid into the container.
• the device can further include a treatment chamber in which the dispensing nozzle is at least partially arranged for treatment, preferably tempering and/or rinsing, and the treatment chamber is particularly preferably located outside the cooling container. This advantageously prevents, for example, the dispensing nozzle from icing up unintentionally.
• the device also has a treatment medium line that opens into the treatment chamber for supplying a (e.g., gaseous) treatment medium to the treatment chamber for treating the dispensing nozzle, wherein the treatment medium line is preferably arranged outside of the cooling container.
• a treatment medium for treating the dispensing nozzle can be introduced into the treatment chamber, so that, for example, it can be ensured with particular certainty that the dispensing nozzle does not ice up unintentionally.
• the device comprises a heating device connected to the treatment medium line for heating the treatment medium, and/or a temperature sensor connected to the treatment medium line for detecting the temperature of the treatment medium, and/or a treatment medium source, preferably (e.g., sterile) nitrogen gas source, wherein the treatment medium source is connected via the treatment medium line.
• the treatment chamber is connected to a device for supplying at least part of the treatment medium to the treatment chamber. This advantageously ensures a reliable supply of the treatment medium to the treatment chamber at the desired temperature.
• the device also features a fluid gas discharge line connected to the reservoir for the discharge of a fluid, preferably gaseous, from the reservoir.
• a fluid preferably gaseous
• the fluid gas discharge line can be connected via the treatment medium line to the treatment chamber for the supply of the discharged fluid, at least as a portion of the treatment medium, to the treatment chamber.
• this allows the gaseous fluid from the reservoir to be used for treating the dispensing nozzle.
• a liquefied fluid level sensor extends through the fluid gas discharge line into the storage tank. This advantageously allows for a particularly space-saving arrangement. Furthermore, for example, when using an insulated container in which the cooling tank is located, the number of access points/penetrations in/on the insulated container can be kept to a minimum.
• the device further comprises a cooling medium discharge line connected to the cooling vessel for the removal of the, preferably evaporated, cooling medium from the cooling vessel, preferably projecting into the cooling vessel from above. This advantageously allows for the expansion of the liquid cooling medium within the cooling vessel.
• the device also includes an insulated container, preferably a vacuum insulated container, wherein the cooling container, the condensing unit, and the storage container are arranged within the insulated container. This advantageously prevents the cooling medium in the container from being heated by the surrounding environment.
• the device further comprises a cap assembly with a cap that is selectively movable, preferably pivotable, to block or release a dispensing opening of the dosing device.
• a cap assembly with a cap that is selectively movable, preferably pivotable, to block or release a dispensing opening of the dosing device.
• the metering device has a (e.g., elongated) valve element.
• the valve element can be used for metered dispensing of the liquefied fluid into the container.
• the valve element may be movable (e.g., for selectively blocking or releasing a dispensing nozzle of the metering device).
• the valve element may be arranged to partially block a fluid connection between the liquefaction device and the storage container to slow down the fluid flowing through the liquefaction device, preferably with a valve seat for the valve element in or on the fluid connection.
• the valve element can thus combine several functions: on the one hand, the metered dispensing of the liquefied fluid into the container, and on the other hand, its action as a flow restrictor to improve the liquefaction of the gaseous fluid in the liquefaction device.
• a container treatment plant comprising a filling device, preferably a rotary filling device, for filling containers with a (e.g., liquid or pasty) material.
• the container treatment plant further comprises a device as disclosed herein, which is arranged for dispensing the liquefied fluid into the containers filled with the material.
• the container treatment system may also include a closing device, for example, which is arranged for closing the filled containers that are pressurized with the liquefied fluid.
• a closing device for example, which is arranged for closing the filled containers that are pressurized with the liquefied fluid.
• the container treatment system can be configured for tempering, manufacturing, cleaning, coating, testing, filling, closing, pasteurizing, labeling, printing, marking, laser marking and/or packaging containers for liquid or pasty media, preferably beverages, liquid food products or products from the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
• the containers can be designed as bottles, cans, canisters, cartons, vials, tubes, etc.
• Figures 1 to 4 Figure 10 shows a device 10 for dispensing a liquefied fluid into a container 12.
• the device 10 is used as a so-called nitrogen dropper for dispensing liquefied nitrogen, preferably sterile nitrogen, into containers 12.
• the device 10 is used to dispense liquefied oxygen, preferably sterile oxygen or pure oxygen, into the containers 12.
• the device 10 can be included in a container treatment system (not shown in the figures).
• the container treatment system can include a filling device and/or a closing device.
• the filling device can fill the containers 12, preferably with a liquid or pasty medium.
• the filling device is preferably designed as a rotary filling device.
• the filling device can have several filling valves for the simultaneous or overlapping filling of several containers 12.
• the filling valves can be arranged around the circumference of a filling carousel of the rotary filling device.
• the sealing device can close the containers 12, for example with a lid, a cork, a crown cap, or a screw cap.
• the sealing device can preferably be designed as a rotary sealing device.
• the sealing device can have several sealing stations for simultaneously or overlappingly sealing several containers 12.
• the sealing stations can be arranged around the circumference of a sealing carousel of the rotary sealing device.
• the sealing device can be arranged downstream of the filling device with respect to a container flow.
• the device 10 in turn, can be arranged to dispense the liquefied fluid into the containers 12 filled with the product.
• the device 10 can be arranged in the area of the filling device, in the area of the closing device, or in the area of a container transport device that connects the filling device and the closing device.
• the device 10 comprises a cooling vessel 14, a liquefaction unit 26, a storage vessel 32, and a metering unit 38. Furthermore, the device 10 may, for example, comprise a cooling medium source 18, a cooling medium level sensor 22, an insulated vessel 24, a fluid gas source 30, a liquefied fluid level sensor 36, a treatment chamber 52, a heating unit 56, a temperature sensor 58, a treatment medium source 60, a capping unit 66, and/or a processing unit 72.
• the cooling tank 14, the condensing unit 26, the storage tank 32, and the dosing unit 38 form a single assembly.
• This single assembly may contain further components, such as component 22, 24, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 64, 66, 68, 70 and/or 72.
• the cooling container 14 is designed to hold a cooling medium, preferably a liquid.
• the cooling medium can be liquid nitrogen.
• the liquid nitrogen is non-sterile.
• the cooling vessel 14 is partially filled with a liquid, preferably unpressurized, cooling medium (cooling medium bath) K1, e.g., liquid nitrogen.
• the cooling medium K1 can, for example, have a temperature of at least -196°C (77 K).
• Cooling medium K2 which evaporates from the liquid cooling medium K1, can collect in an upper section of the cooling vessel 14.
• the liquid cooling medium K1 and the evaporated cooling medium K2 are each shown with different hatching in the figures.
• the temperature of the cooling medium K1 could be significantly lower than -196°C.
• a vacuum could be created in the gas space of cooling vessel 14, i.e., above the cooling medium K1 or where the cooling medium K2 is located, e.g., by means of a connected vacuum pump. This could, for example, allow a temperature limit of -210°C for the cooling medium K1 to be reached before the nitrogen freezes.
• the cooling vessel 14 can have any shape to receive the cooling medium K1.
• the cooling vessel 14 can be essentially cylindrical, e.g., with a convex or flat lower part and/or with a convex or flat upper part.
• the cooling vessel 14 can be, for example, essentially spherical or essentially cuboid.
• the cooling vessel 14 can be connected to a cooling medium source 18 via a cooling medium supply line 16.
• the cooling medium source 18 is preferably a cooling liquid source, e.g., a non-sterile liquid nitrogen source.
• the cooling medium supply line 16 can open into an upper section of the cooling vessel 14, e.g., project into it.
• the cooling vessel 14 can preferably be connected to a cooling medium discharge line 20.
• Evaporated cooling medium K2 can be discharged from the cooling vessel 14 via the cooling medium discharge line 20.
• the cooling medium discharge line 20 projects into the cooling vessel 14 from above.
• the cooling medium K1 can advantageously be depressurized via the cooling medium discharge line 20.
• the coolant level sensor 22 can preferably be arranged in the cooling vessel 14, e.g., projecting into it.
• the coolant level sensor 22 can detect the level of the liquid coolant K1 in the cooling vessel 14.
• the coolant level sensor 22 can also be referred to as a coolant level probe.
• the coolant level sensor 22 can use any known measuring principle to detect the fill level.
• the coolant level sensor 22 can be thermosensitive.
• the cooling medium level sensor 22 projects from above into the cooling tank 14.
• the cooling medium level sensor 22 can be surrounded by the condensing unit 26 in the cooling tank 14.
• the cooling vessel 14, together with the condensing unit 26 and the storage container 32, is arranged in an insulated container 24.
• the insulated container 24 is preferably a vacuum insulated container.
• a vacuum can prevail essentially inside the insulated container 24 in which the cooling vessel 14 is arranged.
• An outer circumferential surface of the cooling vessel 14 can be spaced apart from an inner circumferential surface of the cooling vessel 14.
• the insulated container 24 can have any shape to accommodate the cooling container 14, etc.
• the insulated container 24 can be essentially cylindrical, e.g., with a convex or flat bottom and/or with a convex or flat top.
• the insulated container 24 can be, for example, essentially spherical or essentially cuboid.
• the condensing unit 26 is arranged in the cooling tank 14.
• the condensing unit 26 can be arranged in an upper section of the cooling tank 14.
• the condensing unit 26 is arranged in the cooling tank 14 directly above the storage tank 32.
• the liquefaction device 26 liquefies a gaseous fluid that flows through the liquefaction device 26.
• the gaseous fluid is preferably sterile gaseous nitrogen or oxygen.
• the condensing device 26 has a helical (helical) pipe.
• the gaseous fluid can flow through the helical pipe and be cooled and liquefied in the process.
• the condensing device 26 or the helical pipe is at least partially immersed in the liquid cooling medium K1.
• the liquefaction unit 26 can be connected to a fluid gas source 30 via a fluid gas supply line 28.
• the fluid gas source 30 can supply the gaseous fluid to the liquefaction unit 26 via the fluid gas supply line 28.
• the fluid gas source 30 is preferably a sterile fluid gas source.
• the fluid gas source 30 is a sterile nitrogen gas source.
• the fluid gas source 30 is, for example, a sterile oxygen gas source / pure oxygen gas source.
• the fluid gas supply line 28 can extend from above into the cooling vessel 14 and be connected to the liquefaction unit 26.
• the storage tank 32 is connected to the liquefaction unit 26 for receiving the liquefied fluid from the liquefaction unit 26, e.g., via a fluid connection 48.
• the storage tank 32 is arranged in the cooling tank 14 for cooling the received, liquefied fluid.
• the storage tank 32 can be arranged in a lower section of the cooling tank 14.
• the storage tank 32 is arranged in the cooling tank 14 directly below the liquefaction unit 26.
• the liquefied fluid can be (temporarily) stored or buffered in the storage container 32.
• the storage container 32 is partially filled with liquefied fluid (fluid bath) F1, e.g., liquid sterile nitrogen or liquid sterile oxygen.
• Fluid F2 which evaporates from the liquefied fluid F1 as it flows into the storage container 32, or still gaseous fluid F2 from the liquefaction device 26, can collect in an upper section of the storage container 32.
• the liquefied fluid F1 can expand in the storage container 32, e.g., to the ambient pressure of the device 10 (e.g., the isolator pressure of a cleanroom in which the device 10 is located).
• the liquefied fluid F1 and the evaporated fluid F2 are each shown with different hatching in the figures.
• the storage container 32 with the (sterile) liquefied fluid F1 is located in the (non-sterile) liquid cooling medium K1 of preferably at least -196°C or colder, this is referred to as subcooled liquid or so-called liquid subcooling.
• the reservoir 32 can have any shape for storing the fluid F1, F2.
• the reservoir 32 can be essentially cylindrical, e.g., with curved or flat surfaces.
• the lower part and/or the upper part can be curved or flat.
• the storage container 32 can, for example, be essentially spherical or essentially cuboid.
• a fluid gas discharge line 34 can be connected to the storage container 32 for the purpose of discharging the fluid F2 from the storage container 32.
• the fluid gas discharge line 34 can be connected to an upper section of the storage container 32.
• the fluid gas discharge line 34 can, for example, extend upwards from the storage tank 32.
• the fluid gas discharge line 34 can preferably extend out of the cooling tank 14.
• at least a section of the fluid gas discharge line 34 can be surrounded by the liquefaction unit 26 (for example, its helical pipe).
• the liquefied fluid level sensor 36 can preferably be arranged in the storage container 32, e.g., projecting into it.
• the liquefied fluid level sensor 36 can detect the level of the liquefied fluid F1 in the storage container 32.
• the liquefied fluid level sensor 36 can also be referred to as a liquefied fluid level probe.
• the liquefied fluid level sensor 36 can use any known measuring principle to detect the fill level.
• the liquefied fluid level sensor 36 can be thermosensitive.
• the liquefied fluid level sensor 36 projects from above into the storage container 32.
• the liquefied fluid level sensor 36 can extend through the fluid gas discharge line 34 into the storage container 32.
• at least a section of the liquefied fluid level sensor 36 can be surrounded by the liquefaction device 26 (for example, its helical pipe).
• the metering device 38 is designed to dispense the liquefied fluid F1 into the container 12.
• the container 12 can be arranged below the metering device 38.
• the dosing unit 38 is connected to the storage container 32.
• the dosing unit 38 receives the liquefied fluid F1 from the storage container 32.
• the metering device 38 has a dispensing nozzle 40 and a valve element 44.
• the dispensing nozzle 40 can discharge the liquefied fluid F1 into the container 12.
• the dispensing nozzle 40 can be connected to the storage container 32 via an outlet line 42.
• the outlet line 42 can extend vertically.
• the outlet line 42 can be connected to a lower section of the reservoir 32 and connected to an upper section of the dispensing nozzle 40.
• the outlet line 42 is surrounded by a section of the cooling vessel 14 and thus by liquid cooling medium K1.
• This section of the cooling vessel 14 can preferably in turn be surrounded by a section of the insulated container 24.
• the valve element 44 is preferably movable for metered dispensing of the liquefied fluid F1 into the container 12.
• the valve element 44 can selectively open or block an inlet of the dispensing nozzle 40. Dosing by means of the valve element 44 and the dispensing nozzle 40 can be carried out either continuously or discontinuously.
• the movement of the valve element 44 can be driven in any way.
• a drive unit 46 of the device 10 can drive the valve element 44 to move.
• the drive unit 46 can be, for example, a mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, pneumatic, or hydraulic drive unit.
• the drive unit 46 can, for example, be arranged above the insulated container 24.
• valve element 44 can be elongated, for example rod-shaped.
• the valve element 44 preferably extends through the insulated container 24, the cooling container 14, the storage container 32 and/or the outlet line 42.
• a section of the valve element 44 can be surrounded by the condensing device 26 (e.g., its helical pipe).
• the valve element 44 can preferably also serve as an (active) flow restrictor for the liquefied fluid in the liquefaction unit 26 before it flows into the storage container 32.
• the valve element 44 is arranged to partially block a fluid connection 48 between the liquefaction unit 26 and the storage container 32 (see in particular). Fig. 3 ).
• the valve element 44 can be designed such that its effect as a flow brake or for slowing down the liquefied fluid in the liquefaction device 26 is achieved independently of whether the valve element 44 is blocking or releasing the dispensing nozzle 40 for metered dispensing of the liquefied fluid F1.
• the valve element 44 can preferably have a thickened section 44A that is dimensioned (long) such that it completely or partially blocks the fluid connection 48 both when the valve element 44 blocks the dispensing nozzle 40 and when the valve element 44 releases the dispensing nozzle 40.
• valve element 44 additionally has a thinned section 44B.
• the thinned section 44B can provide a larger flow cross-section for the fluid connection 48 compared to the thickened section 44A when it is positioned within the fluid connection 48 by a corresponding movement of the valve element 44. This may be desirable, for example, if the flow restrictor needs to be deactivated in other necessary process steps (e.g., sterilization, drying, emptying), thus allowing a larger volume flow through the fluid connection 48.
• a valve seat 50 of the valve element 44 can be arranged directly in or adjacent to the fluid connection 48 in order to enable partial blocking of the flow or the effect as a flow brake.
• the dispensing nozzle 40 can be at least partially arranged in the treatment chamber/nozzle chamber 52.
• the dispensing nozzle 40 can be treated in the treatment chamber 52.
• the dispensing nozzle 40 can be temperature-controlled and/or rinsed in the treatment chamber 52.
• a treatment medium line 54 can open into the treatment chamber 52 to supply a treatment medium B to the treatment chamber 52.
• the treatment medium line 54 can be arranged outside of the cooling container 14 and/or the insulating container 24.
• a section of the treatment medium line 54 can extend parallel to a vertical axis of the cooling container 14.
• the heating device 56 can be connected to the treatment medium line 54 for heating the treatment medium B.
• the heating device 56 can heat the treatment medium B while it flows through the treatment medium line 54.
• the temperature sensor 58 can be connected to the treatment medium line 54 to detect the temperature of the treatment medium B.
• the temperature sensor 58 can be arranged adjacent to the heating device 56.
• the treatment medium source 60 can, for example, be a sterile treatment medium source, e.g., a sterile nitrogen gas source.
• the treatment medium source 60 can be connected to the treatment chamber 52 via the treatment medium line 54 to supply at least a portion of the treatment medium B to the treatment chamber 52.
• the fluid gas discharge line 34 is connected to the treatment chamber 52 via the treatment medium line 54.
• Vaporized/gaseous fluid F2 from the storage container 32 can be supplied to the treatment chamber 52 via the fluid gas discharge line 34 as at least a portion of the treatment medium B.
• the treatment medium B can thus originate partly from the treatment medium source 60 and partly from the storage container 32.
• a supply line 62 from the treatment medium source 60 and the fluid gas discharge line 34 can open into at least one inlet section 64 of the treatment medium line 54.
• the fluid gas discharge line 34 and the supply line 62 open together into the same inlet section 64.
• the inlet section 64 can be arranged in the insulated container 24 and/or outside of the cooling container 14.
• the inlet section 64 can be arranged above the cooling container 14 in the insulated container 24.
• the cap assembly 66 can have a movable cap 68.
• the cap 68 is preferably movable such that it can selectively block or release a dispensing opening 70 of the metering device 38.
• the dispensing opening 70 can correspond to an outlet of the dispensing nozzle 40 or be located directly below the dispensing nozzle 40. It is possible that the dispensing opening 70 is a bottom opening of the treatment chamber 52.
• the cap 68 is pivotable between the release position and the blocking position.
• the cap 68 can be a cleaning cap, e.g., a CIP cap (Cleaning-In-Place cap) or a SIP cap (Sterilizing-In-Place cap), with which the dispensing opening 70 can be closed for cleaning the device 10 or for other process steps.
• the processing unit 72 (only schematically shown in Figure 1 (shown) can be configured to operate device 10.
• the processing unit 72 can be configured to operate the drive unit 46 to move the valve element 44 to discharge the liquefied fluid F1 from the device 10 into the container 12.
• the processing device 72 can be configured to adjust the supply of the cooling medium from the cooling medium source 18 to the cooling tank 14 depending on a signal output from the cooling medium level sensor 22.
• a predefined The cooling medium level is maintained when the storage container 32 is at least partially, preferably completely, immersed in the cooling medium K1 and the condensing device 26 is at least partially immersed.
• the processing unit 72 can be configured to adjust the supply of the gaseous fluid from the fluid gas source 30 to the liquefaction unit 26 depending on a signal output from the liquefied fluid level sensor 36.
• a predetermined minimum liquefied fluid level can thus be maintained in the storage container 32.
• the processing unit 72 can be configured to operate the heating unit 56 to heat the treatment medium B, which flows through the treatment medium line 54, depending on a signal output from the temperature sensor 58.
• a minimum temperature for the treatment medium B can be achieved in this way.
• the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection.
• the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the dependent claims independently of the referenced claims.
• the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another.
• the features of the dependent claims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1 and, for example, independently of the features relating to the presence and/or configuration of the cooling vessel, the condensing device, the storage container, and/or the metering device of independent claim 1. All range specifications herein are to be understood as disclosed in such a way that all values falling within the respective range are disclosed individually, e.g., also as preferred narrower outer limits of the respective range.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Thermal Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
• Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
• Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

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• 2024
  • 2024-05-21 DE DE102024114205.7A patent/DE102024114205A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-05-14 EP EP25176308.2A patent/EP4660084A2/fr active Pending
  • 2025-05-15 CN CN202510626188.9A patent/CN120991227A/zh active Pending
  • 2025-05-15 JP JP2025081820A patent/JP2025176692A/ja active Pending
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