GB2286388A - Filling containers with liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

A dynamic choke (28) in the gas flow employs a choking element (31) in the choke channel (30) which (31) is exposed to the weight of a solid body (31). It is so seated onto a control surface or edge (33') in the channel (30) that the choke (28) lifts off the surface or edge (33') during flow under the pressure of the back-gas and thus allows choked flow in the first direction (A). The weight of the solid body (31) reduces the static difference in height between the filled bottle meniscus and the fill level in the stock container. The choke element (31) tapers downwards or forms a truncated cone, or again is designed as a ball and forms part of the solid weighting body (31). The choke channel consists of a chamber (30) in which the solid body (31) is centred off the chamber sides by spacers (32) and can move vertically over a pre-set distance.

Description

2P286388 A filling system for decanting a liquid product into bottles,

cans or similar containers The invention relates to a filling system according to the preamble of claim 1 and specifically to a gravity filling system or a so-called geodesic filling system, wherein the flow-in speed at which the liquid product to be decanted flows into the pertinent container during the filling phase when the fluid valve is open, i.e. the filling speed, is determined by the static difference in height between the filling level in the reservoir, i.e. the product level therein, and the product level in the particular container during the filling operation.

A filling system of the above-mentioned type and a corresponding filling machine are the subject-matter of the prior German patent application (P 43 10 874.1). This filling system has the advantage of requiring relatively little technical outlay and having a high level of operational reliability. In order to permit an economically viable output to be achieved, it is necessary to set a relatively high flow-in speed above the filling level in the reservoir. During the filling operation, a considerable number of bubbles are produced (an admixture of bubbles) and a froth is formed, such being especially the case with a product (e.g. fruit juice), which has a tendency to form a froth. Because of the admixture of bubbles, or respectively because of the development of a froth, oxygen is absorbed, inter alia, and such may impair the quality of the product.

An object of the invention is to develop the filling system of the initially mentioned type so that the above-mentioned disadvantages are eliminated but the advantage of minimal structural outlay and a high level of operational reliability is retained, namely by creating the possibility of a slow filling operation as well as a slow retarding and correcting filling operation with an interposed rapid filling operation during the filling phase.

According to the present invention there is provided a filling system for decanting a still or carbonated product into bottles (15), cans or similar containers, having at least one filling means (1, la, 1b), a fluid duct (12) in the filling means, which duct communicates with a reservoir (5) for accommodating the liquid product to be decanted, a fluid valve (16, 51), which controls the supply of the product during a filling phase and is disposed in the fluid duct (12, 45), a container carrier (36, 50) for the particular container (15), a discharge aperture (14, 47) via which the liquid product flows to the container in the filling phase when the fluid valve is open, and gas paths (24 - 27, 29; 60 66), which have at least one control valve (22, 23; 57 59), characterised in that the filling means (1, la, 1b) has an abutment or sealing face (21, 49), which is radially offset relative to the discharge aperture (14, 47), and at which face the particular container (15) can be brought into a sealing position with the filling means (1, la, 1b) at least temporarily during the filling phase; at least one gas path (19, 25, 26; 55, 56, 61, 62) forms a return gas path via which the air which is expelled from the interior of the container (15), i.e. the expelled gas (return gas), flows to a chamber (9, 43) for accommodating this return gas during the filling phase and when the container (15) is in its sealing position with the filling means (1, la, 1b); a dynamic throttle (28, 28a) is provided in this one gas path; a valve or throttle body (31', 68) is provided in a flow duct (30, 30a) of the throttle (28, 28a) and abuts 1 3 - against a guiding or control face or edge (331), formed in the flow duct (30-, 30a), with a prescribed force; and the throttle (28, 28a) is disposed in one gas path in such a manner that the throttle body rises from the control face or edge for a throttled return gas flow in a first flow direction (A) through the throttle (28, 28a) during the filling phase due to the pressure of the return gas present at the throttle.

The throttle, which is provided in one gas path, effects an accurately controlled throttling of the flow of return gas during the filling phase, so that a reduction in the static difference in height between the product level in the container and the filling level in the reservoir is produced, such resulting in a reduced flow-in or filling speed. In such case, the control process is preferably effected during the particular filling phase, so that a slow filling operation initially occurs at the beginning of each filling phase by the action of the throttle. When filling means having a long filler pipe are used, this filling operation is concluded when the particular filler pipe is immersed in the product in the container.

A rapid filling operation is subsequently effected when the return gas, which has been expelled from the container, can flow away through the throttle in an unthrottled manner. This rapid filling operation is achieved, for example, by opening a control valve, which spans the throttle, or is achieved, however, when the particular container is removed from the filling means for the rapid filling operation to such an extent that a gap is formed between this container and the filling means, and the return gas can flow away through said gap.

Prior to the termination of the filling phase, a slow retarding and correcting filling operation is then effected, in turn, by the co-operation of the throttle.

The advantages of the filling system according to the invention are such that, inter alia, despite a simple structural arrangement and a high level of operational reliability, a bubble-free filling operation is possible with a high output, the actually desired filling height can be maintained very accurately, and the throttle in the return gas path is also configured so as to have a simple structure and operate in a highly reliable manner.

A particular advantage also resides in the fact that the throttle, at least in its fully open position, has a very large cross-section of flow, which is identical to the cross-section of the gas path or ducts forming this gas path. Such an arrangement also permits the gas path and all of the faces of the throttle to be intensively cleaned (CIP cleaning). In particular, the throttle and its component parts may also be configured so that faces or parts, which are difficult for a cleaning medium to reach or are only inadequately traversed by said cleaning medium during the cleaning process, are not produced. Since the throttle has a very large cross-section of flow, fibres or other foreign bodies are also reliably prevented from congesting the throttle or apertures of this throttle. In a preferred embodiment, the throttle body abuts against the control face or edge from above due to the weight of a mass body.

In such case, the throttle has a particularly simple structure which is operationally reliable.

Further developments of the invention comprise the subject-matter of the sub-claims and are to be incorporated herein by reference.

z The invention will be described further by way of example with ref ereiice to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view through a filling means of a filling machine of a circulatory type for decanting a liquid product into bottles, by gravitational force or gravity, together with a reservoir for the product to be decanted; Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of a dynamic throttle provided in the return gas path of the filling means of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, of a possible alternative embodiment; Fig. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional view through a filling means, which is intended for counterpressure and has no filler pipe, for decanting a carbonated liquid product into bottles by gravitational force or gravity; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed view of a possible alternative embodiment of the dynamic throttle disposed in the return gas path.

In Fig. 1, 1 denotes a filling means of a filling machine which, together with a plurality of identical filling means, is provided on the periphery of a rotor 2, which rotates about a vertical axis of the machine. A product duct 3, which is common to all of the filling means 1 and also surrounds the machine axis, is formed in said rotor and serves to supply the product to the individual filling means 1, said duct being connected to a reservoir 5 for the liquid product via a line 4. The reservoir 5 is disposed, for example, in an elevated position laterally of the filling machine and is filled with the liquid product to a prescribed level N. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the gas chamber 6 of the reservoir 5, which is formed above the level N or respectively above the product level therein and is outwardly closed, communicates with a line 8 for an inert pressure gas (e.g. sterile air or C02 gas) via a pressure regulating means 7, so that the gas chamber 6 has a prescribed excess pressure during the operation of the filling machine.

Furthermore, a return gas collecting duct 9 is provided at the rotor 2 and is common to all of the filling means 1, said duct being connected to the gas chamber 6 via a line 10, so that the same pressure is set in the return gas collecting duct 9 as in the gas chamber 6.

Each filling means 1 has a housing 11, which accommodates a fluid duct 12 communicating with the product duct 3 via an aperture 13. The other end of the fluid duct 12 communicates with the upper end of a filler pipe 14, which protrudes downwardly via the filling means 1 and, in the illustrated embodiment, has such a length that, when a bottle 15 is mounted on the filling means 1, the lower end of said pipe lies substantially closer to the base of the bottle than the mouth of the bottle 15'.

The fluid valve 16 is provided in conventional manner in the f luid duct 12 and has a valve body 17, which is displaceable from a raised position, which opens the fluid valve, into a lowered position, which closes the fluid valve, by a prescribed lifting movement in the direction of the axis FA of the filling means, such movement being effected by a pneumatic actuating means 18.

Furthermore, an annular duct 19 is formed on the underside of the housing 11 and, when a bottle is mounted on the f illing means 1, said duct communicates with the interior of this bottle. A so called "tulip-shaped" or like centring means is referenced 20, and the bottle 15 tightly abuts against said centring means or its seal 21 with its mouth 15' during the filling operation, said centring means, in turn, abutting tightly against the underside of the housing 11.

Moreover, each filling means 1 has a control valve arrangement which, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, has two individually controllable valves 22 and 23, which are configured as pneumatically actuable valves and are connected in the manner described hereinafter:

Valve 22:

At its inlet end, it is connected to a portion 12' of the fluid duct 12 via a duct 24, which (portion) is situated behind the fluid valve 16 when viewed with respect to the direction of flow of the liquid product, and at its outlet end, it is connected 19 via a duct 25.

to the annular duct Valve 23:

At its inlet end, it is connected to the return gas collecting duct 9 via a duct 26 and also simultaneously to the duct 25 via a duct 27 and a dynamic throttle 28, and at its outlet end, it is connected to the duct 25 via a duct 29, namely at the location where the duct 27 also extends into the duct 25 via the throttle 28.

The throttle 28 is again shown on an enlarged - 8 scale in Fig. 2. It substantially comprises a circular cylindrical weight or mass body 31, which is disposed in a closed chamber 30 and extends with its cylindrical or longitudinal axis L in a vertical direction, i.e.

parallel to the axis FA, the underside of said weight or mass body being configured as a cone, i.e. it has a conical portion 311 there, which forms the valve or throttle body of the throttle 28. In planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the mass body 31, the chamber 30 has a cross-section, which is preferably also circular-cylindrical and is greater than the external cross-section of the mass body 31. The axial length of the chamber 30 is also greater than the axial length of the mass body 31. The mass body 31 is centred in the chamber 30 by means of webs or spacer members 32, such that the longitudinal axis L extends coaxially, or substantially coaxially, with the axis of the chamber 30, and the mass body 31 is displaceable in the chamber 30 by a prescribed distance in the longitudinal direction. Directly adjacent the portion 31', the underside of the chamber 30 has an aperture 33, which forms the inlet of the throttle 28 and forms, with the internal edge of said throttle, a control face or control edge 33', which co-operates with the conical portion 31' in the manner of a valve seat. The aperture 33 extends coaxially with the longitudinal axis L. The throttle 28, or respectively the chamber 30, is connected to the duct 25 via the aperture 33.

Provided on the upper surface of the chamber 30 is an additional aperture 34, which forms the outlet of the throttle 28 respectively the 27. In the views all of the ducts are provided in and via which the throttle 28, or chamber 30, communicates with the duct of Figures 1 and 2, it is assumed that 24 - 27, 29 as well as the chamber 30 the housing 11, or respectively in component parts forming this housing.

The mass body 31 is formed 1.0rom a corrosion resistant metal, for example stainless steel, and, due to its inherent weight, which amounts to approx. 6 g, for example, it abuts with its conical portion 31 against the control edge 33', whereby the throttle 28 is in its initial position, i.e. in its position for maximum throttle action. The diameter of the aperture 33 is 6 mm, for example, which, moreover, in the illustrated embodiment, also corresponds substantially to the effective cross-section of the ducts 24 27 and 29 as well as to the effective cross-section of flow of the throttle 28 internally of the chamber 30. It is self evident that the spacer members 32 are so configured that a flow medium can flow through the chamber 30 past the external face of the mass body 31. During the operation to fill a bottle 15, as will be described more fully hereinafter, this flow medium is the air which has been expelled from the bottle 15 during the filling operation, i.e. the expelled gas. For the cleaning (CIP cleaning) of the filling machine or respectively of the filling means 1, the flow medium is the cleaning fluid.

As indicated by arrows A in Fig. 2, the throttle 28 only permits a flow from the aperture 33, i.e. from the duct 25, to the aperture 34, i.e. into the duct 27, whereby the mass body 31 is slightly raised by the pressure of the flow medium, so that an annular gap is formed as a throttle aperture between the edge of the aperture 33 and the conical portion 31', the effective cross-section of said annular gap being greater when there is a greater difference in pressure between the pressure at the aperture 33 and the pressure at the aperture 34 than when there is a smaller difference in pressure.

The subsequently described mode of operation is possible, inter alia, with the filling means 1, or respectively with the gravitational force or gravity filling system having this filling means (geodesic filling system), whereby, prior to the machine being set in operation, the reservoir 5 is of course filled with the liquid product to be decanted up to the prescribed level N, and the gas chamber 6 as well as the return gas collecting duct 9 have the required inert gas pressure. In the following description, it is assumed that the valves 22 and 23 as well as the fluid valve 16 are in their closed position in the individual method steps if the open position of one of these valves is not expressly mentioned.

1.1 Preliminary pressurisation of the bottle 15 Once the particular bottle 15 is brought with its mouth 15' into a sealing position with the filling means 1, the control valve 23 is opened, whereby a preliminary pressurisation of the bottle 15 is effected via the duct 26, the open valve 23, the ducts 25, 29 and the annular duct 19 extending from the return gas collecting duct 9., such pressurisation being effected at the pressure level set in the reservoir 5 and hence also in the product duct 3.

1.2 Slow filling olperation After the valve 23 has been closed, the fluid valve 16 is opened, so that the liquid product can flow into the bottle 15 via the filler pipe 14. The gas, which is hereby expelled from the bottle 15, passes back into the return gas collecting duct 9 via the annular duct 19, the duct 25, the throttle 28 and the ducts 27 and 26.

1 The speed at- which the liquid product flows into the bottle would in fact be the filling speed determined by the static or geodesic difference in height HG (drop height) between the product level in the bottle 15 and the level N in the reservoir 5. However, a reduction in the effective drop height is achieved by the throttle 28, or respectively by the mass body 31. In the abovedescribed example, wherein the mass body 31 has a weight of 6 g and the aperture 33, or respectively the control edge 311 formed by said aperture, has a diameter of 6 mm, a reduction in the gravity, caused by the static difference in height, corresponding to a water column of 200 mm is produced by the throttle 28. In consequence, the liquid product flows slowly and gently into the bottle 15 at a filling speed which is reduced by the weight of the mass body 31. In particular, froth is therefore prevented from forming or bubbles are prevented from developing in the liquid product.

1.3 Rapid filling operation When the fluid valve 16 is still open, the valve 23 is opened, so that the return gas can now flow directly and in an unthrottled manner to the return gas collecting duct 9 via the annular duct 19, the duct 25, the duct 29, the open valve 23 and the duct 26. In the central region of the bottle 15, which is not critical in respect of filling technology, a correspondingly higher filling speed is therefore set, since the static difference in height between the level N in the reservoir 5 and the rising product level in the bottle 15 is fully effective for the filling speed.

Normally, the rapid filling operation is only introduced when the lower end of the filler pipe 14 is immersed in the product to be decanted.

- 12 1.4 Retarding and correcting filling o-peration When the fluid valve 16 is still open, the valve 23 is closed again, so that the return gas can only flow into the return gas collecting duct 9 via the throttle 28, as in method step 1.2, that is to say a reduced filling speed is set, in turn, in this end region which is critical in respect of filling technology. Based on a time control, the retarding and correcting filling operation is introduced by the electronics which control the particular filling means 1 and are associated with the filling machine or with this filling means.

If the product level in the bottle 15 reaches an electrode contact 35, which is provided on the filler pipe 14, a signal is produced in known manner in the control electronics, which signal effects closure of the fluid valve 16.

1.5 Level balancing under excess Pressure When the f luid valve 16 is closed, the valve 22 is opened, so that it is possible to balance the level.s between the product level in the f iller pipe 14 and the product level in the bottle 15, i.e. in the neck of the bottle, via the ducts 24 and 25 as well as via the open valve 22. This position can be maintained for a prescribed period of time to stabilise the product in the bottle 15.

1.6 Relieving pressure and emiptying the filler -Pilpe When the f luid valve 16 is closed and when the valve 23 is closed, the valve 22 is still open for this method step. The pressure is then relieved to atmospheric pressure by lowering the bottle 15 from the 13 - filling means. An air removing connection is introduced into the filler pipe 14 via the ducts 24 and 25 and the open valve 22, so that the product in the filler pipe 14 is emptied into the bottle during the lowering of the bottle 15.

In any event, the above-mentioned relieving of pressure by removing the bottle 15 from the filling means 1 is possible with those drinks which contain a relatively low C02 content (e.g. up to 4.0 9 C02/1).

1.7 Maintaining pressure in the loss angle of the - rotary movement of the filling machine In the loss angle of the rotary movement of the filling machine, i.e. in the angle of the rotary movement of the filling machine formed between the bottle discharge and the bottle insertion, a difference in pressure between the pressure in the return gas collecting duct 9 and the atmosphere is present at the throttle 28 when the fluid valve 16 is closed and when the valves 22 and 23 are closed. Since, in such case, the pressure at the aperture 34 is greater than at the aperture 33, the throttle 28 acts like a self-blocking non-return valve. In consequence, no inert gas at the pertinent filling means 1, i.e. at the annular duct 19 there, can emerge from the return gas collecting duct 9.

The previously described filling system is especially suitable for decanting wine or wine-containing drinks having C02 contents of up to about 4.0 g/1.

Basically, it is also possible to provide the previously described filling system so that the liquid product is decanted under normal pressure. In this case, the gas chamber 6, formed in the reservoir 5, as well as 14 the return gas collecting duct 9 then have a pressure which is identical "to, or substantially identical to, atmospheric pressure.

A method, which is very similar to the previously described filling method, is possible with this simplified filling system, naturally with the difference being that the preliminary pre s suri sati on/ tens ioning of the bottle 15 and the relieving of pressure are omitted and the balancing of levels occurs at atmospheric pressure.

In a view similar to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 illustrates, as a possible alternative embodiment, a filling means la which, in turn, is a component part of a filling machine and forms a geodesic filling system together with the reservoir 5 of the filling machine. In this filling system, the bottle 15 to be f illed is temporarily in a sealing position with the filling means 1 during the f illing phase. The f illing means la dif f ers f rom the f illing means 1 substantially in that the valve 23 is omitted, with the result that only the following connections exist:

a connection between the portion 12' and the annular duct 19 via the duct 24, the valve 22 and the duct 25; and a connection between the annular duct 19 and the return gas collecting duct 9 via the duct 25, the throttle 28 and the duct 26.

Fig. 3 also illustrates the conventional bottle plate 36, on which the base of the bottle 15 stands and which is provided on the conventional lifting means, which has, inter alia, a cam roller 37 which co-operates in conventional manner with a cam 38, which does not rotate with the rotor 2, such co-operation being to lower is - the bottle plate 36, which has been previously tensioned into the upper lifting position by the lifting means or its lifting cylinder.

In contrast with the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, atmospheric pressure acts on the gas chamber 6 of the reservoir 5 and also on the return gas collecting duct 9 in the embodiment of Fig. 3.

The following mode of operation is possible with this highly simplified filling means la, or respectively filling system of Fig. 3, whereby, in turn, the valve 22 and the fluid valve 16 are each in their closed position if the open position is not expressly mentioned.

2.1 Slow filling operation The fluid valve 16 is opened for this method step. Otherwise, this method step corresponds to the method step 1.2, as has been described above for the filling means 1, whereby, in turn, the throttle 28, or respectively the mass body 31, effects a reduction in the static difference in pressure and hence a reduction in the filling speed.

2.2 Rapid filling operation When the fluid valve 16 is still open, the bottle plate 36 is slightly lowered during this rapid filling phase to such an extent that a gap is produced between the "tulip-shaped" (or other) centring means 20 and the underside of the filling means la, the air which has been expelled from the bottle 15 during the filling operation being able to escape into the atmosphere through said gap in an unthrottled manner.

2.3 Retarding and correcting filling operation When the fluid valve 16 is still open, the bottle plate 36 is in turn raised as a result of a corresponding configuration of the cam 38, so that the bottle resumes a sealing position with the filling means la and, in consequence, the air which has been expelled f rom the bottle from the product can only pass into the return gas collecting duct 9 via the throttle 28 in a throttled manner, and a reduced filling speed is set.

2.4 End of filling operation, lowering of bottle and emiptying of filler z)ipe After the electrode 35 has responded, the fluid valve 16 is closed. The valve 22 is subsequently opened, and the bottle 15 is removed from the filling means by lowering the bottle plate 36, whereby the level of the product in the filler pipe 14 and the level of the product in the bottle 15 are balanced, and the filler pipe 14 is also emptied into the bottle 15.

Fig. 4 illustrates a filling means 1b, without a filler pipe, of a filling machine, or respectively of a single-chambered filling system. In turn, the filling means 1b is disposed with a plurality of identical filling means 1b on the periphery of a rotor 39 of the filling machine, which rotates about the vertical axis of the machine and in which a vacuum duct 40, a relief duct 41 and an annular tank 42 are provided, the latter accommodating the liquid product up to a level N, and a gas chamber 43 for a pressurised inert gas (for example C02 gas) being formed above the level N in said tank.

The f illing means 1b has a housing 44, in which the fluid duct 45 is, in turn, provided inter alia, one - 17 end of said duct communicating with the lower region of the annular tank 42 'via an aperture. The other end of the fluid duct forms, on the underside of the housing 44, an annular discharge aperture 47, which surrounds a return gas pipe 46 and communicates with the interior of the bottle 15 when said bottle is in its sealing position with the filling means 1h. The f illing means 1b has a tulip-shaped centring means 48 with a seal 49, against which the bottle standing on the bottle plate 50 abuts with its mouth 15' during the filling operation.

The fluid valve 41 and the valve body 52 forming this valve are provided in the fluid duct 45. Said valve body is part of the return gas pipe, which also extends upwardly to an actuating means 53, which controls the fluid valve 51, via the valve body.

Provided in the return gas pipe 46, which is disposed coaxially with the axis FA of the filling means, is a probe 54, which determines the filling height and protrudes with a prescribed length beyond the lower, open end of the return gas pipe 46. A return gas duct 55 is formed between the external face of the probe 54 and the internal face of the return gas pipe 46, said duct being open at the underside of the return gas extending at its upper end into a chamber 56.

pipe and Moreover, each filling means 1b has the throttle 28, which is already described above, as well as three valves 57 - 59, which are pneumatically actuateable, individually controllable and connected in the manner described hereinafter:

Valve 57:

At its inlet end, it is connected, via a duct 60, to a duct 61 leading to the chamber 56 and hence to the return 18 - gas duct 55; and at its outlet end, it is connected to a duct 62 extending into the gas chamber 43.

Valve 58:

At its inlet end, it is connected to the duct 61 via a duct 63; and at its outlet end, it is connected, via a duct 64, to the relief duct 41, which is common to all of the filling means lb.

Valve 59: At its inlet end, it is connected to the duct 61 via a duct 65; and at its

outlet end, it is connected, via a duct 66, to the vacuum duct 40, which is common to all of the filling means lb.

The dynamic throttle 28 lies parallel to the inlet and outlet of the valve 57, such that the inlet, i.e. the aperture 33, of the throttle 28, is connected to the duct 60, and the outlet, i.e. the aperture 34, is connected to the duct 62. A fixed throttle 67 is provided in the duct 64.

The following mode of operation is possible with the filling means la, where, in the subsequent description, it is assumed, in turn, that all of the valves 57 - 59 as well as the fluid valve 51 are in their closed position if the open position is not expressly mentioned in a method step.

3.1 Preliminary evacuation If the bottle 15 is in its sealing position with the filling means lb, the valve 59 is opened for 1 preliminary evacuation.

3.2 Preliminary lpressurisation/tensioning When the valve 59 is closed again, the valve 57 is opened, whereby the pressurised inert gas from the gas chamber 43 acts upon the interior of the bottle 15 via the ducts 62, 60, 61, the open valve 57 and the return gas duct 55.

3.3__ Slow filling o-peration Immediately after the pressure has been balanced between the bottle 15 and the gas chamber 43, the fluid valve 51 is opened by the pneumatic actuating means 53. The liquid product flows into the bottle 15 via the discharge aperture 57, which is preferably provided with a helical body. The return gas, which has been expelled from the bottle from the product, flows back into the gas chamber 43 via the return gas duct 55, the duct 61, the throttle 28 and the duct 62.

In turn, the filling speed would be determined per se by the difference in height between the product level in the bottle 15 and the level N. In the abovedescribed manner, however, the throttle 28 effects a reduction in this static difference in height and hence a reduction in the filling speed.

3.4---Rapid fillincr oiDeration When the fluid valve 51 is still open, the valve 57 is opened, so that the return gas can pass into the gas chamber 43 past the throttle 28 in an unthrottled manner via this open valve and, in consequence, a higher filling speed, corresponding to the static difference in height, is produced in the central portion of the bottle 15.

3.5 Retardincr and correcting fillincr o-oeration When the fluid valve 51 is still open, a closure of the valve 57 effects a return to the slower filling speed.

3.6 End of filling process After the response of the probe 54, which determines the filling height, the fluid valve 51 is closed. Immediately afterwards, the valve 57 is opened. The space, which exists in the bottle 15 above the product level and has a pressure lying slightly above the pressure of the gas chamber 43 because of the action of the throttle 28 after closure of the fluid valve 51, is hereby relieved of pressure to match the pressure of this gas chamber, namely via the return gas duct 55, the ducts 60 - 62 and the open valve 57. Because this method step is extended in respect of time, the liquid product can also be stabilised to a pressure level corresponding to the pressure in the gas chamber 43.

3.7 Residual lpressure-relieving or)eration For this method step, the valve 57 is again closed and the valve 58 is opened, whereby the pressure in the interior of the bottle can then decrease slowly to the atmospheric pressure in the relief duct 41, which is common to all of the filling means 1b, via the return gas duct 55, the ducts 61, 63 and 64 as well as via the fixed throttle 67.

As soon as the pressure in the bottle 15 or the - 21 pressure of the gas chamber 43 drops and, in consequence, the higher pressure of the duct 63 occurs at the aperture 34 of the throttle 28 and the lower pressure of the duct 60 occurs at the aperture 33 of the throttle 28, the throttle 28 in turn acts like a blocking non-return valve and thereby prevents inert gas from being able to emerge outwardly from -Lhe gas chamber 43 via the pertinent filling means lb.

The filled bottle 15 is removed from the filling means in conventional manner by lowering the bottle plate 50.

Fig. 5 illustrates a possible alternative embodiment of the throttle 28A, which may be used instead of the throttle 28. The throttle 28a also substantially comprises a weight or mass body 31a, which corresponds to the mass body 31 of the throttle 28, i.e. it has a circular-cylindrical configuration, is orientated in the horizontal direction with the cylindrical axis L, and is provided in the chamber 30a so as to be displaceable in the axial direction, that is to say it is centred by the webs or spacer members 32. The mass body 31a has a planar configuration on its underside. Instead of the conical portion 31', a ball 68 is provided as the throttle body, against which the mass body 31a abuts with the underside and with its weight. In turn, the ball 68 abuts against the control edge 33' when the throttle 28a is in its non-activated position.

In order to prevent the ball 68 from shifting laterally, the chamber 30a is provided at its base with a circular recess 69, which is disposed coaxially with the aperture 33, the aperture 33 being situated in the region of said recess, and said recess forming a type of cage for the ball 68.The depth which the recess 69 has in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, is less than the diameter of the ball 68. The diameter of the recess 69 is greater than the diameter of the ball 68.

Furthermore, the arrangement is such that the lifting movement, which the mass body 31-a can execute in the vertical direction from its position of rest, illustrated in Fig. 5, is smaller than the diameter of the ball 68, so that the ball cannot escape from the recess 69, even when the mass body 31a is in its uppermost position.

In addition to the advantage of having a simple structure which is operationally reliable, the throttles 28 and 28a also have the advantage that they can open in the direction of flow A with a large cross-section of flow. In consequence, it is especially also possible for the cleaning fluid in a CIP cleaning operation to flow through the throttles 28 and 28a in the direction of flow A with a large cross-section, whereby neither the chamber 30 or 30a, nor the mass body 31 or 31a, nor the spacer members 32, nor the ball 68, nor the recess 69 form or have faces which would not be accessible to the cleaning fluid or would only be accessible with some difficulty..

The reference numerals in the following claims are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way.

Claims (20)

1. A filling system for decanting a still or carbonated product into bottles (15), cans or similar containers, having at least one filling means (1, la, 1b), a fluid duct (12) in the filling means, which duct communicates with a reservoir (5) for accommodating the liquid product to be decanted, a fluid valve (16, 51), which controls the supply of the product during a filling phase and is disposed in the fluid duct (12, 45), a container carrier (36, 50) for the particular container (15), a discharge aperture (14, 47) via which the liquid product flows to the container in the filling phase when the fluid valve is open, and gas paths (24 - 27, 29; 60 66), which have at least one control valve (22, 23; 57 59), characterised in that the filling means (1, la, 1b) has an abutment or sealing face (21, 49), which is radially offset relative to the discharge aperture (14, 47), and at which face the particular container (15) can be brought into a sealing position with the filling means (1, la, 1b) at least temporarily during the filling phase; at least one gas path (19, 25, 26; 55, 56, 61, 62) forms a return gas path via which the air which is expelled from the interior of the container (15), i.e. the expelled gas (return gas), flows to a chamber (9, 43) for accommodating this return gas during the filling phase and when the container (15) is in its sealing position with the filling means (1, la, 1b); a dynamic throttle (28, 28a) is provided in this one gas path; a valve or throttle body (31', 68) is provided in a flow duct (30, 30a) of the throttle (28, 28a) and abuts against a guiding or control face or edge (33'), formed in the flow duct (30, 30a), with a prescribed force; and the throttle (28, 28a) is disposed in one gas path in such a manner that the throttle body rises from the control face or edge for a throttled return gas flow in a 24 first flow direction (A) through the throttle (28, 28a) during the filling phase due to the pressure of the return gas present at the throttle.

2. A filling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the throttle body (31', 68) abuts against the control face or edge (33') from above due to the weight of a mass body (31, 31a).

3. A filling system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the throttle body (31') has a conical or frustoconical configuration tapering downwardly.

A f illing system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the throttle body (68) has a spherical configuration.

5. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the throttle body (31') is part of the mass body (31).

6. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the throttle body (68) and the mass body (31a) are separate component parts, and wherein the mass body (31a) abuts against the throttle body (68) with a lower region.

7. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flow duct of the throttle (28, 28a) is formed by a chamber (30, 30a), in which the mass body (31, 31a) is centred at a spacing from the internal wall of the chamber (30, 30a) by means of spacer members (32) and is provided so as to be displaceable with a prescribed lifting movement in the vertical direction.

8. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 1 7, wherein the throttle (28, 28a) effects blocking for a direction of flow which is opposed to the first direction of flow (A).

9. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the total weight of the mass body (31, 31a) and of the throttle body (31', 68) and the cross-section of the flow duct of the throttle (28, 28a) in the region of the control face or edge (33') are selected so that the throttle (28, 28a) effects a reduction in the static difference in height (HG) between the product level in the container (15) and the product level (N) in the reservoir (5) of the order of magnitude of a water column of about 200 mm, said difference determining the rate of filling.

10. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mass body (31, 31a) and the throttle body (31', 68) have a total weight of the order of magnitude of about 5 - 10 g, and wherein the f low duct of the throttle (28, 28a) in the region of the control face or edge (331) has a diameter of the order of magnitude of 5 - 10 mm, preferably about 6 mm.

11. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein a control valve (23, 57) is disposed in one gas path parallel to the throttle (28, 28a) and, in its open position, clears a duct for the return gas which spans the throttle (28, 28a), such clearance preferably occurring when the container (15) is in its sealing position with the filling means (1, la, 1b).

12. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, characterised by control means (37, 38), whereby the container carrier (36), and therewith the container (15) provided on the container carrier, is lowerable for a prescribed period of time during the f illing phase for a rapid filling operation, such that a gap is formed between the abutment face (21) of the filling means (1a) and the container (15), said gap being open towards the ambient atmosphere, and the return gas can flow away via said gap in an unthrottled manner.

13. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the chamber accommodating the return gas is a return gas collecting duct (9), which is common to all of the filling means (1, la) of a filling machine.

14. A filling system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the return gas collecting duct (9) as well as a gas chamber (6), which is formed in the reservoir (5) above the product therein, each have the same pressure, for example atmospheric pressure or an excess pressure.

15. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the chamber accommodating the return gas (43) is a gas chamber (43), which is formed in a reservoir or in an annular tank (42) above the product to be decanted.

16. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the f illing means (1, la) has a f iller pipe (14), pref erably a long f iller pipe, which f orms the discharge aperture.

17. A filling system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the filling means (1, la) is provided, on its underside, with an annular duct (19), which surrounds the filler pipe (14) and is open towards the underside of the filling means, said annular duct being part of one gas path having the throttle (28, 28a).

18. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 1 1 27 - 15, wherein the filling means (1b) is one without a filler pipe and has, on its underside, an annular discharge aperture (47), which surrounds a return gas pipe (46), and wherein a return gas duct (55), formed in the return gas pipe, is a component part of one gas path having the throttle (28, 28a).

19. A filling system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, wherein at least a portion of one gas path as well as the flow duct, or respectively the chamber (30, 30a) of the throttle (28, 28a) forming this flow duct, are provided in a housing (11, 44) of the filling means (1, la, 1b)

20. A filling system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.