JP6364252B2 - Apparatus and method for filling a container with a filling - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for filling a container with a filling, preferably an apparatus and method for filling a container with a carbonated filling in a bottling plant.

  In order to fill carbonated drinks into containers at a bottling plant, the container mouth of each container is pressed against the filling element, and the hermetically sealed part of the container is formed with the filling element, and the required back pressure when filling carbonated drinks. It is known to prevent the escape of pressurized gas to increase.

  A technique is known in which each container is guided onto a lift plate and the container is lifted by the lift plate and the container mouth is pressed against the upper filling element in order to hermetically seal the container or container opening against each filling element. ing. For this purpose, a relative movement with respect to the filling element above the container to be filled is required. Moreover, the lift apparatus corresponding to every lift board is required. In providing such a lift element, it is required to release the force generated by configuring the entire filling machine to be very robust.

  In another known example, a jack is provided on the surface located above the mouth of the container to be filled. Other parts are also provided above the mouth, and water vapor condensation may occur. For example, there is a possibility that condensed water may drip into an open container, and thus hygiene measures are required.

  As an alternative, the concept of a filling machine described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the concept, the filling container is sealed by a movable centering bell. Specifically, the centering bell is lowered toward the container to be filled and hermetically sealed. After filling, the centering bell is raised again. The centering bell is reset by biasing a compression spring or a pressure pad.

German utility model 20 2006 001 234 specification

  In view of the above prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for filling a container that enables reliable long-term operation.

  This problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements are evident in the dependent claims.

  Therefore, an apparatus for filling a container with a filling, preferably filling a container with a carbonated beverage in a beverage filling factory is proposed. The apparatus includes a drive unit that attaches a sealing sleeve to the mouth of the container. The drive unit includes a piston. The piston separates the working chamber from the preload chamber. The preload chamber can apply a preload to return the piston. According to the present invention, the pressure compensation device is provided between the preload chamber and the working chamber. The pressure compensator is preferably formed so as to maintain a predetermined preload range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value in the preload chamber.

  By providing a pressure compensation device for holding a predetermined preload range in the preload chamber, the preload chamber can always be held in the predetermined pressure range. Thereby, a predetermined pressure range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value is preferably obtained in the preload chamber. For example, a pressure value that achieves a reliable return to the initial position of the sealing sleeve can always be secured in the preload chamber. Due to the predetermined preload range in the preload chamber, the sealing sleeve can always be completely pressed against each container mouth with a predetermined pressing force. Thereby, for example, it can be ensured that reliable sealing is achieved when the container is filled with a carbonated beverage. Although it has been conventionally known that the pressure rises uncontrollably in the preload chamber based on the pumping action or the pressure leakage between the cylinder space and the piston, such a situation can be avoided. Along with this, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the reliable pressure-bonding of the sealing sleeve is hindered by the reaction force generated when the preload in the preload chamber becomes excessively high.

  Preferably, the pressure compensator includes a first check valve and a second check valve, and the first check valve and the second check valve are provided between the preload chamber and the working chamber. The airflow in the reverse direction is allowed. A predetermined pre-pressure range can be maintained by the airflow in the reverse direction. Overpressure can be allowed to flow from the working chamber into the preloading chamber to increase the excessively low pressure in the preloading chamber, or the overpressure can be increased from the preloading chamber to the working chamber if an excessively high overpressure is formed in the preloading chamber. It is because it can be made to release. Preferably, the first check valve is preloaded so that positive pressure is applied to the preload chamber with respect to the ventilated working chamber. Preferably, the second check valve is preloaded so that a pressure exceeding the preload range is reduced in the preload chamber.

  Preferably, a first check valve that allows airflow from the working chamber to the preload chamber is provided, and the pressure in the preload chamber can be made lower than the pressure in the working chamber by the preload of the first check valve. Preferably, a second check valve that allows airflow from the preload chamber to the working chamber is provided, and the second check valve raises the pressure in the preload chamber to a predetermined initial level when the working chamber is exhausted. It has a preload that reduces it. In other words, a situation in which excessive pressure is formed in the preload chamber based on, for example, a pumping action or leakage is avoided.

  Preferably, the preload corresponding to the lower limit value of the preload range is generated in the preload chamber by the preload of the first check valve. Preferably, the preload corresponding to the upper limit value of the preload range is generated in the preload chamber by the preload of the second check valve. Each pressure is always based on the piston position in the initial state, that is, the piston position when exhausting the working chamber.

  Particularly preferably, the pressure compensator is configured so that the pressure compensator forms a pre-pressure range in which the piston can be returned to the initial position in the pre-load chamber. Thereby, the sealing sleeve is also moved to the initial position.

  By providing the first check valve and the second check valve that allow airflow in the reverse direction, when compressed air is applied and the working chamber is pressurized, airflow into the preload chamber is generated, and the check valve The preload can ensure that the pressure in the preload chamber increases to a predetermined value. Note that when the pressure in the working chamber becomes higher than the pressure in the preload chamber, the piston is moved toward the preload chamber, and the gas stored in the preload chamber is compressed. As a result, the pressure in the preload chamber further increases. The pressure pad thus configured (the pressure in the preload chamber formed) functions to push the sealing sleeve back to the initial position after the filling process is finished.

  The increase in pressure in the working chamber and the movement of the piston toward the preload chamber causes the sealing sleeve to be crimped to the mouth of the container. The pressure in the preload chamber adjusted via the first check valve or its preload is against the movement of the piston to which the seal sleeve is attached, while the pressure in the preload chamber causes the seal sleeve to It is determined so that it can be pressed with a predetermined force. In other words, the pressure adjustable via the first check valve is a pressure that allows the sealing sleeve to fully return or retract when the working chamber is ventilated, preferably when the working chamber is evacuated to atmospheric pressure. A pad is defined to be formed in the preload chamber. In order to enable reliable restoration, it is necessary that a certain overpressure exists in the preload chamber even when the sealing sleeve is completely restored.

  If the atmospheric pressure prevails in the preload chamber when the sealing sleeve is in the complete return position, the sealing sleeve may not be fully returned due to the inevitable friction of the piston against the cylinder space and the piston's own weight. sell. Therefore, with respect to the first check valve, it is particularly preferable that a certain overpressure exists in the preload chamber even when the piston is in the initial position, in order to deal with at least the problem relating to the friction and dead weight of the piston. .

  The second check valve that allows the air flow from the preload chamber to the working chamber prevents the pressure exceeding the upper limit value from being formed in the preload chamber when the sealing sleeve is in the complete return position (that is, the initial position). In other words, when the working chamber is exhausted, the pressure in the preload chamber is released to the extent that the pressure necessary for the complete return of the sealing sleeve remains in the preload chamber. The second check valve is configured to release pressure from the preload chamber through adjustment of the preload so that a pressure slightly higher than atmospheric pressure remains in the preload chamber.

  With the pressure compensator configured as in the above example, a pressure allowing full control of the sealing sleeve and complete sealing of the container can always be present in the preload chamber.

  Thus, for each filling process, when the sealing sleeve is lowered to seal the mouth of the container, the container is filled with carbonated beverage, and the sealing sleeve is retracted to remove the container from each filling device, An initial pressure, an applied pressure, and a final pressure can each be formed in the preload chamber.

  Preferably, the sealing sleeve is magnetically coupled to the drive unit. Here, it is particularly preferable that the piston and the sealing sleeve are hermetically separated because the drive unit and the sealing sleeve are separated in a sanitary manner.

  The pressure compensation device may be configured to include at least one throttle check valve.

  Moreover, according to the preload chamber comprised as mentioned above, use of the return spring which is a component with which abrasion is used can be abbreviate | omitted. In other words, the predetermined pre-pressure range biases the piston to the initial position. Therefore, other urging means can be omitted as appropriate.

  In order to suppress wear of the sealing sleeve, the sealing sleeve has a seal ring. The seal ring has a diameter larger than the diameter defined by the hermetic partition. The seal ring is preferably arranged concentrically with the sealing sleeve. As the seal ring is deformed, reliable sealing is achieved. Particularly preferably, the seal ring contains a Teflon compound. This avoids excessive wear seen with conventional seals.

  Moreover, said subject is solved by the container filling method which has the characteristics of Claim 13.

  Therefore, a method is proposed for filling a container with a filling, preferably filling a container with a carbonated beverage in a beverage filling plant. The method includes attaching the sealing sleeve to the mouth of the container by operation of a drive coupled to the sealing sleeve. The drive unit includes a piston. The piston separates the working chamber from a preload chamber capable of applying a preload for returning the piston. The preload in the preload chamber is maintained within a predetermined preload range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value by the pressure compensator.

  Further preferred embodiments and aspects of the invention are further illustrated by the following description of the drawings.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically the apparatus for filling a container with a filling material. It is sectional drawing which shows a filling member typically.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Identical, similar, and equivalent elements in different figures are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of such elements are partially omitted to avoid redundancy.

  1 and 2 schematically show an apparatus 1 for filling a container with a filling (especially filling a container with a carbonated beverage in a beverage filling system). The beverage is discharged to a filling container (not shown) through the outlet sleeve 20 of the product valve 2 schematically shown. As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the product valve 2 includes a valve body 22 for controlling the discharge flow rate or the discharge flow rate. The filling flows out from the opening 24 as a substantially free jet.

  A sealing sleeve 3 that can be displaced up and down along the arrow is provided. Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the upper position of the sealing sleeve 3. This position is an initial position, and a new container to be filled can be arranged below the apparatus 1 at this time. The sealing sleeve 3 is pressed against the mouth of the container to be filled at a position displaced downward, and both centering and hermetic sealing are performed based on the opening 24 of the outlet sleeve 20 of the product valve 2. Thus, a container filled with a carbonated beverage can be pre-pressurized with pre-pressure gas before the filling passes through the product valve 2. By preloading the container, excessive foaming during filling can be avoided. Furthermore, since sudden pressure application to the container can be avoided, container defects (especially container opening) can be avoided. Furthermore, the container to be filled before filling can be cleaned with gas by using hermetic sealing by the sealing sleeve 3. This can be important, for example, for products that are sensitive to oxygen. For example, the container can be washed with carbon dioxide such that oxygen in the air is substantially pushed out of the container.

  Immediately after the sealing sleeve 3 is lowered and pressed against the container mouth, or after gas cleaning, the container is appropriately pre-pressurized with pressurized gas. Subsequently, the valve body 22 is lifted to open the product valve 2 and allow the filling to flow out. For example, when the filling operation controlled by the flow meter 28 is completed, the valve body 22 is lowered again, and the product flow from the outlet 24 of the product valve 2 is shut off. Thereafter, the pressurized and filled container is opened through the release valve 40, and the sealing sleeve 3 can be returned to the initial position shown in FIGS. A new container is again placed below the sealing sleeve 3, and the above process resumes from the initial position.

  At least one of preloading, cleaning, and depressurization of the container with the pressurized gas, the cleaning gas, and the product gas can be performed through the gas passage 4. The gas passage 4 communicates with the open valve 40 and the pressurized gas valve 42 and also communicates with the product outlet.

  The sealing sleeve 3 is coupled to the driving unit 5. The coupling between the sealing sleeve 3 and the drive unit 5 is magnetic. For this reason, the sealing sleeve 3 has a first permanent magnet 30, and the permanent magnet 30 is arranged so as to face the second permanent magnet 50 of the drive unit 5. The drive unit 5 is disposed so as to surround the sealing sleeve 3 in an annular shape. The drive moves in a cylinder space 52 which is formed as an annular chamber in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The drive unit 5 includes a piston 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the piston 54 is also formed in an annular shape and extends concentrically with the sealing sleeve 3. The piston 54 divides the cylinder space 52 into a preload chamber 56 and a working chamber 58.

  The preload chamber 56 is hermetically sealed by the piston 54 and substantially faces the working chamber 58.

  The working chamber 58 can be pressurized by compressed air through the pneumatic passage 59 or can be brought to atmospheric pressure by exhaust. When pressure is applied to the working chamber 58 via the pneumatic line 59, the piston 54 is moved in the direction of the preload chamber 56, and the volume in the preload chamber 56 is reduced. Due to the movement of the piston 54 toward the preload chamber 56 (downward in FIGS. 1 and 2), the sealing sleeve 3 is also pulled downward through the magnetic coupling made through the permanent magnets 30, 50. Can be pressed against the mouth of the container.

  Between the cylinder space 52 and the product space 62 in the form of an annular chamber, an airtight and liquidtight partition wall 6 passes through the magnetic coupling. The product space 62 is provided with filling and pressurized or cleaning gas reaching the container. Thereby, a product area | region and a drive area | region are isolate | separated hygienically and purification can be made simple.

  The piston 54 that divides the cylinder space 52 into a working chamber 58 and a preload chamber 56 is provided with a seal 540 that provides a hermetic seal that can satisfy special hygiene requirements.

  A constant overpressure is obtained in the preload chamber 56 by allowing the preload to be formed in the preload chamber 56 while the air pressure is being formed in the working chamber 58, and the initial position is reached after the filling is completed by the overpressure. In order to enable reliable return of the piston 54, a first check valve 70 that allows airflow from the working chamber 58 to the preload chamber 56 is provided.

  The first check valve 70 is preloaded by an appropriate preloading means in the lock device so that the preload introduced into the preload chamber 56 is smaller than the pressure applied to the working chamber 58. Due to the feature that the air pressure in the working chamber 58 is larger than the air pressure in the preload chamber 56, the downward movement of the piston 54 by applying air pressure to the working chamber 58 can be achieved. Thereby, the sealing sleeve 3 is moved downward and pressed against the mouth of the container.

  When the working chamber 58 is exhausted to atmospheric pressure, the piston 54 is returned to the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the preload in the preload chamber 56.

  During this process, it is possible that the preload formed in the preload chamber 56 and essential for returning the piston 54 fully to its initial position may increase over several process cycles. Such a pressure increase can be caused, for example, by a small leak in the seal 540 of the piston 54 against the cylinder space 52. However, if the preload becomes excessively high in the preload chamber 56, the reliable pressing of the sealing sleeve 3 on each container mouth can no longer be achieved. This is because the pressure applied to the working chamber 58 is no longer sufficient to exceed the preload created in the preload chamber 56.

  Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, a second check valve 72 that allows airflow from the preload chamber 56 to the working chamber is provided. The second check valve 72 discharges the gas pressure in the preload chamber 56 based on the preload after exhausting the working chamber 58, and only a predetermined pressure indispensable for the complete return of the piston 54 enters the preload chamber 56. It is possible to remain.

  The first check valve 70 and the second check valve 72 are each formed as a pressure compensator 7 so as to pass airflows in opposite directions. Each preload element in the check valves 70 and 72 is formed so that the pressure in the preload chamber 56 is always kept within a predetermined preload range. As a result, a reliable return to the initial position can be achieved, and a pressure slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure exists in the preload chamber 56 even at the initial position. However, this preload in the preload chamber 56 is not so high and the pressure applied to the working chamber 58 is no longer sufficient to press the sealing sleeve 3 completely.

  In other words, the pressure in the preload chamber 56 by the pressure compensator 7 enables the sealing by pressing the sealing sleeve 3 against the container mouth and the reliable return of the sealing sleeve 3 to the initial position. Can be maintained within a predetermined pre-pressure range.

The sealing sleeve 3 is preferably formed so that it can be completely cleaned in the background for purification. Specifically, an upper seal ring 32 is provided. The sealing ring 32 is in the fully retracted position shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, to form a background cleaning communication path to allow complete background cleaning. At this time, the upper seal ring 32 is formed so as to extend slightly outward from the diameter predetermined by the airtight partition wall 6. When the sealing sleeve 3 is lowered, the upper seal ring 32 is in direct contact with the hermetic partition wall 6 and slightly deformed to obtain a seal against the fluid. Complete sealing can be achieved in the lowered position where pressurized gas, cleaning gas, and product are added to the container.

  The seal ring 32 preferably contains a Teflon compound. As a result, wear in the airtight partition wall 6 is minimized, and a reliable return can be achieved only by the preload received in the preload chamber 56.

  The sealing sleeve 3 is further guided by a guide ring 36 in the lower region. The guide ring 36 also preferably includes a Teflon compound material to provide smooth operation. Further, since the guide ring 36 has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the sealing sleeve 3, it is slightly compressed. Thereby, reliable sealing of the entire apparatus can be achieved.

  The apparatus 1 for filling the container shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is preferably housed in a rotary filling machine. The filling element as described above is provided at each position of the machine pitch. The device 1 can take the form of a filling element in a rotary filling machine in a bottling plant, for example. In general, a large number of filling elements are provided corresponding to the mechanical pitch of the rotary filling machine, and a filling container disposed below each filling element is filled with a filling material.

  The filling elements described above can also be used in beverage filling factories that can also fill carbonated beverages. In this case, the sealing sleeve 3 is always lowered to the container opening of the container to be filled. Further, for example, the apparatus 1 can be used to fill non-carbonated beverages such as still water by free injection. The illustrated apparatus is configured to fill with mineral water, and both carbonated mineral water and non-carbonated mineral water can be filled with the same filling element. During the filling of non-carbonated mineral water, the sealing sleeve 3 does not have to be lowered so that the filling element basically functions as a free-injection filling device.

  Furthermore, a sealing device 38 is provided between the sealing sleeve 3 and the outlet sleeve 20 in order to ensure filling even when the sealing sleeve 3 is not advanced. The sealing device 38 provides a seal between the sealing sleeve 3 and the outlet sleeve 20 of the product valve 2 when the sealing sleeve 3 is retracted (ie, the initial position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). To do.

  As long as they are applicable, all of the individual features shown in the various embodiments can be combined or replaced with each other without departing from the scope of the invention.

  1: device for filling a container, 2: product valve, 20: outlet sleeve, 22: valve body, 24: injection port, 28: flow meter, 3: sealing sleeve, 30: permanent magnet, 32: seal Ring, 34: Background cleaning passage, 36: Guide ring, 38: Sealing device, 4: Gas passage, 40: Release valve, 42: Pressurized gas valve, 5: Drive unit, 50: Permanent magnet, 52: Cylinder Space, 54: Piston, 56: Preload chamber, 58: Working chamber, 59: Pneumatic passage, 540: Seal, 6: Partition, 7: Pressure compensator, 70: First check valve, 72: Second check valve

Claims (11)

An apparatus (1) for filling a container containing a carbonated beverage in a facility including a beverage filling factory,
A drive part (5) for mounting a sealing sleeve (3) on the mouth of the container;
The drive part (5) comprises a piston (54),
The piston (54) separates the working chamber (58) from the preload chamber (56) capable of applying a preload for returning the piston (54).
A pressure compensation device (7) is provided between the preload chamber (56) and the working chamber (58),
It said pressure compensating device (7) is formed so as to maintain a predetermined preload force range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value in the preload chamber (56),
The pressure compensator (7) includes a first check valve (70) and a second check valve (72),
The first check valve (70) and the second check valve (72) allow reverse airflow between the preload chamber (56) and the working chamber (58).
Device (1). The first check valve (70) is preloaded at the lower limit of the preload range so that a positive pressure is applied to the preload chamber (56) with respect to the ventilated working chamber (58). ing,
Device (1) according to claim 1 . The second check valve (72) is pre-pressurized at the upper limit value of the pre-pressure range so that a pressure exceeding the pre-pressure range is reduced in the pre-pressure chamber (56).
Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 . The pressure compensator (7) has a pre-pressure range that allows the piston (54) to return to the initial position and also allows the sealing sleeve (3) to be securely attached to the mouth. Configured to form in the preload chamber (56),
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 (1). The drive unit (5) is separated from the sealing sleeve (3) by an airtight partition (6).
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 4 (1). The pressure compensator (7) comprises at least one throttle check valve;
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 (1). The drive unit (5) and the sealing sleeve (3) each include a permanent magnet (30, 50), whereby the drive unit (5) and the sealing sleeve (3) can be magnetically coupled.
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 6 (1). The sealing sleeve (3) has a seal ring (32),
The seal ring (32) has a diameter larger than the diameter defined by the airtight partition wall (6);
The seal ring (32) is disposed concentrically with the sealing sleeve (3).
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 (1). The seal ring (32) contains a Teflon compound.
Device (1) according to claim 8 . The sealing sleeve (3) is disposed concentrically with the piston (54) of the drive unit (5),
The drive unit (5) and the sealing sleeve (3) have permanent magnets (30, 50), and the drive unit (5) and the seal are interposed via the permanent magnets (30, 50). The sleeve (3) is joined,
Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 9 (1). A method of filling a container with a filling containing a carbonated beverage in a facility including a beverage filling factory,
Attaching the sealing sleeve (3) to the mouth of the container by the operation of the drive part (5) coupled to the sealing sleeve (3);
The drive part (5) comprises a piston (54),
The piston (54) separates the working chamber (58) from the preload chamber (56) capable of applying a preload for returning the piston (54).
The preload in the preload chamber (56) is maintained within a predetermined preload range between the upper limit value and the lower limit value by the pressure compensator (7) ,
The pressure compensator (7) includes a first check valve (70) and a second check valve (72),
The first check valve (70) and the second check valve (72) allow reverse airflow between the preload chamber (56) and the working chamber (58).
Method.

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