JP7174753B2 - filling method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filling method suitable for filling a flexible container with a carbonated beverage.

Conventionally, as a method of filling a container with a carbonated beverage, for example, the counter pressure method disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been common.

Since the counter-pressure method takes a long time for filling, in recent years, as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, a container whose interior is previously made to have a negative pressure is filled with carbonic acid pressurized in a storage tank. A method has been proposed in which the product liquid is injected all at once. This filling controls the amount of filling by monitoring the change over time in the pressure rise inside the container while the carbonated product liquid is ejected into the container.

The filling by the pre-evacuation method according to Patent Documents 2 and 3 uses the pressure difference between the container and the reservoir to fill the product liquid, so it is possible to fill the product liquid at an extremely high speed compared to the counter pressure method. can.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-23758 JP 2015-199545 A JP 2015-199546 A

As described above, the filling according to Patent Documents 2 and 3 can fill a container with a carbonated product liquid in a short period of time, but there are restrictions on the target container. In other words, the pre-evacuation method can only be applied to rigid containers such as glass bottles because it is necessary to create a negative pressure inside the container prior to filling the product solution. For example, if the pre-evacuation method according to Patent Documents 2 and 3 is applied to a flexible plastic container, the plastic container cannot withstand the negative pressure and collapses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of filling a flexible container with a carbonated liquid product at high speed while maintaining its shape.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, the basic principle of the filling device of the present invention will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1(a), a pressure difference corresponding to pressure _PB3 is formed in advance between the pressure inside the container (container pressure) _PB and the pressure (counter) _PF applied to the reservoir. shall be The initial container pressure P _B is, for example, atmospheric pressure, and the counter pressure P _F is the above atmospheric pressure required for the product liquid to be handled.

In FIG. 1(a), when the product liquid is filled until the container pressure _{PB reaches a predetermined set pressure PB1 ,} the container can be filled with the amount of _Q11 . This set pressure _PB1 is a pressure less than the pressure that equilibrates with the pressure _PB3 . Similarly, when the product liquid is filled until the pressure _{PB of the container reaches a pressure PB3 that} is _in equilibrium with the reservoir, the quantity of Q13 can be filled into the container. This filling amount _Q13 is the maximum amount (Qmax) that can be filled into the container by one-time differential pressure formation and filling, that is, one-step filling.

On the other hand, even if the container has flexibility, the container will not collapse if the container pressure _PB is a positive pressure equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure.

The above is the principle of the present invention, but depending on conditions such as the volume of the container, the container pressure PB, and the counter pressure _PF , it may not be possible to fill the target amount of the product liquid with the one _- stage filling. In such a case, differential pressure formation and filling may be repeated multiple times. FIG. 1(b) shows an example of two-stage filling in which differential pressure formation and filling are repeated twice.

When the product liquid is filled (first filling) from the state where the pressure difference is formed in advance ₍ first differential pressure formation) until the container pressure PB reaches equilibrium with the counter pressure _PF , the amount of _Q21 is filled. be done. However, this does not reach the target filling amount Q (=Q ₂₁ +Q ₂₂ ). Therefore, after creating a pressure difference (second differential pressure formation) between the container and the storage tank, the product liquid is filled by the difference (Q ₂₂ ) from the target filling amount Q (second filling).

The second differential pressure can be achieved by reducing the vessel pressure _PB to atmospheric pressure or above atmospheric pressure.

The filling method of the present invention based on the above principle is a method of filling a container with a product liquid stored in a storage tank through a liquid supply channel, wherein the container pressure inside the container is reduced with the liquid supply channel closed. _A differential pressure forming step for creating a pressure difference between PB and a counter pressure _PF applied to the storage tank, and a product liquid is transferred from the storage tank to the container using the pressure difference while the liquid supply path is open. and a filling step of filling.

In the differential pressure forming step of the present invention, the container pressure _PB is a positive pressure equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure and is maintained at a pressure lower than the counter pressure _PF in the reservoir, and the pressure between the counter pressure _PF in the reservoir and The container and the filling nozzle are sealingly engaged with each other with a pressure difference formed between them.

In the filling step of the present invention, the product liquid is preferably filled until the container pressure _PB is in equilibrium with the counter pressure P _F or until the container pressure P _B is a predetermined pressure below the counter pressure P _F. be.

In the filling method of the present invention, preferably, in the differential pressure forming step, the gas component of the container pressure _PB is sealed, and in the filling step, the gas inside the container is discharged without discharging the gas component inside the container to the outside. The pressure differential fills the container with the product liquid while the ingredients remain sealed.

In the differential pressure forming step of the present invention, preferably, the gas component at the container pressure P _B is sealed, and in the filling step, when the container pressure P _B of the gas component inside the container is equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure, the gas component The pressure difference fills the container with the product liquid after or while part of it is being discharged to the outside of the container.

In the filling method of the present invention, the container can be filled with the product liquid that satisfies the target filling amount in a single differential pressure forming step and a single filling step. By repeating three times, the container can be filled with the product liquid that satisfies the target filling amount.

In the filling method of the present invention, preferably, the pressure difference forming step and the filling step are repeated twice to fill the container with the product liquid that satisfies the target filling amount.

The filling method includes a first differential pressure forming step of providing a first pressure differential between the container pressure _PB and the counter pressure _PF , and using the first pressure differential to fill the container with the product liquid from the reservoir. a first filling step; after the first filling step, a second differential pressure forming step of providing a second pressure differential between the container pressure _PB and the counter pressure _PF ; and a second filling step of filling the container from the reservoir.

In the first filling step, a predetermined set amount of the product liquid is filled, and in the second filling step, the difference between the target filling amount and the set amount is filled.

Also, in the first filling step of the present invention, the product liquid can be filled into the container until the container pressure P _B and the counter pressure P _F are in equilibrium, which is the maximum amount of liquid that can be filled into the container.

This first filling step can also be divided into two or more times. The same applies to the following second filling step.

In the second differential pressure forming step of the present invention, the second pressure differential can be provided by discharging gas components contained in the headspace of the container to the outside of the container.

In this second differential pressure forming step, an amount of gas component corresponding to the difference can be discharged to the outside of the container.

In this second differential pressure forming step, the gas component can be discharged to the outside of the container by discharging the gas component into a pressure regulation chamber having a predetermined volume.

The pressure regulating chamber in the present invention has a predetermined volume corresponding to the difference, so that in the second filling step, the container pressure _PB rises to the set pressure or reaches equilibrium with the counter pressure _PF , or until the container pressure The product liquid can be filled into the container until the _PB rises to the set pressure. It is preferable that the predetermined volume of the pressure adjustment chamber can be changed arbitrarily.

In the second filling step of the present invention, the filling of the product liquid into the container can be controlled based on the increase in the internal pressure _PR in the pressure regulation chamber. In addition, in the second filling step of the present invention, when the internal pressure _PR rises and reaches the set pressure, the filling of the product liquid into the container can be completed.

Further, in the second filling step of the present invention, after the second pressure difference is provided, the internal pressure _PF of the pressure regulating chamber decreases to reach the set pressure while discharging the gas component to the outside of the system through the pressure regulating chamber. Then, it is also possible to stop discharging the gas component to the outside of the system, and then fill the container with the product liquid of the difference from the target filling amount.

In the differential pressure forming step of the filling method of the present invention, preferably, by communicating with the inside of the container, the auxiliary chamber formed by the gap of the liquid supply path is set to the same container pressure _PB as the container, and the counter pressure _PF By forming a pressure difference between them and opening the liquid supply path in the filling step, the product liquid passes through the auxiliary chamber and the container is filled with the product liquid that satisfies the target filling amount.

The auxiliary chamber in this filling method is preferably set to the volume required to fill the container with the product liquid that satisfies the target filling volume in one filling step.

In the filling method of the present invention, the container can be sealed while maintaining the pressure _PB inside the container when the filling step is completed.

In the filling method of the present invention, the inside of the container can be replaced with a gas component necessary to maintain the properties of the product liquid before the differential pressure forming step. This replacement with a gas component includes both a form in which a container in which gas replacement has already been performed is supplied to the position where the differential pressure forming step is performed, and a form in which gas replacement is performed at the position where the differential pressure forming step is performed.

In the filling method of the present invention, the product liquid is not limited to carbonated beverages, and can also be applied to non-carbonated beverages.

According to the filling device of the present invention, the product liquid is filled in the container in a state where a differential pressure (pressure _PB < pressure _PF ) is formed between the container pressure _PB and the counter pressure _PF in the differential pressure forming step. Since it is filled, high-speed filling is realized. Moreover, since both the container pressure _PB and the counter pressure _PF in the differential pressure forming step before filling the product liquid are positive pressures equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure, the container is not crushed during the differential pressure forming step and the filling step. It can keep its shape.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention, in which (a) shows an example of one-stage filling in which filling is completed by one differential pressure forming step and one filling step, and (b) shows two differential pressure forming steps and a filling step. It shows an example of two-stage filling in which filling is completed at . It is a figure showing the main composition of the filling device which carries out the filling device concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the beginning of the filling operation of the filling device of FIG. 2; Continuing from FIG. 3, (a) shows the start of the first filling, and (b) shows the end of the first filling. Continuing from FIG. 4, (a) shows the time when the second filling A starts, and (b) shows the time when the second filling A ends. The second filling B using the auxiliary chamber according to the modification is shown, (a) showing a state in which the volume of the auxiliary chamber is increased, and (b) a state in which the volume of the auxiliary chamber is reduced. It is a flow chart which shows the procedure of the filling method concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the filling part of the filling apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It shows the operation of filling the product liquid using the filling device of FIG. (c) shows the filling of the product liquid, and (d) shows how the cap is attached. Continuing from FIG. 4, (a) shows the start of the second filling C, (b) shows the end of the second filling C, and (c) shows the end of the second filling C. As shown in FIG. Continuing from FIG. 4, (a) shows the start of the second filling D, (b) shows the discharge state of carbon dioxide gas in the container and the pressure adjustment chamber during the second filling D, and (c) indicates the end of the second filling D. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the main configuration of a filling device that implements a filling method according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 shows the operation of the filling device of FIG. 12, where (a) is the differential pressure forming step and (b) is the filling step.

[First embodiment]

Hereinafter, a filling method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 11. FIG.

The filling device according to the first embodiment utilizes the pressure difference between the reservoir 3 in which the product liquid L is stored and the container 100 in which the product liquid L is filled, thereby filling the container 100 with two-stage filling. The product liquid L is filled at high speed by the target filling amount. A carbonated beverage is applied to this product liquid L as an example of the present invention. In the filling apparatus of the first embodiment, since the inside of the container 100 is at a positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure when filling is started, even the plastic container 100 can maintain its shape. The filling of the product liquid L can be finished. This high-speed filling is hereinafter referred to as the first function.

Further, the filling apparatus according to the first embodiment attaches the cap 103 immediately to seal the container 100 filled with the product liquid L at high speed without substantially changing the position of the container 100 . Attachment of the cap 103 in this filling position is hereinafter referred to as the second function.

[Constituent elements of the first function]

The first function according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the minimum unit related to the first function in the filling device 1A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the filling device 1A includes a storage tank 3 in which the product liquid L is stored, and a liquid supply path 7 that guides the product liquid L stored in the storage tank 3 to the container 100. As shown in FIG. A gas phase 3S, which is a space above the product liquid L in the storage tank 3, stores carbon dioxide CG. The pressure _PF of the carbon dioxide gas CG in the gas phase 3S is controlled to be a constant pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure corresponding to the characteristics of the product liquid L to be filled. A second pressure sensor 17 is provided to control this pressure _PF . Further, the product liquid L is replenished by the amount filled in the container 100, and controlled so that the liquid level in the storage tank 3 is at a fixed position. The pressure _PF is referred to below as the counterpressure.

One end side of the liquid supply path 7 is connected to the lower end portion of the storage tank 3 , and the other end side of the liquid supply path 7 is provided so as to face the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 . The liquid supply path 7 is provided with a liquid valve VL for opening and closing a channel through which the product liquid L flows.

When the product liquid L is filled, the other end of the liquid supply path 7 is hermetically sealed from the opening of the container 100 . The first gas discharge path 11 is also the same. Also, FIG. 2 shows an example in which one container 100 is filled with the product liquid L from one storage tank 3, but this merely shows the minimum unit of the filling device 1A. In a filling apparatus used for actual production, a plurality of containers 100 are filled with product liquid L from one storage tank 3 .

The filling apparatus 1A, as shown in FIG. and a first gas discharge path 11 to be connected. The auxiliary chamber tank 5 complements the container of the container 100, and the internal space forms the pressure adjustment chamber 6, and the carbon dioxide gas CG in the head space 105 of the container 100 in the second filling A to be described later. It is discharged to the pressure regulation chamber 6 . The volume V _R of the pressure regulation chamber 6 is set to a predetermined volume corresponding to the amount of the container 100 filled in the second filling A. As shown in FIG. In addition, the first gas discharge path 11 corresponds to the downstream flow path of the present invention.

The pressure regulation chamber 6 can be replaced by one or both of the first gas discharge passage 11 and the second gas discharge passage 13 having the same volume. That is, the pressure adjustment chamber in the present invention has a concept including piping having a predetermined volume like the first gas discharge passage 11 and the second gas discharge passage 13 .

The first gas discharge passage 11 is provided so that one end side is connected to the auxiliary chamber tank 5 and the other end side faces the container 100 . The first gas discharge path 11 includes a first gas valve VG1 that opens and closes a flow path through which the carbon dioxide gas CG flows from the container 100 . Further, a throttle may be provided between the first gas valve VG1 and the auxiliary chamber tank 5 in the first gas discharge passage 11 .

The filling device 1A includes a second gas discharge path 13 that connects the auxiliary chamber tank 5 and the outside of the system. The second gas discharge path 13 has a second gas valve VG2 that opens and closes a path through which the carbon dioxide gas CG flows from the auxiliary chamber tank 5 to the outside of the system.

The filling device 1A includes a first pressure sensor 15 for detecting the pressure _PB inside the container 100, a second pressure sensor 17 for detecting the counter pressure _PF of the gas phase 3S in the storage tank 3, and a pressure regulating chamber 6. and a third pressure sensor 19 for detecting the pressure _PR . The internal pressure PB of the container 100 is the pressure of the entire volume of the container 100 at the time when the differential pressure is formed before the product liquid _L is filled, and when the product liquid L is filled, the liquid level of the product liquid L is It is the headspace 105 pressure that occurs higher up. It should be noted that the pressure _PB rises when the product liquid L begins to be filled.

A first pressure sensor 15 is provided in the first gas discharge passage 11 between the first gas valve VG1 and the container 100 . A second pressure sensor 17 is connected to the gas phase 3S of the reservoir 3 . Also, the third pressure sensor 19 is connected to the pressure regulation chamber 6 of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 .

In the filling apparatus 1A, as shown in FIG. 2, the pressure applied to the storage tank 3 is _PF , the pressure inside the container is _PB , and the volume of the container is _VB . Also, the internal pressure (internal pressure) of the pressure regulating chamber 6 is P _R and the volume is V _R . In the following description, the pressure applied to the storage tank 3 will be referred to as counter pressure _PF , the pressure inside the container will be referred to as container pressure _PB , and the pressure in pressure regulation chamber 6 will be referred to as room pressure _PR .

The filling device 1A is provided with a supply/discharge mechanism 40 attached to the storage tank 3 for controlling the supply/exhaust of the product liquid and the supply/exhaust of the gas.

The supply/discharge mechanism 40 includes a liquid supply path 41 provided with a pump 42 and a liquid control valve 48 . The liquid supply path 41 replenishes the storage tank 3 with the product liquid L from a supply source (not shown) by the operation of the pump 42 and the liquid control valve 48 .

Further, the supply/discharge mechanism 40 includes a gas supply path 43 that supplies the carbon dioxide CG to the gas phase 3S of the storage tank 3, and a gas discharge path 45 that discharges the carbon dioxide CG from the gas phase 3S of the storage tank 3. . A gas valve 44 is provided in the gas supply path 43 and a gas valve 46 is provided in the gas discharge path 45 .

The filling device 1A includes a controller 2 that controls opening and closing operations of the liquid valve VL, the first gas valve VG1 and the second gas valve VG2.

The controller 2 acquires the container pressure P _B , the counter pressure P _F and the internal pressure P _R detected by the first pressure sensor 15, the second pressure sensor 17 and the third pressure sensor 19, and controls the liquid valves VL to the third pressure sensor. It controls the opening/closing operation of the two-gas valve VG2. Further, the controller 2 controls opening/closing operations of the liquid valve VL to the second gas valve VG2 based on the set conditions necessary for the product liquid L produced by the filling device 1A. Further, the controller 2 controls the operation of the pump 42 of the liquid supply path 41 and the liquid control valve 48 so that the liquid level of the product liquid L in the storage tank 3 is at a fixed position. Furthermore, the controller 2 controls the opening and closing of the gas valve 44 of the gas supply line 43 and the gas valve 46 of the gas discharge line 45 so that the counter pressure _PF is constant.

3 to 7 described below, the liquid valve VL to the second gas valve VG2 that are open are shown in white, and the liquid valve VL to the second gas valve VG2 that are closed are shown in black.

[Beverage filling procedure]

Next, a method of filling the container 100 with the product liquid L using the filling device 1A will be described.

The filling method according to the first embodiment consists of a first filling and a second filling A. In the first filling, the product liquid L is filled into the closed container 100 with the inside of the container 100 being replaced with atmospheric pressure carbon dioxide CG due to the pressure difference. Fill L. The second filling A fills the container 100 with the product liquid L so as to compensate for the difference between the target filling amount and the set amount. A series of steps starts from an initial state in which all the liquid valve VL, the first gas valve VG1 and the second gas valve VG2 are closed, as shown in FIG. In the initial state, the container 100 and the pressure regulating chamber 6 are filled with, for example, carbon dioxide CG and are at atmospheric pressure (P _B , P _R =atmospheric pressure).

On the other hand, inside the storage tank 3, a counter pressure _PF exceeding the atmospheric pressure is applied to the product liquid L from the gas phase 3S. is formed (first differential pressure forming step S101 in FIG. 7).

Each step will be described in order below. The gas phase 3S consists of a gas component necessary for maintaining the properties of the product liquid L, such as carbon dioxide gas.

[First filling (Fig. 4 (a), (b), Fig. 7)]

In the first filling, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the liquid valve VL is first opened to allow the storage tank 3 and the container 100 to communicate with each other. The storage tank 3 is in a pressurized environment with a counter pressure P _F exceeding the atmospheric pressure, while the container pressure P _B is the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the product liquid L starts to be filled from the storage tank 3 into the container 100 at high speed at a flow rate and a flow rate corresponding to the pressure difference between the counter pressure P _F and the container pressure P _B (atmospheric pressure) (first filling step S103 in FIG. 7). . As the filling progresses, the container pressure PB rises. If a set pressure is set for the container pressure _PB , the product liquid L is _filled into the container 100 by a set amount corresponding to this set pressure.

Here, the pressure in the first gas lead-out passage 11 is continuously detected by the first pressure sensor 15 during the first filling. The pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor 15 is the container pressure PB at the _headspace 105 of the container 100 . When the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 15 reaches the set pressure P1, the liquid valve VL is closed to stop the filling of the product liquid L, as shown in FIG. 4(b). This completes the first filling and fills the set amount of the product liquid. During this first filling, the carbon dioxide gas CG contained in the container 100 continues to be filled while confined in the container 100, so the container pressure _PB rises. In this case, the maximum limit of the set pressure P1 is the pressure at which the counter pressure _PF applied to the reservoir 3 and the container 100 are in equilibrium. Therefore, the maximum pressure of the set pressure P1 can be used as the counter pressure _PF . Here, at the end of the first filling, the container pressure P _B rises to a counter pressure P _F which is higher than atmospheric pressure, while the internal pressure P _R of the pressure regulation chamber 6 remains at atmospheric pressure.

Although the liquid valve VL is closed here based on the set pressure P1, the first embodiment is not limited to this. For example, a set time T1 relating to the time to reach the set pressure P1 may be obtained experimentally in advance, and the liquid valve VL may be closed based on the set time T1 relating to this time. However, the set time T1 does not need to completely match the experimentally obtained value. For the purpose of shortening the filling time, the set time T1 can be set shorter than the experimental value, and for the purpose of stabilizing the state of the product liquid L, the set time T1 can be set longer than the experimental value. The same is true for the second filling A.

Here, the first filling amount Q1 into the container 100 in the first filling is obtained by the following formula ( ₁ ). The first filling amount _Q1 is based on the premise that the container pressure _PB and the counter pressure _PF of the storage tank 3 are in equilibrium. Further, the volume _VH of the head space 105 of the container 100 after the _first filling amount Q1 is filled with the product liquid L is obtained by the following equation (2). As an example, the pressure regulating chamber 6 of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 is made so that the difference between the target filling amount Q and the _first filling amount Q1 matches the volume _VR . Equations (1) and (2) are based on Boyle's law, and the same applies to equations (3) to (7) described later. Also, the difference between the target filling amount Q and the _first filling amount Q1 matches the _second filling amount Q2 in the second filling step.

First filling amount Q ₁ = (1−P _B /P _F )×V _B … Formula (1)

Headspace volume V _H1 =P _B /P _F ×V _B Expression (2)

P _B : Pressure of container 100

V _B : Volume of container 100

V _H1 : Volume of headspace 105 after first filling

P _F : pressure of gas phase 3S (constant)

For example, the counter pressure _PF of the gas phase 3S is 5 atmospheres (positive pressure), and the container pressure _PB is 1 atmosphere (atmospheric pressure). Then, the first filling amount _Q1 and the headspace volume _VH1 are as follows, and the product liquid L is filled in the first filling by an amount corresponding to _4/5 of the volume VB of the container 100, so the remaining must be charged in the second charge _A to be equal to Q-4/5*VB of . The remaining amount corresponding to Q−4/5×V _B corresponds to the second filling amount Q ₂ which is the difference required to achieve the target filling amount scheduled for the container 100 .

First filling amount Q ₁ = 4/5·V _B

Headspace volume V _H1 = 1/5·V _B

Here, in the process of the first filling, the container pressure _PB must be less than the withstand pressure of the container 100 . This is the same for the second filling A to second filling D and the one-stage filling of the second embodiment.

Assuming that the withstand pressure of the container 100 is PP and the container pressure after the first filling of the product liquid _L is _PB , the following formula (3) must be satisfied. Assuming that the counter pressure P _F of the gas phase 3S is 5 atmospheres (positive pressure) and the initial container pressure P _B of the container 100 is 1 atmosphere (atmospheric pressure), the container pressure P _B after the first filling of the container 100 is 5 atmospheres in equilibrium with the counter pressure _PF . Therefore, the withstand pressure PP of the container 100 required for this first _filling is 5 atmospheres.

P _P >P _B =V _B /(V _B −Q ₁ ) Equation (3)

[Second filling A (Figs. 5(a), (b), Fig. 7)]

A second fill A is performed after the first fill. In the second filling A, the product liquid L is filled in an amount equal to the difference between the target filling amount Q and the _first filling amount Q1.

The second fill A opens the first gas valve VG1, as shown in FIG. 5(a). The first gas valve VG1 and the liquid valve VL may be opened simultaneously, or the first gas valve VG1 may be opened first.

When the first gas valve VG1 is opened, the headspace 105 of the container 100 and the pressure regulating chamber 6 of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 are communicated, but the container pressure PB in the _{headspace 105} is higher than the internal pressure PR of the pressure regulating chamber 6. . Therefore, part of the carbon dioxide CG filling the head space 105 is discharged to the pressure regulation chamber 6 of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 . As a result, the container pressure PB becomes lower than the counter pressure _PF of the gas phase _3S in the storage tank 3, and a pressure difference (second differential pressure) is generated between the container pressure _PB and the counter pressure _PF (Fig. Second differential pressure formation step S105).

The pressure regulating chamber 6 receives the discharge of the carbon dioxide gas CG filling the head space 105 , and it can be considered that the volume of the container 100 is increased by the amount of the pressure regulating chamber 6 . That is, from the viewpoint of forming the second differential pressure, the pressure regulation chamber 6 constitutes an auxiliary chamber that functions as part of the container 100 .

If the liquid valve VL is open while this pressure difference is occurring, the product liquid L is filled from the storage tank 3 into the container 100 at a flow rate and flow rate corresponding to the pressure difference (second filling step S107 in FIG. 7). . The amount filled at this time corresponds to the difference. The amount of the product liquid L filled after the second filling A, that is, the target filling amount Q is obtained by the following formula (4). Also, the headspace volume _VH2 of the headspace 105 of the container 100 after being filled with the product liquid L that satisfies the target filling amount Q is obtained by the following equation (5).

Target filling amount Q=(1−P _B /P _F )×(V _B +V _R ) Equation (4)

Headspace volume V _H2 = P _B /P _F × (V _B + V _R ) - V _R … Equation (5)

From the comparison of formula (4) and formula (1) and the comparison of formula (5) and formula (2), in the second filling A, the volume _VR of the pressure regulation chamber 6 from the storage tank 3 to the container 100 product It can be seen that the liquid L is filled. In other words, the volume _VR of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 is determined so as to match the amount desired to be filled in the _second filling A, that is, the second filling amount Q2, which is the difference between the target filling amount Q and the _first filling amount Q1. be done.

Also in the second filling A, the first pressure sensor 15 continuously detects the pressure in the first gas discharge passage 11 . When the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 15 reaches the set pressure P1, the liquid valve VL and the first gas valve VG1 are closed as shown in FIG. 5(b). With this, the second filling A is completed, and the container 100 is filled with the product liquid L that satisfies the target filling amount Q. The set pressure P1 is the pressure required to fill the difference.

Although an example in which the volume of the pressure regulation chamber 6 is fixed has been described above, the volume of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 can be changed arbitrarily in the first embodiment. For example, when a plurality of types of containers 100 having different capacities are to be filled, it is necessary to change the amount of product liquid L to be filled in the second filling A according to the type of container 100 . Therefore, by arbitrarily varying the internal volume of the auxiliary chamber tank 5, a filling amount corresponding to the type of the container 100 can be realized.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the auxiliary chamber tank 5 may be made up of a piston-cylinder mechanism. That is, the auxiliary chamber tank 5 is composed of a piston 5A and a cylinder 5B in which the piston 5A advances and retreats. The second filling performed using this auxiliary chamber tank 5 is called second filling B. As shown in FIG.

When the _second filling amount Q2 in the second filling B is large, the volume _VA formed by the piston 5A and the cylinder 5B is increased by retracting the piston 5A, as shown in FIG. 6(a). When the filling amount Q2 in the _second filling B is small, the volume _VA formed by the piston 5A and the cylinder 5B is reduced by advancing the piston 5A as shown in FIG. 6(b). Thus, by changing the relative position of the piston 5A with respect to the cylinder 5B, the volume of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 can be arbitrarily changed.

Even when the auxiliary chamber tank 5 having a fixed volume is used, a plurality of types of auxiliary chamber tanks 5 having different volumes according to the type of the container 100 are prepared, and the auxiliary chamber to be used according to the type of the container 100 is prepared. The tank 5 can also be exchanged. However, using the auxiliary chamber tank 5 with a variable internal volume is much less work-intensive than exchanging the auxiliary chamber tank 5 .

[Effect of the first function]

The effects of the first function of the first embodiment described above will be described.

The first embodiment is that when starting the first filling and the second filling _A of the product liquid L, the container pressure PB is atmospheric pressure. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, even if the container 100 made of resin and having flexibility is used as a filling target, the shape of the container 100 can be maintained without being crushed.

Moreover, in the first embodiment, the counter pressure _PF of the storage tank 3 is set higher than the container pressure PB when the first filling and the second filling A, _B of the product liquid L are started. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the product liquid L is delivered to the container 100 using this pressure difference, so that the container 100 can be filled with the product liquid L at high speed.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the two-stage filling consisting of the first filling and the second fillings A and B is performed, so that the container 100 can be reliably filled with the product liquid L in an amount that satisfies the target filling amount Q.

Furthermore, immediately after the container 100 is filled in the first filling and the second filling A, B of the first embodiment, the pressure is instantaneously released, so the carbon dioxide gas CG appears as bubbles. However, since the bubbles are fine and the container pressure P _B is the counter pressure P _F at the end of filling, the bubbles immediately dissolve again in the product liquid and disappear. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, after the first filling and the second fillings A and B, the work of attaching the sealing material 103 to the container 100 can be quickly started. This is realized as the second function of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the inside of the container 100 is replaced with carbon dioxide gas CG of a predetermined concentration prior to the first filling. As a result, the first embodiment can keep the concentration of carbon dioxide gas contained in the product liquid L at a predetermined value while avoiding mixing of oxygen into the product liquid L. FIG.

[Second function]

The second function according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG.

The filling device 1A, as shown in FIG. 8, includes a sealed chamber 20 having a sealed chamber 21 that is kept airtight from the outside.

A gas supply source (not shown) and a gas supply path 28 are connected to the sealed chamber 20 , and a gas discharge path 29 is also connected. By controlling the supply of gas components from the gas supply line 28 and the discharge of gas components from the gas discharge line 29, during the filling step, the interior of the closed chamber 20 has a gas composition approximately equal to the container pressure _PB . Pressurized and held under pressure.

8 and 9, the gas supply line 28 and the gas discharge line 29 are open if the valves are white, and closed if the valves are black.

Further, the liquid supply path 7 and the first gas discharge path 11 are synchronously connected to the closed chamber 20 so as to move forward and backward. The liquid supply channel 7 and the first gas lead-out channel 11 are incorporated in a double tube structure 22 with the liquid supply channel 7 provided on the inside and the first gas lead-out channel 11 provided on the outside. The double tube structure 22 reciprocates between the standby position shown in FIG. 9(d) and the operating positions shown in FIGS. 9(a) to 9(c). A nozzle 25 is provided at the tip of the double tube structure 22 . The nozzle 25 is pressed against the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 as shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C when the product liquid L is filled. The pressed portion is brought into close contact with the mouth portion 101 to seal the inside and outside of the container 100 . The nozzle 25 is provided so as to be able to move up and down between a standby position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 8 and an operating position indicated by a virtual line.

When the liquid valve VL is opened in the first filling and the second filling, the product liquid L in the storage tank 3 is drawn into the sealed chamber 20 through the liquid supply path 7 and filled in the container 100 .

Also, in the second filling, when the first gas valve VG1 is opened, the carbon dioxide gas CG in the head space 105 of the container 100 goes through the first gas discharge passage 11 toward the auxiliary chamber tank 5 .

The closed chamber 20 also includes a container holding opening 27 into which the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 is inserted when the container 100 is filled with the product liquid L, as shown in FIG. The container holding opening 27 penetrates the sealed chamber 20 and communicates the sealed chamber 21 with the outside.

The container holding opening 27 has an opening diameter larger than the outer diameter of the sealing material 103 attached to the mouth portion 101 . The mouth portion 101 of the container 100 is held in the container holding opening 27 even when the sealing material 103 is attached to the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 .

A sealing member (not shown) is provided around the container holding opening 27 to keep the sealed chamber 21 airtight from the outside while the mouth portion 101 is held by the container holding opening 27 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the sealed chamber 20 is provided with a sealing head 30 as a sealing machine that can move up and down.

The sealing head 330 moves up and down between a standby position (FIGS. 8 and 9(a)) and an operating position (FIG. 9(d)) while holding the sealing material 103 at its tip (lower end in the figure). After the sealing material 103 is attached to the opening 101, the sealing head 30 moves from the operating position to the standby position after a new sealing material 103 is replenished and held.

Next, operations of the sealing chamber 20 and sealing head 30 will be described.

[Preparation before filling]

First, the container 100 is aligned under the container holding opening 27, as shown in FIG. 9(a). The double tube structure 22 moves to the operating position, while the nozzle 25 remains in the standby position.

Thereafter, the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 is inserted into the container holding opening 27 and held inside the container holding opening 27, as shown in FIG. 9(b). Also, the nozzle 25 advances and descends to the mouth 101 of the container 100 . Then, the sealed chamber 21 and the container 100 are hermetically sealed from the outside. Thereafter, carbon dioxide gas as a gas component is supplied from the gas supply path 28 to the sealed chamber 21 and exhausted to replace the gas component in the sealed chamber with carbon dioxide gas. The pressure of the replaced carbon dioxide gas in the sealed chamber at this time is supplied so as to match the counter pressure P _F (container pressure P _B ) applied to the storage tank 3 .

Carbon dioxide as a gas component added from the gas supply path 28 may be supplied from a gas supply source other than the storage tank 3 .

Although illustration is omitted, the container 100 is supported at the mouth 101 by a gripping tool called a gripper, and by applying a load to the gripper toward the closed chamber 20, the mouth 101 is airtightly attached to the closed chamber 20. can be pushed.

[First filling and second filling A]

The first filling and the second filling A are performed while maintaining the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 held in the container holding opening 27 and the nozzle 25 in the operating position, as shown in FIG. 9(c). It is done by moving. The sealing head 30 is placed in the standby position.

Open the liquid valve VL according to the procedure for the first filling described above. Then, the container 100 is filled with the product liquid L by the filling amount _Q1 through the liquid supply path 7 . After that, when the first gas valve VG1 is opened, the carbon dioxide gas CG filling the headspace 105 of the container 100 is discharged through the first gas discharge passage 11 toward the auxiliary chamber tank 5.

After completing the first filling, the second filling A is performed after forming the second differential pressure according to the procedure described above.

Also in the second filling A, the liquid valve VL and the first gas valve VG1 are opened according to the procedure of the second filling A described above, with the double pipe structure 22 remaining in the state of the first filling. Then, the container 100 is filled with the product liquid L through the liquid supply path 7 , and the product liquid L in an amount that satisfies the target filling amount Q is filled in the container 100 . At this time, the carbon dioxide gas CG filling the head space 105 goes through the first gas lead-out passage 11 toward the auxiliary chamber tank 5 .

[sealing]

After finishing the second filling A, the sealing head 30 advances to the operating position after the double tube structure 22 and the nozzle 25 retreat to the standby position, as shown in FIG. 9(d). By operating the sealing head 30, the cap 103 is attached to the opening 101 (FIG. 7, capping step S109). The mouth portion 101 of the container 100 is held in the container holding opening 27 until the sealing material 103 is attached. As a result, the sealing material 103 can be attached while maintaining the container pressure _PB .

After the sealing material 103 is attached, the sealing head 30 retreats to the standby position. Further, the container 100 with the sealing material 103 mounted thereon is separated from the container holding opening 27 and is transported further downstream. Further, the sealing material 103 attached to the container 100 to be filled with the subsequent product liquid L is loaded into the container holding opening 27, and the sealing head 30 waiting is replenished. The sealing head 30 replenished with the sealing material 103 retreats to the standby position for the next filling operation.

[Effect of the second function]

The effects of the second function of the first embodiment described above will be described.

In the first embodiment, the sealing head 30 is incorporated in the sealed chamber 20 filled with the product liquid L, and the sealing material 103 can be attached to the container 100 without moving the container 100 filled with the product liquid L. Therefore, since the sealing material 103 can be quickly attached to the container 100 filled with the product liquid L, the beverage product can be produced in a short period of time in combination with the high-speed filling.

[Modification of First Embodiment]

Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the configurations described in the first embodiment can be selected or replaced with other configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

First, the first embodiment employs a volume control method that matches the volume of the pressure regulation chamber 6 with the differential filling amount in the second filling A. Other schemes can be employed that can fill the One example is a pressure control method that controls filling based on pressure fluctuations. There are two types of pressure control methods, the second filling C and the second filling D, both of which use the auxiliary chamber tank 5. No need to specify.

Hereinafter, the second filling C and the second filling D will be described in order with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. The first filling is performed in the same procedure as the second filling _A , and the container pressure _PB and the supplementary chamber pressure PR before gas replacement is started are atmospheric pressure.

[Second filling C]

The second filling C first opens the first gas valve VG1, as shown in FIG. 10(a). Then, the carbon dioxide gas CG filled in the head space 105 of the container 100 is led out to the auxiliary chamber tank 5, so that a pressure difference is generated between the head space 105 and the gas phase 3S. When the first gas valve _VG1 is opened, the vessel pressure PB and the chamber pressure PR will be the average pressure due to the sum of the vessel _headspace and auxiliary chamber volume. As a result, a counterpressure _PF and a pressure differential are formed. The third pressure sensor 19 continues to detect the internal pressure _PR of the pressure regulation chamber 6 .

After that, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the liquid valve VL is opened. Then, the container 100 is filled with the product liquid L from the storage tank 3, but as the filling amount increases and the inlet line rises, the carbon dioxide gas CG filling the head space 105 of the container 100 is gradually released into the auxiliary chamber. It is led out to the tank 5 . As a result, the internal pressure P _R of the pressure regulation chamber 6 rises.

The controller 2 acquires the indoor pressure P _R detected by the first pressure sensor 15 or the third pressure sensor 19 and compares it with a predetermined set pressure P _B '. When the indoor pressure P _R rises to the set pressure P _B ', the controller 2 recognizes that the filling of the product liquid L, which was insufficient in the first filling, has been completed, and as shown in FIG. 10(c), First, the first gas valve VG1 is closed, and then the liquid valve VL is closed. With this, the product liquid L corresponding to the pressure difference is filled up to the target filling amount, and the second filling is completed.

The amount of product liquid L filled in the second fill C is specified by equations (6) and (7) below.

Second filling amount Q ₂ = V _H1 × (1-PR/PB _B ') + _{V R} × (1- _PR /PB _B ') Equation (6)

Target filling amount Q=Q ₁ +Q ₂ Expression (7)

[Second filling D]

The second filling D first opens the first gas valve VG1, as shown in FIG. 11(a). Then, the carbon dioxide gas CG filled in the head space 105 of the container 100 is led out to the auxiliary chamber tank 5 . The third pressure sensor 19 continues to detect the internal pressure _PR of the pressure regulation chamber 6 . In addition, it is the same as the second filling C so far.

After that, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the second gas valve VG2 is opened while the first gas valve VG1 remains open. Then, the carbon dioxide gas CG filling the auxiliary chamber tank 5 is led out of the system through the second gas lead-out passage 13, so that the indoor pressure _PR is lowered. It should be noted that the second gas valve VG2 does not fully open the flow path, but partially opens it so that a very small amount of carbon dioxide gas CG is discharged. By deriving the carbon dioxide gas CG at a constant flow rate through the throttle, while maintaining the head space 105 of the container 100 and the internal pressure Pr of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 constant, the difference from the target amount is filled. , the liquid valve VL and the second gas valve GV2 are closed.

With the second gas valve VG2 kept open, the controller 2 acquires the room pressure P _R detected by the third pressure sensor 19 and compares it with the predetermined set pressure P _B '. The controller 2 first closes the second gas valve VG2 as shown in FIG. 11(c) when the indoor pressure P _R has decreased to the set pressure P _B '. A pressure differential can now be established between the gas phase 3S of the reservoir 3 and the headspace 105 of the vessel 100. FIG.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11(c), the liquid valve VL is opened. With this, the product liquid L corresponding to the pressure difference is filled up to the target filling amount Q, and the second filling D is completed. The filling amount of the product liquid L in the second filling D can be calculated in the same manner as in the second filling C except that the carbon dioxide gas CG discharged to the outside of the system is taken into consideration.

As described above, the second filling C and the second filling D compensate for the differential filling amount based on the pressure detected in the pressure adjustment chamber 6, so it is necessary to specify the volume of the pressure adjustment chamber 6 in advance. do not have. However, the pressure regulating chamber 6 must have a volume exceeding the differential filling amount.

[Second embodiment]

Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described.

The second embodiment relates to one-stage filling that fills the target filling amount Q in one filling cycle. In the first-stage filling, the container 100 is filled with the target filling amount of the product liquid L by forming a pressure difference and filling the product liquid L once. The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. In addition, below, it demonstrates centering on the part which is different from 1st Embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, the filling device 1B of the second embodiment has a third gas discharge path instead of the first gas discharge passage 11 to the second gas discharge passage 13 provided in the filling device 1A of the first embodiment. A path 14 is provided. The third gas discharge path 14 is airtightly connected to the container 100 . A third gas valve VG3 is provided in the third gas discharge passage 14, and has a configuration in which the auxiliary chamber tank 5 (pressure adjustment chamber 6) is removed from the first gas discharge passage 11 in the first embodiment. can be regarded as As the third gas discharge path 14, for example, a cleaning liquid return piping circuit in a CIP (Cleaning In Place) apparatus provided in the beverage filling apparatus can be used.

However, the one-stage filling can also be performed by the filling device 1A having the first gas discharge passage 11 to the second gas valve VG2. In this case, the functions of the first gas discharge passage 11 to the second gas valve VG2 are not used, but this filling device 1A is a device for both single-stage filling and multi-stage filling.

The filling device 1B positively functions as part of the volume of the container 100 in the space inside the third gas discharge passage 14 connecting the container 100 and the third gas valve VG3. That is, in FIG. 12, when the third gas valve VG3 is closed, the interior of the third gas discharge passage 14 on the side of the third gas valve VG3 from the container 100, that is, on the downstream side from the container 100, has an auxiliary chamber volume _VB3 . voids. This gap corresponds to the first auxiliary chamber volume in the present invention, as described below.

Assuming that the volume of the container 100 is V _B1 , the total volume of both when they communicate is V _B1 +V _B3 (=V _B ), and the apparent volume of the container 100 increases. Therefore, as shown in the following formulas (1a) and (1b), the case where the auxiliary chamber volume _VB3 is provided (formula (1b)) and the case where the auxiliary chamber volume _VB3 is not provided (formula (1a)) should be compared. For example, the filling amount of the product liquid L due to the former increases by the auxiliary chamber volume _VB3 .
Filling amount Q1=(1−P _B /P _F )×V _B1 … Formula (1a)
Filling amount Q1=(1−P _B /P _F )×(V _B1 +V _B3 ) … Formula (1b)

As shown in the following formula (1c), the auxiliary chamber volume _VB3 of the third gas discharge passage 14 between the container 100 and the third gas valve VG3 should be set so that the filling amount Q1 matches the target filling amount Q. For example, the container 100 can be filled with the target filling amount Q of the product liquid L only by one-stage filling. Furthermore, as shown in the following formula (1c), by setting the auxiliary chamber volume _VB3 so that the filling amount Q1 exceeds the target filling amount Q and controlling the opening and closing of the liquid valve VL, it is possible to perform only one-stage filling. The product liquid L that satisfies the target filling amount Q can be filled in the container 100 .
Target filling amount Q=filling amount Q1=(1−P _B /P _F )×(V _B1 +V _B3 ) Equation (1c)

[Differential pressure formation step]
Also in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13(a), by closing the liquid valve VL, the filling device 1B causes the counter pressure P _F between the storage tank 3 and the container 100 to be greater than the container pressure P _B. form a pressure differential. As in the first embodiment, both the counter pressure P _F and the container pressure P _B are positive pressures equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure. The container 100 is filled with, for example, carbon dioxide gas CG at atmospheric pressure. The third gas valve VG3 is closed throughout this differential pressure building step and the subsequent filling step.

[Filling step]
Next, as shown in FIG. 13(b), when the liquid valve VL is opened, the product liquid L stored in the storage tank 3 passes through the liquid supply path 7 and fills the container 100. As shown in FIG. In this filling, the container 100 is sealed except for the connection with the liquid supply path 7, and the product liquid L is filled by the pressure difference while confining the carbon dioxide gas CG without escaping to the outside of the container 100.

In this filling step, filling continues until the counter pressure P _F applied to the reservoir 3 is balanced by the container pressure P _B in the headspace 105 of the container 100 .

Here, the filling amount Q1 into the container 100 is obtained by the following formula (1c).
Target filling amount Q=filling amount Q1=(1−P _B /P _F )×(V _B1 +V _B3 ) Equation (1c)

The counter pressure P _F and the container pressure P _B are set to 5 atmospheres (positive pressure) and 1 atmosphere (atmospheric pressure), respectively, as in the first embodiment. Also, the volume V _B1 of the container 100 is assumed to be 520 ml, and the target filling amount Q is assumed to be 500 ml.
Substituting these into equation (1c) and solving for V _B3 yields: In other words, if the auxiliary chamber volume V _B3 of 105 (ml) or more is secured, the container 100 with the volume V _B1 of 520 ml can be filled with the target filling amount Q of 500 ml. Let this be Case 1.
Target filling amount Q = 500 = (1-1/5) x (520 + V _B3 )
V _B2 = (500-416) x 4/5 = 105 (ml)

[Modification of Second Embodiment]
Also, the first embodiment explained the filling apparatus 1A for two-stage filling, and the second embodiment explained the filling apparatus 1B for one-stage filling. However, the filling device 1A can be used as a filling device for both one-stage filling and two-stage filling.

Here, whether or not the target filling amount can be filled in one-stage filling largely depends on the volume of the container 100 and the target filling flow rate. Therefore, case 2, which requires two-stage filling, is shown in contrast to case 1, which is an example in which the target filling amount can be filled by one-stage filling. Also in case 2, the auxiliary chamber volume _VB3 is the same as in case 1 (105 ml).

For Case 1 and Case 2, the pressure inside the container after filling with the product liquid L and the filling amount were obtained based on the differential pressure. The results are as follows, and in Case 1 where the volume of the container is as small as 500 ml, the target filling amount Q can be satisfied by one-stage filling. On the other hand, in case 2 where the capacity of the container is as large as 1000 ml, the target filling amount Q cannot be satisfied with the one-stage filling. Also, if one-stage filling is performed so as to satisfy the target filling amount Q, the container pressure _{P B} after filling will exceed the withstand pressure PP of the container 100 . Therefore, for Case 2, it is necessary to adopt multi-stage filling, for example, two-stage filling.

Case 1:
Container volume V _B1 : 520 ml Complementary chamber volume V _B3 : 105 ml Target filling quantity Q: 500 ml
Counter pressure P _F = 5 atm container pressure before filling P _B = 1 atm Container withstand pressure P _P = 7 atm container pressure after filling P _B = (V _B1 +V _B3 )/(V _B1 +V _B3 −Q )
= 625/(625-500) = 5 atm Filling amount Q1 = (1-P _B /P _F ) x (V _B1 + V _B3 ) = 4/5 x 625 = 500 ml

Case 2:
Container volume V _B1 : 1040 ml Complementary chamber volume V _B3 : 105 ml Target filling amount Q: 1000 ml
Counter pressure P _F = 5 atm container pressure before filling P _B = 1 atm Container withstand pressure P _P = 7 atm container pressure after filling P _B = (V _B1 +V _B3 )/(V _B1 +V _B3 −Q )
= 1145/(1145-1000) = 7.9 atm Filling amount Q1 = (1-P _B /P _F ) x (V _B1 + V _B3 ) = 4/5 x 1145 = 916 ml

A dedicated filling device for single-stage filling and a dedicated filling device for multi-stage filling can be arranged. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the filling device dedicated to multi-stage filling may become vacant while the filling device dedicated to single-stage filling is being used. Therefore, it is desirable for a beverage manufacturer to have a filling machine that can be used for both single-stage filling and multi-stage filling. By adding a necessary configuration to the filling apparatus 1A shown in the first embodiment, one-stage filling and multi-stage filling can be realized separately.

It comprises mainly the configuration that the controller 2 (Fig. 2) needs to add.
The controller 2 specifies the type of container to be produced. This type has a concept involving volume.
As an example, the controller 2 prompts the operator of the filling apparatus 1A to input the type of container each time the container is switched for production. The controller 2 identifies the type of container by receiving an operator's input to the controller 2 . As another example, a production plan for a predetermined period, for example, one week is input to the controller 2 . If the production plan includes the types of containers, the controller 2 can specify the types of containers for one week.

Further, the controller 2 determines whether to perform one-stage filling or two-stage filling according to the type (size) of the container. For this purpose, the controller 2 preferably has container-filling level information in which the type of container and the number of filling levels are associated with each other. When the controller 2 specifies the type of container at the start of production, it refers to this container-filling stage number information and selects either one-stage filling or two-stage filling. Here, only up to two stages of filling will be described, but it is also possible to select filling with a larger number of stages, such as three stages or four stages.

When one-stage filling or two-stage filling is selected, the controller 2 controls the operation of the first gas valve VG1, the second gas valve VG2 and the liquid valve VL so that the one-stage filling or the two-stage filling can be realized. The operation of one-stage filling is as described in the second embodiment, and the operation of two-stage filling is as described in the first embodiment.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the first and second embodiments, carbonated beverages were used as product liquids, but the present invention can also be applied to non-carbonated beverages and other product liquids.
Further, since the gas replacement described above is intended for carbonated beverages, carbon dioxide gas is used. However, the replacement gas in the present invention is not limited to carbon dioxide gas, and can be replaced with gas components necessary for maintaining the characteristics of the product liquid filled in the container, for example, inert gas such as nitrogen gas.
In addition, although the container 100 described in the present embodiment is made of resin, the filling object of the present invention is not limited to resin containers, and can also be applied to other flexible containers such as metal cans. can. Moreover, the present invention does not exclude non-flexible bottles made of glass, for example, from the objects of filling.

Furthermore, the one-stage filling is not limited to the technique of the second embodiment. For example, the condition that the pressure difference between the inside of the container 100 and the gas phase 3S in the storage tank 3 is sufficiently large and the head space 105 of the container 100 when the product liquid L reaches the target filling amount is large. In some cases, single stage filling can be achieved.
In addition, one-stage filling can also be achieved by actively allowing the liquid supply path 7 connecting the storage tank 3 and the container 100 to function as part of the volume of the container 100 . That is, in FIG. 12, when the liquid valve VL is closed, the space between the reservoir 3 and the liquid valve VL is filled with the product liquid L, but the interior on the container 100 side of the liquid valve VL is a void having a volume _VB2 . form. This gap corresponds to the second auxiliary chamber volume of the present invention, which is provided between the liquid valve VL and the container 100. FIG. In the first and second embodiments described above, it is assumed that the auxiliary chamber volume _VB2 is zero, that is, the second auxiliary chamber volume does not exist.

1A, 1B Filling device 2 Controller 3 Storage tank 3S Gas phase 5 Auxiliary chamber tank 6 Pressure adjustment chamber 5A Piston 5B Cylinder 7 Liquid supply path 11 First gas lead-out path 13 Second gas lead-out path 14 Third gas discharge path 15 One pressure sensor 17 Second pressure sensor 19 Third pressure sensor 20 Sealed chamber 21 Sealed chamber 22 Double tube structure 23 Inner tube 24 Outer tube 25 Nozzle 27 Container holding opening 28 Gas supply path 29 Gas discharge path 30 Sealant head 40 Supply Exhaust mechanism 41 Liquid supply path 43 Gas supply paths 44, 46 Gas valve 45 Gas exhaust path 100 Container 101 Mouth 103 Sealing material 105 Head space VG1 First gas valve VG2 Second gas valve VG3 Third gas valve VL Liquid valve

Claims (13)

A method of filling a container with a product liquid stored in a storage tank through a liquid supply channel and a filling nozzle, comprising:
a differential pressure forming step of _creating a pressure difference between a container pressure PB inside the container and a counter pressure _PF applied to the storage tank with the liquid supply path closed;
a filling step of filling the container with the product liquid from the storage tank through the filling nozzle using the pressure difference while the liquid supply path is open;
In the differential pressure forming step,
The container pressure _PB is a positive pressure equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure and is maintained at a pressure lower than the counter pressure _PF in the reservoir, and the pressure difference between the counter pressure _PF in the reservoir is formed, sealingly engaging the container and the filling nozzle ;
a first differential pressure forming step of providing a first pressure differential between the vessel pressure PB _and the counter pressure _PF ;
a first filling step of filling the container with the product liquid from the reservoir using the first pressure difference;
a second differential pressure forming step , after the first filling step, of providing a second pressure difference between the vessel pressure PB and the _counter pressure PF _;
a second filling step of filling the container with the product liquid from the storage tank to a target filling amount using the second pressure difference;
In the first filling step, a predetermined set amount of the product liquid is filled,
In the second filling step, the difference between the target filling amount and the set amount is filled with the product liquid.
A filling method characterized by: A method of filling a container with a product liquid stored in a reservoir via a liquid supply channel and a filling nozzle, comprising:
a differential pressure forming step of _creating a pressure difference between a container pressure PB inside the container and a counter pressure PF applied to the storage tank with the liquid supply path _closed ;
a filling step of filling the container with the product liquid from the storage tank through the filling nozzle using the pressure difference while the liquid supply path is open;
In the differential pressure forming step,
The container pressure PB _is a positive pressure equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure and is maintained at a pressure lower than the counter pressure PF in the reservoir, and the pressure difference between the counter pressure PF _in the _reservoir is formed, sealingly engaging the container and the filling nozzle;
In the differential pressure forming step,
By communicating with the interior of the container, the auxiliary chamber formed by the gap of the liquid supply path is set to the same container pressure PB as the container _, and the pressure difference is formed between the counter pressure PF _,
In the filling step,
By opening the liquid supply path, the product liquid passes through the auxiliary chamber, and the container is filled with the product liquid that satisfies the target filling amount.
A filling method characterized by: In the filling step,
The product liquid is filled until the vessel pressure _PB equilibrates with the counter pressure P _F or is at a predetermined pressure below the counter pressure P _F.
The filling method according to claim 2 . In the differential pressure forming step,
sealing the gas component at the container pressure _PB inside the container;
In the filling step,
Filling the container with the product liquid by the pressure difference without discharging the gas component inside the container to the outside and keeping the gas component inside the container sealed.
The filling method according to claim 2 or 3 . In the differential pressure forming step,
sealing the gas component at the container pressure _PB inside the container;
In the filling step,
When the container pressure _PB of the gas component inside the container is a pressure equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure, the pressure difference causes the product to filling the container with a liquid;
The filling method according to any one of claims 2 to 4. In the second differential pressure forming step,
discharging gas components contained in the headspace of the container to the outside of the container;
The filling method according to claim 1. In the second differential pressure forming step,
discharging the gas component in an amount matching the difference to the outside of the container;
The filling method according to claim 6. In the second differential pressure forming step,
discharging the gas component to the outside of the container by discharging the gas component into a pressure regulating chamber having a predetermined volume;
The filling method according to claim 7. The pressure regulation chamber is
having the predetermined volume that matches the difference;
In the second filling step,
filling the container with the product liquid until the container pressure _PB equilibrates with the counter pressure _PF or until the container pressure _PB rises to the set pressure;
The filling method according to claim 8. In the second filling step,
controlling the filling of the product liquid into the container based on an increase in the indoor pressure P _R in the pressure regulation chamber;
The filling method according to claim 8 or 9. In the second filling step,
After setting the second pressure difference, while discharging the gas component to the outside of the system through the pressure adjustment chamber, if the indoor pressure PR in the pressure adjustment _chamber decreases and reaches the set pressure, the Stop the discharge of gas components to the outside of the system,
Then filling the container with the product liquid of the difference with respect to the target filling amount;
The filling method according to claim 10. The pressure adjustment chamber can arbitrarily change the predetermined volume,
The filling method according to any one of claims 8 to 11. The auxiliary chamber is
The volume is set to the volume required to fill the container with the product liquid that satisfies the target filling amount by one stage of the filling step.
The filling method according to claim 2 .

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