WO2019110218A1

WO2019110218A1 - Filling station

Info

Publication number: WO2019110218A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/080222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Matheyka; Volker Damerow
Original assignee: Khs Gmbh
Priority date: 2017-12-04
Filing date: 2018-11-06
Publication date: 2019-06-13
Also published as: DE102017128782A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling station (1) for filling the interiors (7) of kegs (3) each equipped with at least one keg fitting (2), comprising at least one filling head (10) having a filling head housing (11), a contacting and pressing element (12) being arranged on the filling head housing (11), against which contacting and pressing element the keg fitting (2) of the keg (3) to be filled can be pressed in a sealed position, and comprising a valve tappet (13), which can be moved vertically along a central longitudinal axis (MA), for opening and/or closing the keg fitting (2) of the keg (3) to be filled, which keg is tightly arranged on the contacting and pressing element (12) in a sealed position, at least a first and a second flow channel (SK1, SK2) being formed in the filling head (10), a liquid filling material being admissible into the first flow channel (SK1) via controllable product valve (14), which liquid filling material can be introduced into the interior (7) of the keg (3) to be filled when the keg fitting (2) is open, and the second flow channel (SK2) being fluidically connectable, via the open keg fitting (2), to the gas pipe (6) of a keg (3) pressed in contact, such that at least one gaseous medium can be removed from the interior (7) of a keg, the filling head (10) having at least one sensor unit (40, 41, 42) for sensing a liquid phase and/or gas phase in the interior of the filling head housing (11) in at least one of the flow channels (SK1, SK2) after the product valve (14), and the at least one sensor unit (40, 41, 42) being connectable, for data transfer, directly or indirectly to at least one open-loop and closed-loop control unit (100).

Description

filling station

The invention relates to a filling station for filling the interiors of each equipped with at least one keg fitting keg according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for filling the interiors of each equipped with at least one keg fitting keg according to the preamble of claim 15.

Are drinks or other liquid products as contents in larger quantities, in particular quantities greater than 5 liters, handled or issued, such as. As in restaurants, it has proved to be particularly advantageous to handle these products not in bottles or cans, but in barrels. In turn, the use of so-called kegs, which are also referred to as keg barrels, offers numerous advantages.

A main advantage of the use of kegs is that these barrel-like containers are hermetically sealed due to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the connections for filling and compressed gas and thus contents and interior of the keg are protected from contamination of all kinds, but especially from contact with germs. The specialist knows the connections of kegs under designation Fitting or Keg-Fitting. Thus, the relevant person skilled in the basic structure of such keg with at least one keg fitting has long been well known. A keg fitting can also be described as a head-side closure valve of the keg, which as a rule comprises two flow paths, namely one directly into the interior of the keg and one to a gas or gas pipe which extends into the bottom of the keg.

As a rule, the kegs in the bottling plants, in particular in the large factories of the beverage industry, have been industrially and automatically cleaned, for example cleaned and filled, or refilled. For this purpose, the kegs are filled in particular in fully automated single machines with a filling station or large machines with several filling stations, for example 36 filling stations, with liquid filling material.

In this case, it must be demonstrably ensured that the filled liquid filling material in the predetermined quantity of filling material has also completely arrived in the keg, in particular in its interior, and has also remained there in fact. This evidence is gaining in importance as a result of Directive No 2014/32 / EU, which stipulates that containers filled within the EU, such as kegs, may only be placed on the market if the Bottler can prove that even in actual terms, the predetermined for the respective container nominal fill quantity is filled. Since it can come in particular in reusable kegs in the course of their multiple use to damage, for example in the form of denting, even with one and the same keg type filled with liquid filling nominal volume is designed differently. This can lead to a filling process to the fact that the predetermined amount of filling is no longer completely in the interior of the keg is receivable - it thus comes, for example, during the filling process to overflow in the gas pipe of the fitting and thus in the return gas path of the filling head. Alternatively, after the filling process, a partial amount of filling material can pass from the fitting into the empty feed channel in the filling head if there is no sufficient tightness on the fitting. Such incorrectly filled kegs thus do not meet the strict quality specifications and must be recognized and subsequently rejected so that they do not get into the regular sale and thus market circulation.

Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to provide a filling station for filling the interiors of kegs equipped with at least one keg fitting, which avoids the abovementioned disadvantages and in particular allows monitoring at the filling station to determine whether the predetermined quantity of filling material also in fact completely filled into the keg and in particular there after completion of the filling process also remains. The subclaims relate to particularly preferred embodiments of the invention.

The essential aspect according to the filling station for filling the interiors of each keg equipped with at least one keg fitting consists in that the filling head has at least one sensor unit for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase within the filling head housing. This is ideally done by means of one or more sensor units for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase in one of the flow channels downstream of the product valve. Alternatively, one could also speak here synonymously of a filling or measuring section, because the associated elements are possibly located locally slightly apart from each other, but this is to be understood here untouched as belonging to the filling station. By the present invention, this filling or measuring section in the sense of legislative requirements is calibrated.

During normal filling operation, with the product valve open, the product flows into a first flow channel in the interior of the filling head and subsequently into the inner space through the keg fitting which has been opened by means of the raised valve tappet of the keg. Simultaneously with rising product liquid level inside the keg, the existing, internal gas via the gas pipe of the keg and following a second flow channel in the interior of the filling head and via a media line (Rückgasweg) is derived. This gas pipe is also called a riser, because the contents leave the keg during emptying. In normal operation, there is no liquid phase in the gas pipe and / or this second flow channel (return gas path), except for small amounts of residue or adhesion during filling of the keg with product.

By now according to the invention the filling head of a filling station has at least one sensor unit for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase within the Füllkopfgehäuses, can be detected so that, for example, a part of the contents to be filled has passed through the gas pipe in the second flow channel during the filling process and thus not finally as filling to be filled in the interior of the keg remains. Thus, ideally in the return gas path of the filling head housing, which is connectable to the gas pipe of a keg, a sensor unit for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase is present.

In this case, the interior is in particular that inner volume of the filling head, which is regularly emptied of liquids and filled exclusively with gas with closed product valve and before the actual filling, esp. The aforementioned space, which results in still closed drain and / or return valve and the aforementioned return gas path over which the gas trapped at the start of filling, in particular C02, can escape when liquid product is introduced.

In this case, not all of the nominal filling quantity detected by means of the flow meter (also called MID) has reached the keg, but has exited the interior again so that a keg filled in this way must subsequently be discharged and / or refilled. In such a case, a liquid phase in the form of remnants of liquid filling material is found in the filling head housing, ie after completion of the filling process, from the filling process, which can be detected by means of the at least one sensor unit provided according to the invention. With this arrangement it is particularly ensured that the detection takes place without manipulation, because there is no possibility of intervention for the plant operator in this area of the filling head or the flow channels without structural intervention.

The flowmeter is ideally designed to ensure regulatory compliance as a verifiable flowmeter. Ideally, at least one sensor, for example at least one point level sensor, is arranged in one of the flow channels which, during or after the filling process and, if appropriate, after an emptying step, should be purely gas-filled or purely gas-conducting. This also applies to the product-carrying flow channel downstream of the product valve, which is emptied after filling and before the removal of the filled keg and possibly blown with a gas.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one sensor unit is designed as a limit level sensor unit for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that a plurality of sensor units, namely a first sensor unit or a second sensor unit and a third sensor unit are provided which each have a sensor head locally defining the detection area for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that a first or a second sensor unit designed in each case as a point level sensor unit for detecting a

Liquid and / or gas phase within the Füllkopfgehäuses and a third formed as a fluid sensor unit sensor unit for detecting a

Liquid phase are provided within the Füllkopfgehäuses. By the third formed as a fluid sensor unit sensor unit is provided in the first flow channel, can be detected, for example, after a successful blow in the still closed Füllkopfraum, if the keg fitting located on this keg sufficiently seals the filled interior, so no liquid filling material from the keg fitting outlet and the keg fitting so that it is fully functional.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the first sensor unit and / or the second sensor unit is designed to detect a liquid and / or gas phase in the second flow channel.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the first sensor unit for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase in the running in the annular channel portion of the second flow channel and / or the second sensor unit for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase within is formed in the valve stem extending portion of the second flow channel. According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the first sensor unit is provided in the region of the plunger top free end of the valve stem to the Füllkopfgehäuse that at least the associated sensor head of the first sensor unit protrudes into the annular channel and preferably with its detection range in Direction of the central longitudinal axis is directed.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the second sensor unit for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase is formed within the extending in the valve stem portion of the second flow channel and is preferably arranged completely inside the Füllkopfgehäuses.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the second sensor unit is provided centrally in the interior of the Füllkopfgehäuses in such a way that the determined by the sensor head detection area is directed into the interior of the formed as Flohlkörper valve lifter.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the second sensor unit is formed mitbewegbar in a Flub- and / or lowering movement of the valve stem.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the third sensor unit is designed to detect a liquid and / or gas phase in the first flow channel.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the third sensor unit is arranged above the return valve on the Füllkopfgehäuse.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the third sensor unit is at least partially integrated into the filling head housing such that at least the detection area defined by the sensor head projects into the first flow channel for detecting the liquid and / or gas phase. According to yet another advantageous embodiment, it may be provided, the filling station has at least one flow meter for detecting the supplied via the first flow channel to the interior of the keg liquid filling medium.

Furthermore, a filling method is included for filling a keg equipped with a keg fitting, wherein a filling station is used according to one of the embodiments described herein. In this case, an investment and pressing element is arranged against a filling head housing, against which the keg fitting of the keg to be filled is pressed in sealing position. Furthermore, a vertically movable along a central longitudinal axis valve tappet for opening and / or closing of the keg fittings is provided. In the filling head, at least one first and second flow channel is formed, wherein the first flow channel is acted upon in the filling step via a controllable product valve with a liquid product, which is introduced with an open Keg fitting in the interior of the keg to be filled. At least one gaseous medium is removed from the interior of the keg via the second flow channel. In this case, a liquid and / or gas phase is detected within the Füllkopfgehäuses at the filling head by means of at least one sensor unit, usually a so-called point level sensor.

Thus, one or more necessary SET values for the presence or absence of liquid are defined at one or more positions in the interior of the filling head, which must be given in certain time windows of the process steps. Analogously to this, of course, as a target value, the presence or absence of a gas in a desired time interval and inner location can be detected.

By means of at least one sensor unit now the detection of the actual value takes place to the aforementioned target values and in case of a deviation corresponding process steps are initiated.

For evaluation and utilization of the sensor signals, the filling station or the filling head and at least one of the sensor units are connected in a data-conducting manner to at least one control and regulation unit. Controlled by this, subsequent process steps, such as discharging the kegs or aftertreatments can be organized. In one embodiment of this method, the delivery of a volume amount of the filling material is thus effected by a flow meter, in particular a calibratable flow meter. In parallel, the whereabouts or leakage of partial volumes of this filling material in the keg to be filled or filled is monitored by at least one of the sensor units.

The expression "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function. This means in particular the minus deviation from a desired value, such as a legal target value.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination, in principle, the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their

Dependency.

In the present case and with regard to the following exemplary embodiments, it is disregarded that optionally before the final emptying step of the filling head interior further rinsing and cleaning steps with, for example, hot water and / or steam take place, since these are insignificant for the present invention.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

1 is a schematic sectional view of a filling head partially shown an exemplary embodiment of a filling station according to the invention with keg also partially shown,

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an exemplary

filling head,

Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary filling station according to the invention or the filling and measuring section.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used in the figures. Furthermore, for clarity, only reference numerals in the individual figures are shown, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The filling station generally designated 1 in the figures is in this case designed, in particular, for filling large-volume containers in the form of kegs 3 equipped with a keg fitting 2. In particular, such a filling station 1 is provided together with further filling stations 1 on a filling machine not shown in more detail, which may have a linear or rotary transport.

The kegs 3 comprise, in a known manner, on one end face, in particular on its upper side, the keg fitting 2, which is provided in the region of a longitudinal axis of the keg 3 and forms essentially two openings 4, 5. Thus, the opening 4 is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the keg 3 and communicates with one end of a gas pipe 6 in connection. The gas pipe 6 is preferably provided in an inner space 7 of the Kegs3 in turn coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the keg 3 and formed open at its the bottom of the keg 3 opposite end.

The opening 5 is formed as an annular, the opening 4 and the gas pipe 6 concentrically enclosing opening, in particular as an annular channel. Both openings 4, 5 can be closed by a self-closing keg valve device which can be opened for cleaning and / or filling the keg 3. The keg valve device is biased in particular by a compression spring in its closed position.

To fill the kegs 3 with liquid filling material they are standing upright, ie with their keg fitting 2 having top facing down, via a likewise not shown in detail transporter, which may be designed in particular as a plug star, the filling machine supplied as well after the filling process via a further feed dog, which may be formed, for example, as Ausschubstern, the filling machine removed again.

More in detail, the kegs 3, for example, from the plug star, a linear transporter or transversely to the transport direction each time successively passed to the filling stations 1 of the filling machine. The filling station 1 described below is machine-specific in its construction. In this case, the filling machine has at least one filling station 1 according to the invention, preferably a plurality of filling stations 1 according to the invention at equal or approximately equal intervals. For example, this can be a rotary filling machine with more than 30 filling stations 1. In general, after the handing over of a keg 3 to a filling station 1, these become even more detailed in the following described manner filled with liquid product. The thus filled keg 3 can then subsequently the filling station 1 with a diverting element, for example, with a Ausschubstern be removed again. From the diversion element, the kegs 3 are removed on another conveyor.

In particular, the filling station 1 comprises a filling head 10 with a filling head housing 11, which can be held on a machine frame, not shown, for example, the linear transporter, pusher or rotor of the filling machine. The Füllkopfgehäuse 11 may be formed like a column and inside a cavity, which is provided for receiving further components, in particular a vertically displaceable in the Füllkopfgehäuse 11 valve stem 13 and for forming the first and / or second flow channel SK1, SK2. In particular, the Füllkopfgehäuse 11 extends along a central longitudinal axis MA, which is in the filling position of the filling station 1 to the longitudinal axis of the keg 3 in alignment, in particular coaxially formed.

Furthermore, the filling head housing 11 has a contact and pressing element 12, against which the keg fitting 2 of the keg 3 to be filled can be pressed in a sealing position. In this case, the contact and pressing element 12 is provided replaceably on the Füllkopfgehäuse 11, in particular fixed but interchangeable arranged, and formed as a format part that is adaptable to the respective keg fitting 2. In particular, the contact and pressing element 12 forms a tulip-shaped centering cone, which u.a. a sealing element 12.1, preferably a ring seal, for the production of the sealing layer between the filling head 10 and the respective keg fitting 2 has.

Consequently, the filling station 1, in particular the filling head 10 within the Füllkopfgehäuses 11, a vertically along the central longitudinal axis MA movably formed valve stem 13 for opening and / or closing the keg fitting 2 to be filled and tightly arranged in sealing position on investment and pressing 12 Kegs 3 up. For example, the initiation of the vertical lifting and / or lowering movement on the valve tappet 13 for closing and / or opening the keg fitting 2 via a pneumatic cylinder device 15 take place.

In this case, the valve stem 13, in particular on the abutment and pressing element 12 facing end face a designed as a bucket tappet plunger upper part 13.1, by means of which the keg valve device is actuated. In this case, the valve tappet 13, including its tappet upper part 13.1, may be formed as a rotationally symmetrical, hollow body open at both ends, which is arranged coaxially with respect to the central longitudinal axis MA and displaceably therealong. In particular, the plunger upper part 13.1 at the same sealing position of a keg fitting 2 by a lifting movement of the valve stem 13 enter into a sealing connection with the keg valve device and the two openings 4, 5 of the keg fittings 2 release, so that a media connection in the interior 7 of the Kegs 3 is made.

The situation shown in Figure 2 shows the filling head 10 with raised valve stems 13 and closed product valve 14 and further closed return valve 19, wherein the keg 3 and its keg fitting 2 are not shown.

Furthermore, at least one first and second controllable flow channel SK1, SK2 are formed in the filling head 10, in particular in the filling head housing 11. The first flow channel SK1 is acted upon via a controllable product valve 14 with a liquid product, which is in the open Keg fitting 2, ie shared opening 5, in the interior 7 of the keg 3 to be filled can be introduced. Furthermore, the first flow channel SK1 is fluidically connectable via a controllable return valve 19 to a media line 17.2. In particular, the first flow channel SK1 is designed to be sealed relative to the second flow channel SK2 such that no media mixing takes place between the media guided in each case in the flow channels SK1, SK2.

In this case, the filling station 1 may have a feed line 30 for the liquid product to the filling head 10. The supply line 30, visible in FIG. 3, opens in particular into a product feed 16 provided on the filling head housing 11, which can be fluidically connected to the first flow channel SK1 with the interposition of the controllable product valve 14.

In this case, the liquid medium of the feed line 30 can be supplied from a pipe line 34, or be diverted from this. For example, the feed line 30 between the pipe line 34 and provided on the Füllkopfgehäuse 11 product supply 16 at least a main valve 31 and / or a flow meter 32 and / or a control valve 33 have. The one-part or multi-part supply line 30 to the main valve 31 in front of a flow meter 32 in particular also has the function of product calming. Preferably, the main valve 31 may be provided upstream of the flow meter 32 with respect to the flow direction of the liquid filling material, which is directed from the pipe line 34 in the direction of the filling head 10. The flow meter 32 in turn can then be provided upstream of the control valve 33 in the feed line 30 in the flow direction.

Consequently, the first flow channel SK1 is designed as a ring channel which surrounds the valve plunger 13 at least in the region of the plunger top part 13.1 within the filling head housing 11, by means of which a fluidic connection between the product feed 16 and the opening 5 of the keg fitting 3 can be produced via the product valve 14 is.

The second flow channel SK2 is designed at least to divert a gaseous medium, for example a span gas supplied to the interior 7 of the keg 3, back out of the interior 7 of the keg 3 during the filling process.

In particular, the second flow channel SK2 is formed inside the valve tappet 13 and its tappet upper part 13.1 and is guided via lateral openings 13.2 in the valve tappet 13 into an annular channel 18 enclosing at least the valve tappet 13 within the filling head housing 11. The second flow channel SK2 thus has two sections, namely a section running within the valve tappet 13 and its tappet upper part 13.1 and a section guided in the annular channel 18, which can be fluidically connected to a media line 17.1.

When filling the keg 3 with product via the product feed 16, with the product valve 14 open, the gas is discharged from the interior of the keg 3 via the gas pipe 6 and then discharged into the second flow channel SK2 and from there.

More in detail, the annular channel 18 is provided within the Füllkopfgehäuses 11, in particular formed on the inner wall and surrounds the valve stem 13. From the annular channel 18 of the second flow channel SK2 fluidically connected to the media line 17.1, which is formed on the Füllkopfgehäuse 11 and on the the product supply 16 opposite side of the Füllkopfgehäuses 11 is provided. In other words, therefore, the gaseous medium from the interior 7 of the keg 3 via the gas pipe 6 and the opening 4 of the keg valve device which is open in the sealing position of the keg fitting 3 can be supplied to the second flow channel SK2 formed inside the valve plunger 13. From there, the gaseous medium can be guided via the openings 13.2 of the valve tappet 13 into the section of the second flow channel SK2 formed in the annular channel 18 and be discharged from the filling head housing 11 via the media line 17.1. For this purpose, 17.1 not shown in more detail derivations can be connected to the media line.

According to the invention, it is provided that the filling head 10 has at least one sensor unit 40, 41, 42 for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase in the interior of the filling head housing 11. In this case, the interior is to be understood in particular that volume which is regularly emptied of liquids with closed product valve 14 to the terminals of media lines, before the actual filling and passage of product and filled exclusively with gas.

To fill the interior 7 of the keg 3 with liquid filling material, it is usually preloaded with a prestressing gas, in particular CO 2, via the feed 17. For filling compares a only indicated in Figure 2 by the reference numeral 100 schematically indicated control and regulating unit, which may be formed as part of the machine control of the filling machine, and with all the above-described components and assemblies of the filling machine and in particular the filling station 1 cooperates, the of the Flow meter 32 delivered actual value with a set by a on the keg nominal volume and / or fitting type and / or product temperature or the like. Adjusted in a data processing unit of the control and regulation unit filling setpoint set and possibly changes the flow rate. For this purpose, the main valve 31 can be varied continuously, in particular the cross section can be varied such that a predetermined flow rate can be generated as a controlled variable at any time during the filling process.

In particular, by means of the flow meter 32, a filling quantity predetermined to the nominal volume of the keg 3 to be filled can be filled. In this filling process known to the person skilled in the art as "volumetric filling", the counting pulses of the volume counter, in particular of the calibratable flow meter 32, are summed up in the control unit or flow meter 32 until the parameterized filling quantity of liquid contents has been reached. Thereafter, the closing of the product valve 14 is activated by a direct signal of the flow meter 32. After closing the keg valve device, the filling head space, which is still closed by the keg fitting 2, is flushed between the keg fitting 2 and the abutment and pressing element 12, whereby residual filler residues remaining in the filling head space are displaced. Subsequently, the filling head space can be blown out with CO 2 gas.

By now according to the invention, the filling head 10 has at least one sensor unit 40, 41, 42 for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase within the Füllkopfgehäuses 11, it can be detected whether, for example, a portion or proportion of the filling material to be filled in during the filling on the Gas pipe 6 has passed into the second flow channel SK2 and thus not permanently as a filling amount to be filled in the interior 7 of the keg 3 has remained. In the case of a correct filling process, only the gas phase is likely to be removed in the gas pipe 6 and there is no product, ie no liquid.

In particular, this does not reach the complete nominal quantity detected by the flow meter 32 in the keg 3, but has exited the interior 7 again so that a keg 3 filled in this way must subsequently be discharged and / or refilled.

If, during the filling process, the sensor 40, 41 is wetted with liquid before the flowmeter 32 (MID) has measured the desired nominal filling quantity, then it can be assumed that the keg 3 can not absorb the nominal filling quantity. In such a case, in the filling head housing 11, ie after completion of the filling operation, a liquid and / or gas phase in the form of remnants of liquid contents from the filling process can be detected by means of the at least one sensor unit 40, 41 provided according to the invention.

In this case, the at least one sensor unit 40, 41, 42 may be formed as a limit level sensor unit for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase. Preferably, the at least one point level sensor unit may be formed as an inductive and / or capacitive sensor unit and / or ultrasound sensor unit.

Preferably, a plurality of sensor units 40, 41, 42, in particular a first sensor unit 40 or a second sensor unit 41 and a third sensor unit 42 are provided, each having a detection area locally defining sensor head 40.1, 41.1, 42.1 for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase have within the Füllkopfgehäuses 11. According to a further advantageous embodiment variant, a first or a second sensor unit 40, 41, each designed as a limit sensor unit, may be provided for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase within the filling head housing 11 and a third sensor unit 42 designed as a fluid sensor unit for detecting a liquid phase within the filling head housing 11 , This sensor unit 42 is positioned in the product-carrying line, so that it is wetted in the control or target process, unlike the sensor units 40, 41, in the filling step of the keg 3 with product. The sensor unit 42 thus provides additional information, namely whether the product channels at the beginning and after filling and blowing are really empty, ie only gas-filled, by detecting either the presence or absence of liquid or alternatively the presence or absence of gas. By the third designed as a fluid sensor unit sensor unit 42 is thus additionally detected after a successful blow in the still closed Füllkopfraum whether the located on this keg 3 keg fitting 2 sufficiently seals the filled interior 7, so no liquid contents from the keg -Fitting 2 exits.

In this case, the first sensor unit 40 and / or the second sensor unit 41 may be designed to detect a liquid and / or gas phase in the second flow channel SK2. In particular, the first sensor unit 40 for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase in the running in the annular channel 18 portion of the second flow channel SK2 and / or the second sensor unit 41 for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase within the extending in the valve stem 13 Section of the second flow channel SK2 be formed.

In more detail, the first sensor unit 40 may be provided on the filling head housing 11 in the region of the free end of the valve tappet 13 facing away from the tappet upper part 13.1 such that at least the associated sensor head 40.1 of the first sensor unit 40 projects into the annular channel 18 and preferably with its detection area in the direction the center longitudinal axis MA is directed. In this case, the first sensor unit 40 can at least partially be integrated in the filling head housing 11, in particular fastened to it.

The second sensor unit 41 is designed to detect a liquid and / or gas phase within the extending in the valve stem 13 portion of the second flow channel SK2 and in this case preferably completely disposed in the interior of the Füllkopfgehäuses 11. The second sensor unit 41 is advantageously provided centrally in the interior of the filling head housing 11, ie with its longitudinal extent along the central longitudinal axis MA, in such a way that the detection area defined by the sensor head 41.1 is directed into the interior of the valve tappet 13 designed as a hollow body.

More in detail, the second sensor unit 41 at the lower, the plunger upper part 13.1 facing away from the free end of the valve stem 13 can be centrally provided inside the Füllkopfgehäuses 11 and directed with the sensor head 41.1 in the direction of the plunger upper part 13.1. In particular, the second sensor unit 41 can thus be embodied as movable during a lifting and / or lowering movement of the valve tappet 13. It may be provided that the second sensor unit 41 is designed as a wireless sensor unit, in particular as a radio sensor unit.

Consequently, the third sensor unit 42 may be designed to detect a liquid and / or gas phase in the first flow channel SK1. For this purpose, the third sensor unit 42 may preferably be arranged, in particular fastened, above the return valve 19 on the filling head housing 11. In this case, the third sensor unit 42 may be provided in its longitudinal extension by preferably 45 degrees to the longitudinal extension of the return valve 19 and with its detection range of the sensor head 42.1 pointing in the direction of the central longitudinal axis MA.

The third sensor unit 42 may advantageously be accommodated, in particular fixed, in the filling head housing 11 in such a way that at least the detection area defined by the sensor head 42.1 projects into the first flow channel SK1 for detecting the liquid and / or gas phase. Particularly preferably, the sensor unit 42 is provided on the filling head housing 11 between the return valve 19 and the sealing element 12.1 of the contact and pressing element 12.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it is not necessary to provide all three sensors 40, 41, 42, but only one or two of the sensors may be provided in the interior of the filling head 10. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 filling station

2 keg fitting

3 kegs

4 opening

5 opening

6 gas pipe

7 interior

10 filling head

11 filling head housing

12 contact and pressing element

12.1 sealing element

13 valve tappets

13.1 ram top

14 product valve

15 pneumatic cylinder device

16 product feeder

17.1 Media line

17.2 Media line

18 ring channel

19 return valve

30 feed line

31 valve

32 flow meters

33 control valve

34 pipe route

100 control unit

MA center longitudinal axis

SK1 first flow channel

SK2 second flow channel

Claims

claims

1. filling station (1) for filling the interior spaces (7) of kegs (3) equipped with at least one keg fitting (2), comprising at least one filling head (10) with a filling head housing (11), wherein on the filling head housing (11 ) an abutment and pressing element (12) is arranged, against which the keg-fitting (2) of the keg (3) to be filled in sealing position can be pressed, further comprising a vertically along a central longitudinal axis (MA) movable valve stem (13) for opening and / or closing of the keg fitting (2) of the keg (3) to be filled and tightly sealed in the contact and pressure element (12), at least one first and second flow channel (SK1, SK2) in the filling head (10). are formed, wherein the first flow channel (SK1) via a controllable product valve (14) can be acted upon with a liquid product, which is introduced with open keg fitting (2) in the interior (7) of the keg (3) to be filled, and the second Ite flow channel (SK2) via the opened keg fitting (2) with the gas pipe (6) of a pressed keg (3) is fluidically connectable, so that at least one gaseous medium from the interior (7) of a keg is discharged, characterized the filling head (10) has at least one sensor unit (40, 41, 42) for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase in the interior of the filling head housing (11) in at least one of the flow channels (SK1, SK2) downstream of the product valve (14), and wherein the at least one sensor unit (40, 41, 42) can be connected directly or indirectly with at least one control and regulation unit (100) in terms of data.

2. filling station according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one sensor unit (40, 41, 42) is designed as a limit level sensor unit for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase.

3. filling station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of sensor units (40, 41, 42), namely a first sensor unit (40) or a second sensor unit (41) and a third sensor unit (42) are provided, each one Have the detection area locally defining sensor head (40.1, 41.1, 42.1) for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase.

4. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sensor unit (40) and / or the second sensor unit (41) for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase in the second flow channel (SK2) is formed.

5. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sensor unit (40) for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase in the in the annular channel (18) extending portion of the second flow channel (SK2) and / or the second sensor unit (41) for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase within the in the valve stem (13) extending portion of the second flow channel (SK2) is formed.

6. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first sensor unit (40) in the region of the plunger top part (13.1) facing away from the free end of the valve stem (13) is provided on the Füllkopfgehäuse (11) that at least the associated sensor head (40.1) of the first sensor unit (40) in the annular channel (18) protrudes and is preferably directed with its detection range in the direction of the central longitudinal axis (MA).

7. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second sensor unit (41) for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase within the in the valve stem (13) extending portion of the second flow channel (SK2) is formed and vorzusgweise completely in Inside the Füllkopfgehäuses (11) is arranged.

8. filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second sensor unit (41) is provided centrally in the interior of the Füllkopfgehäuses (11) in such a way that the by the sensor head (41.1) defined detection area in the interior of the formed as Flohlkörper Valve tappet (13) is directed.

9. filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second sensor unit (41) is formed mitbewegbar in a Flub- and / or lowering movement of the valve stem (13).

10. filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third sensor unit (42) for detecting a liquid and / or gas phase in the first flow channel (SK1) is formed.

11. filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third sensor unit (42) above the return valve (19) on the Füllkopfgehäuse (11) is arranged.

12. filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third sensor unit (42) in the filling head housing (11) is at least partially integrated such that at least the by the sensor head (42.1) defined detection area for detecting the liquid and / or gas phase in the first flow channel (SK1) protrudes.

13. Filling station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling station (1) at least one flow meter (32) for detecting the via the product valve (14) and the first flow channel (SK1) the interior (7) of the keg (3). having feedable liquid filling medium, in particular a calibratable flow meter (32).

14. filling station according to claim 13, characterized in that a

Main valve (31) via a supply line (30) upstream of the flow meter (32) and is connected thereto.

15. A method for filling the interior (7) of each with at least one keg fitting (2) equipped kegs (3), using at least one of the filling stations (1) with a filling head (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling head (10) at least one sensor unit (40, 41, 42) is provided, by means of which at least temporarily a deviating from a temporary target value liquid and / or gas phase in the interior of the Füllkopfgehäuses (11) is detected and these data to a Control unit (100) are sent, and wherein subsequently the corresponding keg (3) is discharged and / or post-treated.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that on a Füllkopfgehäuse (11) a contact and pressing element (12) is arranged, against which the keg-fitting (2) of the keg to be filled (3) is pressed in sealing position, at further comprising a vertically along a central longitudinal axis (MA) movable valve stem (13) for opening and / or closing the keg fitting (2) to be filled and in sealing position on the contact and pressing element (12) close to the keg (3) in which in the filling head (10) at least a first and second controllable flow channel (SK1, SK2) is formed, wherein the first flow channel (SK1) is acted upon via a controllable product valve (14) with a liquid product, which with open keg -Fitting (2) into the interior (7) of the keg to be filled (3) is introduced, and via the second flow channel (SK2) at least one gaseous medium from the interior (7) of the keg is discharged.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the delivery of a volume amount of the filling material by a flow meter (32),

in particular, a verifiable flow meter (32), and wherein the whereabouts of partial volumes of the filling in the keg (3) by at least one of the sensor units (40, 41, 42), in particular in the second flow channel

(Return gas path) of the Füllkopfgehäuses (11), is übermascht.