WO2019207843A1 - Filling device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a filling device that can quickly fill even a flexible container with a carbonated product liquid, while maintaining the shape of the container. This filling device 1A is provided with a storage tank 3 in which a product liquid L is stored in a high-pressure atmosphere that has been brought to a pressure P_F and a liquid supply path 7 through which the product liquid L is supplied to a container 100 from the storage tank. The interior of the filling device 1A is at or above atmospheric pressure, and the product liquid L is supplied via the liquid supply path 7 to the container 100, which has been brought to a pressure P_B that is lower than that of the pressurized atmosphere in the storage tank, which has been brought to the pressure P_F. The container 100 is filled with the product liquid L via the liquid supply path 7 until the pressure P_B reaches an equilibrium with the pressure P_F or reaches a prescribed pressure below the equilibrium pressure.

Description

Filling equipment

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

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

Since the counter pressure system takes a long time to fill, in recent years, as disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, carbonic acid that has been pressurized in a storage tank in a container that has previously been negatively pressurized. There has been proposed a method of injecting a product liquid containing the solution at once. In this filling, the filling amount is controlled by monitoring the change over time of the pressure rise inside the container while ejecting the product liquid containing carbonate into the container.

In the pre-evacuation method according to Patent Documents 2 and 3, the product liquid is filled using the pressure difference between the container and the storage tank, so that the product liquid is filled at a very high speed compared to the counter pressure method. Can do.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No.59-23758 JP-A-2015-199545 JP2015-199546A

As described above, the filling according to Patent Documents 2 and 3 can fill the container with the product liquid containing carbonic acid in a short time, but there is a limit to the target container. In other words, the pre-evacuation method is applicable only to a container having rigidity such as a glass bottle because it is necessary to make the inside of the container have a negative pressure before filling with the product liquid. For example, when the pre-evacuation method according to Patent Documents 2 and 3 is applied to a plastic container having flexibility, the plastic container may be crushed without being able to withstand negative pressure.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a filling device capable of filling a product liquid containing carbonic acid at a high speed while maintaining the shape of a flexible container.

First, the basic principle of the filling apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1 (a), a pressure difference corresponding to a pre-pressure P _B3 between the pressure (counter) P _F to be added to the internal pressure (vessel pressure) P _B of the container reservoir is formed It shall be. Originally vessel pressure P _B is, for example atmospheric pressure, counter pressure P _F is the pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure required for the product fluid handling.

In FIG. 1 (a), it can be filled with an amount of only Q ₁₁ when filling the product solution into the container until the container pressure P _B becomes a predetermined set pressure P _B1. The set pressure P _B1 is a pressure _lower than the pressure that is in equilibrium with the pressure P _B3 . Similarly, it can be filled with an amount of only Q ₁₃ when filling the product solution in the container to a pressure P _B3 the vessel pressure P _B becomes in equilibrium with the reservoir. The filling amount Q ₁₃ is filled with a single differential pressure respectively, that is the maximum amount that can be filled in a container by one-stage filling (Qmax).

On the other hand, even if the container has flexibility, if the container pressure P _B is a positive pressure equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure, the container will not be crushed.

Above it is the principle of the present invention, the volume of the container, depending on the conditions such as the vessel pressure P _B and the counter pressure P _F, at one stage filling, it may not be possible to fill the amount of product liquid to be targeted. In such a case, the differential pressure formation and filling may be repeated a plurality of times. FIG. 1B shows an example of two-stage filling in which differential pressure formation and filling are repeated twice.

From the state advance pressure differential is formed (first differential pressure forming), an amount of the case of filling with the product solution to vessel pressure P _B is in equilibrium with the counter pressure P _F (first filling) Q ₂₁ Filling Is done. However, this does not reach the target filling amount Q (= Q ₂₁ + Q ₂₂ ). Therefore, after providing a pressure difference (second differential pressure formation) between the container and the storage tank, the product liquid is filled (second filling) by the difference (Q ₂₂ ) from the target filling amount Q.

The second differential pressure can be performed by lowering the container pressure P _B to atmospheric pressure, or can be performed by lowering the pressure to exceed atmospheric pressure.

Filling device of the present invention based on the principle described above, a storage tank where the product solution is stored under a counter pressure P _F is added environment, a liquid supply path for filling the product solution into the container from the reservoir, opening and closing And a filling nozzle having a liquid valve for controlling the supply of the product liquid from the liquid supply path.

In the filling apparatus of the present invention, the pressure P _B in the container, a positive pressure above atmospheric pressure, and maintained at a pressure lower than the counter pressure P _F in the reservoir, and the counter pressure P _F of the reservoir With the pressure difference formed between the container and the filling nozzle, the container and the filling nozzle are engaged in a sealed state, and then the liquid valve is opened to fill the container with the product liquid.

In the filling apparatus of the present invention, preferably, until the vessel pressure P _B is in equilibrium with the counter pressure P _F, or until the state of a predetermined pressure below the counter pressure P _F, the product solution is filled a liquid The valve is closed.

The filling device of the present invention preferably includes a supplementary chamber that is in communication with the container to complement the volume of the container.

The auxiliary room in the present invention can be divided into two. The first auxiliary chamber is composed of an auxiliary chamber tank provided on a gas lead-out path for deriving a gas component discharged from the container. The second auxiliary chamber is a first auxiliary chamber volume consisting of a gap inside the gas outlet path for leading the gas component discharged from the container, and a gap inside the liquid supply path between the liquid valve and the container. Consisting of one or both of the second auxiliary chamber volume.

The filling device including the auxiliary chamber tank in the present invention preferably includes a first gas valve that opens and closes the gas outlet passage.

This filling device fills the container with the product liquid while keeping the gas component inside the container sealed without discharging the gas component inside the container to the outside with the liquid valve opened.

When the set amount of product liquid is filled, the first gas valve is opened, and a part of the gas component is led out to the auxiliary chamber tank through the gas lead-out path.

Filling apparatus comprising the auxiliary chamber vessel of the present invention is preferably filled up vessel pressure P _B is in equilibrium with the counter pressure P _F, or the product liquid in the container until the container pressure P _B reaches the set pressure .

Then, the vessel pressure P _B to a pressure P _R of the auxiliary chamber tank is balanced, gas component is discharged to the auxiliary chamber tank.

The filling apparatus, by the gas component is led to the auxiliary chamber tank, vessel pressure P _B is less pressure difference from the counter pressure P _F is formed. Next, with the liquid valve opened, the container is filled with an amount of product liquid corresponding to the difference from the target filling amount.

The auxiliary chamber tank in the present invention preferably has a structure with a variable internal volume.

Moreover, the auxiliary chamber tank in the present invention preferably has a volume corresponding to the difference from the target filling amount.

In the filling apparatus having the first auxiliary chamber volume or the second auxiliary chamber volume in the present invention, the first auxiliary chamber volume or the second auxiliary chamber volume and the interior of the container are formed in communication with the liquid valve closed. that the pressure differential between the vessel pressure P _B and the counter pressure P _F in the space is formed.

The first auxiliary chamber volume or the second auxiliary chamber volume in the present invention preferably has a volume sufficient to fill the product liquid that satisfies the target filling amount through the formation of a single pressure difference and the filling of the product liquid.

After the pressure difference has been formed, until the vessel pressure P _B is in equilibrium with the counter pressure P _F, or the product liquid is filled into the container until the container pressure P _B reaches a set pressure.

The first auxiliary chamber volume or the second auxiliary chamber volume in the present invention preferably has a volume corresponding to the difference from the target filling amount.

According to a filling device of the present invention, in a state where the differential pressure between the vessel pressure P _B and the counter pressure P _F in differential pressure forming step (pressure P _{B <pressure} P _F) is formed, the product solution container Since it is filled, high-speed filling is realized. Moreover, since none of the vessel pressure P _B and the counter pressure P _F in the differential pressure forming step before filling of the product solution is a positive pressure above atmospheric pressure, without the container collapses through differential pressure forming step and the charging step The shape can be maintained.

It is a figure which shows the principle of this invention, (a) shows the example of the one-step filling which completes filling by one differential pressure formation step and a filling step, (b) shows two differential pressure formation steps and a filling step. Shows an example of two-stage filling in which filling is completed. It is a figure which shows the main structures of the filling apparatus which implements the filling apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the time of the start of the filling operation | movement of the filling apparatus of FIG. Continuing to FIG. 3, (a) shows the start of the first filling and (b) shows the end of the first filling. Continuing to FIG. 4, (a) shows the start of the second filling A, and (b) shows the end of the second filling A. The 2nd filling B which uses the auxiliary chamber which concerns on a modification is shown, (a) shows a mode that the volume of the auxiliary chamber was enlarged, (b) shows a mode that the volume of the auxiliary chamber was made small. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the filling method which concerns on 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. FIG. 8 shows the operation of filling the product liquid using the filling device of FIG. 8, (a) shows before filling the product liquid, (b) shows how carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the airtight sealed chamber, (C) shows that the product liquid is being filled, and (d) shows how the cap is attached. 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. Continuing to FIG. 4, (a) shows the start of the second filling D, (b) shows the discharge state of the carbon dioxide gas in the container and the pressure adjustment chamber to the outside of the system in the second filling D, (c) Indicates the end of the second filling D. It is a figure which shows the main structures of the filling apparatus which implements the filling method which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The operation of the filling device of FIG. 12 is shown, (a) is a differential pressure forming step, and (b) is a filling step.

[First Embodiment]

Hereinafter, the filling apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The filling device according to the first embodiment uses the pressure difference between the storage tank 3 in which the product liquid L is stored and the container 100 in which the product liquid L is filled, so that the container 100 is filled in two stages. The product liquid L is filled at a high speed by the target filling amount. As the product liquid L, a carbonated beverage is applied as an example of the present invention. In the filling device of the first embodiment, since the inside of the container 100 is set to a positive pressure that is equal to or higher than the atmospheric pressure when filling is started, the shape of the container 100 is maintained even if it is a plastic container 100. The filling of the product liquid L can be finished. This high-speed filling is hereinafter referred to as a first function.

The filling device according to the first embodiment immediately attaches and seals the cap 103 without substantially changing the position of the container 100 filled with the product liquid L at high speed. The mounting of the cap 103 at this filling position is hereinafter referred to as a second function.

[Components of the first function]

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

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

As shown in FIG. 2, the filling device 1 </ b> A 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. Carbon dioxide gas CG is stored in the gas phase 3S, which is the space above the product liquid L in the storage tank 3. The pressure P _F of carbon dioxide gas CG in the gas phase 3S is controlled to a constant pressure above atmospheric corresponding to the characteristics of the product liquid L filling. Second pressure sensor 17 is provided to control the pressure P _F. Further, the product liquid L is controlled so that the container 100 is filled with the liquid and the liquid level in the storage tank 3 is in a fixed position. It referred to as counter pressure below the pressure P _F.

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 to face the mouth portion 101 of the container 100. The liquid supply path 7 includes a liquid valve VL that opens and closes a flow path through which the product liquid L flows.

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

As shown in FIG. 2, the filling device 1 </ b> A includes the auxiliary chamber tank 5 in which the gas components inside the container 100 are discharged in the process of filling the container 100 with the product liquid L, the auxiliary chamber tank 5, and the container 100. A first gas discharge path 11 to be connected. The auxiliary chamber tank 5 complements the container of the container 100, and the internal gap forms the pressure adjusting chamber 6, and the carbon dioxide gas CG in the head space 105 of the container 100 is in the second filling A described later. It is discharged into the pressure adjustment chamber 6. The volume V _R of the pressure adjusting chamber 6 is in a predetermined volume corresponding to the amount to be filled into the container 100 in a second filling A. The first gas discharge path 11 corresponds to the downstream flow path of the present invention.

The pressure regulation chamber 6 can be replaced with one or both of the first gas discharge path 11 and the second gas discharge path 13 having the same volume. That is, the pressure regulation chamber in the present invention has a concept including a pipe having a predetermined volume, such as the first gas discharge path 11 and the second gas discharge path 13.

The first gas discharge path 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, the first gas discharge path 11 may be provided with a throttle between the first gas valve VG1 and the auxiliary chamber tank 5.

The filling apparatus 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 channel 13 includes a second gas valve VG2 that opens and closes a channel through which the carbon dioxide gas CG flows from the auxiliary chamber 5 to the outside of the system.

Filling device 1A includes a first pressure sensor 15 for detecting the interior of the container 100 of the pressure P _B, a second pressure sensor 17 for detecting a counter pressure P _F of the gas phase 3S of reservoir 3, the pressure adjusting chamber 6 comprising a third pressure sensor 19 for detecting the pressure P _R, the. The pressure P _B inside the container 100 is the entire pressure of the volume of the container 100 at the time of forming the differential pressure before the product liquid L is filled, and the liquid level of the product liquid L when the product liquid L is filled. This is the pressure of the head space 105 generated further upward. Note that when the product liquid L starts to be filled, the pressure P _B increases.

The first pressure sensor 15 is provided in the first gas discharge path 11 between the first gas valve VG 1 and the container 100. The second pressure sensor 17 is connected to the gas phase 3S of the storage tank 3. The third pressure sensor 19 is connected to the pressure adjustment chamber 6 of the auxiliary chamber 5.

In the filling apparatus 1A, as shown in FIG. 2, the pressure applied to the reservoir 3 and P _F, the pressure inside the container P _B, the volume of the container and V _B. The internal pressure (chamber pressure) _{P R} of the pressure adjusting chamber 6, the volume and _{V R.} In the following, referred to pressure applied to the reservoir 3 and the counter pressure P _F refers to the pressure inside the container and vessel pressure P _B, it referred to the pressure of the pressure adjusting chamber 6 and chamber pressure P _R.

The filling device 1 </ b> A includes a supply / discharge mechanism 40 that controls the supply of product liquid and the supply / exhaust of gas accompanying the storage tank 3.

The supply / discharge mechanism 40 includes a liquid supply path 41 in which a pump 42 and a liquid control valve 48 are provided. 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.

The supply / discharge mechanism 40 includes a gas supply path 43 that supplies carbon dioxide CG to the gas phase 3S of the storage tank 3, and a gas discharge path 45 that discharges 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 includes a first pressure sensor 15, the sensed vessel pressure P _B in the second pressure sensor 17 and the third pressure sensor _19, the counter pressure P _F, to obtain a chamber pressure P _R, the liquid valve VL ~ No. The opening / closing operation of the two-gas valve VG2 is controlled. Further, the controller 2 controls the opening / closing operations of the liquid valve VL to the second gas valve VG2 based on the setting conditions necessary for the product liquid L produced by the filling device 1A. Furthermore, the controller 2 controls the operation of the pump 42 and the liquid control valve 48 in the liquid supply path 41 so that the liquid level of the product liquid L in the storage tank 3 is at a fixed position. Furthermore, the control unit 2, so that the counter pressure P _F is constant, to control the opening and closing of the gas valve 46 of the gas valve 44 and the gas discharge passage 45 of the gas supply passage 43.

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

[Beverage filling procedure]

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

The filling method according to the first embodiment includes a first filling and a second filling A. In the first filling, the product liquid L is filled by the pressure difference into the container 100 which is closed in a state where the inside of the container 100 is replaced with the atmospheric carbon dioxide gas CG, but the product liquid having a set amount smaller than the target filling amount. Fill L. In the second filling A, the product liquid L is filled into the container 100 so as to compensate for the difference between the target filling amount and the set amount. As shown in FIG. 3, the series of steps starts from an initial state in which all of the liquid valve VL, the first gas valve VG1 and the second gas valve VG2 are closed. In the initial state, the container 100 and the pressure adjustment chamber 6 are, for example, an atmosphere of atmospheric pressure (P _B , P _R = atmospheric pressure) filled with carbon dioxide gas CG.

Meanwhile, inside the reservoir 3, the product liquid L has been added is the counter pressure P _F above atmospheric pressure from the gas phase 3S, pressure differential between the interior of the container 100 and the interior of the reservoir 3 Is formed (FIG. 7 First differential pressure forming step S101).

Hereinafter, each process is demonstrated in order. The gas phase 3S is made of a gas component necessary for maintaining the characteristics of the product liquid L, for example, carbon dioxide.

[First filling (FIGS. 4A, 4B, 7)]

In the first filling, as shown in FIG. 4A, first, the liquid valve VL is opened, and the storage tank 3 and the container 100 are communicated. The storage tank 3 whereas a lower pressure environment counter pressure P _F is applied above atmospheric, vessel pressure P _B is the atmospheric pressure. Thus, the product liquid L starts to be filled at high speed in a container 100 from reservoir 3 at a flow rate and a flow rate corresponding to the pressure difference between the counter pressure P _F and vessel pressure P _{B (atmospheric} pressure) (Fig. 7 first filling step S103) . As the filling progresses, the container pressure P _B rises. If a set pressure is provided for the container pressure P _B , the container 100 is filled with the product liquid L by a set amount corresponding to the set pressure.

Here, during the first filling, the pressure of the first gas outlet passage 11 is continuously detected by the first pressure sensor 15. The pressure detected by the first pressure sensor 15 is the container pressure P _B in the head space 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 and the filling of the product liquid L is stopped as shown in FIG. Thus, the first filling is completed, and a set amount of product liquid is filled. During the first filling, the carbon dioxide gas CG contained in the container 100 is charged while being confined in the container 100, so that the container pressure P _B increases. In this case, the maximum limit set pressure P1 is a pressure counter pressure P _F and the container 100 that is added to the storage tank 3 is balanced. Therefore it is possible to a maximum pressure set pressure P1 and the counter pressure P _F. Here, at the end of the first filling, vessel pressure P _B for to rise to a high counter pressure P _F than atmospheric pressure, chamber pressure P _R of the pressure adjusting chamber 6 remains at atmospheric pressure.

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

Here, the first loading to Q ₁ to the container 100 in the first filling is obtained by the following equation (1). Incidentally, the first charge Q ₁ is assumes that the vessel pressure P _B becomes in equilibrium with the counter pressure P _F of the reservoir 3. Further, the volume V _H of the head space 105 of the container 100 after being filled with the product liquid L by the first filling amount Q ₁ is obtained by the following equation (2). Pressure adjusting chamber 6 of the auxiliary chamber vessel 5 as an example is made as the target filling amount Q and the first loading to Q ₁ difference and its volume V _R match. Equations (1) and (2) are based on Boyle's law, and the same applies to equations (3) to (7) described later. Further, the difference between the desired charge amount Q and the first charge Q ₁ is consistent with the second loading Q ₂ in the second charging step.

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

Head space volume V _H1 = P _B / P _F × V _B Formula (2)

P _B : Pressure of container 100

V _B : Volume of the container 100

V _H1 : Volume of the head space 105 after the first filling

P _F : Gas phase 3S pressure (constant)

For example, the counter pressure _{P F} 5 atmospheres in the gas phase 3S (positive pressure), the 1 atm vessel pressure _{P B} (atmospheric pressure). Then, the first filling amount Q ₁ and the head space volume V _H1 are as follows, and the product liquid L is filled by an amount corresponding to 4/5 of the volume V _B of the container 100 in the first filling, so that the remaining An amount corresponding to Q-4 / 5 × V _B of the second filling A needs to be filled. An amount corresponding to the remaining Q-4/5 × V _B is, corresponds to the second charge Q ₂ is a differential needed to target filling amount, which is scheduled to the container 100.

First filling amount Q ₁ = 4/5 · V _B

Head space volume V _H1 = 1/5 · V _B

Here, in the first filling process, the container pressure P _B needs to be less than the pressure resistance of the container 100. The same applies to the second filling A to the second filling D and the one-stage filling of the second embodiment.

When the pressure resistance of the container 100 is P _P and the container pressure P _B after the first filling with the product liquid L is to satisfy the following formula (3). Counter pressure _{P F} is 5 atmospheres in the gas phase 3S (positive pressure), the initial vessel pressure _{P B} of the container 100 is 1 atm (atmospheric pressure), the vessel pressure after completion of the first filling a container 100 _{P B} is is a 5 atm as the counter pressure P _F and equilibrium. Therefore, the pressure resistance P _P of the container 100 required for this first filling is 5 atmospheres.

P _P > P _B = V _B / (V _B -Q ₁ ) (3)

[Second filling A (FIGS. 5A, 5B, 7)]

After the first filling, the second filling A is performed. The second filling A performs only the filling of the product liquid L amount of the difference between the desired charge amount Q and the first charge Q _1.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the second filling A opens the first gas valve VG1. The first gas valve VG1 and the liquid valve VL may be opened simultaneously, or the first gas valve VG1 may be opened in advance.

When opening the first gas valve VG1, the pressure adjusting chamber 6 of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 and the head space 105 of the container 100 are communicated with each other, vessel pressure P _B in the head space 105 is higher than the chamber pressure P _R of the pressure adjusting chamber 6 . Accordingly, a part of the carbon dioxide gas CG filling the head space 105 is discharged to the pressure adjustment chamber 6 of the auxiliary chamber 5. Thus, vessel pressure P _B becomes lower than the counter pressure P _F of the gas phase 3S of reservoir 3, the pressure difference in the vessel pressure P _B and the counter pressure P _F is (Second differential pressure) occurs (FIG. 7 No. Two differential pressure forming step S105).

The pressure adjustment 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 pressure adjustment chamber 6. That is, the pressure adjusting chamber 6 constitutes an auxiliary chamber that functions as a part of the container 100 from the viewpoint of forming the second differential pressure.

If the liquid valve VL is opened in a state where this pressure difference is generated, the product liquid L is filled from the storage tank 3 into the container 100 at a flow rate and a flow rate corresponding to the pressure difference (FIG. 7, second filling step S107). . 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 equation (4). Further, the head space volume V _H2 of the head space 105 of the container 100 after being filled with the product liquid L satisfying 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 ) (4)

Head space volume V _H2 = P _B / P _F × (V _B + V _R ) −V _R Formula (5)

Comparison of formula (4) and equation (1), equation (5) and from the comparison of equations (2), in a second filling A, products from an amount corresponding reservoir 3 of the volume V _R of the pressure adjusting chamber 6 in the container 100 It can be seen that the liquid L is filled. In other words, the amount to be filled, i.e. the volume V _R of Hoshitsu tank 5 so as to match the second charge Q ₂ is a difference between the target filling amount Q and the first loading Q ₁ is defined in the second filling A It is done.

Also in the second filling A, the pressure of the first gas discharge path 11 is continuously detected by the first pressure sensor 15. 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. 5B. This completes the second filling A, and the container 100 is filled with the product liquid L that satisfies the target filling amount Q. The set pressure P1 is a pressure necessary to fill the difference.

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

For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the auxiliary chamber tank 5 may be 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 the auxiliary chamber 5 is referred to as a second filling B.

When the second charge Q ₂ is large in the second filling B, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), to increase the volume V _A which is formed by the piston 5A and the cylinder 5B by retracting the piston 5A. When a small filling amount Q ₂ of the second filling B as shown in FIG. 6 (b), to reduce the volume V _A which is formed by the piston 5A and the cylinder 5B by advancing the piston 5A. Thus, the volume of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 can be arbitrarily changed by changing the relative position of the piston 5A with respect to the cylinder 5B.

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 used depending on the type of the container 100 is used. The tank 5 can also be replaced. However, the use of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 having a variable internal volume is much less burdensome than the replacement of the auxiliary chamber tank 5.

[Effect of the first function]

The effect which concerns regarding the 1st function of 1st Embodiment demonstrated above is demonstrated.

In the first embodiment, when the first filling and the second filling A of the product liquid L are started, the container pressure P _B is atmospheric pressure. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, even if a flexible container 100 made of resin is used as a filling target, the shape of the container 100 can be maintained without being crushed.

Moreover, the first embodiment, the first packing and second packing A product solution L, when starting the B, the counter pressure P _F of the storage tank 3 is set higher than the vessel pressure P _B. Therefore, according to 1st Embodiment, since the product liquid L is sent out to the container 100 using this pressure difference, the product liquid L can be filled into the container 100 at high speed.

Furthermore, since the first embodiment performs the two-stage filling including the first filling and the second filling A and B, the product liquid L in an amount satisfying the target filling amount Q can be reliably filled into the container 100.

Furthermore, immediately after the container 100 is filled in the first filling and the second filling A and B of the first embodiment, the pressure is instantaneously released, so that the carbon dioxide gas CG appears as bubbles. However, the foam from the vessel pressure P _B at the completion of filling, in addition to a fine is a counter pressure P _F, the foam disappears then redissolved immediately in the product solution. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, after passing through the first filling and the second filling A and B, the operation of mounting the sealing material 103 on the container 100 can be started quickly. This is realized as a second function of the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the interior of the container 100 is replaced with a predetermined concentration of carbon dioxide gas CG prior to the first filling. Thereby, 1st Embodiment can keep the density | concentration of the carbon dioxide gas contained in the product liquid L at a predetermined value, avoiding that oxygen mixes into the product liquid L.

[Second function]

Hereinafter, the second function according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIG. 8, the filling apparatus 1 </ b> A includes a sealed chamber 20 having a sealed chamber 21 that is kept airtight with respect to 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 connected to the sealed chamber 20. By controlling the supply of the gas component from the gas supply path 28 and the discharge of the gas component from the gas discharge path 29, during the filling step, the gas component in the sealed chamber 20 is substantially equal to the container pressure P _B. Pressurized and held at pressure.

8 and 9, the gas supply path 28 and the gas discharge path 29 are open if the valve is white, and are closed if the valve is black.

Further, the liquid supply path 7 and the first gas discharge path 11 are connected to the sealed chamber 20 so as to be able to advance and retreat in synchronization. The liquid supply path 7 and the first gas outlet path 11 are incorporated in a double-pipe structure 22 in which the liquid supply path 7 is provided on the inner side and the first gas outlet path 11 is provided on the outer side. The double-pipe structure 22 reciprocates between a standby position shown in FIG. 9 (d) and an operating position shown in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c). A nozzle 25 is provided at the tip of the double tube structure 22. When filling the product liquid L, the nozzle 25 is pressed against the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 as shown in FIGS. 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 movable up and down between a standby position indicated by a solid line and an operation position indicated by an imaginary line in FIG.

In the first filling and the second filling, when the liquid valve VL is opened, 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.

Further, in the second filling, when the first gas valve VG 1 is opened, the carbon dioxide gas CG in the head space 105 of the container 100 goes to the auxiliary chamber 5 through the first gas discharge path 11.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the sealed chamber 20 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. 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. Even when the sealing material 103 is attached to the mouth portion 101 of the container 100, the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 is held by the container holding opening 27.

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

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, a sealing head 30 as a sealing machine is provided in the sealed chamber 20 so as to be movable up and down.

The sealing head 330 moves up and down between the standby position (FIGS. 8 and 9A) and the operation position (FIG. 9D) while holding the sealing material 103 at the tip (lower end in the drawing). The sealing head 30 moves from the operating position to the standby position after a new sealing material 103 is replenished and held after the sealing material 103 is attached to the mouth portion 101.

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

[Preparation before filling]

First, as shown in FIG. 9A, the container 100 is aligned below the container holding opening 27. The double pipe structure 22 moves to the operating position, but the nozzle 25 remains in the standby position.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9B, the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 is inserted into the container holding opening 27 and held inside the container holding opening 27. Further, the nozzle 25 moves forward and descends to the mouth portion 101 of the container 100. Then, the sealed chamber 21 and the container 100 are hermetically sealed with respect to the outside. Thereafter, carbon dioxide 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. The pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the sealed chamber replaced at this time is supplied so as to coincide with the counter pressure P _F (container pressure P _B ) added to the storage tank 3.

The carbon dioxide gas 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 not shown, the container 100 is supported by the mouth portion 101 by a gripper called a gripper, and by applying a load toward the sealed chamber 20 to the gripper, the mouth portion 101 is hermetically sealed to the sealed chamber 20. Can be pressed.

[First filling and second filling A]

As shown in FIG. 9C, in the first filling and the second filling A, the mouth 101 of the container 100 is kept held in the container holding opening 27, and the nozzle 25 is moved to the operating position. Done on the move. The sealing head 30 is placed at the standby position.

The liquid valve VL is opened in accordance with the first filling procedure described above. Then, the product liquid L is filled into the container 100 by the filling amount Q ₁ through the liquid supply path 7. Thereafter, when the first gas valve VG1 is opened, the carbon dioxide gas CG filling the head space 105 of the container 100 is discharged toward the auxiliary chamber tank 5 through the first gas discharge path 11.

When the first filling is finished, the second filling A is performed after the second differential pressure is formed by the above-described procedure.

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

[Enclosure]

When the second filling A is finished, as shown in FIG. 9D, after the double pipe structure 22 and the nozzle 25 are retracted to the standby position, the sealing head 30 is advanced to the operating position. By operating the sealing head 30, the cap 103 is attached to the mouth portion 101 (FIG. 7, capping step S109). Until the sealing material 103 is attached, the mouth portion 101 of the container 100 is held in the container holding opening 27. Thereby, the sealing material 103 can be mounted while maintaining the container pressure P _B.

After the sealing material 103 is mounted, the sealing head 30 moves back to the standby position. Further, the container 100 on which the sealing material 103 is mounted is separated from the container holding opening 27 and is conveyed toward a further downstream process. 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 replenished to the waiting sealing head 30. The sealing head 30 supplemented with the sealing material 103 moves backward to the standby position for the next filling operation.

[Effect of the second function]

The effect which concerns regarding the 2nd function of 1st Embodiment demonstrated above is demonstrated.

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 the movement of 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 manufactured in a short time in combination with the filling performed at high speed.

[Modification of First Embodiment]

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

First, the first embodiment employs a volume control system in which the volume of the pressure regulation chamber 6 is matched to the differential filling amount in the second filling A, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the differential filling amount in the second filling A. Other methods that can be filled can be adopted. As an example, there is a pressure control system 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, but the volume of the pressure regulating chamber 6 is set in advance to the amount filled in the container 100 in the second filling. There is no need to specify.

Hereinafter, the second filling C and the second filling D will be described in this order with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. It is to be noted that the first filling is carried out by the same procedure as the second filling A, also, the vessel pressure P _B and the auxiliary chamber pressure P _R before the gas replacement is started and the atmospheric pressure.

[Second filling C]

As shown in FIG. 10A, the second filling C first opens the first gas valve VG1. Then, since the carbon dioxide gas CG filled in the head space 105 of the container 100 is led out to the auxiliary chamber tank 5, a pressure difference is generated between the head space 105 and the gas phase 3S. When opening the first gas valve VG1, vessel pressure P _B and chamber pressure P _R is the mean pressure by the sum of the vessel head space and Hoshitsu capacity. As a result, the counter pressure P _F and the pressure differential is formed. Incidentally, the third pressure sensor 19 is continuously detected a chamber pressure P _R of the pressure adjusting chamber 6.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10B, the liquid valve VL is opened. Then, the product liquid L is filled into the container 100 from the storage tank 3, but the carbon dioxide gas CG that fills the head space 105 of the container 100 gradually increases as the filling amount increases and the entrance line rises. It leads to the tank 5. Thus, chamber pressure P _R of the pressure adjusting chamber 6 is raised.

The control unit 2 is compared to a predetermined set pressure P _{B 'together} with the first pressure sensor 15 or the third pressure sensor 19 acquires the room pressure P _R which has detected. The control unit 2, if chamber pressure P _R is increased to the set pressure P _{B ',} recognized as the filling of product liquid L deficient in the first filling has been finished, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), The first gas valve VG1 is closed first, and then the liquid valve VL is closed. Thus, 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 the product liquid L filled in the second filling C is specified by the following formulas (6) and (7).

Second filling amount Q ₂ = V _H1 × (1−P _R / PB _B ′) + V _R × (1−P _R / PB _B ′) Formula (6)

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

[Second filling D]

In the second filling D, first, the first gas valve VG1 is opened as shown in FIG. 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. Third pressure sensor 19 detects continuously the chamber pressure P _R of the pressure adjusting chamber 6. The steps so far are the same as those of the second filling C.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11B, the second gas valve VG2 is opened while the first gas valve VG1 is kept open. Then, since the carbon dioxide gas CG meet the auxiliary chamber tank 5 is derived out of the system through the second gas outlet passage 13, the chamber pressure P _R decreases. Note that the second gas valve VG2 does not open all of the flow paths but partially opens so that a small amount of carbon dioxide gas CG is derived. After the carbon dioxide gas CG is derived at a constant flow rate through the restriction, the head space 105 of the container 100 and the indoor pressure Pr of the auxiliary chamber tank 5 are kept constant until the difference from the target amount is filled. The liquid valve VL and the second gas valve GV2 are closed.

It remains open and the second gas valve VG2, the control unit 2 is compared to a predetermined set pressure P _{B 'together} with the third pressure sensor 19 acquires the room pressure P _R which has detected. The control unit 2, if chamber pressure P _R is reduced to the set pressure P _{B ',} as shown in FIG. 11 (c), first, closing the second gas valve VG2. Thus, a pressure difference can be provided between the gas phase 3 </ b> S of the storage tank 3 and the head space 105 of the container 100.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11C, the liquid valve VL is opened. Thus, 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 the second filling C except that the carbon dioxide gas CG discharged outside the system is taken into account.

As described above, the second filling C and the second filling D make up for the difference filling amount based on the pressure detected in the pressure regulating chamber 6, so it is necessary to specify the volume of the pressure regulating chamber 6 in advance. Absent. However, the pressure regulation chamber 6 needs to have a volume exceeding the difference filling amount.

[Second Embodiment]

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

The second embodiment relates to one-stage filling in which filling is performed in an amount that satisfies the target filling amount Q by a single filling cycle. In the first-stage filling, the container 100 is filled with the target filling amount of the product liquid L by forming the pressure difference once and filling the product liquid L. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, description will be made centering on differences from the first embodiment.

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

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

The filling device 1 </ b> B positively gives a function as a part of the volume of the container 100 to the void inside the third gas discharge path 14 connecting the container 100 and the third gas valve VG <b> 3. That is, in FIG. 12, closing the third gas valve VG3, than the container 100 of the third gas valve VG3 side, i.e. the interior of the third gas discharge passage 14 on the downstream side of the container 100 an auxiliary chamber volume V _B3 It becomes a void having. As will be described below, this gap corresponds to the first auxiliary chamber volume in the present invention.

Here, if the volume of the container 100 is set to V _B1 , the total volume of both when communicating is V _B1 + V _B3 (= V _B ), and the volume of the container 100 is apparently increased. Accordingly, the following formula (1a), by comparing, as shown in (1b), if not provided with the Hoshitsu volume _{V B3} to the case (equation (1b)) comprising an auxiliary chamber volume _{V B3} (formula (1a)) In this case, the filling amount of the product liquid L by the former increases by the auxiliary chamber volume V _B3 .
Filling amount Q1 = (1−P _B / P _F ) × V _B1 Formula (1a)
Filling amount Q1 = (1−P _B / P _F ) × (V _B1 + V _B3 ) (1b)

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

[Differential pressure forming step]
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), by closing the liquid valve VL, the filling device 1B is greater than the counter pressure P _F is vessel pressure P _B during the storage tank 3 and the container 100 Create a pressure differential. It counter pressure P _F and vessel pressure P _B is a positive pressure above both atmospheric pressure is the same as the first embodiment. The inside of the container 100 is filled with, for example, carbon dioxide gas CG at atmospheric pressure. Through this differential pressure forming step and the next filling step, the third gas valve VG3 is closed.

[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 is filled into the container 100 through the liquid supply path 7. In this filling, the product liquid L is filled by a pressure difference while the portion other than the connection portion with the container 100 liquid supply path 7 is sealed and the carbon dioxide gas CG is confined without escaping outside the container 100.

In the filling step, vessel pressure P _B in the head space 105 of the container 100 to the counter pressure P _F which is added to the storage tank 3 is continued filling until the equilibrium.

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 ) (1c)

The counter pressure P _F and vessel pressure P _B, respectively 5 atm similarly to the first embodiment (positive pressure), and 1 atm (atmospheric pressure). Further, the volume V _{B1 of the} container 100 is set to 520 ml, and the target filling amount Q is set to 500 ml.
Substituting these into equation (1c) and solving for V _B3 is as follows. That is, if the auxiliary chamber volume V _B3 of 105 (ml) or more is secured, the target filling amount Q of 500 ml can be filled into the container 100 having the volume V _B1 of 520 ml. This is case 1.
Target filling amount Q = 500 = (1-1 / 5) × (520 + V _B3 )
V _B2 = (500-416) × 4/5 = 105 (ml)

[Modification of Second Embodiment]
Moreover, 1st Embodiment demonstrated 1 A of filling apparatuses which perform two-stage filling, and 2nd Embodiment demonstrated filling apparatus 1B which performs one-stage filling. However, the filling device 1A can be used as a filling device for both single-stage filling and two-stage filling.

Here, whether or not the target filling amount can be filled by one-stage filling largely depends on the volume of the container 100 and the target filling flow rate. Therefore, a case 2 in which two-stage filling is required is shown with respect to the above-described case 1 which is an example in which the target filling amount can be filled in one stage filling. In case 2, the auxiliary chamber volume V _B3 is the same as that in case 1 (105 ml).

For Case 1 and Case 2, the pressure and filling amount in the container after filling with the product liquid L was determined based on the differential pressure. The results are as follows. If Case 1 has a small volume of 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 by one-stage filling. Furthermore, assuming that the filling so as to satisfy the target filling amount Q in one stage filling, vessel pressure P _B after filling may exceed the pressure resistance P _P of the container 100. Therefore, for the case 2, it is necessary to adopt multi-stage filling, for example, two-stage filling.

Case 1:
Container volume V _B1 : 520 ml Auxiliary chamber volume V _B3 : 105 ml Target filling amount Q: 500 ml
Counter pressure P _F = Pressure of container before filling at 5 atmospheres P _B = 1 atmosphere Pressure resistance of container P _P = Pressure of container after filling at 7 atmospheres P _B = (V _B1 + V _B3 ) / (V _B1 + V _B3 −Q )
= 625 / (625-500) = 5 atm Filling amount Q1 = (1-P _B / P _F ) × (V _B1 + V _B3 ) = 4/5 × 625 = 500 ml

Case 2:
Container volume V _B1 : 1040 ml Auxiliary chamber volume V _B3 : 105 ml Target filling amount Q: 1000 ml
Counter pressure P _F = Pressure of container before filling at 5 atmospheres P _B = 1 atmosphere Pressure resistance of container P _P = Pressure of container after filling at 7 atmospheres P _B = (V _B1 + V _B3 ) / (V _B1 + V _B3 −Q )
= 1145 / (1145-1000) = 7.9 atmospheres Filling amount Q1 = (1-P _B / P _F ) × (V _B1 + V _B3 ) = 4/5 × 1145 = 916 ml

専 用 A dedicated filling device that performs single-stage filling and a dedicated filling device that performs multiple-stage filling can also be prepared. However, in this case, when a filling device dedicated to single-stage filling is used, the filling device dedicated to multiple-stage filling may become empty. Therefore, it is preferable for a beverage manufacturer to have a filling device that can perform both single-stage filling and multiple-stage filling. If a necessary configuration is added to the filling device 1A shown in the first embodiment, single-stage filling and multi-stage filling can be realized individually.

The controller 2 (FIG. 2) mainly has a configuration that needs to be added.
The controller 2 specifies the type of container to be produced. This type has the concept of including volume.
As an example, every time the container is switched for production, the controller 2 prompts the operator of the filling apparatus 1A to input the container type. The controller 2 specifies the type of container by receiving input from the operator 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 this production plan includes the type of container, the controller 2 can specify the type of container 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 includes container-filling stage number information in which the type of container and the number of filling stages are associated with each other. When the controller 2 specifies the type of container at the start of production, the controller 2 selects either one-stage filling or two-stage filling with reference to this container-filling stage number information. Although only two-stage filling will be described here, filling with a larger number of stages such as three or four stages may be 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 single-stage filling or the two-stage filling can be realized when the single-stage filling or the two-stage filling is selected. 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.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, an example of a carbonated beverage has been described as the product liquid. However, the present invention can also be applied to beverages that do not contain carbonic acid and other product liquids.
Further, since the gas replacement described above is intended for a carbonated beverage, carbon dioxide is used. However, the gas replacement gas in the present invention is not limited to the carbon dioxide gas, and can be replaced with a gas component necessary for maintaining the characteristics of the product liquid filled in the container, for example, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas.
Further, the container 100 described in the present embodiment is made of resin, but in the present invention, the object of filling is not limited to the resin container, but is applicable to other flexible containers, for example, metal can containers. it can. In addition, the present invention does not exclude, for example, glass bottles that are not flexible from being filled.

Furthermore, the one-stage filling is not limited to the method of the second embodiment. For example, the condition that the pressure difference between the inside of the container 100 and the gas phase 3S of 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 satisfied. In this case, one-stage filling may be realized.
One-stage filling can also be realized by positively providing the liquid supply path 7 connecting the storage tank 3 and the container 100 as a part of the volume of the container 100. That is, in FIG. 12, when the liquid valve VL is closed, the product liquid L is filled between the storage tank 3 and the liquid valve VL, but the inside of the container 100 side of the liquid valve VL has a volume V _B2. Make. This gap corresponds to the second auxiliary chamber volume of the present invention provided between the liquid valve VL and the container 100. In the first and second embodiments described above, the auxiliary chamber volume V _B2 is assumed to be 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 adjusting chamber 5A Piston 5B Cylinder 7 Liquid supply path 11 First gas outlet path 13 Second gas outlet path 14 Third gas outlet 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 passage 29 Gas discharge passage 30 Sealing material head 40 Supply Exhaust mechanism 41 Liquid supply path 43 Gas supply path 44, 46 Gas valve 45 Gas discharge 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 (14)

1. 
   A reservoir where the product solution is stored under a counter pressure P _F is added environment,
   
   A liquid supply path for filling the product liquid into the container from the storage tank;
   
   A filling nozzle having a liquid valve for controlling the supply of the product liquid from the liquid supply path by opening and closing;
   
   Vessel pressure P _B of the vessel, a positive pressure above atmospheric pressure, and maintained at said counter pressure P _F lower pressures in the reservoir, between the counter pressure P _F of the reservoir In a state where a pressure difference is formed, the container and the filling nozzle are engaged in a sealed state,
   
   Next, the liquid valve is opened, and the product liquid is filled in the container.
   
   A filling device characterized by that.
   
2. 
   Until said vessel pressure P _B is in equilibrium with the counter pressure P _F, or the counter until a predetermined condition of a pressure below the pressure P _F, the liquid valve is closed and the product liquid is filled,
   
   The filling device according to claim 1.
   
3. 
   An auxiliary chamber that communicates with the container and supplements the volume of the container;
   
   The filling device according to claim 1.
   
4. 
   The auxiliary room is
   
   The filling device according to claim 3, comprising a supplementary chamber tank provided on a gas lead-out path for leading a gas component to be replaced by filling the product liquid from the container.
   
5. 
   A first gas valve for opening and closing the gas outlet path between the container and the auxiliary chamber tank;
   
   In a state where the liquid valve is opened, the product liquid is filled in the container while the gas component inside the container is sealed without discharging the gas component inside the container to the outside.
   
   When the set amount of the product liquid is filled, the first gas valve is opened, and a part of the gas component is led out to the auxiliary chamber tank through the gas lead-out path.
   
   The filling device according to claim 4.
   
6. 
   Until said vessel pressure P _B is in equilibrium with the counter pressure P _F, or the product fluid to said vessel pressure P _B reaches a set pressure is filled into the container,
   
   Then, the pressure P _R of the auxiliary chamber vessel and the vessel pressure P _B is until equilibrium, the gas component is led to the auxiliary chamber tank,
   
   The filling device according to claim 4 or 5.
   
7. 
   Said that the gas components are guided to the auxiliary chamber vessel, the vessel pressure P _B is the pressure differential lower than the counter pressure P _F is formed,
   
   Next, in a state where the liquid valve is opened, the container is filled with an amount of the product liquid corresponding to a difference from a target filling amount.
   
   The filling device according to claim 6.
   
8. 
   The auxiliary chamber tank has a volume corresponding to the difference,
   
   The filling device according to claim 7.
   
9. 
   The auxiliary chamber tank has a structure whose internal volume is variable,
   
   The filling device according to any one of claims 4 to 8.
   
10. 
    The auxiliary room is
    
    A first auxiliary chamber volume consisting of a gap inside the gas outlet path for leading the gas component discharged from the container, and a second auxiliary chamber consisting of a gap inside the liquid supply path between the liquid valve and the container. One or both of the chamber volumes,
    
    The filling device according to claim 3.
    
11. 
    In a state where the liquid valve is closed, and the first auxiliary chamber volume or the second auxiliary chamber volume and the interior of the container and the vessel pressure P _B in a space is formed in communication with the counter pressure P _F The pressure difference is formed between,
    
    The filling device according to claim 10.
    
12. 
    The first auxiliary chamber volume or the second auxiliary chamber volume has a volume sufficient to fill the product liquid that satisfies a target filling amount through the formation of the pressure difference once and the filling of the product liquid.
    
    The filling device according to claim 11.
    
13. 
    Until said vessel pressure P _B is in equilibrium with the counter pressure P _F, or the product fluid to said vessel pressure P _B reaches the set pressure is filled into the container,
    
    The filling device according to any one of claims 10 to 12.
    
14. 
    The first auxiliary chamber volume or the second auxiliary chamber volume has a volume corresponding to a difference from a target filling amount,
    
    The filling device according to any one of claims 10 to 13.

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