DE102019103095A1 - Device for treating a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for treating a container (120), preferably for filling a container (120) to be filled with a filling product and for closing the filled container (120) with a container closure (124), comprising a treatment chamber ( 2) for sealingly receiving the container (120) and a closing device (4) movable relative to the treatment chamber (2) for applying a container closure (124) to the container (120), the closing device (4) being set up and designed for this purpose, at least to be able to process two different types of container closures (124).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for treating a container, for example for filling a container to be filled with a filling product and for closing the filled container with a container closure.

State of the art

Filling methods and devices for carrying out a filling method are known in which a container to be filled is sealed with a treatment chamber, a filling valve is connected to the mouth of the container to be filled and the interior of the container to be filled is flushed with a flushing gas to reduce the oxygen content. After the interior of the container has been flushed with the flushing gas, the interior of the container is then filled with the filling product. Before filling, depending on the selected filling method and depending on the filling product to be filled, the container to be filled can also be pre-tensioned or evacuated.

Simultaneously with the filling of the container interior with the filling product, also before or afterwards, the treatment chamber is brought to an overpressure and then the filling valve is removed from the opening of the container already filled with the filling product. Due to the overpressure in the treatment chamber, when the filling valve is removed from the mouth of the container filled with the filling product, overflow, splashing out or foaming over, in particular of a carbonized filling product, is reduced or completely avoided. In this phase, the treatment chamber which is under excess pressure communicates with the interior of the container filled with the filling product.

In a next treatment step, a container closure is then applied to the container in the treatment chamber, which is still under excess pressure, and the container is closed accordingly. The overpressure present in the treatment chamber is then reduced essentially to ambient pressure and the filled and closed container is then removed from the treatment chamber. Such a device and such a method are for example from EP 2 937 310 A2 known.

Container closures for closing filled containers, for example filled beverage containers, can be provided, for example, in the form of crown corks or screw closures or roll-up closures or corks or stoppers. The containers to be closed with these types of container closures are correspondingly adapted to the container closures and in particular have a correspondingly developed mouth area which is designed for closure with the respective type of container closures. However, other types of container closures and thus containers to be closed can also be provided.

In order to switch from the treatment of one type of container to the treatment of another type of container, a conversion process is necessary, in particular to adapt or replace a container closure feed and the closing device for closing the container with a corresponding container closure. This can result in downtimes.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for treating a container, preferably for filling a container to be filled with a filling product and for closing the filled container with a container closure.

The object is achieved by a device for treating a container, preferably for filling a container to be filled with a filling product and for closing the filled container with a container closure, with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments emerge from the subclaims, the description and the attached figures.

Accordingly, a device for treating a container, preferably for filling a container to be filled with a filling product and for closing the filled container with a container closure, is proposed, comprising a treatment chamber for sealingly receiving the container and a closure device movable relative to the treatment chamber for applying a container closure on the container. According to the invention, the closing device is set up and designed to be able to process at least two different types of container closures.

Because the closing device is set up and designed to be able to process at least two different types of container closures, it is possible to be able to process container closures of different types without retrofitting a system having the device. The different types of container closures can either be based on the the same type of container can be applied, or to different types of containers.

As a result, the downtimes required in a device constructed in this way, during which the device is upgraded or converted to process containers and container closures of a different type, can be shorter than with conventional systems, or any otherwise required downtimes can even be completely avoided.

Intervention by an operator to upgrade or convert the device for processing a different type of container closures can also be avoided and thus also possible damage to a clean room in which the device is arranged. This also makes it possible, as it were, to close containers with different types of container closure while the system is in operation, without having to undertake lengthy retrofitting with renewed sterilization of a clean room.

Different types of container closures are understood here to mean different types of container closures, for example crown caps or screw closures or roll-up closures or corks or stoppers. However, different types of container closures can also be differently dimensioned container closures of the same type - for example screw closures of different diameters. The containers to be closed with these types of container closures are correspondingly adapted to the container closures and in particular have a correspondingly developed mouth area which is designed for closure with the respective type of container closures.

Different types of container closures can also have essentially the same dimensions and differ only in their external design. For example, different types of container closures can have an essentially equally dimensioned screw thread for application to a container with complementary threads, the container closures nevertheless having different external dimensions or external structures, which accordingly require different designs and devices of the closure device in order to be able to accommodate the different external dimensions or To be able to grip screw caps provided with external structures and screw them onto the container. In such a design, for example, different types of container closures can be closed with a single type of container. These trainings are of course not limited to screw caps.

It has been shown that the aforementioned advantages are particularly effective if, according to a further preferred embodiment, one of the types of container closures is a crown cork closure and / or one of the types of container closures is a screw closure. It is then possible to process containers that can be closed with a crown cap and / or containers that can be closed with a screw cap in succession without the need for time-consuming conversion with operator intervention.

Alternatively or additionally, one of the types of container closures can be a roll-up closure and / or one of the types of container closures can be a cork or a stopper.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the closure device has an attachment which is designed and designed both for applying a container closure of a first type to a container, preferably a first container type, and for applying a container closure of a second type to a container, preferably a second container type is set up. As a result, the device can process the container closures of both types without further modifications, so that any downtime or changeover times can be reduced to a minimum or even avoided entirely.

The closure device is preferably designed and set up to apply container closures both to a container of a first type and to a container of a second type.

A locking ring for a first type of container closures, for example for crown caps, is preferably arranged in the closing direction (stroke direction axially to the container) of the device behind a retaining ring for container closures of a second type, for example for screw closures. As a result, the container closure of the second type, preferably the screw closure, can be held and applied with the retaining ring. Furthermore, the container closure of the first type, preferably a crown cap, can be held on the closure device by a magnet and closed by the closure ring.

The closure device is preferably set up and designed so that when a container is closed with a closure of the first type, the closure device continues via a container, in particular a bottle neck, can drive than is the case with conventional crown cap closers.

Likewise, the closing device can be designed in such a way that when a container closure is taken over from a transfer unit, a closure ram of the closure device is designed to move out so far that, when taking over the container closure, it moves close enough to the container closure of the first type so that it is removed from the integrated Magnet can be held.

Alternatively or additionally, the retaining ring can be designed in such a way that, on the one hand, it can receive and hold the container closure of the second type and, on the other hand, it can close the container closure of the first type in the manner of a closure ring. A position of the sealing ram can preferably be adapted to the respective container closure.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the closing device has an exchangeable first attachment for applying a first type of container closures to a container, preferably a corresponding first container type, and has an exchangeable second attachment for applying a second type of container closures to a container, preferably a corresponding one second container type. This makes it possible to process container closure types which are geometrically different from one another, in particular very different, alternately by means of the closure device.

In order to be able to provide a reliable change of the attachments, the closing device can be designed and set up to be able to bring the first attachment and the second attachment alternately into a working position, wherein according to a preferred development the closing device is designed and set up to change the first and second essays to be carried out essentially automatically.

More than two different attachments can also be provided in order to be able to process different container closure types.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the first attachment and the second attachment can be movably, preferably pivotably or displaceably, arranged on the closing device, which can result in a simple exchange of the attachments.

Alternatively or additionally, preferably outside the treatment chamber, an attachment magazine can be provided to hold attachments ready, the closing device preferably being movable into an exchange position in which an attachment can be exchanged by interacting with the attachment magazine. As a result, an attachment that is currently not required can be stored in a simple manner without having to provide installation space for this in the area of the working position of the currently used attachment of the locking device.

For exchanging two attachments, a preferably separate actuating unit can optionally be provided, which is preferably set up and designed to be able to automatically exchange two attachments, preferably when the closing device is positioned in a predetermined changing position of the changing position. This is particularly important if the device is arranged in an isolator of an aseptic filling plant.

The closing device can also be set up and designed as an alternative or in addition to this, so that two attachments can be exchanged manually by an operator.

It has been found to be particularly advantageous if the closing device is designed and set up to provide a rotary movement and / or a lifting movement of at least one component of an attachment. As a result, a screw cap can be screwed on and a crown cap can be closed.

A lifting movement of the closing device, preferably a closer ram of the closing device, is preferably provided by means of a lifting curve, with a compensation element for compensating for differently high closing forces in the case of container closures of a first type and a second type on the closing device and / or for providing a required different stroke for Container closures of a first type and a second type are provided.

The compensation element is preferably designed with two different force levels. A first stage provides a different force compared to the second stage, for example a low force if the first stage is intended for processing screw caps and the second stage is intended for processing crown corks.

According to a preferred embodiment, the compensation element is biased in a first stage with a spring, and can for the second stage with a reinforcement unit, which preferably has a pneumatic unit or a hydraulic unit, are biased more strongly compared to the first stage.

The lifting curve can also optionally be equipped with a switchable element, preferably at at least one of the transfer points of the various container closures, in order to be able to selectively approach the respective transfer points or not to be able to selectively approach them.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the closing device has an active lifting unit, which preferably comprises a servo drive, a hydraulic drive and / or a pneumatic drive. As a result, a stroke position of the closing device, in particular the working attachment of the closing device, can be actively controlled / regulated.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the treatment chamber has a receiving opening for receiving the closing device, the receiving opening being sealable by the closing device, the closing device preferably being movable into a treatment position in which an attachment of the closing device is arranged in the interior of the treatment chamber and in a transfer position can be moved in which the attachment is arranged outside the treatment chamber and in which a container closure can be fed to the attachment.

In order to be able to supply a container closure to the closure device, a container closure feed, preferably a feed channel, for feeding in container closures can be provided outside the treatment chamber, whereby preferably a container closure feed is provided for each type of container closures, the closure device preferably for each type of container closure in a separate transfer position can be moved.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a filling element for sealing application to a container sealed with the treatment chamber and for introducing a filling product into the container, and / or a flushing gas channel for introducing a flushing gas into the container to be filled, and / or a tensioning gas channel for introducing a tension gas into the treatment chamber.

The object described above is also achieved by a method for treating a container having the features of claim 11.

Correspondingly, a method for treating a container, preferably for filling a container to be filled with a filling product and for closing the filled container with a container closure, is proposed, comprising the sealing reception of the container in a treatment chamber and the application of a container closure to the filled container by means of a Closing device that is moved relative to the treatment chamber. According to the invention, the closing device automatically processes one of at least two different types of container closures for closing the container.

The advantages and effects already described above for the device are achieved by the method.

The closure device is preferably provided with one of at least two different attachments in order to process the selected type of container closures.

Before closing, the container, which is accommodated in a sealed manner in the treatment chamber, is preferably filled with a filling product.

Figure list

• 1 schematisch ein Füllerkarussell einer Getränkeabfüllanlage mit einem Zuführstern und einem Auslaufstern und mehreren Vorrichtungen zum Befüllen und Verschließen von zu befüllenden Getränkebehältern;
• 2 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen und Verschließen eines Behälters, wobei ein Füllorgan abdichtend auf die in einer Behandlungskammer aufgenommenen Mündung des zu befüllenden Behälters aufgesetzt ist;
• 3 eine schematische Detaildarstellung der in 2 gezeigten Vorrichtung, wobei das Füllorgan zurückgezogen ist und eine Verschließvorrichtung zum Aufbringen eines Behälterverschlusses auf die immer noch in der Behandlungskammer angeordneten Mündung des mit dem Füllprodukt befüllten Behälters abgesenkt ist;
• 4 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der Vorrichtung aus den 2 und 3, wobei sowohl das Füllorgan als auch die Verschließvorrichtung zurückgezogen sind und der mit dem Behälterverschluss versehene Behälter aus der Behandlungskammer entfernt ist;
• 5 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer Vorrichtung, wobei auch ein Aufsatzmagazin zum Tauschen unterschiedlicher Aufsätze für die Verschließvorrichtung zum Verschließen unterschiedlicher Behälter mit unterschiedlichen Typen von Behälterverschlüssen vorgesehen ist;
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Aufsatzmagazins, in welchem unterschiedliche Aufsätze zum Aufbringen unterschiedlicher Typen von Behälterverschlüssen angeordnet sind;
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung des Wechselns unterschiedlicher Aufsätze an dem Verschließerstempel; und
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung der Aufnahme eines alternativen Aufsatzes durch die Verschlie ßvorrichtu ng.

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Show:

• 1 schematically a filler carousel of a beverage filling plant with a feed star and a discharge star and several devices for filling and closing of beverage containers to be filled;
• 2 a schematic sectional view of a device for filling and closing a container, wherein a filling member is sealingly placed on the mouth of the container to be filled, which is received in a treatment chamber;
• 3 a schematic detailed representation of the in 2 shown device, wherein the filling member is withdrawn and a closing device for applying a container closure is lowered to the still arranged in the treatment chamber mouth of the filled container with the filling product;
• 4th a schematic sectional view of the device from FIG 2 and 3 wherein both the filling member and the closing device are withdrawn and the container provided with the container closure is removed from the treatment chamber;
• 5 a schematic sectional view of a device, with an attachment magazine for exchanging different attachments for the closing device for closing different containers with different types of container closures is provided;
• 6 a schematic representation of an attachment magazine, in which different attachments are arranged for applying different types of container closures;
• 7th a schematic representation of the changing of different attachments on the closer die; and
• 8th a schematic representation of the inclusion of an alternative attachment by the closure ßvorrichtu ng.

Detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar or identically acting elements are provided with identical reference symbols in the different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is partially dispensed with in order to avoid redundancies.

In 1 is a schematic of a beverage filling system 100 shown in which a plurality of devices 1 for filling a container to be filled with a filling product and for closing the filled container with a container closure evenly around the circumference of a treatment carousel 101 are arranged around, with in 1 some of the majority of devices 1 are indicated by way of example. The devices 1 run around the axis of rotation accordingly 102 of the treatment carousel 101 in order to correspondingly a continuous processing and in particular a continuous filling and a continuous closing of continuously supplied containers to be filled 120 provide. A stream of filled and closed containers is generated 120 manufactured.

The containers to be filled and closed 120 become the devices 1 at the treatment carousel 101 via an inlet star 103 fed. Here every device 1 if this is the inlet star 103 happens to be a single container 120 passed so this through the device 1 can be filled and sealed.

The filled and closed containers 120 are from the devices 1 to an outlet star 104 to hand over.

In the transport direction of the container 120 seen the inlet star 103 downstream are two container closure feeds 105 , 106 arranged offset to one another. One of the container closure feeds is a crown cap feeder 105 and the other of the container closure feeds is a screw cap feed 106 educated.

The devices 1 are here in the beverage bottling plant as an example 100 provided, wherein a beverage is filled into a beverage bottle to be filled and the beverage bottle is closed with a container closure after being filled with the beverage. However, systems for filling other filling products, for example from the food sector, the pharmaceutical sector, the hygiene sector or the mineral oil sector, are also being considered.

In the 2 to 4th are schematically different sections, detailed representations and states of a device 1 for filling a container 120 with a filling product and for the subsequent closing of the container filled with the filling product 120 with a container closure 124 shown.

The device 1 includes a treatment chamber 2 , a filling organ 3 and a locking device 4th which are described in detail below.

The treatment chamber 2 is used to provide predetermined pressure conditions and / or a predetermined atmosphere for the container to be filled 120 or to provide its interior space when the mouth 122 of the container to be filled 120 in communication with the treatment chamber 2 stands.

The filling organ 3 serves to open the interior of the container to be filled 120 to be filled in a known manner with a predetermined amount of filling product.

The locking device 4th serves to keep the container filled with the filling product 120 finally with a container closure 124 to close.

The treatment chamber 2 the respective device 1 is provided for at least part of the container to be filled 120 take up sealingly. The treatment chamber 2 a container receiving opening at its lower end 20th through which the respective container to be filled 120 with its container mouth 122 advance into the treatment chamber 2 can be inserted.

By inserting the container to be filled 120 with its container mouth 122 into the treatment chamber 2 becomes the container receiving opening 20th - for example by means of a switchable seal 60 - Closed gas-tight against the environment, so that the container receiving opening 20th the treatment chamber 2 with the container inserted 120 is sealed gas-tight from the environment.

The container 120 is thus sealing with the treatment chamber 2 recorded. In an alternative embodiment, not only part of the container 120 - as in the embodiment shown, the mouth area - but the entire container 120 in the treatment chamber 2 be included.

The treatment chamber 2 furthermore has a receiving opening at its upper end 22nd on. Through the receiving opening 22nd the closing device can pass through it 4th or an essay 40 the closing device 4th on the container mouth 122 a then filled container 120 act to seal a container 124 to muster. By lowering the locking device 4th and a closer flange 42 the closing device 4th can the receiving opening 22nd be sealed gas-tight from the environment.

This is done by inserting the container 120 into the container receiving opening 20th and by lowering the locking device 4th on the receiving opening 22nd the interior of the treatment chamber 2 sealed gas-tight from the environment. Inside the treatment chamber 2 a pressure that differs from the surroundings can accordingly be applied and / or it can be in the treatment chamber 2 an atmosphere or gas mixture or a gas that differs from the ambient atmosphere can be provided.

In the treatment chamber 2 For example, by introducing an overpressure, a pressure that differs from the environment can be provided in the treatment chamber 2 and thus then also in the interior of the gas-tight with respect to the environment with the treatment chamber 2 closed container to be filled 120 is reached when the container mouth 122 unsealed in the treatment chamber 2 protrudes and correspondingly the container interior with the treatment chamber 2 is in communication.

By loading the treatment chamber 2 with a gas or a gas mixture such as, for example, by introducing CO ₂ or another inert gas via one with the treatment chamber 2 clamping gas duct in communication 84 can in the treatment chamber 2 an atmosphere different from the surroundings can be provided.

In the treatment chamber 2 is a filling product outlet 30th of the filling organ 3 provided, by means of which the filling product to be filled into the interior of the container to be filled 120 can be filled. The filling organ 3 has a filling product outlet 30th surrounding filling product outlet seal 300 on to which the mouth 122 of the container 120 can be pressed and by means of which a sealing connection between the container interior and the filling member 3 can be produced.

In the interior of the gas-tight to the environment with the treatment chamber 2 closed container to be filled 120 becomes essentially the same pressure and atmosphere as in the treatment chamber 2 provided when the container mouth 122 open in the treatment chamber 2 flows out.

Is the container mouth 122 of the container to be filled 120 in contrast to the treatment chamber 2 sealed gas-tight, for example in that the container mouth 122 with the filling organ 3 is sealed, the one in the treatment chamber 2 present pressure and that in the treatment chamber 2 The present atmosphere does not affect the interior of the container 120 present pressure or the gas composition present in this.

The filling organ 3 and thus also the filling product outlet 30th can be moved in the embodiment shown in the direction of the arrow F shown, which indicates the direction of movement of the filling element, such that the filling product outlet 30th either in a treatment position above the container receiving opening 20th is arranged that a container to be filled 120 through its container mouth 122 through with the through the filling product outlet 30th outflowing filling product can be acted upon, or the filling element 3 and the filling product outlet 30th are moved into a retracted parking position such that the locking device 4th in a manner described below, a container closure on the then filled container 120 can muster.

The locking device 4th exhibits an essay 40 by means of which the actual container closure is still in the treatment chamber 2 picked up, filled, but not yet closed container 120 can be applied. In the embodiment shown, the attachment 40 trained on the to sealing container 120 to apply a crown cap.

The essay 40 However, depending on requirements and depending on the required container closure, in addition or alternatively, in addition to the design as a crown cap closer, also as a screw closure for applying a screw closure provided as a molded part, as a roll-on or roll-on closure for rolling or rolling a container closure sleeve onto an external thread of a filled container, as an attachment for Application of stoppers, corks or in any other way to close the filled container 120 be trained.

As soon as the gas-tight seal between the filling product outlet 30th and the container 120 is established, a rinsing of the container can 120 with one via a purge gas channel 80 supplied purge gas, for example CO ₂ , take place. A vacuum channel can also be preferred 88 be provided by means of which the container 120 is applied with a negative pressure. In this way a flow of purge gas can flow through the container 120 paint and in this way the remaining oxygen in the container 120 displace. Or efficient purging of the container can be achieved by alternately applying negative pressure and purging gas 120 can be achieved.

In the purge gas channel 80 the absolute pressure is preferably from 0.5 bar to 4 bar. The one in the container 120 existing pressure must be activated accordingly by switching the vacuum channel 88 be kept at a pressure below that in the purge gas channel 80 applied pressure when the flushing gas flows into the container 120 should be made possible.

A controller (not shown) is used to control a purge gas valve 82 and a vacuum valve 89 so to switch that the container 120 is purged in the manner described above with the purge gas and accordingly a predetermined purge gas concentration in the container 120 is achieved. In this way, for example, a low-oxygen atmosphere can be created in the container 120 can be achieved.

The filling product can then be placed in the then rinsed container 120 be introduced. Before the filling product is introduced, in preferred embodiments in the container 120 either a negative pressure can be provided into which the filling product, which is then under positive pressure relative thereto, is introduced, or the container 120 is pretensioned to a pressure above the saturation pressure of the filling product with a tensioning gas and the filling product is placed in the pretensioned container 120 brought in.

Furthermore, if the treatment chamber 2 opposite the container 120 by pressing on the filling element 3 is sealed pressure-tight, via a tensioning gas line 84 the treatment chamber 2 pre-tensioned with a tension gas. The controller controls this loading of the treatment chamber 2 with the tensioning gas by switching a tensioning gas valve 86 .

In order to efficiently achieve both the purging effect of the purging gas and the pretensioning effect of the tensioning gas, the purging gas channel is in place 80 preferably under an absolute pressure of 0.5 bar to 4 bar, preferably an absolute pressure of 1.4 bar to 1.9 bar, and the tensioning gas channel 84 under an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 11 bar, preferably an absolute pressure of 5 bar to 9 bar.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the flushing gas channel is located 80 under an absolute pressure of around 1.7 bar and the tensioning gas channel 84 is under an absolute pressure of about 7 bar.

In order to efficiently achieve both the purging effect of the purging gas and the pretensioning effect of the tensioning gas, the tensioning gas channel is still available 84 under a higher pressure than the purge gas channel 80 .

Is in the treatment room 2 the desired preload pressure is reached and the container 120 filled with the filling product, the filling element 3 from the mouth 122 of the container 120 be lifted off. The interior of the container 120 as well as the filling product present therein is characterized in that the treatment chamber 2 then in communication with the container 120 with the preload pressure of the treatment chamber 2 applied. In this way, the foaming over of the filling product due to the release of the gas bound in the filling product - for example CO ₂ - can be reduced or avoided when the filling element 3 is lifted.

The following is the filling element 3 withdrawn in the direction of movement of the filling member F and the closing device 4th - as in 3 shown schematically - lowered in a treatment position to a closure on the mouth 122 of the then filled container 120 to muster. The container 120 or the container interior is in communication with the container treatment chamber all the time 2 , which in turn is under the preload pressure.

After closing the container 120 becomes the treatment chamber 2 relieved to a lower pressure, in that the purge gas channel 80 by means of the purge gas valve 82 is opened. Because the purge gas channel 80 is at a low pressure, for example in a preferred embodiment at an absolute pressure of 1.7 bar, this flows in the treatment chamber 2 under a high pressure, for example in this embodiment at an absolute pressure of 7 bar, gas present in the purge gas channel 80 back when the purge gas valve 82 is opened. Correspondingly - depending on the pressure conditions - at least part of the in the treatment chamber 2 existing tension gas in the purge gas channel 80 flow back.

In the embodiment shown, the treatment chamber is standing 2 even with the filling element withdrawn 3 in communication with this and in particular via the filling product outlet 30th also with the purge gas channel 80 and the vacuum channel 88 .

As a complete relief of the treatment chamber under certain pressure conditions 2 to ambient pressure in the purge gas channel 80 can not take place in, a complete relief of the pressure in the treatment chamber 2 to ambient pressure, for example by connecting the treatment chamber 2 with the vacuum channel 88 can be achieved.

In an alternative or in addition, the treatment chamber can be relieved 2 to ambient pressure also or additionally via a relief channel 800 that is in communication with the environment.

In a further alternative or in addition to one or both of the above options for relieving the treatment chamber 2 can then relieve the preload pressure in the treatment chamber 2 into the purge gas channel 80 the one in the treatment chamber 2 remaining preload pressure by withdrawing the filling element 3 and / or the closing device 4th from the treatment chamber 2 be further relieved, preferably to ambient pressure.

After relieving the treatment chamber 2 into the purge gas channel 80 the purge gas valve 82 closed again and then the essay 40 from the treatment chamber 2 moved out. The resulting increase in volume of the free volume in the treatment chamber 2 also has the effect of relieving the load in the treatment chamber 2 preload pressure still present. This retraction can be carried out until the pressure is released to ambient pressure. The filled and closed container can then be removed from the treatment chamber 2 can be removed.

The respective processes are activated via the control, which in turn switches the respective valves, for example the tensioning gas valve 86 and / or the purge gas valve 82 and / or the vacuum valve 89 and / or the relief valve 802 .

After the treatment chamber 2 was brought to ambient pressure, the then filled and with the container closure 124 sealed containers 120 , as in 4th indicated schematically, from the treatment chamber 2 can be removed.

When rinsing a subsequent one in the treatment chamber 2 recorded container to be filled 120 this is in the purge gas duct 80 Back-flowing tension gas, which now functions as a flushing gas, is reused accordingly. The tensioning gas that has flowed back is in the purge gas channel 80 cached. The volume of the purge gas channel 80 is designed accordingly and can be expanded, for example, by an intermediate pressure accumulator.

Because that's in the purge gas duct 80 Backflowing tension gas possibly in terms of volume for the next flushing process of another container to be filled 120 is insufficient, fresh purge gas from a purge gas source can 820 - For example a flushing gas tank - are supplied. By using the in the purge gas channel 80 However, if the tension gas has flown back as the flushing gas, the consumption of fresh flushing gas can be reduced.

The flushing gas channel is preferred 80 designed in such a way that the entire volume of clamping gas flowing back is in the purging gas channel 80 can be absorbed without the tension gas flowing back into the purge gas source 820 occurs in order to exclude possible contamination here.

In the 2 to 4th is the essay 40 in a working position in which the essay 40 for closing a container 120 a container closure 124 of the "crown cap" type can be used.

In 5 is a device 1 the beverage filling system 100 out 1 , which is at the level of the bottle cap feeder 105 is shown in a schematic side view.

The locking device 4th is presently set up and designed to be able to process different types of container closures for closing different types of containers. One of the types of container closures can be a crown cap, another type of container closure can be a screw cap.

According to this preferred embodiment, the attachment 40 designed in the sense of a first attachment for applying crown caps. The first essay 40 can be exchanged on a closer stamp 41 the closing device 4th attached in the working position.

The locking device 4th also has a second attachment 40` on, which is designed accordingly for the application of screw caps. The second essay 40 ' is in an article magazine 43 kept. The locking device 4th , especially the sealer stamp 41 , can be moved into an exchange position, in which an attachment exchange through interaction with the attachment magazine 43 is feasible.

For changing the attachments 40 , 40 ' is the locking device 4th from the treatment position described above, in which the respectively active attachment 40 , 40` inside the treatment chamber 2 is located to move into the exchange position, in which the replacement attachment 40 in the direction of movement B of the closing device 4th seen above the magazine 43 is positioned.

So can the magazine 43 under the essay 40 moved and then the essay 40 to the magazine 43 be handed over. Then the new attachment to be attached 40` to the closing device 4th or at their closer stamp 41 attached.

In 6 is a schematic detailed view of the device 1 out 5 shown. In this view is the locking device 4th from the exchange position in the direction of movement B onto the magazine 43 been moved down, so that the above-described dropping of the essay 40 can be done.

In 7th is the locking device 4th moved back into the exchange position, so that the magazine 43 under the sealer stamp 41 can be moved further in a displacement direction V until the second attachment 40` below the closer stamp 41 is arranged. Then the closer stamp 41 back on the magazine 43 be moved down, and so the second essay 40` with the sealer stamp 41 engages how 8th refer to.

In the 8th shown locking device 4th is now designed and set up for processing screw caps. After the essay magazine 43 in the in 5 The position shown is brought, the locking device 4th back to the treatment chamber 2 move in and close containers in the same way as described above 120 used with the container 120 are then to be closed with screw caps accordingly.

For this purpose, a deactivated rotary movement of the closing device when the crown cap is being closed 4th activated so that the screw caps on the container 120 can be screwed.

To get a new container closure from the respective container closure feed 105 , 106 to be able to take over is the locking device 4th to be lifted accordingly in direction of movement B until the respective attachment 40 , 40` at the level of the respective container closure feed 105 , 106 is positioned.

As far as applicable, all the individual features that are shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

List of reference symbols

1

contraption

100

Beverage bottling plant

101

Treatment carousel

102

Axis of rotation

103

Inlet star

104

Outlet star

105

Bottle cap feeding

106

Screw cap feed

120

container

122

Container mouth

2

Treatment chamber

20th

Container receiving opening

22nd

Receiving opening

3

Filling organ

30th

Filling product outlet

300

Filling product outlet seal

4th

Locking device

40

(first) essay

40`

(second) essay

41

Sealer stamp

42

Closer flange

43

Attachment magazine

60

switchable seal

80

Purge gas channel

82

Purge gas valve

84

Tension gas duct

86

Clamping gas valve

88

Vacuum channel

89

Vacuum valve

800

Relief channel

802

Relief valve

820

Purge gas source

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 2937310 A2 [0004]

Claims (13)

Device (1) for treating a container (120), preferably for filling a container (120) to be filled with a filling product and for closing the filled container (120) with a container closure (124), comprising a treatment chamber (2) for sealing reception of the container (120) and a closure device (4) movable relative to the treatment chamber (2) for applying a container closure (124) to the container (120), characterized in that the closure device (4) is set up and designed for at least two different ones To be able to process types of container closures (124). Device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that one of the types of container closures (124) is a crown cap and / or one of the types of container closures is a screw cap and / or one of the types of container closures is a roll-up closure and / or one of the types of container closures is a cork or stopper . Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing device (4) has an attachment (40) which is designed both for applying a container closure (124) of a first type and for applying a container closure of a second type is set up. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing device (4) is designed and set up to apply container closures (124) both to a container (120) of a first type and to a container of a second type. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing device (4) has an exchangeable first attachment (40) for applying a first type of container closures (124) to a container (120), preferably a corresponding first type of container and an exchangeable second attachment (40 ') for applying a second type of container closures to a container (120), preferably of a corresponding second container type. Device (1) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the closing device (4) is designed and set up to be able to bring the first attachment (40) and the second attachment (40 ') alternately into a working position. Device (1) according to Claim 5 or 6 , characterized in that the first attachment (40) and the second attachment (40 ') are movably, preferably pivotable or displaceable, arranged on the closing device (4), and / or that an attachment magazine (43) is preferably located outside the treatment chamber (2) ) is provided for holding attachments (40, 40 '), the closing device (4) being movable relative to the attachment magazine (43) into an exchange position in which an attachment can be exchanged by interacting with the attachment magazine (43). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment chamber (2) has a receiving opening (22) for receiving the closing device (4), the receiving opening (22) being sealingly closable by the closing device (4), wherein preferably the closing device (4) can be moved into a treatment position in which an attachment (40, 40 ') of the closing device (4) is arranged inside the treatment chamber (2), and can be moved into a transfer position in which the attachment (40 , 40 ') is arranged outside the treatment chamber (2) and in which a container closure can be fed to the attachment (40, 40'). Device (1) according to Claim 8 , characterized in that a container closure feed (105, 106), preferably a feed channel, is provided outside the treatment chamber (2) for feeding in the container closures (124), a container closure feed (105, 106) preferably being provided for each type of container closures , wherein the closing device (4) can preferably be moved into a separate transfer position for each type of container closure (124). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a filling member (3) is provided for sealing application to a container (120) sealed with the treatment chamber (2) and for introducing a filling product into the container (120), wherein a flushing gas channel (80) for introducing a flushing gas into the container (120) to be filled, and / or a tensioning gas channel (84) for introducing a tensioning gas into the treatment chamber (2) is provided. A method for treating a container (120), preferably for filling a container (120) to be filled with a filling product and for closing the filled container (120) with a container closure (124), comprising the sealing receiving of the container (120) in a treatment chamber (2) and the application of a container closure (124) to the filled Container (120) by means of a closing device (4) which is moved relative to the treatment chamber (2), characterized in that the closing device (4) automatically processes one of at least two different types of container closures (124) for closing the container (120) . Procedure according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the closing device (4) is provided with one of at least two different attachments (40, 40 ') in order to process the selected type of container closures (124). Procedure according to Claim 11 or 12th , characterized in that the container (120), which is accommodated in a sealed manner in the treatment chamber (2), is filled with a filling product before the closure.

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