EP0334288B1 - Method for filling containers aseptically (or in a sterile environment) with liquid products, and device for applying the method - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method and a device for filling containers, for example bottles, aseptically with liquid products using counterpressure, the particular container is subjected, in a sterilisation phase preceding filling, to the action of a pressurised hot, gaseous or vaporous sterilising medium on its inner surfaces, on its container mouth and on its outer surface adjoining the container mouth. In this process, the particular container is arranged completely in one chamber both during the sterilisation phase and during the filling phase in such a way that the container interior is in communication with the interior of this chamber via the container mouth. The sterilising medium is introduced into the container via a filling tube which serves for subsequent filling and is at a distance from the container mouth. The chamber is closed to the environment at least during part of the sterilising phase, but also during the subsequent filling phase, so that at least during this part of the sterilisation phase a sterilisation-medium pressure above atmospheric pressure is established in the chamber and during the filling phase the product is delivered to the particular container against a counterpressure prevailing in the interior of the chamber.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the aseptic or sterile filling of liquid contents into containers, in particular in bottles, according to the preamble of claim 1 and to an apparatus for performing this method according to the preamble of claim 15.

In the beverage industry there is often the problem of filling drinking liquids, such as fruit juices, etc., in a non-heated state and without using chemical additives in containers or bottles in such a way that a sufficient shelf life of the filled and sealed product is ensured. Among other things, this in advance that the containers have a high degree of sterility or sterility when the liquid filling material is introduced, and that this level of sterility is maintained until the containers are sealed.

Known is, inter alia, a method for filling bottles with a liquid filling material under pressure and using a counterpressure filler (US Pat. No. 2,695,743), in which (method) the bottle to be filled and arranged upright under a filling element in a sterilization phase preceding the filling phase with which the container or bottle mouth part of its bottle neck is arranged in a closed chamber and in which a sterilizing medium is introduced into the inside of the bottle via a filling tube, which, however, can only have a very short length because of the control of the liquid valve of the filling element Form of water vapor is introduced. The water vapor flows through the bottle mouth and around this bottle mouth into the closed chamber and can escape to the environment via a check valve. The bottles are not heated before the sterilization phase in this known method.

A disadvantage of this known method is that, of the closed, very small-volume chamber, only the portion of the bottle neck immediately adjacent to the mouth of the bottle is accommodated, and in particular the filling tube only extends into the inside of the bottle with a very small part length during the sterilization phase, so that the lower, open end of the filling tube is at a distance from the bottom of the bottle which is many times greater than the distance between the open end of the filling tube and the bottle mouth. This alone, as well as the fact that only the portion of the bottle neck immediately adjacent to the mouth of the bottle is accommodated in the small-volume chamber, results in inadequate sterilization of the respective bottle, i.a. in that only insufficient flow around the treated bottles with the sterilization medium and insufficient heating of the treated bottle are achieved at their critical surfaces or areas. Finally, this known method also requires a relatively complex construction for its implementation, because of the need for a large number of moving parts on the filling element and also because a special holding element for the bottle closure is required in the sterilization chamber.

The invention has for its object to provide a method of the type described above, with which an aseptic filling of liquid contents under counterpressure in containers, in particular in bottles, without the use of chemical aids is particularly reliably possible.

To achieve this object, a method is designed according to the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

Since in the method according to the invention the hot sterilization medium, which is preferably steam and preferably more saturated, during the sterilization phase Water vapor is introduced into the interior of the container through the filling pipe in such a way that it emerges from the filling pipe directly at the bottom of the container. During the sterilization phase, there is a uniform and intensive flow of the hot sterilization medium along all the container surfaces critical for the container to be free from germs. -Areas, so that a high degree of sterility is achieved in a short treatment period, especially taking into account a preferably carried out heating of the container in a preheating phase. This also contributes above all to the fact that the chamber is closed at least during part of the sterilization phase and that a relatively high sterilization medium pressure and thus also a high sterilization medium temperature can be set in the chamber during the sterilization phase or during this part of the sterilization phase. It is also essential in the invention that the chamber is also closed during the filling phase following the sterilization phase, so that the liquid filling material can be filled under counterpressure by using the pressure prevailing in the chamber. As a result, during the sterilization phase and the filling phase, the same relationships arise with respect to the positioning of the container, in particular also in relation to the respective filling element and its parts. This enables a particularly simple control of the filling machine used in each case and, in particular, it is also not necessary to bring the container with its container mouth for the filling phase and a previous prestressing into the sealing position with the filling element or with a surface of this filling element surrounding the filling tube.

In one embodiment of the invention, the counterpressure required for the filling phase is formed by the pressure of the sterilization medium that has set in the chamber at the end of the sterilization phase. In this case, the filling phase immediately follows the sterilization phase.

In another embodiment of the invention, the sterilization medium is removed or drained from the chamber after the end of the sterilization phase, either by opening the chamber to the atmosphere or by applying a negative pressure to the chamber. Preferably, both of the above-mentioned method steps are used sequentially in time, with residues remaining in the chamber or in the container interior even after the chamber has been subjected to negative pressure or by connecting the chamber to a negative pressure source even after the sterilization medium has been discharged to the environment on sterilization medium or on condensate (water) of the sterilization medium with certainty be removed completely. After draining or removing the sterilization medium, the chamber is then pre-tensioned with a pre-tensioning medium under pressure, namely with an inert gas (e.g. CO₂) or with sterile air. After this preloading of the chamber, the filling phase is then initiated.

The object of the invention is also to show a device which is particularly advantageously suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. To achieve this object, a device is designed in accordance with the characterizing part of patent claim 15.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Darstellung und in Draufsicht eine Flaschenfüllmaschine zum aseptischen Abfüllen von Flüssigkeiten in Flaschen;

Fig. 2

in schematischer Darstellung und in Seitenansicht, teilweise auch geschnitten die Flaschenfüllmaschine gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

in vereinfachter Darstellung eines der am Umfang des um eine vertikale Drehachse umlaufenden Rotors vorgesehenen Füllelemente im Schnitt, zusammen mit einer Flasche sowie den wesentlichen, die Sterilisations- und Füllphase steuernden Elementen, die in dieser Figur zum besseren Verständnis funktionsmäßig wiedergegeben sind;

Fig. 4

in einer tabellarischen Aufstellung verschiedene Betriebszustände einer Steuerventileinrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using an exemplary embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a schematic representation and in plan view a bottle filling machine for the aseptic filling of liquids in bottles;

Fig. 2

in a schematic representation and in side view, partly also in section, the bottle filling machine according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

in a simplified representation of one of the filling elements provided on the circumference of the rotor rotating around a vertical axis of rotation in section, together with a bottle and the essential elements controlling the sterilization and filling phase, which are shown functionally in this figure for better understanding;

Fig. 4

Various operating states of a control valve device in a table.

The filling machine shown in FIGS. 1-3 has a rotor 1 (arrow A) rotating around a vertical axis of rotation V, which in the embodiment shown has essentially two rotor parts 2 and 3 arranged one above the other in the vertical direction, which are supported by a plurality of vertical support columns 4 are preferably connected to one another in a height-adjustable manner. A rotary bearing connection 5 provided on the lower rotor part 3 rotatably supports the rotor 1 about the vertical axis of rotation V on a stationary machine frame 6 in the region of a foundation ring 7 of this machine frame. On the outer circumference of the upper rotor part 2, a plurality of filling elements 8, each of identical design, are provided at uniform angular intervals about the axis of rotation V, offset from one another. Each filling element 8 has a valve housing 9 in which a channel 10 is formed which is open towards the top and the bottom of this valve housing 9 and which is composed essentially of the two sections 10 'and 10'. At the top, that is in the area of section 10 ', the channel is sealed by a closing element 11, through which (for example using a separating membrane, not shown) a valve tappet 12 is passed, the upper end of which has an actuating device 13 having an electromagnet cooperates, which is attached to the top of a housing part 14 which sits on the top of the valve body 9. When the actuating device 13 is activated, the valve tappet 12 becomes active with the action of a compression spring 15 accommodated in the housing part 14 moved from its rest position shown in FIG. 3 upwards by a certain amount. At its lower end, which is provided in the interior of the valve housing 9 or in the channel 10, the valve tappet 12 has a valve body 16 which, in the rest position of the valve tappet 12 shown in FIG. 3, bears sealingly against a valve seat 17 with its approximately frustoconical peripheral surface, which the latter is formed by a frustoconical surface of the channel 10 in the region of a constriction of this channel between the sections 10 'and 10˝. In the rest position of the valve tappet 2 shown in FIG. 3, the liquid valve formed by the valve body 16 and the valve seat 17 is closed. By activating the actuating device 13, this liquid valve can be opened with the action of the compression spring 15 and then establishes a connection between the sections 10 'and 10˝. The individual actuating devices 13 are controlled by control electronics 18 in a manner described later.

The upper end of the channel 10 of each filling element 8 is connected to one end of a line 19, via which the liquid filling material to be filled into the bottles 20, which is, for example, fruit juice, is fed to the respective filling element 8. All of the lines 19 are connected at their other end via a rotary distributor 21 provided in the region of the axis of rotation V to a common, stationary filling material or liquid line 22 which leads via a shut-off valve 23 to a storage container (not shown) for the filling material to be filled.

At the lower end, ie in the area of section 10˝, the upper, open end of a channel 24 of a vertical filling pipe 25, which is also open at its lower end, opens into the channel 10, which in the area of its upper end is suitably (preferably exchangeable) on the valve housing 9 is held.

In the illustrated embodiment, the valve housing 9 is formed in two parts, i.e. this valve housing consists of the upper, the section 10 'of the channel 10, but also the valve seat 17 having part 9' and a lower part 9˝, in which the section 10˝ of the channel 10 is mainly formed and which also Filler tube 25 is attached with its upper end. The lower part 9 'is formed on its side facing away from the upper part 9' as a downwardly open, the filling tube 25 concentrically enclosing bell 26 over its entire length such that the interior of the bell 26 has a height in the vertical direction which is slightly greater than the height of the upright bottles 20 and, moreover, the inner cross section of the bell 26 is adapted to the outer cross section of the bottles 20 such that the bell 26 of each filling element 8 can accommodate a bottle 20 at its full height and tightly surrounding it, as shown in FIG. 3.

Under each filling element 8 a bottle plate 27 is provided, which can be moved up and down in the vertical direction by means of a lifting device 28 provided on the rotor part 3, known per se and controlled in a known manner (double arrow B), in the form that the each bottle plate 27 in its uppermost stroke position with the upper side forming the base for the bottles 20, or with an annular seal 29 provided there, sealing against the edge of the bell 26 surrounding the lower opening of the bell 26 and thereby closing the interior of the bell 26.

In the area of the horizontal parting plane between the two parts 9 'and 9˝ of the valve housing 9, an annular channel 30 concentrically surrounding the channel 10 is formed, in which, with its upper end, a plurality of channels 31 open, which in part 9˝ are evenly around the section 10' of the channel 10 are provided distributed and with their lower ends each open at different angles on the surface of the part 9˝ which delimits the interior of the bell 26 at the top, specifically also such that these mouth openings of the channels 31 are provided distributed around the filling tube 25. The ring channel 30 is connected to a channel 32. Another channel 33 is connected at one end to the section 10˝ of the channel 10, ie this channel 33 opens in the embodiment shown in the direction of flow, in which the liquid filling material flows through the channel 10 when the liquid valve is open, immediately after the valve seat 17 in the section 10˝ of the channel 10.

Each filling element 8 furthermore has a channel 34, which is connected to one end of a line 35, via which water vapor is supplied to the respective filling element 8, and which is connected at its other end to a common, stationary steam line 36 via the rotary distributor 21 is connected via a shut-off valve 37 to a device for generating water vapor (saturated water vapor), which is not shown in detail. The two channels 33 and 34 can be connected to one another via valves 38 and 39, the two channels 32 and 34 via a valve 40 and the two channels 32 and 33 via a valve 41, these valves being controllable separately and in the direction of the valve 38 formed connection, a throttle device 42 and in the connection formed by the valve 40, a throttle device 43 are provided. The two throttle devices 42 and 43 are each formed by at least one nozzle or by a channel section having a narrowed cross section.

The aforementioned channels 32-34 are formed in the valve housing 9 of the respective filling element 8. Throttle devices 42 and 43 are also provided in this valve housing 9. Valves 38-41 are also preferably not individual valves, but are formed by a changeover valve device 44 designed in the manner of a flat slide valve and having a slide disk, this valve device 44 or its slide disk having a plurality of operating positions which correspond to the respective operation which will be described later - or switching states of valves 38-41 correspond. The valve device 44 or one with whose control disk connected actuating lever interact with the rotor 1 with spaced and / or in different planes mounted control elements, for example control cams or control cams on a stationary control ring 45 to bring the valve device 44 or its slide disc in the required operating position. Of course, the valves 38-41 can also be single or multiple valves that are controlled mechanically by the control elements provided on the control ring 45, but in this case preferably electrically or pneumatically.

Two further lines 46 and 47 open into the interior of the bell 26 of each filling element 8, of which the line 46 serves for the controlled application of a respective vacuum 26 to the respective bell 26 and the line 47 forms a return gas or return steam line which preferably opens as close as possible to the lower, open end of the bell 26 into the interior of this bell 26. Each line 46, which in the embodiment shown opens into the associated bell 26 above the line 47, is connected via a separate valve 48 to an annular collecting channel 49 provided on the rotor 1 or on the upper rotor part 2 and concentrically enclosing the axis of rotation V, which in turn is connected via the rotary distributor 21 to a stationary line 51 connected to a vacuum pump 50. It goes without saying that the rotary distributor 21 is designed in such a way that a reliable separation of the individual media (filling material, steam and vacuum) is ensured in it.

The line 47 is connected via a throttle and valve device 52 and a check valve 53 to an annular collecting duct 54 which concentrically surrounds the axis of rotation V and which is also provided on the upper rotor part 2. The throttle and valve device 52 consists of the parallel connection of a throttle device 55 and a series arrangement consisting of a throttle device 56 and a valve 57. The two throttle devices 55 and 56 are in turn of at least one nozzle or one narrowed line section formed, for example, the throttle device 55 has a diameter of 0.71 mm and the throttle device 56 has a diameter of 6 mm. In the embodiment shown, the two valves 48 and 57 are electrically actuable valves which are controlled by the control electronics 18. The use of the common collecting channels 49 and 54 for all filling elements 8, of which the collecting channel 54 has an outlet to the atmosphere, has, in addition to a simplification of the construction, inter alia also the advantage that, for all filling elements 8, defined pressure ratios when opening the valves 48 and 57 are present, with the collecting channel 54 in addition to the check valve 53 also ensuring that no air is sucked in when a bell 26 cools down (for example when the machine is at a standstill).

Basically, it is also possible to mechanically control the valves 48 and 57 by means of corresponding control elements provided on a stationary control ring when the rotor 1 rotates, the function of the valves 48 and / or 57 also being able to be achieved by the rotary distributor 21 that this rotary distributor 21 is designed as a rotary slide valve arrangement.

The two valves 23 and 37 are controlled in the illustrated embodiment by preferably adjustable pressure regulators 59 and 60, in such a way that a predetermined or set vapor pressure and in by opening and closing the valve 37 or the valve 23 the line 22 result in a predetermined or set pressure for the liquid filling material, the valve 23 being controlled via the pressure regulator 59 also as a function of the vapor pressure in the line 35, preferably in such a way that the valve 23 only opens when the specified or set vapor pressure is present in the line 35, that is to say a filling of the liquid contents into the bottles 20 only is then possible if sufficient steam sterilization or sterilization of the bottles 20 is also ensured by a sufficient vapor pressure in the line 35.

The bottles 20 to be filled are fed upright to the filling machine via a conveyor, not shown, as is indicated in FIG. 1 by the arrow C there. The bottles 20 then first move through a tunnel-like preheating device 61, in which the bottles 20 are heated or heated, which among other things serves to shorten the sterilization phase preceding the filling of the bottles 20 with the liquid filling material (filling phase), but also to avoid bottle breakage due to temperature shock during the sterilization phase. The preheated bottles 20 are then fed via a transport path 62 to the bottle insert formed by a feed screw 63 and an insert star 64, at which the bottles 20 to be filled are successively transferred to a lowered bottle plate 27. This transfer position is indicated by I in FIG. 1.

The filled bottles 20 are at the bottle discharge, i.e. Removed from the lowered bottle plates 27 at the position indicated by III in FIG. 1 and reach a capper 66 by means of a transport element 65. In order to avoid heat losses before the filled bottles 20 are closed, the transport path 65 is closed off from the outside Tunnel 67 formed, which extends to the capper 66. Furthermore, for the same reason, the extension area is covered by a hood-like housing 68. In this housing, the filled bottles 20 removed from the bottle plates 27 can also be subjected to a heat treatment, preferably by gas flames.

If, during the filling of the bottles 20, a prestressing phase is provided which precedes the actual filling phase, in which the bell 26 and thus also the respective bottle 20 is prestressed with an inert gas (for example CO₂) or with sterile air, the channel 32 of each filling element 8 is connected to a line 70 via a further valve 69. This is then connected via the rotary distributor 21 to a stationary line 72, which leads via a shut-off valve 71 to a pressure source (not shown) for sterile air or for inert gas. A preferably adjustable pressure regulator 73 is assigned to the valve 71, with which a predetermined or set pressure in the line 72 is adjusted by opening and closing the valve 71 accordingly. The pressure regulator 73 also responds to the pressure in the line 22, ie the valve 71 is controlled by the pressure regulator 73 so that the pressure in the line 72 is above the pressure in the line 22 by a predetermined or set amount.

In the illustrated embodiment, a stationary plate 75 is provided between positions III and I, which is held on the machine frame 6 so that this plate 75 lies with its surface sides in horizontal planes and slightly below the path of movement of the bells 26.

In one embodiment, when the rotor 1 rotates in the direction of arrow A during positions I and III, the bottles 20 are sterilized and filled in a manner corresponding to Example I below.

Example I

• 1. After the transfer of a bottle 20 to be filled at position I to a bottle plate 27, this bottle 20 with the bottle plate 27 is raised so far that the filling tube 25 extends through the mouth into the interior of the bottle 20, but the bottle plate 27 is not yet lies tightly against the lower edge of the bell 26, between the lower edge of the bell 26 and the bottle plate 27 there is still an opening to the surroundings in the form of an annular gap. In this first process step, there is a constant reduction in steam Supply via the filling tube 25 into the interior of the bottle 20 and via the channels 31 into the interior of the bell 26, the valves 38 and 40 being opened via the throttle devices 42 and 43 for this purpose, the liquid valve of the filling element 8 in question, but also the valves 39 , 41, 48 and 79 are closed.
• 2. The bottle plate 27 is moved upward. Shortly before the bell 26 is closed, with the liquid valve still closed, a non-reduced steam supply takes place exclusively via the filling pipe 25, for which the valve 39 is open and the valves 38, 40, 41, 48 and 57 are closed.
  A further gentle preheating of the bottles 20 is ensured by the two process steps 1 and 2 described so far. On the other hand, condensate (water) which is deposited on the surfaces of the bottle 20 and in process step 2 also such condensate, which may have formed inside the bottle 20, is also caused by the steam flow through between the bell 26 and the bottle plate 27 formed opening discharged to the outside, together with air present in the bottle 20 or in the bell 26.
• 3. As soon as the bottle plate 27 lies tight against the bell 26 and seals it, the bottle 20 and the bell 26 are biased with water vapor while the liquid valve is still closed, the valves 38-41, 48 and 57 having the same position as in process step 2 . Steam then escapes through the throttle device 55 into the collecting duct 54 when the bell 26 is closed.
• 4. The state according to method step 3 is maintained over a period of time or over a rotation angle range of the rotor 1 corresponding to this period of time until one proper sterilization of the bottle 20 is ensured under the high vapor pressure prevailing in the bell 26.
• 5. In a further process step, the vapor present in the bell 26 is then released with the liquid valve still closed, which is done, for example, by renewed, slight lowering of the bottle plate 27 and through the annular gap formed thereby between the bell 26 and the bottle plate 27. All valves 38-41, 48 and 57 are closed.
  The steam can also be discharged via the line 46 when the bottle plate 27 is still tight against the bell 26, in which case the valve 48 is then opened briefly.
• 6. With the liquid valve still closed and the bell 26 closed again by the bottle plate 27, the interior of the bell 26 is then subjected to negative pressure, in such a way that the pressure in the bell 26 is approximately 0.5 bar. In this process step, in which all residual condensate (water) is removed from the bell 26 and bottle 20, the valves 38-41, 57 and 65, but also the check valve 53, are closed.
• 7. With the liquid valve still closed, the closed bell 26 and thus also the bottle 20 are pretensioned with an inert gas (e.g. CO₂) or with sterile air. Here, the valves 38-41, 48 and 57 are closed and the valve 69 is opened, a reduced flow of sterile air or of inert gas being produced via the throttle device 55 and the check valve 53 from the bell 26.
• 8 With the process steps described above, the sterilization phase (process steps 1-5) and the pretensioning phase preceding the actual filling phase (process steps 6 and 7) are completed, so that approximately 1, the filling phase is initiated by opening the filling valve of the filling element 8 concerned by activating the actuating device 13 by the control electronics 18. At this beginning of the filling phase, all valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 are closed, so that the liquid filling material flows into the bottle 20 via the filling pipe 25, with a corresponding displacement of the inert gas or sterile air present there, that flows through the throttle device 55 into the collecting channel 54, which initially results in a slow inflow of the liquid filling material, ie filling at a low filling speed.
• 9. After immersing the lower end of the filling tube 25 in the liquid level, then with the liquid valve still open, a filling takes place at an increased filling speed, namely with closed valves 38-41, 48 and 69 and open valve 57, so that the displaced by the filling material Inert gas or air volume can flow into the collecting channel 54 via both throttle devices 55 and 56.
• 10. After the rapid filling phase (method step 9) has ended, the braking phase is initiated with the liquid valve still open, specifically by closing valve 57 and with valves 38-41, 48 and 69 still closed.
• 11. After the response of a fill level sensor which controls the control electronics 18 and, in the embodiment shown, is formed by a sensor 74 provided in the respective bell 26 and reaching through the mouth into the bottle 20 to be filled, the liquid valve and the closed valves 38 are still open -41, 48, 57 and 69 a correction filling phase, for example in the form that the control electronics 18 keep the liquid valve open for a predetermined period of time.
• 12. After the correction time has elapsed, while the valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 are still closed, the liquid valve of the filling element 8 in question is also closed, the pressure in the bell 26 then also reducing via the throttle device 55.
  As described above, the sensor 74 initiates the closing of the liquid valve of the filling element 8 concerned via the correction phase. With appropriate training, this sensor can also serve to initiate the braking phase (method step 10) based on the fill level. If the sensor 74 is designed as a conductance contact, this sensor 74 has in this case, in addition to a common electrode, two control electrodes which are provided one above the other in the vertical direction and of which the lower one, when immersed in the liquid level, the braking phase and the upper one when immersed in the Initiate the liquid level to close the liquid valve via the correction phase.
• 13. When the liquid valve is closed, valves 38, 39, 48, 57 and 69 are closed and valves 40 and 41 are open, the filling pipe 25 is then emptied with a reduced steam supply into the bell 26, via the open valve 40 and the throttle device 43 , whereby there is an increasing vapor pressure in the bell 26, since the vapor can only flow off in a reduced manner via the throttle device 55.
• 14. If the liquid valve is still closed and the valves 38, 39, 48, 57 and 69 are closed, the valve 41 is also closed, while the valve 40 remains open and there is therefore still a reduced steam flow into the bell 26. Then the bottle plate is lowered.
• 15. If the bottle plate 27 and thus also the filled bottle 20 are lowered to such an extent that the lower end of the filling tube 25 emerges from the liquid level, bell 26, i.e. with the valve 40 still open, the valve 38 is also opened, so that a reduced steam flow through the channel 24 of this filling tube 25 also results for the complete emptying of the filling tube 25, preferably during the further lowering of the bottle plate 27 and the filled bottle 20. The valves 39, 41, 48, 57 and 69 are closed.
• 16. The filled bottle 20 is pushed out at position III and fed to the capper 66 via the transport device 65. During this pushing out of the filled bottle 20, the valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 remain in their position specified for process step (15), so that there is still a reduced steam flow through the channels 31 and the channel 24 of the filling tube 25.
• 17. Between positions III and I, the respective bell 26 is closed except for a narrow annular gap formed between its lower open end and the stationary plate 75. The position of the valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 described for the method step (15) is maintained, so that there is still a reduced steam flow through the channels 31 and the channel 24 of the filling tube 25 and thereby an action on the bell 26 on their Interior and inner surfaces and the filling tube 25 on its outer and inner surfaces by the steam emerging through the annular gap between the bell 26 and the sheet 75. The use of the sheet 75 has the particular advantage that the steam atmosphere in the interior of the respective bell 26 is maintained in this process step and thus also taking into account the dimensioning or width of the between the lower bell 26 and the sheet 75 formed annular gap no ambient air, germs, impurities, etc. can enter the bell 26 from the outside.

The invention has been described above using an exemplary embodiment. It goes without saying that changes and modifications are possible, in particular with regard to the method described, without thereby departing from the inventive concept which bears the invention. Thus, in an embodiment of the method according to the invention which is simplified compared to Example I, the start of filling or the filling phase is initiated after method step 4, i.e. without steps 5-7, steps 8-17 immediately follow step 4, i.e. the vapor pressure that has set in bell 26 at the end of method step 4 forms the counter pressure at the beginning of the filling phase in this simplified embodiment of the method according to the invention. In this embodiment, the valves 69 and 71, the lines 70 and 72, the pressure regulator 73 and the source for the pressurized inert gas or the pressurized sterile air are of course not required. The pretensioning of the respective bell with steam or with inert gas prior to the initiation of the filling phase has the particular advantage over the pretensioning with sterile air that practically no oxygen gets into the bell 26 and consequently no oxygen is taken up by the filling material during the filling, which results in among others the shelf life of the filled product is also significantly improved.

In the above-described method, which also includes method steps 5-7 of example I, a total of eight different operating positions are required for the control valve arrangement formed by valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69, while in the simplified method without method steps 5-7 and without the valves 48 and 69, a total of five different operating positions are sufficient for the control valve arrangement.

4, the respective operating positions of the control valve arrangement and the associated switching positions of the valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 are shown in tabular form for the individual method steps 1 to 17 of the embodiment according to Example I. In this illustration, "X" means the open state and "O" the respective closed state of the valves in the individual process steps or in the individual operating positions ah corresponding to these process steps, that of the valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 Control valve assembly.

In a further embodiment, the bottles 20 are sterilized and filled in a manner corresponding to Example II below.

Example II

• 1. After the transfer of a bottle 20 to be filled at position I to a bottle plate 27, this bottle 20 with the bottle plate 27 is raised so far that the filling tube 25 extends through the mouth into the interior of the bottle 20, but the bottle plate 27 is not yet lies tightly against the lower edge of the bell 26, between the lower edge of the bell 26 and the bottle plate 27 there is still an opening to the surroundings in the form of an annular gap. In this first process step, a rudged supply of steam takes place continuously via the filling pipe 25 into the interior of the bottle 20 and via the channels 31 into the interior of the bell 26, the valves 38 and 40 being opened for this purpose via the throttling devices 42 and 43, the liquid valve of the person concerned Filling element 8, but also the valves 39, 41, 48 and 79 are closed.
• 2. The bottle plate 27 is moved upward. Shortly before the bell 26 is closed, a non-reduced one takes place with the liquid valve still closed Steam is supplied exclusively via the filling pipe 25, for which the valve 39 is open and the valves 38, 40, 41, 48 and 57 are closed.
  The two process steps 1 and 2 described so far ensure gentle preheating of the bottles 20, and on the other hand, condensate (water) condensing on the surfaces of the bottle 20 is also caused by the steam flow through between the bell 26 and the bottle plate 27 formed opening discharged to the outside, and in particular in the above-described method step 2 also such condensate, which may have formed inside the bottle 20.
• 3. As soon as the bottle plate 27 bears tightly against the bell 26 and seals it, the bottle 20 and the bell 26 are biased with water vapor, for example saturated steam of 130 ° C. while the liquid valve is still closed, the valves 38-41, 48 and 57 being the have the same position as in method step 2. Steam then escapes through the throttling devices 55 and 56 into the collecting duct 54 when the bell 26 is closed.
• 4. The state according to method step 3 is maintained over a period of, for example, 3 seconds or over a rotation angle range of the rotor 1 corresponding to this period of time until the bottle 20 is properly sterilized under the high vapor pressure prevailing in the bell 26, e.g. 1.7 bar is ensured, the throttle device 56 being closed after about 1 second.
• 5. With the liquid valve still closed, the closed bell 26 and thus the bottle 20 are prestressed with an inert gas (for example CO₂) or with sterile air. Here, the valves 38-41, 48 and 57 are closed and the valve 69 is opened, whereby a reduced flow of sterile air or inert gas via the throttle device 55 and the check valve 53 from the bell 26.
• 6. With the above-described process steps, the sterilization phase (process steps 1-4) and the precharging phase preceding the actual filling phase (process step 5) are completed, so that the filling phase is initiated at position II in FIG. 1 by the filling valve of the relevant filling element 8 is opened by activating the actuating device 13 by the control electronics 18. At this beginning of the filling phase, all valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 are closed, so that the liquid filling material flows into the bottle 20 via the filling pipe 25, with a corresponding displacement of the inert gas or sterile air present there, that flows through the throttle device 55 into the collecting channel 54, which initially results in a slow inflow of the liquid filling material, ie a filling with slow filling speed results.
• 7. After immersing the lower end of the filling tube 25 in the liquid level, then with the liquid valve still open, a filling takes place at an increased filling speed, namely with closed valves 38-41, 48 and 69 and open valve 57, so that the material displaced Inert gas or air volume can flow into the collecting channel 54 via both throttle devices 55 and 56.
• 8. After the rapid filling phase (method step 7) has ended, the braking phase is initiated with the liquid valve still open, specifically by closing valve 57 and with valves 38-41, 48 and 69 still closed.
• 9. After the response of a fill level sensor which controls the control electronics 18 and, in the embodiment shown, is formed by a sensor 74 provided in the respective bell 26 and reaching through the mouth into the bottle 20 to be filled, the liquid valve and the closed valves 38 remain open -41, 48, 57 and 69 a correction filling phase, for example in the form that the control electronics 18 keep the liquid valve open for a predetermined period of time.
• 10. After the correction time has elapsed when the valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 are still closed, the liquid valve of the filling element 8 in question is also closed, the pressure in the bell 26 then also being reduced via the throttle device 55.
  As described above, the sensor 74 initiates the closing of the liquid valve of the filling element 8 concerned via the correction phase. With appropriate training, this sensor can also be used to initiate the braking phase (method step 8) based on the fill level. If the sensor 74 is designed as a conductance contact, this sensor 74 has in this case, in addition to a common electrode, two control electrodes which are provided one above the other in the vertical direction and of which the lower one, when immersed in the liquid level, the braking phase and the upper one when immersed in the Initiate the liquid level to close the liquid valve via the correction phase.
• 11. With the liquid valve closed, valves 38, 39, 48, 57 and 69 closed and valves 40 and 41 open, the filling pipe 25 is then emptied with a reduced steam supply into the bell 26, specifically via the opened valve 40 and the throttle device 43 , the in the bell 26 counteracts existing back pressure via the throttle device 55 during the filling. Then the bottle plate 27 is lowered.
• 12. If the bottle plate 27 and thus also the filled bottle 20 are lowered to such an extent that the lower end of the filling tube 25 emerges from the liquid level, with the steam flow still reduced, bell 26, i.e. with the valve 40 still open, the valve 38 is also opened, so that a reduced steam flow through the channel 24 of this filling tube 25 also results for the complete emptying of the filling tube 25, preferably during the further lowering of the bottle plate 27 and the filled bottle 20. The valves 39, 41, 48, 57 and 69 are closed.
• 13. The filled bottle 20 is pushed out at position III and fed to the capper 66 via the transport device 65. During this pushing out of the filled bottle 20, the valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 remain in their position indicated for process step (12), so that there is still a reduced steam flow through the channels 31 and the channel 24 of the filling tube 25.
• 14. Between positions III and I, the respective bell 26 is closed except for a narrow annular gap formed between its lower open end and the stationary plate 75. The position of the valves 38-41, 48, 57 and 69 described for the method step (12) is maintained, so that there is still a reduced steam flow through the channels 31 and the channel 24 of the filling tube 25 and thereby an action on the bell 26 on it Interior and inner surfaces and the filling tube 25 on its outer and inner surfaces by the steam emerging through the annular gap between the bell 26 and the sheet 75. The use of the sheet 75 has the particular advantage that the steam atmosphere in the interior of the respective bell 26 is maintained in this process step and thus, taking into account the dimensioning or width of the annular gap formed between the lower bell 26 and the sheet 75, no ambient air, germs , Impurities, etc. can enter the bell 26 from the outside.

As the above statements show, in the method according to Example II, in which line 46 is dispensed with, it is not necessary to drain the sterilization medium at the end of the sterilization phase. Rather, the pretensioning takes place here immediately after the sterilization phase or after method step 4.

Instead of the sheet 75 described above, another element can also be provided, which forms the annular gap in example I in method step (17) or in example II in method step (14). Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a trough-shaped element between the positions III and I with a drain instead of the sheet 75. If the respective bell 26 and the filling tube 25 are cleaned with a cleaning liquid (water) between the positions III and I, the plate 75 is omitted or instead of the plate 75 the tray-like element already mentioned is provided for collecting and removing the cleaning liquid.

Instead of the seal 29 on the respective bottle plate 27, a corresponding seal can also be provided at the lower open end of the respective bell 26. Furthermore, it is also possible to design the filling tube 25 as a probe instead of the probe 74 or to provide it with a corresponding probe contact.

Claims (37)

1. Method for the aseptic drawing-off of liquid filling stock under counterpressure into containers, for example into bottles, in which method the container (20) respectively to be filled is acted on by a hot gaseous or vaporous sterilising medium standing under pressure at the internal surfaces bounding the interior space of the container, at the container mouth as well as at the external surface adjoining the mouth in a chamber (26, 27) closed off from the environment at least during a part of a sterilising phase preceding the filling with the liquid filling stock (filling phase), wherein the chamber is formed underneath a filling element (8), which in the filling phase delivers the filling stock into the interior space of the container by way of a filling tube (25) reaching through the container mouth into the interior space of the container, characterised thereby, that the container is placed completely in the chamber or in the internal space thereof in such a manner during the sterilising phase as well as also during the filling phase that the interior space of the container stands in connection with the interior space of the chamber by way of the container mouth, that the sterilising medium is introduced at a spacing from the container mouth during the sterilising phase by way of the filling tube, which reaches into the interior space of the container, into this interior space of the container and that the delivery of the filling stock into the container takes place during the filling phase against a counterpressure prevailing in the interior space of the chamber while the chamber is likewise closed off from the environment.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised thereby, that the sterilising phase is preceded by a preheating phase, during which the container received by the interior space of the chamber is acted on by the sterilising medium by way of the filling tube and this sterilising medium escapes out of the interior space of the chamber free of pressure to the environment at an opening lying underneath the container mouth and enclosing the container.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterised thereby, that the chamber receiving the container is acted on by the sterilising medium, at least at the beginning of the preheating phase, by way of at least one exit channel lying opposite the container mouth.

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterised thereby, that the sterilising medium is fed, at least at the beginning of the preheating phase, to the filling tube and possibly to the at least one exit channel by way of an equipment, preferably a throttle equipment, reducing the pressure and/or the quantity or the volume flow of the sterilising medium.

5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised thereby, that the sterilising medium escapes during the sterilising phase out of the interior space of the chamber by way of an equipment, for example a throttle equipment or nozzle, causing a pressure difference between the interior space of the chamber and the environment.

6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised thereby, that the filling phase is initiated immediately following the sterilising phase and that the pressure, which prevails in the interior space of the chamber at the end of the sterilising phase, of the sterilising medium is used as counterpressure during the delivery of the filling stock to the container.

7. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised thereby, that the chamber closed off from the environment is pressurised at the end of the sterilising phase and before the initiation of the filling phase by a gaseous medium, for example by inert gas or sterile air, standing under pressure.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterised thereby, that the sterilising medium is let out at the end of the sterilising phase free of pressure to the environment at an opening lying underneath the container mouth and enclosing the container.

9. Method according to claim 7 and 8, characterised thereby, that for the letting-out or removal of the sterilising medium from the interior space of the chamber, this interior space is acted on by an underpressure.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterised thereby, that the sterilising medium present in the interior space of the chamber is let out after the termination of the sterilising phase free of pressure to the environment through the opening, which lies underneath the container mouth and encloses the container, and that the interior space of the again closed chamber is subsequently acted on by an underpressure.

11. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised thereby, that the volume of pressurising gas, which is displaced by the filling stock flowing to the container during the filling phase is led away out of the closed chamber by way of an equipment, for example a throttle equipment or nozzle, causing a pressure difference between the interior space of the chamber and the environment.

12. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised thereby, that after reaching a preset or aimed-at filling level in the container, the filling tube is emptied completely by being charged with the sterilising medium.

13. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised thereby, that after the conclusion of the filling phase and after the filled container has been drawn off from the filling element, the interior space of the chamber as well as the filling tube are cleaned by flushing the filling tube with the sterilising medium as well as charging of the chamber with the sterilising medium by way of at least one additional exit channel.

14. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterised thereby, that saturated water vapour, preferably water vapour at a temperature of 130 to 140°C, is used as sterlising medium.

15. Device for the performance of the method according to one of the claims 1 to 14, with a container inlet for the feeding of the containers (20) to be filled, for example bottles, with a container outlet for leading the filled and closed containers away, with a rotor (1), which rotates about a vertical axis of rotation and at its periphery displays a plurality of filling elements (8), which each possess a respective liquid valve (16, 17) in a liquid channel (10) for the controllable delivery of the liquid filling stock by way of the liquid channel and by way of a filling tube (25) connected thereto and which are each associated with a respective container support surface (27), which is movable up and down in vertical direction relative to the filling element, and the containers to be filled are fed to the rotor at a charging position (container input) and removed from it at a delivery position (container output), with a respective chamber (26, 27) formed below each filling element at the rotor, with a sterilising medium feed, which displays at least one control valve equipment, at each filling element for charging the container as well as the chamber with a sterilising medium during a sterilising phase preceding the filling phase, as well as with an equipment for closing the containers after the filling with the liquid filling stock, wherein the chamber at each filling element displays a bell (26), which is provided under this filling element, is closed at its upper end neighbouring the filling element and is open at its lower end remote from the filling element, characterised thereby, that the interior space of each bell (26) has a height which is at least somewhat greater than the height of the containers (20) to be filled, that the bell (26) is closable at its lower open end against the environment by the container support surface (27) and that a portion (10˝), which in direction of flow of the filling stock lies behind the liquid valve (16, 17), of the liquid channel (10) is connectable with the sterilising medium feed (34, 35) by way of a first control portion (38, 39, 42) of the control valve equipment.

16. Device according to claim 15, characterised thereby, that the first control portion is formed by a first valve (38), which is preferably connected in parallel with a second valve (39) in series with a throttle equipment (42).

17. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterised thereby, that at least one additional exit channel (31) is provided at an interior surface of the bell (26), which surface lies opposite the open side of this bell, and connectable with the sterilising medium feed (34, 35) by way of a second control portion, which is formed by a third valve (40), of the control valve equipment, wherein a throttle equipment (43) preferably lies in series with the third valve (40).

18. Device according to claim 17, characterised thereby, that several exit channels (31) are provided, which are connected to a common channel (30) and preferably each open at a respective different angle into the interior space of the bell (26) and that this common channel (30) is connected with the second control portion (40) of the control valve equipment.

19. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 18, characterised thereby, that the at least one exit channel (31) as well as that portion (10˝) of the liquid channel (10), which in direction of flow of the filling stock lies behind the liquid valve (16, 17), is connectable by way of a third control portion, which is formed by at least one fourth valve (41), of the control valve equipment.

20. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 19, characterised thereby, that the interior space of the bell (26) is connectable by way of at least one fifth valve (69) with a feed (70, 72) for the supply of a pressurising gas, for example by inert gas or sterile air, standing under pressure.

21. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 20, characterised thereby, that the interior space of each bell is connected to a return gas duct displaying at least one throttle equipment (55, 56).

22. Device according to claim 21, characterised thereby, that a duct portion, which displays at least one sixth valve (57), preferably a sixth valve (57) in series with a throttle equipment (56), is provided in parallel with the at least one throttle equipment.

23. Device according to claim 21 or 22, characterised thereby, that the return gas ducts (27) of all bells (26) are connected to a common collecting channel (54) preferably each by way of a respective non-return valve (53).

24. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 23, characterised thereby, that a duct (46), which is provided with a seventh valve (48) and stands in connection with a source (50) of underpressure, is connected to each bell.

25. Device according to claim 24, characterised thereby, that the ducts (46), which are provided with the seventh valve, of all bells (26) are connected to a common collecting channel (49), which is in its turn connected with the source (50) of underpressure.

26. Device according to one of the claims 20 to 25, characterised thereby, that the fith, sixth and/or seventh valve (69, 57, 48) likewise forms a control portion of the control valve equipment.

27. Device according to one of the claims 16 to 26, characterised thereby, that the valves (38 to 41, 69, 57, 48) forming the control portions are individual valves.

28. Device according to one of the claims 16 to 26, characterised thereby, that the valves (38, 41, 69, 57, 48) forming the control portions are at least in part formed by a common valve element, for a example by a control slide of a control valve displaying several working or operating positions.

29. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 28, characterised by a preheating equipment (61), which is provided between the container inlet and the charging position (I) of the rotor (1) and by way of which the preheated containers (20) are advanced to the charging position (I).

30. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 29, characterised thereby, that the container support surfaces (27) are movable in such a manner between at least three settings in vertical direction relative to the respective filling element (8) that the respective container (20) on a container support surface (27) in a first setting is disposed with its container mouth underneath the lower end of the filling tube (25) as well as of the bell (26), that an annular gap is formed between the lower end of the bell (26) and the container support surface (27) when the container (20) is arranged in the interior space of the bell in a second setting and that the container support surface (27) lies tightly against the lower side of the bell (26) in the third setting.

31. Device according to claim 30, characterised thereby, that each container support surface (27) closes the associated bell (26) at least during a part of the sterilising phase as well as during the filling phase.

32. Device according to claim 30 or 31, characterised thereby, that each support surface (27) is arranged at a spacing from the lower end of the associated bell (26) at the beginning of the sterilising phase or during a preheating phase preceding the sterilising phase.

33. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 32, characterised thereby, that the closing equipment (66) is provided outside the rotor (1) before the container outlet in conveying direction of the containers (20) and that an equipmnent (68) for an additional action by heat on the filled containers (20) is provided between the delivery position (3) of the rotor (1) and the closing equipment (66).

34. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 33, characterised thereby, that the sterilising medium feed (34, 35) is connected with a source of water vapour, preferably of saturated water vapour.

35. Device according to one of the claims 22 to 34, characterised thereby, that the control valve equipment displays at least six operational settings, namely a first operational setting, in which all valves (38 to 41, 48, 57, 69) are closed, as well as five further operational settings, in which merely the following valves are opened each time, the other valves being closed:

second operational setting:   first and third valves (38, 40) opened,

third operational setting:   second valve (39) opened,

fourth operational setting:   third and fourth valves (40, 41) opened,

fifth operational setting:   third valve (40) opened and

sixth operational setting:   sixth valve (57) opened.

36. Device according to claim 35, characterised thereby, that the control valve equipment additionally displays a seventh and an eighth operational setting, in which the following valves are opened, the other valves being closed:

seventh operational setting:   fifth valve (69) opened and

eighth operational setting:   seventh valve (48) opened.

37. Device according to one of the claims 15 to 36, characterised thereby, that a fixedly located element, peferably a metal plate (75), is arranged in such a manner between the container output (III) and the container input (I) that each bell (26) between the container output (III) and the container input (I) is closed except for a narrow annular gap formed between its lower open end and the element (75).

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