EP1692071B1 - Filling element for a filling machine and filling machine provided with filling elements of this type - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 12. Such a filling element and such a filling machine are made DE 199 39 521 A1 known.

Filling elements for filling a liquid filling material in bottles, cans or the like containers in particular under counter-pressure, i. e.g. for bottling carbonated drinks are known in various designs.

When filling bottles or similar containers with a carbonated filling material, for example beer or soft drinks, after completion of the actual filling phase, i. after the final closing of the liquid valve of the respective filling element, a relief of the container still in sealing position on the relevant filling element to ambient or atmospheric pressure required before the container can be removed from the filling element. In this case, it is also known, in particular, to provide at the relevant filling machine a discharge channel common to all filling elements, with which the container in question can be controllably connected for relieving via a gas path of the filling element. However, such a discharge channel means an additional design effort.

It is also known in filling machines, before the actual filling phase and for example before flushing the respective container with an inert gas (for example CO2 gas) and / or before biasing the container interior with the pressurized inert gas to evacuate the respective container, i. To connect via a controlled gas path of the respective filling element with a common for all filling elements of the filling machine vacuum channel.

The object of the invention is to show a filling element for filling under counter pressure, which allows for a high reliability a simplified construction of a filling machine. To solve this problem, a filling element according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A filling machine is the subject of claim 12.

All possible embodiments of the invention have in common that the discharge of each under counter-pressure filled container after completion of the filling phase via a controlled gas path, i. takes place via a gas path with a control valve in a vacuum channel, namely a reducing and / or regulating the gas flow during unloading element, for example via a nozzle and / or a weight valve and / or a spring-loaded valve and / or a controllable or controllable gas flow control valve ,

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung ein füllrohrloses Füllelement einer Füllmaschine umlaufender Bauart zum Abfüllen von Getränken, insbesondere kohlesäurehaltigen Getränken unter Gegendruck;

Fig. 2

in einem Druck-Zeit-Diagramm den Verlauf der Entlastung nach Beendigung des eigentlichen Füllvorgangs (Füllphase), d.h. nach dem endgültigen Schließen des Flüssigkeitsventils;

Fig. 3 und 4

Darstellungen ähnlich Figur 1, bei zwei weiteren möglichen Ausführungsformen;

Fig. 5

in vergrößerter Detaildarstellung ein in einem Entlastungskanal vorgesehenes Ventil der Ausführungsform der Figur 4.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation of a filling tube filling element of a filling machine of rotating design for filling drinks, especially carbonated beverages under counter pressure;

Fig. 2

in a pressure-time diagram, the course of the discharge after completion of the actual filling process (filling phase), ie after the final closing of the liquid valve;

3 and 4

Representations similar FIG. 1 in two other possible embodiments;

Fig. 5

in an enlarged detail of a provided in a discharge channel valve of the embodiment of the FIG. 4 ,

That in the FIG. 1 generally denoted by 1 filling element is part of a single-chamber filling machine of rotating design and is provided together with a plurality of similar filling elements 1 each at uniform angular intervals about a vertical machine axis distributed on the circumference of a rotor 2. The rotor 2 has in the illustrated embodiment, inter alia, a common for all filling ring bowl 3, the interior 4 partially, that level control to a level N level filled with the liquid product (beverage) is filled, so above the level N of the liquid level of the liquid space 4.1 a Gas space 4.2 is formed. The liquid space 4.1 is connected to a supply line, not shown, for supplying the filling material under pressure and the gas space 4.2 is connected to a line for supplying the inert gas occupying this gas space, for example CO2 gas, under prestressing pressure.

In the rotor 2 a common for all filling elements 1 annular channel 5 is further provided, which surrounds the vertical axis of the machine concentric as the ring bowl 3, designed as a vacuum channel and is connected for this purpose with a vacuum or vacuum source, not shown.

Each filling element 1 is associated with a bottle carrier 6, with which each bottle to be filled 7 upright with its bottle mouth 7.1 via an annular, the Füllelementachse FA concentrically enclosing seal 8.1 in sealing position against a provided on the underside of a Füllelementgehäuses 9, also annular discharge opening 10th can be brought. The seal 8.1 is part of a centering tulip 8 of the respective filling element 1, which is guided by a vertical guide rod 11 and cam roller 12 cam-controlled in the direction of the Füllelementachse FA in rotating filling machine.

In Füllelementgehäuse 9 u. a. a liquid channel 13 is formed, which forms the discharge opening 10 with its lower end and is in communication with its upper end with the liquid space 4.1. In the liquid channel 13, the liquid valve 14 is provided for the controlled introduction and termination of Füllgutzuflusses in the respective bottle 7 during the filling phase. The liquid valve 14 consists essentially of a valve body 15 which is provided at the lower end of a coaxially arranged with the Füllelementachse FA return gas pipe 16 and cooperates with a valve seat in the liquid passage 13.

The upper end of the return gas tube 16, i. the upper end of the gas channel 16.1 formed in this tube communicates with the gas space 4.2. At the lower end of the return gas pipe 16, a sensor tube 17 connects, which is also arranged coaxially with the Füllelementachse FA and projects with a predetermined length on the underside of the Füllelementgehäuses 9 and extends into the brought into sealing position with the filling element 1 bottle 7. The sensor tube 17 is u. a. enclosed by the annular discharge opening 10 and forms with its channel the continuation of the gas channel 16.1.

On the filling element housing 9, two individually controllable and pneumatically actuable control cylinders or control valves 18 and 19 are provided, which are both associated with the vacuum or annular channel 5 and of which the control valve 18, for example for a pre-evacuation of the respective bottle 7, for flushing the bottle 7 with inert gas (CO2 gas) is opened from the gas space 4.2 and / or for a final evacuation of the bottle 7 before biasing this bottle with inert gas from the gas space 4.2 and of which the control valve 19 is opened substantially for the discharge of the respective bottle 7 after the filling phase becomes.

In Füllelementgehäuse 9 different gas paths are further formed, which contain these control valves 18 and 19, namely, the gas path 20, which contains the control valve 18, and the gas path 23, which contains the control valve 19. Both gas paths are in each case connected on the one hand to a channel 21 communicating with the annular channel 5 and on the other hand to a channel 22 which in turn opens into the liquid channel 13, in the flow direction of the medium after the liquid valve 14 and in front of the discharge opening 10 in the gas path 23, a throttle 24 is provided between the control valve 19 and the channel 21, so that ultimately the control valve 18 and the series connection of the control valve 19 and the throttle 24 are provided parallel to each other between the two channels 21 and 22.

The filling of the respective bottle 7 with the liquid filling material takes place, for example, in the form that is placed in sealing position against the filling element 1 bottle 7 first by opening the control valve 18, a pre-evacuation of the bottle interior, via the two channels 21 and 22nd and then the open gas path 20. Thereafter, for example, then rinsing of the interior of the bottle 7 with the inert gas (CO2 gas) from the gas space 4.2. For this purpose, for example, the control valve 18 is closed and the control valve 19 is opened and likewise opened via an actuator 26 in the return gas pipe 16 or in the local channel 16.1 provided valve 25, so inert gas into the interior of the bottle 7 through the open at its lower end sensor tube 17th flows in and can flow through the channels 21 and 22 and the opened by the control valve 19 gas path 23 into the vacuum or annular channel 5. A deviating control of the control valves 18 and 19 for flushing the bottle interior is conceivable, for example, an opening of the control valve 18th

After rinsing, for example, a repeated evacuation of the bottle interior takes place with the valve 25 closed and the control valve 18 open, the interior of the bottle 7 being in communication with the annular channel 5 via the gas path 20 opened in this case and the channels 21 and 22.

Before the actual filling process takes place with closed control valves 18 and 19, a biasing of the bottle interior with inert gas from the gas space 4.2. For this purpose, the valve 25 is opened by the actuating device 26, so that via the return gas pipe 16 and the sensor tube 17 inert gas flows into the bottle 7 under biasing pressure. Once the pressure in the wrong 7 has reached the biasing pressure of the gas chamber 4.2 opens in the illustrated embodiment, the liquid valve 14 automatically, so then on the open liquid valve 14 and the discharge port 10, the contents can flow into the bottle under gravity and this from the Interior of the bottle 7 displaced inert gas flows back through the valve 25 is still open in the gas space 4.2.

The filling process is completed as soon as the liquid level of the filling material in the bottle 7 has reached the lower end of the sensor tube 17, i. this end is immersed in the level of contents. Subsequently, the liquid valve 14 and the valve 25 are closed by the actuator 26.

To relieve the bottle 7 to ambient pressure or approximately to ambient pressure, the control valve 19 is then opened, for example by an electronic control unit and remains in the open state over a predetermined discharge time TE, so that the pressure in the bottle 7, for example, according to the in the FIG. 2 shown curve can drop to a pressure corresponding to the ambient pressure, by discharge over the open gas path 23 with the throttle 24 in the vacuum or annular channel 5. After the discharge time TE, the control valve 19 is closed again by the control electronics.

The discharge time TE is on the one hand dependent on machine parameters, such as flow cross-section or flow resistance of the throttle 24, negative pressure in the vacuum or annular channel 5, etc., and on the other hand also dependent on filling material or bottle specific parameters, such as preload pressure in the gas space 4.2, size or / and shape of the bottles 7, etc. Depending on the type and / or size of the bottles 7 and the type of contents, the unloading time TE is preferably adjustable on a control panel of the filling machine, for example, common to all filling elements 1 of the filling machine.

The initiation of the discharge takes place for the respective filling element 1, for example, after the closing of the valve 25 and the liquid valve 14. The termination of the discharge, i. the closing of the control valve 19 takes place e.g. inevitably after expiration of the discharge time TE.

The FIG. 3 shows as a further possible embodiment, a filling element 1 a, which differs from the filling element 1 of FIG. 1 only differs in that on the channel 22, a pressure sensor 27 is provided which measures the pressure in the channel 22 and supplies an electrical control or measuring signal corresponding to this pressure to an electronic discharge control 28, which in turn controls the control valve 19 during the discharge or discharge phase , And in such a way that after the discharge by opening the control valve 19 via the pressure sensor 27, the pressure in the channel 22 and thus in the provided on the filling element 1a bottle 7 is constantly measured. As soon as this pressure has reached or approximately reached the ambient or atmospheric pressure or else a predetermined nominal pressure, the control valve 19 is closed via the relief control 28 of the control electronics, so that the bottle 7 can then be withdrawn from the filling element 1a by lowering the bottle carrier 6. The sensor 27 and the associated relief control 28 are provided separately, for example, for each filling element 1a, wherein it is also possible for a plurality of pressure sensors 27 of a plurality of filling elements 1a or else all filling elements 1a of the filling machine to interact with a common relief control 28.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, only a single filling element or only a few filling elements of the filling machine are formed according to the filling element 1a with the pressure sensor 27, in which case the relief control 28 due to the signal supplied by the respective pressure sensor 27 during the discharge phase for the Relief on ambient pressure or target pressure necessary relief time TE determined with the then all filling elements of the filling machine or its control valves 19 are controlled during the respective discharge.

The FIG. 4 and 5 show as another possible embodiment, a filling element 1 b, which differs from the filling element 1 in that in the controlled gas path 23 instead of the throttle 24, a valve 29 is provided which acts as a throttle or gas flow regulating element and, for example, as a spring-loaded weight valve is trained. The valve 29 has a valve body 31 in a formed in the gas path 23 chamber 30, which with his in the FIG. 5 lower end cooperates with a valve seat 32 and in which in the FIG. 5 shown state the gas path 23 closes. Due to its own weight and supported by a compression spring 32, the valve body 31 is biased in this state, from which the valve body 31 during the discharge phase with open control valve 19 and at sufficiently high pressure in the bottle 7 and in the channel 22 in the vertical direction to open becomes. The weight of the valve body 31 and the force of the spring 33 are selected so that, taking into account the negative pressure in the vacuum or annular channel 5 of the valve body 31 after the discharge phase, ie after opening the control valve 19 as long as a gas flow through the valve 29 allows until a relief of the bottle 7 to ambient pressure or approximately to ambient pressure is reached. With increasing approach to the ambient pressure, the effective flow cross-section of the valve 29 decreases or the throttling effect of this valve increases, so that the desired for a gentle discharge of the respective bottle 7 desired course of the pressure drop is achieved during the discharge phase.

All described embodiments have in common that the relief throttle means or the gas flow regulating means in the vacuum channel, ie in the annular channel 5, so that an independent discharge channel for the filling elements of the filling machine is not required and this results in a particularly simplified training, namely while maintaining an optimal pressure curve during the discharge phase.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a, 1b

filler

2

rotor

3

ring bowl

4

Boiler interior

4.1

Fluid space of the ring boiler

4.2

Gas space of the ring boiler

5

Vacuum or annular channel

6

bottle carrier

7

bottle

7.1

bottle mouth

8th

centering bell

8.1

ring seal

9

filling element

10

discharge opening

11

guide rod

12

follower

13

liquid channel

14

liquid valve

15

valve body

16

Return gas pipe

16.1

Channel in the return gas pipe

17

sensor tube

18, 19

control valve

20

gas path

21, 22

gas channel

23

gas path

24

throttle

25

Valve in the return gas pipe

26

actuator

27

pressure sensor

28

relief controller

29

Valve with throttle effect

30

valve chamber

31

valve body

32

valve seat

33

compression spring

FA

filling element

Claims (17)

1. Filler element for a filling machine for filling a product, for example, a beverage, under counterpressure in bottles, cans or similar containers (7), the said filler element having a liquid duct (13) that includes a controllable liquid valve (14) and ends in a product discharge opening (10), and having at least one first controlled gas path (20), by means of which the interior of the respective container (7) that is placed on the filler element (1, 1a, 1b) is connectable to a vacuum duct (5) of the filling machine for an evacuation process, in which also a controlled pressure relief of the container after it is filled is effected under counterpressure, characterised in that a second controlled gas path (23) is provided for the relief, the said second gas path connecting the container interior to the vacuum duct (21) and being provided with at least one element (24, 29) that reduces and/or regulates the flow in the said gas path (23).
2. Filler element according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one throttle (24) is provided in the second controlled gas path (23).
3. Filler element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one valve (29) that regulates the flow is provided in the second, controlled gas path (23), the said valve opening at a gas pressure in the gas duct (22) or in the container (7) above atmospheric pressure and closing at a gas pressure that is equal to or approximately equal to atmospheric pressure.
4. Filler element according to claim 3, characterised in that the valve (29) includes a valve body (31) that is pre-biased by a spring (23) against a valve seat (32).
5. Filler element according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the valve (29) regulating the flow includes a valve body (31) that abuts against a valve face (32) by means of its own weight.
6. Filler element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second controlled gas path (23) includes at least one control valve (19), and in that control means (28) are provided that open the control valve (19) for the relief process and forcibly close it after a predetermined relief time (TE).
7. Filler element according to claim 6, characterised in that the relief time (TE) is adjustable, for example in dependence on the product and/or on the type and/or size of the container (7).
8. Filler element according to claim 6 or 7, characterised by a pressure sensor (27), which supplies a control or measuring signal to the control means (28) for controlling the control valve (19) in the second gas path (23), the said control or measuring signal corresponding to the pressure in the container (7) or in a gas duct (22) that communicates with the interior of the container.
9. Filler element according to claim 8, characterised in that the control means (28) block the second control valve (19) when the control signal supplied by the pressure sensor (27) corresponds to the ambient pressure or approximately to the ambient pressure or to a predetermined required pressure.
10. Filler element according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the control means (28), on account of the measuring signal received from the pressure sensor (27), determine the relief time (TE) required for the relief to ambient pressure, at which the closing of the second gas path (23) of the filler element or additional filler elements is then effected.
11. Filler element according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by its embodiment as a tubeless filler element with a product discharge opening (10) on the bottom of a filler element housing (9) and with a return gas duct (16, 17), which opens out into the container interior with the container (7) placed onto the filler element, wherein the second gas path (23) opens out, for example, by means of the gas duct (22) into the liquid duct (13) in the region of the product discharge opening (10).
12. Filling machine of the rotary type for filling a product into bottles, cans or similar containers (7) under counterpressure and with subsequent relief to ambient pressure, the said filling machine including a plurality of filler elements (1, 1 a, 1 b) on a rotor (2) that is drivable in a rotating manner about a vertical machine axis, characterised in that the filler elements are designed according to one of the preceding claims.
13. Filling machine according claim 12, characterised in that the relief time (TE) is adjustable in common for all filler elements (1) of the filling machine.
14. Filling machine according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that at least one filler element (1a) of the filling machine includes a pressure sensor (27) in the relief duct (22, 23).
15. Filling machine according to claim 14, characterised in that all filler elements (1a) of the filling machine include a pressure sensor each (27) in the relief duct (22, 23).
16. Filling machine according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the relief control means (28) that interacts with the pressure sensor (27) determines the relief time (TE) for controlling the second gas path (23), at which (relief time), for example, the relief of all filler elements is controlled that are associated with the filler element with pressure sensor (27).
17. Filling machine according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterised in that simply one filler element (1a) of the filling machine includes the pressure sensor (27) that measures the pressure in the relief duct (22, 23).

Images