DE102013106104A1 - Apparatus and method for filling a container with a filling product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, preferably for filling a container with a carbonated beverage in a beverage filling plant, comprising a drive (5) for applying a sealing sleeve (3) to a container mouth of the container to be filled wherein the drive (5) comprises a piston (54) which separates a working chamber (58) from a biasing chamber (56) for resetting the piston (54) with a biasing pressure, a pressure compensating device (7) being disposed between the biasing chamber (56 ) and the working chamber (58) is provided, wherein the pressure compensating device (7) for holding a predetermined preload pressure range, preferably between an upper and lower limit, in the biasing chamber (56) is formed.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device and a method for filling a container with a filling product, preferably for filling a container with a carbonated filling product in a beverage filling plant.

State of the art

For filling carbonated drinks in containers in a beverage filling plant, it is known to press the respective container with their container mouths to a filling member so that a gas-tight seal of the container is formed with the filling member to escape the necessary backpressure during filling carbonated drinks building up clamping gas to prevent.

For pressing the container or the container mouths to the respective filling member for gas-tight sealing, it is known to guide the respective containers on a lifting plate and lift the container by means of this lifting plate and thereby press the container mouths to the overlying filling member. For this purpose, a relative movement of the container to be filled relative to the overlying filling member is necessary and it is a lifting plate per container with the corresponding lifting devices needed. The provision of such lifting elements requires a fairly massive construction of the entire filler in order to remove the forces occurring.

In a known variant, lifting elements are installed in a plane above the container mouths of the container to be filled, so that here above the container to be filled further components are provided on which, for example, a condensation is possible, and thus require a higher effort for sanitation, there For example, condensation can drip into open containers.

In an alternative is from the DE 20 2006 001 234 U1 the concept of a filling known, in which the sealing of the container to be filled is carried out via a movable centering, such that the centering is lowered to the container to be filled and in this way a gas-tight seal can be achieved. After completion of the filling the centering bell is raised again accordingly. The return of the centering bell is achieved either by a compression spring or by the bias of a pressure pad.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for filling containers, which allow a reliable long-term operation.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims.

Accordingly, an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product, preferably for filling a container with a carbonated beverage in a beverage filling plant, is proposed, comprising a drive for applying a sealing sleeve to a container mouth of the container to be filled, the drive comprising a piston, which separating a working chamber from a biasing chamber which is acted upon to return the piston with a biasing pressure. According to the invention, a pressure compensation device is provided between the preload chamber and the working chamber, wherein the pressure compensating device for holding a predetermined preload pressure range in the preload chamber, preferably between an upper and a lower limit is formed.

By providing a pressure compensating device for holding a predetermined biasing pressure region in the biasing chamber, the biasing chamber can always be maintained in a predetermined pressure range. In this way, a defined range of pressure in the preload chamber, preferably between an upper and lower limit, can be achieved. So it can be ensured that the pressure in the preload chamber is always so great that a reliable return of the sealing sleeve is achieved in the starting position. By the predetermined biasing pressure range in the biasing chamber can also be ensured that a complete pressing of the sealing sleeve is always achieved at the respective container mouth with a predetermined contact force and so a reliable seal, for example when filling the container with a carbonated beverage is achieved. The known from the prior art uncontrolled increase in pressure in the biasing chamber due to a pumping effect or due to leaks between the cylinder chamber and piston is thus avoided. This accordingly avoids that the preload pressure present in the preload chamber becomes too high and then would stand in the way of a secure pressing on of the sealing sleeve by the counterforce caused thereby.

Preferably, the pressure compensation device comprises a first check valve and a second check valve, wherein the first check valve and the second check valve allow opposing flow rates between the biasing chamber and the working chamber. By the counter-flow rates of the predetermined biasing pressure range can be maintained because either an excess pressure from the working chamber can flow into the biasing chamber to raise a too low pressure in the biasing chamber. Or it may be an overpressure from the biasing chamber are discharged into the working chamber, if an excessively high pressure should have formed in the biasing chamber. In this case, the first check valve is preferably biased so that the preload chamber is acted upon by an overpressure, preferably an overpressure relative to the ventilated working chamber. Preferably, the second check valve is biased so that a pressure exceeding the biasing pressure region is reduced from the biasing chamber.

Preferably, a first check valve is provided which allows a volume flow from the working chamber into the biasing chamber and due to the biasing force of the check valve allows a lower pressure in the biasing chamber, as it is present in the working chamber. Furthermore, a second check valve is preferably provided, which allows a volume flow from the biasing chamber into the working chamber, wherein the second check valve has a biasing force such that the pressure in the biasing chamber is lowered at a vented working chamber to a predetermined initial level. In other words, such an excessive pressure buildup in the biasing chamber is avoided, for example due to a pumping effect and / or leaks.

By the bias of the first check valve, a biasing pressure is preferably caused in the biasing chamber, which corresponds to the lower limit of the biasing pressure range. By the bias of the second check valve, a biasing pressure is preferably caused in the biasing chamber, which corresponds to the upper limit of the biasing pressure range. The respective pressures always refer to the position of the piston in the initial state, ie with vented working chamber.

Particularly preferably, the pressure compensation device is designed so that it forms a biasing pressure range in the biasing chamber, which allows a return of the piston to the starting position, so that the sealing sleeve is also moved to the starting position.

By providing a first and a second check valve, which allow opposing flow rates, it can be ensured on the one hand that when pressurizing the working chamber with compressed air, a volume flow into the biasing chamber takes place, which rises to the predetermined by the biasing force of the check valve pressure in the biasing chamber , It should be noted that then moved by the further relative increase in pressure in the working chamber relative to the biasing chamber, the piston in the direction of the biasing chamber, whereby the recorded gas in the biasing chamber is compressed and correspondingly increases the pressure in the biasing chamber. The pressure pad constructed in this way or the pressure built up in this way in the prestressing chamber serves to drive the sealing sleeve back into the starting position after the filling operation has ended.

The build up of the pressure in the working chamber and the movement of the piston in the direction of the biasing chamber serve to press the sealing sleeve onto a corresponding container mouth. The set via the first check valve or its biasing force in the biasing chamber is suitably sized so that a pressing of the sealing sleeve on the container mouth with a predetermined pressing force is possible, although in the biasing chamber, a pressure prevails, which the movement of the piston for applying the sealing sleeve counteracts. In other words, the adjustable via the first check valve pressure is adjusted so that a pressure cushion is built up in the biasing chamber, which is a complete resetting or retraction of the sealing sleeve in ventilated working chamber, preferably at vented to atmospheric pressure working chamber is enabled. Accordingly, when the sealing sleeve is completely set back, there must still be a certain overpressure in the preloading chamber in order to allow a safe return.

A hypothetical expression of the first check valve such that would prevail in the fully retracted position of the sealing sleeve ambient pressure in the biasing chamber, would cause the sealing sleeve due to the unavoidable friction of the piston to the cylinder chamber and the dead weight of the piston and the sealing sleeve not could be completely reset. Therefore, a slight overpressure in the biasing chamber, at least for overcoming the friction of the piston and the dead weight also in the starting position is particularly preferred.

The second check valve, which allows a volume flow from the biasing chamber into the working chamber, ensures that no pressure builds up in the biasing chamber over time, which exceeds an upper limit in the fully retracted position, that is, the home position. In other words, during venting of the working chamber, the pressure in the preload chamber is again released until only the pressure required to fully reset the sealing sleeve is present in the preload chamber. The second check valve can be designed accordingly so that it exhausts so far on the setting of the biasing force, the pressure from the biasing chamber until there is only a slight overpressure against the ambient atmosphere.

By way of example configured in this way pressure compensation device is also achieved that in the biasing chamber, there is always a pressure which on the one hand allows the complete Aussteuern the sealing sleeve and thus a complete sealing of the container.

Thus, for each filling operation and correspondingly each lowering of the sealing sleeve for sealing a container opening for filling the container with a carbonated beverage and the subsequent retraction of the sealing sleeve to dispense the container again from the respective filling device, a defined initial pressure, clamping pressure and final pressure in the biasing chamber to reach.

Preferably, the sealing sleeve is magnetically coupled to the drive. Particularly preferred is a gas-tight separation between the piston and the sealing sleeve, such that the drive and the sealing sleeve are hygienically separated from each other.

In a further development, the pressure compensation device comprises at least one throttle check valve.

Due to the proposed embodiment of the biasing chamber can continue to dispense with the provision of a return spring, so that does not need to resort to susceptible parts. In other words, the predetermined preload pressure area serves to bias the plunger to the home position. On further biasing means can be waived accordingly.

In order to further reduce wear in the device, the sealing sleeve preferably has a sealing ring which has a larger diameter than a diameter predetermined by a gas-tight partition wall, wherein the sealing ring is preferably arranged concentrically to the sealing sleeve. Due to the occurring deformation a reliable seal is achieved. Particularly preferably, the sealing ring comprises a Teflon compound. In this way, excessive wear on the conventional seals can be avoided.

The above object is further achieved by a method for filling containers with the features of claim 13.

Accordingly, a method for filling a container with a filling product, preferably for filling a container with a carbonated filling product in a beverage filling plant, proposed, comprising applying a sealing sleeve to a container mouth of the container to be filled by actuation of a sealing sleeve coupled to the drive, which Piston comprises, which separates a working chamber of a biased for resetting the piston with a biasing pressure biasing chamber. According to the invention, the bias pressure in the biasing chamber is maintained by means of a pressure compensation device in a predetermined preload pressure range, preferably between an upper and lower limit.

Brief description of the figures

Preferred further embodiments and aspects of the present invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Showing:

1 a schematic sectional view through an apparatus for filling a container with a filling product; and

2 a schematic sectional view through a filling member.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements in the different figures are denoted by identical reference numerals and a repeated description of these elements will be omitted in the following description in part in order to avoid redundancies.

In the 1 and 2 is schematically a device 1 for filling a container with a filling product, in particular for filling a container with a carbonated beverage in a beverage filling plant. The drink is over a schematically indicated product valve 2 , which is a corresponding outlet sleeve 20 has discharged into a container, not shown, to be filled. As in 2 shown schematically, the product valve 2 a valve body 22 for controlling the outflow quantity or the outflow velocity, the filling product then leaving the mouth 24 Essentially exiting in the free jet.

A sealing sleeve 3 is provided, which is displaceable in the arrow direction upwards and downwards, wherein in the 1 and 2 shown upper position of the sealing sleeve 3 the starting position is in which a new container to be filled under the device 1 can be brought. In a downwardly deflected position, the sealing sleeve is used 3 then, pressed against a container mouth, the container to be filled both with respect to the mouth 24 the outlet sleeve 20 of the product valve 2 to center as well as to provide a gas-tight seal at the same time. Thus, the container to be filled with a carbonated beverage can be preloaded with a biasing gas before filling product through the product valve 2 flows into the container. Due to the bias of the container excessive foaming during filling can be avoided. Furthermore, a sudden application of pressure to the container can be avoided, so that container defects, in particular container fractures, can be avoided. Furthermore, it is about the gas-tight seal by means of the sealing sleeve 3 possible to flush the container to be filled, which is to be charged with the filling product, prior to filling with a gas, which may be of importance for example in oxygen-sensitive products. Here, it makes sense to rinse the container with CO _2, for example, so that the atmospheric oxygen is essentially displaced from the container volume.

After lowering the sealing sleeve 3 and pressing the sealing sleeve 3 On the container mouth, the container is either immediately preloaded with a clamping gas or biased after a Gasspülvorgang with the clamping gas, and then the product valve 2 by lifting the valve body 22 opened, so that the filling product can leak. After completion of the filling process, for example controlled by a volume sensor 28 , the valve body becomes 22 lowered again, leaving the product flow from the mouth 24 of the product valve 2 is interrupted. Thereafter, the pressurized, fully filled container via a relief valve 40 be relieved and the sealing sleeve 3 again in the in the 1 and 2 be retracted shown starting position. Starting from this starting position, in turn, a new container under the sealing sleeve 3 be driven, and the process begins again.

The biasing, rinsing and / or relieving the container with purge gas, clamping gas and product gas can via a gas channel 4 , which with a corresponding relief valve 40 and a clamping gas valve 42 is in communication and which is in communication with the product discontinuation at the same time.

The sealing sleeve 3 is with a drive 5 connected. The coupling between the sealing sleeve 3 and the drive 5 is magnetic. For this purpose, the sealing sleeve 3 a first permanent magnet 30 on, which with respect to a second permanent magnet 50 of the drive 5 is arranged. The drive 5 is annular around the sealing sleeve 3 arranged around and moves in a cylinder room 52 , which is formed in the embodiment shown as an annular chamber. The drive 5 has a piston 54 on, which is also annular in the embodiment shown and which is concentric with the sealing sleeve 3 extends. The piston 54 divides the cylinder space 52 in a prestressing chamber 56 and a working chamber 58 on.

The preload chamber 56 is by means of the piston 54 essentially gas-tight with respect to the working chamber 58 sealed.

The working chamber 58 can via a pneumatic channel 59 be pressurized with compressed air or vented to ambient pressure. When applying the working chamber 58 with a pressure via the pneumatic line 59 becomes the piston 54 in the direction of the preload chamber 56 so moved that the volume in the preload chamber 56 is compressed. By the movement of the piston 54 in the direction of the preload chamber 56 or in the 1 and 2 down, at the same time, the sealing sleeve 3 via the magnetic coupling, which via the two permanent magnets 30 . 50 is made, taken down, leaving the sealing sleeve 3 can be pressed onto the container mouth.

Due to the magnetic coupling, a gas- and liquid-tight partition 6 between the cylinder space 52 in the form of the annular chamber and the product space 62 , in which the filling product and the clamping gas or the purge gas enters the container, are provided. This results in a hygienic division of the product areas and the drive areas, so that a simple sanitation can be made.

The piston 54 who has the cylinder room 52 in the working chamber 58 and the preload chamber 56 divides and accordingly with a seal 540 is provided, which allow a correspondingly gas-tight seal, must meet no special hygienic requirements accordingly.

To build a biasing pressure in the preload chamber 56 during the build up of the pneumatic pressure in the working chamber 58 allow, and thus a certain overpressure in the preload chamber 56 to reach which a reliable return of the piston 54 is possible after completion of the filling process in the starting position, is a first check valve 70 provided which a volume flow from the working chamber 58 in the preload chamber 56 allows.

The first check valve 70 is biased via its corresponding biasing device in the locking device so that in the biasing chamber 56 introduced pressure is lower than that on the working chamber 58 applied pressure. Because of the pneumatic pressure in the working chamber 58 greater than the pneumatic pressure in the preload chamber 56 , can by switching on the pneumatic pressure on the working chamber 58 a movement of the piston 54 be reached down. This results in a downward movement of the sealing sleeve 3 , such that the sealing sleeve 3 is pressed onto an opening of a container.

Will the working chamber 58 vented, so brought to ambient pressure, then the piston 54 due to the biasing pressure in the biasing chamber 56 in the in the 1 and 2 shown driven back position.

In this process, it may happen that in the preload chamber 56 built-up biasing pressure, which is necessary to the piston 54 completely back to its starting position, increases over several process cycles. Such an increase in pressure can be done by, for example, small leaks in the seal 540 of the piston 54 opposite the cylinder chamber 52 occur. However, if the preload pressure in the preload chamber 56 too high, can be a reliable pressing of the sealing sleeve 3 can no longer be achieved at the respective container mouth, as the on the working chamber 58 applied pressure then no longer sufficient to that in the preload chamber 56 to overcome sufficiently established biasing pressure.

Accordingly, in this embodiment shown, a second check valve 72 provided which a volume flow from the biasing chamber 56 in the working chamber 58 allows. This second preload valve 72 allows it due to its bias after venting the working chamber 58 in the preload chamber 56 allow gas pressure to drop so far that only a predetermined, for the complete return of the piston 54 necessary pressure in the preload chamber 56 is present.

The first preload valve 70 and the second bias valve 72 are accordingly as a pressure compensation device 7 designed so that they pass contrary flow rates. The respective biasing elements in the check valves 70 . 72 are designed so that in the biasing chamber 56 located pressure is always maintained in a predetermined Vorspanndruckbereich so that, on the one hand, a reliable return to the starting position can be achieved, characterized in that even in the starting position, a slight overpressure in the biasing chamber 56 present to the ambient pressure. On the other hand, this biasing pressure in the preload chamber 56 but not so high that on the work chamber 58 applied pressure no longer to complete pressing of the sealing sleeve 3 sufficient.

In other words, it allows the pressure compensation device 7 , the pressure in the preload chamber 56 to hold in a predetermined preload pressure range, which reliably applies the sealing sleeve 3 on a mouth area for sealing, as well as a reliable reset of the sealing sleeve 3 in the starting position allows.

The sealing sleeve 3 is preferably designed so that it can be completely backwashed for cleaning. In particular, an upper sealing ring 32 provided, which in the fully retracted position, as in the 1 and 2 is shown, a backwash 34 provides which allows a complete backwashing. The upper sealing ring 32 is preferably designed so that it is slightly wider than that through the gas-tight partition 6 given diameter. Accordingly, when lowering the sealing sleeve 3 down the top seal ring 32 in direct contact with the gas-tight partition 6 brought and thereby slightly deformed so that a fluid-tight sealing is achieved here. Accordingly, in the lowered position, in which a loading of the container takes place with span gas, purge gas and product, a complete seal can be achieved.

The sealing ring 32 preferably comprises a Teflon compound, so that the friction on the gas-tight partition wall 6 is minimized and accordingly also a safe reset only because of in the biasing chamber 56 recorded biasing pressure is enabled.

The sealing sleeve 3 will continue in the lower part by means of a guide ring 36 which also preferably comprises a Teflon compound material to provide a smooth running. The guide ring 36 is preferably also slightly compressed because it has a smaller inner diameter than the outer diameter of the sealing sleeve 3 , In this way, a secure sealing of the overall device can be achieved.

The in the 1 and 2 shown device 1 for filling a container is preferably received in a rotary filler, so that a corresponding such filling member is provided at each position of the machine division. The device 1 is provided, for example, in the form of a filling member of a beverage filling plant, which can often be provided in a rotary filler in a beverage filling plant. Usually, a plurality of filling members are provided corresponding to the machine division of a rotary filler, wherein each individual filling member serves to fill a container arranged underneath and to be filled with the filling product.

About the proposed filling member, it is also possible to design a beverage bottling plant and in particular a filler so that it is intended both for filling with carbonated drinks, in which case the sealing sleeve 3 is always moved down to the container mouth of the container to be filled. But it is also possible, the device 1 to use for jet filling, for example, non-carbonated beverages such as still waters. Accordingly, the device shown is predestined to fill mineral waters, in which case both carbonated and non-carbonated mineral waters can be filled with the same filling organ. When bottling non-carbonated mineral waters may be due to a shutdown of the sealing sleeve 3 be omitted, so that the filling member works in principle as a free jet filler.

To allow a safe filling even when the sealing sleeve 3 is not extended, is still a seal 38 between the sealing sleeve 3 and the outlet sleeve 20 provided, which in the retracted state, ie in the 1 and 2 shown starting position, the seal between the sealing sleeve 3 and the outlet sleeve 20 of the product valve 2 provides.

Where applicable, all individual features illustrated in the individual embodiments may be combined and / or interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Device for filling a container with a filling product

2

 product valve

20

 outlet sleeve

22

 valve body

24

 muzzle

28

 volume sensor

3

 sealing sleeve

30

 permanent magnet

32

 sealing ring

34

 Hinterspülkanal

36

 guide ring

38

 seal

4

 gas channel

40

 relief valve

42

 Span gas valve

5

 drive

50

 permanent magnet

52

 cylinder space

54

 piston

56

 biasing chamber

58

 working chamber

59

 pneumatic channel

540

 poetry

6

 partition wall

7

 Pressure-balancing device

70

 first check valve

72

 second check valve

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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.

Cited patent literature

• DE 202006001234 U1 [0005]

Claims (13)

Contraption ( 1 ) for filling a container with a filling product, preferably for filling a container with a carbonated beverage in a beverage filling system, comprising a drive ( 5 ) for applying a sealing sleeve ( 3 ) to a container mouth of the container to be filled, wherein the drive ( 5 ) a piston ( 54 ) comprising a working chamber ( 58 ) of a for resetting the piston ( 54 ) can be acted upon by a biasing pressure biasing chamber ( 56 ), characterized in that a pressure compensating device ( 7 ) between the biasing chamber ( 56 ) and the working chamber ( 58 ) is provided, wherein the pressure compensation device ( 7 ) for holding a predetermined biasing pressure region in the biasing chamber ( 56 ), preferably between an upper and a lower limit, is formed. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure compensation device ( 7 ) a first check valve ( 70 ) and a second check valve ( 72 ), wherein the first check valve ( 70 ) and the second check valve ( 72 ) opposing volume flows between preload chamber ( 56 ) and working chamber ( 58 ) enable. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first check valve ( 70 ) is biased so that the biasing chamber ( 56 ) is subjected to an overpressure, preferably an overpressure relative to the ventilated working chamber ( 58 ), wherein the first check valve ( 70 ) is preferably biased according to the lower limit of the bias pressure range. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second check valve ( 72 ) is biased such that a pressure in the preload chamber exceeding the preload pressure range ( 56 ), wherein the second check valve ( 72 ) is preferably biased according to the upper limit of the bias pressure range. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure compensation device ( 7 ) is configured to provide a biasing pressure area in the biasing chamber ( 56 ), which both resetting the piston ( 54 ) in the starting position, as well as a reliable application of the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) allowed on a container mouth. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive ( 5 ) by a gas-tight partition ( 6 ) of the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) is disconnected. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure compensation device ( 7 ) comprises at least one throttle check valve. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive ( 5 ) with the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) is magnetically coupled, wherein the drive ( 5 ) and the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) preferably permanent magnets ( 30 . 50 ) for coupling. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) a sealing ring ( 32 ), which has a larger diameter than a through a gas-tight partition ( 6 ) predetermined diameter, and wherein the sealing ring ( 32 ) preferably concentric with the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) is arranged. Contraption ( 1 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the sealing ring comprises a Teflon compound. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) concentric with the piston ( 54 ) of the drive ( 5 ) and both the drive ( 5 ) as well as the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) Permanent magnets ( 30 . 50 ), via which a coupling between the drive ( 5 ) and sealing sleeve ( 3 ) is achieved. Contraption ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) is arranged backwash and preferably a backwash ( 34 ) is provided. Method for filling a container with a filling product, preferably for filling a container with a carbonated filling product in a beverage filling installation, comprising applying a sealing sleeve ( 3 ) on a container mouth of the container to be filled by actuation of a with the sealing sleeve ( 3 ) coupled drive ( 5 ), which is a piston ( 54 ) comprising a working chamber ( 58 ) of a for resetting the piston ( 54 ) can be acted upon by a biasing pressure biasing chamber ( 56 ), characterized in that the biasing pressure in the biasing chamber ( 56 ) by means of a pressure compensation device ( 7 ) is maintained in a predetermined biasing pressure range, preferably between an upper and lower limit value.

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