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EP2065335B1 - Method to fill containers - Google Patents

Method to fill containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2065335B1
EP2065335B1 EP08019762.7A EP08019762A EP2065335B1 EP 2065335 B1 EP2065335 B1 EP 2065335B1 EP 08019762 A EP08019762 A EP 08019762A EP 2065335 B1 EP2065335 B1 EP 2065335B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
cleaning
container
return gas
liquid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
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EP08019762.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2065335A1 (en
Inventor
Rupert Meinzinger
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Krones AG
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Krones AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2065335A1 publication Critical patent/EP2065335A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/001—Cleaning of filling devices

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for filling containers with liquid.
  • Such a method is known from DE-AS 1 114 719 known.
  • This document relates to a method for hot filling of carbonated drinks, especially beer.
  • the filling takes place via a device which has a valve-controlled filling element with an outlet opening, through which the liquid enters the container.
  • a return gas path in the form of a return gas pipe, which extends through the valve into the container and through which the air displaced by the liquid can escape from the container.
  • return gas pipes continue to determine the filling level in the container. It is unavoidable that liquid and possibly occurring foam wets the return gas pipe outside and inside and there may be caught.
  • the stuck in the interior of the return gas tube foam from the previous filling process disturb the new filling, so for example, extend the filling time, reduce the filling level or excessive occurrence of foam by disturbing the pressure relief with clogged return gas pipe to lead.
  • the return gas pipe is hosed down or blown out as a precaution after each filling operation, so that liquid residues possibly present in the return gas pipe reach the outside. Blowing is, however, an additional operation that takes time, thereby extending the filling process.
  • cleaning agent is consumed. If water is used as a cleaning agent, it must be additionally collected and discharged.
  • blowing out of the return gas pipe is carried out with inert gas, so for example CO 2 , which passes into the atmosphere after blowing and is lost.
  • inert gas so for example CO 2
  • the single blow-off process consumes very little gas, the gas consumption adds considerably to the large number of blow-off operations.
  • the DE-A-43 43 425 describes a method for filling containers with liquid, according to the preamble of claim 1 containing a cleaning step.
  • the cleaning step is carried out fully automatically by a control command or by retrieving a corresponding program of the control device also controlling the machine during filling.
  • a rinsing sleeve must be connected to the filler valve, which is done via a lifting element.
  • the cleaning liquid is introduced via at least one gas path, which is connected to the return gas pipe.
  • the US-A-2006/0185755 describes a method for automatic cleaning of a filling machine, which is carried out periodically. This may be done by a controller automatically initiating the cleaning after a predetermined interval, which interval may be a time interval or a predetermined number of filled containers or a predetermined flow rate for filling a plurality of containers.
  • the EP-A-1 544 155 describes a filling element for filling containers, such as bottles or the like., With a discharge opening, which is arranged in a recess into which the respective container extends when filling with its container mouth. It is provided a cleaning option that requires that the recess is closed by a plate-shaped closing element. The cleaning or rinsing should be done from time to time, suggesting a cleaning at predetermined time intervals.
  • the invention is therefore based on the object to design the known method economical.
  • the requirement is determined by determining deviations from a filling period and / or the level reached in the filled container.
  • the determination as to whether there is a need for cleaning can be made, for example, by determining process parameters and / or quality assurance criteria which have to be determined anyway during or after the filling process and whose deviation from the setpoint value could be due to contamination of the return gas path.
  • the cleaning is performed only over a certain number of filling operations and then automatically terminated until a deviation of setpoints is detected again.
  • the cleaning is preferably carried out by blowing.
  • the single FIGURE shows a schematic representation of a filling device 1 of a filling machine for container 2.
  • the filling device 1 is part of a not shown Rotary Jacobstoffmaschine for filling bottles with a CO 2 -containing beverage.
  • the filling device 1 includes a housing 3, at the lower end of a filler neck 4 is formed. At this closes at the top, a valve seat 5, which cooperates with a height-movably mounted in the housing 3 valve body 6.
  • the spout of the liquid is controlled in the container 2.
  • the control takes place via a control device, not shown, such that the valve body 6 is lifted from the valve seat 5 until the liquid in the container 2 has reached a predetermined filling level.
  • the filling device 1 further includes a vertically mounted mounted centering bell 7, which is provided with a sealing ring 8.
  • the centering bell 7 ensures an exact centering of the bottle mouth for the filling process.
  • the sealing ring 8 causes a good seal between the bottle 2 pressed onto the filling device 1 and the filler neck 4.
  • a return gas path is formed, which is generally used in the illustrated embodiment, as in filling machines, as return gas pipe 9 which is arranged so that it extends into the container 2, when the container 2 against the centering 7 and the Centering bell 7 is pressed against the housing 3 in the filling position.
  • the return gas pipe 9 extends in the illustrated embodiment through an opening in the valve body. 6
  • span gas can be introduced into the container 2 via the return gas path before the liquid is filled.
  • This tension gas or the air present in the container 2 is displaced by the liquid during filling and vented via the return gas path.
  • the filling process is terminated and the container 2 separated from the filling device 1.
  • the filling device 1 is prepared after the removal of the first container for the filling of a second container.
  • the container 2 Before or after sealing, the container 2 passes through various quality control stations, in which it is determined, for example, whether the setpoint of the filling level is reached, whether excessive foaming has taken place or the like.
  • deviations in the predetermined process sequence such as filling process changes or filling errors
  • the operating parameters such as the filling end (filling level), the filling time (measure of the liquid flow rate) or the like and / or certain quality assurance criteria, such as the fill level detected in the container, the appearance of foam indicative of uncontrolled discharge, or the like, does not conform to the predetermined set points (where appropriate, within certain tolerance limits)
  • certain quality assurance criteria such as the fill level detected in the container, the appearance of foam indicative of uncontrolled discharge, or the like
  • a cleaning process for the return gas path is initiated.
  • the cleaning of the return gas path is carried out by blowing with the aid of a gas jet, preferably an inert gas such as CO 2 , or air, from the side facing away from the container 2.
  • the cleaning can be done by one or more air surges through the same Raggasweg from the container 2 side facing away.

Landscapes

  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf ein Verfahren zum Befüllen von Behältern mit Flüssigkeit.The invention relates to a method for filling containers with liquid.

Ein derartiges Verfahren ist aus der DE-AS 1 114 719 bekannt. Diese Druckschrift betrifft ein Verfahren zum Heißabfüllen von kohlensäurehaltigen Getränken, insbesondere von Bier. Die Abfüllung erfolgt über eine Vorrichtung, die ein ventilgesteuertes Füllelement mit einer Auslassöffnung aufweist, durch die die Flüssigkeit in den Behälter gelangt. Es ist weiterhin ein Rückgasweg in Form eines Rückgasrohres vorgesehen, das sich durch das Ventil bis in den Behälter erstreckt und durch das die von der Flüssigkeit verdrängte Luft aus dem Behälter entweichen kann. Derartige Rückgasrohre bestimmen weiterhin die Füllhöhe im Behälter. Dabei ist nicht zu vermeiden, dass Flüssigkeit und gegebenenfalls auftretender Schaum das Rückgasrohr außen und innen benetzt und dort gegebenenfalls hängen bleibt. Bei einem erneuten Befüllvorgang eines weiteren Behälters kann beispielsweise der im Inneren des Rückgasrohrs hängen gebliebene Schaum aus dem vorangegangenen Befüllvorgang den neuen Befüllvorgang stören, also beispielsweise die Füllzeit verlängern, die Füllhöhe verringern oder zu einem übermäßigen Auftreten von Schaum durch die Störung der Druckentlastung bei verstopftem Rückgasrohr führen. Beim bekannten Verfahren wird demzufolge das Rückgasrohr vorsorglich nach jedem Befüllvorgang abgespritzt bzw. ausgeblasen, so dass gegebenenfalls im Rückgasrohr befindliche Flüssigkeitsreste ins Freie gelangen. Das Ausblasen bzw. Abspritzen ist jedoch ein zusätzlicher Arbeitsgang, der Zeit benötigt, wodurch der Befüllvorgang verlängert wird. Weiterhin wird Reinigungsmittel verbraucht. Wird Wasser als Reinigungsmittel eingesetzt, so muss dieses zusätzlich aufgefangen und abgeleitet werden. Das Ausblasen des Rückgasrohres erfolgt mit Inertgas, also beispielsweise CO2, das nach dem Abblasen in die Atmosphäre gelangt und verloren ist. Obwohl der einzelne Abblasvorgang sehr wenig Gas verbraucht, summiert sich der Gasverbrauch durch die Vielzahl der Abblasvorgänge beträchtlich.Such a method is known from DE-AS 1 114 719 known. This document relates to a method for hot filling of carbonated drinks, especially beer. The filling takes place via a device which has a valve-controlled filling element with an outlet opening, through which the liquid enters the container. There is further provided a return gas path in the form of a return gas pipe, which extends through the valve into the container and through which the air displaced by the liquid can escape from the container. Such return gas pipes continue to determine the filling level in the container. It is unavoidable that liquid and possibly occurring foam wets the return gas pipe outside and inside and there may be caught. In a renewed filling of another container, for example, the stuck in the interior of the return gas tube foam from the previous filling process disturb the new filling, so for example, extend the filling time, reduce the filling level or excessive occurrence of foam by disturbing the pressure relief with clogged return gas pipe to lead. Accordingly, in the known method, the return gas pipe is hosed down or blown out as a precaution after each filling operation, so that liquid residues possibly present in the return gas pipe reach the outside. Blowing is, however, an additional operation that takes time, thereby extending the filling process. Furthermore, cleaning agent is consumed. If water is used as a cleaning agent, it must be additionally collected and discharged. The blowing out of the return gas pipe is carried out with inert gas, so for example CO 2 , which passes into the atmosphere after blowing and is lost. Although the single blow-off process consumes very little gas, the gas consumption adds considerably to the large number of blow-off operations.

Die DE-A-43 43 425 beschreibt ein Verfahren zum Befüllen von Behältern mit Flüssigkeit, gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 das einen Reinigungsschritt enthält. Der Reinigungsschritt wird durch einen Steuerbefehl oder durch Abrufen eines entsprechenden Programms der die Maschine auch beim Füllen steuernden Steuereinrichtung vollautomatisch durchgeführt. Zum Reinigen muss eine Spülhülse mit dem Füllerventil verbunden werden, was über ein Hubelement geschieht. Die Reinigungsflüssigkeit wird über wenigstens einen Gasweg eingeleitet, der mit dem Rückgasrohr verbunden ist. Wann eine Reinigung eingeleitet wird, ist der Druckschrift nicht zu entnehmen; die Reinigung wird jedoch als CIP durchgeführt, was ein Anzeichen für eine routinemäßig eingeleitete Reinigung ist.The DE-A-43 43 425 describes a method for filling containers with liquid, according to the preamble of claim 1 containing a cleaning step. The cleaning step is carried out fully automatically by a control command or by retrieving a corresponding program of the control device also controlling the machine during filling. For cleaning a rinsing sleeve must be connected to the filler valve, which is done via a lifting element. The cleaning liquid is introduced via at least one gas path, which is connected to the return gas pipe. When a cleaning is initiated, the document is not apparent; however, cleaning is done as a CIP, which is a sign of routine routine cleaning.

Die US-A-2006/0185755 beschreibt ein Verfahren zum automatischen Reinigen einer Befüllmaschine, das periodisch durchgeführt wird. Dies kann dadurch geschehen, dass eine Steuereinrichtung die Reinigung automatisch nach einem vorbestimmten Intervall einleitet, wobei das Intervall ein Zeitintervall oder eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von befüllten Behältern oder eine vorbestimmte Durchflussmenge zum Füllen einer Vielzahl von Behältern sein kann.The US-A-2006/0185755 describes a method for automatic cleaning of a filling machine, which is carried out periodically. This may be done by a controller automatically initiating the cleaning after a predetermined interval, which interval may be a time interval or a predetermined number of filled containers or a predetermined flow rate for filling a plurality of containers.

Die EP-A-1 544 155 beschreibt ein Füllelement zum Befüllen von Behältern, wie beispielsweise Flaschen oder dgl., mit einer Abgabeöffnung, die in einer Ausnehmung angeordnet ist, in die der jeweilige Behälter beim Füllen mit seiner Behältermündung hineinreicht. Es ist eine Reinigungsmöglichkeit vorgesehen, die erforderlich macht, dass die Ausnehmung durch ein plattenförmiges Verschließelement verschlossen wird. Die Reinigung oder Spülung soll von Zeit zu Zeit vorgenommen werden, was auf eine Reinigung in vorbestimmten Zeitintervallen hindeutet.The EP-A-1 544 155 describes a filling element for filling containers, such as bottles or the like., With a discharge opening, which is arranged in a recess into which the respective container extends when filling with its container mouth. It is provided a cleaning option that requires that the recess is closed by a plate-shaped closing element. The cleaning or rinsing should be done from time to time, suggesting a cleaning at predetermined time intervals.

Der Erfindung liegt somit die Aufgabe zugrunde, das bekannte Verfahren ökonomischer auszubilden.The invention is therefore based on the object to design the known method economical.

Die Aufgabe wird durch die in Anspruch 1 angegebenen Merkmale gelöst.The object is solved by the features specified in claim 1.

Durch die erfindungsgemäße Ausgestaltung kann eine beträchtliche Menge an Reinigungsmittel, also insbesondere Gas, eingespart werden, da nur noch im Bedarfsfall gereinigt wird.The inventive design, a considerable amount of detergent, so in particular gas, can be saved, since only in case of need to be cleaned.

Der Bedarfsfall wird über eine Bestimmung von Abweichungen von einer Befülldauer und/oder über die im befüllten Behälter erreichte Füllstandshöhe festgestellt.The requirement is determined by determining deviations from a filling period and / or the level reached in the filled container.

Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen sind den Unteransprüchen zu entnehmen.Advantageous developments can be found in the dependent claims.

Ob gereinigt werden muss, kann zwar auch durch eine direkte Feststellung der Verschmutzung im Rückgasweg bestimmt werden, wird jedoch bevorzugt indirekt festgestellt.Although it must be possible to determine whether it must be purified by a direct determination of the pollution in the return gas path, it is preferably determined indirectly.

Die Feststellung, ob Reinigungsbedarf vorliegt, kann beispielsweise über eine Bestimmung von Prozessparametern und/oder Qualitätssicherungskriterien erfolgen, die sowieso im Verlaufe des Befüllvorganges oder danach bestimmt werden müssen und deren Abweichung vom festgesetzten Sollwert auf eine Verschmutzung des Rückgasweges zurückzuführen sein könnte.The determination as to whether there is a need for cleaning can be made, for example, by determining process parameters and / or quality assurance criteria which have to be determined anyway during or after the filling process and whose deviation from the setpoint value could be due to contamination of the return gas path.

Bevorzugt wird das Reinigen nur über eine bestimmte Anzahl von Befüllvorgängen durchgeführt und anschließend automatisch beendet, bis wieder ein Abweichen von Sollwerten festgestellt wird.Preferably, the cleaning is performed only over a certain number of filling operations and then automatically terminated until a deviation of setpoints is detected again.

Das Reinigen erfolgt bevorzugt durch Freiblasen.The cleaning is preferably carried out by blowing.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens wird nachfolgend anhand der einzigen Figur näher erläutert, die einen Befüllkopf in stark schematisierter Darstellung zeigt.An embodiment of the method according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the single figure, which shows a filling head in a highly schematic representation.

Die einzige Figur zeigt in schematischer Darstellung eine Befülleinrichtung 1 einer Befüllmaschine für Behälter 2. Im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Befülleinrichtung 1 Teil einer nicht weiter dargestellten Rotations-Gegendruckfüllmaschine zum Füllen von Flaschen mit einem CO2-haltigen Getränk. Die Befülleinrichtung 1 enthält ein Gehäuse 3, an dessen unterem Ende ein Füllstutzen 4 ausgebildet ist. An diesen schließt sich nach oben hin ein Ventilsitz 5 an, der mit einem höhenbeweglich im Gehäuse 3 gelagerten Ventilkörper 6 zusammenwirkt. Durch das so gebildete Flüssigkeitsventil wird der Auslauf der Flüssigkeit in den Behälter 2 gesteuert. Die Steuerung erfolgt über eine nicht dargestellte Steuereinrichtung derart, dass der Ventilkörper 6 vom Ventilsitz 5 so lange angehoben wird, bis die Flüssigkeit im Behälter 2 eine vorbestimmte Füllhöhe erreicht hat. Diese kann entweder über einen Sollwert einer Befüllzeit bestimmt werden, die nach einem vorangegangenen Testlauf ausreichen müsste, den Behälter 2 mit der vorgegebenen Füllmenge zu befüllen, und das Ventil anschließend wieder schließt, oder der Durchfluss wird gemessen, oder die erreichte Füllhöhe wird gemessen, oder dgl., wobei die die Füllhöhe bestimmenden Parameter überwacht werden.The single FIGURE shows a schematic representation of a filling device 1 of a filling machine for container 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the filling device 1 is part of a not shown Rotary Gegendruckfüllmaschine for filling bottles with a CO 2 -containing beverage. The filling device 1 includes a housing 3, at the lower end of a filler neck 4 is formed. At this closes at the top, a valve seat 5, which cooperates with a height-movably mounted in the housing 3 valve body 6. By the thus formed liquid valve, the spout of the liquid is controlled in the container 2. The control takes place via a control device, not shown, such that the valve body 6 is lifted from the valve seat 5 until the liquid in the container 2 has reached a predetermined filling level. This can either be determined via a setpoint of a filling time, which would have to be sufficient after a previous test run to fill the container 2 with the predetermined filling amount, and then the valve closes again, or the flow rate is measured, or the filling level is measured, or Like., Wherein the filling height determining parameters are monitored.

Die Befülleinrichtung 1 enthält weiterhin eine höhenbeweglich gelagerte Zentrierglocke 7, die mit einem Dichtring 8 versehen ist. Die Zentrierglocke 7 sorgt für eine exakte Zentrierung der Flaschenmündung für den Befüllprozess. Weiterhin bewirkt der Dichtring 8 eine gute Abdichtung zwischen der an die Befülleinrichtung 1 angepressten Flasche 2 und dem Füllstutzen 4.The filling device 1 further includes a vertically mounted mounted centering bell 7, which is provided with a sealing ring 8. The centering bell 7 ensures an exact centering of the bottle mouth for the filling process. Furthermore, the sealing ring 8 causes a good seal between the bottle 2 pressed onto the filling device 1 and the filler neck 4.

In der Befülleinrichtung 1 ist weiterhin ein Rückgasweg ausgebildet, der im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel, wie bei Befüllmaschinen allgemein üblich, als Rückgasrohr 9 ausgebildet ist, das so angeordnet ist, das es in den Behälter 2 hineinreicht, wenn der Behälter 2 gegen die Zentrierglocke 7 und die Zentrierglocke 7 gegen das Gehäuse 3 in der Befüllstellung gepresst wird. Das Rückgasrohr 9 verläuft im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel durch eine Öffnung im Ventilkörper 6.In the filling 1 further a return gas path is formed, which is generally used in the illustrated embodiment, as in filling machines, as return gas pipe 9 which is arranged so that it extends into the container 2, when the container 2 against the centering 7 and the Centering bell 7 is pressed against the housing 3 in the filling position. The return gas pipe 9 extends in the illustrated embodiment through an opening in the valve body. 6

Zum Befüllen eines Behälters 2 wird dieser an die Zentrierglocke 7 und die Zentrierglocke 7 an das Gehäuse 3 gepresst. Je nach Art der einzufüllenden Flüssigkeit kann beispielsweise über den Rückgasweg Spanngas in den Behälter 2 eingegeben werden, bevor die Flüssigkeit eingefüllt wird. Dieses Spanngas bzw. die im Behälter 2 vorhandene Luft wird beim Befüllen durch die Flüssigkeit verdrängt und über den Rückgasweg entlüftet. Nach Erreichen des vorbestimmten Füllstandes, wobei die Eintauchtiefe des Rückgasrohres 9 in den Behälter 2 die Füllstandshöhe bestimmen kann, wird der Befüllvorgang beendet und der Behälter 2 von der Befülleinrichtung 1 getrennt. Die Befülleinrichtung 1 wird nach dem Entfernen des ersten Behälters für das Befüllen eines zweiten Behälters vorbereitet.To fill a container 2, it is pressed against the centering bell 7 and the centering bell 7 against the housing 3. Depending on the type of liquid to be filled For example, span gas can be introduced into the container 2 via the return gas path before the liquid is filled. This tension gas or the air present in the container 2 is displaced by the liquid during filling and vented via the return gas path. After reaching the predetermined level, wherein the immersion depth of the return gas pipe 9 in the container 2 can determine the filling level, the filling process is terminated and the container 2 separated from the filling device 1. The filling device 1 is prepared after the removal of the first container for the filling of a second container.

Vor oder nach dem Verschließen durchläuft der Behälter 2 verschieden Qualitätskontrollstationen, in denen beispielsweise festgestellt wird, ob der Sollwert der Füllhöhe erreicht ist, ob eine übermäßige Schaumbildung stattgefunden hat oder dergleichen.Before or after sealing, the container 2 passes through various quality control stations, in which it is determined, for example, whether the setpoint of the filling level is reached, whether excessive foaming has taken place or the like.

Werden jedoch während des Befüllvorgangs des ersten Behälters bzw. während der Qualitätskontrolle des ersten Behälters Abweichungen im vorbestimmten Verfahrensablauf, wie Füllprozessveränderungen oder Füllfehler, festgestellt, beispielsweise weil irgendeiner der Betriebsparameter, wie beispielsweise das Befüllende (Füllhöhe), die Befülldauer (Maß für den Flüssigkeitsdurchsatz) oder dergleichen und/oder bestimmte Qualitätssicherungskriterien, wie beispielsweise die im Behälter festgestellte Füllhöhe, das Auftreten von Schaum, das auf eine unkontrollierte Entlastung hindeutet, oder dergleichen, nicht den vorgegebenen Sollwerten (gegebenenfalls innerhalb bestimmter Toleranzgrenzen) entspricht, so kann eine Ursache dafür sein, dass der Rückgasweg durch Flüssigkeit oder Schaum verschmutzt oder verstopft ist. Um die am einfachsten zu beseitigende, mögliche Ursache für das Verfehlen der Sollwerte, d. h. die Verschmutzung des Rückgasweges, zu beseitigen, wird ein Reinigungsvorgang für den Rückgasweg eingeleitet. Im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel erfolgt die Reinigung des Rückgasweges durch Freiblasen mit Hilfe eines Gasstrahles, bevorzugt ein Inertgas wie CO2, oder Luft, von der dem Behälter 2 abgewandten Seite her. Das Reinigen kann durch einen oder mehrere Luftstöße durch den gleichen Rückgasweg von der dem Behälter 2 abgewandten Seite her erfolgen.However, during the filling process of the first container or during the quality control of the first container, deviations in the predetermined process sequence, such as filling process changes or filling errors, are determined, for example because any of the operating parameters, such as the filling end (filling level), the filling time (measure of the liquid flow rate) or the like and / or certain quality assurance criteria, such as the fill level detected in the container, the appearance of foam indicative of uncontrolled discharge, or the like, does not conform to the predetermined set points (where appropriate, within certain tolerance limits), then one cause may be: the return gas path is dirty or clogged by liquid or foam. In order to eliminate the simplest possible cause for the missing of the setpoint values, ie the soiling of the return gas path, a cleaning process for the return gas path is initiated. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning of the return gas path is carried out by blowing with the aid of a gas jet, preferably an inert gas such as CO 2 , or air, from the side facing away from the container 2. The cleaning can be done by one or more air surges through the same Rückgasweg from the container 2 side facing away.

Sind die Verschmutzungen des Rückgasweges nicht nur zufälliger Natur, sondern durch die Art der Flüssigkeit bedingt, bzw. wird festgestellt, dass sich die Verschmutzungen des Rückgasweges über eine Reihe aufeinanderfolgender Befüllvorgänge akkumuliert haben, bis sie einen den Sollwert der Parameter oder Qualitätskriterien aus dem Toleranzbereich bringendes Ausmaß erreicht haben, so kann die Reinigung über eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Befüllvorgängen durch die gleiche Befülleinrichtung 1, oder jeweils nach einer vorbestimmten Anzahl von Befüllvorgängen vorgenommen werden. Es können auch benachbarte Befülleinrichtungen für eine vorbestimmte Anzahl von Befüllvorgängen mit gereinigt werden. Die Zwischenschaltung eines Reinigungsschrittes des Rückgasweges zwischen zwei Befüllvorgängen kann auch zeitlich begrenzt werden. Weiterhin können Vorkehrungen getroffen werden, dass ein Reinigungsvorgang des Rückgasweges beim Übergang auf ein anderes Produkt vom Bedienpersonal unabhängig von der Gesamtsteuerung eingeleitet werden kann.Are the contaminants of Rückgasweges not only of a random nature, but due to the nature of the liquid, or it is found that the contaminants of Rückgasweges have accumulated over a series of successive Befüllvorgänge until they bring the setpoint of the parameters or quality criteria from the tolerance range Have reached extent, so the cleaning over a predetermined number of filling operations by the same filling device 1, or in each case after a predetermined number of filling operations can be made. It is also possible to clean adjacent filling devices for a predetermined number of filling operations. The interposition of a cleaning step of the return gas path between two Befüllvorgängen can also be limited in time. Furthermore, provision can be made that a cleaning process of the return gas path can be initiated by the operating personnel independently of the overall control when moving to another product.

Claims (6)

  1. A method for filling containers (2) with liquid, wherein a gas displaced by the liquid out of the container (2) escapes via a return gas path (9), and the return gas path (9) is cleaned,
    characterized in that
    the return gas path (9) is cleaned only in case of need, wherein
    the case of need is detected by determining deviations of a filling duration and/or by the filling level reached in the filled container (2).
  2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the case of need is detected indirectly.
  3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the case of need is detected by determining process parameters of the filling operation and/or quality assurance criteria.
  4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that cleaning is carried out during a predetermined number of filling operations.
  5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that cleaning is carried out for a predetermined filling period.
  6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that cleaning is carried out by blowing off.
EP08019762.7A 2007-11-28 2008-11-12 Method to fill containers Not-in-force EP2065335B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102007057285A DE102007057285A1 (en) 2007-11-28 2007-11-28 Method for filling containers

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2065335A1 EP2065335A1 (en) 2009-06-03
EP2065335B1 true EP2065335B1 (en) 2016-06-08

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08019762.7A Not-in-force EP2065335B1 (en) 2007-11-28 2008-11-12 Method to fill containers

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US8365780B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2065335B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4887521B2 (en)
CN (1) CN101445212B (en)
DE (1) DE102007057285A1 (en)
RU (1) RU2008146578A (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2950609B1 (en) 2009-09-29 2011-12-09 Sidel Participations FILLING MACHINE EQUIPPED WITH A CLEANING DEVICE IN PLACE WITH INDIVIDUAL COLLECTOR ELEMENTS

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NL110158C (en) 1957-11-14
US3993111A (en) * 1975-05-15 1976-11-23 Horix Manufacturing Company Container-filling machine with level sensing and blowdown
DE2739742C3 (en) * 1977-09-03 1981-02-12 Hermann 8404 Woerth Kronseder Vessel filling device
JPS56106789A (en) 1980-01-17 1981-08-25 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Washer for filling machine
DE3439736A1 (en) * 1984-10-31 1986-04-30 Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik, 8402 Neutraubling METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FILLING A LIQUID IN BOTTLES OR THE LIKE.
DE3717256A1 (en) * 1987-05-22 1988-12-01 Seitz Enzinger Noll Masch METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FILLING CARBONIC LIQUIDS, IN PARTICULAR DRINKS, UNDER BACK PRESSURE IN VESSEL OD. DGL.
DE3924188A1 (en) * 1989-07-21 1991-01-31 Orthmann & Herbst EXTERNAL STEELING DEVICE FOR ROTATING BEVERAGE FILLERS
DE4213737A1 (en) * 1991-10-17 1993-04-22 Seitz Enzinger Noll Masch METHOD FOR FILLING BOTTLES OR THE LIKE CONTAINERS WITH A LIQUID FILLING MATERIAL AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THIS METHOD
DE4343425A1 (en) 1993-12-18 1995-06-22 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Lifting device for filling machine
CN2199974Y (en) * 1994-03-17 1995-06-07 苏强 Fast quantitative liquid filling device
DE4429594A1 (en) * 1994-08-20 1996-02-22 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Process for filling a liquid product into bottles or the like
US5941290A (en) * 1998-02-19 1999-08-24 Diversey Lever, Inc. Cleaning system for industrial uses
DE19818761A1 (en) * 1998-04-27 1999-10-28 Khs Masch & Anlagenbau Ag Single-chamber filling system
JP4210028B2 (en) 2000-09-27 2009-01-14 富士フイルム株式会社 Maintenance method of liquid ejecting apparatus and image forming apparatus
US20060252761A1 (en) * 2001-03-29 2006-11-09 Michael Davis Augmentation of extinction via administration of sub-antimicrobial doses of D-cycloserine
US20040078239A1 (en) * 2002-06-25 2004-04-22 Dacosta Victoria K. Integrated patient care method, apparatus, and system
DE10359779B4 (en) 2003-12-19 2006-03-16 Khs Maschinen- Und Anlagenbau Ag Filling element of a filling machine
US7143793B2 (en) * 2005-02-18 2006-12-05 Johnsondiversey, Inc. Cleaning system for a filling machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP4887521B2 (en) 2012-02-29
JP2009132456A (en) 2009-06-18
US20090133776A1 (en) 2009-05-28
RU2008146578A (en) 2010-05-27
CN101445212A (en) 2009-06-03
EP2065335A1 (en) 2009-06-03
US8365780B2 (en) 2013-02-05
CN101445212B (en) 2011-05-25
DE102007057285A1 (en) 2009-06-04

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