DE102016104286A1 - Outlet opening formed as an annular gap and purge = CO2 - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling element (10) for filling containers with a liquid, comprising an elongate filling element body (12) which encloses an axial product channel (14) in which a valve element (16) is movably arranged, which valve element (16) Valve body (19) which forms a filling valve (22) with a valve seat arranged on the Füllelementkörper (12), wherein the filling element at the lower end of the product channel (14) has a discharge opening (28). In the area of the discharge opening (28), at least one rinsing outlet opening (30) is arranged, which is connected via a rinsing control valve (44) to a rinsing gas feed (46).

Description

The present invention relates to a filling element for filling containers with a liquid, in particular a Freistrahlfüllelement, in which the liquid product flows to the container to be filled from the filling valve in a free filling jet or Füllgutstrahl, wherein the flow of the filling material by guide elements, such. Ableitschirme, swirler or short or long filling tubes is influenced or changed.

Such a filling element has an elongated, generally vertically extending Füllelementkörper which encloses an axial product channel in which a filling valve is arranged. The filling valve includes an axially adjustable arranged in the product channel valve element with a valve body, which cooperates with a arranged on the Füllelementkörper valve seat. The filling element has a discharge opening at the lower end of the product channel. Such a filling element is from the DE 10 2006 017 706 A1 known.

It is an object of the invention to further develop the scope of such a Freistrahlfüllelements so that it is not only suitable for non-pressurized leadership, but also for pressure filling, eg for filling CO ₂ -containing beverages.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a free jet filling element by the features of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention is achieved by a method according to claim 16. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the associated dependent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are also disclosed in the description and in the drawings.

According to the invention, at least one scavenging outlet opening is arranged in the area of the dispensing opening, which is connected via a scavenging control valve to a scavenging gas feed. As purge gas is preferably used here CO ₂ , which is useful in particular for the filling of CO ₂ -containing drinks. By pre-rinsing with CO ₂ , oxidation of the filled liquid, in particular a beverage by residual oxygen from the ambient air is avoided. In addition, the container can be filled via the rinse outlet opening during filling with a relation to the ambient pressure increased filling pressure (pressure filling) when the container opening is gas-tight at the lower end of the Füllelementkörpers.

Preferably, the scavenging outlet surrounds the dispensing opening annularly and thus forms a kind of annular gap which surrounds the dispensing opening. In this way, a very homogeneous and complete flushing is achieved especially for containers with a round cross-section.

Preferably, the Spülaustrittsöffnung is inclined downwards and inclined to the central axis of the Füllelementkörpers, so that during flushing a purge gas flow is achieved in a desired manner, such that the purge gas flows in the middle of the container down and at the edges of the container back up where escapes from the container, in particular through a Spülrückführöffnung eg in the ambient air or in a vacuum chamber. Preferably, for this purpose, the outlet opening or the annular gap has an angle of 5-25 ° relative to the central axis of the Füllelementkörpers, i. the exit angle is quite acute relative to the axis of the filler body. In this way, the flushing scheme described above is achieved.

In principle, it is possible that the purge gas escapes after flushing the container in the ambient air. Preferably, however, at least one purge return opening is arranged in the region of the discharge opening, through which the purge gas can escape in a controlled manner. This is advantageous in particular when the flushing return opening surrounds the dispensing opening in an annular manner, so that the flushing gas, which is preferably flushed in annularly, also emerges from the container opening in a ring shape after the container has been flushed through. In this way, a homogeneous rinsing pattern is achieved in the container, which leads to a complete flushing of the container, which prevents subsequent oxidation of the filled beverage by residual oxygen.

Preferably, the Spülrückführöffnung also surrounds the particular annular Spülaustrittsöffnung also preferably annular, so that a configuration is formed with the discharge opening in the middle, surrounded by the annular Spülaustrittsöffnung, which in turn is surrounded by the annular Spülrückführöffnung. In this way, a very defined and homogeneous rinsing scheme can be achieved in the container. The Spülgaszu- and -abfuhr is also very fast and effective.

The flushing outlet opening is preferably located at the end of a flushing channel arranged in the filling element body, in which a flushing control valve is arranged. The purging control valve can be actuated by a controller in time correlation with the filling valve and can thus be used for a defined pre-purging of the container before filling or for a pressure filling of the container under a relation to the ambient pressure increased CO ₂ pressure.

The purge return opening is preferably also formed at the end of a return gas channel arranged on the filler element body, in which a purge return gas valve is arranged. In this way, not only the purge gas supply, but also the purge gas discharge can be controlled in temporal correlation to the actuation of the filling element, so that different filling process steps, such as rinsing, biasing the container with purge gas, pressure fillings, pre-discharges and residual discharges can be controlled in a simple manner. The purge control valve and the purge return gas valve are preferably disposed on the filler member, while the control for the respective valves is preferably located centrally in a filling machine having a plurality of the above-mentioned filling elements.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Füllelementkörper carries at its lower end a sealing arrangement which is designed to come in gas-tight contact with the container opening of a container to be filled. In this way, the container can be kept at a different pressure from the ambient pressure, which allows the pre-washing, pressure filling, pre-relieving and residual relieves in an absolutely controlled manner, regardless of the ambient pressure. This also allows the filling of CO ₂ -containing drinks in the free jet filling process.

Preferably, the seal assembly is disposed at the lower ring end of a bellows, whose upper end is gas-tightly connected to the lower end of the Füllelementkörpers, and the ring end is disposed on an axial adjusting mechanism for adjusting the ring end in the axial direction. In this way, the sealing arrangement can be pressed gas-tight at the ring end by means of the adjusting mechanism to the container opening. Thus, a trouble-free pre-rinsing of the container or pressure filling is made possible without the distance of the filling element itself must be adjusted relative to the container receptacle.

Preferably, in the filling element, the valve element and thus the valve body of the filling valve in a conventional manner via a control mechanism axially movable relative to the valve seat.

Preferably - in the horizontal plane - the discharge opening, the Spülaustrittsöffnung and possibly the Spülrückführöffnung disposed within the sealing arrangement, which makes it possible to control the flushing pressure in the container, regardless of the ambient pressure.

As already stated above, the filling element is a free-jet filling element in which the filling jet downstream of the filling valve is not influenced or impaired by any guiding measures.

The invention also relates to a filling machine comprising a plurality of filling elements of the above-mentioned type, each having a container holder arranged under each filling element, but which may also be common to a plurality of filling elements, e.g. as a management level. The container holder and / or the filling element are preferably movable in the axial direction in order to bring the container opening into contact with the sealing arrangement of the filling element. However, even the sealing arrangement can be axially adjustable relative to the container opening. In this way, a rinsing and filling of the container can be carried out under a pressure deviating from the ambient pressure.

The filling machine preferably has a central control provided for all filling elements, which controls the operation of the flushing control valve for the flushing gas feed and preferably also the operation of the flushing gas valve for the flushing gas return opening in temporal correlation with the actuation of the filling valve, thus providing a defined flushing process and / or or Druckbefüllungsvorgang, in particular for the filling of CO ₂ -containing drinks to realize.

The invention also relates to a method for filling containers with a liquid by means of a filling element of a filling machine, wherein the filling element is preferably designed as a free-jet filling element. According to the method, a container for producing a gas-tight filling position is brought into gas-tight contact with the sealing arrangement of the filling element and the container is flushed, at least before filling with a purge gas. In this way, the container to be filled, irrespective of the ambient pressure and the conditions of the ambient atmosphere with a desired purge gas, in particular CO _{2 are} flushed and the filling process can be carried out under pressure, which also allows the filling of CO ₂ -containing drinks in the free jet filling.

Preferably, CO _{2 is} used as purge gas and the filling of the container takes place under a relation to the ambient pressure increased CO ₂ gas pressure. It even allows the filling of CO ₂ -containing beverages, such as beer in the free jet filling process.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the o.g. Embodiments of the invention can be combined in any way with each other. It is further apparent that features of the invention as defined in the claims may be single or multiple. Thus, in each channel, e.g. be arranged in the purge passage or in Spülrückgaskanal more controllable valves.

The flushing outlet opening may be, for example, an annular opening or consist of a plurality of, in particular annularly arranged, preferably circular individual openings which surround the dispensing opening.

The following expressions are used synonymously: return gas channel purge back-gas channel; Control valve purge; Return gas valve Spülrückgasventil;

It is also possible for each filling element to have its own separate control for the valves connected to the flushing outlet opening and the flushing return opening, so that a central control is not absolutely necessary.

The invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the schematic drawing. In this show:

1 a vertical longitudinal section through a filling element according to the invention during the rinsing phase,

2 the filling element 1 during the filling phase, and

3 - 13 the course of a filling process with the in 1 shown filling element for pre-rinsing and pressure filling a container with a CO ₂ -containing beverage.

1 shows a filling element 10 a filling machine, which may be formed as a round filling machine, for example. The filling element 10 has an elongate, vertically extending filler body 12 , which is a central product channel 14 surrounds. In the product channel 14 which is in the center and coaxial with the Füllelementkörper 12 is arranged, is a central valve element 16 through a valve control element 18 kept adjustable in the axial direction. The valve element 16 has a valve body 19 with which it is on the valve seat 20 is present, which at the lower end of the Füllelementkörpers 12 is arranged. The valve body 19 together with the valve seat 20 forms the filling valve 22 , Next up on the filler body 12 is a product feed channel 24 arranged, which of a particular magnetic inductive flowmeter (MID) 26 to control the amount of product supplied for each container for control purposes. The MID can alternatively also the product channel 14 surround. Below the filling valve 22 is a discharge opening 28 arranged, which the lower outlet or the lower open end of the product channel 14 forms. This discharge opening 28 is from a Spülaustrittsöffnung 30 surrounded in the form of an annular gap, which annular gap obliquely downward to the central axis of the Füllelementkörpers 12 is inclined, so as the flushing flow shown with arrows 32 in a below the discharge opening 28 arranged container 34 to realize. The annular purge outlet is surrounded by an annular purge return port 36 , which is also in the form of an annular gap, and serves that through the container 34 returned streamed purge gas. At the lower end of the Füllelementkörpers 12 more precisely at the lower ring area 23 a bellows 58 whose upper end 60 is gas-tightly connected to the lower end of the Füllelementkörpers, is a sealing arrangement 38 arranged in the form of a ring seal which for abutment with the container opening 40 is designed. The container is thus when it is with its container opening 40 at the ring seal 38 abuts, gas-tight relative to the ambient atmosphere with the discharge opening 28 , with the flushing outlet 30 and the purge return port 36 connected.

The flushing outlet 30 is with a flushing channel 42 connected, in which a purge control valve 44 is arranged, wherein the purge control valve 44 with a purge gas supply 46 , in particular CO ₂ supply is connected. The purge gas supply may be the gas space in a product container of a CO2-containing product. The flushing return port 36 is in turn with a return gas channel 48 connected, via a Spülrückgasventil 50 with a Spülgasabführraum, in particular a vacuum space 52 is connected to realize a quick flushing can. The container 34 is on a container receptacle 54 a filling machine arranged, which has several filling elements 10 according to 1 having. The filler body 12 is via an axial actuating mechanism 56 held displaceable in the axial direction, so that the sealing arrangement or ring seal 38 in sealing system with one on the container receptacle 54 standing container 34 , or its container opening can be brought.

1 shows the position of the filling element 10 when flushing the container with the purge gas 32 wherein the purge control valve 44 as well as the return gas valve 50 are open, so that the purge gas, in particular CO ₂ from the purge gas 46 in a Spülgasabführraum, for example, as a vacuum space 52 is formed, can flow, which is in the container 34 indicated by arrows rinsing pattern 32 the purge gas results, resulting in a very complete flushing of the container and thus at least approximately complete removal of atmospheric gas. Rinsing has the purpose of ensuring that there is no residual oxygen in the container 34 remains before the actual filling process.

2 shows the filling element 10 when filling the container after the container has been rinsed. When filling the valve element 16 via the control mechanism 18 raised, leaving the filling valve 22 is open and the container 34 With Filling material is filled. The occurring CO ₂ is via the Spülaustrittsöffnung 30 and the purge control valve 44 back into the purge gas supply room 46 directed so that it is returned for further use. In this way, the existing CO _{2 is} best utilized.

It is worth mentioning that the ring seal 38 preferably at the ring end 23 the bellows 58 is arranged, whose upper end 60 with the filler body 12 connected is. About the axial actuator 56 thus becomes the ring seal 38 axially in the direction of the container opening 40 moved to and from this, thus the container 34 gas-tight with the discharge opening 28 , the flushing outlet 30 and the purge return port 36 connect to.

Preferably, the filling machine is a round-filling machine with a plurality of arranged at its periphery filling elements of the type mentioned above. The discharge space 68 , the purge gas supply room 46 and the purge gas discharge space or vacuum space 52 are preferably annular spaces on the outer circumference of the round filling machine, which allow easy coupling of a filling element.

The 3 - 13 show the filling element 10 out 1 during the pressure filling and prewash of a container with a CO ₂ -containing beverage.

3 shows the filling element 10 during filling of the container 34 in the container receptacle 54 , About the axial actuator 56 is the ring seal 38 at the lower ring end of the bellows 58 raised so that the container 34 with its container opening 40 under the lower end of the filler body 12 can be inserted.

In 4 is the container 34 arranged in its filling position.

In 5 is the ring seal 38 via an actuation of the axial actuating element 56 down to the container opening 40 pressed on, leaving the container 40 now gas-tight with the filling element 10 connected is.

According to 6 becomes the purge control valve 40 opened, which the purge gas supply 46 with the rinse feed opening 30 connects and in the same way the Spülrückgasventil 50 opened, thus the Spülrückführöffnung 36 with the Spülgasabführraum or vacuum space 52 connect to. The container 34 is doing according to the flushing gas flow shown with arrows 32 completely rinsed. The supplied CO ₂ runs through a throttle 62 ,

According to 7 now becomes the container 34 brought to a biasing pressure in which the return gas valve 50 is closed so that the CO ₂ via the purge control valve 40 until reaching a desired bias pressure flows.

Well, according to 8th the filling valve 22 by lifting the valve element 16 are opened, the container is filled. In this case, the exiting CO _{2 flows} through the flushing outlet opening 30 and the purge control valve 44 in the flushing room 46 so that the escaping is recovered for a new flushing operation. In this context, it should be said that the Spülzufuhrraum 46 and the purge gas discharge space or vacuum space 52 in particular, are annular channels that run along the outer circumference in a circular filling machine and with each of the numerous filling elements 10 are connected. This means that on the feed room 46 always several filling elements 10 simultaneously access and remove CO ₂ , as well as supply CO ₂ .

At the filling is according to 9 the filling valve 22 closed by the valve element 16 over the control 18 is pressed down, leaving the valve body 19 at the valve seat 22 is applied.

According to 10 will now be the Spülrückführöffnung 36 via a relief valve 66 with a relief room 68 connected, so that an existing differential pressure can compensate for ambient pressure.

In the process step of 11 all control valves remain 44 . 50 . 66 the Spülaustrittsöffnung 30 and the purge return port 36 closed, so that the drink can calm down. According to 11 will now again the relief valve 66 opened to a residual overpressure in the relief room 68 dissipate. At the end of the filling process can then the ring seal 38 over the axial actuator 56 be raised again so that the container is released and can be removed from its filling position.

It will be understood that the embodiment described above is in no way limiting to this invention, but that it may be varied as desired within the scope of the following claims.

It has been assumed above that the purge return port ( 36 ) is a single opening. Of course, the Spülrückführöffnung ( 36 ) may also be designed so that it is composed of a plurality of openings, wherein the individual openings are separated from each other, for example, by webs.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

 filler

12

 Füllelementkörper

14

 product channel

16

 valve element

18

 control mechanism

19

 valve body

20

 valve seat

22

 filling valve

23

 lower ring end

24

 Product supply channel

26

 Flowmeter

28

 discharge opening

30

 Spülaustrittsöffnung

32

 purge gas

34

 container

36

 Spülrückführöffnung

38

 Seal assembly-ring seal

40

 container opening

42

 irrigation channel

44

 purge

46

 Spülgaszufuhrraum gas space

48

 Return gas channel

50

 Spülrückgasventil

52

 Vacuum Space Spülgasabfuhrraum

54

 container holder

56

 axial actuator

58

 bellow

60

 upper end of the bellows

62

 Throttle for purge gas supply

64

 relief line

66

 relief valve

68

 Relief space under ambient pressure

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 102006017706 A1 [0002]

Claims (18)

Filling element ( 10 ) for filling containers with a liquid, comprising an elongate filler body ( 12 ), which has an axial product channel ( 14 ), in which a valve element ( 16 ) is movably arranged, which valve element ( 16 ) a valve body ( 19 ), which is connected to one on the Füllelementkörper ( 12 ) arranged valve seat a filling valve ( 22 ), wherein the filling element at the lower end of the product channel ( 14 ) a discharge opening ( 28 ), characterized in that in the region of the discharge opening ( 28 ) at least one flushing outlet opening ( 30 ) is arranged, which via a purge control valve ( 44 ) with a purge gas supply ( 46 ) connected is. Filling element ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flushing outlet opening ( 30 ) the discharge opening ( 28 ) surrounds annularly. Filling element ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flushing outlet opening ( 30 ) obliquely downward and on the central axis of the Füllelementkörpers ( 12 ) is inclined. Filling element ( 10 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the axis of the Spülaustrittsöffnung ( 30 ) relative to the central axis of the filler body ( 12 ) includes an angle of 5 to 75 degrees. Filling element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the region of the discharge opening ( 28 ) at least one flushing return opening ( 36 ) is arranged. Filling element ( 10 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the flushing return opening ( 36 ) or the purge recirculation openings ( 36 ) the discharge opening ( 28 ) surrounded annularly. Filling element ( 10 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the flushing return opening ( 36 ) or the flushing return openings ( 36 ) the Spülaustrittsöffnung ( 30 ) surrounded annularly. Filling element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flushing outlet opening ( 30 ) at the end of a filler body ( 12 ) arranged flushing channel ( 42 ), in which a purge control valve ( 44 ) is arranged. Filling element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flushing return opening ( 36 ) at the end of a filler body ( 12 ) arranged return gas channel ( 48 ) is formed, in which a Spülrückgasventil ( 50 ) is arranged. Filling element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filler body ( 12 ) at its lower end a sealing arrangement ( 38 ) which is designed to be in gas-tight contact with the container opening ( 40 ) of a container to be filled ( 34 ) get. Filling element ( 10 ) according to claim 10, characterized in that the sealing arrangement ( 38 ) at the lower end of the ring ( 23 ) of a bellows ( 58 ) whose upper end is gas-tight with the lower end of the filler body ( 12 ) and that the ring end ( 23 ) on an actuating mechanism ( 56 ) is arranged for adjusting the ring end in the axial direction. Filling element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve element ( 16 ) via a control mechanism ( 18 ) axially relative to the valve seat ( 20 ) is movable. Filling element ( 10 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge opening ( 28 ), the Spülaustrittsöffnung ( 30 ) and, if appropriate, the flushing return opening ( 36 ) within the sealing arrangement ( 38 ) are arranged. Filling element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a free jet filling element. Filling machine comprising a plurality of filling elements according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one under each filling element ( 10 ) arranged container holder ( 54 ), characterized in that the container holder and / or the filling element is / is movable in the axial direction to the container opening ( 40 ) in contact with the sealing arrangement ( 38 ) bring to. Filling machine according to claim 15, characterized in that it is suitable for all filling elements ( 10 ) has a central control which, for each filling element ( 10 ) the activity of a purge control valve ( 44 ) for the Spülaustrittsöffung ( 30 ) and preferably the action of a Spülrückgasventils ( 50 ) for the flushing return opening ( 36 ) in temporal correlation to the actuation of the valve element ( 16 ) controls. Method for filling containers with a liquid by means of a filling element ( 10 ) of a filling machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a container for producing a gas-tight filling position in gas-tight contact with the sealing arrangement ( 38 ) of the filling element is brought that the container at least before filling with a purge gas ( 32 ) is rinsed. A method according to claim 16 for filling with CO ₂ -containing liquids, characterized in that is used as the purge gas CO ₂ , and that the filling of the container ( 34 ) takes place under a relative to the ambient pressure increased CO ₂ gas pressure.

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