EP0953542B1 - Filling valve for a filling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The filler element (3) housing (6) contains a liquid-duct (9) forming a discharge opening, and connected to the liquid-chamber of a boiler (2). The boiler contains a gas-chamber which contains an atmosphere below a first gas pressure. A liquid-valve (13) is opened for filling a container (4) placed by its aperture (5) on the filler element, and is closed at the end of the filling stage. A return gas pipe (14) has a bottom open end (11') protruding beyond the underside of the filler element, and at least partly enclosed by the discharge opening. A gas duct (16) extends from the bottom end of the return pipe into the gas-chamber. A gas valve with main body blocks and opens the gas duct to the gas chamber. Gas-ways (20,21,28) are controlled by a control valve (23). A trinox duct (26) contains a preferably inert gas at a second gas pressure higher than the first gas pressure, and is connected by the control valve and a first gas-way (21,28) with the interior of the container.

Description

The invention relates to a single-chamber filling system according to the preamble of claim 1. Filling systems of this type are in different designs known. In particular, in the DE-U-9 321 223 describes such a filling system.

The object of the invention is to demonstrate a filling system which is simplified constructive training a level adjustment via Trinox in particular reliably enabled.

To solve this problem is a filling system according to claim 1 educated.

In the invention, the span gas valve or its valve body also forms the Trinox valve. This results in a simplified and particularly reliable Education.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention in the first gas path via which the Interior of the container after the end of filling and after closing the filling or Liquid valve with the Trinox pressure is applied to the fill level adjust and excess filling through the return gas pipe into the liquid space or to push the boiler back, an element reducing the gas flow, for example provided in the form of a throttle or nozzle. This will in conjunction with the Special design of the gas valve ensures that the Trinox pressure in the filled Container (bottle) largely independent of fluctuations in gas pressure in the Trinox channel is.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung und im Vertikalschnitt eines der Füllelemente einer Füllmaschine umlaufender Bauart bei einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung wie Figur 1, jedoch bei einer weiteren, möglichen Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 3

in vergrößerter Teildarstellung das Spanngas- und Trinox-Ventil.

Developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation and in vertical section of one of the filling elements of a rotating type of filling machine in a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2

a representation like Figure 1, but in a further possible embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3

in an enlarged partial view the span gas and Trinox valve.

In the figures, 1 is a ring bowl of a mechanical single-chamber filling system, or a mechanical single-chamber filling machine of all-round design. The ring bowl 1 is in a known manner part of the revolving around the vertical machine axis Rotors of the filling machine. When the filling machine is in operation, the interior 2 of the Filling kettle 1 filled with the liquid filling material up to a predetermined level N, see above that in the ring bowl 1 or in the bowl interior 2 one of the liquid filling material occupied liquid space 2 'and above the level N a gas space 2 " result of an inert gas, for example a CO 2 gas with a predetermined Filling pressure picks up.

At the bottom of the ring bowl 2 are at regular angular intervals around the Machine axis distributed filling elements 3 are provided, each with one bottle carrier shown form a filling point, specifically for filling the bottles 4, for this with its bottle mouth 5 through the respective bottle carrier in Sealing position against the filling element 3 or against one on the underside of the housing 6 of the filling element 3 in the area of a centering device 7 ring seal 8 are pressed.

A liquid channel 9 is formed in the housing 6 and extends above through a passage 10 communicates with the liquid space 2 'and on the underside of the housing 6 an annular discharge opening concentrically enclosing a return gas pipe 11 12 forms for the liquid filling material. When in the sealing position with the filling element 3 Bottle 4 is thus sealed from the inside to the outside Dispensing opening 12 communicates with the lower end of the liquid channel 9. in the Liquid channel 9 is a valve body 14 forming the filling or liquid valve 13 arranged, which in Figure 1 in its lower, the liquid valve 13 blocking Position is shown to open the liquid valve 13 in the direction of Valve axis VA moved up and moved down to close again is controlled in a known manner by a mechanical control element 15, the pinion 15 'with control knobs, not shown, one with the rotor circumferential control curve cooperates and via a control curve 15 "on the Shaft 14 'acts.

The interior of the gas pipe 11, which with a predetermined length over the The underside of the filling element 3 protrudes and is open at the lower end 11 ' a channel formed in the shaft 14 'of the valve body 14 so that a gas channel 16 is formed, which extends partly in the gas pipe 11 and partly in the shaft 14 'and from the lower end of the gas pipe 11 'to the gas space 2 ", with one there mouth 17, which is clearly above the level N in the gas space 2 " A gas and Trinox valve 18 is located in the area of the mouth 17 in the gas channel 16 provided, which in the illustrated embodiment is essentially one Valve needle 19 is formed, which extends through the mouth 17 into the interior of the Gas channels 16 stretched in and with their lower, free end with one there formed valve seat 16 'cooperates. The valve needle 19 is in the direction of the axis VA and thus in the axial direction of the gas channel 16 from which the gas channel 16 is blocked Position to open the span gas and Trinox valve 18 can be raised, controlled through the mechanical control element 15. The valve needle 19 is still through it Dead weight, possibly also supported by a spring, not shown, in your that Tension gas and Trinox valve 18 biased locking position as follows is explained in more detail.

In the filling element 3 and partly in the housing 6, i.a. channels 20 and 21 formed, of which the channel 20 at one end to the bottom of the Ring bowl 1 provided and common to all filling elements 3 Vacuum channel 22 is connected, which in turn with a not shown Vacuum or vacuum source is connected. The other end of the channel 20 is on an input of a mechanical control valve device 23 connected for each filling element 3 is provided separately on its housing 6. In the illustrated Embodiment is the control valve device 23 of a rotary slide valve is formed, which by means of a control lever 23 'by a not shown stationary control curve is controllable. A throttle 24 and a are in series in the channel 20 Valve 25 arranged. The latter acts on the one hand as a check valve in such a way that it only opens and in for a gas flow towards the vacuum channel 22 blocks in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the valve 25 also acts as Pressure relief valve, which closes when the pressure in channel 20 at the the side of the valve 25 facing away from the vacuum channel 22 below a lower one Pressure threshold (relief pressure) falls. The pressure threshold is adjustable.

The channel 21 is connected at one end to a Trinox channel 26 which is connected to the bottom of the ring bowl 1 as a common for all filling elements 3 Ring channel is formed. The other end of the channel 21 stands with a second one Input of the control valve 23 in connection. There is still a second one in channel 21 Throttle 27 connected. The Trinox channel 26 contains in a manner known per se Inert gas, for example C02 gas, with a gas pressure that is above the filling pressure in the Gas space 2 "is located, i.e. a pressure is regulated in the Trinox channel 26, for example, by approximately 1.0-2.0 bar is above the filling pressure in the gas space 2 ".

Furthermore, a third channel 28 is provided, which has one end with the Liquid channel 9 in the flow direction after the liquid valve 13 in connection stands and with its other end with a third connection of the control valve 23 connected is. In the control valve 23 is still a leading to the atmosphere Relief channel 29 is provided.

The control valve 23 has e.g. at least four switch positions, namely a first Switch position in which all channels 20, 21 and 28 on control valve 23 are closed are, a second switching position in which the channel 20 is connected to the channel 28 and the channel 21 is closed and a third switching position in which the channel 20 closed on the control valve 23 and the channel 21 is connected to the channel 28. In a fourth switching position of the control valve, the channels 20 and 21 are closed, but the channel 28 is connected to the channel 29 via the control valve.

As a further embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a filling system which differs from the Filling system of Figure 1 essentially differs only in that instead of Vacuum channel a return gas channel 31 is provided, which in turn on the bottom of the ring bowl 1 as a ring channel common to all filling elements 3 is trained. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the valve 25 is in the channel 20 omitted.

With the system of Figure 1, a filling method is, for example, with the following Process steps possible:

Evacuate bottle 4

When the filling valve 13 is closed, it is in the sealing position with the filling element 3 located bottle 4 by connecting the channel 28 to the channel 20 via the Control valve 23 of the interior of the bottle 4 evacuated to approximately 90% vacuum.

Bottle 4 with intermediate CO2 rinsing

With the filling valve 13 closed and the channels 20, 21 and 28 blocking Control valve 23, the span gas and Trinox valve 18 is opened mechanically, namely controlled via the pinion 15 '. CO2 from the gas space 2 "is thereby introduced into the bottle 4" initiated via the gas channel 16.

Evacuate bottle 4 again

With the filling valve 13 closed and the span gas and Trinox valve 18 closed the channel 28 is reconnected to the channel 20 via the control valve 23, whereby the bottle is evacuated again to approx. 90% vacuum.

Prestressing the bottle 4

With the filling valve 13 closed and the channels closed by the control valve 23 20, 21 and 28, the span gas and Trinox valves are opened again mechanically 18, specifically controlled via the pinion 15 ′, the interior of the bottle 4 is biased on the filling pressure.

Filling the bottle 4

As soon as a pressure equalization between the interior of the bottle 4 and the ring bowl or the gas space 2 ″ there, the liquid valve 13 opens due to the Spring bias of the valve body 14 automatically. The span gas and Trinox valve 18 is still open mechanically. The channels 20, 21 and 28 are through Control valve 23 blocked.

filling

As soon as the level in the bottle 4 has the lower end 11 ′ of the return gas pipe 11 exceeds, the outflow of the filling material from the interior of the bottle 4th displaced gas through the gas channel 16 into the gas space 2 "interrupted the further inflow of the filling material from the liquid space 2 'is prevented. The Tension gas and Trinox valve 18 is still in the open position. The Channels 20, 21 and 28 are blocked on the control valve 23.

Close the filling valve mechanically and open the Trinox

The filling valve 13 is closed mechanically.
As stated above, a pressure is regulated in the Trinox channel 26, which is approximately 1.0-2.0 bar above the filling pressure in the gas space 2 ".

The span gas and Trinox valve 18 is now due to the pressure in the channel 16 in its open position. The channels 21 and 28 are via the control valve 23 connected so that from the Trinox channel 26 a limited by the nozzle 27 Gas flow can flow into the bottle 4 or in the bottle neck 1. In the bottle 4 there is an overpressure above the filling level there, which results from the Filling pressure in the ring bowl 1, from the weight or closing force of the valve needle 19th (Pressure threshold of the span gas and Trinox valve 18) and from the via the nozzle 27 incoming gas flow. This Trinox pressure in bottle 4 is through appropriate dimensioning of the cross section of the nozzle 27 and the closing force the valve needle 19 set so that in the bottle 4 above the end 11 ' standing contents over the gas channel 16 gently and without any noteworthy Alarm, especially without significant foam and splash formation in the interior 2 of the ring bowl 1 is pushed back. Because of the 27th limited gas flow arises between the end 11 'and the product level in the Bottle 4 is a constant and reproducible gas gap. This allows Achieve filling level accuracies that are far above those of known filling systems.

If the Trinox channel 26, as described above, is fed with CO2, then through the gas flow flowing into the interior 2 via the gas channel 16 Atmosphere in the gas space 2 "constantly enriched with CO2.

Pressure-controlled pre-relief

With the filling valve 13 closed, with the span gas and Trinox valve 18 closed and in the case of channels 20 and 28 connected via the control valve 23, one takes place pressure-controlled pre-relief. For this purpose, the valve 25 (by appropriate selection of Spring force) the pre-relief pressure required in the bottle neck is set. The at the Pre-relief of gases escaping from bottle 4 are via the vacuum channel 22 dissipated. The pressure is reduced from the filling pressure to the pre-relief pressure gentle, by throttling the gas flow through the nozzle or throttle 24th

The gas expanding in the gas channel 16 can between the above-mentioned gas gap the end 11 'and the level in the bottle 4 without any noteworthy The surface of the product is disturbed via the bottle neck and channels 28 and 20 flow out. The filling material in the bottle 4 is disturbed by this in the gas channel 16 Expanding gas does not take place, in contrast to known ones Filling systems in which the end 11 'of the gas pipe 11 in the filling material at the end of the filling is immersed. Depending on the product to be filled, the Pre-relief pressure set so that gas bubbles from the drink quickly and without a foam formation disturbing the filling process rises on the surface.

Residual discharge to atmospheric pressure

With the filling valve 13 closed and the span gas and Trinox valve 18 closed the channel 28 is connected to the channel 29 via the control valve 23. The channels 20 and 21 are closed on the control valve 23. Via a nozzle provided in the channel 29 30 then the residual pressure is released to atmospheric pressure. Because of the previous one With these residual loads, pre-relief does not result in any significant spray losses.

With certain types of product, such as beer, the pre-relief pressure can be on Valve 25 can be set so that it is only slightly above atmospheric pressure (e.g. about 0.5 bar). In this case, the residual relief can be dispensed with.

Another modification of the method described above is that For example, the bottle 4 is only evacuated once, i.e. at first Evacuation and rinsing the bottle is dispensed with.

The possible with the embodiment of Figure 1, described above Filling process (single-chamber filling principle with or without pre-evacuation, with pressure-controlled pre-relief in the vacuum channel 22, with height correction by Trinox and residual relief into the atmosphere) is particularly suitable for filling of wine, cooler drinks, sparkling wine, sparkling wine and sparkling wine as well as containing more CO2 Spirits-based drinks.

In the embodiment with double pre-evacuation (low-oxygen filling) is suitable the system is especially suitable for bottling bottom and top-fermented beers 6.0g CO2 / Ltr., From wheat beers to 9.0gr CO2 / Ltr. and oxygen sensitive Soft drinks.

With the system shown in FIG. 2, for example, is a method possible, which is different from the method described above distinguishes that the process steps "evacuate bottle 4" and "bottle 4 with CO2 intermediate rinsing "is omitted. Furthermore, in the case of the system in FIG possible methods following the step "prestressing the bottle 4" Process step upstream:

Partial prestressing of the bottle 4 from the pre-relief channel 31

With the filling valve 13 closed and with the channels connected via the control valve 23 20 and 28 takes place before the final prestressing of the bottle 4 from the gas space 2 " a partial bias from the return gas or pre-relief channel 31, the one contains predetermined or regulated CO2 pressure, which for example the corresponds to half the filling pressure. This partial prestressing creates in the respective Bottle 4 is an atmosphere with a high proportion of CO2. This CO2 atmosphere improved if CO2 is also used in the subsequent Trinox step, whereby the proportion of CO2 in the atmosphere in the gas space 2 "and ultimately also the proportion of CO2 in the pre-relief channel 31 can be improved.

By partially pretensioning to a medium pressure level, an excessive one becomes Atomizing liquid particles during the subsequent tempering from the Ring kettle avoided. These atomized particles may form Release germs for the CO2 bound in the product, which leads to an uncontrolled Foaming could result in the subsequent relief.

The process steps of prestressing the bottle from the gas space 2 ", filling, filling, Mechanically close the filling valve and open Trinox correspond to the above described method.

The regulated pressure relief takes place in the method with the system of FIG. 2 not via valve 25 into vacuum channel 22, but via that in channel 20 provided nozzle 24 in the return gas or pre-relief channel 31, in which, as above executed, the predetermined pre-relief pressure is set or adjusted, and with the filling valve 13 closed and with the control valve 23 connected Channels 28 and 20. Even with this pressure-controlled pre-relief, the Pre-relief pressure as well as the pressure change (by appropriate dimensioning the nozzle 24) optimally adjusted to the product to be filled, so that it is too no disturbances caused by the contents (foam formation, release of CO2 etc.) comes.

FIG. 3 shows again the enlarged end of the upper end of the shaft 14 ' and the span gas and Trinox valve 18 formed there with the valve needle 19. How shown, the valve needle 19 is provided in the upper end of the shaft 14 ' Disc 32 floating freely, i.e. slidable in the direction of the vertical axis VA intended. The disc 32 is used in a known manner in cooperation with the Control element 15 or its control curve 15 "for closing the liquid valve 13. When the liquid valve 13 is closed, the valve needle 19 can thus be depressurized be lifted inside the bottle 4 attached to the filling element 3, whereby the lower end of the valve needle 19 the valve seat formed in the gas channel 16 16 'releases and thereby opens the span gas and Trinox valve 18. The here at Opening necessary pressure or pressure threshold result from the Mass weight of the valve needle 19. This opening pressure can also by a spring, not shown, can be increased or adjusted if necessary.

The special feature is the double function of the valve needle 19 both as Tension gas as well as Tronix valve needle.

When flushing and / or prestressing from the gas space 2 ", the needle 19 is removed by the Control element 15 or by the control curve 15 "formed on this control element mechanically raised to open the span gas and Trinox valve 18.

With the described design of the span gas and Trinox valve 18 results in Connection to the nozzle 27 provided in the channel 21 also regulates the Trinox pressure in the bottle neck of the bottle 4 attached to the filling element 3, in particular also in the form that pressure fluctuations in the Trinox channel 26 hardly occur affect the Trinox pressure in the bottle neck, i.e. the pressure in the bottle 4 is after opening the Trinox channel essentially as described above depending on the closing force or the pressure threshold of the clamping gas and Trinox valve 18 and the dimensioning of the nozzle 27 or from the latter Nozzle flowing into the bottle neck. The nozzle 27 and the closing force of the span gas or Trinox valve 18, i.e. the weight of the closing needle 19 are so set that the Trinox pressure formed in the bottle is just sufficient to Push excess product gently back into the interior 2.

Due to the preliminary relief and possibly also residual relief in the vacuum channel 22 microbiological problems are also avoided, which result in a discharge in the atmosphere in the immediate vicinity of the respective filling element 3 by atomizing Contents can result. Especially when bottling beer, the pressure of the Pre-relief in the vacuum channel 22 can be set so low that a subsequent residual relief is no longer necessary.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

ring bowl

2

Boiler interior

2 '

liquid space

2 '

headspace

3

filler

4

bottle

5

bottle mouth

6

casing

7

centering

8th

ring seal

9

liquid channel

10

Passage

11

Return gas pipe

11 '

The End

12

discharge opening

13

Filling or liquid valve

14

valve body

14 '

valve body

15

control

15 '

pinion

15 "

cam

16

gas channel

16 '

valve seat

17

muzzle

18

Tension gas and Trinox valve

19

valve needle

20, 21

channel

22

vacuum channel

23

control valve

24

throttle

25

Check and pressure control valve

26

Trinox channel

27

throttle

28, 29

channel

30

throttle

31

Return gas or pre-relief duct

32

disc

Claims (14)

1. Single-chamber system for filling bottles or containers (4) of this kind with a liquid filling material, which comprises a tank (2) having at least one filling element (3) with a housing (6), a liquid channel (9) being formed in the housing (6) thereof, said liquid channel forming a discharge opening and being in communication with a liquid chamber of a tank (2), which is filled with the filling material and which contains, above the filling material, a gas chamber (2") having a first atmosphere under a first gas pressure (filling pressure), having a liquid valve (13) which opens in a filling phase in order to fill the respective container (4) fixed with a container opening (5) to the filling element (3) and is closed again at the end of the filling phase, having a return gas pipe (14) which protrudes beyond the underside of the filling element (3) with its lower open end (11') and is surrounded at least partly by the discharge opening (12) of the liquid channel (9), having a gas channel (16) extending from the lower end (11') of the return gas pipe (11) into the gas chamber (2"), having a controlled tension gas valve (18) provided on this gas channel and having a valve body (19) which blocks the gas channel to the gas chamber (2) in a closed position and opens the gas channel (16) to the gas chamber (2") in an opened position, and also having gas paths (20, 21, 28), which are configured at least partly in the housing (6) of the filling element (3) and are controllable via a control valve (23), characterised by a second gas channel (26) for receiving a gas, preferably an inert gas, with a second gas pressure which is greater than the first gas pressure, the second gas channel (26) being connectable via the control valve (23) and a first gas path (21, 28) to the interior of the container (4) fixed to the filling element (3) and the tension gas valve (18) being configured in such a manner that the valve body ( 19) thereof opens automatically when the gas pressure in the first gas channel (16) exceeds a prescribed pressure threshold which is greater than the first gas pressure but smaller than the second gas pressure.
2. Filling system according to claim 1, characterised in that the first gas path (21, 28) discharges in a region of the liquid channel (9) which lies in the flow direction of the filling material under the liquid valve (13).
3. Filling system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, in the first gas path (20, 28), at least one element reducing the pressure, for example at least one nozzle or throttle (27), is provided.
4. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tension gas valve (18) or the valve body (19) thereof are actuatable by a mechanical control element (15) which cooperates for example with a stationary control curve or stationary control cams.
5. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by the configuration as a filling machine of a rotational construction having a multiplicity of filling elements (3) provided on a rotor or circular tank (1).
6. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control valve (23) is a mechanically actuatable valve which cooperates for example with a stationary control curve or with stationary control cams.
7. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the valve body of the tension gas valve ( 18) is a valve needle (19), which is axially displaceable in the gas channel (16) and cooperates with a valve seat (16') formed in the gas channel (16).
8. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pressure threshold is determined or adjusted by the intrinsic weight of the valve body (19).
9. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the pressure threshold is determined at least partly by spring means which pre-tension the valve body (19) in its closed position.
10. Filling system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised by at least a second gas path (21) which is connectable to a further channel (22, 31) via the interior of the container (4) which is fixed to the filling element (3) in a second position of the control valve (23) via the container opening (5).
11. Filling system according to claim 10, characterised in that at least a second throttle or nozzle (24) is provided in the second gas path (20).
12. Filling system according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that a pressure control valve (25) is provided in the second gas path (20), which valve blocks the second gas path (20) when a second pressure threshold (e.g. pre-relief pressure) is fallen below.
13. Filling system according to one of the claims 10 - 12, characterised in that the further channel (22) is a vacuum channel which is connected or is connectable to a low pressure source.
14. Filling system according to one of the claims 10-13, characterised in that the at least one further channel (31 ) is a return gas or pre-relief channel and in fact for receiving the gas expelled from the container (4) during filling of the latter with a prescribed third gas pressure which is smaller than the first gas pressure.

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