EP2576420B1 - Filling element and filling machine for filling bottles or similar containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a filling machine according to the preamble of patent claim 7.

Filling elements for filling bottles or similar containers, especially for pressure or counter-pressure filling of containers are known in various designs, especially in an embodiment with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

A generic filling valve was the experts by the DE 93 11 427 U known. This document is concerned in more detail with a filling valve for filling vessels with a liquid from a reservoir, on the underside of which at least one filler neck is arranged, which is connected via a vertical bore with an opening in the bottom of the reservoir, wherein in the bore Valve body of a liquid valve is guided vertically movable, which is penetrated by a vertical gas pipe, in the interior of which at least partially an electric level sensor and possibly its connection line sits, which is connected to a control device for acting on the valve body actuator. Furthermore, this document provides that the gas pipe is provided with an inner space of the reservoir and its lid (14) penetrating extension, and that the electrical level probe and / or its connecting line passes through the extension and in which from the reservoir (2) outstanding area is connected to the control device (12) DE 93 11 427 U presented filling valve does not take precautions against rising through the return gas tube foam or rising contents, which is to be regarded as a whole disadvantageous.

A disadvantage of these known filling elements is, inter alia, that the liquid contents during the filling process the respective filling element or its liquid channel usually in a flow direction radially to a vertical Füllelementachse flows, after entering the liquid channel of the filling element, the flow direction of the filling material undergoes a deflection by 90 ° or about 90 °, which usually leads to not inconsiderable turbulence within the filling. Subsequently, the contents flow within the liquid channel on a first relatively large flow cross-section in the direction of the open filling element side liquid valve, at which the flow cross-section abruptly or abruptly narrows by the enlarged cross section of a local valve body, which again to turbulence and to a reduction of the flow rate of the filling in Direction of the respective container leads and in particular prevents the formation of a homogeneous, uniform flow of the Füllgute, whereby, inter alia, the performance of a filling system or a filling machine (number of filled containers per unit time) is adversely affected.

Especially when pressure-filling containers with a CO2-containing product, such as beer, can continue to avoid with certainty that at the end of the respective filling process and the relief there to atmospheric pressure, which takes place partly via a gas channel (return gas channel), to a Foaming of the filling material and associated with it comes to an ascent of the foamed filling material in this gas channel. Because of the relatively small cross-section, the gas channel has in known filling elements, especially in those with a reaching through the gas channel, the filling level of the filling in the container-determining probe, there is a considerable risk that already the penetration of minute amounts of the foamed filling in the gas duct not only to contamination in this channel, but also in adjoining, formed in the filling element gas spaces, gas ducts or valves for h rt.

The object of the invention is to show a filling element which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages, in particular the formation of a harmonious, uniform flow of the filling material through the liquid channel when open Ensures liquid valve and / or avoids the penetration of foamed filling material in critical areas of the gas channel and adjoining gas spaces and / or channels of the filling element.

To solve this problem, a filling element according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A filling machine is the subject of claim 7.

A special feature of the invention is that the liquid channel has a constant or essentially constant flow cross section in a liquid channel section which extends in front of the liquid valve and which extends over a large part of the liquid channel, namely a flow cross section which essentially corresponds to the flow cross section in the region of the valve body so that abrupt changes in the flow cross section are avoided on the valve body and can form a homogeneous, uniform flow of the filling material in said liquid channel section with the liquid valve open.

The further special feature of the invention is that the gas pipe (return gas pipe) in a subsequent to the liquid valve or its valve body, but based on the flow direction of the filling in the liquid channel the valve body preceding gas channel section in the inner cross section and thus in the flow cross section is extended, namely in particular compared to the cross section that the gas pipe has at its lower open end Gasrohr at the end of each filling process possibly in the gas pipe rising Füllgutschaum can thus be included in this expanded gas pipe section and thus does not reach critical areas of the gas channel and adjoining gas spaces and / or channels of the filling element.

The term "essentially" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the respective exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5%.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination in principle subject of the invention. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

• Fig. 1 in vereinfachter Teildarstellung und im Schnitt ein Füllelement herkömmlicher Bauart zum Füllen von Behältern oder Flaschen mit einem flüssigen Produkt oder Füllgut mit einer die Füllhöhe bestimmenden Sonde;
• Fig. 2 in einer Darstellung wie Figur 1 ein Füllelement gemäß der Erfindung;
• Fig. 3 einen vergrößerten Teilschnitt des Füllelementes der Figur 2.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

• Fig. 1 in a simplified partial representation and in section a filling element of conventional design for filling containers or bottles with a liquid product or filling with a filling height determining probe;
• Fig. 2 in a presentation like FIG. 1 a filling element according to the invention;
• Fig. 3 an enlarged partial section of the filling element of FIG. 2 ,

That in the FIG. 1 illustrated and there generally designated 1 filling valve is part of a plurality of such valves having filling system, for example, the filling system of a filling machine revolving type, in which the filling elements 1 are then provided in the manner known to those skilled in the periphery of a vertical machine axis rotatably driven rotor , The filling element 1 includes, inter alia, a multi-part Füllelementgehäuse 2, in which a liquid channel 3 is formed for the liquid product, which is connected in the region of its upper end via a connection or inlet 4 with a conduit or a boiler for supplying the liquid filling material and in the area its lower end or on the underside of the Füllelementgehäuses 2 a vertical Füllelementachse FA concentrically enclosing annular discharge opening 5 forms, via which the liquid product flows into the respective container during filling. During filling (pressure filling), the respective container is in sealing position with the filling element 1, ie it lies with the container mouth enclosing mouth rim or bead against a provided on the underside of the Füllelementgehäuses seal 6 which surrounds the discharge opening 5 annular and in the illustrated embodiment is part of a centering tulip 7 for centering the respective container with respect to the filling element 1.

Axially aligned with the Füllelementachse FA a gas pipe 8 is provided which projects with its lower open end via the discharge opening and the ring seal 6 downwardly, extends with a partial length through the liquid channel 3 and at the top of the liquid passage 8 by means of a membrane, for example Seal 9 sealed out of the liquid channel 3 is led out.

Axelgleich with the Füllelementachse FA is also a rod-shaped filling level determining the filling of the respective container 10 provided which extends through the gas pipe 8 and protrudes with its lower end of the probe from the lower, open end of the gas pipe 8, to form a This gas channel 11 is open at the lower end of the gas pipe 8 and opens at the upper end of the gas pipe 8 in a chamber 12, which as well as the gas channel 11 part of the respective filling process controlling gas paths of the filling element 1, as is also known in the art.

In the liquid channel 3, a liquid valve 13 is provided, which is opened and closed for controlled delivery of the liquid filling material in dependence on the signal of the probe 10. For the liquid valve 13, the gas pipe 8 is formed on a relatively short lower and received in the liquid channel 3 partial length as a valve body 14 which cooperates with a valve seat 15 on the inside of the liquid passage 3. To open and close the liquid valve 13, the gas pipe 8 in the manner of a valve stem in the direction of Axis FA controlled by an example pneumatic actuator 16 in the manner of a valve tappet up and down (double arrow A).

The filling of the respective container with the filling element 1 takes place with a filling process known to those skilled in the art, for example pressure or Gegendruckfüllverfahren, in which the container in sealing position with the filling element - for example, after a pre-evacuation and purging with inert gas (CO2 gas) - biased, under Pressure filled and at the end of the filling process is at least partially relieved via the gas channel 11 to ambient pressure.

The product flowing into the liquid channel 3 via port 4 during filling undergoes a change in the flow direction of 90 ° immediately thereafter. In addition, the flow cross-section of the liquid channel 3 narrows relatively abruptly in the region of the valve body 14 of the opened liquid valve, which leads to considerable turbulence within the contents and prevents the formation of a homogeneous, uniform flow of the filling material through the liquid channel 3 to the discharge opening 5. As a result, in particular the performance of a filling machine equipped with the filling elements 1 (filled containers per Zeitelnheit) greatly reduced.

When filling the container with a CO2-containing filling material, such as beer, can not be avoided that in the discharge phase at the end of the respective filling process foaming of the filling material comes and in this case foam enters the gas channel 11. A disadvantage of the filling element 1 is that the annular gas channel 11 has a relatively small flow cross-section, so that the foamed filling material possibly completely fills the gas channel 11 over its entire length and possibly even into the chamber 12 and ggs. in further adjoining this chamber gas paths and it comes to unwanted contamination within the filling element or the local gas paths. Is carried out via the gas channel 11 at the beginning of a filling process an evacuation of the each in sealing position with the filling element container so 11 existing foamed Füllgutreste be sucked in the gas channel, which can result in significant product losses.

The Figures 2 and 3 show a filling element according to the invention 1a, which is identical in terms of its basic structure, its use and function and the function of its individual elements with the exception of the differences described below with the filling element 1. Such elements of the filling element 1a, which correspond to the function and / or training of the elements of the filling element 1 are therefore in the Figures 2 and 3 with the same reference numerals as in the FIG. 1 designated. Such elements differ from those of FIG. 1 are different in the Figures 2 and 3 each with the index "a" provided.

An essential difference of the filling element la is that the Figures 2 and 3 Gas pipe designated 8a in which the valve body 14 in the direction of Füllelementoberseite, ie against the flow direction of the filling adjoining and running in the liquid channel 3 gas pipe section 8a.1 is designed with an enlarged outer and inner diameter, in such a way that the in the Figures 2 and 3 11a designated gas channel, which corresponds to its other training and function the gas channel 11, almost on the entire, extending in the direction of Füllelementachse FA through the liquid channel 3 part length an annular channel-like or annular gas channel portion 11a.1 having a significantly enlarged cross-section, in particular a compared to the flow cross-section of the remaining gas channel 11a and the opening of the gas channel 11a at the lower end of the gas pipe 8a.2 significantly enlarged cross-section. In particular, the flow cross-section in the gas channel section 11a.1 is a multiple, for example 4 times - 6 times larger than the flow cross-section in the gas pipe end 8a.2 forming gas pipe section 8a.3 and gas pipe section 8a.4, the top of the Gas pipe section 8a.1 on the gas pipe section 8a.5 with decreasing outer and inner diameter connects. Also within the valve body 14, the gas channel 11a is designed with an annular gas channel section 11a.2 with increased flow cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner diameter of the gas pipe 8a and thus the flow cross-section of the gas channel 11a in the region of the gas channel section 11a.1 are larger than in the gas channel section 11a.2.

In the illustrated embodiment, wherein the gas tube 8a has a circular inner and outer diameter and the probe 10 has a circular outer cross section, in the gas channel portion 11a.1, the inner diameter of the gas tube 8a is slightly 2.5 times to 4.0 times, preferably 3.5 times the outer diameter of the probe 10 and at the gas channel portion 11a, the inner diameter of the gas tube 8a about 2 times to 3 times the outer diameter of the probe 10th

The axial length of the gas channel portion 11a.1 is in the illustrated embodiment, at least 40%, preferably at least 50% - 60% of that part length of the gas pipe 8a, in which in the Figures 2 and 3 3a is taken with liquid channel, which corresponds in terms of its function to the liquid channel 3 of the filling element 1.

The described design of the gas pipe 8a ensures that the liquid channel 3 at the inlet 4 initially forms a narrowing in the flow direction of the filling material, the gas pipe section 8a.5 annularly enclosing liquid channel section 3a.1, then in a gas pipe section 8a.1 annularly enclosing Liquid channel section has a constant flow cross-section and the cross-section of the liquid channel 3a narrows only in the lower region to form the valve seat 15. An abrupt narrowing of the flow cross-section in the region of the valve body 14 is avoided in the filling element 1a.

The liquid channel portion extends over the greater part of the entire length of the liquid keitskanals 3a, for example, in the illustrated embodiment over at least 50% or 60% of the total length of the liquid channel 3a, which is formed between the upper seal 9 and the discharge opening 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer cross section of the annular liquid passage 3a in the region of the liquid passage portion is about 1.3 times to 1.5 times the outer cross section of the gas pipe 8a.

The valve body 14 is circumferentially provided with a guide and swirl body 17, which forms at least one flow channel 18 enclosing the filling element axis FA helically. This communicates on the one hand with the flow channel section and on the other hand with the liquid valve 13 open with the discharge opening 5 and is circumferentially through the inner surface of the liquid channel 3a, lying inside through a ring-like portion 17.1 of the swirl body 17 and axially by at least two on the outer surface of this portion 17.1 wegstehende and the Füllelementachse FA helically enclosing wall sections 17.2 limited. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer diameter of the annular portion 17.1 is equal to or approximately equal to the outer diameter of the gas pipe 8 in the region of the gas pipe section 8a.1.

The filling element 1a therefore has, inter alia, the following elements: Filling element housing 2 Seal 9 Liquid channel 3a Probe 10 Liquid channel section 3a.1 Gas channel 11a Inlet 4 Gas duct section 11a.1 / 11a.2 Dispensing opening 5 Chamber 12 Seal 6 Liquid valve 13 Centering tulip 7 Valve body 14 Gas pipe 8a Valve seat 15 Gas pipe section 8a.1 / 8a.2 Actuator 16 Swirl body 17 Flow channel 18.

The filling of the respective container with the filling element 1a likewise takes place with a filling process known to the person skilled in the art, in particular with a pressure or counter-pressure filling method in which the container in sealing position with the filling element is present-for example after a pre-evacuation and purging with inert gas (CO2 gas). - biased, filled under pressure and at the end of the filling process is at least partially relieved via the gas passage 11a to ambient pressure.

The particular advantage of the filling element 1a is that abrupt changes in the flow cross-section in the liquid channel 3a are also avoided in the region of the valve body 14 and during filling in the relative to the total length of the liquid channel 3a relatively long liquid channel section with a constant or substantially constant flow cross-section itself homogeneous flow or an improved flow vector of the flow of the filling material can form, which eventually leads to increased performance of a filling system equipped with the filling elements 1a or a corresponding filling machine.

Another essential advantage of the filling element 1a is that the gas channel 11a to the valve body 14 then in the gas channel section 11a, 1 has a larger cross-section over a relatively large axial length and thus a sufficiently large volume for receiving a possibly at the end of the filling process in the gas channel 11a ascending product or Füllgutschaums forms, so that the latter does not reach into critical areas of the filling element side gas paths, ie in the upper region of the gas channel 11a and / or in the chamber 12 and / or in adjoining gas channels. Dirt of the filling element 1a are thus prevented.

Furthermore, the formation of the filling element 1a also has the advantage that possibly by foaming in the lower regions of the gas channel 11a and thereby e.g. in the gas channel section 11a.1 reached contents at the end of the respective filling process in the container concerned can flow easily, thereby thereby less filling reaches the vacuum for the pre-evacuation leading vacuum chamber of the filling even with filling process with pre-evacuation of the respective container.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible. Thus, the invention is of course not restricted to filling elements or filling systems with probes determining the filling height, but also includes, inter alia, filling elements and filling systems in which the amount of product introduced into the respective container is controlled in another way, for example by measuring the inflowing quantity of product and / or by detecting the weight of the respective container during filling. Furthermore, the filling element according to the invention is suitable both for pressure or counter-pressure filling and for pressureless filling of containers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a

filler

2

filling element

3, 3a

liquid channel

3a.1

Liquid channel section

4

Connection or inlet

5

discharge opening

6

poetry

7

centering bell

8,8a

gas pipe

8a.1, 8a.3

Section of the gas pipe 8a

8a.4, 8a.5

Section of the gas pipe 8a

8a.2

lower end of the gas pipe

9

poetry

10

probe

11, 11a

gas channel

11a.1, 11a.2

Gas channel section

12

chamber

13

liquid valve

14

valve body

15

valve seat

16

actuator

17

swirler

17.1, 17.2

Section of the swirler 17

18

flow channel

A

Hub of the valve body 14th

FA

filling element

Claims (7)

1. Filling element for filling, in particular for the pressure filling of bottles or similar containers with a liquid product or filling material, comprising at least one liquid channel (3a) formed in a filling-element housing (2) with a connection or inlet (4) for the conducting of the liquid filling material into the liquid channel, and with an outlet aperture (5) for issuing the liquid filling material into a container to be filled, with at least one liquid valve (13) controlling the outlet of the liquid filling material into the respective container and arranged in the liquid channel (3a) with a valve body (14), which is provided on a gas tube (8a) that can be moved in a controlled manner in a filling-element axis (FA) in order to open and close the liquid valve (13) and that acts as a valve plunger, which is in connection by a lower open gas pipe end (8a.2) during filling with the interior of the container and extends with a part length through the liquid channel (3a), wherein the gas pipe (8a), connecting to the valve body (14) comprises a first gas pipe section (8a. 1) over the greater part of its length running in the liquid channel (3) with enlarge outer cross-section, wherein this outer cross-section is equal to or substantially equal to the outer cross-section of the valve body (14) or of a wall section (17.1), which delimits radially inwards a flow path surrounding the valve body in relation to the filling-element axis (FA), wherein the liquid channel (3a) forms a first liquid channel section at least on a part length extending in the direction of the filling-element axis (FA), which surrounds the first gas pipe section (8a.1) in the form of an annular channel or in the form of a ring and comprises a consistent or substantially consistent flow cross-section and wherein the first liquid channel section extends over the greater part of the part length o the liquid channel (3a), for example over at least 50% - 60% of the part length or total length of the liquid channel (3a), characterised in that the gas pipe (8a) exhibits at the first gas pipe section (8a. 1) an enlarged inner cross-section, and specifically to form a gas channel section (11a.1) with enlarged flow cross-section and/or volume.
2. Filling element according to claim 1, characterised in that the first gas pipe section (8a. 1) exhibits an enlarged inner and outer cross-section.
3. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flow cross-section in the first gas channel section (11a.1) is greater than in a gas pipe section (8a.3) comprising the lower gas pipe end (8a.2) and/or at a further gas pipe section (8a.4, 8a.5) connecting to the first gas pipe section (8a.1).
4. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by a probe (10) arranged on the same axis as the filling-element axis, which extends through the gas pipe (8a) in such a way that the gas channel (11 a) and its gas channel sections (11a.1, 11a,2) are formed in each case surrounding the probe (10) in the form of an annular channel or in the form of a ring.
5. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the liquid channel (3a) comprises, in front of the first flow channel section in the flow direction of the filling material, a second liquid channel section (3a. 1) surrounding the gas pipe (8a) in the form of an annular channel or in the form of a ring and with a cross-section narrowing in the flow direction, wherein the second liquid channel section (3a. 1) exhibits, for example, an axial length in the direction of the filling-element axis (FA) which is smaller than the axial length of the first liquid channel section, amounting, for example, to some 25% to 35 % of the axial length of the first liquid channel section.
6. Filling element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the outer diameter of the gas pipe (8a) in the area of the first gas pipe section (8a.1) is equal to or approximately equal to the inner diameter of at least one flow channel (18), surrounding the filling-element axis (FA) in a helical manner, of a helical body (17), which surrounds the valve body (14) and/or is formed at the valve body (14).
7. Filling machine for the filling of bottles or similar containers with a liquid filling material, with at least one filling element, preferably with a plurality of filling elements (1 a) provided at a circulating rotor, characterised in that the respective filling element is designed in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

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