Filling member with vacuum device

Abstract

A filling member (1) for filling a container (2) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, the filling member (1) having a product outlet (10) for introducing the filling product into the container, and a product channel (12) arranged to guide the filling product to the product outlet (10); a filling valve (20) arranged to open the product channel and to close the product channel at a closing profile (Sf) of the filling valve; and a vacuum device (30) arranged to evacuate the container, the vacuum device (30) having a vacuum supply (31) for supplying a vacuum, a vacuum channel connecting the vacuum supply with the product channel, and a vacuum valve (33, 33 ') arranged to open the vacuum channel (32) and to close the vacuum channel (32) at a closing profile (Sv) of the vacuum valve (20); the invention is characterized in that the vacuum valve (33, 33 ') is arranged in the region of the product channel (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling member for filling containers with a filling product, preferably a beverage, the filling member comprising a vacuum device. Background Art

[0002] When filling beverages, especially oxygen-sensitive beverages, the oxygen in the container is usually reduced or the oxygen in the container is released before filling with the product. This can be done by evacuating the container one or more times. The prerequisite is a container with stable vacuum, such as a glass bottle. Before filling, air is "sucked" (evacuated) from the container by means of vacuum. The faster and deeper the vacuum, the more efficient the process. Here, the vacuum is not understood as a complete vacuum in the physical sense, but rather a pressure reduction in the container at atmospheric pressure under flushing with a process gas such as CO 2 and the like.

[0003] In the case of a multi-stage evacuation process, the container is first evacuated, then flushed with a process gas such as CO 2 and the like, and then evacuated again. In addition to this double evacuation, triple evacuation is also possible and can also be implemented. The frequency at which the container is evacuated mainly depends on the beverage and the required residual oxygen quality. CO 2 consumption, process time, and pre-vacuum quality also play a role.

[0004] In order to evacuate the interior of the container before filling, the container and the filling member equipped with a vacuum function are connected in a fluid-tight and air-tight manner. To provide vacuum, the filling member includes: an evacuation channel through which the gas atmosphere is drawn out of the container; and a vacuum valve that opens and closes the connection between the container and the vacuum. Carbonated beverages, i.e., beverages containing CO 2 can be filled by means of wall filling, where the product flows into the container along the container wall. In this case, the container-side opening of the vacuum channel can be located in the middle of the filling valve, or it can also be located at the filling valve outlet, for example, between the seal of the product space and the valve outlet. If the filling member includes an intermediate gas pipe, for example, for flushing the container and / or for removing the gas discharged during filling, the vacuum channel is usually mounted laterally at the valve outlet.

[0005] A filling member constructed in this way, including a lateral suction channel and a negative pressure device for pre-evacuating the container, is known, for example, from DE102022102536A1.

[0006] The position of the vacuum opening in the valve outlet is not optimal for various reasons, and the vacuum channel leading to the switching valve is connected to this vacuum opening. Therefore, when a vacuum is generated in the container, flow losses may occur through the vacuum channel. The longer and thinner the channel, the more time is required to evacuate the container, which results in a generally longer process time and / or a poorer vacuum degree in the container. In addition, the vacuum channel defines a dead space that must be biased to be filled and then unloaded, thereby increasing the CO 2 consumption.

[0007] When filling the container with the filling product, the product flows through the vacuum opening of the vacuum channel. This can deteriorate the filling behavior, for example by increasing foaming. Therefore, the aperture of the vacuum opening cannot be too large. During filling, the filling product can also be pressed into the vacuum channel, which results in product loss during unloading after the filling process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved filling member for filling a container with a filling product, in particular a beverage.

[0009] This object is achieved by a filling member having the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements result from the dependent claims, the following description of the invention, and the description of the preferred embodiments.

[0010] The filling member is used to fill a container with a filling product. Particularly preferably, the filling member is used in a beverage filling device, in particular for filling oxygen-sensitive beverages such as beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, smoothies, dairy products, etc.

[0011] The filling member has: a product outlet for introducing the filling product into the container, and a product channel arranged to guide or transport the filling product to the product outlet. The filling member also has a filling valve arranged to open the product channel and close the product channel at the closing profile of the filling valve. The closing profile of the filling valve refers to one or more positions at which the filling valve cuts off the flow of the filling product through the product channel in the closed state, so the closing profile of the filling valve defines a point, line or cross-section in the product channel.

[0012] The filling member also has a vacuum device arranged to evacuate the container. For this purpose, the vacuum device includes a vacuum providing part for generating a vacuum, a vacuum channel connecting the vacuum providing part to the product channel (i.e., fluidly connecting the vacuum providing part and the product channel), and a vacuum valve arranged to open the vacuum channel and close the vacuum channel at the closing profile of the vacuum valve. Similar to the filling valve, the closing profile of the vacuum valve refers to one or more positions at which the vacuum valve cuts off the gas flow through the vacuum channel occurring during evacuation, so the closing profile of the vacuum valve defines a point, line or cross-section in the vacuum channel.

[0013] According to the present invention, the vacuum valve is arranged in the region of the product channel or in the vicinity of the product channel. In other words, the vacuum valve is located on the product channel or immediately adjacent to the product channel.

[0014] The vacuum valve is particularly preferably arranged and configured such that its closing contour is located in the region of the product channel, preferably at least partly directly on the product channel.

[0015] By arranging the vacuum valve in this region, in particular immediately adjacent to the product channel, the dead space of the vacuum channel can be minimized. In this context, "dead space" means the possible section of the vacuum channel between the product channel and the closing contour of the vacuum valve. Minimizing the dead space of the vacuum channel reduces the possible flow losses during evacuation of the container, whereby a significantly faster and better vacuum can be achieved. In this way, the process of establishing a vacuum in the container is optimized.

[0016] The optimization of the vacuum establishment can be further supported by a relatively large cross-section of the vacuum channel, which can be achieved by the position and characteristics of the vacuum valve according to the present invention.

[0017] Furthermore, during the filling process, there is no interference or only slight interference with the filling product flow in the product channel due to the position and characteristics of the vacuum valve element, whereby possible foaming and possible product losses are minimized.

[0018] Preferably, the vacuum valve has a vacuum valve element displaceable along the axial direction of the vacuum valve and a vacuum valve seat interacting with the vacuum valve element, wherein the closing contour of the vacuum valve is defined by the contact point of the vacuum valve element with the vacuum valve seat in the closed position of the vacuum valve. To ensure a particularly reliable seal in the fully closed state of the vacuum valve, the vacuum valve element and / or the vacuum valve seat can be equipped with a vacuum valve seal.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the vacuum valve element forms part of the wall defining the product channel in the closed state of the vacuum valve, i.e., the vacuum valve element contacts the filling product on the side of the product channel during the filling process, whereby the possible dead zones of the vacuum channel are substantially completely eliminated, and thus the process of establishing a vacuum in the container and the flow behavior of the filling product in the product channel are further optimized.

[0020] Preferably, the vacuum valve element is flattened, in particular flattened and rounded, on the side located downstream relative to the vacuum valve seat in order to further improve the flow behavior of the filling product in the product channel.

[0021] Preferably, the vacuum valve element is arranged inside the vacuum channel. In this case, the vacuum valve element can be displaced along the extension direction of the vacuum channel similar to a valve cone. The vacuum valve element is protected from external influences and thus contributes to the formation of a vacuum valve that is simple and reliable in mechanical manufacturing.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment variant, the vacuum valve element forms part of the outer wall defining the vacuum channel in the open state of the vacuum valve. In this case, the vacuum valve element is not an element that is located inside the vacuum channel and at least partially imparts an annular shape to the vacuum channel. Rather, the vacuum valve element at least partially defines the outer contour of the vacuum channel, whereby the vacuum valve can be implemented with a small number of components. The cross-section of the vacuum channel can also be maximized in this way, whereby the evacuation of the container can be carried out particularly quickly.

[0023] Preferably, the vacuum valve is arranged such that its closing contour is partially or completely downstream (viewed along the product flow), especially in the region of the product outlet or directly at the product outlet, of the closing contour of the filling valve, thereby further optimizing the process of establishing a vacuum in the container and the flow behavior of the filled product in the product channel.

[0024] Preferably, the vacuum valve is designed as a shut-off valve, while the filling valve is preferably designed as a regulating valve, especially a proportional valve, in order to achieve a gradual (especially stepless) regulation of the cross-section of the product channel and thus of the filled product flow. Usually, there is no need to control an intermediate position in the vacuum valve.

[0025] Preferably, the filling valve has a filling valve cone displaceable along the axial direction of the filling valve and a filling valve seat interacting with the filling valve cone, wherein the closing contour of the filling valve is defined by the contact point of the filling valve cone and the filling valve seat in the closed position of the filling valve. To ensure reliable sealing of the filling valve in the fully closed state, the filling valve cone and / or the filling valve seat can be equipped with a filling valve seal.

[0026] Preferably, the filling member has a central probe, preferably a short-circuit probe, which extends centrally through the filling valve cone and extends into the interior of the container during container handling. For this purpose, the probe can be used to cut off the filling process when a defined fluid level is reached in the container.

[0027] Preferably, the product outlet can be in fluid-tight and air-tight contact with the container mouth of the container, so that the container can be handled safely and reliably, especially evacuated.

[0028] Preferably, the filling member has a centering hood for centering the container mouth relative to the product outlet. The container mouth is pressed / held against the centering hood for container handling, including at least evacuating the container and filling the container with the filled product.

[0029] Other advantages and features of the present invention can be seen from the following description of the preferred embodiments. The features described therein can be implemented individually or in combination with one or more of the above features, provided that these features are not mutually contradictory. Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] Other preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail by the following drawings. In the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 A schematic view of a filling member having a filling valve and a vacuum device according to an embodiment is shown, partially in cross-section;

[0032] Figure 2A A schematic view of a filling member according to another embodiment is shown, partially in cross-section, in which the vacuum channel is closed; and

[0033] Figure 2B A schematic view of a filling member according to this another embodiment is shown, partially in cross-section, in which the vacuum channel is open. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0034] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, the same, similar or identically acting elements in the drawings are provided with the same reference numerals, and the repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a filling member 1, partially in cross-section. The filling member 1 is arranged to introduce a filling product into a container 2, the container mouth 2a of which is shown in Figure 1 In particular, the filling member 1 is preferably used in a beverage filling device, for example for filling water (distilled water or carbonated water), beer, fruit juice, soft drinks, smoothies, dairy products, etc.

[0036] For a treatment process including single or multiple evacuations of the container 2, if necessary with a process gas, preferably CO 2 flushing the container 2, and filling the container 2 with a filling product, the container 2 is connected to the product outlet 10 of the filling member 1 in a fluid-tight and gas-tight manner. For this purpose, the container 2 and / or the filling member 1 are moved relative to each other such that the container mouth 2a is directly or indirectly pressed against the product outlet 10 of the filling member 1. As shown in this embodiment, the filling member 1 may include a centering hood 11, which here helps to bring the product outlet 10 and the container 2 into the desired relative position and connect the product outlet 10 and the container 2 in a fluid-tight and gas-tight manner.

[0037] The filling member 1 has a product channel 12 which is arranged to transport a filling product to a container 2 and introduce it into the container 2 through a product outlet 10. The product channel 12 is supplied with the filling product from a product supply section ( Figure 1 not shown), for example a product tank.

[0038] In the region of the product outlet 10, i.e. in the lower region of the filling member 1, a filling valve 20 is installed, which filling valve 20 comprises a filling valve cone 21 and a filling valve seat 22 which interacts with the filling valve cone 21. The filling valve cone 21 can be displaced along the axial direction Af of the filling valve 20 by an actuator ( Figure 1 not shown) in order to close and open the product channel in this way. In order to ensure reliable sealing of the filling valve 20 in the fully closed state, the filling valve cone 21 and / or the filling valve seat 22 can be equipped with a filling valve seal 23.

[0039] Preferably, the filling valve 20 is designed as a regulating valve, in particular a proportional valve, in order to achieve a gradual (preferably stepless) regulation of the cross-section of the product channel and thus of the filling product flow.

[0040] The filling member 1 also has a vacuum device 30 which is arranged to evacuate the container 2 before it is filled with the filling product.

[0041] The vacuum device 30 has a vacuum supply section 31 which is arranged to generate a vacuum or otherwise provide a vacuum. For this purpose, the vacuum supply section can include a corresponding vacuum pump which is implemented, for example, as a liquid ring pump or a dry screw vacuum pump.

[0042] The vacuum device 30 also has a vacuum channel 32 which preferably connects the vacuum supply section 31 to the product channel 12 in the region of the product outlet 10, i.e. downstream of the filling valve seat 22 and the filling valve cone 21, between the filling valve 20 or the closing profile Sf of the filling valve 20. The closing profile Sf of the filling valve 20 is defined by the contact point of the filling valve cone 21 with the filling valve seat 22 in the closed position of the filling valve 20.

[0043] The vacuum device 30 also has a vacuum valve 33 which is arranged to switch in the region of the product channel 12, i.e. to open and close the vacuum channel 32. The vacuum valve 33 is mounted laterally in the immediate vicinity of the product channel 12, whereby there is essentially no channel or dead space between the product channel 12 and the vacuum valve 33, i.e. the cut-off section for the vacuum supply section 31. In this context, "dead space" means the possible section of the vacuum channel 32 between the product channel 12 and the closing profile Sv of the vacuum valve 33.

[0044] According to Figure 1In an embodiment, the vacuum valve 33 includes a vacuum valve element 34 and a vacuum valve seat 35 that interacts with the vacuum valve element 34. The vacuum valve element 34 can be displaced along the axial direction Av of the vacuum valve 33 by an actuator ( Figure 1 not shown in) so as to close and open the vacuum channel 32 in this way. The axial direction Av preferably extends at an angle to the axial direction Af of the filling valve 20. The closing profile Sv of the vacuum valve 33 is defined by the contact point between the vacuum valve element 34 and the vacuum valve seat 35 in the closed position of the vacuum valve 33.

[0045] To ensure reliable sealing of the vacuum valve 33 in the fully closed state, the vacuum valve element 34 and / or the vacuum valve seat 35 can be equipped with a vacuum valve seal 36.

[0046] The vacuum valve 33 is preferably designed as a shut-off valve or a switching valve that can fully open and fully close the vacuum channel 32 in a binary manner. Different from the filling valve 20, it is usually not necessary to control an intermediate position.

[0047] To further minimize the dead space in the vacuum channel 32 downstream of the vacuum valve 33, the vacuum valve element 34 preferably starts directly at the product channel 12, preferably directly at the product outlet 10 of the filling member 1 and terminates there. For this purpose, the vacuum valve element 34 can be flattened, especially rounded off, on the side located downstream relative to the vacuum valve seat 35, whereby the shape of the vacuum valve element 34 is different from the conical shape of the filling valve cone 21.

[0048] The vacuum valve 33 arranged and configured in this way allows a relatively large cross-section of the vacuum channel 32, because the vacuum valve element 34 is adjacent to the product channel 12 in the closed state and thus at least partially forms a wall for the product channel 12, whereby the product flow in the product channel 12 is not disturbed or only slightly disturbed.

[0049] By arranging the vacuum valve 33 directly in the region of the product channel 12 and thus minimizing the dead space downstream of the vacuum valve 33, the process steps for establishing a vacuum in the container 2 can be optimized.

[0050] The filling member can be equipped with a central probe 40, preferably a short-circuit probe, which extends centrally through the filling valve cone 21 and into the interior of the container. The probe 40 is used to cut off the filling process when a defined fluid level is reached in the container 2.

[0051] Figure 2A and Figure 2B shows an alternative implementation variant of the filling member 1, especially regarding the configuration of the vacuum valve 33' of the vacuum device 30. Figure 2A shows the vacuum valve 33' in the closed position, Figure 2BThe vacuum valve 33' is shown in the open position. The following description focuses on the vacuum valve 33', where other components, including the filling valve 20 and the vacuum device 31, can be implemented in the same or similar manner as Figure 1 the embodiment.

[0052] According to Figure 2A and Figure 2B the embodiment of the vacuum valve 33' also includes a movable vacuum valve element 34' and a vacuum valve seat 35' that interacts with the vacuum valve element 34'. The vacuum valve element 34' can be displaced along the axial direction Av of the vacuum valve 33' by an actuator so as to close and open the vacuum passage 32 in this way. The axial direction Av of the vacuum valve 33' extends parallel to the axial direction Af of the filling valve 20 here.

[0053] Different from Figure 1 the embodiment, the vacuum valve element 34' is not arranged inside the vacuum passage 32, but forms part of the wall that constitutes the vacuum passage 32. This wall can generally be displaced along the axial direction Av of the vacuum valve 33', thereby releasing the vacuum passage 32 at the position of Figure 2B and the axial direction Av is consistent with the direction of gravity here. Therefore, according to this embodiment variant, the vacuum valve element 34' is not such an element that is located inside the vacuum passage 32, at least partially gives an annular shape to the vacuum passage 32 and can be displaced along its extending direction. More precisely, the vacuum valve element 34' at least partially defines the outer contour of the vacuum passage 32.

[0054] The switching of the vacuum valve 33', that is, closing and opening, occurs directly at the product passage 12 again, so as to minimize the possible dead space in the vacuum passage 32 downstream of the vacuum valve 33, and even completely eliminate this possible dead space in the current case. In other words, the closing profile Sv of the vacuum valve 33' is directly located on the product passage 12.

[0055] To ensure reliable sealing of the vacuum valve 33' in the fully closed state, the vacuum valve element 34' and / or the vacuum valve seat 35' can be equipped with a vacuum valve seal 36.

[0056] In addition, the vacuum valve 33' according to this embodiment is preferably designed as a stop valve or a switching valve, which can fully open and fully close the vacuum passage 32 in a binary manner. Different from the filling valve 20, it is usually not necessary to control the intermediate position.

[0057] Minimizing or even eliminating the dead space between the product channel 12 and the closing profile Sv of the vacuum valves 33, 33' reduces the possible flow losses during evacuation of the container 2, thereby enabling significantly faster and better vacuum. This is further supported by the relatively large cross-section of the vacuum channel 32, which can be achieved by the arrangement, position, and characteristics of the vacuum valves 33, 33'.

[0058] Furthermore, due to the position and characteristics of the vacuum valve elements 34, 34', there is no interference or only slight interference with the filling product flow in the product channel 12, thereby minimizing possible foaming and possible product losses.

[0059] Where applicable, all individual features shown in the embodiments can be combined with each other and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0060] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0061] 1 Filling member

[0062] 2 Container

[0063] 2a Container mouth

[0064] 10 Product outlet

[0065] 11 Centering hood

[0066] 12 Product channel

[0067] 20 Filling valve

[0068] 21 Filling valve cone

[0069] 22 Filling valve seat

[0070] 23 Filling valve seal

[0071] 30 Vacuum device

[0072] 31 Vacuum supply section

[0073] 32 Vacuum channel

[0074] 33 Vacuum valve

[0075] 33’ Vacuum valve

[0076] 34 Vacuum valve element

[0077] 34’ Vacuum valve element

[0078] 35 Vacuum valve seat

[0079] 35’ Vacuum valve seat

[0080] 36 Vacuum valve seal

[0081] 40 Probe

[0082] Axial direction of the filling valve Af

[0083] Axial direction of the vacuum valve Av

[0084] Closing profile of the filling valve Sf

[0085] Closing profile of the vacuum valve Sv

Claims

1. A filling element (1) for filling a container (2) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, wherein: The filling member (1) comprises: a product outlet (10) for introducing the filling product into the container (2), and a product channel (12) arranged to guide the filling product to the product outlet (10); a filling valve (20) arranged to open the product channel (12) and to close the product channel (12) at a closing profile (Sf) of the filling valve (20); and a vacuum device (30) configured to evacuate the container (2), wherein the vacuum device (30) comprises a vacuum providing portion (31) for providing vacuum, a vacuum channel (32) connecting the vacuum providing portion (31) with the product channel (12), and a vacuum valve (33, 33'), wherein the vacuum valve (33, 33') is configured to open the vacuum channel (32) and close the vacuum channel (32) at a closing profile (Sv) of the vacuum valve (20); It is characterized in that The vacuum valve (33, 33') is arranged in the region of the product channel (12).

2. The filling member (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The vacuum valve (33, 33') is arranged and disposed in such a way that its closing contour (Sv) is located in the region of the product channel (12), preferably at least partially directly on the product channel (12).

3. The filling member (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The vacuum valve (33, 33') comprises a vacuum valve element (34, 34') displaceable in an axial direction (Av) of the vacuum valve (33, 33') and a vacuum valve seat (35, 35') interacting with the vacuum valve element (34, 34'), wherein the closing profile (Sv) of the vacuum valve (33, 33') is defined by a contact point between the vacuum valve element (34, 34') and the vacuum valve seat (35, 35') at a closed position of the vacuum valve (33, 33').

4. The filling member (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The vacuum valve element (34, 34') forms a part of a wall defining the product channel (12) in the closed state of the vacuum valve (33, 33').

5. The filling member (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The vacuum valve element (34, 34') is flattened, preferably flattened and rounded, on the side located downstream relative to the vacuum valve seat (35, 35').

6. The filling member (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that The vacuum valve element (34) is arranged in the interior of the vacuum channel (32).

7. The filling member (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that The vacuum valve element (34') forms a part of a wall defining the vacuum channel (32) in the open state of the vacuum valve (33').

8. A filling element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The vacuum valve (33, 33') is arranged in such a way that its closing contour (Sv) is located partially or completely downstream of the closing contour (Sf) of the filling valve (20), preferably in the region of the product outlet (10).

9. A filling element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The vacuum valve (33, 33') is designed as a shut-off valve, wherein the filling valve (20) is preferably designed as a regulating valve, in particular a proportional valve.

10. A filling element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The filling valve (20) comprises a filling valve cone (21) displaceable in an axial direction (Af) of the filling valve (20) and a filling valve seat (22) interacting with the filling valve cone (21), wherein the closing profile (Sf) of the filling valve (20) is defined by a contact point between the filling valve cone (21) and the filling valve seat (22) in a closed position of the filling valve (20).

11. The filling member (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The filling element (1) has a central probe (40) which extends centrally through the filling valve cone (21) and preferably into the interior of the container.

12. A filling element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The product outlet (10) can be in contact with the container mouth (2a) of the container (2) in a fluid-tight and air-tight manner.

13. The filling member (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that The filling member (2) has a centering cap (11) for centering the container mouth (2a) relative to the product outlet (10).

Images