Container treatment plant and method for its operation

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a container treatment plant. The invention further relates to a container treatment plant. Technical background

[0002] The present disclosure is based on EP 0 180 828 B1. This discloses a method for filling an oxygen-sensitive liquid, such as beer, into bottles or the like. After connection to a filling device, an overpressure is generated in each bottle by injecting a pressurizing gas. The liquid, then maintained at overpressure, is introduced into the bottles until they are overfilled. The liquid is then partially displaced from the bottle by introducing pure CO2 maintained at a greater overpressure until the desired fill level is reached and is replaced with pure CO2. The bottle is then withdrawn from the filling device, transported to the closing station, and there sealed by fitting a cap.

[0003] A significant disadvantage of a conventional filling system and the associated drive control is that if a bottle breaks, especially if several bottles are placed next to each other in the filler carousel, the filling pressure and / or the correction pressure can collapse immediately. This prevents trouble-free correction of the overfilled bottles. Bottles without fill level correction (filled black) can be conveyed to the capper and subsequently break uncontrollably during the capping process. A closure plug or natural cork is pressed into the bottle mouth with high closing force without the necessary headspace, causing the bottle to burst.

[0004] EP 2 803 625 A1 and EP 2 803 623 A1 each disclose a filling unit of a filling machine with a central control unit. The presence of a sensor element enables monitoring of errors, such as the bursting of a container. Filling processes can be stopped immediately, and appropriate measures can be taken to protect the filling machine.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing an alternative and / or improved technology for operating a container treatment plant, preferably with a reduction of product losses despite malfunctions due to, for example, bursting containers. Summary of the invention

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for (preferably fully automatically or semi-automatically) operating a container treatment system comprising a filler carousel and an outfeed conveyor arranged to receive containers from the filler carousel. The method comprises (e.g., continuously) monitoring at least one fluid parameter of the filler carousel. The method comprises switching from a normal operating mode of the container treatment system to an exceptional operating mode of the container treatment system if the at least one monitored fluid parameter assumes an impermissible value (e.g., by falling below or exceeding a limit value). The exceptional operating mode comprises stopping the filler carousel (e.g., substantially during the entire exceptional operating mode).

[0008] The exceptional operating mode further comprises a1) filling containers in the filler carousel while the filler carousel is stopped, a2) waiting until the at least one monitored fluid parameter assumes a permissible value (e.g., by falling below or exceeding a limit value) while the filler carousel is stopped; and a3) correcting fill levels of the filled containers if the at least one monitored fluid parameter has assumed a permissible value (and, e.g., the containers have already been filled) while the filler carousel is stopped.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, the exceptional operating mode further comprises b1) decoupling the outlet conveyor from the filler carousel (e.g. decoupling the drives of the outlet conveyor and filler carousel, and / or while the filler carousel is stopping and / or stopped) and b2) running the outlet conveyor empty (e.g. while the filler carousel is stopped).

[0010] Depending on the configuration, various combinable advantages can result, particularly aimed at reducing product losses. For example, the occurrence of containers with incorrect fill levels can be prevented or at least significantly reduced.

[0011] This can prevent, for example, product loss due to incorrectly filled containers. It is possible to prevent container breakage in non-fill level-corrected containers in a downstream closing device. By decoupling or unblocking and emptying, all containers with fill level correction still in normal operating mode can be further processed in downstream processing devices, e.g., for closing and, if necessary, wiring the containers, thus reducing product losses downstream of the filler.

[0012] According to the invention, the at least one monitored fluid parameter includes a filling pressure for filling the containers, a correction pressure for correcting the fill levels, and / or a fill level of a liquid tank of the filler carousel. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one monitored fluid parameter can be selected such that it allows a conclusion to be drawn about damage (e.g., bursting, destruction, etc.) to at least one container in the filler carousel.

[0013] Preferably, the filling pressure can be a pressure of the liquid when filling the containers.

[0014] For example, the correction pressure can be a differential pressure between an inert gas supply line (e.g., inert gas pressure vessel and / or inert gas line) and the filling pressure. Preferably, the correction pressure can be, for example, the differential pressure with which liquid is forced from the vessel back into the filling station (e.g., the difference between the supplied inert gas and the liquid pressure in the filled vessel). CO2 can preferably be used as the inert gas.

[0015] Preferably, the container treatment device can have appropriate sensors for detecting the fluid parameter, e.g., pressure sensor(s), flow sensor(s), fill level sensor(s), optical sensor(s) (e.g., for optical detection of container bursts), etc.

[0016] In another embodiment, a fluid control loop of the filler carousel settles during the waiting period until the monitored fluid parameter reaches the permissible value. Advantageously, a process-reliable fill level correction of the containers can be performed again after the settling time.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the container treatment plant further comprises a closing device (e.g., crown cap closer, plug closer, or cork closer) arranged downstream of the outlet conveyor. With respect to the closing device, the exceptional operating mode may further comprise receiving containers from the outlet conveyor, preferably until the outlet conveyor is empty (e.g., while the filler carousel is stopped), closing the received containers (e.g., while the filler carousel is stopped), and optionally emptying the containers after closing the received containers (e.g., while the filler carousel is stopped). Advantageously, closing during the exceptional operating mode, in which the filler carousel is stopped, may prevent product contamination, etc., with respect to the contents in the still unsealed containers.

[0018] In one embodiment, the container treatment system further comprises a wiring device arranged downstream of the closing device. With respect to the wiring device, the exceptional operating mode may further comprise receiving the closed containers from the closing device, preferably until the closing device is empty (e.g., while the filler carousel is stopped), and wiring the received closed containers (e.g., while the filler carousel is stopped). This can preferably prevent unwanted uncorking of containers already closed with a cork or stopper in the exceptional operating mode. This can prevent, for example, product loss and contamination.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the container treatment system further comprises at least one container transport and / or container treatment device arranged upstream of the filler carousel, preferably an infeed conveyor (e.g., infeed transport star) for transferring the containers to the filler carousel and / or a container rinsing device for rinsing the containers. The exceptional operating mode may further comprise stopping the at least one container transport and / or container treatment device. In this way, stopping the filler carousel in the exceptional operating mode preferably does not lead to problems in upstream devices.

[0020] In one embodiment, when filling the containers in the exceptional operating mode, all containers in the filler carousel are filled that were not yet completely filled in the normal operating mode, whose fill levels were not yet completely corrected in the normal operating mode and / or all containers up to a maximum return air pipe angle of the filler carousel.

[0021] Preferably, the maximum return air pipe angle (or return gas pipe angle) can be defined by a boundary line between a fill level correction section and a relief section of the filler carousel during normal operation. The maximum return air pipe angle can also be located in the relief section. The maximum return air pipe angle can also be limited by the beginning of a section for the required lowering of the containers in the filler carousel before transfer to the discharge conveyor.

[0022] In another design variant, when correcting the fill levels of the containers in exceptional operating mode, the fill levels of all previously filled containers in the filler carousel are corrected. This prevents the occurrence of containers with non-fill level corrections and the resulting problems.

[0023] In a further embodiment, when correcting the fill levels of the containers in exceptional operating mode, the fill levels of all containers between a transfer section of the filler carousel for receiving the containers and a maximum return air pipe angle of the filler carousel are corrected, preferably starting from the maximum return air pipe angle. This also prevents the occurrence of containers with non-fill level corrections and the associated problems. The correction starting from the maximum return air pipe angle can advantageously allow the filler carousel to be restarted and switched to normal operating mode before the fill level correction for all containers is completed. This can increase throughput.

[0024] In one embodiment, the filling carousel is stopped in exceptional operating mode using a separate quick-stop function or emergency stop function. Preferably, the filling carousel can stop particularly quickly in this way, reducing the risk that containers whose fill level has not been corrected or have not been sufficiently corrected have already been moved beyond the maximum return air pipe angle, e.g., to the discharge conveyor. This advantageously further reduces the risk for containers whose fill level has not been corrected.

[0025] In a further embodiment, in the exceptional operating mode, all treatments of the filler carousel up to and including filling the containers (e.g., pre-evacuation, pre-tensioning, and filling) are carried out while the filler carousel is stopped (e.g., regardless of the admissibility or inadmissibility of the at least one monitored fluid parameter). This preferably enables a subsequent fill level correction for all containers, in particular also for completely pre-evacuated, pre-tensioned, and filled containers adjacent to the transfer section from the infeed conveyor.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the exceptional operating mode further comprises at least one of pre-evacuating those containers in the filler carousel that have not yet been pre-evacuated or have not yet been fully pre-evacuated in the normal operating mode while the filler carousel is stopped; and pre-tensioning those containers that have not yet been pre-tensioned or have not yet been fully pre-tensioned in the normal operating mode while the filler carousel is stopped.

[0027] Preferably, the pre-evacuation, pre-pressurization, and / or filling can be performed in the exceptional operating mode during the waiting period if the at least one fluid parameter is (still) inadmissible. However, it is also possible for the pre-evacuation, pre-pressurization, and / or filling in the exceptional operating mode to be performed only after the waiting period, when the at least one fluid parameter is (again) permissible.

[0028] In one embodiment, the method further comprises switching from the exceptional operating mode to the normal operating mode after the fill levels of the filled containers have been corrected and the monitored at least one fluid parameter has assumed a permissible value. Preferably, the switching comprises coupling the outfeed conveyor to the filler carousel for receiving containers from the filler carousel (e.g., coupling the drives of the outfeed conveyor and filler carousel or synchronizing the drives of the outfeed conveyor and filler carousel).

[0029] In a further embodiment, the normal operating mode comprises rotating the filler carousel, filling the containers in the filler carousel while the filler carousel is rotating, and / or correcting fill levels of the filled containers while the filler carousel is rotating.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the normal operating mode further comprises at least one of pre-evacuating the containers in the filler carousel while the filler carousel rotates, pre-tensioning the containers in the filler carousel while the filler carousel rotates, and unloading the fill level corrected containers while the filler carousel rotates.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the filling of the containers in the filler carousel is an overfilling (i.e. higher than the target filling level) or filling the containers to the brim.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the filling levels of the containers are corrected by means of a return air pipe positioned in the head space of the filled container (with which, for example, liquid is led out of the head space of the filled container until the liquid level reaches an opening or a cut of the return air pipe).

[0033] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a container treatment plant (e.g. for producing, cleaning, testing, filling, closing, labeling, printing and / or packaging containers for liquid media, preferably beverages or liquid foodstuffs) comprising a filler carousel, an outlet conveyor (e.g. outlet star) arranged to receive containers from the filler carousel, and a control unit configured to operate the container treatment plant according to a method as disclosed herein, preferably fully automatically or semi-automatically.

[0034] Preferably, the term "control unit" can refer to electronics (e.g., with microprocessor(s) and data memory) and / or a mechanical, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic control system, which, depending on its design, can perform control tasks and / or regulation tasks and / or processing tasks. Although the term "control" is used herein, it can also appropriately include or mean "regulation" or "control with feedback" and / or "processing." Short description of the characters

[0035] Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a purely schematic representation of a container treatment plant according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary section for treating a container; Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of pre-evacuation of the container; Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of pre-tensioning of the container; Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of filling the container; Figure 6 shows a schematic representation at the end of filling the container; Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of correcting a fill level of the container; Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of relieving the container; Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of closing the container; and Figure 10 shows a schematic representation at the end of closing the container.

[0036] The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least partially, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and for their explanation reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures in order to avoid repetition. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0037] The Figure 1 shows an exemplary container treatment system 10 for treating containers, preferably glass bottles. Depending on the hygiene requirements of the respective application, the container treatment system 10 can be configured, at least in sections, for aseptic treatment, for high-purity treatment, or for standard treatment. It is explicitly noted that the techniques disclosed herein are not only applicable to the cold aseptic filling of liquids.

[0038] The container treatment plant 10 has an inlet conveyor 12, a filler carousel 14 and an outlet conveyor 16.

[0039] The infeed conveyor 12 is arranged upstream of the filler carousel 14 for transferring the containers to the filler carousel 14. The outfeed conveyor 16 is arranged downstream of the filler carousel 14 for receiving the containers from the filler carousel 14. The infeed conveyor 12 and the outfeed conveyor 16 are designed as transport stars.

[0040] The filler carousel 14 is arranged to receive containers from the inlet conveyor 12. The filler carousel 14 is arranged to transfer containers to the outlet conveyor 16. The filler carousel 14 is designed as a rotary conveyor. The filler carousel 14 can be rotated by means of a drive. During rotation, the containers are moved to the outlet conveyor 16. The filler carousel 14 has a plurality of filling stations. The filling stations are arranged distributed around a circumference of the filler carousel 14. The filling stations rotate with the rotation of the filler carousel 14. The filler carousel 14 is designed to fill containers and correct the fill level of the filled containers (= fill level correction function).

[0041] It is possible for the filler carousel 14 to additionally pre-evacuate, pre-tension, and / or relax the containers, if desired in the respective application. It is also possible for the filling and / or the correction of the fill level of the containers to be carried out in a manner other than that disclosed herein by way of example. Figure 1 Arc or angle sections of a circular path of the filler carousel 14 for pre-evacuation (see section A), pre-tensioning (see section B), filling (see section C), correcting the fill levels (see section D) and relaxing (see section E) are shown with different hatching in the desired sequence in the normal operating mode of the filler carousel 14. Details of exemplary embodiments for pre-evacuation, pre-tensioning, filling, correcting a fill level and relaxing are described herein, for example, with reference to the Figures 2 to 8 described.

[0042] The container treatment system 10 may include at least one container transport and / or treatment device 18, a closing device 20, and / or a wiring device 22. The devices 18, 20, and 22 may each be configured in a line configuration or a rotary configuration.

[0043] The at least one device 18 is arranged upstream of the inlet conveyor 12. For example, the at least one device 18 can comprise a transport path, a transport star, and / or a rinsing device for rinsing the containers.

[0044] The closing device 20 is arranged downstream of the discharge conveyor 16. The closing device 20 is designed to close the containers, e.g., with a crown cap, a stopper, or a cork.

[0045] The wiring device 22 is arranged downstream of the closing device 20. The wiring device 22 is designed to wire containers closed with plugs or corks.

[0046] The container treatment plant 10 has a control unit 24. The control unit 24 is configured to operate the container treatment plant 10 in a normal operating mode and in an exceptional operating mode, which are explained in more detail elsewhere herein. The control unit 24 can be configured as a central control unit for operating multiple devices of the container treatment plant 10 or as interconnected, decentralized control units, each controlling a device of the container treatment plant 10.

[0047] With reference to the Figures 2 to 10A configuration and mode of operation of the filler carousel 14 and the closing device 20 are described below purely by way of example. In the described configuration, the filler carousel 14 can be used in particular for filling a highly foaming, oxygen-sensitive beverage (e.g., beer) into containers designed as bottles.

[0048] Figure 2 shows a first pressure vessel (=liquid tank) 26, a second pressure vessel 28, a third pressure vessel 30, a filling station 32 and a closing member 34. The filling station 32 can be one of the several filling stations of the filler carousel 14 of Figure 1 The pressure vessels 26 - 30 can be parts of the filler carousel 14 of Figure 1 be or outside the filler carousel 14 of Figure 1 The closing member 34 can be part of the closing device 20 of Figure 1 be.

[0049] The first pressure vessel 26 is connected to a liquid source 38, e.g., a beverage source such as a beer source, via a line 36. The liquid source 38 can be under an overpressure of, e.g., approximately 7 bar - 8 bar. A control valve 40 is connected to the line 36. The control valve 40 is controlled by a regulator 42.

[0050] A fill probe 44 may be positioned inside the first pressure vessel 26. The fill probe 44 is configured to detect a fill level of the first pressure vessel 26. The fill probe 44 is in signal communication with the controller 42. The controller 42 is configured to maintain the fluid level in the first pressure vessel 26 at the desired value by closing and opening the control valve 40.

[0051] A line 46 leads into the first pressure vessel 26. The line 46 leads to the ambient atmosphere or the outside via a control valve 48. The control valve 48 is controlled by a regulator 50, the function of which is explained below.

[0052] The second pressure vessel 28 is connected to a vacuum source 52, e.g., a vacuum pump. This vacuum pump evacuates the second pressure vessel 28 to an absolute pressure of, e.g., 0.1 bar - 0.2 bar.

[0053] The third pressure vessel 30 is connected to an inert gas source 56 via a line 54. The inert gas supplied by the inert gas source 56 can be, for example, sterile air, nitrogen, and / or CO2. The inert gas is supplied from the inert gas source 56 at an overpressure of, for example, approximately 8 bar - 10 bar. A reducing valve 58 with a pressure regulator 60 is connected to the line 54. The pressure regulator 60 maintains the overpressure of the inert gas in the third pressure vessel 30 at a constant, for example, approximately 6.8 bar.

[0054] The controls 42, 50, 60 can be used in the Figure 1 explained control unit 24.

[0055] The regulator 50 for the control valve 48 is designed as a differential pressure regulator. The regulator 50 is connected, on the one hand, to the line 46 in the area between the control valve 48 and the first pressure vessel 26 or, for example, directly to a gas chamber of the first pressure vessel 26. On the other hand, the regulator 50 is connected to the line 54 between the reducing valve 58 and the third pressure vessel 30 or directly to the third pressure vessel 30.

[0056] The regulator 50 is configured to keep the pressure in the line 46 or in the first pressure vessel 26, for example, approximately 0.4 bar - 0.5 bar lower than in the line 54 or in the third pressure vessel 30 by opening and closing the control valve 48. The liquid and the gas in the first pressure vessel 26 are thus under a constant overpressure of, for example, approximately 6.4 bar.

[0057] The filling station 32 is connected to the three pressure vessels 26, 28, 30. Further, not Figure 2The filling stations shown are also connected to the pressure vessels 26, 28, 30 in the same way as the filling station 32.

[0058] The filling station 32 has a filling head 62, a return air pipe 64 (also called return gas pipe or return air pipe), a liquid line 66 and a gas channel 68.

[0059] The filling head 62 can have, for example, a conical centering opening and an elastic sealing ring (not shown). The filling head 62 can be pressed against a container mouth (bottle mouth) of a container 70 (e.g., a glass bottle).

[0060] The return gas pipe 64 can be attached to the center of the filling head 62. The return gas pipe 64 has an opening or a cut at its lower end. The return gas pipe 64 is connected to the gas chamber of the first pressure vessel 26 via a return gas line 72 and a return gas valve 74. It is possible for the return gas pipe 64 to be designed to be vertically movable.

[0061] The liquid line 66 opens into the filling head 62. A liquid valve 76 is installed in the liquid line 66. The liquid line 66 is connected to a liquid chamber of the first pressure vessel 26, which is located at a higher level than the filling head 62.

[0062] The gas channel 68 is connected to the filling head 62. The gas channel 68 is connected to the second pressure vessel 28 via a vacuum valve 78. The gas channel 68 is connected to the third pressure vessel 30 via an inert gas valve 80. The gas channel 68 can be connected to the open atmosphere by means of a relief valve 82.

[0063] The actuation of the valves 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 of the filling station 32 is carried out, for example, electromagnetically. The actuation of the valves 74, 76, 78, 80 and 82 can, in particular, be independent of a rotation of a circular path of the filling station(s) 32, which is generated by a rotation of the filler carousel 14 (see Figure 1 ) is effected.

[0064] A (e.g., pneumatic, hydraulic, or electromagnetic) lifting cylinder 83 with a raisable and lowerable container support 84 (e.g., container plate) is assigned to the filling station 32. By means of the lifting cylinder 83 and the container support 84, a container 70 can be pressed against the filling head 62. The container 70 can be sealed off from the ambient atmosphere and connected in a gas- and liquid-tight manner to the filling head 62 or to the lines and channels leading into it.

[0065] The closing member 34 is arranged, for example, in a height-adjustable manner over a fixed container support 86 (e.g., a container plate). The closing member 34 has a closing cone 88 and, for example, a spring-loaded hold-down device 90. The closing member 34 is configured to secure crown corks 92 to the container mouth of the container 70. The crown cork 92 can be held, for example, by magnetic force, on an underside of the hold-down device 90 before closing. It is also possible for the closing member 34 to be configured alternatively for closing by means of a plug or cork (e.g., a natural cork).

[0066] A plurality of blow nozzles 94 can be arranged surrounding the closing member 34. The blow nozzles 94 can be directed toward a space between an underside of the closing member 34 and the container mouth. The blow nozzles 94 can be connected to a supply line 96. The supply line 96 can be connected via a switching valve 98 to the line 46 coming from the first pressure vessel 26 or, for example, directly to a gas space of the first pressure vessel 26. The blow nozzles 96 can be fed with the almost pure inert gas (e.g., CO2) that continuously flows out of the first pressure vessel 26 during normal filling. Alternatively, it is possible, for example, to connect the blow nozzles 94 directly to the inert gas source 56. The blowing nozzles 94 are aligned in such a way that an atmosphere containing predominantly inert gas is generated between the closing member 34 and the container mouth, which atmosphere surrounds the crown cork 92 and the container mouth.

[0067] A connecting line 100 with a shut-off valve 102 can be arranged between lines 8 and 14. If necessary, the first pressure vessel 26 can thus be directly connected to the inert gas source 56.

[0068] Additionally, a cleaning line 104 with a shut-off valve 106 can be connected to the line 36. The first pressure vessel 26 can be filled with water or the like for cleaning through the cleaning line 104.

[0069] Preferably, before filling begins, the first pressure vessel 26 is completely filled with water via the cleaning line 104. The water can then be displaced by means of inert gas by opening the shut-off valve 106. Subsequently, the first pressure vessel 26 can be partially filled from the liquid source 38 via the control valve 40 with the shut-off valves 102 and 106 closed. Excess inert gas can be vented via the line 46 and the control valve 48. In this way, contact between the liquid and air is largely avoided from the outset. Any valves and lines required for this purpose are described in Figure 2 not shown. If the vacuum source 52 is now activated, the device can be ready for operation.

[0070] Below is a normal operating mode of the container treatment device 10 with reference to the Figures 1 to 10 described.

[0071] First, if present and desired, containers 70 can be treated, e.g., cleaned or coagulated, by the device 18. The cleaned, empty containers 70 are taken over by the infeed conveyor 12.

[0072] The rotating infeed conveyor 12 transfers the containers 70 one after the other to the filling stations 32 or container supports 84 of the rotating filler carousel 14. Figure 2 accordingly shows a clean, empty container 70 on the container support 84. During the transfer, the valves 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 are closed. The lifting cylinder 29 presses the container mouth of the container 70 firmly against the filling head 62. The container 70 can be filled essentially (e.g. 100%) with air (indicated by small crosses in Figure 2 ) must be filled.

[0073] After the container 70 has been taken over, a pre-evacuation of the container 70 takes place. The pre-evacuation of the container 70 takes place during a rotation of the filler carousel 14 in an angular section A (see Figure 1 ) of the circular path of the filling station 32 of the filler carousel 14.

[0074] Figure 3 shows the pre-evacuation. During pre-evacuation, the vacuum valve 78 is open for a specific period of time. This connects the container 70 to the second pressure vessel 28 via the gas channel 68. Air is sucked out of the container 70 through the gas channel 68. The container 70 is evacuated to an absolute pressure of, for example, approximately 0.1 bar to 0.2 bar. The initial air will thus be sucked out by, for example, 90%, so that the air concentration in the container can now be 10%. The pre-evacuation ends with the closing of the vacuum valve 78. It is possible for the container 70 to be pre-evacuated several times.

[0075] After the pre-evacuation of the container 70, the container 70 is pre-tensioned. The pre-tensioning of the container 70 takes place during a rotation of the filler carousel 14 in an angular section B (see Figure 1 ) of the circular path of the filling station 32 of the filler carousel 14.

[0076] Figure 4 shows the prestressing process. During prestressing, the inert gas valve 80 is opened for a specific period of time. The vessel 70 is connected to the third pressure vessel 30 via the gas channel 68. Inert gas (e.g., pure CO2) flows from the third pressure vessel 30 through the inert gas valve 80 and the gas channel 68 into the vessel 70 (indicated by small circles), e.g., until a pressure of, for example, approximately 6.8 bar is reached in the vessel 70. This further reduces the air concentration in the vessel 70 to approximately 2.5%. A virtually pure inert gas atmosphere has thus been created in the vessel 70. At the end of the prestressing process, the inert gas valve 80 can be closed.

[0077] After pre-tensioning the container 70, the container 70 is filled. The filling of the container 70 takes place during a rotation of the filler carousel 14 in an angular section C (see Figure 1 ) of the circular path of the filling station 32 of the filler carousel 14.

[0078] Figure 5 shows the filling, and Figure 6 shows a state at the end of filling. Filling is initiated by opening the liquid valve 76 and the return gas valve 74. Initially, a small portion of the gas flows from the container 70 via the return gas pipe 64 and the return gas line 72 into the first pressure vessel 26 until an overpressure of, for example, approximately 6.4 bar prevails in the container 70. This can prevent gas from the first pressure vessel 26 from flowing into the container 70 and potentially increasing the air concentration there.

[0079] After pressure equalization, the liquid (indicated by short dashes) flows into the container 70 via the liquid line 66 due to the height difference between the first pressure vessel 26 and the container 70. The almost pure inert gas (e.g. CO2) is displaced from the container 70 into the first pressure vessel 26 via the return gas pipe 64 and the return gas line 72. Therefore, after some time, a almost pure inert gas atmosphere with an air concentration of, for example, approximately 2.5% can also develop in the first pressure vessel 26, so that no noticeable effect of atmospheric oxygen on the liquid can occur either while it is in the first pressure vessel 26 or while it is flowing into the container 70 via the filling station 32.

[0080] When the liquid level in the container 70 reaches the opening of the return gas pipe 64, no more gas can escape through it. However, the liquid flow continues, since the gas can now flow upwards through the liquid line 66, which is designed without a gas barrier, into the first pressure vessel 26. At the end of the filling process, the container 70 can be overfilled or filled to the brim (see Figure 6 ). At the end of filling, the liquid valve 76 is closed. The return gas valve 74 remains open.

[0081] After filling the container 70, the filling level of the container 70 is corrected. The filling level of the container 70 is corrected during a rotation of the filler carousel 14 in an angular section D (see Figure 1 ) of the circular path of the filling station 32 of the filler carousel 14.

[0082] Figure 7shows the correction of the fill level. To correct the fill level, the inert gas valve 80 is opened for a predetermined period of time. This period can be relatively short. Pure inert gas (e.g., CO2) flows from the inert gas source 56 through the inert gas valve 80 and the gas channel 68 into the container 70 at a differential pressure or correction pressure of, for example, approximately 0.4 bar - 0.5 bar.

[0083] As the inert gas flows into the container 70, liquid in the container 70 is displaced through the return gas pipe 64 into the return gas line 72. Sufficient liquid is displaced until the liquid level in the container 70 has dropped to the level of the opening of the return gas pipe 64 or slightly below. The liquid displaced from the container 70 is conveyed through the return gas line 72 into the first pressure container 26. At the same time, the resulting empty space in the container 70 is filled with pure inert gas. The container 70 now contains only liquid and inert gas.

[0084] The opening duration of the inert gas valve 80 can be dimensioned such that sufficient inert gas flows into the container 70 to completely convey the liquid from the return gas line 72 back into the first pressure vessel 26 and to completely flush any remaining air out of the container 70. Furthermore, the inflowing pure inert gas reduces the air concentration in the first pressure vessel 26, resulting in values ​​below 2.5%.

[0085] The overflow of liquid and inert gas occurs extremely smoothly due to the small pressure difference (=correction pressure). This small pressure difference / correction pressure is possible because the return gas valve 74 is necessarily kept open and does not create a restriction. After the inert gas valve 80 closes, or simultaneously with it, the return gas valve 74 can also be closed. The fill level correction is thus completed, and valves 74, 76, 78, 80, and 82 are closed.

[0086] After correcting the filling level of the container 70, the container 70 is unloaded. The unloading of the container 70 takes place during a rotation of the filler carousel 14 in an angular section E (see Figure 1 ) of the circular path of the filling station 32 of the filler carousel 14.

[0087] Figure 8 shows the pressure relief process. During the pressure relief process, the relief valve 82, which is provided with a throttle, is opened for a predetermined period of time. This period can be relatively short. In this process, sufficient inert gas flows from the container 70 through the gas channel 68 and the relief valve 82 into the atmosphere until the normal atmospheric pressure prevails in the container 70.

[0088] After the container 70 has been relieved of pressure, the container support 84 can be lowered and the filled container 70 can be removed from the filling head 62. The empty space / headspace above the liquid level in the container remains completely filled with pure inert gas. Atmospheric oxygen cannot affect the liquid in the container 70. The container 70 can now be transferred without special protective measures such as high-pressure injection for foam generation.

[0089] The filled container 70 is transferred from the filler carousel 14 to the discharge conveyor 16. The discharge conveyor 16 transports the filled containers 70 as desired. The filled containers 70 can be moved to the container support 86 below the closing member 34 (see Figures 2 , 9 and 10 ) of the closing device 20 (see Figure 1). Should a slight spontaneous foaming of the liquid occur, this is not a problem, since the foam can be absorbed by the empty space in the container 70.

[0090] The Figures 9 and 10 show the closing of the container 70.

[0091] Figure 9 shows the filled container 70 below the closing member 34 in its upper end position. The closing member 34 has already received a crown cork 92.

[0092] The valve 98 can be switched when the container 70 arrives at the closing element 34 or even beforehand. A nearly pure inert gas (e.g., CO2) with an air concentration of, for example, 2.5% or less, blown off from the first pressure vessel 26 via line 46, is fed to the blow nozzles 94 and exits there into the atmosphere. This creates a nearly pure inert gas atmosphere enclosing the crown cap 92 between the underside of the closing element 34 and the container mouth. At the same time, air pockets in the cavities, particularly on the underside of the crown cap 92, can be removed, and the container mouth can be separated from the normal air atmosphere.

[0093] The inert gas atmosphere can be maintained at least until the crown cork 94 has been placed and flanged onto the container 70 by the closure member 34 being lowered via a control cam or the like (not shown), see Figure 10The valve 98 can then be switched back on if desired. Even during the thus completed sealing process under an inert gas atmosphere, the pure inert gas in the container 70 cannot be contaminated with air, in particular not by air pockets on the underside of the crown cap 92.

[0094] After sealing, the container 70 thus contains only liquid and pure inert gas (e.g., CO2). It is normally sufficient to use the virtually pure inert gas flowing out of the first pressure vessel 26, as described, with an air concentration of, for example, approximately 2.5%. This inert gas is also readily sufficient in terms of quantity, since prepressurizing the container 70 to, for example, approximately 6.8 bar requires a multiple of the container volume of inert gas at atmospheric pressure, which is then removed from the container 70 during filling. The inert gas from the third pressure vessel 30 thus has multiple uses: building up counterpressure, protecting the liquid as it enters the container 70, protecting the liquid in the first pressure vessel 26, and building up an inert gas atmosphere during sealing. In addition, the inert gas for the blowing nozzles 94 requires only a relatively low pressure, since no liquid has to be forced out of the containers 70.For extreme quality requirements, the blow nozzles 94 can of course also be supplied directly from the third pressure vessel 30 or from the inert gas source 56. It is also possible to dispense with the valve 98 and connect the line 46 directly to the line 96.

[0095] During normal operation of the container treatment system 10, one or more containers 70 may burst in the filler carousel 14. For example, existing damage (e.g., hairline crack, inclusion, etc.) to a container 70 may cause the container 70 to burst during pre-evacuation, pre-tensioning, filling, or correction of the fill level. Flying debris from the bursting container 70 may damage other containers 70 in neighboring filling stations 32, causing them to burst in turn. Bursting containers 70 may at least temporarily disrupt normal operation because no container 70 is present in the relevant filling station(s) 32. For example, the differential pressure or correction pressure may drop, or other fluid parameters of the filler carousel 14 (e.g., fill level of the first pressure vessel 26 and / or filling pressure) may be negatively affected.This can ultimately result in the fill levels of the remaining containers 70 not being corrected, or no longer being corrected sufficiently, at least temporarily. Any overfilled containers 70 are conveyed to the closing device 20. The overfilled containers 70 can burst in the closing device 20 if, for example, a stopper or cork is forced into the liquid-filled headspace of the overfilled container 70.

[0096] A special feature of the present disclosure is that an exceptional operating mode is proposed with which the disadvantages described above can be overcome. The exceptional operating mode is described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 10 described.

[0097] During normal operation of the container treatment system 10, at least one fluid parameter of the filler carousel 14 is monitored, preferably continuously. The fluid parameter is selected such that it allows a conclusion to be drawn about damage (e.g., bursting, destruction, etc.) to at least one container 70 in the filler carousel 14 during normal operation. Therefore, the filling pressure for filling the containers 70, the correction pressure for correcting the fill levels, and / or the fill level of the liquid tank or the first pressure vessel 26 of the filler carousel 14 can expediently be used as monitored fluid parameters.

[0098] If the control unit 24 detects that the at least one monitored fluid parameter assumes an inadmissible value during normal operating mode, it can switch to the exceptional operating mode. An inadmissible value can preferably be detected when an actual value of the monitored fluid parameter falls below a predetermined lower limit. A (lower or upper) limit can, for example, be in a range of ± 10% to ± 50% with respect to a target value of the monitored fluid parameter.

[0099] In exceptional operating mode, rotation of the filler carousel 14 is initially paused or stopped. To enable the filler carousel 14 to stop as quickly as possible, a separate quick or emergency stop function of the filler carousel 14 can be used. This allows the filler carousel 14 to be stopped more quickly than with a normal shutdown of the filler carousel 14, e.g., at the end of an operation, for maintenance work, for conversion work, etc.

[0100] While the filler carousel 14 is stopped, all process steps (e.g. pre-evacuation, pre-tensioning, filling) of the filler carousel 14 up to and including the filling of the containers 70 are preferably still carried out, preferably one after the other for the respective containers 70.

[0101] For example, those containers 70 in the filler carousel 14 can be pre-evacuated that have not yet been pre-evacuated or have not yet been fully pre-evacuated in normal operating mode. During the standstill of the filler carousel 14, all containers 70 in section A (see Figure 1 ) (ready) pre-evacuated.

[0102] Those containers 70 can be preloaded that have not yet been preloaded or have not yet been fully preloaded in normal operating mode. During the standstill of the filler carousel 14, all containers 70 in sections A and B (see Figure 1 ) (finished) pre-tensioned.

[0103] Those containers 70 can be filled which have not yet been completely filled in normal operating mode, whose fill levels have not yet been completely corrected in normal operating mode and / or up to a maximum return air pipe angle of the filler carousel 14. During the standstill of the filler carousel 14, all containers 70 in sections A, B and C (see Figure 1 ) (ready) filled, if necessary additionally the containers 70 in sections D and / or E, if desired.

[0104] While the filler carousel 14 is stopped, no further correction of the fill levels of the containers 70 is initially performed, as this is no longer reliably possible due to the disruption of the fluid control circuit caused by the burst containers 70. Instead, the system first waits until at least one monitored fluid parameter returns to a permissible value, e.g., by exceeding a lower limit. Depending on the magnitude of the disruption, the fluid control circuit requires different amounts of time to settle down so that the at least one monitored fluid parameter returns to a permissible value.

[0105] When the at least one monitored fluid parameter has returned to a permissible value, the fill level correction is applied to the containers 70. When correcting the fill levels of the containers 70, the fill levels of all previously filled containers 70 in the filler carousel 14 are preferably corrected, if achievable. The fill levels of all containers 70 between a receiving section of the filler carousel 14 for receiving the containers 70 from the infeed conveyor 12 and a maximum return air pipe angle of the filler carousel 14 are expediently corrected. The fill level correction is expediently carried out from downstream to upstream, i.e., in particular, starting from the maximum return air pipe angle of the filler carousel 14. In the exceptional operating mode, the fill level correction is therefore not limited to section D as in the normal operating mode, but extends in particular from the end of section D (if applicable, section E) to the beginning of section A.

[0106] It is possible that for the fill level correction of the containers 70 in sections A, B, C (and possibly E) in the exceptional operating mode, the return gas pipes 64 of the individual filling stations 32 are extended separately, provided that the configuration of the filling stations 32 requires this.

[0107] After the filling levels of the containers 70 have been corrected in the exceptional operating mode or at least the filling levels of the containers 70 in section D (see Figure 1 ) have been corrected, normal operating mode can be switched back to. The filler carousel 14 is then restarted. Depending on the configuration of the control unit 24, the switch can occur fully automatically or after manual confirmation.

[0108] However, the exceptional operating mode may not only result in an adapted operation of the filler carousel 14. Alternatively or additionally, other devices of the container treatment system 10 may also be operated differently in the exceptional operating mode than in the normal operating mode.

[0109] For example, in the exceptional operating mode, the outfeed conveyor 16 can be decoupled from the filler carousel 14 (so-called unblocking). During decoupling, for example, a drive of the filler carousel 14 and a drive of the outfeed conveyor 16 can be decoupled from each other. This can prevent problems if the filler carousel 14 is stopped in the exceptional operating mode and the outfeed conveyor 16 is to rotate. In the exceptional operating mode, the outfeed conveyor 16 can still be run empty. The outfeed conveyor 16 preferably continues to rotate at least until it has transferred all containers 70.

[0110] The closing device 20 can also continue to operate in the exceptional operating mode, at least initially. The closing device 20 can close the containers 70 received due to the emptying of the discharge conveyor 16.

[0111] If a wiring device 22 is present, the containers 70 sealed by the sealing device 20 in the exceptional operating mode can still be received and wired by the wiring device 22 in the exceptional operating mode.

[0112] Preferably, in the exceptional operating mode, the infeed conveyor 12 and the at least one device 18 upstream of the infeed conveyor 12 are additionally stopped.

[0113] It is explicitly pointed out that the exceptional operating mode with respect to the outlet conveyor 16 (and, if applicable, the closing device 20 and / or the wiring device 22) is disclosed independently of the exceptional operating mode with respect to the filler carousel 14. For example, only the filler carousel 14 can be stopped in the exceptional operating mode, while the outlet conveyor 16 (and, if applicable, the closing device 20 and / or the wiring device 22) are operated in the exceptional operating mode as explained above (e.g., decoupling, emptying, closing, and, if applicable, wiring). On the other hand, the exceptional operating mode with respect to the filler carousel 14 can, for example, be carried out with stopping, filling, and correcting the fill level (and, if applicable, prior pre-evacuation and / or pre-tensioning), and the outlet conveyor 16 (and, if applicable, the devices arranged downstream thereof) can merely stop.

[0114] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, numerous variants and modifications are possible, the scope of which is defined by the following claims. List of reference symbols

[0115] 10Container treatment plant 12Inlet conveyor 14Filler carousel 16Outlet conveyor 18Equipment 20Capping device 22Wiring device 24Control unit 26First pressure vessel 28Second pressure vessel 30Third pressure vessel 32Filling station 34Capping device 36Line 38Liquid source 40Control valve 42Regulator 44Filling probe 46Line 48Control valve 50Regulator 52Vacuum source 54Line 56Inert gas source 58Reducing valve 60Pressure regulator 62Filling head 64Return gas pipe 66Liquid line 68Gas channel 70Container 72Return gas line 74Return gas valve 76Liquid valve 78Vacuum valve 80Inert gas valve 82Relief valve 83Lifting cylinder 84Container support 86Container support 88Capping cone 90Holder 92Crown cork 94Blow nozzles 96Supply line 98Changeover valve 100Connecting line 102Shut-off valve 104Cleaning line 106Shut-off valve APre-evacuation BPre-tensioning CFilling DCorrecting the filling level ERelieving

Claims

1. A method for operating a container treatment system (10) comprising a filler carousel (14) and an outfeed conveyor (16) which is arranged to receive containers (70) from the filler carousel (14), wherein the method comprises: monitoring at least one fluid parameter of the filler carousel (14), wherein: - the at least one monitored fluid parameter comprises a filling pressure for filling the containers (70), a correction pressure for correcting filling heights of the filled containers (70), and / or a filling level of a liquid tank (26) of the filler carousel (14); and / or - the at least one monitored fluid parameter is selected such that it allows a conclusion to be drawn about damage to at least one container (70) in the filler carousel (14); switching from a normal operating mode of the container treatment system (10) to an exceptional operating mode of the container treatment system (10) if the at least one monitored fluid parameter assumes an inadmissible value, wherein the exceptional operating mode comprises: - stopping the filler carousel (14); and the exceptional operating mode further comprises: a) - a1) filling containers (70) in the filler carousel (14) while the filler carousel (14) is stopped; - a2) waiting until the at least one monitored fluid parameter assumes a permissible value while the filler carousel (14) is stopped; and - a3) correcting the filling heights of the filled containers (70) if the at least one monitored fluid parameter has assumed a permissible value while the filler carousel (14) is stopped; and / or b) - b1) decoupling the outfeed conveyor (16) from the filler carousel (14); and - b2) emptying the outfeed conveyor (16).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: a fluid control loop of the filler carousel (14) settles during the waiting period until the monitored fluid parameter assumes the permissible value.

3. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the container treatment system (10) further comprises a closure device (20) which is arranged downstream of the outfeed conveyor (16); and, with respect to the closure device (20), the exceptional operating mode further comprises: - receiving containers (70) from the outfeed conveyor (16), preferably until the outfeed conveyor (16) is emptied; - closing the received containers (70); and optionally - emptying after closing the received containers (70).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: the container treatment system (10) further comprises a wiring device (22) which is arranged downstream of the closure device (20); and, with respect to the wiring device (22), the exceptional operating mode further comprises: - receiving the closed containers (70) from the closure device (20), preferably until the closure device (20) is emptied; and - wiring the received closed containers (70).

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the container treatment system (10) further comprises at least one container transport device and / or container treatment device (12, 18) which is arranged upstream of the filler carousel (14), preferably an infeed conveyor (12) for transferring the containers (70) to the filler carousel (14) and / or a container rinsing device (18) for rinsing the containers (70); and the exceptional operating mode also comprises: - stopping the at least one container transport device and / or container treatment device (12, 18).

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: when filling the containers (70) in the exceptional operating mode, all containers (70) in the filler carousel (14) that have not yet been completely filled in the normal operating mode, all containers whose filling heights have not yet been completely corrected in the normal operating mode, and / or all containers as far as a maximum return air pipe angle of the filler carousel (14) are filled.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: when correcting the filling heights of the containers (70) in the exceptional operating mode, the filling heights of all previously filled containers (70) in the filler carousel (14) are corrected; and / or when correcting the filling heights of the containers (70) in the exceptional operating mode, the filling heights of all containers (70) between a receiving portion of the filler carousel (14) for receiving the containers (70) and a maximum return air pipe angle of the filler carousel (14) are corrected, preferably starting from the maximum return air pipe angle.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the filling carousel (14) is stopped in the exceptional operating mode by a separate quick stop function or emergency stop function.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: in the exceptional operating mode, all treatments of the filler carousel (14) up to and including the filling of the containers (70) are carried out while the filler carousel (14) is stopped; and / or the exceptional operating mode further comprises at least one of: - pre-evacuating the containers (70) in the filler carousel (14) that have not yet been pre-evacuated or have not yet been completely pre-evacuated in the normal operating mode, while the filler carousel (14) is stopped; and - pretensioning the containers (70) that have not yet been pretensioned or have not yet been completely pretensioned in the normal operating mode, while the filler carousel (14) is stopped.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: switching from the exceptional operating mode to the normal operating mode after the filling heights of the filled containers (70) have been corrected and the monitored at least one fluid parameter has assumed a permissible value, wherein the switching preferably comprises: coupling the outfeed conveyor (16) to the filler carousel (14) for receiving containers (70) from the filler carousel (14).

11. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the normal operating mode comprises: - rotating the filler carousel (14); - filling the containers (70) in the filler carousel (14) while the filler carousel (14) rotates; and - correcting the filling heights of the filled containers (70) while the filler carousel (14) rotates.

12. The method according claim 11, wherein the normal operating mode further comprises at least one of: - pre-evacuating the containers (70) in the filler carousel (14) while the filler carousel (14) rotates; - pretensioning the containers (70) in the filler carousel (14) while the filler carousel (14) rotates; and - relieving pressure from the filling height-corrected containers (70) in the filler carousel (14) while the filler carousel (14) rotates.

13. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the filling of the containers (70) in the filling carousel (14) constitutes overfilling the containers (70) or filling them to the brim; and / or the filling levels of the containers (70) are in each case corrected by a return air pipe (64) positioned in the head space of the filled container (70).

14. A container treatment system (10), comprising: a filler carousel (14); an outfeed conveyor (16) which is arranged to receive containers (70) from the filler carousel (14); and a control unit (24) which is configured to operate the container treatment system (10) according to a method according to any of the preceding claims, preferably fully automatically or semi-automatically.