Device for filling a container with a filling product

Abstract

Device (1) for filling a container (100) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, wherein the device (1) comprises: at least one filling element (10) configured to introduce the filling product into the container (2), wherein the filling element (10) is preferably height-adjustable at least in sections; a level detection device (30) associated with the at least one filling element (10), which is arranged outside the container (100) and configured to detect the level of the filling product in the container (100) without contact; and a control unit (200) which communicates with the level detection device (30) and is configured to control and / or regulate the filling process depending on the level of the filling product in the container (100) detected by the level detection device (30).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant. State of the art

[0002] Filling devices of various designs are available for filling products in beverage filling plants. Depending on the application, filling devices operating using the free jet, vacuum, or counterpressure method are considered. In each case, the goal is controlled, reliable filling of a defined filling volume. For this purpose, the filling device is equipped with one or more valves, which can be designed as simple shut-off valves or proportional valves for adjusting the volume flow.

[0003] The filling process can be controlled or regulated in various ways. For example, control or regulation based on the volume flow introduced, the weight, and / or the fill level of the filling product introduced into the container are known.

[0004] A fill level-dependent control system is described, for example, in DE 10 2008 029 208 A1. In this case, a level probe is immersed in the container to determine the fill level during filling. Level probes typically use electrical sensors with an electrode attached to the level sensor.

[0005] The containers are transferred to the filling device at approximately conveyor belt height and then raised by a lifting cylinder. The fill level probe is immersed in the container. The filling process then starts and stops when the product level in the container reaches the fill level probe, which in this case acts as a shut-off device. The container is then lowered back to conveyor belt height.

[0006] The disadvantage of this is that the container must usually be raised until it is pressed against a centering bell of the filling device and then lowered again. This lifting process reduces the available process angle, in the case of a rotary filler, and / or the time available for the filling process, which results in reduced filler performance. Furthermore, the mechanical engineering effort increases, for example, due to the installation of a lifting cam including height adjustment to implement the container lift.

[0007] The use of level probes to control the filling process is associated with hygienic restrictions. For example, a hygienic isolator design is difficult to implement, and an aseptic filler is virtually impossible in this design. The level probe and its adjustment mechanism can contribute to the spread of germs, bacteria, etc. The level probe also complicates maintenance and cleaning, especially in the context of an automated CIP system. Furthermore, the level probe takes up installation space, which, for example, impedes an optimized CO2 purging process. Description of the invention

[0008] An object of the invention is to provide an improved device for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant.

[0009] The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments follow from the subclaims, the following presentation of the invention and the description of preferred embodiments.

[0010] The device is designed for filling containers with a filling product. It is particularly suitable for use in beverage filling plants, for example, for filling water (still or carbonated), soft drinks, smoothies, juices, beer, wine, dairy products, mixed drinks, and the like.

[0011] The device has at least one filling element configured to introduce the filling product into the container. The filling element typically comprises at least one filling valve, for example, a control valve or shut-off valve that achieves a fixed flow coefficient with two controllable open / closed states when open, or a proportional valve with adjustable volume flow. The filling element can be designed, for example, as a free-jet valve or for a counter-pressure or vacuum process, in which the containers are in pressure-tight contact with the corresponding filling element during filling.

[0012] The filling element is preferably height-adjustable as a whole or in sections, i.e. adjustable in the direction of gravity, whereby the filling element can be used for different container sizes and shapes and, furthermore, a height-adjustable container holder can be dispensed with.

[0013] The device further comprises a fill level detection device associated with the at least one filling element, which is arranged outside the container and is configured to detect the fill level of the filling product in the container during the filling process in a contact-free manner, ie without (physical) contact with the filling product.

[0014] Preferably, the fill level detection device is positioned on the side of the container during the filling process, i.e., between the container mouth and the container bottom in the axial direction of the container. If the container is bottle-shaped, the fill level detection device is preferably positioned next to the bottle neck.

[0015] The device further comprises a controller which is in communication with the fill level detection device and is configured to control and / or regulate the filling process depending on the fill level of the filling product in the container detected by the fill level detection device.

[0016] Communication between the controller and the level detection device, as well as any other components of the device to be read and / or controlled, can be wired or wireless, digital or analog. Communication does not necessarily involve a bidirectional exchange of information. A unidirectional data and / or signal flow falls under the term "communication" here. The controller does not necessarily have to be formed by a central computing device or electronic control system; it can also include decentralized and / or multi-level systems, control networks, cloud systems, and the like. The controller can also be an integral part of a higher-level plant control system or communicate with such a system.

[0017] The fill level detection device described herein, located outside the container, allows the filling of the container to be monitored essentially independently of the container volume, shape, and size. In particular, the filling process can be stopped reliably and consistently when the desired fill level is reached. Because the fill level detection device does not come into contact with the filling product, the device is particularly hygienic and also suitable for use as an aseptic filler.

[0018] Preferably, the fill level detection device functions as a shut-off device, with the controller configured to stop the filling process when a desired or predetermined fill level, for example, stored in the controller, is reached. Thus, the container can be filled at a constant level regardless of the container volume.

[0019] Preferably, the filling member comprises a centering bell configured to come into contact with a container mouth of the container and to fix the container for the filling process, whereby the position of the container for filling and monitoring by the external level detection device is well-defined and reliably achieved.

[0020] Preferably, the centering bell is height-adjustable, allowing the container to be secured by a lifting movement of the centering bell. The stroke of the centering bell and / or the filling device, which can be minimal, makes it possible to secure the container directly at or immediately after the transfer point. This eliminates the need for additional components for handling the container, and the overall height of the device can be reduced.

[0021] The device preferably comprises a container holder associated with the at least one filling device, which is configured to hold the container during the filling process. The container is placed beneath the filling device so that the filling product can be safely and reliably introduced into the container. The container holder preferably comprises one or more container clamps and / or a base-side container support on which the container stands.

[0022] At least the base-side container support is preferably a stationary container support. It can be implemented as a table- or plate-like platform. However, this implementation is only exemplary. Thus, the container support can be implemented solely by an active or passive container clamp, which at least partially encompasses and grips a container body, bottle belly, or the like via suitable clamp arms, or by the base-side container support or another suitable holder / fixation of the container.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the container holder is stationary overall or at least in the axial direction of the container, i.e., the direction of gravity, so that the container is not subjected to any lifting. Preferably, the entire container transport during the filling process, in the case of a rotary design, takes place at a single height along the pitch circle defined by the filler carousel. In this case, the filling process takes place without any vertical lifting movement of the container, which eliminates the need for lifting curves, lifting rods, etc. This allows for larger process angles and higher filler performance. Furthermore, the elimination of the container lift allows for compact CIP caps, greater flexibility in division, and optimization with regard to any CO2 purging process.

[0024] The level detection device for detecting the fill level of the filling product in the container preferably comprises one or more lasers and / or one or more capacitive sensors and / or one or more cameras, allowing the fill level to be detected externally in a mechanically simple and reliable manner. The container material must be "permeable" to the corresponding sensor principle.

[0025] Preferably, the fill level detection device is height adjustable, whereby the fill level detection device can be adapted for different container sizes and shapes as well as different fill levels.

[0026] Preferably, the fill level detection device is mounted on the container holder, preferably on the bottom-side container support, via a detector mount on the holder side, allowing the fill level detection device to be installed with minimal mechanical engineering effort and space requirements. Alternatively or additionally, the fill level detection device can be mounted on the filling device via a detector mount on the filling device side.

[0027] Preferably, the device is designed as an isolator, with the filling device and the container being at least partially enclosed in an isolator during the filling process. The use of the level detection device located outside the container is not associated with any hygienic restrictions. Thus, a hygienic, even aseptic isolator design is readily feasible, especially if sealing of any lifting cylinders, lifting rods, etc. is not required for the container support.

[0028] The device is preferably designed as a rotary conveyor, i.e., in this case, it comprises a filling carousel on which the at least one filling element is mounted. The filling carousel is configured such that the container to be filled is filled with the filling product during transport along a partial circle. Container feeding to the filling carousel and / or container removal from the filling carousel can be effected via an active or passive transport star. Alternatively or additionally, linear transport systems, such as conveyor belts, conveyor chains, etc., can be provided. Preferably, the container guidance in the filling carousel, including, for example, the transfer points, takes place without fitting(s).

[0029] Preferably, the fill level detection device is mounted on the filler carousel via a detector holder, whereby the fill level detection device can be installed with little mechanical engineering effort and little space requirement.

[0030] Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of filling elements mounted on the filling carousel, as well as a plurality of fill level detection devices correspondingly assigned to the filling elements, whereby a plurality of containers or a continuous flow of containers can be filled simultaneously during transport along a partial circle of the filling carousel.

[0031] Preferably, the multiple level detection devices are individually height-adjustable in order to be able to carry out a fine adjustment for each filling station or filling element.

[0032] Alternatively, several or all of the level detection devices can be mounted on a common detector carrier, in which case the several or all of the level detection devices can preferably be adjusted jointly via the detector carrier by adjusting the height of the detector carrier itself. In this way, several or all of the filling stations of the filling carousel can be adjusted jointly and simultaneously to the nature of the containers to be filled and / or the desired fill level.

[0033] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. The features described therein can be implemented alone or in combination with one or more of the features presented above, provided the features do not contradict each other. The following description of preferred embodiments is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. Short description of the characters

[0034] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description of the figures. In the figures: Figure 1 schematically shows a front view of a device for filling a container with a filling product, comprising a fill level detection device outside the container; Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of the device for filling a container with a filling product according to a further embodiment; Figure 3 schematically shows a side view of the device for filling a container with a filling product according to a further embodiment; Figure 4 schematically shows a side view of the device for filling a container with a filling product according to a further embodiment; and Figure 5 schematically shows a top view of the device for filling a container with a filling product according to a further embodiment. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0035] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements are provided with identical reference numerals in the figures, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0036] The Figure 1 shows schematically a front view of a device 1 for filling a container 100 with a filling product.

[0037] The device 1 is particularly preferably used in a beverage filling plant, for example for filling water (still or carbonated), beer, juice, soft drinks, smoothies, dairy products and the like.

[0038] The device 1 has at least one filling element 10 configured to introduce the filling product into the container 100 to be filled. For this purpose, the filling element 10 comprises at least one filling valve (not shown in the figures), for example, designed as a control valve or shut-off valve with two controllable states (open / closed) and a fixed flow coefficient in the open state, or as a proportional valve with an adjustable volume flow rate. The filling element 10 can be designed, for example, as a free-jet valve, for a counter-pressure or negative-pressure process, or for wall filling using umbrellas or swirl bodies, in which the containers 100 are each in pressure-tight contact with the corresponding filling element 10 during filling. Preferably, several filling elements 10 are installed in order to be able to efficiently fill an inflow of several containers 100 to be filled with the filling product.

[0039] Preferably, the device 1 is designed as a rotary conveyor, in which the containers 100 to be filled are fed to a filling carousel 50 and, during transport, are guided along a partial circle 52 (cf. Figure 5 ) with the filling product. In this case, the filling elements 10 are installed on the outer circumference of the filling carousel 50.

[0040] The container feed to the filler carousel 50 and / or container removal from the filler carousel 50 can be carried out via an active or passive transport star. Alternatively or additionally, linear transport systems, such as conveyor belts, conveyor chains, etc., can be installed. Preferably, the container guidance in the filler carousel 50, including the transfer points, takes place without fitting(s).

[0041] The filling element 10 preferably comprises a centering bell 11, which is designed to come into contact with the container mouth 110 of the container 100 and to center it so that the filling product can be reliably introduced into the container 100. For this purpose, the centering bell 11 is preferably designed to be height-adjustable, as indicated by corresponding arrows in the Figures 1 to 4 shown. Alternatively or additionally, the filling element 10 as a whole and / or the container 100 can be provided with a height-adjustable design in order to bring the container mouth 110 into contact with the centering bell 11 for the filling process.

[0042] The container 100 is held by a suitable container holder 20, which in the embodiment of the Figure 1one or more container clamps 21 and a bottom-side, plate-like container carrier 22. The bottom-side container carrier 22 is preferably a fixed container carrier. However, this implementation is only exemplary. Thus, the container holder 20 can be realized solely by an active or passive container clamp 21 or a bottom-side container carrier 22 without container clamp 21 or any other holder / fixation of the container 100. Thus, the embodiments of the Figures 3 and 4 for example, without a container clamp 21. Alternatively or additionally, a set for guiding the container 100 along a predetermined trajectory can be installed.

[0043] Preferably, the container holder 20 is designed to be stationary, for example relative to the filler carousel 50 and in particular in the lifting direction (direction of gravity), so that the container 100 does not have to be raised and / or lowered for the filling process.

[0044] The container 100 is preferably secured by a lifting movement from above and / or by a pivoting movement toward the container mouth 110. The container 100 is preferably secured either by a lifting movement of the centering bell 11 and / or by a lifting movement of the entire filling element 10.

[0045] The device 1 further comprises a fill level detection device 30 configured to detect the fill level in the container 100 during the filling process. The fill level detection device 30 is arranged outside the container 100 and does not come into contact with the filling product during regular operation of the device 1.

[0046] The fill level detection device 30 can operate optically, laser-based, capacitively, or according to another measuring principle, as long as contact with the filling product is not required and detection can be performed from outside the container. For this purpose, the fill level detection device preferably comprises one or more lasers (with a corresponding receiving unit) and / or one or more capacitive sensors and / or one or more cameras to detect the fill level.

[0047] In particular, the fill level detection device 30 is designed as a shut-off device to stop the filling process when a specific, desired fill level is reached. In this way, the filling of the container 100 can be carried out or stopped at a constant level, regardless of the container volume.

[0048] Preferably, the level detection device 30 is height adjustable, as indicated by corresponding arrows in the Figures 1 , 3 and 4 shown.

[0049] To monitor the filling process, including its completion, the fill level detection device 30 communicates with a controller 200. The controller 200 can also communicate with actuators (height adjustment of the filling element 10 or the centering bell 11, height adjustment of the fill level detection device 30, filling valve, container holder 20, etc.) as well as any other sensors.

[0050] Communication between the controller 200 and the components of the device 1 to be read and controlled can be wired or wireless, digital or analog. Communication does not necessarily involve a bidirectional exchange of information. A unidirectional data and / or signal flow falls under the term "communication" herein. The controller 200 does not necessarily have to be formed by a central computing device or electronic control system; rather, decentralized and / or multi-level systems, control networks, cloud systems, and the like are included. The controller 200 can also be an integral part of a higher-level system control system or communicate with such a system.

[0051] The level detection device 30 has a U-shape in the present embodiment, see also Figure 5, so that the fill level detection device 30 surrounds the container 100 at least partially and at least in sections in the axial direction 130 of the container 100, for example, a bottle neck 120 in the case of a container 100 designed as a bottle. The fill level detection device 30 is preferably located at a height, viewed in the axial direction 130 of the container 100, at which the desired fill level is to be expected.

[0052] The Figure 2 shows the device 1 schematically in a side view. Figure 2 It is further apparent that the device 1 can be designed in an insulator construction, comprising an insulator 70 with an insulator housing 72. The rotary connection between the filler carousel 50 and the insulator housing 72 can be made via a water lock 74.

[0053] The Figure 3shows the device 1 schematically in a side view according to another exemplary embodiment. In this example, in addition to the modified container holder 20, the fill level detection device 30 is mounted on the filler carousel 50 via a carousel-side detector holder 32 in a height-adjustable manner.

[0054] An alternative embodiment in which the level detection device 30 is mounted on the bottom-side container support 22 via a detector support 32' on the support side in a height-adjustable manner is shown in the Figure 4 out.

[0055] The Figure 5 shows schematically a plan view of the device 1 according to a further embodiment, in which several filling elements 10 (in the Figure 5 not shown) on the filler carousel 50 (in the Figure 5not shown) are mounted so that several containers 100 can be filled with the filling product simultaneously during transport along a partial circle 52. In the present embodiment, several fill level detection devices 30 are installed on a common detector carrier 34, which is preferably mounted directly or indirectly on the filler carousel 50.

[0056] The height adjustment of the level detection device 30 can be carried out individually for each filling station or filling element 10, see embodiments of the Figures 1 to 4 Alternatively, several or all level detection devices 30 can be adjusted in height together or in segments, as realized in embodiment 5 by means of the common detector carrier 34.

[0057] By means of the fill level detection device 30 outside the container 100 set out herein, the filling of the container 100 can be monitored essentially independently of the container volume, the shape and size of the container 100, in particular the filling process can be stopped reliably and consistently when the desired fill level is reached.

[0058] The filling process does not require a vertical lifting movement of the container 100, eliminating the need for lifting cams, lifting rods, etc. This allows for larger process angles and higher filler performance. Furthermore, the torque on the filler carousel 50 can be reduced. Eliminating the container lift allows for compact CIP caps, greater flexibility in division, and optimization of any CO2 purging process.

[0059] The device 1 can easily be implemented in an isolator design, in particular if no sealing of any lifting cylinders, lifting rods, etc. is required.

[0060] Since the fill level detection device 30 does not come into contact with the filling product, the device 1 is particularly hygienic and suitable as an aseptic filler.

[0061] Where applicable, all individual features presented in the embodiments may be combined and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbols

[0062] 1Device for filling a container with a filling product 10Filling device 11Centering bell 20Container holder 21Container clamp 22Container carrier 30Fill level detection device 32Carousel-side detector holder 32'Holder-side detector holder 34Detector carrier 50Filler carousel 52Part circle 70Isolator 72Isolator housing 74Water lock 100Container 110Container mouth 120Bottle neck 130Axial direction of the container 200Control

Claims

1. A device (1) for filling a container (100) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, the device (1) comprising: at least one filling element (10) configured to introduce the filling product into the container (2), the filling element (10) preferably being height-adjustable at least in sections; a fill level detection device (30) assigned to the at least one filling element (10), which is arranged outside the container (100) and configured to detect the fill level of the filling product in the container (100) without contact; and a controller (200) which is in communication with the fill level detection device (30) and is configured to control and / or regulate the filling process depending on the fill level of the filling product in the container (100) detected by the fill level detection device (30).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe fill level detection device (30) acts as a shutdown device in that the controller (200) is configured to stop the filling process when a predetermined fill level is reached.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filling member (10) has a centering bell (11) which is designed to come into contact with a container mouth (110) of the container (100) and to fix the container (100) for the filling process, wherein the centering bell (11) is preferably height-adjustable.

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) has a container holder (20) assigned to the at least one filling element (10), which is designed to hold the container during the filling process, wherein the container holder (20) preferably comprises one or more container clamps (21) and / or a bottom-side container carrier (22) on which the container (100) stands.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the container holder (20) is fixed overall or at least in an axial direction (130) of the container (100), so that the container (100) is not subjected to any stroke.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fill level detection device (30) for detecting the fill level of the filling product in the container (100) comprises one or more lasers and / or one or more capacitive sensors and / or one or more cameras.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the level detection device (30) is height-adjustable.

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe fill level detection device (30) is mounted on the container holder (20), preferably on the bottom-side container support (22), via a holder-side detector holder (32') and / or on the filling element (10) via a filling element-side detector holder.

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) is designed as an insulator, wherein the filling element (10) and the container (100) are at least partially arranged in an insulator (70) during the filling process.

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a filler carousel (50) on which the at least one filling element (10) is mounted, wherein the filler carousel (50) is designed such that the container (100) to be filled is filled with the filling product during transport along a partial circle (52) of the filler carousel (50).

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe fill level detection device (30) is mounted on the filler carousel (50) via a detector holder (32).

12. Device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a plurality of filling elements (10) mounted on the filler carousel (50), as well as a plurality of fill level detection devices (30) correspondingly assigned to the filling elements (10).

13. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the plurality of level detection devices (30) are individually height-adjustable.

14. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that several or all of the level detection devices (30) are mounted on a common detector carrier (34), wherein the several or all of the level detection devices (30) are preferably height-adjustable together via the detector carrier (34).

Images