Filling head with vacuum device

Abstract

Filling device (1) for filling a container (2) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling system, wherein the filling device (1) comprises: a product outlet (10) for introducing the filling product into the container (2) and a product channel (12) configured to guide the filling product to the product outlet (10); a filling valve (20) configured to open the product channel (12) and close it at a closing contour (Sf) of the filling valve (20); and a vacuum device (30) which is configured to evacuate the container (2), wherein the vacuum device (30) has a vacuum supply (31) for providing the vacuum, a vacuum channel (32) which connects the vacuum supply (31) to the product channel (12), and a vacuum valve (33, 33') which is configured to open the vacuum channel (32) and to close it at a closing contour (Sv) of the vacuum valve (20);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 device for filling a container with a filling product, preferably a beverage, comprising a vacuum device. State of the art

[0002] When bottling beverages, especially oxygen-sensitive beverages, it is common practice to reduce or deoxygenate the containers before filling them with the product. This can be done by evacuating the containers once or several times. The prerequisite is vacuum-stable containers, such as glass bottles. Before filling, the air is "sucked" (evacuated) from the container using a vacuum. The faster and deeper the vacuum, the more efficient the process. A vacuum is not understood to mean a complete vacuum in the physical sense, but rather the reduction of the pressure in the container below atmospheric pressure, followed by purging with a process gas such as CO2.

[0003] In a multi-stage evacuation process, the container is first evacuated, then purged with a process gas such as CO2, and then evacuated again. In addition to such a double evacuation, a triple evacuation is also possible and is practiced. How often the container is evacuated depends primarily on the beverage and the required residual oxygen quality. CO2 consumption, process time, and the quality of the pre-vacuum also play a role.

[0004] In order to evacuate the interior of the container before filling, the container and the filling device equipped with a vacuum function are connected in a fluid-tight and gas-tight manner. To create the vacuum, the filling device comprises an evacuation channel through which the gas atmosphere is drawn out of the container, and a vacuum valve which opens and closes the connection between the container and the vacuum. Carbonated beverages, i.e. beverages containing CO2, can be filled using wall filling, in which 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 at the filling valve outlet, for example between a seal to the product chamber and the valve outlet. If the filling device comprises a central gas pipe, for example for purging the container and / or for removing gas displaced during filling, the vacuum channel is usually installed on the side of the valve outlet.

[0005] A filling element constructed in this way, comprising a lateral suction channel and a vacuum device for pre-evacuation of the container, is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2022 102 536 A1.

[0006] The position of the vacuum opening in the valve outlet, which is connected to a vacuum channel up to a switching valve, is not optimal for several reasons. For example, the vacuum channel can cause flow losses when generating the vacuum in the container. The longer and thinner the channel, the more time is required to evacuate the container, which generally results in a longer process time and / or a poorer vacuum in the container. Furthermore, the vacuum channel defines a dead space that must be pre-pressurized for filling and later relieved, thereby increasing the CO2 consumption of the filling device.

[0007] When filling the container with the filling product, the product flows over the vacuum opening of the vacuum channel. This can impair the filling performance, for example, due to increased foam formation. Therefore, the bore diameter of the vacuum opening must not be too large. During filling, filling product can also be forced into the vacuum channel, leading to product loss when the pressure is released after the filling process. Description of the invention

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

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

[0010] The filling device serves to fill a container with a filling product. The filling device is particularly preferably used in a beverage filling system, in particular for filling oxygen-sensitive beverages such as beer, juice, soft drinks, smoothies, dairy products, and the like.

[0011] The filling device has a product outlet for introducing the filling product into the container and a product channel configured to guide or transport the filling product to the product outlet. The filling device further has a filling valve configured to open the product channel and close it at a closing contour of the filling valve. The closing contour of the filling valve designates the one or more points at which the filling valve, when closed, blocks the flow of the filling product through the product channel. The closing contour of the filling valve thus defines a point, a line, or a section in the product channel.

[0012] The filling element further comprises a vacuum device configured to evacuate the container. For this purpose, the vacuum device comprises a vacuum supply for generating the vacuum, a vacuum channel connecting the vacuum supply to the product channel (i.e., bringing the vacuum supply and the product channel into fluid communication), and a vacuum valve configured to open the vacuum channel and close it at a closing contour of the vacuum valve. Analogous to the filling valve, the closing contour of the vacuum valve designates one or more locations at which the vacuum valve, when closed, blocks the gas flow through the vacuum channel occurring during evacuation. The closing contour of the vacuum valve thus defines a point, a line, or a section in the vacuum channel.

[0013] According to the invention, the vacuum valve is arranged in the area of ​​or near the product channel. In other words, the vacuum valve is located at or directly 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 partially directly on the product channel.

[0015] By locating the vacuum valve in the area, particularly directly adjacent to the product channel, the dead space in the vacuum channel can be minimized. "Dead space" in this context refers to any section of the vacuum channel between the product channel and the closing contour of the vacuum valve. Minimizing the dead space in the vacuum channel reduces any flow losses during the evacuation of the container, allowing for a significantly faster and better vacuum. This optimizes the vacuum buildup process in the container.

[0016] The optimization of the vacuum build-up in the container can be further supported by a comparatively large cross-section of the vacuum channel, which is possible due to the position and nature of the vacuum valve according to the invention.

[0017] Furthermore, due to the position and design of the vacuum valve, there is little or no disruption to the filling product flow in the product channel during the filling process, thus minimizing any foam formation and product loss.

[0018] Preferably, the vacuum valve comprises a vacuum valve element displaceable in an axial direction of the vacuum valve and a vacuum valve seat cooperating with the vacuum valve element. The closing contour of the vacuum valve is defined by the contact points of the vacuum valve element with the vacuum valve seat in the closed position of the vacuum valve. To ensure particularly reliable sealing of the vacuum valve in the fully closed state, 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 comes into contact with the filling product on the side of the product channel during the filling process, whereby any dead space in the vacuum channel is essentially completely eliminated and thus the process of vacuum buildup 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 on the side downstream of the vacuum valve seat, in particular flatly rounded, 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 is displaceable in the direction of extension of the vacuum channel, similar to a valve cone. The vacuum valve element is protected from external influences and thus contributes to the design of a mechanically simple and reliable vacuum valve.

[0022] According to an alternative embodiment, the vacuum valve element forms part of the outer wall defining the vacuum channel when the vacuum valve is open. In this case, the vacuum valve element is not an element located inside the vacuum channel that gives the vacuum channel a ring shape, at least in sections. Rather, the vacuum valve element at least partially defines the outer contour of the vacuum channel, allowing the vacuum valve to be implemented with few components. This also allows the cross-section of the vacuum channel to be maximized, allowing the container to be evacuated particularly quickly.

[0023] Preferably, the vacuum valve is arranged such that its closing contour is located partially or completely downstream of the closing contour of the filling valve (seen along the product flow), in particular in the region of the product outlet or directly at the product outlet, whereby the process of vacuum build-up in the container and the flow behavior of the filling product in the product channel are further optimized.

[0024] Preferably, the vacuum valve is designed as a shut-off valve, while the filling valve is preferably designed as a control valve, in particular a proportional valve, to enable gradual (in particular stepless) adjustment of the product channel cross-section and thus of the filling product flow. Control of intermediate positions with the vacuum valve is generally not required.

[0025] Preferably, the filling valve has a filling valve cone that is displaceable in an axial direction of the filling valve and a filling valve seat that interacts with the filling valve cone. The closing contour of the filling valve is defined by the contact points of the filling valve cone with 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] The filling device preferably has a central probe, preferably a short-circuit probe, which runs centrally through the filling valve cone and extends into the interior of the container during container treatment. The probe can be used to shut off the filling process when a defined fluid level in the container is reached.

[0027] Preferably, the product outlet can be brought into fluid-tight and gas-tight contact with a container mouth of the container in order to be able to treat the container safely and reliably, in particular to evacuate it.

[0028] Preferably, the filling device has a centering bell for centering the container mouth relative to the product outlet. The container mouth is pressed against the centering bell for the container treatment, which comprises at least evacuating the container and filling the container with the filling product.

[0029] 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

[0030] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. In the figures: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation, partly as a sectional view, of a filling element with a filling valve and a vacuum device according to one embodiment; Figure 2A shows a schematic representation, partly as a sectional view, of a filling element according to a further embodiment with a closed vacuum channel; and Figure 2B shows a schematic representation, partly as a sectional view, of a filling element according to the further embodiment with an open vacuum channel. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0031] 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.

[0032] The Figure 1is a schematic representation, partly as a sectional view, of a filling device 1. The filling device 1 is for introducing a filling product into a container 2, the container mouth 2a of which is in the Figure 1 is shown. The filling 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.

[0033] For the treatment process, comprising a single or multiple evacuation of the container 2, optionally purging the container 2 with a process gas, preferably CO 2 , and filling the container 2 with the filling product, the container 2 is connected in a fluid-tight and gas-tight manner to a product outlet 10 of the filling element 1. For this purpose, the container 2 and / or the filling element 1 are moved towards one another such that the container mouth 2a is pressed directly or indirectly against the product outlet 10 of the filling element 1. The filling element 1 can, as shown in the present embodiment, comprise a centering bell 11, which helps to bring the product outlet 10 and the container 2 into the desired relative position and to connect them in a fluid-tight and gas-tight manner.

[0034] The filling device 1 has a product channel 12 which is designed to transport the filling product to the container 2 and to introduce it into the container 2 via the product outlet 10. The product channel 12 is formed from a product supply (in the Figure 1 not shown), such as a product tank, with the filling product.

[0035] In the area of ​​the product outlet 10, ie in the lower area of ​​the filling device 1, a filling valve 20 is installed, which comprises a filling valve cone 21 and a filling valve seat 22 cooperating with the filling valve cone 21. The filling valve cone 21 is moved along an axial direction Af of the filling valve 20 via an actuator (in the Figure 1not shown) to thereby close and open the product channel. 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.

[0036] Preferably, the filling valve 20 is designed as a control valve, in particular a proportional valve, in order to enable a gradual (preferably stepless) adjustment of the product channel cross-section and thus of the filling product flow.

[0037] The filling device 1 further comprises a vacuum device 30 which is designed to evacuate the container 2 before filling it with the filling product.

[0038] The vacuum device 30 has a vacuum supply 31 configured to generate or otherwise provide a vacuum. For this purpose, the vacuum supply may comprise a corresponding vacuum pump, which may be configured, for example, as a liquid ring pump or a dry-running screw vacuum pump.

[0039] The vacuum device 30 further comprises a vacuum channel 32 which connects the vacuum supply 31 to the product channel 12, preferably in the region of the product outlet 10, i.e. downstream of the filling valve 20 or the closing contour Sf of the filling valve 20 between the filling valve seat 22 and the filling valve cone 21. The closing contour Sf of the filling valve 20 is defined by the contact points of the filling valve cone 21 with the filling valve seat 22 in the closed position of the filling valve 20.

[0040] The vacuum device 30 further comprises a vacuum valve 33 configured to switch, i.e., open and close, the vacuum channel 32 in the region of the product channel 12. The vacuum valve 33 is installed laterally directly next to the product channel 12, whereby essentially no channel or dead space remains between the product channel 12 and the vacuum valve 33, i.e., the vacuum supply shutoff 31. "Dead space" in this context refers to any section of the vacuum channel 32 between the product channel 12 and the closing contour Sv of the vacuum valve 33.

[0041] The vacuum valve 33 comprises according to the embodiment of the Figure 1a vacuum valve element 34 and a vacuum valve seat 35 cooperating with the vacuum valve element 34. The vacuum valve element 34 is movable along an axial direction Av of the vacuum valve 33, which preferably runs at an oblique angle to the axial direction Af of the filling valve 20, via an actuator (in the Figure 1 not shown) to thereby close and open the vacuum channel 32. The closing contour Sv of the vacuum valve 33 is defined by the contact points of the vacuum valve element 34 with the vacuum valve seat 35 in the closed position of the vacuum valve 33.

[0042] In order 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.

[0043] The vacuum valve 33 is preferably designed as a shut-off valve or switching valve that can fully open and completely close the vacuum channel 32 in a binary manner. In contrast to the filling valve 20, the control of intermediate positions is generally not required.

[0044] To further minimize the dead space in the vacuum channel 32 downstream of the vacuum valve 33, the vacuum valve element 34 preferably attaches directly to the product channel 12, preferably directly to the product outlet 10 of the filling device 1, and closes there. For this purpose, the vacuum valve element 34 can be flattened, in particular flatly rounded, on the side downstream of the vacuum valve seat 35, whereby the shape of the vacuum valve element 34 differs from the conical shape of the filling valve cone 21.

[0045] The vacuum valve 33 arranged and designed in this way allows a comparatively large cross-section of the vacuum channel 32, since the vacuum valve element 34, in the closed state, directly adjoins the product channel 12 and thus at least partially forms a wall for the product channel 12, whereby the product flow in the product channel 12 is not or only slightly disturbed.

[0046] By arranging the vacuum valve 33 directly in the area of ​​the product channel 12 and thus minimizing the dead space downstream of the vacuum valve 33, the process step of building up the vacuum in the container 2 can be optimized.

[0047] The filling device can be equipped with a central probe 40, preferably a short-circuit probe, which runs centrally through the filling valve cone 21 and extends into the interior of the container. The probe 40 serves to shut off the filling process when a defined fluid level is reached in the container 2.

[0048] The Figures 2A and 2B show an alternative embodiment of the filling element 1, in particular with regard to the design of the vacuum valve 33' of the vacuum device 30. The Figure 2A shows the vacuum valve 33' in a closed position, the Figure 2B shows the vacuum valve 33' in an open position. The following description focuses on the vacuum valve 33`, the remaining components, including the filling valve 20 and the vacuum supply 31, being identical or similar to the embodiment of the Figure 1 can be executed.

[0049] The vacuum valve 33' according to the embodiment of the Figures 2A and 2Bin turn comprises 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' is displaceable along an axial direction Av of the vacuum valve 33' via an actuator in order to close and open the vacuum channel 32. The axial direction Av of the vacuum valve 33' here runs parallel to the axial direction Af of the filling valve 20.

[0050] The vacuum valve element 34` is, in contrast to the embodiment of the Figure 1 not arranged inside the vacuum channel 32, but forms part of the wall forming the vacuum channel 32. This wall is displaceable in the axial direction Av of the vacuum valve 33`, which here coincides with the direction of gravity, whereby in the position of the Figure 2Bthe vacuum channel 32 is released. Thus, according to this embodiment, the vacuum valve element 34' is not an element located inside the vacuum channel 32, which gives the vacuum channel 32 an annular shape at least in sections, and is displaceable along its direction of extension. Rather, the vacuum valve element 34' at least partially defines the outer contour of the vacuum channel 32.

[0051] The switching of the vacuum valve 33', i.e., the closing and opening, again takes place directly at the product channel 12, so that any dead space in the vacuum channel 32 downstream of the vacuum valve 33 is minimized, and in this case, completely eliminated. In other words, the closing contour Sv of the vacuum valve 33' is located directly at the product channel 12.

[0052] In order 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.

[0053] The vacuum valve 33' according to the present embodiment is also preferably designed as a shut-off valve or switching valve that can completely open and completely close the vacuum channel 32 in a binary manner. In contrast to the filling valve 20, the control of intermediate positions is generally not necessary.

[0054] Minimizing or even eliminating the dead space between the product channel 12 and the closing contour Sv of the vacuum valve 33, 33' reduces any flow losses during the evacuation of the container 2, thereby enabling a significantly faster and better vacuum. This is further supported by a comparatively large cross-section of the vacuum channel 32, which is made possible by the arrangement, position, and design of the vacuum valve 33, 33'.

[0055] Furthermore, due to the position and nature of the vacuum valve element 34, 34', there is little or no disruption of the filling product flow in the product channel 12, thereby minimizing any foam formation and any product loss.

[0056] Where applicable, all individual features shown in the embodiments may be combined and / or exchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the invention. List of reference symbols

[0057] 1 Filling device 2 Container 2a Container mouth 10 Product outlet 11 Centering bell 12 Product channel 20 Filling valve 21 Filling valve cone 22 Filling valve seat 23 Filling valve seal 30 Vacuum device 31 Vacuum supply 32 Vacuum channel 33 Vacuum valve 33 Vacuum valve 34 Vacuum valve element 34 Vacuum valve element 35 Vacuum valve seat 35 Vacuum valve seat 36 Vacuum valve seal 40 Probe AfAxial direction of the filling valve AvAxial direction of the vacuum valve SfClosing contour of the filling valve SvClosing contour of the vacuum valve

Claims

1. A filling device (1) for filling a container (2) with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling system, the filling device (1) comprising: a product outlet (10) for introducing the filling product into the container (2) and a product channel (12) configured to guide the filling product to the product outlet (10); a filling valve (20) configured to open the product channel (12) and close it at a closing contour (Sf) of the filling valve (20); and a vacuum device (30) which is configured to evacuate the container (2), wherein the vacuum device (30) has a vacuum supply (31) for providing the vacuum, a vacuum channel (32) which connects the vacuum supply (31) to the product channel (12), and a vacuum valve (33, 33') which is configured to open the vacuum channel (32) and to close it at a closing contour (Sv) of the vacuum valve (20); characterized in thatthe vacuum valve (33, 33`) is arranged in the region of the product channel (12).

2. Filling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vacuum valve (33, 33') is arranged and configured such 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. Filling device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vacuum valve (33, 33`) has a vacuum valve element (34, 34`) which is displaceable in an axial direction (Av) of the vacuum valve (33, 33`) and a vacuum valve seat (35, 35`) which interacts with the vacuum valve element (34, 34`), wherein the closing contour (Sv) of the vacuum valve (33, 33`) is defined by the contact points of the vacuum valve element (34, 34`) with the vacuum valve seat (35, 35`) in the closed position of the vacuum valve (33, 33`).

4. Filling device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe vacuum valve element (34, 34`) forms part of the wall defining the product channel (12) when the vacuum valve (33, 33`) is closed.

5. Filling device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the vacuum valve element (34, 34`) is flattened on the side downstream of the vacuum valve seat (35, 35`), preferably flatly rounded.

6. Filling device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the vacuum valve element (34) is arranged inside the vacuum channel (32).

7. Filling device (1) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the vacuum valve element (34`) forms part of the wall defining the vacuum channel (32) when the vacuum valve (33`) is in the open state.

8. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe vacuum valve (33, 33') is arranged such 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. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vacuum valve (33, 33') is designed as a shut-off valve, wherein the filling valve (20) is preferably designed as a control valve, in particular a proportional valve.

10. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling valve (20) has a filling valve cone (21) which is displaceable in an axial direction (Af) of the filling valve (20) and a filling valve seat (22) which cooperates with the filling valve cone (21), wherein the closing contour (Sf) of the filling valve (20) is defined by the contact points of the filling valve cone (21) with the filling valve seat (22) in the closed position of the filling valve (20).

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

12. Filling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product outlet (10) can be brought into fluid-tight and gas-tight contact with a container mouth (2a) of the container (2).

13. Filling device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the filling element (1) has a centering bell (11) for centering the container mouth (2a) relative to the product outlet (10).

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