Method and device for filling and closing containers

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for filling and sealing containers (B). At least an upper section of a container (B) is positioned in a treatment chamber (12). The container (B) is filled with a carbonized material by means of a filling device (30) until a gas volume (G) is reached in a headspace (K) of the container (B). The filling device (30) is removed from the container opening after filling, whereby the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) is greater than the saturation pressure of the carbonized material. The pressure in the treatment chamber (12) is reduced below the saturation pressure of the carbonized material, causing the carbonized material to foam up in the headspace (K) of the filled container (B), which forces the gas volume (G) out of the headspace (K). The container (B) is sealed by means of a sealing device (52).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for filling and sealing containers. The invention further relates to a device, preferably a rotary device, for filling and sealing containers. Technical background

[0002] EP 2 937 310 A2 relates to a method for filling a container with a product in a beverage bottling plant, comprising supplying the product under positive pressure and evacuating the container to be filled to achieve a negative pressure, wherein the product under positive pressure is introduced into the container under negative pressure. After the product has been introduced, the filled container is pressurized in a chamber with a pressurizing gas to prevent the product from foaming over before the container is sealed.

[0003] For this technique to work, the chamber surrounding the container neck must be oxygen-free. This can be achieved, for example, by evacuating the chamber and purging it with process gas (CO2, N2). This process may need to be repeated several times to minimize oxygen absorption in the contents of the container before sealing and to meet required specifications. Repeatedly performing this process increases the vacuum and process gas consumption. These consumption levels are highly competitive with other filling systems and must, of course, be kept low for both economic and environmental reasons.

[0004] Leaks caused by wear of the chamber seals further increase the demand for vacuum and process gases, accompanied by a gradual deterioration of product quality, which can go unnoticed during the filling process. A consistently stable process is virtually impossible.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of developing an improved technique for filling and sealing a container, with which oxygen absorption by the filled material can be kept as low as possible and the aforementioned disadvantages can be overcome at least partially. Summary of the invention

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

[0007] One aspect relates to a method for filling and sealing containers (e.g., by means of a device as disclosed herein). The method features (e.g., controlled by a control device): Positioning at least an upper section of a container in a treatment chamber (e.g., evacuable, rinseable, and / or pre-tensionable) (e.g., by means of a lifting device), wherein preferably at least the upper section of the container is sealed and received in the treatment chamber; filling the container, which is positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber, with a carbonated (carbonic acid-containing) material (e.g., under overpressure) by means of a filling device, wherein the filling device and a container opening are pressed together in a sealed manner, and the container is filled with the carbonated material down to a gas volume in a headspace of the container; removing (e.g., moving away) the filling device from the container opening after filling (e.g.,by means of a drive unit of the filling device), wherein a pressure in the treatment chamber is greater than a saturation pressure of the carbonized material; lowering the pressure in the treatment chamber below the saturation pressure of the carbonized material, causing the carbonized material to foam up in the headspace of the filled container, which forces the gas volume out of the headspace; and closing the container, which is positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber, by means of a closing device after removal of the filling device and lowering of the pressure.

[0008] The proposed technique involves deliberately inducing foaming of the carbonized material within the container to expel the residual oxygen-laden gas volume from the headspace. This significantly reduces oxygen uptake by the product, resulting in a much-improved product quality. Furthermore, it reduces the need for process gas (priming gas). Additionally, it eliminates the need to compensate for potential leaks in the chamber by minimizing the influence of the chamber atmosphere during the foaming process. This makes the filling process more stable throughout the entire lifespan of the filling and sealing device.

[0009] In one embodiment, the pressure in the treatment chamber is reduced below the saturation pressure of the carbonized material after the filling device is removed. This advantageously prevents premature foaming and thus potential over-foaming of the material, thereby improving process reliability.

[0010] In another embodiment, sealing occurs directly after the gas volume has been completely or substantially completely expelled from the headspace, and / or sealing occurs at a point in time when the foamed material reaches or extends beyond the container opening without overflowing or without significantly overflowing. This advantageously minimizes the amount of residual oxygen remaining in the container's headspace. Furthermore, it advantageously prevents contamination of the treatment chamber by overflowing material and achieves the shortest possible overall treatment time.

[0011] In one embodiment, the pressure in the treatment chamber is reduced below the saturation pressure for ≥ 10 ms or ≥ 20 ms before sealing. Alternatively or additionally, the pressure in the treatment chamber can be reduced below the saturation pressure for ≤ 300 ms or ≤ 200 ms before sealing. As already mentioned, this advantageously minimizes the amount of residual oxygen remaining in the headspace of the container. Furthermore, as also already mentioned, it advantageously results in the shortest possible overall treatment time.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the duration for which the pressure in the treatment chamber is reduced below the saturation pressure before the container is closed can be adjusted to influence foaming (e.g., via a user interface), preferably between 10 ms and 300 ms, more preferably between 20 ms and 200 ms. Alternatively or additionally, a pressure differential between the pressure in the treatment chamber when the filling element is removed and the reduced pressure in the treatment chamber below the saturation pressure, preferably after removal of the filling element, can be adjusted to influence foaming (e.g., via a user interface), preferably between 0.5 bar and 2 bar.Advantageously, this allows the foaming behavior of the carbonated material to be adjusted in order to ultimately create a foaming behavior that leads to the foaming of the material up to the container opening shortly before closing, so that as a result as little residual oxygen as possible remains in the headspace of the container.

[0013] In one embodiment, the pressure reduction in the treatment chamber involves the discharge of a pressurizing gas from the treatment chamber via the filling device located away from the container opening, preferably via a pressurizing and / or purge gas channel of the filling device. Advantageously, existing equipment can thus be used to reduce the pressure in the treatment chamber.

[0014] In a further embodiment, the process also features at least partial reuse of the discharged pressurization gas as purge gas when purging a subsequent container using the filling device. Advantageously, a portion of the pressurization gas can thus be recovered / reused, thereby preferably significantly reducing the process gas consumption of the process.

[0015] In a further embodiment, the method also includes positioning the closing element in a ready position directly above the container opening of the container, which is positioned at least partially within the treatment chamber, after the filling element has been removed and before and / or during the reduction of the pressure in the treatment chamber below the saturation pressure of the carbonized material. Advantageously, this provides a throttle for the volume of gas escaping from the headspace. Furthermore, it allows the container to be closed quickly at a desired time, ensuring that the entire gas volume has been expelled and before the foamed material overflows.

[0016] In one embodiment, in the ready position, there is a gap between the closing element and the container opening, which is preferably ≥ 0.5 mm and / or ≤ 3 mm, particularly preferably around 1.5 mm. This advantageously allows for a particularly favorable throttling effect on the volume of gas expelled from the headspace and also ensures that the container can be closed quickly at the desired time.

[0017] In another embodiment, in the ready position, there is an annular gap between the closing element and the container opening, which preferably acts as a (e.g., adjustable) throttle for the volume of gas expelled from the headspace. Advantageously, this allows the outflow characteristics of the gas volume, and thus also the foaming of the contents, to be influenced as desired in order to further improve the process.

[0018] In one embodiment, the gap can be adjusted by modifying the ready position to influence foaming (e.g., via a user interface), preferably between 0.5 mm and 3 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the size of the annular gap can be adjusted by modifying the ready position to influence foaming (e.g., via a user interface). Advantageously, this allows the foaming behavior of the carbonated material to be adjusted to ultimately produce a foaming behavior that leads to foaming of the material right up to the container opening just before sealing, so that as little residual oxygen as possible remains in the headspace of the container.

[0019] In another variant, the method also features: Evacuating the container, which is positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber, by means of the filling device before filling, wherein the filling device and the container opening are pressed together in a sealed manner during evacuation; and optionally rinsing the container, which is positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber, after evacuation and before filling, wherein the filling device and the container opening are pressed together in a sealed manner during rinsing; and preferably re-evacuating the container, which is positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber, by means of the filling device after rinsing and, preferably immediately, before filling, wherein the filling device and the container opening are pressed together in a sealed manner during re-evacuation.

[0020] This allows the filling process to be further improved, in particular increasing the filling speed and reducing the residual oxygen content in the filled product.

[0021] In another variant, the method also features: Pre-pressurizing the treatment chamber to a pressure above the saturation pressure of the carbonized material before removing the filling device from the container opening; and optionally evacuating the treatment chamber before pre-pressurizing.

[0022] This method advantageously prevents the carbonated material in the container from foaming immediately upon removal of the filling device. Instead, the foaming can be delayed by selecting the precise moment to which the pressure is reduced, for example, until the closing device is in the ready position to achieve the desired throttling effect.

[0023] Another aspect concerns a device, preferably a rotary device, for filling and sealing containers. The device comprises at least one treatment station with a (e.g., movable) filling element, a (e.g., movable) sealing element, and a (e.g., evacuable and / or pre-tensionable) treatment chamber in which at least an upper section of a container can be positioned, preferably sealed and received. The device further comprises a control unit configured to operate the device according to a method disclosed herein. Advantageously, the device can achieve the same advantages already described with reference to the method.

[0024] In one embodiment, the closing device comprises a closing element for closing the container, wherein the closing element is preferably designed to receive a crown cap for closing the container. The closing device may further comprise a drive unit, preferably electric, for moving the closing element (e.g., linearly) to close the container, wherein the drive unit is preferably an electric servo drive unit.

[0025] In another embodiment, the treatment chamber can be sealed, preferably on the top side by means of the closing device and / or on the bottom side by means of a seal, preferably inflatable, to the container, preferably the container neck.

[0026] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a container handling system (e.g., for tempering, manufacturing, cleaning, coating, testing, filling, closing, pasteurizing, labeling, printing, marking, laser marking, and / or packaging containers for liquid or pasty media, preferably beverages, liquid food products, or products from the pharmaceutical or healthcare industries). The container handling system may include the device as disclosed herein. The container handling system may, for example, be a beverage filling plant.

[0027] For example, the containers can be designed as bottles, cans, canisters, cartons, vials, tubes, etc.

[0028] Preferably, the term "control unit" can refer to electronics (e.g., implemented as a driver circuit or with microprocessor(s) and data storage) and / or mechanical, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic control systems that, depending on their design, can perform control tasks, regulation tasks, and / or processing tasks. Although the term "control" is used here, it can also appropriately encompass or refer to "regulation" or "feedback control" and / or "processing." The control unit can, for example, be a central control unit or comprise several decentralized or distributed control units.

[0029] The previously described preferred embodiments and features of the invention can be combined with one another in any way. Brief description of the characters

[0030] Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device for filling and closing containers according to an exemplary embodiment; and Figures 2 to 6 show steps of a method for filling and closing containers according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0031] The embodiments shown in the figures are at least partially identical, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and, to avoid repetition, reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures for their explanation. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0032] The Figure 1 Figure 10 shows a device 10 for filling and closing containers B. Preferably, the device 10 is an integrated filling and closing device, preferably in a rotary design.

[0033] The device 10 can be included, for example, in a container handling system, such as a beverage bottling plant. For instance, the device 10 can be arranged downstream of a cleaning device for cleaning the containers B in the container handling system. Alternatively, the device 10 can be arranged upstream of a labeling device for labeling the containers B in the container handling system.

[0034] The device 10 comprises a treatment chamber 12, a filling element 30, a closing element 52, and a control unit 60. Preferably, the device 10 comprises several

[0035] Treatment stations, each with a treatment chamber 12, a filling device 30, and a closing device 52, for the simultaneous or overlapping treatment (filling and closing) of several containers B. The device 10 can preferably be designed as a rotary device. For example, the stations can be arranged distributed around the circumference of a carousel of the rotary device.

[0036] Preferably, the treatment station can be moved during the filling and closing of the container B to transport the container B from an inlet to an outlet of the device 10, e.g. on a partial circle of the device 10, which is designed as a rotary device by way of example.

[0037] In the treatment chamber 12, at least an upper section of container B, including its container opening, can be sealed and received. Container B, at least partially received in the treatment chamber 12, can be filled using the filling device 30 and sealed using the closing device 52.

[0038] For example, container B can be attached using a container holder 14 (not shown in detail in Figure 1 The container receptacle 14 can have a container holder for holding the container B. The container holder can, for example, be a container plate (a support plate) for supporting the bottom of the container B. The container B can stand on the container plate. Alternatively or additionally, the container holder can support the container B, for example, at its container body or container neck ring, e.g., as a container clamp.

[0039] Preferably, the container B can be moved by means of the container holder 14 to position at least the upper section of the container B in the treatment chamber 14. For example, a lifting device can raise the container holder 14 together with the container B. The container B can be inserted into the treatment chamber 12 from below, at least section by section, using the lifting device. After treatment, the container B can be removed / moved downwards out of the treatment chamber 12 using the lifting device. The lifting device can be, for example, an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic lifting device.

[0040] For treatment, the section of container B contained in the treatment chamber 12 can be sealed within the treatment chamber 12. For example, the treatment chamber 12 can be sealed at the top by the closing element 52. Alternatively, the treatment chamber 12 can be sealed at the bottom to a container neck of container B by means of a (e.g., container neck) seal 16. The seal 16 can, for example, be designed as an inflatable ring that can wrap around a container neck of container B.

[0041] It is possible that treatment chamber 12, for example, will be evacuated, rinsed and / or pre-tensioned.

[0042] The treatment chamber 12 can be connected to a vacuum source 20 via an evacuation channel 18. An evacuation valve 22 can be arranged in the evacuation channel 18 for selectively blocking or opening it. For example, the control device 60 can operate the evacuation valve 22 to selectively assume an open or closed position. When the evacuation valve 22 is in an open position, gas can be extracted from the treatment chamber 12 through the evacuation channel 18 towards the vacuum source 20. The treatment chamber 12 can thus be evacuated, e.g., to a pressure level below ambient pressure, such as a vacuum at an absolute pressure of 0.5 bar to 0.05 bar, preferably 0.3 bar to 0.1 bar, and particularly preferably 0.1 bar.

[0043] The treatment chamber 12 can, for example, be connected to a pressurization gas source 26 via a pressurization gas channel 24. The pressurization gas source 26 can, for example, be an inert gas source, such as a carbon dioxide source or a nitrogen source. A pressurization gas valve 28 can be arranged in the pressurization gas channel 24 for selectively blocking or releasing the pressurization gas channel 24.

[0044] For example, the control device 60 can operate the pressurizing gas valve 28 to selectively assume an open or a closed position. When the pressurizing gas valve 28 is in an open position, pressurizing gas, e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) or nitrogen (N), can be supplied from the pressurizing gas source 26 through the pressurizing gas channel 24 to the treatment chamber 12. The treatment chamber 12 can thus be pressurized. For example, the treatment chamber 12 can be pressurized with a pressurizing gas at an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 9 bar, preferably at an absolute pressure of 3.5 bar to 7 bar, and particularly preferably at an absolute pressure of 3.8 bar to 5.5 bar.

[0045] The filling element 30 is designed to fill container B, which is at least partially contained in treatment chamber 12. The filling element 30 can fill container B with a carbonated (carbonated) liquid or paste-like material.

[0046] The filling device 30 can fill the container B with a filling pressure (overpressure) that is greater than the saturation pressure of the carbonized material. For example, the material can be supplied from a material source 36 under an overpressure of 1 bar to 9 bar, preferably 2.5 bar to 6 bar, particularly preferably 2.8 bar to 3.3 bar, and filled into the container B by means of the filling device 30.

[0047] For example, the filling device 30 can have a material channel 32 with a filling valve 34 for selectively opening or closing the material channel 32. The filling device 30 can be connected via the material channel 32 to a material source 36, preferably a material tank. The material source 36 can provide a carbonated material, e.g., beer, carbonated water, or another carbonated beverage. Preferably, the material source 36 can provide the carbonated material at the aforementioned overpressure.

[0048] For example, the control unit 60 can operate the filling valve 34 to assume either an open or a closed position. Optionally, the open flow cross-section of the filling valve 34 can be adjusted. When the filling valve 34 is in an open position, the carbonized material can be fed through the material channel 32 to an outlet of the filling element 30. The container B can then be filled with the carbonized material.

[0049] For example, the filling device 30 can have an evacuation channel 38 with an evacuation valve 40 for selectively opening or closing the evacuation channel 38. The filling device 30 can be connected to a vacuum source 42 via the evacuation channel 38. The vacuum source 42 can be connected to the vacuum source 20 or be configured as a common vacuum source. For example, the control device 60 can operate the evacuation valve 40 to selectively assume an open or closed position. When the evacuation valve 40 is in an open position, gas can be drawn from an outlet of the filling device 30 through the evacuation channel 38 towards the vacuum source 42. The container B can thus be evacuated, e.g., to a pressure level below ambient pressure.

[0050] For example, the filling element 30 can have a purge gas channel 44 with a purge gas valve 46 for selectively opening or closing the purge gas channel 44. The filling element 30 can be connected to a purge gas source 48 via the purge gas channel 44. The purge gas source 48 can be, for example, an inert gas source, such as a carbon dioxide source or a nitrogen source.

[0051] The purge gas source 48 can be connected to the tensioning gas source 26 or configured as a common tensioning and / or purge gas source. Preferably, the purge gas channel 44 or the purge gas source 48 is under a higher (absolute) pressure than the tensioning gas channel 24 or the tensioning gas source 26. For example, the purge gas source 48 / the purge gas channel 44 has an absolute pressure of 0.5 bar to 4 bar, preferably an absolute pressure of 1.4 bar to 1.9 bar. For example, the tensioning gas source 26 / the tensioning gas channel 84 has an absolute pressure of 2 bar to 11 bar, preferably an absolute pressure of 5 bar to 9 bar.

[0052] For example, the control unit 60 can operate the purge gas valve 46 to selectively assume an open or a closed position. When the purge gas valve 46 is in an open position, purge gas, e.g., carbon dioxide (CO2) or nitrogen (N), can be supplied from the purge gas source 48 through the purge gas channel 44 to an outlet of the filling device 30. The container B can thus be purged.

[0053] The filling element 30 can be pressed against a container opening of container B to fill the container B. Preferably, the filling element 30 can have a drive unit 50. The drive unit 50 can move the filling element 30 to press against the container opening and to release the container opening. Preferably, the drive unit 50 can move an outlet of the filling element 30 within the treatment chamber 12, e.g., obliquely or horizontally.

[0054] The drive unit 50 can move the outlet of the filling element 30 to press it against the container opening, e.g., when a treatment such as evacuation, rinsing, clamping, and / or filling by the filling element 30 is desired. The drive unit 50 can move the outlet of the filling element 30 away from the container opening, e.g., to allow treatment of the container B by the closing element 52. The drive unit 50 preferably moves the filling element 30 along an axis that is inclined to a vertical axis of the device 10 or the container B. The drive unit 50 can be, for example, an electric, electromagnetic, pneumatic, or hydraulic drive unit 50, e.g., controlled by the control device 60.

[0055] The closing device 52 can include a closing element 54 and a drive unit 58.

[0056] The sealing element 54 is movable to move towards the container B, which is at least partially contained in the treatment chamber 12, and to apply a closure 56 to the container B. Preferably, the sealing element 54 is movable vertically downwards and upwards. Specifically, the sealing element 54 can be moved towards a container opening of the container B, which is at least partially contained in the treatment chamber 12, and then apply the closure 56 to the container opening. It is possible that the closure 56 is, for example, pressed, tightened, or screwed onto the container B by means of the sealing element 54.

[0057] The closure 56 that can be applied by the closing element 54 can be, for example, a lid, a cork, a crown cap, or a screw cap. The closing element 54 is particularly preferably configured to close the container B with a closure 56 designed as a crown cap. The closing element 54 can, for example, have a closing head designed as a plunger or attachment.

[0058] The drive unit 58 can be connected to the capping element 54 to drive the capping element 54 to move it towards and away from the container B. Preferably, the drive unit 58 can move the capping element 54 vertically, for example, downwards towards the container B and upwards away from the container B. Depending on the design of the closure 56, however, rotary movements of the capping element 54 driven by the drive unit 58 are also possible. The drive unit 50 can be, for example, an electric, electromagnetic, pneumatic, or hydraulic drive unit 50, e.g., controlled by the control device 60.

[0059] The following is a method for filling and closing a container B, preferably by means of the device 10, e.g. controlled by the control unit 60, with reference to the Figures 2 to 6 explained.

[0060] In Figure 2It is shown that at least the upper section of container B is positioned / received in the treatment chamber 12. Preferably, container B was lifted by a lifting device (not in Figure 2 (as shown) and held in the container receptacle 14, it is inserted from below into the treatment chamber 12. Preferably, the seal 16 can seal between the treatment chamber 12 and the container B. For example, the seal 16 can be pressurized with compressed air.

[0061] Preferably, the container B is filled by the filling device 30 under positive pressure. Preferably, a negative pressure exists in the container B before filling.

[0062] The filling element 30 fills the container B, which is positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber 12, with a carbonized material. The filling element 30 and the opening of container B are pressed tightly together, creating a seal. Preferably, the drive unit 50 moves the filling element 30 towards the opening of container B to press it against the opening, and / or the container B is filled from below by means of the lifting device (not in Figure 2 (shown) moved against the extended filling element 30 in order to press the filling element 30 and the container opening together.

[0063] The filling device 30 fills container B with the carbonized material up to a gas volume G in the headspace K of container B adjacent to the container opening. For filling, the control device 60 can, for example, operate the filling valve 34 to open it. Carbonized material can flow from the material source 36 through the material channel 32 of the filling device 30 into the sealed, pressed-to container B.

[0064] Before filling container B, container B can preferably be evacuated, rinsed and evacuated again.

[0065] For example, container B can be evacuated using the filling device 30 while the filling device 30 and the container opening are pressed tightly together in a sealed manner. For evacuation, the control unit 60 can, for example, operate the evacuation valve 40 to open it. Gas from the tightly sealed container B can flow via the evacuation channel 38 to the vacuum source 42.

[0066] Preferably, the container B can be purged by means of the filling device 30 after evacuation, while the filling device 30 and the container opening are pressed together in a sealed manner. For purging, the control device 60 can, for example, operate the purge gas valve 46 to open it. Purge gas from the purge gas source 48 can flow into the sealed, pressed-together container B via the purge gas channel 44 of the filling device 30.

[0067] Preferably, the container B can be re-evacuated after rinsing using the filling device 30, while the filling device 30 and the container opening are pressed tightly together in a sealed manner. For re-evacuation, the control unit 60 can, for example, operate the evacuation valve 40 to open it. (Rinsing) gas from the tightly pressed container B can be drawn through the evacuation channel 38 to the vacuum source 42.

[0068] Accordingly, the carbonized material can preferably be filled into the (e.g., re-evacuated) container B. A negative pressure preferably prevails in the (e.g., re-evacuated) container B.

[0069] While container B is sectionally sealed and received in treatment chamber 12, treatment chamber 12 can be pre-pressurized to a pressure above the saturation pressure of the carbonized fill material.

[0070] For pre-tensioning, for example, the control unit 60 can operate the tensioning gas valve 28 to open. Tensioning gas from the tensioning gas source 26 can flow into the treatment chamber 12 via the tensioning gas channel 24.

[0071] The treatment chamber 12 is pre-tensioned before the filling device 30 is removed from the container opening. For example, the treatment chamber 12 can be pre-tensioned while the container B is being evacuated, rinsed, re-evacuated and / or filled.

[0072] It is particularly advantageous to evacuate the treatment chamber 12 before pre-tensioning. For evacuation, the control unit 60 can, for example, operate the evacuation valve 22 to open it. Gas from the treatment chamber 12 can be drawn through the evacuation channel 18 to the vacuum source 20.

[0073] In Figure 3 The figure shows that the filling element 30 is removed from the opening of container B after filling. The filling element 30 can be moved away from the opening, for example, by means of the drive unit 50. During this process, a pressure may prevail in the treatment chamber 12 that is greater than the saturation pressure of the carbonized material in container B. Consequently, the material in container B does not foam.

[0074] Preferably, the closing element 52 can be positioned in a ready position after the filling element 30 has been removed from the container opening. For example, the closing element 54 can be moved into the ready position by the drive unit 58. Preferably, the ready position can be directly above the container opening of container B.

[0075] Preferably, in the ready position of the closing element 52, there is an annular gap between an underside of the closing element 52 and the container opening.

[0076] For example, in the ready position, there can be a gap between the closing element 52 and the container opening, which is preferably ≥ 0.5 mm and / or ≤ 3 mm, particularly preferably around 1.5 mm. The gap can be measured, for example, between the lowest point of the closing element 52 or the closure 56 held by it and the highest point of the container opening. Preferably, the gap is measured in a vertical direction.

[0077] Preferably, the distance or size of the annular gap can be adjusted by changing the ready position. For example, the distance can be adjustable within a range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm. Alternatively, the distance or size of the annular gap can be specified by user input via a user interface of the device 10.

[0078] In Figure 4The figure shows that the pressure in the treatment chamber 12 is reduced below the saturation pressure of the carbonized material in the container B. Preferably, the pressure reduction occurs after the filling device 30 has been removed from the container opening and / or only after the closing device 52 or the closing element 54 has been positioned in the ready position.

[0079] Lowering the pressure in treatment chamber 12 below the saturation pressure of the carbonated material in container B causes the pressure in the headspace of container B to also fall below the saturation pressure of the carbonated material. This causes the carbonated material in container B to foam. The carbon dioxide bound in the carbonated material partially releases from the liquid material and foams it up in the headspace K of container B. The foaming, or the resulting foam S, causes the gas volume G, still containing residual oxygen, to be forced out of the headspace K and into treatment chamber 12.

[0080] Preferably, the annular gap between the closing device 52 / closing element 54 and the container opening acts as a throttle for the volume of gas G forced out of the headspace K by the foam S. As already mentioned, the throttle can be adjusted by changing the ready position of the closing device 52 / closing element 54 or the distance to the container opening. This allows the foaming process, and in particular the foaming rate, to be adjusted as desired.

[0081] To reduce the pressure, the control device 60 can, for example, operate the pressurization gas valve 28 to close and the purge gas valve 46 to open. This allows the pressurization gas to be extracted from the treatment chamber 12 through the purge gas channel 44 of the filling device 30, and the pressure in the treatment chamber 12 can fall below the saturation pressure of the carbonized material in the container B. Preferably, the pressurization gas can thus be discharged from the treatment chamber 12 via the purge gas channel 44 of the filling device 30, which is located away from the container opening. Preferably, this discharged pressurization gas can be at least partially reused as purge gas in the next container treatment cycle when purging a subsequent container B using the filling device 30.

[0082] It is also possible that the pressure in the treatment chamber 12 is reduced below the saturation pressure of the carbonized material in an additional or alternative manner. For example, the pressure in the treatment chamber 12 can be reduced by the control device 60 operating the pressure relief valve 28 to close and the evacuation valve 22 and / or 40 to open.

[0083] In Figure 5 The figure shows that the container B, which is positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber 12, is closed by means of the closing element 52 with a closure 56, preferably a crown cap. The closing takes place after the filling element 30 has been removed from the container opening and after the pressure in the treatment chamber 12 has been reduced below the saturation pressure of the carbonized material (and thus the carbonized material has been foamed).

[0084] To close the container B, for example the closing element 52 can be lowered from the ready position to a closing position by means of the drive unit 58 and the closure 56 applied to the container opening, for example by pushing, pressing or screwing.

[0085] Preferably, the sealing takes place directly after the gas volume G has been completely or substantially completely expelled from the headspace K (see Figure 4 ). The sealing can therefore preferably take place at a time when the foamed filling material or the foam S reaches the container opening or protrudes beyond the container opening, without the foamed filling material overflowing or significantly overflowing.

[0086] Preferably, the pressure in the treatment chamber 12 can be reduced below the saturation pressure for ≥ 10 ms or ≥ 20 ms before sealing occurs. Preferably, the pressure in the treatment chamber 12 can be reduced below the saturation pressure for ≤ 300 ms or ≤ 200 ms before sealing occurs.

[0087] As already mentioned, the foaming action can be influenced by adjusting the ready position and thus setting the throttle for the expelled gas volume G, so that, for example, unwanted over-foaming before closing can be prevented. Alternatively or additionally, at least one other operating parameter of the device 10 can be set to influence the foaming action, for example, via a user interface of the device 10.

[0088] For example, the time period during which the pressure in the treatment chamber 12 is reduced below the saturation pressure before the closing device 52 closes the container B can be set via a user interface. For example, the time period can be set to a value between 10 ms and 300 ms, preferably between 20 ms and 200 ms.

[0089] For example, a pressure differential between the pressure in the treatment chamber 12 when the filling device 30 is removed from the container opening and the reduced pressure in the treatment chamber 12 below the saturation pressure, preferably after the filling device 30 has been removed from the container opening, can be set via a user interface. Depending on the desired pressure differential, the control unit 60 can, for example, adjust the operation of the sources 20, 26, 42 and / or 48 and / or the operation of the valves 22, 28, 40 and / or 46. Preferably, the pressure differential can be set to a value between 0.5 bar and 2 bar.

[0090] In Figure 6The figure shows that container B is sealed with closure 56. Container B can now be removed from treatment chamber 12, for example, using the lifting device. A new container B can then be sealed, at least partially, in treatment chamber 12 for a further treatment cycle.

[0091] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and the features of the dependent claims independently of the referenced claims. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the dependent claims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1. All range specifications herein are to be understood as disclosed in such a way that all values ​​falling within the respective range are disclosed individually, e.g., also as preferred narrower outer limits of the respective range. Reference symbol list

[0092] 10 Filling and closing device 12 Treatment chamber 14 Container holder 16 Seal 18 Evacuation channel 20 Vacuum source 22 Evacuation valve 24 Pressurization gas channel 26 Pressurization gas source 28 Pressurization gas valve 30 Filling element 32 Filling material channel 34 Filling valve 36 Filling material source 38 Evacuation channel 40 Evacuation valve 42 Vacuum source 44 Purge gas channel 46 Purge gas valve 48 Purge gas source 50 Drive unit 52 Closing element 54 Closing element 56 Closure 58 Drive unit 60 Control unit BContainer GGas volume KHeadspace SFoam

Claims

1. A method for filling and sealing containers (B), comprising: positioning at least an upper section of a container (B) in a treatment chamber (12); filling the container (B), which is positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber (12), with a carbonized material by means of a filling device (30), wherein the filling device (30) and a container opening of the container (B) are pressed together in a sealed manner and the container (B) is filled with the carbonized material except for a gas volume (G) in a headspace (K) of the container (B); removing the filling device (30) from the container opening after filling, wherein the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) is greater than the saturation pressure of the carbonized material;Lowering the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) below the saturation pressure of the carbonized material, causing the carbonized material to foam up in the headspace (K) of the filled container (B), which forces the gas volume (G) out of the headspace (K); and closing the container (B), which is positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber (12), by means of a closing device (52) after removing the filling device (30) and lowering the pressure.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein: the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) is reduced below the saturation pressure of the carbonized fill material after the filling element (30) has been removed.

3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one of the following is fulfilled: the sealing takes place directly after the complete or substantially complete expulsion of the gas volume (G) from the headspace (K); and the sealing takes place at a time when the foamed filling material reaches the container opening or extends beyond the container opening without overflowing or without substantially overflowing.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following is satisfied: the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) is reduced below the saturation pressure for ≥ 10 ms or ≥ 20 ms before the sealing takes place; and the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) is reduced below the saturation pressure for ≤ 300 ms or ≤ 200 ms before the sealing takes place.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following is fulfilled: a duration for which the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) is reduced below the saturation pressure before the container (B) is closed is adjustable to influence the foaming, preferably between 10 ms and 300 ms, more preferably between 20 ms and 200 ms; and a pressure difference between the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) when the filling element (30) is removed and the reduced pressure in the treatment chamber (12) below the saturation pressure, preferably after the removal of the filling element (30), is adjustable to influence the foaming, preferably between 0.5 bar and 2 bar.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reduction of the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) comprises: discharge of a pressurizing gas from the treatment chamber (12) via the filling device (30) located away from the container opening, preferably via a pressurizing and / or purging gas channel (24) of the filling device (30).

7. Method according to claim 6, further comprising: at least partial reuse of the discharged tension gas as purge gas when purging a subsequent container (B) by means of the filling device (30).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: positioning the closing element (52) in a ready position directly above the container opening of the container (B) positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber (12) after removal of the filling element (30) and before and / or during the reduction of the pressure in the treatment chamber (12) below the saturation pressure of the carbonized filling material.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein: in the ready position there is a distance between the closing element (52) and the container opening which is preferably ≥ 0.5 mm and / or ≤ 3 mm, particularly preferably around 1.5 mm.

10. Method according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein: in the ready position there is an annular gap between the closing element (52) and the container opening, which preferably acts as a throttle for the volume of gas (G) forced out of the headspace (K).

11. Method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein at least one of the following is fulfilled: the distance is adjustable by adjusting the ready position to influence the foaming, preferably between 0.5 mm and 3 mm; and the size of the annular gap is adjustable by adjusting the ready position to influence the foaming.

12. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: evacuating the container (B) positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber (12) by means of the filling element (30) before filling, wherein the filling element (30) and the container opening are pressed together in a sealed manner during evacuation; and optionally rinsing the container (B) positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber (12) after evacuation and before filling, wherein the filling element (30) and the container opening are pressed together in a sealed manner during rinsing; and preferably re-evacuating the container (B) positioned at least partially in the treatment chamber (12) by means of the filling element (30) after rinsing and, preferably immediately, before filling, wherein the filling element (30) and the container opening are pressed together in a sealed manner during re-evacuation.

13. Method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: pre-pressurizing the treatment chamber (12) to a pressure above the saturation pressure of the carbonized fill material before removing the filling device (30) from the container opening; and optionally evacuating the treatment chamber (12) before pre-pressurizing.

14. Device (10), preferably a rotary device, for filling and closing containers (B), wherein the device (10) comprises: at least one treatment station having a filling element (30), a closing element (52) and a treatment chamber (12) in which at least one upper section of a container (B) can be positioned, preferably sealed and received; and a control device (60) configured to operate the device (10) according to a method according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or device (10) according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the following is fulfilled: the closing element (52) has a closing element (54) for closing the container (B), wherein preferably the closing element (54) is designed to receive a crown cap for closing the container (B), and a, preferably electric, drive unit (58) for moving the closing element (54) to close the container (B), wherein preferably the drive unit (58) is an electric servo drive unit; and the treatment chamber (12) is sealable, preferably on the top side by means of the closing element (52) and / or on the bottom side by means of a, preferably inflatable, seal (16) to the container (B), preferably the container neck.

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