Beverage filling system for containers with inner bags, switching device, and method for filling containers with inner bags with beverages.

Abstract

The present invention provides a beverage filling system for containers with inner bags, a switching device, and a beverage filling method for containers with inner bags, which enable degassing of the inner bag of a container with an inner bag under specific practical conditions, filling of the inner bag with a beverage, and removal of the beverage filled in the inner bag. [Solution] The beverage filling system 1 includes a switching device 10 and a control device 40. The switching device 10 includes a common beverage gas path 11, a beverage supply path 13, a gas suction path 14, a beverage extraction path 15, a common gas path 16, a gas supply path 18, a gas release path 19, a first on-off valve 21 provided in the beverage supply path 13, a second on-off valve 22 provided in the gas suction path 14, a third on-off valve 23 provided in the beverage extraction path 15, a fourth on-off valve 24 provided in the gas supply path 18, and a fifth on-off valve 25 provided in the gas release path 19. The control device 40 controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 21 to the fifth on-off valve 25, etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, a switching device, and a method for filling a beverage into a container with an inner bag, which performs degassing inside the inner bag of the container with an inner bag including an inner bag and an outer container, fills the inner bag with a beverage, and further takes out the beverage filled in the inner bag.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, metal barrels have been widely used as containers for transporting and storing beverages such as beer. In the conventional beverage dispensing method using a barrel, carbon dioxide is introduced into the barrel to apply pressure to the beverage, and then the beverage is dispensed from the barrel. On the other hand, in recent years, containers with inner bags have also been used, and the development of containers with inner bags has also been promoted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The beverage container (container with an inner bag) shown in Patent Document 1 includes an outer container (outer container) having a base portion, and a fitting attached to the base portion of the outer container. The fitting includes a beverage valve, a gas valve, a mounting portion attached to the base portion, and a beverage extraction pipe inserted into the outer container. A bag body (inner bag) is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the beverage extraction pipe via a cylindrical member. Beverage is stored inside this bag body.

[0004] When filling the bag body with a beverage, the tip of the filling nozzle is inserted into the fitting. As a result, the beverage valve is opened and the gas valve is opened. Then, the beverage is filled into the bag body through the beverage extraction pipe via the beverage valve from the filling nozzle. At this time, the gas (air) existing between the outer container and the bag body is discharged outside the outer container through the gas valve.

[0005] On the other hand, when dispensing the beverage filled in the bag, the dispense head is inserted into the fitting. This opens the beverage valve and the gas valve. Gas (air) is then supplied from the outside through the gas valve into the space between the outer container and the bag. By supplying gas into the space between the outer container and the bag, the bag is pressed inward, and the beverage inside the bag is dispensed through the beverage dispensing pipe and out of the dispense head through the beverage valve. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-187495 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the beverage container (container with inner bag) shown in Patent Document 1, a filling nozzle is used to fill the beverage into the bag (inner bag), and a dispenser head is used to remove the beverage filled into the bag. However, there has been no disclosure of a beverage filling system for filling a bag (inner bag) and removing the beverage filled into the bag under specific practical conditions. Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve this conventional problem, and its objective is to provide a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, a switching device, and a beverage filling method for a container with an inner bag that can degas the inside of the inner bag of the container with an inner bag under specific practical conditions, fill the inner bag with a beverage, and further remove the beverage filled in the inner bag. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container and provided for filling the inner bag with a beverage and for removing the beverage filled in the inner bag. The system degasss the inside of the inner bag of the container with an inner bag, fills the inner bag with a beverage, and further removes the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein the beverage filling and removal member is connected to and disconnected by a first locking mechanism. A beverage and gas common path through which beverages and gas can flow, which communicates with the inner bag when connected to the beverage filling and dispensing member, or is made to communicate with the inner bag by the first valve and the communication with the inner bag is released; a beverage supply path connected to the beverage gas common path; a gas suction path connected to the beverage gas common path; and a beverage dispensing path connected to the beverage gas common path, which is connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and dispensing member by a second locking mechanism, which communicates with the space between the outer container and the inner bag when connected to the beverage filling and dispensing member, or is made to communicate with the inner bag by the second valve. A switching device having a gas common path through which gas can flow, which is connected to and disconnected from a space, a gas supply path connected to the gas common path, and a gas release path connected to the gas common path, and a first on-off valve provided in the beverage supply path, a second on-off valve provided in the gas suction path, and a third on-off valve provided in the beverage extraction path, a fourth on-off valve provided in the gas supply path and a fifth on-off valve provided in the gas release path, and the first on-off valve, second on-off valve, third on-off valve, and fourth on-off valve of the switching device The device includes a control device that controls the opening and closing of the valve and the fifth on / off valve, controls the connection and disconnection of the beverage gas common path to and from the beverage filling and retrieval member by the first locking mechanism of the switching device, or controls the communication of the beverage gas common path to and from the inner bag by the first valve of the switching device, and controls the connection and disconnection of the gas common path to and from the beverage filling and retrieval member by the second locking mechanism of the switching device, or controls the communication of the gas common path to and from the space by the second valve of the switching device, and when degassing the inner bag,When filling the inner bag with a beverage, the control device, with the first locking mechanism connecting the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and dispensing member and the beverage gas common path connected to the inner bag, or with the first valve connecting the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, controls the control device to open the second on-off valve, thereby drawing gas from the inner bag through the beverage filling and dispensing member, the beverage gas common path, and the gas suction path, and when filling the inner bag with a beverage, the control device, with the first locking mechanism connecting the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and dispensing member and the beverage gas common path connected to the inner bag, or with the first valve connecting the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, and with the second locking mechanism connecting the gas common path to the beverage filling and dispensing member and the gas common path connected to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or with the second valve connecting the gas common path to the space, controls the control device to open the first on-off valve and the fifth on-off valve, thereby drawing the beverage from the beverage supply path to the beverage gas common path and The beverage is filled into the inner bag via the beverage filling and removal member, and the gas in the space between the outer container and the inner bag is discharged to the outside via the gas common path and the gas release path. When removing the beverage filled into the inner bag, the control device connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member using the first locking mechanism, thereby opening the beverage gas common path into the inner bag, or opens the beverage gas common path into the inner bag using the first valve, and the beverage filling... The gist of this system is to connect the common gas path to the filling / extracting member, to communicate the common gas path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or, with the common gas path communicating the space via the second valve, to open the fourth on-off valve and control the third on-off valve to supply gas from the gas supply path through the common gas path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, thereby allowing the beverage filled in the inner bag to be extracted from the inner bag via the beverage filling / extracting member, the beverage gas common path, and the beverage extraction path.

[0009] Furthermore, another embodiment of the present invention relates to a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container and provided for filling the inner bag with a beverage and removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein the system degasss the inside of the inner bag of the container with an inner bag, fills the inner bag with a beverage, and further removes the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein a first locking mechanism connects to and disconnects the beverage filling and removal member, and when connected to the beverage filling and removal member, it communicates with the inside of the inner bag, or a first valve allows it to communicate with the inside of the inner bag and releases the communication with the inside of the inner bag, and the system allows for the degassing of the inside of the inner bag of the container with an inner bag, and further allows for the removal of the beverage filled in the inner bag, and further allows for the degassing of the inside of the inner bag of the container with an inner bag, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container and provided for filling the inner bag with a beverage and removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, and is a beverage and gas A switching device having a common beverage gas route through which gas can flow, a beverage supply route connected to the common beverage gas route, a gas suction route connected to the common beverage gas route, and a beverage extraction route connected to the common beverage gas route, and a common gas route through which gas can flow, a gas supply route connected to the common gas route, and a gas release route connected to the common gas route, which are connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and extraction member by a second locking mechanism and communicate with the space between the outer container and the inner bag when connected to the beverage filling and extraction member, or which are made to communicate with the space and to release the communication state with the space by a second valve, and a seventh on-off valve provided in the common beverage gas route and an eighth on-off valve provided in the common gas route, The switching device includes a control device that controls the opening and closing of the seventh and eighth on-off valves of the switching device, controls the connection and disconnection of the beverage gas common path to and from the beverage filling and retrieval member by the first locking mechanism of the switching device, or controls the communication of the beverage gas common path to and from the inner bag by the first valve of the switching device, and controls the connection and disconnection of the gas common path to and from the beverage filling and retrieval member by the second locking mechanism of the switching device, or controls the communication of the gas common path to and from the space by the second valve of the switching device, When degassing the inner bag, the control device connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member by the first locking mechanism, thereby opening the beverage gas common path inside the inner bag, or with the beverage gas common path inside the inner bag connected by the first valve, controls the opening of the seventh on / off valve to draw gas from inside the inner bag through the beverage filling and removal member and the beverage gas common path, and when filling the inner bag with beverage, the control device connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member by the first locking mechanism, The beverage gas common path is connected to the inner bag, or the beverage gas common path is connected to the inner bag by the first valve, and the gas common path is connected to the beverage filling and dispensing member by the second locking mechanism, connecting the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or the gas common path is connected to the space by the second valve, and the seventh on-off valve and the eighth on-off valve are controlled to open, thereby filling the beverage into the inner bag from the beverage supply path through the beverage gas common path and the beverage filling and dispensing member. Furthermore, the control device discharges the gas in the space between the outer container and the inner bag to the outside via the gas common path and the gas release path, and when removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, the control device connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member by the first locking mechanism and connects the beverage gas common path to the inside of the inner bag, or connects the beverage gas common path to the inside of the inner bag by the first valve, and connects the gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member by the second locking mechanism and connects the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag.Alternatively, with the second valve connecting the common gas path to the space, the system controls the opening of the eighth on-off valve and the seventh on-off valve to supply gas from the gas supply path through the common gas path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, thereby allowing the beverage filled in the inner bag to be removed from the inner bag via the beverage filling and removal member, the beverage gas common path, and the beverage removal path.

[0010] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention relates to a switching device used in a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, which includes an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container for filling the inner bag with a beverage and removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, and which degasss the inside of the inner bag, fills the inner bag with a beverage, and further removes the beverage filled in the inner bag, and is connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and removal member by a first locking mechanism, and communicates with the inside of the inner bag when connected to the beverage filling and removal member, or is made to communicate with the inside of the inner bag and to release the communication state to the inside of the inner bag by a first valve, a beverage gas common path through which beverages and gas can flow, and a beverage supply connected to the beverage gas common path The gist of the invention is that it has a supply path, a gas suction path connected to the beverage gas common path, and a beverage extraction path connected to the beverage gas common path, a gas common path through which gas can flow, which is connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and extraction member by a second locking mechanism and communicates with the space between the outer container and the inner bag when connected to the beverage filling and extraction member, or is made to communicate with the space and released from the space by a second valve, a gas supply path connected to the gas common path, and a gas release path connected to the gas common path, and has a first on-off valve provided in the beverage supply path, a second on-off valve provided in the gas suction path, a third on-off valve provided in the beverage extraction path, a fourth on-off valve provided in the gas supply path, and a fifth on-off valve provided in the gas release path.

[0011] Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention relates to a switching device used in a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, which comprises an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container for filling the inner bag with a beverage and removing the beverage filled in the inner bag. The switching device is used in a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, which degasss the inside of the inner bag, fills the inner bag with a beverage, and removes the beverage filled in the inner bag. The switching device is connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and removal member by a first locking mechanism, and when connected to the beverage filling and removal member, it communicates with the inside of the inner bag, or a first valve is used to create a state of communication with the inside of the inner bag and to release the state of communication with the inside of the inner bag, allowing beverage and gas to flow. The gist of the invention is that it has a common beverage gas route through which gas can pass, a beverage supply route connected to the common beverage gas route, a gas suction route connected to the common beverage gas route, and a beverage extraction route connected to the common beverage gas route, and a gas common route through which gas can pass, a gas supply route connected to the common gas route, and a gas release route connected to the common gas route, which are connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and extraction member by a second locking mechanism and communicate with the space between the outer container and the inner bag when connected to the beverage filling and extraction member, or which are made to communicate with the space and to release the communication state with the space by a second valve, and also has a seventh on-off valve provided in the common beverage gas route and an eighth on-off valve provided in the common gas route.

[0012] Furthermore, another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container and provided for filling the inner bag with a beverage and for removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein the method involves degassing the inner bag of the container with an inner bag, filling the inner bag with a beverage, and further removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein when degassing the inner bag, the first locking mechanism is used to remove the beverage filling and removal. With the beverage gas common path connected to the component and the beverage gas common path connected to the inner bag, or with the beverage gas common path connected to the inner bag by the first valve, the second on / off valve is opened to draw gas from the inner bag through the beverage filling / removal member and the beverage gas common path via the gas suction path, and when filling the inner bag with beverage, the beverage gas common path is connected to the beverage filling / removal member by the first locking mechanism and the beverage gas common path connected to the inner bag, or the beverage gas common path is connected to the inner bag by the first valve. Furthermore, the second locking mechanism connects the common gas path to the beverage filling and dispensing member, and the common gas path is connected to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or the second valve is connected to the space, and the first on-off valve and the fifth on-off valve are opened to fill the beverage into the inner bag from the beverage supply path through the beverage gas common path and the beverage filling and dispensing member, and the gas in the space between the outer container and the inner bag is discharged to the outside from the common gas path through the gas release path, filling the inner bag. When removing the filled beverage, the first locking mechanism connects the beverage filling and removal member to the beverage gas common path and connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, or the first valve connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, and the second locking mechanism connects the gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member and connects the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or the second valve connects the gas common path to the space, and with this state, the fourth on-off valve is opened and the third on-off valve is opened.The gist of the system is to supply gas from the gas supply path through the common gas path into the space between the outer container and the inner bag, and to remove the beverage filled in the inner bag from the inner bag via the beverage filling and removal member, the common beverage gas path, and the beverage removal path.

[0013] Furthermore, a method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage according to another aspect of the present invention is a method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container and provided for filling the inner bag with a beverage and for removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein when the air is removed from the inner bag, the first locking mechanism is used to remove the beverage filling and removal. When filling the inner bag with a beverage, the beverage gas common path is connected to the component and the beverage gas common path is made to communicate with the inner bag, or the beverage gas common path is made to communicate with the inner bag by the first valve, and the seventh on / off valve is opened to draw the gas from the inner bag through the beverage filling / removal member and the beverage gas common path and the gas suction path, and when filling the inner bag with a beverage, the beverage gas common path is connected to the beverage filling / removal member by the first locking mechanism and the beverage gas common path is made to communicate with the inner bag, or the beverage gas common path is made to communicate with the inner bag by the first valve, Furthermore, the second locking mechanism connects the common gas path to the beverage filling and dispensing member, and the common gas path is connected to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or the second valve is connected to the space, and the seventh on-off valve and the eighth on-off valve are opened to fill the beverage into the inner bag from the beverage supply path through the beverage gas common path and the beverage filling and dispensing member, and the gas in the space between the outer container and the inner bag is discharged to the outside from the common gas path through the gas release path, filling the inner bag. When removing the filled beverage, the first locking mechanism connects the beverage filling and removal member to the beverage gas common path and connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, or the first valve connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, and the second locking mechanism connects the gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member and connects the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or the second valve connects the gas common path to the space, and with this state, the eighth on-off valve is opened and the seventh on-off valve is opened.The gist of the system is to supply gas from the gas supply path through the common gas path into the space between the outer container and the inner bag, and to remove the beverage filled in the inner bag from the inner bag via the beverage filling and removal member, the common beverage gas path, and the beverage removal path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the beverage filling system, switching device, and beverage filling method for containers with inner bags of the present invention, it is possible to degas the inner bag of a container with an inner bag under specific practical conditions, fill the inner bag with a beverage, and then remove the beverage filled in the inner bag. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the degassing process inside the inner bag using the beverage filling system shown. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 1 during the degassing process inside the inner bag. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the process of filling an inner bag with beverage using the beverage filling system shown. [Figure 5] This flowchart illustrates the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 1 during the beverage filling process into the inner bag. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the cleaning process for the fitting attachment section of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 1 during the cleaning process for the fitting mounting section. [Figure 8] Figure 1 illustrates the process of removing beverages from the inner bag using the beverage filling system shown. [Figure 9]It is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 1 during the step of taking out the beverage from the inner bag. [Figure 10] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining the degassing process in the inner bag by the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 10 during the degassing process in the inner bag. [Figure 13] It is a diagram for explaining the beverage filling process into the inner bag by the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 10 during the beverage filling process into the inner bag. [Figure 15] It is a diagram for explaining the cleaning process for the fitting attachment part by the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 16] It is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 10 during the cleaning process for the fitting attachment part. [Figure 17] It is a diagram for explaining the step of taking out the beverage from the inner bag by the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 18] It is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 10 during the step of taking out the beverage from the inner bag. [Figure 19] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] It is a diagram for explaining the degassing process in the inner bag by the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 19. [Figure 21] It is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in FIG. 19 during the degassing process in the inner bag. [Figure 22]Figure 19 is a diagram illustrating the process of filling an inner bag with beverage using the beverage filling system shown. [Figure 23] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 19 during the beverage filling process into the inner bag. [Figure 24] Figure 19 is a diagram illustrating the cleaning process for the fitting attachment section of the beverage filling system shown. [Figure 25] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 19 during the cleaning process for the fitting mounting section. [Figure 26] Figure 19 illustrates the process of removing beverages from the inner bag using the beverage filling system shown. [Figure 27] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 19 during the beverage removal process from the inner bag. [Figure 28] This is a schematic diagram of a beverage filling system for containers with inner bags according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] Figure 28 is a diagram illustrating the degassing process inside the inner bag using the beverage filling system shown. [Figure 30] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 28 during the degassing process inside the inner bag. [Figure 31] Figure 28 is a diagram illustrating the process of filling an inner bag with beverage using the beverage filling system shown. [Figure 32] This flowchart illustrates the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 28 during the beverage filling process into the inner bag. [Figure 33] Figure 28 is a diagram illustrating the cleaning process for the fitting attachment section of the beverage filling system. [Figure 34] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 28 during the cleaning process for the fitting mounting section. [Figure 35] Figure 28 illustrates the process of removing beverages from the inner bag using the beverage filling system shown. [Figure 36] This flowchart illustrates the processing flow in the control device of the beverage filling system shown in Figure 28 during the beverage removal process from the inner bag. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the drawings are schematic. Therefore, it should be noted that the relationship and ratios between thickness and planar dimensions may differ from those of reality, and there may be differences in dimensional relationships and ratios between drawings. Furthermore, the embodiments described below illustrate devices and methods for realizing the technical concept of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments in terms of the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc., of the components.

[0017] (First Embodiment) A beverage filling system for containers with inner bags according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. The beverage filling system 1 shown in Figure 1 degasss the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50, fills the inner bag 53 with beverage, and then removes the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53. The beverage filling system 1 can also clean the fitting 54 (mounting part 55), which is attached to the nozzle 52 of the outer container 51 and serves as a beverage filling and removal member.

[0018] First, the container with an inner bag 50 comprises an outer container 51 having a nozzle portion 52, an inner bag 53 provided inside the outer container 51, and a fitting 54 attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51 as a beverage filling and dispensing member. The outer container 51 is a metal container having an internal space in which the inner bag 53 is placed. Furthermore, the inner bag 53 contains the beverage W (see Figure 4) and is detachably attached to the outer surface of the beverage dispensing tube 61, which will be described later, of the fitting 54. The inner bag 53 is replaced when all of the beverage W inside has been removed.

[0019] The fitting 54 is attached to the spout 52 of the outer container 51 for filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W and for removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53. The fitting 54 has a mounting portion 55 that is attached to the nozzle portion 52. A first opening 56 is formed in the center of the mounting portion 55 into which the beverage gas common path 11 and the gas common path 16 of the beverage filling system 1, which will be described later, are inserted and connected.

[0020] Furthermore, the fitting 54 is equipped with a beverage outlet pipe 61 located below the mounting portion 55 and inside the outer container 51. As described above, an inner bag 53 is removably attached to the outer surface of the beverage outlet pipe 61. The beverage W from the beverage gas common path 11 of the beverage filling system 1 is filled into the inner bag 53 through the beverage outlet pipe 61. The beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is then drawn out through the beverage outlet pipe 61 to the beverage gas common path 11.

[0021] Furthermore, the fitting 54 includes a beverage valve 60 that, when the beverage gas common path 11 is inserted into and connected to the first opening 56, connects the inside of the beverage gas common path 11 to the inside of the beverage outlet pipe 61, and when the beverage gas common path 11 is disconnected from the first opening 56, shuts off the communication between the inside of the beverage gas common path 11 and the inside of the beverage outlet pipe 61. The beverage valve 60 includes a valve seat 58 and a valve body 59 that moves toward and toward the valve seat 58. The valve body 59 is biased to be in constant contact with the valve seat 58 by a spring member 62 positioned on the outer circumferential surface of the beverage outlet pipe 61, and normally shuts off the communication between the inside of the beverage gas common path 11 and the inside of the beverage outlet pipe 61.

[0022] The beverage filling system 1 is equipped with a switching device 10 and a control device 40. The switching device 10 includes a common beverage gas path 11 through which beverage W and gas (air) can flow, a beverage supply path 13 connected to the common beverage gas path 11, a gas suction path 14 connected to the common beverage gas path 11, and a beverage extraction path 15 connected to the common beverage gas path 11, as well as a common gas path 16 through which gas (air) can flow, a gas supply path 18 connected to the common gas path 16, and a gas release path 19 connected to the common gas path 16. Each of the common beverage gas path 11, beverage supply path 13, gas suction path 14, beverage extraction path 15, common gas path 16, gas supply path 18, and gas release path 19 is composed of piping.

[0023] When the switching device 10 descends, the common beverage gas route 11 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50 and connected to the first opening 56 by the first locking mechanism 12. At this time, the common beverage gas route 11 presses against the valve body 59 of the beverage valve 60, causing the valve body 59 to separate from the valve seat 58, opening the beverage valve 60, and creating communication between the inside of the common beverage gas route 11 and the inside of the beverage outlet pipe 61. On the other hand, when the switching device 10 rises, the connection of the common beverage gas path 11 to the first opening 56 by the first locking mechanism 12 is released. As a result, the common beverage gas path 11 separates from the valve body 59 of the beverage valve 60, the valve body 59 is biased upward by the spring member 62 and contacts the valve seat 58, and communication between the inside of the common beverage gas path 11 and the inside of the beverage outlet pipe 61 is cut off.

[0024] Furthermore, when the switching device 10 descends, the common gas path 16 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50 and connected to the first opening 56 by the second locking mechanism 17. At this time, the inside of the common gas path 16 and the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 are in communication. On the other hand, when the switching device 10 rises, the connection of the common gas path 16 to the first opening 56 by the second locking mechanism 17 is released. As a result, the common gas path 16 separates from the outer container 51.

[0025] The beverage supply route 13, which is connected to the common beverage gas route 11, is connected to the beverage supply source 27. The beverage supply route 13 is also equipped with a first on / off valve 21. Furthermore, the beverage supply route 13 is fitted with a flow meter 33 for detecting the flow rate of the beverage W flowing through it. Furthermore, the gas suction path 14, which is connected to the common drinking gas path 11, is connected to the suction device 28. The gas suction path 14 is equipped with a second on-off valve 22. The gas suction path 14 is also equipped with a first gas pressure gauge 34 for detecting the gas pressure within the gas suction path 14. Furthermore, the beverage outlet 15, which is connected to the common beverage gas route 11, is connected to the beverage outlet 29. A third on / off valve 23 is provided in the beverage outlet 15.

[0026] Furthermore, the gas supply route 18, which is connected to the common gas route 16, is connected to the gas supply source 30. A fourth on-off valve 24 is provided in the gas supply route 18. A second gas pressure gauge 35 for detecting the gas pressure within the gas supply route 18 is also installed in the gas supply route 18. Furthermore, the gas release route 19, which is connected to the common gas route 16, is connected to the gas release system 31. A fifth on-off valve 25 is provided in the gas release route 19.

[0027] Furthermore, the switching device 10 includes a cleaning solution supply path 20 connected to the common drinking gas path 11. The cleaning solution supply path 20 is connected to the cleaning solution supply source 32. A sixth on-off valve 26 is also provided in the cleaning solution supply path 20.

[0028] Furthermore, the control device 40 controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 21, second on-off valve 22, third on-off valve 23, fourth on-off valve 24, and fifth on-off valve 25 of the switching device 10, as well as the connection and disconnection of the first locking mechanism 12 of the switching device 10 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) and the connection and disconnection of the second locking mechanism 17 of the switching device 10 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). Furthermore, the control device 40 also controls the opening and closing of the sixth on-off valve 26 of the switching device 10. The control device 40 is connected to a first on-off valve 21, a second on-off valve 22, a third on-off valve 23, a fourth on-off valve 24, a fifth on-off valve 25, and a sixth on-off valve 26, a flow meter 33, a first gas pressure gauge 34, a second gas pressure gauge 35, and a lifting device (not shown) for the switching device 10.

[0029] Then, as shown in Figure 2, when degassing the inner bag 53, the control device 40 connects the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 12, and with the beverage gas common path 11 in communication with the inner bag 53, controls the device to open the second on-off valve 22, and the suction device 28 sucks the gas from inside the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 11, and the gas suction path 14, as indicated by arrow A. The processing flow in the control device 40 during the degassing process inside the inner bag 53 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3.

[0030] First, in step S1, the control device 40 lowers the switching device 10 to insert the common drinking gas route 11 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the first locking mechanism 12 to connect the common drinking gas route 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). At the same time, the common gas path 16 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and the second locking mechanism 17 controls the connection of the common gas path 16 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56).

[0031] Next, in step S2, the control device 40 controls the second on-off valve 22 to open and the suction device 28 to suck out the gas inside the inner bag 53 in the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 2 to degas it. Next, in step S3, the first gas pressure gauge 34 detects the pressure of the gas in the gas suction path 14, thereby detecting the pressure inside the inner bag 53, and the control device 40 acquires the detected pressure value inside the inner bag 53.

[0032] Next, in step S4, the control device 40 determines whether the detected pressure, i.e., the pressure value obtained in step S3, has been maintained at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time. Here, "predetermined pressure" refers to the pressure inside the inner bag 53 at which the pressure has decreased and can no longer decrease. Also, "predetermined time" is, for example, about 10 to 30 seconds. If the result of the determination in step S4 is NO, return to step S3 and repeat steps S3 and S4. If the result of the determination is YES, proceed to step S5.

[0033] In step S5, the control device 40 maintains the state in which the pressure value acquired in step S3 has reached a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time, and therefore controls the device to close the second on-off valve 22, assuming that the degassing of the inner bag 53 is complete. This completes the degassing process inside the inner bag 53. The degassing process inside the inner bag 53 is performed because if gas (air) is present inside the inner bag 53 when the beverage W is filled into it, the beverage W will deteriorate due to that gas (air), for example, if it is beer. Therefore, the inside of the inner bag 53 is degassed before the beverage W is filled into the inner bag 53.

[0034] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with beverage W, the control device 40 connects the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 12, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path 11 to the inside of the inner bag 53, and connects the gas common path 16 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the second locking mechanism 17, thereby connecting the gas common path 16 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In this state, as shown in Figure 4, the control device 40 controls the device to open the first on-off valve 21 and the fifth on-off valve 25, thereby filling the inside of the inner bag 53 with beverage W from the beverage supply path 13 through the beverage gas common path 11 and the fitting 54 as indicated by arrow B, and also discharges the gas (air) in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside from the gas release system 31 via the gas release path 19 through the gas release path 16 as indicated by arrow C.

[0035] However, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 40 controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 24 before controlling the opening of the first on-off valve 21 and the fifth on-off valve 25. This allows the gas supply source 30 to supply gas (air) to the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, pressurizing the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 until the pressure is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, before controlling the closing of the fourth on-off valve 24.

[0036] The reason for this is to prevent insufficient flavor due to foaming. If the pressure in the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is not the same as the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, the beverage W will foam up and it will be impossible to fill. The processing flow in the control device 40 during the beverage filling process into the inner bag 53 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0037] First, in step S11, the control device 40 determines whether, after degassing the inner bag 53, the drinking gas common route 11 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 12, and whether the gas common route 16 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the second locking mechanism 17. If the result of the determination in step S11 is NO, proceed to step S12; if the result is YES, proceed to step S13.

[0038] In step S12, the control device 40 lowers the switching device 10 to insert the drinking gas common route 11 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the first locking mechanism 12 to connect the drinking gas common route 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). At the same time, it inserts the gas common route 16 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the second locking mechanism 17 to connect the gas common route 16 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). After step S12 is completed, the process proceeds to step S13. Then, in step S13, the control device 40 controls the fourth on-off valve 24 to open, supplying gas (air) from the gas supply source 30 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, thereby increasing the pressure in the space 57.

[0039] Next, in step S14, the control device 40 determines whether the pressure in the space 57 has become equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled. Here, the pressure in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is detected by a second gas pressure gauge 35 installed in the gas supply path 18, which detects the gas pressure in the gas supply path 18. The liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled is stored in the control device 40 in advance. The control device 40 then determines that the pressure in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled when the pressure value detected by the second gas pressure gauge 35 becomes equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled.

[0040] If the result of the determination in step S14 is NO, the process returns to step S13 and repeats step S14. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the control device 40 controls the fourth on-off valve 24 to close, thereby stopping the supply of gas (air) from the gas supply source 30 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0041] Next, in step S16, the control device 40 controls the opening of the first on-off valve 21 and the fifth on-off valve 25, so that the beverage W from the beverage supply source 27 is filled into the inside of the inner bag 53 as indicated by arrow B via the beverage supply path 13, the beverage gas common path 11 and the beverage outlet pipe 61 of the fitting 54, and the gas (air) in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is discharged to the outside from the gas common path 16, through the gas release path 19 and the gas release system 31 as indicated by arrow C.

[0042] Next, in step S17, the control device 40 determines whether the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 has reached the specified amount. Here, the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 is determined from the flow rate of the beverage W flowing through the beverage supply path 13, which is detected by the flow meter 33 installed in the beverage supply path 13. If the result of the determination in step S17 is NO, the process returns to step S16; if the result is YES, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0043] In step S18, the control device 40 controls the first on-off valve 21 to close, stopping the filling of the beverage W from the beverage supply source 27 into the inner bag 53, because the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 has reached the specified amount, and also controls the fifth on-off valve 25 to close. This completes the process of filling the inner bag 53 with beverage.

[0044] Furthermore, the beverage filling system 1 can also clean the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51. The mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 can be cleaned at any time the mounting portion 55 is attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51.

[0045] Figure 6 shows the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54, which is performed after the beverage W has been filled into the inner bag 53. Here, when cleaning the fitting 54, the control device 40 controls the sixth on-off valve 26 to open while the connection of the drinking gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 12 is released, and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source 32 to the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the mouth portion 52 of the outer container 51, via the cleaning liquid supply path 20 and the drinking gas common path 11, as indicated by arrow D. The processing flow in the control device 40 during the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7.

[0046] First, in step S21, the control device 40 determines whether the common drinking gas route 11 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) and whether the common gas route 16 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). If the result of the determination in step S21 is NO (not connected), proceed to step S23; if the result of the determination is YES (connected), proceed to step S22.

[0047] In step S22, the control device 40 raises the switching device 10 to release the connection of the drinking gas common route 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 12, and also releases the connection of the gas common route 16 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the second locking mechanism 17.

[0048] Next, in step S23, the control device 40 controls the sixth on-off valve 26 to open, and supplies cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply source 32 to the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the mouthpiece portion 52 of the outer container 51, as shown by arrow D in Figure 6, via the cleaning liquid supply path 20 and the common beverage gas path 11, thereby cleaning the mounting portion 55.

[0049] Next, in step S24, the control device 40 controls the sixth on-off valve 26 to close after a predetermined cleaning time has elapsed, thereby stopping the supply of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid supply source 32. This completes the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54.

[0050] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the control device 40 connects the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 12, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path 11 to the inside of the inner bag 53, and connects the gas common path 16 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the second locking mechanism 17, thereby connecting the gas common path 16 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In this state, the control device 40 controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 24 and the third on-off valve 23, supplying gas (air) from the gas supply source 30 from the gas supply path 18 through the gas common path 16 to the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 as indicated by arrow E in Figure 8, and removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 from the inner bag 53 via the beverage removal pipe 61 of the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 11, and the beverage removal path 15 to the beverage outlet 29 as indicated by arrow F. The processing flow in the control device 40 during the beverage removal process from the inner bag 53 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0051] First, in step S31, the control device 40 determines whether the beverage gas common route 11 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) and whether the gas common route 16 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) after filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W. If the result of the determination in step S31 is NO (not connected), proceed to step S32. If the result of the determination is YES (connected), proceed to step S33.

[0052] In step S32, the control device 40 lowers the switching device 10 to connect the beverage gas common route 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 12, thereby connecting the beverage gas common route 11 to the inner bag 53, and also connects the gas common route 16 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the second locking mechanism 17, thereby connecting the gas common route 16 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0053] Next, in step S33, the control device 40 controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 24 and the third on-off valve 23, supplying gas (air) from the gas supply source 30 from the gas supply path 18 through the common gas path 16 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 as indicated by arrow E in Figure 8, and the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is taken out from the inner bag 53 through the beverage outlet 29 via the beverage outlet pipe 61 of the fitting 54, the common beverage gas path 11 and the beverage outlet path 15 as indicated by arrow F.

[0054] Next, in step S34, the control device 40 controls the fourth on-off valve 24 to close after a predetermined time has elapsed since the beverage W was removed from the beverage outlet 29, thereby stopping the supply of gas (air) from the gas supply source 30. Here, the beverage outlet 29 is connected to a beer server that dispenses beer, for example, when the beverage W is beer. The "predetermined time" is, for example, the time from the start of business hours when the beer server begins dispensing beer to the end of business hours when the beer server ends dispensing beer.

[0055] Finally, in step S35, the control device 40 controls the third on-off valve 23 to close, thereby stopping the dispensing of the beverage W from the beverage outlet 29. This completes the process of removing the beverage from the inner bag 53.

[0056] Thus, according to the beverage filling system 1 for containers with inner bags and the switching device 10 used in the beverage filling system 1 according to the first embodiment, the switching device 10 has a beverage and gas common path 11 through which beverages and gas can flow, a beverage supply path 13 connected to the beverage and gas common path 11, a gas suction path 14 connected to the beverage and gas common path 11, and a beverage extraction path 15 connected to the beverage and gas common path 11, which are connected to and disconnected from the fitting 54 (first opening 56) as a beverage filling and extraction member by a first locking mechanism 12 and communicate with the inside of the inner bag 53 when connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). Furthermore, the switching device 10 has a gas common path 16 through which gas can flow, a gas supply path 18 connected to the gas common path 16, and a gas release path 19 connected to the gas common path 16, which are connected to and disconnected from the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by a second locking mechanism 17 and communicate with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 when connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). Furthermore, the switching device 10 includes a first on-off valve 21 provided in the beverage supply path 13, a second on-off valve 22 provided in the gas suction path 14, and a third on-off valve 23 provided in the beverage outlet path 15. Additionally, the switching device 10 includes a fourth on-off valve 24 provided in the gas supply path 18 and a fifth on-off valve 25 provided in the gas release path 19.

[0057] The beverage filling system 1 is equipped with a control device 40 that controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 21, second on-off valve 22, third on-off valve 23, fourth on-off valve 24, and fifth on-off valve 25 of the switching device 10, as well as the connection and disconnection of the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 12 of the switching device 10 and the connection and disconnection of the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the second locking mechanism 17 of the switching device 10.

[0058] Furthermore, when degassing the inner bag 53, the control device 40 connects the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 12, and with the beverage gas common path 11 in communication with the inner bag 53, controls the device to open the second on-off valve 22, thereby drawing the gas inside the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 11, and the gas suction path 14.

[0059] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with beverage W, the control device 40 connects the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 12, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path 11 to the inside of the inner bag 53, and connects the gas common path 16 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the second locking mechanism 17, thereby connecting the gas common path 16 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In this state, the control device 40 controls the opening of the first on-off valve 21 and the fifth on-off valve 25 to fill the inside of the inner bag 53 with beverage W from the beverage supply path 13 through the beverage gas common path 11 and the fitting 54, and to discharge the gas in the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside through the gas common path 16 and the gas release path 19.

[0060] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the control device 40 connects the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 12, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path 11 to the inside of the inner bag 53, and connects the gas common path 16 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the second locking mechanism 17, thereby connecting the gas common path 16 to the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In this state, the control device 40 controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 24 and the third on-off valve 23 to supply gas from the gas supply path 18 through the gas common path 16 to the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, thereby removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 from the inner bag 53 via the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 11, and the beverage removal path 15.

[0061] This allows for the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50 under specific practical conditions, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage W, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53. The control device 40 controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 21, second on-off valve 22, third on-off valve 23, fourth on-off valve 24, and fifth on-off valve 25 of the switching device 10, as well as the connection and disconnection of the first locking mechanism 12 of the switching device 10 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) and the connection and disconnection of the second locking mechanism 17 of the switching device 10 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). This allows the inner bag 53 of the container with inner bag 50 to be degassed, the inner bag 53 to be filled with beverage, and the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 to be removed. Therefore, the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the container with inner bag 50, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 can be automated (no manual work required).

[0062] Furthermore, according to the beverage filling system 1 for containers with inner bags as per the first embodiment, when filling the inner bag 53 with beverage W, the control device 40 controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 24 before controlling the opening of the first on-off valve 21 and the fifth on-off valve 25, thereby pressurizing the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 until the pressure becomes equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, and then controls the closing of the fourth on-off valve 24. This prevents a lack of flavor due to foaming.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the beverage filling system 1 for containers with inner bags and the switching device 10 used in the beverage filling system 1 according to the first embodiment, the switching device 10 includes a cleaning liquid supply path 20 connected to a common beverage gas path 11 and a sixth on-off valve 26 provided in the cleaning liquid supply path 20. The control device 40 controls the opening and closing of the sixth on-off valve 26 of the switching device 10.

[0064] The control device 40 then releases the connection of the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 12, and controls the sixth on / off valve 26 to open, thereby supplying cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply path 20 through the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 (mounting part 55) attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51, and cleaning the fitting 54 (mounting part 55).

[0065] This allows for the automatic degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50, filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage, and removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, as well as the automatic cleaning of the fitting 54 (mounting part 55) attached to the mouthpiece 52 of the outer container 51.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the beverage filling method for a container with an inner bag according to the first embodiment, when degassing the inner bag 53, the first locking mechanism 12 connects the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54, which serves as a beverage filling and removal member, and with the beverage gas common path 11 in communication with the inner bag 53, the second on-off valve 22 is opened to draw out the gas from the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 11, and the gas suction path 14.

[0067] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with beverage W, the first locking mechanism 12 connects the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54, allowing the beverage gas common path 11 to be connected to the inner bag 53, and the second locking mechanism 17 connects the gas common path 16 to the fitting 54, allowing the gas common path 16 to be connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. With these settings, the first on-off valve 21 and the fifth on-off valve 25 are opened to fill the inner bag 53 with beverage W from the beverage supply path 13 through the beverage gas common path 11 and the fitting 54, while simultaneously discharging the gas in the space 57 between the outer container and the inner bag 53 to the outside via the gas common path 16 and the gas release path 19.

[0068] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the first locking mechanism 12 connects the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54, allowing the beverage gas common path 11 to communicate with the inside of the inner bag 53, and the second locking mechanism 17 connects the gas common path 16 to the fitting 54, allowing the gas common path 16 to communicate with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. With these settings, the fourth on-off valve 24 is opened and the third on-off valve 23 is opened to supply gas from the gas supply path 18 through the gas common path 16 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, thereby removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 11, and the beverage removal path 15. This allows for the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50 under specific practical conditions, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage W, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage according to the first embodiment, with the connection of the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 released by the first locking mechanism 12, the sixth on / off valve 26 is opened and cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply path 20 through the beverage gas common path 11 to the fitting 54 attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51 to clean the fitting 54. This allows for degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50, filling the inner bag 53 with beverage, and removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, as well as cleaning of the fitting 54 (mounting part 55) attached to the mouth part 52 of the outer container 51.

[0070] (Second Embodiment) A beverage filling system for containers with inner bags according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 18. The beverage filling system 101 shown in Figure 10, like the beverage filling system 1 shown in Figure 1, degasss the inner bag 53 of the container with an inner bag, fills the inner bag 53 with beverage, and then removes the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53. The beverage filling system 101 can also clean the fitting 54 (mounting part 55), which is attached to the nozzle 52 of the outer container 51 and serves as a beverage filling and removal member.

[0071] The difference between the beverage filling system 101 shown in Figure 10 and the beverage filling system 1 shown in Figure 1 is that in the switching device 10 of the beverage filling system 1 shown in Figure 1, a first on-off valve 21 is provided in the beverage supply path 13, a second on-off valve 22 is provided in the gas suction path 14, and a third on-off valve 23 is provided in the beverage extraction path 15. However, in the switching device 10 of the beverage filling system 1 shown in Figure 10, these first on-off valve 21, second on-off valve 22, and third on-off valve 23 are provided as a common seventh on-off valve 121 in the beverage gas common path 111. Furthermore, in the switching device 10 of the beverage filling system 1 shown in Figure 1, a fourth on-off valve 24 is provided in the gas supply path 18, and a fifth on-off valve 25 is provided in the gas release path 19. However, in the switching device 10 of the beverage filling system 1 shown in Figure 10, these fourth on-off valve 24 and fifth on-off valve 25 are provided as a common eighth on-off valve 122 in the gas common path 116.

[0072] The beverage filling system 101 will now be described in detail. The beverage filling system 101 includes a switching device 110 and a control device 140. The switching device 110 includes a common beverage gas route 111 through which beverage W and gas (air) can flow, a beverage supply route 113 connected to the common beverage gas route 111, a gas suction route 114 connected to the common beverage gas route 111, and a beverage outlet route 115 connected to the common beverage gas route 111. The switching device 110 also includes a common gas route 116 through which gas (air) can flow, a gas supply route 118 connected to the common gas route 116, and a gas release route 119 connected to the common gas route 116. Each of the common beverage gas route 111, beverage supply route 113, gas suction route 114, beverage outlet route 115, common gas route 116, gas supply route 118, and gas release route 119 is composed of piping.

[0073] Furthermore, the switching device 110 includes a seventh on-off valve 121 provided in the common beverage gas path 111 and an eighth on-off valve 122 provided in the common gas path 116. The common beverage gas path 111 is equipped with a flow meter 129 for detecting the flow rate of beverage W flowing through the common beverage gas path 111. The common beverage gas path 111 is also equipped with a third gas pressure gauge 130 for detecting the gas pressure within the common beverage gas path 111. In addition, the common gas path 116 is equipped with a fourth gas pressure gauge 131 for detecting the gas pressure within the common gas path 116.

[0074] When the switching device 110 descends, the common beverage gas route 111 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50 and connected to the first opening 56 by the first locking mechanism 112. At this time, the common beverage gas route 111 presses against the valve body 59 of the beverage valve 60, causing the valve body 59 to separate from the valve seat 58, opening the beverage valve 60, and creating communication between the inside of the common beverage gas route 111 and the inside of the beverage outlet pipe 61. On the other hand, when the switching device 10 rises, the connection of the common beverage gas path 111 to the first opening 56 by the first locking mechanism 112 is released. As a result, the common beverage gas path 111 separates from the valve body 59 of the beverage valve 60, the valve body 59 is biased upward by the spring member 62 and contacts the valve seat 58, and communication between the inside of the common beverage gas path 111 and the inside of the beverage outlet pipe 61 is cut off.

[0075] Furthermore, when the switching device 110 descends, the common gas path 116 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50 and connected to the first opening 56 by the second locking mechanism 117. At this time, the inside of the common gas path 116 and the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 are in communication. On the other hand, when the switching device 110 rises, the connection of the common gas path 116 to the first opening 56 by the second locking mechanism 117 is released. As a result, the common gas path 116 separates from the outer container 51.

[0076] The beverage supply route 113, which is connected to the common beverage gas route 111, is connected to the beverage supply source 123. The gas suction route 114, also connected to the common beverage gas route 111, is connected to the suction device 124. Furthermore, the beverage extraction route 115, also connected to the common beverage gas route 111, is connected to the beverage outlet 125.

[0077] Furthermore, the gas supply route 118, which is connected to the common gas route 116, is connected to the gas supply source 126. In addition, the gas opening route 119, which is connected to the common gas route 116, is connected to the gas opening system 127. Furthermore, the switching device 110 includes a cleaning solution supply path 120 connected to the common drinking gas path 111. The cleaning solution supply path 120 is connected to the cleaning solution supply source 128.

[0078] Furthermore, the control device 140 controls the opening and closing of the seventh on-off valve 121 and the eighth on-off valve 122 of the switching device 110, the connection and disconnection of the first locking mechanism 112 of the switching device 110 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56), and the connection and disconnection of the second locking mechanism 117 of the switching device 110 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). The control device 140 is connected to the seventh on-off valve 121 and the eighth on-off valve 122, the flow meter 129, the third gas pressure gauge 130 and the fourth gas pressure gauge 131, and the lifting device (not shown) of the switching device 110.

[0079] Then, as shown in Figure 11, when degassing the inner bag 53, the control device 140 connects the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 112, and with the beverage gas common path 111 in communication with the inner bag 53, controls the device to open the seventh on-off valve 121, and the suction device 124 sucks the gas from inside the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 111, and the gas suction path 114, as indicated by arrow A. The processing flow in the control device 140 during the degassing process inside the inner bag 53 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 12.

[0080] First, in step S101, the control device 140 lowers the switching device 110 to insert the common drinking gas route 111 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the first locking mechanism 112 to connect the common drinking gas route 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). At the same time, the common gas path 116 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and the second locking mechanism 117 controls the connection of the common gas path 116 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56).

[0081] Next, in step S102, the control device 140 controls the seventh on-off valve 121 to open and the suction device 124 sucks the gas inside the inner bag 53 in the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 11 to degas it. Next, in step S103, the third gas pressure gauge 130 detects the pressure inside the inner bag 53 by detecting the gas pressure in the common beverage gas path 111, and the control device 140 acquires the detected pressure value inside the inner bag 53.

[0082] Next, in step S104, the control device 140 determines whether the detected pressure, i.e., the pressure value obtained in step S103, has been maintained at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time. Here, "predetermined pressure" refers to the pressure inside the inner bag 53 at which the pressure has decreased and can no longer decrease. Also, "predetermined time" is, for example, about 10 to 30 seconds. If the result of the determination in step S104 is NO, the process returns to step S103 and steps S103 and S104 are repeated. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S105.

[0083] In step S105, the control device 140 maintains the state in which the pressure value acquired in step S103 has reached a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time, and therefore controls the device to close the seventh on-off valve 121, assuming that the degassing of the inner bag 53 is complete. This completes the degassing process inside the inner bag 53. The degassing process inside the inner bag 53 is performed because if gas (air) is present inside the inner bag 53 when the beverage W is filled into it, the beverage W will deteriorate due to that gas (air), for example, if it is beer. Therefore, the inside of the inner bag 53 is degassed before the beverage W is filled into the inner bag 53.

[0084] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 140 connects the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 112, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path 111 to the inside of the inner bag 53, and connects the gas common path 116 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the second locking mechanism 117, thereby connecting the gas common path 116 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In this state, as shown in Figure 13, the control device 140 controls the system to open the seventh on-off valve 121 and the eighth on-off valve 122, thereby filling the beverage W into the inner bag 53 from the beverage supply path 113 through the beverage gas common path 111 and fitting 54 as indicated by arrow B, and discharging the gas (air) in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside from the gas common path 116 through the gas release path 119 and the gas release system 127 as indicated by arrow C.

[0085] However, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 140 controls the operation to open the 7th on-off valve 121 and the 8th on-off valve 122, but before doing so, it controls the operation to open the 8th on-off valve 122 to supply gas (air) from the gas supply source 126 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, pressurizing the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 until the pressure is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, and then controls the operation to close the 8th on-off valve 122. The reason for this is to prevent a lack of flavor due to effervescence. The processing flow in the control device 140 during the beverage filling process into the inner bag 53 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 14.

[0086] First, in step S111, the control device 140 determines whether, after degassing the inner bag 53, the drinking gas common route 111 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 112, and whether the gas common route 116 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the second locking mechanism 117. If the result of the determination in step S111 is NO, the process proceeds to step S112. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S113.

[0087] In step S112, the control device 140 lowers the switching device 110 to insert the drinking gas common route 111 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the first locking mechanism 112 to connect the drinking gas common route 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). At the same time, it inserts the gas common route 116 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the second locking mechanism 117 to connect the gas common route 116 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). After step S112 is completed, the process proceeds to step S113.

[0088] Then, in step S113, the control device 140 controls the opening of the eighth on-off valve 122 to supply gas (air) from the gas supply source 126 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, thereby increasing the pressure in the space 57.

[0089] Next, in step S114, the control device 140 determines whether the pressure in the space has become equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled. Here, the pressure in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is detected by a fourth gas pressure gauge 131 installed in the common gas path 116, which detects the gas pressure in the common gas path 116. The liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled is stored in the control device 140 in advance. The control device 140 then determines that the pressure in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled when the pressure value detected by the fourth gas pressure gauge 131 becomes equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled.

[0090] If the result of the determination in step S114 is NO, the process returns to step S113 and repeats step S114. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S115, the control device 140 controls the eighth on-off valve 122 to close, thereby stopping the supply of gas (air) from the gas supply source 126 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0091] Next, in step S116, the control device 140 controls the system to open the seventh on-off valve 121 and the eighth on-off valve 122, thereby filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W from the beverage supply source 123 via the beverage supply path 113, the beverage gas common path 111, and the beverage outlet pipe 61 of the fitting 54, as indicated by arrow B. At the same time, the gas (air) in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is discharged to the outside from the gas common path 116, via the gas release path 119, and through the gas release system 127, as indicated by arrow C.

[0092] Next, in step S117, the control device 140 determines whether the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 has reached the specified amount. Here, the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 is determined from the flow rate of the beverage W flowing through the beverage gas common path 111, which is detected by a flow meter 129 installed in the beverage gas common path 111. Then, if the result of the determination in step S117 is NO, the process returns to step S116; if the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S118.

[0093] In step S118, the control device 140 controls the seventh on-off valve 121 to close, stopping the filling of the beverage W from the beverage supply source 123 into the inner bag 53, because the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 has reached the specified amount, and also controls the eighth on-off valve 122 to close. This completes the process of filling the inner bag 53 with beverage.

[0094] Furthermore, the beverage filling system 101 can also clean the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51. The mounting portion 55 can be cleaned at any time the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 is attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51. Figure 15 shows the cleaning process for the fitting 54 mounting portion 55, which is performed after the beverage W is filled into the inner bag 53.

[0095] Here, when cleaning the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54, the control device 140 controls the seventh on-off valve 121 to open while the connection of the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 112 is released, and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source 128 to the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the mouth portion 52 of the outer container 51 via the cleaning liquid supply path 120 and the beverage gas common path 111, as indicated by arrow D. The processing flow in the control device 140 during the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 16.

[0096] First, in step S121, the control device 140 determines whether the common drinking gas route 111 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) and whether the common gas route 116 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). If the result of the determination in step S121 is NO (not connected), proceed to step S123; if the result of the determination is YES (connected), proceed to step S122.

[0097] In step S122, the control device 140 raises the switching device 110 to release the connection of the drinking gas common route 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 112, and also releases the connection of the gas common route 116 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the second locking mechanism 117.

[0098] Next, in step S123, the control device 140 controls the seventh on-off valve 121 to open, and supplies cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply source 128 to the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the mouthpiece portion 52 of the outer container 51 via the cleaning liquid supply path 120 and the common beverage gas path 111, as shown by arrow D in Figure 15, thereby cleaning the mounting portion 55. Next, in step S124, the control device 140 controls the seventh on-off valve 121 to close after a predetermined cleaning time has elapsed, thereby stopping the supply of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid supply source 128. This completes the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54.

[0099] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the control device 140 connects the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 112, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path 111 to the inside of the inner bag 53, and also connects the gas common path 116 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the second locking mechanism 117, thereby connecting the gas common path 116 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In this state, the control device 140 controls the opening of the eighth on-off valve 122 and the seventh on-off valve 121, supplying gas (air) from the gas supply source 126 through the gas supply path 118 and the common gas path 116 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 as indicated by arrow E in Figure 17, and the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is taken out of the inner bag 53 through the beverage outlet 125 via the beverage outlet pipe 61 of the fitting 54, the common beverage gas path 111 and the beverage outlet path 115 as indicated by arrow F. The processing flow in the control device 140 during the beverage removal process from the inner bag 53 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 18.

[0100] First, in step S131, the control device 140 determines whether the beverage gas common route 111 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) and whether the gas common route 116 is connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) after the beverage W has been filled into the inner bag 53. If the result of the determination in step S131 is NO (not connected), proceed to step S132. If the result of the determination is YES (connected), proceed to step S133.

[0101] In step S132, the control device 140 lowers the switching device 110 to connect the beverage gas common route 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the first locking mechanism 112, thereby connecting the beverage gas common route 111 to the inner bag 53, and also connects the gas common route 116 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by the second locking mechanism 117, thereby connecting the gas common route 116 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0102] Next, in step S133, the control device 140 controls the opening of the eighth on-off valve 122 and the seventh on-off valve 121, supplying gas (air) from the gas supply source 126 through the gas supply path 118 and the common gas path 116 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 as indicated by arrow E in Figure 17, and the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is taken out of the inner bag 53 through the beverage outlet 125 via the beverage outlet pipe 61 of the fitting 54, the common beverage gas path 111 and the beverage outlet path 115 as indicated by arrow F.

[0103] Next, in step S134, the control device 140 controls the eighth on-off valve 122 to close after a predetermined time has elapsed since the beverage W was removed from the beverage outlet 125, thereby stopping the supply of gas (air) from the gas supply source 126. Here, the beverage outlet 125 is connected to a beer server that dispenses beer, for example, when the beverage W is beer. The "predetermined time" is, for example, the time from the start of business hours when the beer server begins dispensing beer to the end of business hours when the beer server ends dispensing beer.

[0104] Finally, in step S135, the control device 140 controls the seventh on-off valve 121 to close, thereby stopping the dispensing of the beverage W from the beverage outlet 125. This completes the process of removing the beverage from the inner bag 53.

[0105] Thus, according to the beverage filling system 101 for containers with inner bags and the switching device 110 used in the beverage filling system 101 according to the second embodiment, the switching device 110 has a beverage and gas common path 111 through which beverages and gas can flow, a beverage supply path 113 connected to the beverage and gas common path 111, a gas suction path 114 connected to the beverage and gas common path 111, and a beverage extraction path 115 connected to the beverage and gas common path 111, which are connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by a first locking mechanism 12 and communicate with the inside of the inner bag 53 when connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). Furthermore, the switching device 110 has a gas common path 116 through which gas can flow, a gas supply path 118 connected to the gas common path 116, and a gas release path 119 connected to the gas common path 16, which are connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) by a second locking mechanism 117 and communicate with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 when connected to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). In addition, the switching device 110 has a seventh on-off valve 121 provided in the drinking gas common path 111 and an eighth on-off valve 122 provided in the gas common path 116.

[0106] Furthermore, the beverage filling system 101 includes a control device 140 that controls the opening and closing of the seventh on-off valve 121 and the eighth on-off valve 122 of the switching device 110, controls the connection and disconnection of the first locking mechanism 112 of the switching device 110 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56), and controls the connection and disconnection of the second locking mechanism 117 of the switching device 110 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56).

[0107] Furthermore, when degassing the inner bag 53, the control device 140 connects the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 112, and with the beverage gas common path 111 in communication with the inner bag 53, controls the device to open the seventh on-off valve 121, thereby drawing the gas inside the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 111, and the gas suction path 114.

[0108] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 140 connects the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 112, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path 111 to the inside of the inner bag 53, and connects the gas common path 116 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the second locking mechanism 117, thereby connecting the gas common path 116 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In this state, the control device 140 controls the system to open the seventh on-off valve 121 and the eighth on-off valve 122, thereby filling the inside of the inner bag 53 with the beverage W from the beverage supply path 113 through the beverage gas common path 111 and the fitting 54, and simultaneously discharges the gas in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside via the gas common path 116 and the gas release path 119.

[0109] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the control device 140 connects the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the first locking mechanism 112, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path 111 to the inside of the inner bag 53, and connects the gas common path 116 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) using the second locking mechanism 117, thereby connecting the gas common path 116 to the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In this state, the control device 40 controls the opening of the eighth on-off valve 122 and the seventh on-off valve 121 to supply gas from the gas supply path 118 through the gas common path 116 to the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, thereby removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 from the inner bag 53 via the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 111, and the beverage removal path 115. This allows for the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50 under specific practical conditions, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage W, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53.

[0110] The control device 140 controls the opening and closing of the seventh on-off valve 121 and the eighth on-off valve 122 of the switching device 110, the connection and disconnection of the first locking mechanism 112 of the switching device 110 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56), and the connection and disconnection of the second locking mechanism 117 of the switching device 110 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56). This allows the inner bag 53 of the container with inner bag 50 to be degassed, the inner bag 53 to be filled with beverage, and the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 to be removed. Therefore, the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the container with inner bag 50, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 can be automated (no manual work required).

[0111] Furthermore, according to the beverage filling system 101 for containers with inner bags as per the second embodiment, when filling the inner bag 53 with beverage W, the control device 140 controls the system to open the 8th valve 122 before controlling the system to open the 7th valve 121 and the 8th valve 122. The system then controls the system to open the 8th valve 122 to pressurize the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 until the pressure is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, and then controls the system to close the 8th valve 122. This prevents a lack of flavor due to foaming.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the beverage filling system 101 for containers with inner bags and the switching device 110 used in the beverage filling system 101 according to the second embodiment, the switching device 110 is equipped with a cleaning liquid supply path 120 connected to a common beverage gas path 111.

[0113] Then, with the connection of the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 (first opening 56) released by the first locking mechanism 112, the control device 140 controls the seventh on-off valve 2121 to open, and supplies cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply path 120 through the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 (mounting part 55) attached to the mouthpiece 52 of the outer container 51 to clean the fitting 54 (mounting part 55). This allows for the automatic degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50, filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage, and removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, as well as the automatic cleaning of the fitting 54 (mounting part 55) attached to the mouthpiece 52 of the outer container 51.

[0114] Furthermore, according to the method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage according to the second embodiment, when degassing the inner bag 53, the first locking mechanism 112 connects the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 and, with the beverage gas common path 111 in communication with the inner bag 53, the seventh on / off valve 121 is opened to draw out the gas in the inner bag 53 from the fitting 54 and the beverage gas common path 111 through the gas suction path 114.

[0115] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the first locking mechanism 112 connects the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54, allowing the beverage gas common path 111 to communicate with the inside of the inner bag 53, and the second locking mechanism 117 connects the gas common path 116 to the fitting 54, allowing the gas common path 116 to communicate with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. With these settings, the seventh on-off valve 121 and the eighth on-off valve 122 are opened to fill the inside of the inner bag 53 with the beverage W from the beverage supply path 113 through the beverage gas common path 111 and the fitting 54, while simultaneously discharging the gas in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside via the gas common path 116 and the gas release path 119.

[0116] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the first locking mechanism 112 connects the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54, allowing the beverage gas common path 111 to communicate with the inside of the inner bag 53, and the second locking mechanism 117 connects the gas common path 116 to the fitting 54, allowing the gas common path 116 to communicate with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. With these settings, the eighth on-off valve 122 and the seventh on-off valve 121 are opened to supply gas from the gas supply path 118 through the gas common path 116 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, thereby removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 111, and the beverage removal path 115. This allows for the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50 under specific practical conditions, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage W, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53.

[0117] Furthermore, according to the method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage according to the second embodiment, with the connection of the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 released by the first locking mechanism 112, the seventh on-off valve 121 is opened and cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply path 120 through the beverage gas common path 111 to the fitting 54 attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51 to clean the fitting 54. This allows for degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50, filling the inner bag 53 with beverage, and removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, as well as cleaning of the fitting 54 (mounting part 55) attached to the mouth part 52 of the outer container 51.

[0118] (Third embodiment) Next, a beverage filling system for containers with inner bags according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 27. The beverage filling system 201 shown in Figure 19, like the beverage filling system 1 shown in Figure 1, degasss the inner bag 53 of the container with an inner bag, fills the inner bag 53 with beverage, and then removes the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53. In addition, the beverage filling system 1 can also clean the fitting 54 (mounting part 55), which is attached to the nozzle 52 of the outer container 51 as a beverage filling and removal member.

[0119] However, unlike the beverage filling system 1 shown in Figure 1, the beverage filling system 201 shown in Figure 19 uses a first valve 212 instead of a first locking mechanism 12 to open the beverage gas common path 211 to the inside of the inner bag 53 and to release the communication with the inside of the inner bag 53. Also, instead of a second locking mechanism 17, a second valve 217 opens the gas common path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 and to release the communication with the space 57.

[0120] First, the container with an inner bag 50 comprises an outer container 51 having a nozzle portion 52, an inner bag 53 provided inside the outer container 51, and a fitting 54 attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51 as a beverage filling and dispensing member. The outer container 51 is a metal container having an internal space in which the inner bag 53 is placed. Furthermore, the inner bag 53 contains the beverage W (see Figure 22) and is detachably attached to the outer surface of the beverage dispensing tube 61, which will be described later, of the fitting 54. The inner bag 53 is replaced when all of the beverage W inside has been removed.

[0121] The fitting 54 is attached to the spout 52 of the outer container 51 for filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W and for removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53. The fitting 54 has a mounting portion 55 that is attached to the nozzle portion 52. A first opening 56 is formed in the center of the mounting portion 55 into which the beverage gas common path 211 and the gas common path 216 of the beverage filling system 201 are inserted and connected. Furthermore, the fitting 54 is equipped with a beverage outlet pipe 61 located below the mounting portion 55 and inside the outer container 51. As described above, an inner bag 53 is removably attached to the outer surface of the beverage outlet pipe 61. The beverage W from the beverage gas common route 211 of the beverage filling system 201 is filled into the inner bag 53 through the beverage outlet pipe 61. The beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is then drawn out through the beverage outlet pipe 61 to the beverage gas common route 211.

[0122] The beverage filling system 1 is further equipped with a switching device 210 and a control device 240. The switching device 210 includes a common beverage gas route 211 through which beverage W and gas (air) can flow, a beverage supply route 213 connected to the common beverage gas route 211, a gas suction route 214 connected to the common beverage gas route 211, and a beverage extraction route 215 connected to the common beverage gas route 211, as well as a common gas route 216 through which gas (air) can flow, a gas supply route 218 connected to the common gas route 216, and a gas release route 219 connected to the common gas route 216. Each of the common beverage gas route 211, beverage supply route 213, gas suction route 214, beverage extraction route 215, common gas route 216, gas supply route 218, and gas release route 219 is composed of piping.

[0123] The common beverage gas route 211 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50 when the switching device 210 is lowered. This opens the first valve 212, and the common beverage gas route 211 is connected to the inside of the inner bag 53. On the other hand, when the switching device 210 rises, the common beverage gas route 211 rises from the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50, closing the first valve 212 and releasing communication with the inside of the inner bag 53.

[0124] Furthermore, when the switching device 210 is lowered, the common gas path 216 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50. This opens the second valve 217, and the common gas path 216 communicates with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. On the other hand, when the switching device 210 rises, the common gas path 216 rises from the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50, closing the second valve 217 and releasing communication with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0125] The beverage supply route 213, which is connected to the common beverage gas route 211, is connected to the beverage supply source 227. The beverage supply route 213 is also equipped with a first on / off valve 221. Furthermore, the beverage supply route 213 is fitted with a flow meter 233 for detecting the flow rate of the beverage W flowing through it. Furthermore, the gas suction path 214, which is connected to the common drinking gas path 211, is connected to the suction device 228. The gas suction path 214 is equipped with a second on-off valve 222. The gas suction path 214 is also equipped with a first gas pressure gauge 234 for detecting the gas pressure within the gas suction path 214. Furthermore, the beverage outlet 215, which is connected to the common beverage gas route 211, is connected to the beverage outlet 229. A third on / off valve 223 is provided in the beverage outlet 215.

[0126] Furthermore, the gas supply route 218, which is connected to the common gas route 216, is connected to the gas supply source 230. A fourth on-off valve 224 is provided in the gas supply route 218. A second gas pressure gauge 235 is also installed in the gas supply route 218 to detect the gas pressure within the gas supply route 218. Furthermore, the gas release route 219, which is connected to the common gas route 216, is connected to the gas release system 231. A fifth on / off valve 225 is provided in the gas release route 219.

[0127] Furthermore, the switching device 210 includes a cleaning solution supply path 220 connected to the common drinking gas path 211. The cleaning solution supply path 220 is connected to the cleaning solution supply source 232. A sixth on-off valve 226 is also provided in the cleaning solution supply path 220.

[0128] Furthermore, the control device 240 controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 221, second on-off valve 222, third on-off valve 223, fourth on-off valve 224, and fifth on-off valve 225 of the switching device 210, controls the opening and closing of the common drinking gas route 211 to the inner bag 53 by the first valve 212 of the switching device 210, and controls the opening and closing of the common gas route 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 by the second valve 217 of the switching device 210. Furthermore, the control device 240 also controls the opening and closing of the sixth on-off valve 226 of the switching device 210. The control device 240 is connected to a first on-off valve 221, a second on-off valve 222, a third on-off valve 223, a fourth on-off valve 224, a fifth on-off valve 225, and a sixth on-off valve 226, as well as a flow meter 233, a first gas pressure gauge 234, a second gas pressure gauge 235, and a lifting device (not shown) for the switching device 210.

[0129] Then, as shown in Figure 20, when degassing the inner bag 53, the control device 240 controls the second on-off valve 222 to open while the first valve 212 is connected to the inner bag 53 via the common beverage gas path 211, and the suction device 228 sucks the gas from the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54 and the common beverage gas path 211 to the gas suction path 214, as indicated by arrow A. The processing flow in the control device 240 during the degassing process inside the inner bag 53 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 21.

[0130] First, in step S201, the control device 240 lowers the switching device 210 to insert the common beverage gas route 211 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the first valve 212 to connect the common beverage gas route 211 to the inner bag 53. At the same time, the control device 240 inserts the common gas path 216 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 and controls the second valve 217 to connect the common gas path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0131] Next, in step S202, the control device 240 controls the second on-off valve 222 to open and the suction device 228 to suck out the gas inside the inner bag 53 in the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 2 to degas it. Next, in step S203, the first gas pressure gauge 234 detects the pressure of the gas in the gas suction path 214, thereby detecting the pressure inside the inner bag 53, and the control device 240 acquires the detected pressure value inside the inner bag 53.

[0132] Next, in step S204, the control device 240 determines whether the detected pressure, i.e., the pressure value acquired in step S203, has been maintained at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time. Here, "predetermined pressure" refers to the pressure inside the inner bag 53 at which the pressure has decreased and can no longer decrease. Also, "predetermined time" is, for example, about 10 to 30 seconds. If the result of the determination in step S204 is NO, the process returns to step S203 and steps S203 and S204 are repeated. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S205.

[0133] In step S205, the control device 240 maintains the state in which the pressure value acquired in step S203 has reached a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time, and therefore controls the device to close the second on-off valve 22, assuming that the degassing of the inner bag 53 is complete. This completes the degassing process inside the inner bag 53. The degassing process inside the inner bag 53 is performed because if gas (air) is present inside the inner bag 53 when the beverage W is filled into it, the beverage W will deteriorate due to that gas (air), for example, if it is beer. Therefore, the inside of the inner bag 53 is degassed before the beverage W is filled into the inner bag 53.

[0134] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 240 connects the beverage gas common path 211 to the inside of the inner bag 53 using the first valve 212, and connects the gas common path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 using the second valve 217. In this state, as shown in Figure 22, the control device 40 controls the opening of the first on-off valve 221 and the fifth on-off valve 225 to fill the inside of the inner bag 53 with the beverage W from the beverage supply path 213 through the beverage gas common path 211 and fitting 54 as indicated by arrow B, and discharges the gas (air) in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside from the gas release system 231 via the gas release path 219 through the gas release path 216 as indicated by arrow C.

[0135] However, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 240 controls the opening of the first on-off valve 221 and the fifth on-off valve 225, but before doing so, it controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 224 to supply gas (air) from the gas supply source 230 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, pressurizing the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 until the pressure is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, and then controls the closing of the fourth on-off valve 224. The reason for this is to prevent insufficient flavor due to foaming. If the pressure in the space between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is not the same as the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, the beverage W will foam up and it will be impossible to fill. The processing flow in the control device 240 during the beverage filling process into the inner bag 53 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 23.

[0136] First, in step S211, the control device 240 determines whether, after degassing the inner bag 53, the first valve 212 connects the drinking gas common path 211 to the inner bag 53, and whether the second valve 217 connects the gas common path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. If the result of the determination in step S211 is NO, the process proceeds to step S212. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S213.

[0137] In step S212, the control device 240 lowers the switching device 210 to insert the beverage gas common route 211 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the first valve 212 to open so that the beverage gas common route 211 communicates with the inner bag 53. At the same time, it inserts the gas common route 216 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the second valve 217 to open so that the gas common route 216 communicates with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. After step S212 is completed, the process proceeds to step S213.

[0138] Then, in step S213, the control device 240 controls the fourth on-off valve 224 to open, supplying gas (air) from the gas supply source 230 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, thereby increasing the pressure in the space 57.

[0139] Next, in step S214, the control device 240 determines whether the pressure in the space 57 has become equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled. Here, the pressure in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is detected by a second gas pressure gauge 235 installed in the gas supply path 218, which detects the gas pressure in the gas supply path 218. The liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled is stored in the control device 240 in advance. The control device 240 then determines that the pressure in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled when the pressure value detected by the second gas pressure gauge 235 becomes equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled.

[0140] If the result of the determination in step S214 is NO, the process returns to step S213 and repeats step S214. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S215. In step S215, the control device 240 controls the fourth on-off valve 224 to close, thereby stopping the supply of gas (air) from the gas supply source 230 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0141] Next, in step S216, the control device 240 controls the opening of the first on-off valve 221 and the fifth on-off valve 225, so that the beverage W from the beverage supply source 227 is filled into the inside of the inner bag 53 as indicated by arrow B via the beverage supply path 213, the beverage gas common path 211 and the beverage outlet pipe 261 of the fitting 54, and the gas (air) in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is discharged to the outside from the gas common path 16, via the gas outlet path 19 and then from the gas outlet system 31 as indicated by arrow C.

[0142] Next, in step S217, the control device 240 determines whether the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 has reached the specified amount. Here, the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 is determined from the flow rate of the beverage W flowing through the beverage supply path 213, which is detected by the flow meter 233 installed in the beverage supply path 213. Then, if the result of the determination in step S217 is NO, the process returns to step S216; if the result is YES, the process proceeds to step S218.

[0143] In step S218, the control device 240 controls the first on-off valve 221 to close, stopping the filling of the beverage W from the beverage supply source 227 into the inner bag 53, because the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 has reached the specified amount, and also controls the fifth on-off valve 225 to close. This completes the process of filling the inner bag 53 with beverage.

[0144] Furthermore, the beverage filling system 201 can also clean the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51. The mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 can be cleaned at any time while the mounting portion 55 is attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51. Figure 24 shows the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54, which is performed after the beverage W has been filled into the inner bag 53.

[0145] Here, when cleaning the fitting 54, the control device 240 controls the sixth on-off valve 226 to open while the first valve 212 has released the communication of the common beverage gas path 211 into the inner bag 53, thereby supplying cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply source 232 to the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the mouth portion 52 of the outer container 51, as indicated by arrow D, via the cleaning liquid supply path 220 and the common beverage gas path 211. The processing flow in the control device 240 during the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 25.

[0146] First, in step S221, the control device 240 determines whether the beverage gas common path 211 is connected to the inner bag 53 and whether the gas common path 216 is connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In making this determination, if the switching device 210 is lowered relative to the fitting 54, it is determined that the beverage gas common path 211 is connected to the inner bag 53 and the gas common path 216 is connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. On the other hand, if the switching device 10 is raised relative to the fitting 54, it is determined that the beverage gas common path 211 is not connected to the inner bag 53 and the gas common path 216 is not connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. If the result of the determination in step S221 is NO (meaning there is no communication), the process proceeds to step S223. If the result of the determination is YES (meaning there is communication), the process proceeds to step S222.

[0147] In step S222, the control device 240 controls the switching device 210 to raise it, closing the first valve 212 to release the communication of the common beverage gas path 211 to the inner bag 53, and closing the second valve 217 to release the communication of the common gas path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0148] Next, in step S223, the control device 240 controls the sixth on-off valve 226 to open, and supplies cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply source 232 to the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the mouthpiece portion 52 of the outer container 51 via the cleaning liquid supply path 220 and the common beverage gas path 211, as shown by arrow D in Figure 24, thereby cleaning the mounting portion 55.

[0149] Next, in step S224, the control device 240 controls the sixth on-off valve 226 to close after a predetermined cleaning time has elapsed, thereby stopping the supply of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid supply source 232. This completes the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54.

[0150] Furthermore, when the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is removed, the control device 240 opens the beverage gas common path 211 into the inner bag 53 using the first valve 212, and opens the gas common path 216 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 using the second valve 217. In this state, the control device 240 controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 224 and the third on-off valve 223, supplying the beverage W from the gas supply path 218 through the gas common path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 as indicated by arrow E in Figure 26, and then removes the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 from the inner bag 53 through the beverage removal pipe 61 of the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 211, and the beverage removal path 215 to the beverage outlet 229. The processing flow in the control device 240 during the beverage removal process from the inner bag 53 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 27.

[0151] First, in step S231, the control device 240 fills the inner bag 53 with the beverage W and then determines whether the beverage gas common path 211 is connected to the inner bag 53 and whether the gas common path 216 is connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In making this determination, if the switching device 10 is lowered relative to the fitting 54, it is determined that the beverage gas common path 211 is connected to the inner bag 53 and the gas common path 216 is connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. On the other hand, if the switching device 210 is raised relative to the fitting 54, it is determined that the beverage gas common path 211 is not connected to the inner bag 53 and the gas common path 216 is not connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. If the result of the determination in step S231 is NO (meaning there is no communication), the process proceeds to step S232. If the result of the determination in step S231 is YES (meaning there is communication), the process proceeds to step S233.

[0152] In step S232, the control device 240 lowers the switching device 210 to insert the common beverage gas route 211 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and opens the first valve 212 to connect the common beverage gas route 211 to the inner bag 53. At the same time, it inserts the common gas route 216 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 and opens the second valve 217 to connect the common gas route 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0153] Next, in step S233, the control device 240 controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 224 and the third on-off valve 223, supplying gas (air) from the gas supply source 230 through the gas supply path 218 and the common gas path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 as indicated by arrow E in Figure 26, and the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is taken out of the inner bag 53 through the beverage outlet 229 via the beverage outlet pipe 61 of the fitting 54, the common beverage gas path 211 and the beverage outlet path 215 as indicated by arrow F.

[0154] Next, in step S234, the control device 240 controls the fourth on-off valve 224 to close after a predetermined time has elapsed since the beverage W was removed from the beverage outlet 229, thereby stopping the supply of gas (air) from the gas supply source 230. Here, the beverage outlet 229 is connected to a beer server that dispenses beer, for example, when the beverage W is beer. The "predetermined time" is, for example, the time from the start of business hours when the beer server begins dispensing beer to the end of business hours when the beer server ends dispensing beer.

[0155] Finally, in step S235, the control device 240 controls the third on-off valve 223 to close, thereby stopping the dispensing of the beverage W from the beverage outlet 229. This completes the process of removing the beverage from the inner bag 53.

[0156] Thus, according to the beverage filling system 201 for containers with inner bags and the switching device 210 used in the beverage filling system 201 according to the third embodiment, the switching device 210 has a beverage gas common path 211 through which beverage W and gas can flow, which is connected to and disconnected from the inner bag 53 by a first valve 212, a beverage supply path 213 connected to the beverage gas common path 211, a gas suction path 214 connected to the beverage gas common path 211, and a beverage removal path 215 connected to the beverage gas common path 211. Furthermore, the switching device 210 has a gas common path 216 through which gas can flow, which is connected to and disconnected from the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 by a second valve 217, a gas supply path 218 connected to the gas common path 216, and a gas release path 219 connected to the gas common path 216. Furthermore, the switching device 210 includes a first on-off valve 221 provided in the beverage supply path 213, a second on-off valve 222 provided in the gas suction path 214, a third on-off valve 223 provided in the beverage extraction path 215, a fourth on-off valve 224 provided in the gas supply path 218, and a fifth on-off valve 225 provided in the gas release path 219.

[0157] The beverage filling system 201 is equipped with a control device 240 that controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 221, second on-off valve 222, third on-off valve 223, fourth on-off valve 224, and fifth on-off valve 225 of the switching device 210, controls the opening and closing of the beverage gas common path 211 to the inner bag 53 by the first valve 212 of the switching device 210, and controls the opening and closing of the gas common path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 by the second valve 217 of the switching device 210.

[0158] Furthermore, when degassing the inner bag 53, the control device 240 controls the second on-off valve 222 to open while the first valve 212 is connected to the inner bag 53 via the common beverage gas path 211, thereby drawing the gas from the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54, which serves as a beverage filling and removal member, and the common beverage gas path 211, via the gas suction path 214.

[0159] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 240 connects the beverage gas common path 211 to the inside of the inner bag 53 using the first valve 212, and connects the gas common path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 using the second valve 217. In this state, the control device 240 controls the device to open the first on-off valve 221 and the fifth on-off valve 225, thereby filling the inside of the inner bag 53 with the beverage W from the beverage supply path 213 through the beverage gas common path 211 and fitting 54, and discharging the gas in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside through the gas common path 216 and the gas release path 219.

[0160] Furthermore, when removing the beverage filled in the inner bag 53, the control device 240 opens the beverage gas common path 211 into the inner bag 53 using the first valve 212, and opens the gas common path 216 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 using the second valve 217. In this state, the control device 240 controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 224 and the third on-off valve 223 to supply gas from the gas supply path 218 through the gas common path 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, and removes the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 from the inner bag 53 via the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 211, and the beverage removal path 215. This allows for the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50 under specific practical conditions, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage W, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53.

[0161] The control device 240 controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 221, second on-off valve 222, third on-off valve 223, fourth on-off valve 224, and fifth on-off valve 225 of the switching device 210, controls the opening and closing of the beverage gas common path 211 to and from the inner bag 53 by the first valve 212 of the switching device 210, and controls the opening and closing of the gas common path 216 to and from the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 by the second valve 217 of the switching device 210. As a result, the inner bag 53 of the container with an inner bag 50 is degassed, the beverage is filled into the inner bag 53, and the beverage W filled into the inner bag 53 can be removed.

[0162] Furthermore, according to the beverage filling system 201 for containers with inner bags as a third embodiment, when filling the inner bag 53 with beverage W, the control device 240 controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve 224 before controlling the opening of the first on-off valve 221 and the fifth on-off valve 225, thereby pressurizing the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 until the pressure becomes equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, and then controls the closing of the fourth on-off valve 224. This prevents a lack of flavor due to foaming.

[0163] Furthermore, according to the beverage filling system 201 for containers with inner bags and the switching device 210 used in the beverage filling system 201 according to the third embodiment, the switching device 210 includes a cleaning liquid supply path 220 connected to a common beverage gas path 211 and a sixth on-off valve 226 provided in the cleaning liquid supply path 220. The control device 240 controls the opening and closing of the sixth on-off valve 226 of the switching device 210.

[0164] Then, the control device 240, with the first valve 212 releasing the connection of the common beverage gas path 211 to the inner bag 53, controls the sixth on / off valve 226 to open, thereby supplying cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply path 220 through the common beverage gas path 211 to the fitting 54 (mounting portion 55) attached to the mouthpiece portion 52 of the outer container 51, and cleaning the fitting 54 (mounting portion 55). This allows for the automatic degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50, filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage, and removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, as well as the automatic cleaning of the fitting 54 (mounting part 55) attached to the mouthpiece 52 of the outer container 51.

[0165] Furthermore, according to the method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage according to the third embodiment, when degassing the inside of the inner bag 53, the first valve 212 opens the beverage gas common path 211 into the inner bag 53, and the second on-off valve 222 is opened to draw the gas inside the inner bag 53 from the beverage gas common path 211 through the gas suction path 214.

[0166] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the first valve 212 opens the beverage gas common path 211 into the inner bag 53, and the second valve 217 opens the gas common path 216 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. At the same time, the first on-off valve 221 is opened and the fifth on-off valve 225 is opened to fill the inner bag 53 with the beverage W from the beverage supply path 213 through the beverage gas common path 211, and the gas in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is discharged to the outside from the gas common path 216 through the gas release path 219.

[0167] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the first valve 212 opens the beverage gas common path 211 into the inner bag 53, and the second valve 217 opens the gas common path 216 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. Then, the fourth on-off valve 224 and the third on-off valve 223 are opened to supply gas from the gas supply path 218 through the gas common path 216 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, and the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is removed from the inner bag 53 via the beverage gas common path 211 and the beverage removal path 215. This allows for the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50 under specific practical conditions, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage W, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53.

[0168] Furthermore, according to the method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage according to the third embodiment, with the first valve 212 releasing the common beverage gas path 211 into the inner bag 53, the sixth on / off valve 226 is opened to supply cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply path 220 through the common beverage gas path 211 to the fitting 54 attached to the mouthpiece portion 52 of the outer container 51, thereby cleaning the fitting 54. This allows for degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50, filling the inner bag 53 with beverage, and removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, as well as cleaning of the fitting 54 (mounting part 55) attached to the mouth part 52 of the outer container 51.

[0169] (Fourth Embodiment) A beverage filling system for containers with inner bags according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 28 to 36. The beverage filling system 301 shown in Figure 28, like the beverage filling system 201 shown in Figure 19, degasss the inner bag 53 of the container with an inner bag, fills the inner bag 53 with beverage, and then removes the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53. The beverage filling system 301 can also clean the fitting 54 (mounting part 55), which is attached to the nozzle 52 of the outer container 51 as a beverage filling and removal member.

[0170] The difference between the beverage filling system 301 shown in Figure 28 and the beverage filling system 201 shown in Figure 19 is that in the switching device 210 of the beverage filling system 201 shown in Figure 19, a first on-off valve 221 is provided in the beverage supply path 213, a second on-off valve 222 is provided in the gas suction path 214, and a third on-off valve 223 is provided in the beverage extraction path 215. However, in the beverage filling system 301 shown in Figure 28, these first on-off valve 221, second on-off valve 222, and third on-off valve 223 are provided as a common seventh on-off valve 321 in the beverage gas common path 311. Furthermore, in the switching device 210 of the beverage filling system 201 shown in Figure 19, a fourth on-off valve 224 is provided in the gas supply path 218 and a fifth on-off valve 225 is provided in the gas release path 219. However, the beverage filling system 301 shown in Figure 28 differs in that these fourth on-off valves 224 and the fifth on-off valves 225 are provided as a common eighth on-off valve 322 in the common gas path 316.

[0171] The beverage filling system 301 will now be described in detail. The beverage filling system 301 includes a switching device 310 and a control device 340. The switching device 310 includes a common beverage gas route 3111 through which beverage W and gas (air) can flow, a beverage supply route 313 connected to the common beverage gas route 3111, a gas suction route 314 connected to the common beverage gas route 311, and a beverage extraction route 315 connected to the common beverage gas route 311. The switching device 310 also includes a common gas route 316 through which gas (air) can flow, a gas supply route 318 connected to the common gas route 316, and a gas release route 319 connected to the common gas route 316. Each of the common beverage gas route 311, beverage supply route 313, gas suction route 314, beverage extraction route 315, common gas route 316, gas supply route 318, and gas release route 319 is composed of piping.

[0172] Furthermore, the switching device 310 includes a seventh on-off valve 321 provided in the common beverage gas path 311 and an eighth on-off valve 322 provided in the common gas path 316. The common beverage gas path 311 is equipped with a flow meter 329 for detecting the flow rate of beverage W flowing through the common beverage gas path 311. The common beverage gas path 311 is also equipped with a third gas pressure gauge 330 for detecting the gas pressure within the common beverage gas path 311. In addition, the common gas path 316 is equipped with a fourth gas pressure gauge 331 for detecting the gas pressure within the common gas path 316.

[0173] The common beverage gas route 311 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50 when the switching device 310 is lowered. This opens the first valve 312, and the common beverage gas route 311 is connected to the inside of the inner bag 53. On the other hand, when the switching device 310 rises, the common beverage gas route 311 rises from the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50, closing the first valve 312 and releasing communication with the inside of the inner bag 53.

[0174] Furthermore, when the switching device 310 is lowered, the common gas path 316 is inserted into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50. This opens the second valve 317, and the common gas path 316 communicates with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. On the other hand, when the switching device 310 rises, the common gas path 316 rises from the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 of the inner bag container 50, closing the second valve 317 and releasing communication with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0175] The beverage supply route 313, which is connected to the common beverage gas route 311, is connected to the beverage supply source 323. The gas suction route 314, also connected to the common beverage gas route 311, is connected to the suction device 324. Furthermore, the beverage extraction route 315, also connected to the common beverage gas route 311, is connected to the beverage outlet 325.

[0176] Furthermore, the gas supply route 318, which is connected to the common gas route 316, is connected to the gas supply source 326. In addition, the gas release route 319, which is connected to the common gas route 316, is connected to the gas release system 327. Furthermore, the switching device 310 includes a cleaning solution supply path 320 connected to the common drinking gas path 311. The cleaning solution supply path 320 is connected to the cleaning solution supply source 328.

[0177] Furthermore, the control device 340 controls the opening and closing of the seventh on-off valve 321 and the eighth on-off valve 322 of the switching device 310, the opening and closing of the common drinking gas route 311 to the inner bag 53 by the first valve 312 of the switching device 310, and the opening and closing of the common gas route 216 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 by the second valve 317 of the switching device 310. The control device 340 is connected to the seventh on-off valve 321 and the eighth on-off valve 322, a flow meter 329, a third gas pressure gauge 330 and a fourth gas pressure gauge 331, and a lifting device (not shown) for the switching device 110.

[0178] Then, as shown in Figure 29, when degassing the inner bag 53, the control device 340 controls the opening of the seventh on-off valve 321 while the first valve 312 is connected to the inner bag 53 via the common beverage gas path 311, and the suction device 324 sucks the gas from the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54 and the common beverage gas path 311 to the gas suction path 314, as indicated by arrow A. The processing flow in the control device 340 during the degassing process inside the inner bag 53 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 30.

[0179] First, in step S301, the control device 340 lowers the switching device 310 to insert the common beverage gas route 311 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and controls the first valve 312 to connect the common beverage gas route 311 to the inner bag 53. At the same time, the control device 340 inserts the common gas path 316 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 and controls the second valve 317 to connect the common gas path 316 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0180] Next, in step S302, the control device 340 controls the seventh on-off valve 321 to open and the suction device 324 sucks the gas inside the inner bag 53 in the direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 29 to degas it. Next, in step S303, the third gas pressure gauge 330 detects the pressure inside the inner bag 53 by detecting the gas pressure in the common beverage gas path 311, and the control device 340 acquires the detected pressure value inside the inner bag 53.

[0181] Next, in step S304, the control device 340 determines whether the detected pressure, i.e., the pressure value obtained in step S303, has been maintained at a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time. Here, "predetermined pressure" refers to the pressure inside the inner bag 53 at which the pressure has decreased and can no longer decrease. Also, "predetermined time" is, for example, about 10 to 30 seconds. If the result of the determination in step S304 is NO, the process returns to step S303 and steps S303 and S304 are repeated. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S305.

[0182] In step S305, the control device 340 maintains the state in which the pressure value acquired in step S303 has reached a predetermined pressure for a predetermined time, and therefore controls the device to close the seventh on-off valve 321, assuming that the degassing of the inner bag 53 is complete. This completes the degassing process inside the inner bag 53. The degassing process inside the inner bag 53 is performed because if gas (air) is present inside the inner bag 53 when the beverage W is filled into it, the beverage W will deteriorate due to that gas (air), for example, if it is beer. Therefore, the inside of the inner bag 53 is degassed before the beverage W is filled into the inner bag 53.

[0183] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 340 opens the beverage gas common path 311 into the inner bag 53 using the first valve 312, and opens the gas common path 316 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 using the second valve 317. In this state, as shown in Figure 31, the control device 340 controls the system to open the seventh on-off valve 321 and the eighth on-off valve 322, thereby filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W from the beverage supply path 313 through the beverage gas common path 311 and fitting 54 as indicated by arrow B, and also discharges the gas (air) in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside from the gas common path 316 through the gas release path 319 and the gas release system 327 as indicated by arrow C.

[0184] However, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 340 controls the operation to open the 7th on-off valve 321 and the 8th on-off valve 322, but before doing so, it controls the operation to open the 8th on-off valve 322 to supply gas (air) from the gas supply source 326 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, pressurizing the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 until the pressure is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, and then controls the operation to close the 8th on-off valve 322. The reason for this is to prevent a lack of flavor due to effervescence. The processing flow in the control device 340 during the beverage filling process into the inner bag 53 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 32.

[0185] First, in step S311, the control device 340 determines whether, after degassing the inner bag 53, the first valve 312 connects the drinking gas common path 311 to the inner bag 53, and whether the second valve 317 connects the gas common path 316 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. If the result of the determination in step S311 is NO, the process proceeds to step S312. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S313.

[0186] In step S312, the control device 240 lowers the switching device 310 to insert the beverage gas common route 311 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, controls the first valve 312 to open so that the beverage gas common route 311 communicates with the inner bag 53, and also controls the gas common route 316 to insert it into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, controls the second valve 317 to open so that the gas common route 316 communicates with the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. After step S312 is completed, the process proceeds to step S313.

[0187] Then, in step S313, the control device 340 controls the opening of the eighth on-off valve 322 to supply gas (air) from the gas supply source 326 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, thereby increasing the pressure in the space 57.

[0188] Next, in step S314, the control device 340 determines whether the pressure in the space has become equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled. Here, the pressure in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is detected by a fourth gas pressure gauge 331 installed in the common gas path 316, which detects the gas pressure in the common gas path 316. The liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled is stored in the control device 340 in advance. The control device 340 then determines that the pressure in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled when the pressure value detected by the fourth gas pressure gauge 331 becomes equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W to be filled.

[0189] If the result of the determination in step S314 is NO, the process returns to step S313 and repeats step S314. If the result of the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S315. In step S315, the control device 340 controls the eighth on-off valve 322 to close, thereby stopping the supply of gas (air) from the gas supply source 326 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0190] Next, in step S316, the control device 340 controls the system to open the seventh on-off valve 321 and the eighth on-off valve 322, thereby filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W from the beverage supply source 323 via the beverage supply path 313, the beverage gas common path 311, and the beverage outlet pipe 61 of the fitting 54, as indicated by arrow B. At the same time, the gas (air) in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 is discharged to the outside from the gas common path 316, via the gas release path 319, and through the gas release system 327, as indicated by arrow C.

[0191] Next, in step S317, the control device 340 determines whether the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 has reached the specified amount. Here, the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 is determined from the flow rate of the beverage W flowing through the common beverage gas path 311, which is detected by a flow meter 329 installed in the common beverage gas path 311. If the result of the determination in step S317 is NO, the process returns to step S316; if the result is YES, the process proceeds to step S318.

[0192] In step S318, the control device 340 controls the seventh on-off valve 321 to close, stopping the filling of the beverage W from the beverage supply source 323 into the inner bag 53, because the amount of beverage filled in the inner bag 53 has reached the specified amount, and also controls the eighth on-off valve 322 to close. This completes the process of filling the inner bag 53 with beverage.

[0193] Furthermore, the beverage filling system 301 can also clean the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51. The mounting portion 55 can be cleaned at any time the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 is attached to the nozzle portion 52 of the outer container 51. Figure 33 shows the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54, which is performed after the beverage W has been filled into the inner bag 53.

[0194] Here, when cleaning the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54, the control device 340 controls the seventh on-off valve 321 to open while the communication state of the common beverage gas path 311 into the inner bag 53 by the first valve 312 is released, and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source 328 to the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the mouth portion 52 of the outer container 51 via the cleaning liquid supply path 320 and the common beverage gas path 311, as indicated by arrow D. The processing flow in the control device 340 during the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowchart in Figure 34.

[0195] First, in step S321, the control device 340 determines whether the beverage gas common path 311 is connected to the inner bag 53 and whether the gas common path 316 is connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In making this determination, if the switching device 310 is lowered relative to the fitting 54, it is determined that the beverage gas common path 311 is connected to the inner bag 53 and the gas common path 216 is connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. On the other hand, if the switching device 310 is raised relative to the fitting 54, it is determined that the beverage gas common path 311 is not connected to the inner bag 53 and the gas common path 316 is not connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. If the result of the determination in step S321 is NO (meaning there is no communication), the process proceeds to step S323. If the result of the determination in step S321 is YES (meaning there is communication), the process proceeds to step S322.

[0196] In step S322, the control device 340 controls the switching device 310 to raise it, closing the first valve 312 to release the communication of the common beverage gas path 311 to the inner bag 53, and closing the second valve 317 to release the communication of the common gas path 316 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0197] Next, in step S323, the control device 340 controls the seventh on-off valve 321 to open, and supplies cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply source 328 to the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54 attached to the mouthpiece portion 52 of the outer container 51, as shown by arrow D in Figure 33, via the cleaning liquid supply path 320 and the common beverage gas path 311, thereby cleaning the mounting portion 55. Next, in step S324, the control device 340 controls the seventh on-off valve 321 to close after a predetermined cleaning time has elapsed, thereby stopping the supply of cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid supply source 328. This completes the cleaning process for the mounting portion 55 of the fitting 54.

[0198] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the control device 340 opens the beverage gas common path 311 into the inner bag 53 using the first valve 312, and opens the gas common path 316 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 using the second valve 317. In this state, the control device 340 controls the opening of the eighth on-off valve 322 and the seventh on-off valve 321 to supply gas (air) from the gas supply source 326 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 via the gas supply path 318 and the gas common path 316, as indicated by arrow E in Figure 35, and removes the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 from the inner bag 53 via the beverage removal pipe 61 of the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 311 and the beverage removal path 315, and exits through the beverage outlet 325, as indicated by arrow F. The processing flow in the control device 340 during the beverage removal process from the inner bag 53 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 36.

[0199] First, in step S331, the control device 340 determines whether, after filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the beverage gas common path 311 is connected to the inner bag 53 and the gas common path 316 is connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. In making this determination, if the switching device 310 is lowered relative to the fitting 54, it is determined that the beverage gas common path 311 is connected to the inner bag 53 and the gas common path 316 is connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. On the other hand, if the switching device 310 is raised relative to the fitting 54, it is determined that the beverage gas common path 311 is not connected to the inner bag 53 and the gas common path 316 is not connected to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. If the result of the determination in step S331 is NO (not in communication), proceed to step S332. If the result of the determination is YES (communication is established), proceed to step S333.

[0200] In step S332, the control device 340 lowers the switching device 310 to insert the beverage gas common route 311 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54, and opens the first valve 312 to connect the beverage gas common route 311 to the inner bag 53. At the same time, it inserts the gas common route 316 into the first opening 56 of the fitting 54 and opens the second valve 317 to connect the gas common route 316 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53.

[0201] Next, in step S333, the control device 340 controls the opening of the eighth on-off valve 322 and the seventh on-off valve 321, supplying gas (air) from the gas supply source 326 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 via the gas supply path 318 and the common gas path 316, as indicated by arrow E in Figure 35. The beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is then removed from the inner bag 53 via the beverage outlet 325 through the beverage outlet pipe 61 of the fitting 54, the common beverage gas path 311, and the beverage outlet path 315, as indicated by arrow F.

[0202] Next, in step S334, the control device 340 controls the eighth on-off valve 322 to close after a predetermined time has elapsed since the beverage W was removed from the beverage outlet 325, thereby stopping the supply of gas (air) from the gas supply source 326. Here, the beverage outlet 325 is connected to a beer server that dispenses beer, for example, when the beverage W is beer. The "predetermined time" is, for example, the time from the start of business hours when the beer server begins dispensing beer to the end of business hours when the beer server ends dispensing beer.

[0203] Finally, in step S335, the control device 340 controls the seventh on-off valve 321 to close, thereby stopping the dispensing of the beverage W from the beverage outlet 325. This completes the process of removing the beverage from the inner bag 53.

[0204] Thus, according to the beverage filling system 301 for containers with inner bags and the switching device 310 used in the beverage filling system 301 according to the fourth embodiment, the switching device 310 has a beverage and gas common route 311 through which beverages and gas can flow, which is connected to and disconnected from the inner bag 53 by a first valve 312, a beverage supply route 313 connected to the beverage and gas common route 311, a gas suction route 314 connected to the beverage and gas common route 311, and a beverage removal route 315 connected to the beverage and gas common route 311. Furthermore, the switching device 310 has a gas common route 316 through which gas can flow, which is connected to and disconnected from the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 by a second valve 317, a gas supply route 318 connected to the gas common route 316, and a gas release route 319 connected to the gas common route 316. Furthermore, the switching device 310 includes a seventh on-off valve 321 provided in the common drinking gas route 311 and an eighth on-off valve 322 provided in the common gas route 316.

[0205] The beverage filling system 301 is equipped with a control device 340 that controls the opening and closing of the seventh on-off valve 321 and the eighth on-off valve 322 of the switching device 310, controls the opening and closing of the beverage gas common path 311 to the inner bag 53 by the first valve 312 of the switching device 310, and controls the opening and closing of the gas common path 316 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 by the second valve 317 of the switching device 310.

[0206] Furthermore, when degassing the inner bag 53, the control device 340 controls the seventh on-off valve 321 to open while the first valve 312 is connected to the inner bag 53 via the common beverage gas path 311, thereby drawing the gas from the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54 and the common beverage gas path 311 to the gas suction path 314.

[0207] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with the beverage W, the control device 340 opens the seventh on-off valve 321 and the eighth on-off valve 322 while the first valve 312 connects the beverage gas common path 311 to the inside of the inner bag 53 and the second valve 317 connects the gas common path 316 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, thereby filling the inside of the inner bag 53 with the beverage W from the beverage supply path 313 through the beverage gas common path 311 and fitting 54, and discharging the gas in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside through the gas common path 316 and the gas release path 319.

[0208] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the control device 340 opens the beverage gas common path 311 into the inner bag 53 using the first valve 312, and opens the gas common path 316 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 using the second valve 317. In this state, the control device 340 controls the opening of the eighth on-off valve 322 and the seventh on-off valve 321 to supply gas from the gas supply path 318 through the gas common path 316 to the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, and removes the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 from the inner bag 53 via the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 311, and the beverage removal path 315. This allows for the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50 under specific practical conditions, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage W, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53.

[0209] The control device 340 controls the opening and closing of the seventh on-off valve 321 and the eighth on-off valve 322 of the switching device 310, controls the opening and closing of the beverage gas common path 311 to and from the inner bag 53 by the first valve 312 of the switching device 310, and controls the opening and closing of the gas common path 316 to and from the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 by the second valve 317 of the switching device 310. This allows the inner bag 53 of the container with an inner bag to be degassed, the inner bag 53 to be filled with beverage, and the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 to be removed. Therefore, the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the container with an inner bag, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 can be automated (no manual work required).

[0210] Furthermore, according to the beverage filling system 301 for containers with inner bags according to the fourth embodiment, when filling the inner bag 53 with beverage W, the control device 340 controls the system to open the 8th valve 322 before controlling the system to open the 7th valve 321 and the 8th valve 322, and pressurizes the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 until the pressure becomes equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage W being filled, and then controls the system to close the 8th valve 322. This prevents a lack of flavor due to foaming.

[0211] Furthermore, according to the beverage filling system 301 for containers with inner bags and the switching device 310 used in the beverage filling system 301 according to the fourth embodiment, the switching device 310 is equipped with a cleaning liquid supply path 320 connected to a common beverage gas path 311.

[0212] Then, the control device 340, with the first valve 312 releasing the connection of the common beverage gas path 311 to the inner bag 53, controls the seventh on-off valve 321 to open, thereby supplying cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply path 320 through the common beverage gas path 311 to the fitting 54 (mounting portion 55) attached to the mouthpiece portion 52 of the outer container 51, and cleaning the fitting 54 (mounting portion 55). This allows for the automatic degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50, filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage, and removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, as well as the automatic cleaning of the fitting 54 (mounting part 55) attached to the mouthpiece 52 of the outer container 51.

[0213] Furthermore, according to the method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage according to the fourth embodiment, when degassing the inner bag 53, the first valve 312 connects the beverage gas common path 311 to the inner bag 53, and the seventh on-off valve 321 is opened to draw the gas from the inner bag 53 through the fitting 54 and the beverage gas common path 311 to the gas suction path 314.

[0214] Furthermore, when filling the inner bag 53 with beverage, the first valve 312 opens the beverage gas common path 311 into the inner bag 53, and the second valve 317 opens the gas common path 316 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. With these valves open, the seventh on-off valve 321 and the eighth on-off valve 322 are opened to fill the inner bag 53 with beverage W from the beverage supply path 313 through the beverage gas common path 311 and fitting 54, while simultaneously discharging the gas in the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53 to the outside via the gas common path 316 and the gas release path 319.

[0215] Furthermore, when removing the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, the first valve 312 opens the beverage gas common path 311 into the inner bag 53, and the second valve 317 opens the gas common path 316 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53. Then, the eighth on-off valve 322 and the seventh on-off valve 321 are opened to supply gas from the gas supply path 318 through the gas common path 316 into the space 57 between the outer container 51 and the inner bag 53, and the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53 is removed from the inner bag 53 via the fitting 54, the beverage gas common path 311, and the beverage removal path 315. This allows for the degassing of the inner bag 53 of the inner bag container 50 under specific practical conditions, the filling of the inner bag 53 with beverage W, and the removal of the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53.

[0216] Also, according to the method for filling a beverage into the container with an inner bag according to the fourth embodiment, with the communication state of the beverage gas common path 311 into the inner bag 53 released by the first valve 312, the seventh on-off valve 321 is opened, and the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply path 320 through the beverage gas common path 311 to the fitting 54 attached to the base portion 52 of the outer container 51 to clean the fitting 54. Thereby, in addition to degassing the inside of the inner bag 53 of the container 50 with an inner bag, filling the beverage into the inner bag 53, and taking out the beverage W filled in the inner bag 53, it is possible to clean the fitting 54 (attachment portion 55) attached to the base portion 52 of the outer container 51.

[0217] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto and various modifications and improvements can be made. For example, as the beverage W, any beverage other than beer may be used. Also, the gas supplied from the gas supply sources 30 and 126 may be an inert gas such as nitrogen gas other than air. Also, in the beverage filling system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the beverage filling system 101 shown in FIG. 10, the beverage filling system 201 shown in FIG. 19, and the beverage filling system 301 shown in FIG. 28, the shape of the base portion 51 of the outer container 50 is not limited to that shown in the figure, and other shapes may be used. Also, in the beverage filling system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the beverage filling system 101 shown in FIG. 10, the beverage filling system 201 shown in FIG. 19, and the beverage filling system 301 shown in FIG. 28, the structure and shape of the fitting 54 are not limited to those shown in the figure, and other structures and shapes other than the fitting 54 may be used as the beverage filling and taking-out member.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0218] 1, 101, 201, 301 Beverage filling system for container with inner bag 10, 110, 210, 310 Switching device 11, 111, 211, 311 Beverage gas common path 12, 112 First locking mechanism 13,113,213,313 Beverage supply routes 14,114,214,314 Gas intake pathway 15,115,215,315 Beverage dispensing route 16,116,216,316 Common gas routes 17,117 Second locking mechanism 18,118,218,318 Gas supply routes 19,119,219,319 Gas release route 20,120,220,320 Cleaning fluid supply route 21,221 First on / off valve 22,222 Second on / off valve 23,223 Third shut-off valve 24,224 Fourth on / off valve 25,225 Fifth shut-off valve 26,226 6th valve 27,123,227,323 Beverage Source 28,124,228,324 Suction machine 29,125,229,325 Beverage outlet 30,126,230,326 gas supply sources 31,127,231,327 Gas-opening system 32,128,232,328 Cleaning fluid supply source 33 Flow meter 34. First gas pressure gauge 35. Second gas pressure gauge 40,140 Control devices 50 containers with inner bags 51 Outer container 52 Mouthpiece 53 Inner bag 54 Fitting (Beverage filling and dispensing component) 55 Mounting part 56 First opening 57 Space 58 valve seats 59 Valve body 60 Beverage valve 61 Beverage removal pipe 62 Spring component 121,321 7th Shut-off Valve 122,322 8th Shut-off Valve 129,329 Flowmeter 130,330 Third gas pressure gauge 131,331 Fourth gas pressure gauge 212,312 First valve 217,317 Second valve W Beverage

Claims

1. A beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container for filling the inner bag with a beverage and for removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein the system degasss the inside of the inner bag, fills the inner bag with a beverage, and further removes the beverage filled in the inner bag, A beverage and gas common path through which beverages and gas can flow, a beverage supply path connected to the beverage gas common path, a gas suction path connected to the beverage gas common path, and a beverage extraction path connected to the beverage gas common path, which are connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and extraction member by a first locking mechanism, and when connected to the beverage filling and extraction member, they communicate with the inside of the inner bag, or are made to communicate with the inside of the inner bag by a first valve and the communication state with the inside of the inner bag is released. A switching device having a gas common path through which gas can flow, which communicates with the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or which is made to communicate with the space by a second valve and to release the communication with the space, a gas supply path connected to the gas common path, and a gas release path connected to the gas common path, and having a first on-off valve provided in the beverage supply path, a second on-off valve provided in the gas suction path, a third on-off valve provided in the beverage extraction path, a fourth on-off valve provided in the gas supply path, and a fifth on-off valve provided in the gas release path, The switching device includes a control device that controls the opening and closing of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth on-off valves of the switching device, controls the connection and disconnection of the beverage gas common path to and from the beverage filling and retrieval member by the first locking mechanism of the switching device, or controls the communication of the beverage gas common path to and from the inner bag by the first valve of the switching device, and controls the connection and disconnection of the gas common path to and from the beverage filling and retrieval member by the second locking mechanism of the switching device, or controls the communication of the gas common path to and from the space by the second valve of the switching device. When degassing the inner bag, the control device controls the second on / off valve to open while the beverage gas common path is connected to the beverage filling / removal member by the first locking mechanism and the beverage gas common path is in communication with the inner bag, or while the beverage gas common path is in communication with the inner bag by the first valve, thereby drawing the gas from the inner bag through the beverage filling / removal member, the beverage gas common path, and the gas suction path. When filling the inner bag with beverage, the control device connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling / removal member by the first locking mechanism, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, or connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag by the first valve, and connects the gas common path to the beverage filling / removal member by the second locking mechanism, thereby connecting the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or connects the gas common path to the space by the second valve, and controls the device to open the first on-off valve and the fifth on-off valve, thereby filling the inner bag with beverage from the beverage supply path through the beverage gas common path and the beverage filling / removal member, and discharging the gas in the space between the outer container and the inner bag to the outside through the gas common path and the gas release path. A beverage filling system for containers with inner bags, characterized in that, when removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, the control device connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member by the first locking mechanism, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, or connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag by the first valve, and connects the gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member by the second locking mechanism, thereby connecting the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or connects the gas common path to the space by the second valve, and then controls the system to open the fourth on-off valve and the third on-off valve, thereby supplying gas from the gas supply path through the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, and removing the beverage filled in the inner bag from the inner bag via the beverage filling and removal member, the beverage gas common path, and the beverage removal path.

2. The beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag according to claim 1, characterized in that, when filling the inner bag with a beverage, the control device controls the opening of the fourth on-off valve before controlling the opening of the first on-off valve and the fifth on-off valve, pressurizing the space between the outer container and the inner bag until the pressure becomes equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage being filled, and then closing the fourth on-off valve.

3. The switching device comprises a cleaning liquid supply path connected to the common beverage gas path, and a sixth on / off valve provided in the cleaning liquid supply path. The control device controls the opening and closing of the sixth on-off valve of the switching device. The beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control device controls the sixth on / off valve to open while the connection of the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling / dispensing member by the first locking mechanism is released, or the communication state of the beverage gas common path to the inner bag by the first valve is released, thereby supplying cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply path through the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling / dispensing member attached to the mouthpiece of the outer container to clean the beverage filling / dispensing member.

4. A beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container for filling the inner bag with a beverage and for removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein the system degasss the inside of the inner bag, fills the inner bag with a beverage, and further removes the beverage filled in the inner bag, A switching device having a beverage and gas common path through which beverages and gas can flow, a beverage supply path connected to the beverage and gas common path, a gas suction path connected to the beverage and gas common path, and a beverage extraction path connected to the beverage and gas common path, which are connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and extraction member by a first locking mechanism, and which communicate with the inner bag when connected to the beverage filling and extraction member, or which are made to communicate with the inner bag by a first valve and the communication state to the inner bag is released; a gas common path through which gas can flow, a gas supply path connected to the gas common path, and a gas release path connected to the gas common path, and having a seventh on-off valve provided in the beverage and gas common path and an eighth on-off valve provided in the gas common path, The switching device includes a control device that controls the opening and closing of the seventh and eighth on-off valves of the switching device, controls the connection and disconnection of the beverage gas common path to and from the beverage filling and retrieval member by the first locking mechanism of the switching device, or controls the communication of the beverage gas common path to and from the inner bag by the first valve of the switching device, and controls the connection and disconnection of the gas common path to and from the beverage filling and retrieval member by the second locking mechanism of the switching device, or controls the communication of the gas common path to and from the space by the second valve of the switching device, When degassing the inner bag, the control device connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling / removal member by the first locking mechanism, thereby opening the beverage gas common path inside the inner bag, or, with the beverage gas common path inside the inner bag connected by the first valve, controls the opening of the seventh on / off valve to draw gas from the inner bag through the beverage filling / removal member, the beverage gas common path, and the gas suction path. When filling the inner bag with beverage, the control device connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling / removal member by the first locking mechanism, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, or connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag by the first valve, and connects the gas common path to the beverage filling / removal member by the second locking mechanism, thereby connecting the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or connects the gas common path to the space by the second valve, and controls the device to open the seventh on-off valve and the eighth on-off valve, thereby filling the inner bag with beverage from the beverage supply path through the beverage gas common path and the beverage filling / removal member, and discharging the gas in the space between the outer container and the inner bag to the outside through the gas common path and the gas release path. A beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, characterized in that, when removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, the control device connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member by the first locking mechanism, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, or connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag by the first valve, and connects the gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member by the second locking mechanism, thereby connecting the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or connects the gas common path to the space by the second valve, and then controls the device to open the eighth on-off valve and the seventh on-off valve, thereby supplying gas from the gas supply path through the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, and removing the beverage filled in the inner bag from the inner bag via the beverage filling and removal member, the beverage gas common path, and the beverage removal path.

5. The beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag according to claim 4, characterized in that, when filling the inner bag with a beverage, the control device controls the opening of the 8th valve before controlling the opening of the 7th valve and the 8th valve, and pressurizes the space between the outer container and the inner bag until the pressure is equal to the liquid pressure of the beverage being filled, and then controls the closing of the 8th valve.

6. The switching device includes a cleaning fluid supply path connected to the common beverage gas path, The beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the control device controls the seventh on-off valve to open while the first locking mechanism disconnects the beverage gas common path from the beverage filling and dispensing member, or the first valve disconnects the beverage gas common path from the inner bag, thereby supplying cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply path through the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and dispensing member attached to the nozzle of the outer container to clean the beverage filling and dispensing member.

7. A switching device used in a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container for filling the inner bag with a beverage and for removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein the device degasss the inside of the inner bag, fills the inner bag with a beverage, and further removes the beverage filled in the inner bag, A beverage and gas common path through which beverages and gas can flow, a beverage supply path connected to the beverage gas common path, a gas suction path connected to the beverage gas common path, and a beverage extraction path connected to the beverage gas common path, which are connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and extraction member by a first locking mechanism, and which communicate with the inner bag when connected to the beverage filling and extraction member, or which are made to communicate with the inner bag and to release the communication state with the inner bag by a first valve, and a beverage supply path connected to the beverage gas common path, and a beverage extraction path connected to the beverage gas common path, which are connected to and disconnected from the beverage filling and extraction member by a second locking mechanism, and which communicate with the outer when connected to the beverage filling and extraction member A switching device having a gas common path through which gas can flow, which communicates with the space between the container and the inner bag, or which is made to communicate with the space by a second valve and to release the communication with the space; a gas supply path connected to the gas common path; and a gas release path connected to the gas common path, and further having a first on-off valve provided in the beverage supply path, a second on-off valve provided in the gas suction path, a third on-off valve provided in the beverage extraction path, a fourth on-off valve provided in the gas supply path, and a fifth on-off valve provided in the gas release path.

8. The switching device according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a cleaning liquid supply path connected to the common beverage gas path and a sixth on / off valve provided in the cleaning liquid supply path.

9. A switching device used in a beverage filling system for a container with an inner bag, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container for filling the inner bag with a beverage and for removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein the device degasss the inside of the inner bag, fills the inner bag with a beverage, and further removes the beverage filled in the inner bag, A switching device comprising: a beverage and gas common path through which beverages and gas can flow, a beverage supply path connected to the beverage and gas common path, a gas suction path connected to the beverage and gas common path, and a beverage extraction path connected to the beverage and gas common path, which is connected to the beverage and gas common path through which beverages and gas can flow, a gas common path through which gas can flow, a gas supply path connected to the gas common path, and a gas release path connected to the gas common path, which is connected to the beverage and gas common path through which beverages and gas can flow, a gas supply path connected to the gas common path, and a gas release path connected to the gas common path, which is connected to the beverage and gas common path through which beverages and gas can flow, a seventh on-off valve provided in the beverage and gas common path, and an eighth on-off valve provided in the gas common path, which is connected to the beverage and gas common path.

10. The switching device according to claim 9, characterized in that it includes a cleaning liquid supply path connected to the common beverage gas path.

11. A method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container for filling the inner bag with a beverage and for removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein the inner bag is degassed, the inner bag is filled with a beverage, and the beverage filled in the inner bag is removed, When degassing the inner bag, the first locking mechanism connects the beverage filling / removal member to the beverage gas common path, and the beverage gas common path is connected to the inner bag, or the first valve connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, and the second on / off valve is opened to draw the gas from the inner bag through the beverage filling / removal member, the beverage gas common path, and the gas suction path. When filling the inner bag with beverage, the first locking mechanism connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling / removal member, thereby opening the beverage gas common path inside the inner bag, or the first valve opens the beverage gas common path inside the inner bag, and the second locking mechanism connects the gas common path to the beverage filling / removal member, thereby opening the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or the second valve opens the gas common path to the space, and with the first on-off valve and the fifth on-off valve open, the beverage is filled into the inside of the inner bag from the beverage supply path through the beverage gas common path and the beverage filling / removal member, and the gas in the space between the outer container and the inner bag is discharged to the outside from the gas common path through the gas release path. A method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage, characterized in that, when removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, the first locking mechanism connects the beverage filling and removal member to the beverage gas common path and connects the beverage gas common path to the inside of the inner bag, or the first valve connects the beverage gas common path to the inside of the inner bag, and the second locking mechanism connects the gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member and connects the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or the second valve connects the gas common path to the space, the fourth on-off valve and the third on-off valve are opened to supply gas from the gas supply path through the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, and the beverage filled in the inner bag is removed from the inner bag via the beverage filling and removal member, the beverage gas common path and the beverage removal path.

12. A method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage according to claim 11, characterized in that the connection of the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and dispensing member by the first locking mechanism is released, or the communication state of the beverage gas common path to the inner bag by the first valve is released, and the sixth on / off valve is opened to supply cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply path through the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and dispensing member attached to the mouth of the outer container, thereby cleaning the beverage filling and dispensing member.

13. A method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage, comprising an outer container having a nozzle, an inner bag provided inside the outer container, and a beverage filling and removal member attached to the nozzle of the outer container for filling the inner bag with a beverage and for removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, wherein the inner bag is degassed, the inner bag is filled with a beverage, and the beverage filled in the inner bag is removed, When degassing the inner bag, the first locking mechanism connects the beverage filling / removal member to the beverage gas common path, thereby opening the beverage gas common path inside the inner bag, or with the first valve opening the beverage gas common path inside the inner bag, the seventh on / off valve is opened to draw the gas inside the inner bag from the beverage filling / removal member and the beverage gas common path through the gas suction path. When filling the inner bag with beverage, the first locking mechanism connects the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling / removal member, thereby connecting the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, or the first valve connects the beverage gas common path to the inner bag, and the second locking mechanism connects the gas common path to the beverage filling / removal member, thereby connecting the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or the second valve connects the gas common path to the space, and with the seventh on-off valve and the eighth on-off valve open, the beverage is filled into the inner bag from the beverage supply path through the beverage gas common path and the beverage filling / removal member, and the gas in the space between the outer container and the inner bag is discharged to the outside from the gas common path through the gas release path. A method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage, characterized in that, when removing the beverage filled in the inner bag, the first locking mechanism connects the beverage filling and removal member to the beverage gas common path and connects the beverage gas common path to the inside of the inner bag, or the first valve connects the beverage gas common path to the inside of the inner bag, and the second locking mechanism connects the gas common path to the beverage filling and removal member and connects the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, or the second valve connects the gas common path to the space, the eighth on-off valve and the seventh on-off valve are opened to supply gas from the gas supply path through the gas common path to the space between the outer container and the inner bag, and the beverage filled in the inner bag is removed from the inner bag via the beverage filling and removal member, the beverage gas common path and the beverage removal path.

14. A method for filling a container with an inner bag with a beverage according to claim 13, characterized in that the connection of the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and dispensing member by the first locking mechanism is released, or the communication state of the beverage gas common path to the inner bag by the first valve is released, and the seventh on-off valve is opened to supply cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply path through the beverage gas common path to the beverage filling and dispensing member attached to the mouth of the outer container, thereby cleaning the beverage filling and dispensing member.

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