Liquid filling apparatus and beverage manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a filling device capable of filling a carbonated beverage into a container while maintaining the appearance of a solid such as a fruit.SOLUTION: The liquid filling apparatus includes a carbon dioxide gas supply path in which one of a first supply state in which carbon dioxide gas at a first pressure stored in a tank is supplied to a container and a second supply state in which carbon dioxide gas at a second pressure lower than the first pressure stored in the tank is supplied to the container is selected, and a control unit that controls one of the first supply state, the second supply state, and a closed state in the carbon dioxide gas supply path. The control unit sequentially executes a first step of bringing the carbon dioxide gas supply path into the second supply state until the inside of the container is replaced with carbon dioxide gas, the inside of the container is set to the first pressure, and the container is filled with the product liquid, and a second step of bringing the liquid valve into the open state and bringing the carbon dioxide gas supply path into the first supply state until filling of the product liquid through the liquid valve is completed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid filling device and a method for manufacturing a beverage.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding beverages containing carbon dioxide gas in a container (hereinafter abbreviated as carbonated beverages), a novel proposal has been made in Patent Document 1. That is, Patent Document 1 proposes a novel container-packed beverage containing fruits that can be visually enjoyed when opened. In particular, it discloses that when the container is sealed, although the fruits are immersed in the beverage, when the container is opened, the fruits float toward the liquid surface of the beverage. Examples of the fruits applied in Patent Document 1 include citrus fruits generally used in beverages, such as lemons, limes, and oranges, and these fruits are typically provided as slices.

[0003] Carbonated beverages are filled into containers such as cans by a liquid filling device that fills the containers from a liquid storage tank. As an example, Patent Document 2 provides a liquid filling device capable of suppressing the consumption of carbon dioxide gas required to displace the air in the container even when the temperature of the product liquid stored in the tank is high. Patent Document 2 includes a first carbon dioxide gas supply path that supplies carbon dioxide gas at a first pressure stored in the tank to the container, and a second carbon dioxide gas supply path that supplies carbon dioxide gas at a second pressure lower than the first pressure to the inflow position of the first carbon dioxide gas supply path. Then, Patent Document 2 supplies carbon dioxide gas at the second pressure to the container and then fills the container with the product liquid while supplying carbon dioxide gas at the first pressure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] When manufacturing carbonated beverages in containers that contain solid particles, such as sliced ​​fruit, it is unknown whether the desired product can be obtained by using conventional liquid filling equipment, such as that described in Patent Document 1, as is, due to the presence of solid particles. In particular, when manufacturing carbonated beverages in containers, carbon dioxide gas at a considerable pressure is supplied to the container before the beverage is filled. If the solid particles are inserted into the container before the beverage is filled, the solid particles will be exposed to the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas. However, in order to visually enjoy the fruit when the container is opened, it is necessary for the solid particles to maintain their appearance even when exposed to the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas. Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a filling apparatus and manufacturing method that can fill containers with, for example, carbonated beverages while maintaining the appearance of solid materials such as fruits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The liquid filling apparatus relating to this disclosure is A liquid supply passage is provided, from a tank in which the product liquid and a gas element with a first pressure above the product liquid are stored, to supply the product liquid to the container, and a liquid valve is provided. A gas supply path in which one of the following is selected: a first supply state in which a gas element at a first pressure stored in a tank is supplied to the container; a second supply state in which a gas element at a second pressure lower than the first pressure stored in the tank is supplied to the container; or a closed state in which no gas element is supplied to the container. The system includes a control unit that controls one of the following states in the gas supply path: a first supply state, a second supply state, or a closed state. The control unit is The first step involves replacing the inside of the container with a gas element and maintaining the gas supply path in a second supply state until the product liquid is filled into the container at a first pressure, The process is as follows: first, open the liquid valve, and then set the carbon dioxide supply path to the first supply state until the product liquid is filled through the liquid valve.

[0007] The method for manufacturing the beverage related to this disclosure is: A liquid filling method comprising supplying a product liquid to a container from a tank in which a gas element, which is set to a first pressure, is stored above the product liquid, A first step involves replacing the inside of the container with a gas element, and supplying the container with a gas element at a second pressure lower than the first pressure until the product liquid is filled, The process is carried out in sequence: first, a second step in which carbon dioxide at a first pressure is supplied to the container from the start of filling the product liquid until the end of filling; and second, a third step in which carbon dioxide at a first pressure is supplied to the container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the filling apparatus and filling method of this disclosure, a gas element at a relatively low second pressure is supplied to the container through a gassing process (non-seal gassing process, sealed gassing process) and a counter process. Therefore, the solid matter pre-inserted in the container can be maintained in its original form without being damaged. Furthermore, in the filling process, by supplying a relatively high first pressure to the container, the required amount of gas element in the product liquid can be dissolved in a short time. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the layout of a beverage filling system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a beverage filling apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the carbon dioxide supply status in a beverage filling machine operating in solids filling mode. [Figure 4] Following Figure 3, this figure shows the carbon dioxide supply status in a beverage filling device in solid material filling mode. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the process performed by the beverage filling system of the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a timing chart showing the open / closed states of the first counter valve, second counter valve, gassing return valve, snift valve, and liquid valve, as well as the internal pressure of the can container, in a beverage filling machine operating in solid material filling mode. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing the supply state of carbon dioxide gas in a beverage filling device operating in a normal filling mode. [Figure 8] Following FIG. 7, it is a diagram showing the supply state of carbon dioxide gas in a beverage filling device in a normal filling mode. [Figure 9] It is a timing chart showing the opening and closing states of the first counter valve, the second counter valve, the gassing return valve, the sniff valve, and the liquid valve, and the internal pressure of the can container in a beverage filling device operating in a normal filling mode. [Figure 10] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing a beverage filling device (modified example) according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a timing chart showing the opening and closing states of the first counter valve, the second counter valve, the gassing return valve, the sniff valve, and the liquid valve, and the internal pressure of the can container in a beverage filling device according to the second embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are intended to prevent damage to solids when filling a canned container with a carbonated beverage containing solids, for example. The embodiments include a first embodiment having two counter valves that are fully open and fully closed respectively, and a second embodiment having one counter valve whose opening degree can be adjusted. Both the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be operated by switching between a solid filling mode for filling a carbonated beverage containing solids and a normal filling mode for filling a carbonated beverage not containing solids. Before describing the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a beverage filling system 1 that can be commonly applied to both will be described, and then the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described in this order. In the embodiments, carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the product liquid is exemplified as an element, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and nitrogen, air, etc. can be used as other gas elements.

[0011] [Beverage Filling System 1: Refer to FIG. 1] The beverage filling system 1 is a system for filling a can container C with a product liquid in which carbon dioxide gas is dissolved, and conveys the can container C filled with the product liquid to the next process of attaching and crimping the can lid. The beverage filling system 1 receives the can container C continuously conveyed by the loading conveyor 100 from the transfer star wheel 101 to the star wheel 2 (can supply process). In the beverage filling system 1, a plurality of beverage filling devices 10 (omitted in FIG. 1) are arranged around the star wheel 2, and the beverage is filled in a series of procedures while the can container C received from the transfer star wheel 101 moves on the circumference from the can supply point S to the can discharge point E. The can container C after the beverage filling is completed is discharged toward the next process of attaching and crimping the can lid. Note that S101 to S115 in FIG. 1 correspond to the respective processes with the same reference numerals shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9, and 11.

[0012] 〔First Embodiment〕 [Beverage Filling Device 10A: See FIG. 2] The beverage filling system 1 includes a liquid storage tank T having a liquid region Tl in which a product liquid (a liquid in which carbon dioxide gas such as beer is dissolved) is stored, and a gas region Tg in which carbon dioxide gas (CO2-containing gas) at a first pressure P1 is stored, which is disposed above the liquid region Tl and supplied to the can container C via the beverage filling device 10A. The carbon dioxide gas stored in the gas region Tg is supplied to the can container C during the gassing process (a gas replacement process consisting of a non-sealed gassing process and a sealed gassing process) and the counter process. Note that FIG. 1 shows one of the plurality of beverage filling devices 10A included in the beverage filling system 1.

[0013] The product liquid stored in the liquid region Tl of the liquid storage tank T has a temperature of, for example, 2°C or higher and 30°C or lower. Although carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the product liquid, when the temperature of the product liquid rises, the solubility of the carbon dioxide gas decreases, and the carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the product liquid is released into the gas region Tg. Therefore, in order to maintain the dissolved carbon dioxide gas concentration in the product liquid, it is necessary to increase the carbon dioxide gas pressure in the gas region Tg of the liquid storage tank T.

[0014] Carbon dioxide, whose pressure is regulated by a pressure regulating valve 3, is supplied to the gas region Tg of the liquid storage tank T from a carbon dioxide supply source (not shown). The carbon dioxide stored in the gas region Tg includes both the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply source and the carbon dioxide released from the product liquid. The pressure (first pressure) P1 of the carbon dioxide stored in the gas region Tg is selected, for example, from the range of 0.2 to 0.6 MPaG.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the beverage filling device 10A includes a first carbon dioxide supply passage 11, a second carbon dioxide supply passage 12, a liquid supply passage 13, a liquid valve 14, a flow meter 15, a first counter valve (first on / off valve) 16, a second counter valve (second on / off valve) 17, a main exhaust passage 18, a secondary exhaust passage 19, a gassing return valve 20, a snift valve 21, and a control unit 22. The first carbon dioxide supply passage 11 and the second carbon dioxide supply passage 12 together constitute the carbon dioxide supply passage in this disclosure.

[0016] The first carbon dioxide supply channel 11 supplies carbon dioxide at a first pressure P1, which is stored in the liquid storage tank T, to the can container C. One end of the first carbon dioxide supply channel 11 is in communication with the gas region Tg of the liquid storage tank T, and the other end of the first carbon dioxide supply channel 11 passes inside the liquid valve 14 and is in communication with a position opposite the opening of the can container C. In this preferred embodiment, the first pressure P1, which is the pressure of carbon dioxide in the liquid storage tank T, is maintained in the first carbon dioxide supply passage 11, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The pressure of carbon dioxide in the liquid storage tank T and the pressure of carbon dioxide supplied to the can container C through the first carbon dioxide supply passage 11 may be different, as long as the condition that the second pressure P2 is lower than the first pressure P1 is met in the carbon dioxide supplied to the can container C.

[0017] The second carbon dioxide supply channel 12 is a flow path that supplies carbon dioxide at a second pressure P2, which is lower than the first pressure P1, to the inlet position 11A of the first carbon dioxide supply channel 11. One end of the second carbon dioxide supply channel 12 is connected to the first carbon dioxide supply channel 11 at the inlet position 11A, and the other end of the second carbon dioxide supply channel 12 is connected to the first carbon dioxide supply channel 11 at the branching position 11B.

[0018] The second carbon dioxide supply channel 12 is a flow path that branches off from the first carbon dioxide supply channel 11 at branching point 11B upstream of the inlet point 11A, and is equipped with an orifice 12A that reduces the pressure of carbon dioxide from the first pressure P1 to the second pressure P2. The orifice 12A is a component that forms the region with the minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the second carbon dioxide supply channel 12. The minimum flow path cross-sectional area formed by the orifice 12A is even smaller than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the first carbon dioxide supply channel 11. The carbon dioxide supplied from the first carbon dioxide supply channel 11 to the second carbon dioxide supply channel 12 at the first pressure P1 is reduced in pressure by the orifice 12A to the second pressure P2. The second pressure P2 is set to approximately 50% of the first pressure P1, and then to approximately 30%. As an example of specific values, if the first pressure P1 is 0.6 MPaG, the second pressure P2 can be set to 0.3 MPaG, and then to 0.2 MPaG.

[0019] The liquid supply passage 13 is a flow path that supplies the product liquid from the liquid region Tl of the liquid storage tank T to the can container C. One end of the liquid supply passage 13 is in communication with the liquid region Tl of the liquid storage tank T, and the other end of the liquid supply passage 13 passes inside the liquid valve 14 and is in communication with a position opposite the opening of the can container C.

[0020] The liquid valve 14 is located in the liquid supply passage 13 and contains a valve body (not shown) that switches between a filling state (open state) in which the product liquid supplied from the liquid region Tl of the storage tank T to the liquid supply passage 13 is filled into the can container C, and a non-filling state (closed state) in which the product liquid is not filled into the can container C.

[0021] The flow meter 15 is a device that measures the flow rate of the product liquid supplied from the liquid region Tl of the storage tank T to the can container C via the liquid supply passage 13 and the liquid valve 14. The measurement result of the flow meter 15 is transmitted to the control unit 22.

[0022] The first counter valve 16 is an on / off valve installed upstream of the inlet position 11A of the first carbon dioxide supply passage 11 and downstream of the branching position 11B. The second counter valve 17 is an on / off valve installed in the second carbon dioxide supply passage 12.

[0023] The main exhaust passage 18 is a passage through which the gas discharged from the can container C when carbon dioxide gas at a second pressure P2 is supplied to the can container C flows. The gas (a mixture of air and carbon dioxide) guided to the main exhaust passage 18 is led out of the beverage filling system 1.

[0024] The secondary exhaust passage 19 is a flow path that branches off from the main exhaust passage 18 and has an orifice 19A that reduces the pressure of the gas discharged from the can container C. The orifice 19A is a component that forms the region with the minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the secondary exhaust passage 19. The minimum flow path cross-sectional area formed by the orifice 19A is even smaller than the minimum flow path cross-sectional area in the main exhaust passage 18. The gas supplied from the main exhaust passage 18 to the secondary exhaust passage 19 is depressurized by the orifice 19A and guided out of the beverage filling system 1.

[0025] The gassing return valve 20 is an on / off valve installed in the main exhaust passage 18. The snift valve 21 is an on / off valve installed in the secondary exhaust passage 19. The control unit 22 controls the open / closed states of the first counter valve 16, the second counter valve 17, the gassing return valve 20, and the snift valve 21.

[0026] [Filling procedure for can container C] Next, the procedure for filling can containers C with liquid product using the beverage filling system 1 equipped with the beverage filling device 10A described above will be explained. The explanation will be given in the order of solid material filling mode and normal filling mode.

[0027] [Solid material filling mode (SF): See Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6] Each process in Figure 5 shows the steps performed by the beverage filling device 10A in one cycle during one rotation of the star wheel 2. In other words, one cycle consists of can feeding (S101), gassing (non-seal gassing (S103), sealed gassing (S105)), counter processing (S107), filling (S109), holding (S111), snifting (S113), and can discharge (S115). In Figures 3, 4, 7, and 8, the fluid (carbon dioxide, product liquid) flows through the channels shown as thick lines, and their flow is indicated by arrows. Also in Figures 3, 4, 7, and 8, open valves are shown in white, and closed valves are filled in black.

[0028] [Container filling process: Figure 5 S101] In the canning process, the can containers C transferred from the input conveyor 100 are transported by the transfer star wheel 101 to below the liquid valve 14 of the beverage filling device 10A. The timing at which the can containers C are transported below the liquid valve 14 is time T1 in Figure 6. The can container C, which is transported to the liquid valve 14, has solid material, such as lemon slices, inserted into it beforehand. According to this embodiment, the solid material can retain its original shape during the gassing and counter-filling processes until the product liquid is filled in.

[0029] [Gush treatment: See Figures 3, 5, and 6, S103, S105] When the can container C is transported to below the liquid valve 14, a gassing process is performed. Since the product liquid oxidizes upon contact with oxygen, a gassing process is performed to replace the air inside the can container C with carbon dioxide before filling it with the product liquid. The gassing process is performed in two stages: a non-seal gassing process (S103) and a seal gassing process (S105), which efficiently replaces the air inside the can container C with carbon dioxide. In this embodiment, the carbon dioxide supplied to the second carbon dioxide supply passage 12 through the non-seal gassing process (S103), the seal gassing process (S105), and the counter process (S107) is depressurized by the orifice 12A and supplied to the can container C as a second pressure P2.

[0030] [Non-sealing gassing process: See Figures 3, 5, and 6, S103] The non-seal gassing process is performed from time T1 to time T2 as shown in Figure 6. In the non-seal gassing process, carbon dioxide is supplied to the can container C from the gas region Tg via the first carbon dioxide supply passage 11 while there is a gap between the liquid valve 14 and the can container C. The position of the can container C shown by the solid line in Figure 3 indicates that there is a gap between the liquid valve 14 and the can container C. The carbon dioxide supplied to the inside of the can container C, any excess relative to the capacity of the can container C, is discharged to the outside through the gap between the liquid valve 14 and the can container C along with the air. In this way, the air inside the can container C is discharged and the oxygen concentration inside the can container C is lowered by replacing it with carbon dioxide.

[0031] Non-seal gassing is suitable for quickly replacing the air initially present inside the can container C with carbon dioxide, but it can only reduce the oxygen concentration inside the can container C to a certain extent. Therefore, a seal gassing process is performed following the non-seal gassing process. The gap between the liquid valve 14 and the can container C, the carbon dioxide supply time, and other conditions can be adjusted according to the capacity of the can container C, the carbon dioxide flow rate per unit time, etc.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, in the non-seal gassing process, the control unit 22 closes the first counter valve 16 and the liquid valve 14 and opens the second counter valve 17 to supply carbon dioxide gas at a second pressure P2 to the can container C. The can container C is supplied with carbon dioxide gas at a second pressure P2, which is lower than the first pressure P1, rather than carbon dioxide gas at a first pressure P1 stored in the gas region Tg of the liquid storage tank T. Because there is a gap between the liquid valve 14 and the can container C, the internal pressure of the can container C is maintained at atmospheric pressure (0 MPaG).

[0033] [Sealing process: See Figures 3, 5, and 6, S105] The seal gassing process is performed from time T2 to time T3 as shown in Figure 6. During the seal gassing process, carbon dioxide is supplied to the can container C from the gas region Tg via the second carbon dioxide supply passage 12 while the liquid valve 14 and the opening of the can container C are in close contact. The position of the can container C shown by the solid line in Figure 3 indicates that the liquid valve 14 and the opening of the can container C are in close contact.

[0034] The air and carbon dioxide remaining in the can container C are discharged outside the beverage filling system 1 through both the main exhaust passage 18 and the secondary exhaust passage 19. The oxygen concentration inside the can container C can be further reduced by the sealing gassing process. The mechanism for sealing the liquid valve 14 with the opening of the can container C may be a mechanism that fixes the can container C and moves the liquid valve 14, or a mechanism that fixes the liquid valve 14 and moves the can container C.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, during the seal gassing process, the control unit 22 closes the first counter valve 16 and the liquid valve 14 and opens the second counter valve 17 to supply carbon dioxide gas at a second pressure P2 to the can container C. The can container C is supplied with carbon dioxide gas at a second pressure P2, which is lower than the first pressure P1, rather than carbon dioxide gas at a first pressure P1 stored in the gas region Tg of the liquid storage tank T. Because the liquid valve 14 and the opening of the can container C are tightly sealed, the internal pressure of the can container C rises from atmospheric pressure (0 MPaG) to the second pressure P2. As shown in Figure 6, the second pressure P2 is sufficiently lower than the first pressure P1 of carbon dioxide gas stored in the gas region Tg of the liquid storage tank T.

[0036] [Counter processing: See Figures 4, 5, and 6, S107] The counter process is performed from time T3 to time T4 shown in FIG. 6. In the counter process, the control unit 22 closes the gassing return valve 20 and the snift valve 21 that were open until the gassing process ended, and prevents the discharge of carbon dioxide gas so that the carbon dioxide gas is not guided from the can container C to the main exhaust passage 18 and the sub-exhaust passage 19. Further, the control unit 22 opens the second counter valve 17 while closing the first counter valve 16, and supplies carbon dioxide gas at a second pressure P2 (<P1) from the gas region Tg of the liquid storage tank T to the can container C through the second carbon dioxide supply passage 12. As a result, the inside of the can container C is pressurized to the second pressure P2 with carbon dioxide gas, but since the gassing return valve 20 and the snift valve 21 are closed, the inside of the can container C gradually rises to the first pressure P1.

[0037] [Filling process: Refer to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 S109] The filling process is performed from time T4 to time T5 shown in FIG. 6. In the filling process, the control unit 22 fills the can container C with the product liquid by opening the first counter valve 16 and the liquid valve 14. In the filling process, the control unit 22 opens the first counter valve 16. Therefore, the carbon dioxide gas at the first pressure P1 (>P2) replaced by the filling of the product liquid into the can container C is guided to the gas region Tg of the liquid storage tank T through the first carbon dioxide supply passage 11. The control unit 22 monitors the measurement results transmitted from the flow meter 15, and when it determines that the product liquid supplied to the can container C has reached a predetermined amount, it closes the first counter valve 16 and the liquid valve 14 to end the filling process.

[0038] In FIG. 6, the second counter valve 17 that was open until the counter process is closed (OFF) during the filling process, and the first counter valve 16 opens (ON) during the filling process. That is, in FIG. 6, the OFF of the second counter valve 17 and the ON of the first counter valve 16 are performed simultaneously. However, even if the ON of the second counter valve 17 and the first counter valve overlap for a very short time when shifting from the counter process to the filling process, damage to the solid matter can be avoided. However, it is necessary that the pressure inside the can container C has reached the first pressure P1.

[0039] [Hold process: See Figures 5 and 6, S111] The hold process is performed from time T5 to time T6 as shown in Figure 6. The control unit 22 closes all of the following valves: the first counter valve 16, the second counter valve 17, the gassing return valve 20, the snift valve 21, and the liquid valve 14. When the filling process is completed, bubbles and bubble nuclei are formed on the surface of the product liquid and in the liquid, but the hold process reduces or eliminates the bubbles by dissolving the bubble nuclei into the product liquid.

[0040] [Snift processing: See Figures 5 and 6, S113] The snifting process is the process shown in step S113 of Figure 5, and is performed from time T6 to time T7 as shown in Figure 6. In the snifting process, the pressure in the headspace above the product liquid inside the can container C is reduced to atmospheric pressure. The snifting process is performed because if the can container C is released while the headspace is pressurized, the pressure in the headspace will drop rapidly, releasing the carbon dioxide dissolved in the product liquid and causing bubbles to form.

[0041] During the snifting process, the control unit 22 closes the gassing return valve 20 and opens the snifting valve 21. As a result, during the snifting process, the carbon dioxide inside the can container C is guided out of the beverage filling system 1 by passing through the orifice 19A of the sub-exhaust passage 19. Because the carbon dioxide gas is depressurized at orifice 19A, the pressure in the void above the can container C does not drop sharply.

[0042] [Emptying the cans: Figure 5 S115] The can discharge process is performed after the sniffing process. The can container C, filled with the product liquid, is detached from the liquid valve 14 and then transported to the discharge conveyor 102 at the can discharge point E in Figure 1. The transported can container C is then transported to the next process, where the can lid is attached and the can lid is crimped.

[0043] [Normal filling mode (NF): See Figures 7, 8, 9, and 5] The basic filling procedure in normal filling mode is the same as in solid material filling mode, consisting of one cycle of can feeding (S101), gassing (non-seal gassing (S103), sealed gassing (S105)), counter processing (S107), filling (S109), holding (S111), snifting (S113), and can discharge (S115). In normal filling mode, there is no need to consider damage to the solid material, so the gas supply path used during gassing and counter processing is different from that in solid material filling mode. In other words, in normal filling mode, carbon dioxide is supplied to the can container C through the first counter valve 16, which can secure higher pressure and a larger flow rate than the second counter valve 17. The following describes each procedure, focusing on the differences from the solid material filling mode.

[0044] [Container filling process: Figure 5 S101] In normal filling mode, the canning process is carried out in the same way as in solid material filling mode. However, solid material is not inserted into can container C.

[0045] [Gush treatment: See Figures 7, 8, 9, 5, S103, S105] In the normal filling mode, non-seal gassing and seal gassing processes are performed for the same purposes as in the solids filling mode.

[0046] [Non-sealing gassing treatment] In the non-seal gasshing process in normal filling mode, the control unit 22 closes the second counter valve 17 and the liquid valve 14, and opens the first counter valve 16 to supply carbon dioxide gas at a first pressure P1 to the can container C. The first pressure P1 is the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas stored in the gas region Tg of the storage tank T. However, because there is a gap between the liquid valve 14 and the can container C, the internal pressure of the can container C is maintained at atmospheric pressure (0 MPaG).

[0047] [Sealing process] In the non-seal gasshing process in normal filling mode, the control unit 22 subsequently opens the first counter valve 16 and keeps the second counter valve 17 and the liquid valve 14 closed, supplying carbon dioxide gas at a first pressure P1 to the can container C.

[0048] [Counter processing: See Figures 7, 8, and 9, S107] In the counter processing of the normal filling mode, the control unit 22 opens the first counter valve 16 following the seal gassing process, and keeps the second counter valve 17 and the liquid valve 14 closed, supplying carbon dioxide gas at a first pressure P1 to the can container C. As a result, the inside of the can container C is pressurized to the first pressure P1 with carbon dioxide gas. The gassing return valve 20 and the snift valve 21 are closed to seal the can container C and prevent carbon dioxide gas from being guided to the main exhaust passage 18 and the sub-exhaust passage 19, just as in the solids filling mode.

[0049] [Filling process: See Figures 7, 8, and 9, S109] In the normal filling mode, the control unit 22 opens the liquid valve 14 in addition to the first counter valve 16 to fill the can container C with the product liquid. The carbon dioxide gas replaced by filling the can container C with the product liquid is guided to the gas region Tg of the storage tank T via the first carbon dioxide supply passage 11, and the first counter valve 16 and the liquid valve 14 are closed when it is determined that the amount of product liquid supplied to the can container C has reached a predetermined amount, which is the same as in the solid product filling mode.

[0050] [Hold process: See Figures 8 and 9, S111] During the hold process in normal filling mode, the control unit 22 closes all valves. This causes the bubble nuclei to dissolve in the product liquid, reducing or eliminating bubbles.

[0051] [Snift processing: See Figures 8 and 9, S113] In the normal filling mode of the snifting process, the control unit 22 closes the gassing return valve 20 and opens the snifting valve 21, so that the carbon dioxide gas inside the can container C is guided out of the beverage filling system 1 through the orifice 19A of the sub-exhaust passage 19.

[0052] [Emptying the cans: Figure 5 S115] In the normal filling mode, the emptying process is carried out in the same way as in the solids filling mode.

[0053] As explained above, in the beverage filling procedure in normal filling mode, the second counter valve 17 is kept closed, while the first counter valve 16 remains open throughout the sealing gassing process, counter process, counter process, and filling process, which require the supply of carbon dioxide, thereby supplying carbon dioxide at the first pressure P1 to the can container C.

[0054] [Effects of the first embodiment] [First effect] The beverage filling apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment includes a first counter valve 16 and a second counter valve 17, and in solid filling mode, supplies carbon dioxide at a low second pressure P2 to the can container C through gassing (non-seal gassing, sealed gassing) and counter processing. Therefore, the solid material inserted into the can container C can be maintained in its original shape without being damaged. Furthermore, in the filling process, by supplying a high first pressure P1 to the can container C, the required amount of carbon dioxide in the product liquid can be dissolved in a short time.

[0055] [Second effect] In the normal filling mode, the beverage filling device 10A can supply carbon dioxide at a high first pressure P1 to the can container C through the first counter valve 16 during the gassing, counter processing, and filling processes. In other words, by switching between the first counter valve 16 and the second counter valve 17, the beverage filling device 10A can function as both a filling device for carbonated beverages containing solids and a filling device for carbonated beverages without solids.

[0056] [Third effect] The beverage filling device 10A uses a first counter valve 16 and a second counter valve 17, which operate in an open (ON) and closed (OFF) state, respectively. These valves can be obtained at a relatively low cost. In the beverage filling system 1, for example, there may be more than 100 beverage filling devices 10A, so using the first counter valve 16 and the second counter valve 17 that operate between ON and OFF can reduce the cost of the beverage filling system 1.

[0057] [Second embodiment: See Figures 10 and 11] Next, the beverage filling apparatus 10B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. The beverage filling device 10B can achieve both solid filling mode and normal filling mode, similar to the beverage filling device 10A, but replaces the two first counter valves 16 and second counter valves 17 used in the beverage filling device 10A with a single flow control valve, the third counter valve 25. The third counter valve 25 can change its opening degree continuously or in steps. Therefore, the third counter valve 25 can achieve at least a first open state in which carbon dioxide gas at a first pressure P1 can be supplied to the can container C, a second open state in which carbon dioxide gas at a second pressure P2 can be supplied to the can container C, and a closed state. The beverage filling device 10B has the same configuration as the beverage filling device 10A except for the third counter valve 25. The third counter valve 25 is installed in the first carbon dioxide gas supply passage 11. In the first embodiment, the first carbon dioxide supply channel 11 corresponds to the third gas supply channel in this disclosure, and the carbon dioxide at the second pressure P2 in the first step and the carbon dioxide at the first pressure P1 in the second step are supplied to the can container C via the common first carbon dioxide supply channel 11.

[0058] In the beverage filling device 10B, there is no second carbon dioxide supply path 12 connected in parallel to the first carbon dioxide supply path 11, and carbon dioxide from the gas region Tg of the liquid storage tank T is supplied to the can container C only through the first carbon dioxide supply path 11. The third counter valve 25 remains open throughout the gassing process (non-seal gassing process and sealed gassing process), counter process, and filling process. However, the third counter valve 25 is in a second open state (second pressure P2) during the gassing and counter processes in the solid filling mode, and in a first open state (first pressure P1) during the filling process. The third counter valve 25 is in a first open state (first pressure P1) throughout the gassing, counter process, and filling process in the normal filling mode.

[0059] [Effects of the second embodiment] In the beverage filling apparatus 10B according to the second embodiment, a first open state (first pressure P1) and a second open state (second pressure P2) can be selectively obtained. Therefore, the beverage filling apparatus 10B can also achieve the first and second effects that the beverage filling apparatus 10A achieves. Furthermore, since the beverage filling device 10B can supply carbon dioxide gas using a single first carbon dioxide gas supply path 11 and a single third counter valve 25, the configuration of the device can be simplified.

[0060] In addition to the above, it is possible to select or replace the configurations listed in the above embodiments, or to change them to other configurations as appropriate. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a chamber for storing carbon dioxide at a second pressure may be provided, and a second carbon dioxide supply passage may be used to supply carbon dioxide at the second pressure introduced from the chamber to the inlet position of the first carbon dioxide supply passage. Furthermore, the carbonated beverages covered by this disclosure are not particularly limited to any beverage containing carbonation. For example, the level of gas volume is irrelevant. Similarly, the types of carbonated beverages covered are also diverse, including non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic beverages, beverages manufactured through fermentation processes, and beverages manufactured without fermentation processes. Furthermore, the applicable containers are not limited to cans, but also include a wide range of other containers such as bottle cans, flexible containers, and glass bottles.

[0061] [Note] The liquid filling apparatus and beverage manufacturing method disclosed above can be understood as follows. [Note 1] The product liquid is supplied from a tank (T) where the product liquid and the gas elements contained in the product liquid that occupy the upper part of the product liquid are stored, to a container, and a liquid supply passage (13) is provided with a liquid valve (14), A gas supply path (11,12) is selected from one of the following states: a first supply state (P1) in which the gas element stored in the tank (T) is supplied to the container at a first pressure (P1); a second supply state (P2) in which the gas element stored in the tank (T) is supplied at a second pressure (P2) lower than the first pressure (P1); and a closed state (OFF) in which no gas element is supplied to the container. The system includes a control unit (22) that controls one of the following states in the gas supply path (11, 12): a first supply state (P1), a second supply state (P2), and a closed state (OFF). The control unit (22) The first step involves replacing the inside of the container with a gas element and setting the gas supply passages (11,12) to a second supply state (P2) until the product liquid is filled into the container at a first pressure (P1), A liquid filling apparatus that sequentially performs the following steps: a second step of opening the liquid valve (14) and setting the carbon dioxide supply path to a first supply state (P1) until the filling of the product liquid through the liquid valve (14) is completed.

[0062] [Note 2] The system is equipped with exhaust passages (18, 19) that allow the gas discharged from the container to flow out of the system. In the first step, The control unit (22) In a gassing process in which the inside of a container is replaced with a gas element, the gas is exhausted to the outside of the system through exhaust passages (18,19), and then, Note 1: In the counter process that closes the exhaust passages (18,19), the discharge of gas elements from container (C) is prevented.

[0063] [Note 3] The gas supply lines (11,12) are A first gas supply path (11) supplies gas elements to the container in a first supply state (P1), Appendix 1 or Appendix 2 comprises a second gas supply path (12) that supplies a gas element to a container in a second supply state (P2).

[0064] [Note 4] The first gas supply line (11) is, The system includes a first on-off valve (16) which can be selected to be either open or closed, The second gas supply line (12) is The device comprises a second on-off valve (17) which can be selected to be either open or closed, and an orifice (12A) provided downstream of the second on-off valve (17) with respect to the flow of the gas element, as specified in any of the specifications 1 to 3.

[0065] [Note 5] The control unit (22) In the first step, The first on-off valve (16) is controlled to be in a closed state, and the second on-off valve (17) is controlled to be in an open state. In the second step, One of the following modifications: the first on-off valve (16) is opened, and the second on-off valve (17) is closed.

[0066] [Note 6] The control unit (22) In the first step, the liquid valve is controlled to a closed state. In the second step, open the liquid valve, or perform one of the following steps as described in Appendix 1 to Appendix 5.

[0067] [Note 7] The gas supply lines are A third gas supply path (11) that supplies gas elements to the container under a first supply state (P1) or under a second supply state (P2), The system comprises a flow control valve (25) provided in the third supply path (11), which allows selection of a first supply state (P1), a second supply state (P2), and a closed state (OFF), as specified in any of the appendices 1 to 5.

[0068] [Note 8] A method for producing a beverage, comprising supplying a product liquid to a container from a tank (T) that stores a product liquid in which gas elements are dissolved and gas elements contained in the product liquid that occupies the upper part of the product liquid, A first step involves replacing the inside of the container with a gas element, and supplying the container with a gas element at a second pressure (P2) lower than the first pressure (P1) from the time the inside of the container is brought to a first pressure (P1) until the product liquid is filled. Step 2 is performed in which carbon dioxide at a first pressure (P1) is supplied to the container from the start of filling the product liquid until the end of filling, and Step 3 is performed in sequence. A method for manufacturing beverages.

[0069] [Note 9] In the first step, Gassing treatment, which replaces the inside of the container with a gas element, The counter process to bring the internal pressure of the container to the first pressure (P1) is performed in sequence. In the gassing process, A gas containing gaseous elements is discharged from the container to the outside of the system. In counter processing, The discharge of gaseous elements from the container is prevented, see Appendix 8.

[0070] [Note 10] In the first step, The gas element at the second pressure (P2) is supplied to the container via the second gas supply passage (12). In the second step, The gas element at the first pressure (P1) is supplied to the container via the first gas supply passage (11). The second gas supply line (12) is connected in partial parallel to the first gas supply line (11), as specified in Appendix 8 or Appendix 9.

[0071] The gas element of the second pressure (P2) in the first step, and In the second step, the gas element at the first pressure (P1) is supplied to the container (C) via a common third gas supply passage (11). The third gas supply line (11) is, The system includes a flow control valve (25) that can set the gas element to a second pressure (P2) or a first pressure (P1). See Appendix 8 or Appendix 9. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1. Beverage filling system 2 Star Wheel 3. Pressure regulating valve 10A,10B Beverage filling equipment 11. First Carbon Dioxide Supply Channel 11A Inflow position 11B Branching point 12. Second Carbon Dioxide Supply Channel 12A Orifice 13 Liquid supply path 14 Liquid valve 15 Flow meter 16. First counter valve 17. Second counter valve 18 Main exhaust passage 19. Secondary exhaust passage 19A Orifice 20 Gassing return valve 21 Snift valve 22 Control Unit 25 Third counter valve 100 Incoming conveyor 101 Transfer Star Wheel 102 Discharge conveyor C Can container E Can discharge point S Can supply point T Liquid storage tank Tg gas region Tl liquid area P1 First pressure P2 Second pressure

Claims

1. A liquid supply passage is provided, which stores the product liquid and the gas elements contained in the product liquid that occupy the upper part of the product liquid, and supplies the product liquid from a tank to a container into which solid material is inserted, and a liquid valve is provided. A gas supply path is provided, in which one of the following is selected: a first supply state in which the gas element stored in the tank is supplied to the container at a first pressure; a second supply state in which the gas element stored in the tank is supplied to the container at a second pressure lower than the first pressure; or a closed state in which the gas element is not supplied to the container. The gas supply path comprises a control unit that controls any of the first supply state, the second supply state, and the closed state, The control unit, The first step involves replacing the inside of the container with the gas element and setting the gas supply path to the second supply state until the inside of the container is filled with the product liquid at the first pressure, A liquid filling apparatus that sequentially performs the following steps: a second step of opening the liquid valve and keeping the gas supply path in the first supply state until the filling of the product liquid through the liquid valve is completed.

2. The system is equipped with an exhaust passage for draining the gas discharged from the aforementioned container. In the first step described above, The control unit, In the gassing process in which the inside of the container is replaced with the gas element, the gas is discharged outside the system through the exhaust passage, and then, In the counter process that closes the exhaust passage, the discharge of the gas element from the container is prevented. The liquid filling apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned gas supply line is A first gas supply path supplies the gas element to the container according to the first supply state, The system includes a second gas supply path that supplies the gas element to the container according to the second supply state, A liquid filling apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The first gas supply channel is, It is equipped with a first on / off valve that can be selected to be either open or closed, The second gas supply channel is The system includes a second on-off valve, which can be selected to be either open or closed, and an orifice provided downstream of the second on-off valve with respect to the flow of the gas element. The liquid filling apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The control unit, In the first step described above, The first on-off valve is closed, and the second on-off valve is controlled to be open. In the second step described above, The first on-off valve is opened, and the second on-off valve is controlled to be closed. The liquid filling apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The control unit, In the first step, the liquid valve is controlled to a closed state, In the second step, the liquid valve is opened. The liquid filling apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned gas supply line is A third gas supply path that supplies the gas element to the container in the first supply state, or supplies the gas element to the container in the second supply state, The third gas supply path includes a flow control valve that is provided in the third gas supply path and is capable of selecting between a first supply state, a second supply state, and a closed state. A liquid filling apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. A method for manufacturing a beverage, comprising supplying the product liquid from a tank in which the product liquid and gas elements contained in the product liquid occupying the upper part of the product liquid are stored to a container into which solid material is inserted, A first step involves replacing the inside of the container with the gas element, and supplying the container with the gas element at a second pressure lower than the first pressure until the container is filled with the product liquid, A second step is performed, in which the gas element at the first pressure is supplied to the container from the start of filling the product liquid until the end of filling, and the following steps are performed in sequence: A method for manufacturing beverages.

9. In the first step described above, A gassing process in which the inside of the container is replaced with the gas element, The following steps are performed in order: a counter process to set the internal pressure of the container to a first pressure, In the aforementioned gassing process, The gas containing the gas element is discharged from the container to the outside of the system. In the aforementioned counter processing, The discharge of the gas element from the container is prevented. A method for producing a beverage according to claim 8.

10. In the first step described above, The gas element of the second pressure is supplied to the container via the second gas supply path. In the second step described above, The gas element at the first pressure is supplied to the container via the first gas supply path. The second gas supply path is connected in partial parallel to the first gas supply path. A method for producing a beverage according to claim 8 or claim 9.

11. The gas element of the second pressure in the first step, and The gas element of the first pressure in the second step is supplied to the container via a common third gas supply passage. The third gas supply channel is, The gas element is provided with a flow control valve that can be set to the second pressure or the first pressure. A method for producing a beverage according to claim 8 or claim 9.

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