Liquid Filler Return Line Measurement for Carbonated Beverage Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid filling machines for carbonated beverages struggle with ensuring continuous quality and quantity analysis, particularly when switching between different liquids, as the prior art's measuring devices are not effectively integrated into the circulation system, leading to inefficiencies and potential waste.
Innovation Solution
A device and method where the liquid is circulated through a filler tank with a measuring device in the return line for continuous quantitative and qualitative analysis, allowing adjustments via a control unit and dosing device to ensure desired specifications before the filling process begins, incorporating temperature, concentration, and conductivity measurements for closed-loop control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the measuring device is arranged in a ring channel to the individual filling elements, then the liquid can be analyzed before filling, but the liquid cannot be circulated back for continuous monitoring and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by connecting the measuring device to the filler tank through a return line, creating a closed-loop system. The measuring device continuously monitors liquid quality parameters (concentration, temperature, density, conductivity) and feeds this information back to a control unit, which automatically adjusts dosing devices to maintain optimal liquid composition. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and automatic adjustment, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and adaptability to different liquids.
Solution Approach 2:
The return line serves multiple functions: it acts as a circulation path for the liquid, a conduit for the measuring device to sample and analyze the liquid, and a connection to the dosing device for automatic adjustment. This multi-functional design allows the same structural element to support both continuous measurement and liquid composition adjustment, enabling the system to handle different liquids effectively while maintaining continuous quality control.
2Reliability
If the liquid is circulated through the filler tank with continuous monitoring, then quality consistency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the return line (already present in the filling system) with the measuring device and dosing device connections to create an integrated circulation and monitoring system. By combining these functions into a unified structure where the return line serves as both a circulation path and a measurement/dosing conduit, the system achieves continuous quality monitoring without proportionally increasing structural complexity. The control unit further integrates these functions by coordinating measurement data and dosing adjustments in a single control mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If the measuring device is used to analyze liquid in the filler tank, then quality control is improved, but the liquid in the tank cannot be adjusted without disposal or waste
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of liquid composition deviations and automatic correction through the dosing device connected to the return line. When the measuring device detects incorrect concentration, temperature, density, or conductivity, the control unit immediately adjusts the dosing device to correct the composition, eliminating the need to dispose of the liquid batch. This continuous feedback and correction process prevents waste by maintaining optimal liquid quality throughout the filling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis and adjustment of the liquid composition before the filling process begins. The measuring device continuously monitors liquid parameters in the filler tank, and the control unit makes preliminary adjustments through the dosing device to ensure the liquid is ready for filling. This preliminary action prevents the need to dispose of liquid batches that would otherwise require disposal due to quality issues, thereby reducing waste.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures consistent quality and quantity of the liquid throughout the filling process, preventing faulty batches and waste by continuously monitoring and adjusting the liquid's parameters, especially when changing beverages, with online monitoring and remote control capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The measuring device is designed as a concentration and/or temperature and/or density and/or conductivity measuring device
Implementation Method 2
The measuring device is designed as a concentration and/or temperature and/or density and/or conductivity measuring device
Implementation Method 3
The measuring device is designed as a concentration and/or temperature and/or density and/or conductivity measuring device
Implementation Method 4
The measuring device is designed as a concentration and/or temperature and/or density and/or conductivity measuring device
Implementation Method 5
the liquid to be filled is circulated through the filler tank, that is to say in a circuit
Implementation Method 6
a control unit processing the measured values can take appropriate countermeasures, for example mixing in the components or water
Implementation Method 7
at least one heat exchanger may be arranged in the return line or return line for circulating the liquid. With the help of this heat exchanger, the temperature of the circulating liquid can be controlled, namely basically cooling or heating
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a device for filling liquids, particularly carbonated beverages, into bottles (1), cans, or similar receptacles. To this end, at least one filling container (2) and filler elements (3) connected thereto are provided. In addition, at least one measurement device (4) is present for quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of the liquid. According to the invention, the above-mentioned measurement device (4) is disposed in a return line (5) for conducting the liquid through the filling container (2) in a circulating fashion.