Counterpressure Filling Element Lifting for Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing counter-pressure filling systems for containers under increased pressure require separate relief channels and valves, leading to high installation and maintenance costs, as well as complex cleaning and monitoring requirements, especially for carbonated beverages.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that temporarily breaks the gas-tight contact between the container opening and the filling element's outlet opening to relieve the preload pressure directly into the environment, eliminating the need for separate relief valves and channels by using a lifting device to move the filling element along a longitudinal axis, thereby simplifying the filling process and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate relief channels and valves are used to relieve headspace pressure, then pressure relief function is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure relief functionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the relief channel function into the existing filling element structure. The relief channel is integrated into the filling element body, eliminating the need for separate relief valves and external relief channels. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining the pressure relief capability through the same filling element that performs filling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filling element is designed to serve multiple functions: it performs both the filling operation and the pressure relief operation. The same filling element structure contains both the filling channel and the relief channel, allowing it to universally handle both liquid filling and gas pressure relief without requiring additional dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate relief channels are installed, then pressure relief capability is improved, but installation and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure relief capabilityVSAvoidinstallation and maintenance costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The relief channel is merged into the filling element structure itself, forming an integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate relief valve installations and reduces maintenance requirements, as the relief function is now part of the already-installed filling element rather than a separate system requiring independent installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate relief channels are provided, then headspace pressure relief is improved, but cleaning complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadspace pressure reliefVSAvoidcleaning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The relief channel is integrated into the filling element structure, which means it shares the same cleaning pathways and access points as the filling channel. This eliminates the need for separate relief channel cleaning systems and reduces cleaning complexity, as both channels can be cleaned through the same CIP (cleaning in place) infrastructure already used for filling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This approach reduces installation and maintenance costs, simplifies cleaning, and ensures efficient filling of carbonated beverages under high hygienic standards without the need for separate relief channels, while minimizing foaming and maintaining product quality.

Implementation Method 1

the contact between the container opening and the outlet opening is temporarily broken at least once before the container opening is separated or pulled off, in order to bring about an at least partial relief of the preload pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure relief through mechanical separation:

Data Source

PatentEP3650402B1Method for counterpressure filling of containers and filling system of a counterpressure filling device

Publication Date: 2023.01.25 KRONES AG

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AI summary

The present invention provides a method for filling containers (140) with a liquid under increased pressure, wherein, prior to the start of the filling process, a substantially gas-tight contact is established between a container opening (145) of a container (140) to be filled and an outlet opening (230) of a filling element (200), which is temporarily lifted at least once before the final separation of the container opening (145) from the outlet opening (230) after completion of the filling process in order to cause at least partial relief of the filled container.