Pressure-Controlled Filling of Carbonated Beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for filling containers with carbonated beverages in beverage bottling plants face challenges due to the release of CO2 when using vacuum filling processes, leading to foaming and prolonged filling times, and require complex additional components for accurate volume measurement.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that pressure-tightly connect the container to a filling product line, determine the initial pressure, and fill the container until a predetermined switch-off pressure is reached, allowing for precise control of the filling volume independent of flow rate and time, using a pressure gauge to simplify the system and prevent CO2 release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vacuum filling method is used to fill carbonated beverages, then filling precision can be improved, but CO2 is released causing foaming and filling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter from vacuum (negative pressure) to positive pressure during filling. By applying positive pressure to the product reservoir and maintaining it during filling, CO2 remains dissolved in the carbonated beverage, preventing foaming while enabling precise filling control through pressure monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of CO2 release into a beneficial one by using pressure control to keep CO2 dissolved. The pressure monitoring system that detects filling completion is also used to maintain positive pressure throughout the process, turning the potential harm of gas release into a controlled feature that prevents foaming
2Measurement precision
If flow meter or metering chamber is used to control filling volume, then filling accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the filling control function from complex mechanical measurement devices (flow meters, metering chambers) and relocates it to a simple pressure monitoring system. The pressure sensor and control unit directly determine when to open/close the filling valve based on pressure changes, eliminating the need for additional complex components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical measurement systems (flow meters, metering chambers with calibrated volumes) with a pressure-based control system. The pressure sensor detects filling completion through pressure changes, substituting complex mechanical volume measurement with simpler pressure monitoring and control
3Object-generated harmful factors
If counter-pressure filling is used for carbonated products, then foaming is reduced, but filling speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamic pressure control where the pressure in the product reservoir is actively maintained at a positive level during filling. This dynamic pressure maintenance prevents CO2 release and foaming while enabling rapid filling, unlike static counter-pressure methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention maintains positive pressure continuously throughout the filling process, from the moment the filling valve opens until completion. This continuous pressure maintenance ensures CO2 remains dissolved, preventing foaming at any stage and enabling sustained high filling speed without interruption
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 enables accurate and efficient filling of containers with carbonated beverages by controlling the filling process based on pressure, reducing foaming and complexity, and allowing for rapid and precise determination of the filling volume, even for small volumes, while minimizing the need for additional components.
Implementation Method 1
determining the outlet pressure in the container
Implementation Method 2
filling the container with the product... stopping the filling process when a predetermined cut-off pressure is reached
Implementation Method 3
The container is evacuated before filling with the product
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for filling a container (100) with a filling product, comprising the steps of pressure-tightly connecting the container to be filled to a filling product line (2), determining the initial pressure (PAU) in the container (100), filling the container (100) with the filling product, and stopping the filling of the container (100) when a predetermined cut-off pressure (PAB) in the container (100) is reached.