EP2409948B1 - Method and device for filling containers with cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for treating containers. The invention will be described with reference to a device for filling containers with liquid and in particular with beverages, but it is also pointed out that the invention can also be applied to other container treatment systems, such as blow molding machines, which convert plastic preforms into plastic containers.

Such filling machines are known from the prior art for a long time. For example, describes the DE 201 20 014 a rotary filler for filling bottles with liquid, which has a rotor which is rotatable about a vertical axis and on which a plurality of filling valves are arranged. It is known from the prior art that such filling devices can be cleaned in the context of a cleaning mode with a liquid detergent. This cleaning agent is usually supplied via the product supply line and thus cleans the individual filling elements and is then returned back using a so-called CIP cap or cover. Due to this procedure, it is therefore sometimes necessary for the cleaning agents to be recycled back through the system via relatively complicated paths.

The DE 195 42 432 describes a rotary device for the treatment of objects and in particular of containers. In this case, a rotary joint for the fluid transport between a stator assembly and a rotor assembly is provided.

The DE 43 31 745 describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention has for its object to improve the cleaning options for such systems. This is inventively achieved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

A device according to the invention for filling containers with a liquid and especially with a beverage has a multiplicity of filling elements, which each have an outlet for filling the beverage into the containers, and a valve device for controlling the supply of the liquid into the containers , Furthermore, the device has a transport device, which transports the containers and preferably also the filling elements along a predetermined transport path at least temporarily during their filling with the liquid. Furthermore, a cleaning device is provided, which acts on at least one of the liquid to be filled areas of the device and in particular at least a portion of the filling elements with a cleaning medium.

According to the invention, at least one filling element is designed in such a way that the cleaning medium emerges freely from this filling element during the cleaning operation.

While in the prior art, the cleaning medium is usually recycled, it is proposed in the context of the present invention to deliberately leave the cleaning medium from the filling element or its outlet. Thus, the cleaning medium is not recycled in a channel, but exits freely. In particular, the cleaning medium is at least partially out after the exit from the filling element in a channel, but preferably falls freely down, d. H. preferably exits to an area which is below the filling element, i. H. closer to the center of the earth than the filling element is arranged.

Advantageously, the individual filling elements are guided along a circular transport path. Advantageously, the filling elements are arranged on a carrier, which is a substantially vertical axis is rotatable. Advantageously, the cleaning medium emerges during the cleaning operation from a plurality of filling elements and preferably from all filling elements substantially free.

The area touched by the liquid to be filled is in particular areas of the filling elements, such as the valve device, but also other supply lines, via which the product is supplied to the filling elements.

The Applicant has recognized that, in contrast to the devices known in the prior art, it is also possible to allow the cleaning medium to emerge freely. Advantageously, the device has a collecting device in order to be able to collect the cleaning medium emerging from the filling element.

Advantageously, the device is a rotary filling machine, which particularly preferably has a central warehouse. There is thus no SIP (sterilization in place) or CIP (cleaning in place) return provided via a media distributor, but the sterilization medium or cleaning media are omitted directly.

Advantageously, the device has a clean room and the at least one filling element is designed such that the cleaning medium emerges into the clean room during the cleaning operation. In particular, for embodiments with clean room, the invention is particularly suitable because contamination by splashes are avoided in this way, since the cleaning medium first enters the clean room. Advantageously, the clean room, apart from supply and discharge facilities for the containers is substantially complete.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the clean room has a drain for discharging the cleaning medium. This outflow serves at the same time as a collection device to collect the cleaning medium, and specifically remove it again. The cleaning medium can be passed to a recycling or treatment device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has a separating device for separating gaseous and liquid media emerging from the clean room. about gaseous media, such as, for example, an admission gas for the containers, can also exit the said outflow. Advantageously, a separation of these media is provided, as it can be carried out for example by the provision of a siphon or the like.

According to the invention, the device has a liquid-conducting device which is applied to the outlet in a cleaning mode.

In this way it can be prevented that the cleaning medium is injected in a plurality of directions starting from the outlet, but the liquid guide directs the liquids targeted in certain areas, for example in the direction of the outlet, which is arranged in the sterile room.

This liquid guide device has an opening. Thus, the liquid-conducting device may be a plate which has, for example, a circular opening through which the cleaning medium passes.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has at least one feed device in order to supply the containers (in particular before or during the filling process) a gaseous medium. The device is advantageously also designed such that this gaseous medium can be discharged into the clean room. This embodiment is particularly suitable for filling machines which fill beverages with bound gases. In this filling, the containers are initially biased with a certain gas pressure. This gas is then discharged to the filling process again, it being proposed here that the gas is now discharged into the clean room.

It should be noted that the derivation of the biasing gases described here and in particular the derivation of the biasing gases into the sterile or clean room can also be used independently of the discharge of the cleaning medium shown above into the clean room. Advantageously, the gaseous medium, which serves to bias the containers, not discharged directly from the containers in the clean room, but via an outlet, which opens particularly preferably in the clean room. In an advantageous embodiment, the device has a valve device for discharging the gaseous medium - in particular in the clean room - on.

It is pointed out, however, that the draining liquid described here can also be used, for example, in forming devices, in which case the cleaning medium can be discharged, for example via a blowing nozzle, which pressurizes the plastic preforms with a gaseous medium in order to expand them can be removed from the sterile room. Such a forming device advantageously also has a blow mold, within which the plastic preforms are expandable to plastic containers.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the device has at least one cleaning device for cleaning the clean room. Thus, for example, spray nozzles can be arranged within the clean room, which clean areas of the clean room and in particular wall areas within the clean room. These cleaning devices are advantageously arranged above the outlet, so that the exiting from this cleaning medium can be discharged through the outlets.

The present invention is further directed to a device for treating containers with a device of the type described above and a sterilizing device arranged in a transport direction of the containers upstream of this device for sterilizing the containers. Advantageously, the system also has a forming device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, and this forming device is advantageously arranged in front of said sterilization device.

It would thus be possible for the containers to be preheated once again after they have been formed, then treated with a mixture of H ₂ O ₂ and sterile air, and then possibly blown out with sterile hot air. Subsequently, the containers could still be cooled by blowing cold sterile air and then fed to the filling device.

As a sterilization device could be used, for example, a device which has an evaporator for evaporating H ₂ O ₂ and which then the said mixture produces and charged to the containers so. However, other sterilization devices would be conceivable, such as devices which sterilize the containers by the use of electron or laser beams or by the use of UV light. It would also be possible to combine a plurality of sterilization methods or even several sterilization devices to be arranged one behind the other in the transport direction of the containers.

The present invention is further directed to a method for operating a device for filling containers with liquids, wherein containers to be filled are transported along a predetermined transport path and at least temporarily filled during this transport by means of a plurality of filling elements with a liquid medium and wherein a cleaning mode is provided, are acted upon in the at least parts of the filling elements with a cleaning medium. According to the invention, the cleaning medium, after it has acted on the parts of the filling elements, freely from these filling elements. It is therefore also proposed on the method side, that the cleaning medium is not recycled, but is discharged directly in particular in a clean room.

Further advantages and embodiments will be apparent from the attached drawings:

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Füllmaschine, die besonders geeignet ist, Produkte unter sterilen Bedingungen abzufüllen;

Fig. 2

eine Aufsicht auf die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1; und

Fig. 3

eine Detaildarstellung eines Füllelements für eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung.

Show:

Fig. 1

a filling machine according to the invention, which is particularly suitable to fill products under sterile conditions;

Fig. 2

a view of the device Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 3

a detailed representation of a filling element for a device according to the invention.

The Fig. 1 shows the filling machine according to the invention in production. In this case, no return of the media is provided via a distributor for cleaning and sterilization of the product routes. The liquid product is fed via a feed line 2 to the rotating product container 3. Via several lines 4, the product flows through filling valves 5 in the container 6, wherein the filling quantity is preferably determined via a measuring device, particularly preferably a flow meter, in the feed line 4 (not shown). Alternatively, the filling amount can also be determined via a weighing device on the container receptacle 7. The level of the liquid in the product container 3 is expediently determined via a level sensor 8, which is advantageously integrated in the stationary part of the media rotary distributor 9 and determines the level particularly advantageously without contact. Since a cleaning medium is also conducted via the feed line 2, the feed line 2 is also a component of the cleaning device of the filling machine.

By way of a gas path 11, pressure equalization with the environment or with the clean room 12 is normally produced in order to be able to carry out a purely gravimetric filling. In a particularly high-viscosity product, the gas path 11 can also be used to produce an overpressure in the product container 3, in many cases, then a piston filling valve can be used.

The reference numeral 9 indicates a media distributor, which distributes the liquid product to the individual filling valves 5. The media rotary distributor 9 has a mechanical seal 10, which in the case shown does not come into contact with the product. Appropriately, the mechanical seal on the back is at least temporarily sterilized in the production. For this purpose, hot water or steam is supplied via a feed line 13 and placed elsewhere at the lowest point via a drain 14 preferably on the rotating part, for example on a Kondensatabscheider. In order to perform the mechanical seal 10, a bearing 15 is provided. Appropriately, this is deducted from the supply line 2 and the mechanical seal 10 to minimize the heat flow, especially in the sterilization with steam. The temperature separation can be done either by cavities 16, thin-walled webs 17 or bolts 18, or it can also heat insulation elements are used. The bearing housing may be provided with lubrication holes 27 and the supply line 2 may simultaneously act as a torque arm 28.

The reference numeral 3 denotes a receptacle for receiving the liquid product. The product container 3 expediently rotates. If there are several product traces, several product containers may also be present, which are then expediently arranged on the stationary part of the machine. In this case, a multi-track media distributor is disposed between the product containers and the filling valves. The sight glass 19 is appropriate positioned so that a spray ball 20 can be replaced during maintenance. Instead of a stirrer, an agitator blade 21 is provided in the product container 3, which preferably at the end of the supply line 2 and more preferably between Behälterzuführ- and discharge unit 22/23 (see Fig. 2 ) is arranged. It is used for products with fibers, pulp or other solids for stirring, so that these solids can not settle on the bottom of the container. An advantage of this arrangement is that no separate drive is necessary because of the rotational relative movement between the stirring blade and product container for the agitator.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a base frame of the device. The base frame carries the rotating upper part 25 by means of a centrally located hollow shaft 26. Through the hollow shaft 26 lines can be used to supply the upper part with power, control signals and pneumatic air. A rotary distributor 29 is preferably arranged below the (electromotive) drive unit 30. The frame 24 also includes the standing clean room housing 31 which preferably seals the standing part to the rotating part of the filling machine by means of hydraulic sealing systems 32 in order to be able to maintain the clean room. Sterile air, if necessary dried, is supplied via one or more supply air pipes 33. Media can be withdrawn via one or more outlets 34. Downstream of the outlets 34 is a separation (not shown) of liquid media (eg, down through a siphon) and gaseous media (up through a suction unit, for example). With one or more cleaning nozzles 35, which are connected to a not shown automatically controlled cleaning system, the clean room is cleaned. In the housing 31 and several treatment units, such. B. Behältersterilisations- / cleaning and / or Verschließeinheiten be integrated. Such treatment units for container sterilization or purification can use a wide variety of treatment methods, such as, for example, treatment with liquid and / or gaseous media, treatment with plasma, treatment with radiation (UV, electron beams) and are, for example, in DE102005012507A1 . DE102007034837A1 . DE102010012569.5 . DE10134037B4 or DE10217145A1 described.

The drive unit 30 may be, for example, a direct drive, in particular a gearless drive, which preferably has a high torque (so-called. Torque motor). In this case, the central shaft or hollow shaft 26 and the rotor 64 of the motor may be formed as a common component or formed in one piece. It would be possible, for example, that permanent magnets of the rotor 64 are integrated in the hollow shaft 26, so that advantageously the rotor of the motor and the hollow shaft form a structural unit

Also, the stator 66 of the drive unit 30 and the housing 68 could be formed as a common component or form a structural unit. It would thus be possible for the stator magnets and, if appropriate, also supply lines to supply current to these magnets already integrated in the housing. These stator magnets are preferably electromagnets.

In the Fig. 1 shown bearings 72, 74 are advantageously not part of the drive unit 30, but are part of a machine storage, which could find application even when using a conventional engine. These bearings 72, 74 advantageously support the housing 68 with respect to the hollow shaft 26. In this embodiment, advantageously no additional support in the motor between the motor shaft or hollow shaft 62 and the motor housing 68 is present. Preferably, the bearings 72, 74 are sealed to prevent entry of foreign matter.

It is therefore proposed to use a direct drive as drive for the device according to the invention. It should be noted that this embodiment can also be used independently of the invention initially described for corresponding devices for filling containers.

In addition, however, such a designed direct drive could also be used for other devices for treating containers, which in particular have a transport device which transports the containers by means of a rotatable support. Such devices may, for example, be transport stars, sterilization devices, blow molding machines and the like.

The reference numeral 52 denotes a stationary boundary wall of the clean room in operation, the reference numeral 54 a movable in operation of the device wall and the reference numeral 57 the (in operation also movable) outer periphery of the central shaft, here also forms a boundary wall of the clean room. Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of the filling machine. The stirring blade 21 is preferably arranged in the region of the angle A, since here the filling valves 5 are closed. As a result, the product flows more smoothly in the area of the open filling valves. In the container 3, three spray balls are preferably arranged. The in Fig. 1 shown bottom 58 of the housing 31 is arranged obliquely, so that the media to a groove 46, in which the outlet 34 is disposed, can run off. The groove 46 is formed here circumferentially and inclined in the direction of the outlet 34, so that at least liquid media are directed to the outlet 34 out.

In the following, the cleaning or sterilization of the product-contacted or media-contacted ways with reference to Fig. 1-3 described. Product-contacting are the ways of the upstream product preparation (eg product sterilization by means of short-time heating or UHT), optionally a sterile product buffer tank (which is preferably arranged above the filling machine 1 if present), the supply line 2 in which optionally valves can be installed, and Product container 3 to the outlet 37 ( Fig. 3 That is, this also includes the surfaces of the outlet 37, which are arranged between the filling valve cone 38 and aperture 36. If there are several product routes (for example for a drink and a syrup additive for the drink), these are also product-related. Media contact are all paths otherwise lead to the product container 3 and / or the filling valve 5 but also away. For example, nitrogen can be used to rinse the containers at the filling valve outlet 37 (cf. Fig. 3 ) be supplied for inerting the container internal volume.

The cleaning of the media- and product-contacted ways is usually done via liquid cleaning media such. As alkali or acid are fed via the leads 2 and via the gas path 11. By opening the Füllventilkegels 38 by means of a valve drive not shown (pneumatic, magnetic or electric motor) they are then left in the clean room and withdrawn via one or more outlets 34 and optionally at least temporarily to the CIP system for further use (eg in the cleaning circuit) or processing returned or pumped. For example, it is possible that a first part of the cleaning media or pre-rinse water after removal from the outlet 34 is discarded via a suitable, automatically controllable valve assembly in the channel, as in this step still very much product residues are rinsed out of the system. Is the Most of the product remains rinsed, the valve assembly is switched so that the circuit to the CIP system is closed.

Fig. 3 shows the filling valve 5 in the sterilization cycle. A Einschwenk- or pressing device 35a has a diaphragm 36 is pivoted with a bore 36a. The diaphragm has a defined bore diameter, which maintains the vapor pressure (If the desired temperature is greater than 100 ° C, an overpressure must be established with respect to the clean room 12) in the filling valve 5. Thus, the filling valve 5, the supply line 4, the product container 3 and other components that are in contact with the product or are in contact with the medium are sterilized. The supply of the steam takes place at least temporarily via the supply line 2 and / or via the gas path 11 and / or via another, if necessary. Additional lane, which leads to the product container 3. The aperture 36 can be made adjustable in order to set the optimum bore diameter during startup of the device.

The sterilization medium (preferably water vapor) may additionally gaseous, such as. B. H ₂ O ₂ or liquid, such as. B. PES, sterilizing media may be added. The whole procedure is usually called SIP (sterilization in place). The sterilization process is monitored by means of one or more temperature sensors, which are preferably arranged in the filling valves and are particularly preferably integrated in the diaphragm. It is also possible to arrange a single temperature sensor stationarily under the diaphragm 36, which then temporarily records the temperatures at the bore 36a during rotation of the upper part 25 when the valve moves over it. The sensor can also be arranged such that it can be swiveled in and is preferably arranged at an angle between the container feed unit 22 and the container discharge unit 23 (sector A in FIG Fig. 2 ).

After the sterilization process is usually a cooling phase of the upper part 25, which phase may also be media-based, for example with dried, if necessary. Cooled sterile air or sterile inert gas.

Not every time the product is changed, cleaning or sterilization is required. If you fill from a clear to a cloudy product, it is advisable to fill the mixing phase into the containers and to transport them either closed or unlocked on the normal container transport path from the clean room. In the case of viscous products, intermediate rinsing with a low-viscosity medium (eg drinking water with 5% liquid H ₂ O ₂ content) expediently. When exceeding a certain amount, it is appropriate to leave the medium via the filling valve in the clean room and dispose of one or more outlets 34.

The Einschwenk- or pressing device 35a is preferably used for pivoting a diaphragm 36 which seals either axially on the filling valve or preferably also radially the filling valve outlet 37. The reference numeral 40 denotes a boom on which the diaphragm 36 is arranged. The seal 39 can either be made of an elastomer or a hard plastic or metal and have a defined shape. The rotary or translational movement of the shutter with lever can be driven either pneumatically / hydraulically and / or electromagnetically. Depending on the requirements, it may be necessary to swivel diaphragms with different bore diameters, in which case an electromagnetic drive, as in FIG Figure 3 shown, comes to the fore. For example, a cap (aperture without bore) can be pivoted in order to prevent 12 media from entering the filling valve during cleaning and / or sterilization of the clean room. It is also expedient to operate a plurality of filling valves with a swiveling or pressing device 35a. The advantage in terms of sterility is when the drive (s) are outside the clean room. The sealing of the rod 41 is preferably carried out via a shaft seal 42 which is movable in the X direction or is mounted on a bellows or membrane, not shown. If only a few microbiologically demanding products are filled on the machine, the swiveling and pressing device can also be located in the clean room. Preferably, one or more segments 43 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) retracted with multiple aperture 36.

The following describes the bottling of beverages with bound gases (eg carbonated drinks). In order to be able to fill carbonated drinks, the container 6 must be in a certain area B (FIG. Fig. 2 ). The container 6 is pressed by a lifting device to the filling valve outlet 37 or a bell of the filling valve moves towards the container in order to seal the container to the clean room. Normally, when filling carbonated beverages, another line (not shown) exists between the filling valve outlet 37 and the gas space of the product container 3, which can be switched via one or more valves. The valve is switched on after pressing the container, so that a pressure equalization between empty container 6 and product tank 3 is produced. In contrast to the clean room prevails then in the prestressed container 6 Pressure of up to 4 bar and more. By opening the Füllventilkegels 38 (in the filling area C) can now flow pure product by gravity into the container. If the desired filling quantity is reached, the filling valve cone 38 is closed.

In the discharge area D ( Fig. 1 ), the filled bottle must now be relieved (gently) and partly in several steps. For this purpose, a further line or bore, which extends into the headspace of the container and leads into the environment, necessary, the flow in the discharge area is controlled by one or more valves and or throttling devices. The line or bore can be passed through the Füllventilkegel or else, for example, laterally into the outlet 37 of the filling valve. Since communication between container, filling valve and environment is not desirable because of the maintenance of sterility in the product or in the clean room, the relief gas (CO ₂ ) is preferably blown into the clean room. Due to the air exchange in the clean room, the discharge gas is sucked through one or more outlets 34.

Advantageously, this media-contacting path can be acted upon by a connection, not shown, at a suitable point of the above-described line or bore for preloading and / or relieving, with cleaning media and / or sterilization media, in which case the respective medium at the outlet 37 of the filling valve in the clean room can escape and can be discharged through the outlet 34.

In principle, beverage mixtures can also be produced on such a filling plant according to the invention. Two or more product paths then lead to the filling machine 1, and the various products are then fed to the filling valves via preferably multi-track media distributors. For example, from milk with different fat contents in two product routes, a milk with a certain, predetermined fat content can be mixed in the filled container. Particularly interesting is the addition of, for example, syrup in a closed filling valve 5 in the area A of the filling machine. The syrup portion is then completely rinsed into the container 6 by the following main portion of the filling product, for example water. Advantageously, in the production preparation, all other routes which are in contact with product or media are adequately cleaned by interposing valves provided on the rotating upper part 25 and also sufficiently sterilized in the case of a desired aseptic (aseptic) filling.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Filling machine, device

2

supply

3

Product container, receptacle, product tank

4

management

5

filling valves

6

container

7

container receptacle

8th

level probe

9

Media distributor

10

Mechanical seal

11

gas path

12

cleanroom

13

supply

14

derivation

15

storage

16

cavities

17

Stege

18

bolt

19

sight glass

20

sprayball

21

impellers

22, 23

Container feed and discharge unit

24

base frame

25

top

26

hollow shaft

27

lubrication holes

28

torque arm

29

rotary distributor

30

drive unit

31

Clean room housing

32

hydraulic sealing system

33

Windpipe

34

outlet

35

cleaning nozzle,
35a swiveling or pressing device

36

cover

36a

drilling

37

outlet

38

Füllventilkegel

39

poetry

40

boom

41

pole

42

Shaft seal

43

segments

46

gutter

52

boundary wall

54

movable wall

56

wave

57

Outer circumference of the central shaft

58

Floor of the enclosure 31

64

Runner of the drive unit

66

Stator of the drive unit

68

Housing of the drive unit

72, 74

camp

A - D

Sectors, sections

Claims (9)

1. An apparatus (1) for filling containers (6) with a liquid and, in particular, with a beverage, with a plurality of filling elements (5) which in each case have an outlet (37) in order to pour the beverage into the containers (10), and a valve device (38) in order to control the supply of the liquid into the containers (6), with a conveying device which conveys the containers (10) along a pre-set conveying path at least for a time during the filling thereof with the liquid, and with a cleaning device which acts with a cleaning medium upon at least one region contacted by the liquid to be filled, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a liquid guiding device (36) which is applied to the outlet (37) in a cleaning mode and has an opening (36) through which the cleaning medium is freely discharged from the filling element (5) during this cleaning mode instead of being guided back in a channel.
2. An apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a clean room (12) and the at least one filling element (5) is arranged in such a way that the cleaning medium is discharged into this clean room during the cleaning operation.
3. An apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the clean room (12) has an outflow (34) for the removal of the cleaning medium.
4. An apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a separating device for separating gaseous and liquid media discharged from the clean room.
5. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 2-4, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has at least one supply device in order to supply a gaseous medium to the containers, and the apparatus (1) is designed in such a way that this gaseous medium is capable of being released into the clean room (12).
6. An apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a valve device for releasing the gaseous medium into the clean room (12).
7. An apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims 2-6, characterized in that the apparatus has at least one cleaning device (35) for cleaning the clean room (12).
8. A plant for the treatment of containers with an apparatus (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims and a sterilization device arranged upstream with respect to this apparatus (1) in a conveying direction of the containers (6) in order to sterilize the containers.
9. A method of operating an apparatus for filling containers (6) with liquids, wherein containers (6) to be filled are conveyed along a pre-set conveying path and are filled with a liquid medium by means of a plurality of filling elements (5) at least for a time during this conveying, and wherein a cleaning mode is provided in which at least parts of the filling elements (5) are acted upon with a cleaning medium, characterized in that in a cleaning mode a liquid guiding device (36) which has an opening (36a) is applied to the outlet (37).

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