MANUFACTURE OF CARBONATED BEVERAGES

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for the manufacture of a carbonated beverage, including the steps of: providing oxygen-reduced water; mixing the oxygen-reduced water with a mixing component to obtain a beverage mixture, adding a gas comprising CO.sub.2 to the beverage mixture to obtain a beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2, reducing the oxygen content of the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in a first container to obtain an oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2, discharging the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 from the first container, determining the CO.sub.2 content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2; and adding further CO.sub.2 to the discharged oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 on the basis of the determined CO.sub.2 content to obtain a finally carbonated beverage.

Claims

1. A method for a manufacture of a carbonated beverage, including the steps of: providing oxygen-reduced water; mixing the oxygen-reduced water with a mixing component to obtain a beverage mixture; adding a gas comprising CO.sub.2 to the beverage mixture to obtain a beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2; reducing the oxygen content of the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in a first container to obtain an oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2; discharging the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 from the first container; determining the CO.sub.2 content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2; and adding further CO.sub.2 to the discharged oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 on a basis of the determined CO.sub.2 content to obtain a finally carbonated beverage.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the CO.sub.2 content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 is determined by measuring the CO.sub.2 content in the first container, and/or after the discharge from the first container.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the CO.sub.2 content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 is measured by a volume expansion method, an optical measuring method, or a membrane-based measuring method.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a provision of the oxygen-reduced water comprises a degassing of the water in a second container placed under a vacuum.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first container is placed under a vacuum.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first container is placed under a vacuum and wherein the vacuum of the first container and the second container is generated by means of the same vacuum pump.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the discharged, oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 is returned to the first container.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the discharged, oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 is returned to the first container and furthermore with an addition of gas comprising CO.sub.2 and/or N.sub.2 to the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 while it is being returned to the first container.

9. The method according to claim 1, furthermore with a heating of the beverage mixture and/or the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 before the reduction of the oxygen content of the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in the first container.

10. A device for the manufacture of carbonated beverages, wherein the device is configured to carry out the method according to claim 1.

11. A filling line for packaging a carbonated beverage comprising: a mixing means which is configured to mix oxygen-reduced water and a mixing component to provide a beverage mixture; a first container for oxygen degassing of the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 to provide an oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2; a first carbonation means configured to mix the beverage mixture with a gas containing CO.sub.2 to provide the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2, and which is connected to a supply line connected with the first container; a discharge line connected with the first container; a first measuring means configured to measure a CO.sub.2 content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2; a second carbonation means connected with the discharge line; and an open-loop/closed-loop control means configured to control an operation of the second carbonation means on the basis of the CO.sub.2 content measured by the first measuring means.

12. The filling line according to claim 11, wherein the first measuring means is at least partially arranged within the first container or connected with the discharge line.

13. The filling line according to claim 11, furthermore with a second container configured for degassing water to provide the oxygen-reduced water; and a vacuum pump connected with the first container and the second container to generate a vacuum.

14. The filling line according to claim 11, furthermore with a second measuring means which is connected to the discharge line and is configured to measure an oxygen content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in the first discharge line; and wherein the open-loop/closed-loop control means is configured to control, on the basis of the determined oxygen content, the vacuum pump and thus the vacuum of the first container, and/or the first carbonation means and thus the amount of gas during the addition of the gas comprising CO.sub.2 to the beverage mixture to obtain the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2.

15. The filling line according to claim 11, wherein the first measuring means is at least partially arranged within the first container or connected with the discharge line and furthermore with a circuit line comprising the discharge line and connected to the first container, and a gas supply means configured to supply CO.sub.2 and/or N.sub.2 to the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 conducted in the circuit line.

16. The filling line according to claim 11, furthermore with a heating means arranged upstream of the first container which is configured to heat the beverage mixture and/or the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 before the reduction of the oxygen content of the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in the first container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0043] FIG. 1 shows modules of a filling line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows modules of a filling line according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for the manufacture of a carbonated beverage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for the manufacture of a carbonated beverage according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present invention provides a method and a device as well as a filling line for the manufacture of beverages, in particular of low-oxygen, carbonated beverages. Here, an at least two-stage reduction of oxygen, i.e. first a reduction of oxygen in the water used for the beverage, and then a reduction of oxygen of a beverage mixture of the oxygen-reduced water and a selected mixing component, for example syrup, concentrate, flavour etc., is accomplished. Compared to prior art, a desired oxygen content and CO.sub.2 content of the finished product provided for packaging can be achieved more reliably, and the amount of the stripping gas used for oxygen reduction can be reduced. One example of a device or filling line 100, respectively, for the manufacture of such beverages is shown in FIG. 1.

[0048] The filling line 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a first container (stripping gas container) 110 serving to reduce oxygen in a beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2. In a second container 120, water serving to manufacture the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 is degassed to reduce the oxygen content of the water (first oxygen reduction stage). The degassed water exits from the second container 120 via the line 101, and a mixing component (such as syrup, concentrate or flavours) is supplied to the degassed water from a reservoir 130 via the line 102. The line 102 can be provided with a corresponding mixing valve and can be considered as a mixing means with this valve. Furthermore, the filling line 100 comprises a CO.sub.2 source 140 for delivering CO.sub.2 via the line 103. The CO.sub.2 source 140 can be supplemented by an N.sub.2 source (not shown in FIG. 1). In a first carbonation means 150, which can comprise a control valve, CO.sub.2 from the CO.sub.2 source 140 (and optionally N.sub.2) is supplied to the mixture of the degassed water supplied from the second container 120 and the mixing component delivered from the reservoir 130 (first carbonation stage).

[0049] The thus manufactured beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 is conducted via a line 104 into the first container 110 where a reduction of the oxygen content is effected by means of the CO.sub.2 serving as a stripping gas (second oxygen reduction stage). Upon the reduction of the oxygen in the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in the first container 110, the beverage mixture exits from the first container 110 via the discharge line 105.

[0050] In the discharge line 105, a measuring means 160 is provided for measuring the CO.sub.2 content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 from the first container 110. However, it can be preferred to arrange the measuring means 160 at least partially within the first container for measuring the CO.sub.2 content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in the first container 110. The measuring result is forwarded to an open-loop/closed-loop control means 170. This open-loop/closed-loop control means 170 can control a metering means 180, for example a control valve, through which CO.sub.2 originating from the CO.sub.2 source 140 can flow via a line 103′. This CO.sub.2 can then be, on the basis of the measuring result delivered from the measuring means 160, added to the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in a second carbonation means 190 (second carbonation stage, final carbonation). The finally carbonated beverage mixture can then be supplied to a buffer tank and/or a filler (not shown in FIG. 1) for packaging, for example, in bottles or cans. The filler can be a filling machine which comprises a plurality of filling stations to simultaneously package a plurality of containers.

[0051] A further embodiment of a device or filling line 200, respectively, according to the invention is shown in FIG. 2. The filling line 200 shown in the figure comprises a first container (stripping gas container) 210 serving to reduce oxygen in a beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2. In a second container 220, water serving to manufacture the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 is degassed to reduce the oxygen content of the water (first oxygen reduction stage).

[0052] Both the degassing of the water in the second container 220 and the degassing of oxygen in the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in the first container 210 are accomplished under a vacuum which is effected by means of one single (in particular cleanable) vacuum pump 292 which is connected to the second container 220 via the line 207, and to the first container 210 via the line 208. The degassing of oxygen in the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in the first container 210 is effected, for example, under a vacuum of 0.7 to 0.9 bar. The choice of the vacuum in the first container 210 (stripping gas container) can be done depending on the beverage product, in particular the content and the composition of the volatile or taste-forming flavours. If relatively high (low) amounts of volatile flavours are present, a relatively low (high) vacuum is selected. Principally, by applying a vacuum, a higher volume flow rate into the stripping gas container can be achieved as compared to an atmospheric pressure with the same amount of CO.sub.2 gas, whereby the degassing efficiency can be increased, the degassing efficiency being higher the higher the vacuum is.

[0053] The degassed water exits from the second container 220 via the line 201, and a mixing component (such as syrup, concentrate or flavours) is supplied to the degassed water from a reservoir 230 via the line 202. Furthermore, the filling line 200 comprises a CO.sub.2 source 240 for delivering CO.sub.2 via the line 203. The CO.sub.2 source 240 can be supplemented by an N.sub.2 source (not shown in FIG. 2). In a first carbonation means 250 which can comprise a control valve, CO.sub.2 from the CO.sub.2 source 240 (and optionally N.sub.2) is supplied to the mixture from the degassed water delivered from the second container 220, and supplied to the mixing component delivered from the reservoir 230 (first carbonation stage).

[0054] The thus manufactured beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 is conducted via a line 204 into the first container 210 where a reduction of the oxygen content is effected (second oxygen reduction stage). Upon the reduction of the oxygen in the beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in the first container 210, the beverage mixture exits from the first container 210 via the discharge line 205. The discharge line is part of a circuit line 206 via which at least a portion of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 can be returned into the first container 210 for further oxygen reduction.

[0055] In the circuit line 206, a measuring means 260 for measuring the CO.sub.2 content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 from the first container 210 is provided. As an alternative, the measuring means 260 can also be arranged in the discharge line 205, for example upstream of the second carbonation means 290. This can be advantageous if too much non-dissolved gas is present in the circuit line 206 which would render measurements more difficult. However, it can be preferred to arrange the measuring means 260 at least partially within the first container for measuring the CO.sub.2 content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in the first container 210. The measuring result is forwarded to an open-loop/closed-loop control means 270. This open-loop/closed-loop control means 270 can cause a return of at least a portion of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 into the first container 210 or into the supply line 204 for further oxygen reduction on the basis of the measured value delivered by the measuring means 260 for the CO.sub.2 content, for example via suited control valves. Furthermore, the open-loop/closed-loop control means 270 can control, depending on the measured CO.sub.2 content, the pre-carbonation in the first carbonation means 250 via a control line 208. This open-loop/closed-loop control means 270 can moreover control a metering means 280, for example a control valve, through which CO.sub.2 originating from the CO.sub.2 source 140 can flow via a line 203′. This CO.sub.2 can then be, on the basis of the measuring result delivered from the measuring means 260, added to the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 in a second carbonation means 290 (second carbonation stage, final carbonation).

[0056] The finally carbonated beverage mixture can then be supplied to a buffer tank and/or a filler (not shown in FIG. 2) for packaging, for example, in bottles or cans. Moreover, via a line 203″, further CO.sub.2 can be fed into the circuit line 206, if required. This line 203″ can be connected, as an alternative or in addition, to a source for another stripping gas, for example N.sub.2.

[0057] Furthermore, a further measuring means 294 for measuring the oxygen content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 from the first container 210 is incorporated in the circuit line 206. As an alternative, the measuring means 294 can also be arranged in the discharge line 205, for example upstream of the second carbonation means 290. This can be advantageous if too much non-dissolved gas is present in the circuit line 206 which would render measurements more difficult. This further measuring means 294 is also connected to the open-loop/closed-loop control means 270 to supply the latter with measuring results for the oxygen content. On the basis of these measuring results for the oxygen content of the oxygen-reduced beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2, the open-loop/closed-loop control means 270 can control the operation of the vacuum pump 292 via a control line 207.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a heating means can be incorporated, for example, in one or several ones of the lines 101, 201, 104, 204, for heating the degassed water or the beverage mixture before it is delivered into the first container 110, 210.

[0059] The devices/filling lines 100, 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or similar ones, can be used for carrying out an inventive method for the manufacture of a carbonated beverage. In FIGS. 3 and 4, exemplary embodiments of such a method which can be implemented in the devices/filling lines 100, 200 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrated.

[0060] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, degassed water is mixed with syrup (or another mixing component) in step 301. The mixing ratio can be, for example, one proportion of syrup to 3 to 10 proportions of water. The mixture of degassed water and the mixing component is pre-carbonated 302 before it is conducted into a container for degassing 303. The pre-carbonation can be effected such that the total added CO.sub.2, or only a portion thereof, is dissolved in the mixture of degassed water and syrup. Before the introduction into the container, heating can take place. The degassed, pre-carbonated beverage mixture is discharged from the container, and the CO.sub.2 content of this discharged beverage mixture is determined 304. This determination of the CO.sub.2 content can in particular be effected by measuring the same. Moreover, the determination of the CO.sub.2 content of the beverage mixture can be effected by a corresponding measurement within the container. A final carbonation 305 of the beverage mixture is then effected according to the determined CO.sub.2 content, such that the desired CO.sub.2 content is achieved in the finished product to be packaged.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, water is degassed in a container placed under a vacuum 401, and a vacuum is generated in a stripping gas container 402. The vacuum can be generated in both containers each with the same vacuum pump. The vacuum in the stripping gas container can be approximately 0.7 to 0.9 bar. In step 403, the degassed water is mixed with syrup (or another mixing component). In step 404, the mixture of degassed water and syrup is pre-carbonated by supplying CO.sub.2 from a CO.sub.2 source. The pre-carbonation can be effected such that the total added CO.sub.2, or only a portion thereof, is dissolved in the mixture of degassed water and syrup. The pre-carbonated beverage mixture is degassed in the stripping gas container 405 to further reduce the oxygen content. Before the beverage mixture is introduced into the stripping gas container, it can be heated before or after the pre-carbonation 404.

[0062] Upon the degassing in the stripping gas container, the degassed pre-carbonated beverage mixture is discharged, and its CO.sub.2 content is measured 406, and its oxygen content is measured 407. The measurement of the CO.sub.2 content of the beverage mixture can be, as an alternative or in addition, effected within the container. The measuring results are forwarded to an open-loop/closed-loop control means. On the basis of the measuring results, the vacuum generated for degassing the water and the pre-carbonated beverage mixture and the amount of the CO.sub.2 added during pre-carbonation 404 can be controlled. If the oxygen content measured downstream of the stripping gas container is too high, the pressure can be further reduced. Furthermore, on the basis of the measuring results, at least a portion of the degassed beverage mixture mixed with CO.sub.2 can be returned to the stripping gas container for further degassing 408. This can be done while further adding stripping gas, such as further CO.sub.2 or N.sub.2 or sterile air. Finally, on the basis of the measuring results for the CO.sub.2 content, a final carbonation 410 of the product to be filled is effected.

[0063] In the above-described methods and by means of the above-described modules of a filling line, the respectively generated amounts of finally carbonated finished beverages and altogether supplied CO.sub.2 can be continuously monitored and separately summed up. The altogether supplied amount of CO.sub.2 is composed of the residual amount of CO.sub.2 in the beverage mixture downstream of the stripping gas container (corresponding to the difference between the amount of CO.sub.2 supplied during pre-carbonation and the amount of CO.sub.2 discharged in the stripping gas container) and the amount supplied during final carbonation. The amount of CO.sub.2 supplied to the final carbonation can be controlled with high precision such that the sum ratio of the total CO.sub.2 amount to the amount of the finished beverage corresponds to the desired final content of CO.sub.2 in the finally mixed beverage. Here, it can be of advantage to reduce, at certain intervals or when certain sum values are reached, the respective sums (for the amount of CO.sub.2 and the finished beverage) corresponding to a desired ratio of the amount of finished beverage to the amount of CO.sub.2, whereby the measuring/control precision can be increased since even minor deviations can be recognised in the controlling process relative to the sums of the amounts due to the reduction thereof.

[0064] Furthermore, in all embodiments, the mass flow rate of the CO.sub.2 serving as a stripping gas for the reduction of the oxygen content can be controlled by open-loop/closed-loop control utilising a pressure differential between the CO.sub.2 gas pressure in a CO.sub.2 source and the pressure in the stripping gas container by means of an actuator, such as a control valve. For the determination of the amount of the CO.sub.2 serving as a stripping gas, one can take into consideration a prior charge of the degassed water which is pre-carbonated in the stripping gas container (for example in the first container 110 shown in FIG. 1, or in the second container 120 shown in FIG. 2), and is supplied, for example, from the second container 120 shown in FIG. 1, or the second container 220 shown in FIG. 2. This prior charge results from the degassing of the water provided in the second container 120 shown in FIG. 1, or in the second container 220 shown in FIG. 2, by means of CO.sub.2, for example.

[0065] In the exemplary methods shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, individual process steps can be carried out in a sequence different from the one shown, if it is suited and desired.

[0066] While in all embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 4, the mentioned first container can be placed under a vacuum, an atmospheric pressure or an overpressure can prevail in the first container as an alternative in this embodiment depending on the concrete application.