Device and method for filling a container with a sterilised filling product

Abstract

A device for filling a container with a sterilized filling product, preferably for filling a beverage container with a sterilized beverage in a beverage bottling installation, comprising a sterilization device for sterilizing the filling product, a sterile tank for buffered receiving of the filling product sterilized in the sterilization device, and a filling device which has a filling valve for the filling of the container to be filled, wherein the filling valve is a proportional valve for controlling and/or regulating the filling-product flow of the filling product into the container to be filled, and the proportional valve is connected in a buffer-free manner to the sterile tank.

Claims

1. A device for filling a container with a sterilized filling product, the device comprising: a sterilization device for sterilizing a filling product; a sterile tank connected to the sterilization device, the sterile tank configured for buffered receiving of the filling product sterilized in the sterilization device and the sterile tank is the only buffer device in the device; and a filling device connected to the sterile tank, the filling device including a filling valve for the filling of the container to be filled, wherein the filling valve is a proportional valve configured to control filling-product flow of the filling product into the container to be filled and the proportional valve is connected in a buffer-free manner to the sterile tank.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a rotary distributor provided between the sterile tank and the proportional valve, the rotary distributor configured to transfer the sterilized filling product to a filler carousel of the filling device, the filler carousel including the proportional valve.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein only pipelines are provided between the rotary distributor and the proportional valve.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the filling device is configured to pre-pressurize the container to be filled with a pressurizing gas obtained from the sterile tank.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the rotary distributor is further configured to transfer the pressurizing gas to the filler carousel of the filling device from the sterile tank.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the proportional valve is the only product-regulating valve in the device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the sterile tank is arranged in a plane situated above a filler plane formed by the proportional valve.

8. The device of claim 2, further comprising a cleaning device with a cleaning-media supply to supply a cleaning medium, the cleaning device configured to supply the cleaning medium to both to the sterile tank and to the filling device.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the sterilization device comprises a heat exchanger for heating the filling product to sterilize the filling product.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the filling device is configured to pre-pressurize the container to be filled with a pressurizing gas obtained from the sterile tank.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the pressurizing gas is transferred via a rotary distributor to a filler carousel of the filling device from the sterile tank, the filler carousel including the proportional valve.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cleaning device with a cleaning-media supply to supply a cleaning medium, the cleaning device configured to supply the cleaning medium to both the sterile tank and the filling device.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the cleaning device is configured to supply the cleaning medium to a heat exchanger of the sterilization device.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the filling device is accommodated in an isolator, and the cleaning device is configured to use the cleaning medium for cleaning the isolator.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the cleaning medium is supplied to paths of the filling device in contact with the filling product.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the proportional valve is the only product-regulating valves in the device.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the sterile tank is arranged in a plane situated above a filler plane formed by the proportional valve.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is a beverage container, the filling product is a sterilized beverage, and the device is part of a beverage bottling installation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Preferred further embodiments of the invention will be discussed in more detail on the basis of the following description of the Figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the proposed device for bottling non-carbonated filling products, and

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the proposed device for bottling carbonated filling products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(4) Preferred exemplary embodiments will be described below on the basis of the figures. Here, identical elements, similar elements or elements of identical action are denoted by the same reference signs in the various figures, and in order to avoid redundancies, a repeated description of said elements will, in part, be omitted.

(5) FIG. 1 schematically shows a device 1 for filling schematically illustrated containers 100 with a sterilized filling product. The device 1 comprises a sterilization device 2 and a filling device 3. The sterilization device 2 has a heat exchanger 20 in which filling product supplied via a filling-product supply line 110 is heated to a predefined sterilization temperature and, in this way, is sterilized.

(6) After the treatment in the heat exchanger 20 of the sterilization device 2, the sterilized filling product is fed via a sterile-product supply line 10 to a transfer valve 120 and is transferred from the transfer valve 120 to a sterile tank 22.

(7) The filling-product flow supplied via the filling-product supply line 110 is accordingly thermally sterilized in the heat exchanger 20 of the sterilization device 2 and, when the filling-product flow is supplied via the sterile-product supply line 10 and the transfer valve 120, can then be buffered in the sterile tank 22. By means of the sterile tank 22, it is accordingly possible to compensate for variations in the supplied quantity of filling product via the sterile-product supply line 10 and variations in the removal of the sterile filling product by the filling device 3.

(8) Instead of the thermal sterilization device shown here with the heat exchanger 20, it is also possible for provision to be made of some other sterilization device, for example for carrying out some other physical sterilization process, for example by means of UV irradiation or plasma treatment.

(9) The sterile filling product is then supplied to the filling device 3 from the sterile tank 22 via a filling-product line 14. The filling device 3 comprises a filler carousel 30 which is rotatable about an axis of rotation R. The transfer of the sterile filling product from the stationary filling-product line 14 to the rotating filler carousel 30 takes place via a rotary distributor 16 which, in a manner known per se, passes the filling product from a stationary part to a rotating part.

(10) At the filler carousel 30 of the filling device 3, provision is made on the circumference thereof of a plurality of filling valves, which each introduce into the respective containers 100 to be filled which are assigned to the respective filling valve the filling-product flow from the filling-product flow supplied via the rotary distributor 16. The filling valves are each designed as a proportional valve 4, with the result that the filling-product flow flowing into the container 100 to be filled can be controlled and/or regulated.

(11) The proportional valve 4 accordingly makes it possible not only for the filling-product flow which flows into the container 100 to be filled to be switched between an open state and a closed state, but also for further filling-product flows to be settable by means of the proportional valve too. It is possible in particular for the filling-product flow to be varied between zero and full flow, which corresponds to a fully open filling valve 4, preferably substantially in a stepless manner or at least in a plurality of steps.

(12) Preferably, the proportional valve 4 comprises not only the possibility for variation of the valve position, for example through variation of the annular gap between a valve seat and a valve cone, but also a volume flow sensor, with the result that simple activation of the proportional valve 4 can be realized such that a desired volume flow is set and is then automatically adjusted in a regulated manner by means of activation electronics of the proportional valve 4.

(13) Accordingly, as can be seen from FIG. 1, filling of containers 100 to be filled is possible independently of the respective filling level or filling state of the sterile tank 22 or independently of which pressure prevails in the filling-product line 14, which guides the filling product from the sterile tank 22 to the rotary distributor 16. It is accordingly possible by means of the proportional valve 4 for the pressure prevailing in the filling-product line 14 to be compensated and for a desired filling quantity of sterile filling product in the container 100 to be achieved.

(14) In order to achieve a short length of the filling-product line 14 and reliable flowing-out from the sterile tank 22, the sterile tank 22 is preferably situated above the filler plane 4a, which is formed by the proportional valves 4. Consequently, the outflow from the sterile tank 22 into the filling-product line 14 also lies above the filler plane 4a formed by the proportional valves 4. Here, the sterile tank 22 is particularly preferably arranged on a platform above the filler carousel 30.

(15) Provided for a cleaning process of the device 1 is a cleaning device which comprises a cleaning-media supply 5 which may also serve for the cleaning, disinfection or sterilization of an isolator 6 in which at least the filler carousel 30 of the filling device 3 may be arranged. For this purpose, provision is made of spray nozzles 52 at the isolator 6 or in the isolator 6, by means of which spray nozzles a cleaning, disinfection or sterilization medium can be applied to the surfaces to be treated of the isolator 6.

(16) The cleaning and/or disinfection and/or sterilization medium supplied via the cleaning-media supply 5 can furthermore be used for cleaning the sterile tank 22 via a sterile-tank cleaning nozzle 54. The respective cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization medium can then be passed from the sterile tank 22 to the filler carousel 30 via the filling-product line 14 and the rotary distributor 16 in order then to exit at the filling valves, and in particular the proportional valves 4, preferably into the isolator 6. It is accordingly possible for cleaning, disinfection or sterilization of the regions in contact with the product, and in particular of the sterile tank 22, the filling-product line 14, the rotary distributor 16, those regions of the filler 3 in contact with the filling product and the filling valves 4, to be achieved by means of a single cleaning-media supply 5.

(17) It is possible for the cleaning device to be provided in particular in the form of a CIP (cleaning in place) means, in the case of which all the components of the device 1 can remain installed in the operationally ready state during the cleaning, disinfection or sterilization and it is not necessary for the device 1 to be dismantled for the cleaning, disinfection or sterilization. The cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization media are in this case supplied in the form already mentioned and can then be supplied to the cleaning-media supply 5 again via a CIP return means and a media preparation means.

(18) It is furthermore also possible to clean the heat exchanger 20 of the sterilization device 2 via a cleaning-media supply line 56, and so, here too, the cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization medium can flow through the regions in contact with the product.

(19) As an alternative to the illustrated embodiment, in which cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization media are provided via the cleaning-media supply line 56 from the cleaning-media supply 5 to the sterilization device 2, the cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization media may, in a manner not illustrated, equally be provided via the filling-product supply line 110 at the sterilization device 2 and fed via a cleaning-media supply line 56 into the cleaning-media supply 5. In this way, the cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization media may also for example already have cleaned a product preparation installation arranged upstream. Moreover, it is possible to do away with the separate media supply to the cleaning-media supply 5.

(20) A separation of the sterile-product supply line 10, coming from the heat exchanger 20, and the sterile tank 22 may be realized at the transfer valve 120. It is accordingly possible for the sterilization device 2 and in particular the heat exchanger 20 to already be cleaned, wherein the cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization medium is then returned via a sterile-product return line 12, while bottling via the proportional valves 4 of the sterile filling product buffered in the sterile tank 22 is also carried out simultaneously. The sterile separation between the sterile-product supply line 10 and the sterile tank 22 is supported at the transfer valve 120 by a steam barrier, which obtains the required steam via a steam supply 8 and a steam-barrier line 80. It is thus possible for the filling process from the sterile tank 22 and the cleaning of the sterilization device 2 to be decoupled from one another in terms of time.

(21) The steam provided via the steam supply 8 may also be used for subjecting the remaining installation components to it for the purpose of the sterilization thereof, for example through supply, by means of a sterile-steam line 82, to the installation components to be sterilized.

(22) In order, in the event of a fault at the filling device 3, which for example necessitates replacement of a proportional valve 4, not to have to dispose of the sterile filling product still present in the sterile tank 22, provision is made in the filling-product line 14 of a shut-off valve 140 by which the sterile tank 22 can be separated from the filling device 3.

(23) The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 serves in particular for bottling still filling products, that is to say in particular those products which are not carbonated. Here, prepressurization of the containers 100 to be filled is not necessary and, both in the sterile tank 22 and in the filling-product line 14, the rotary distributor and those regions of the filling-product supply which are situated upstream of the proportional valve 4, it is unimportant which pressure prevails. In particular, no minimum pressure has to be maintained in the sterilization device 2, which minimum pressure would be necessary in the case of the bottling of carbonated filling products in order to prevent or to reduce outgassing or release of the CO.sub.2.

(24) The sterile tank 22 can “breathe” into the isolator 6 via a breather valve 220, in order substantially to provide a constant atmospheric pressure in the head space of the sterile tank 22 even if different filling levels are achieved in the sterile tank 22.

(25) FIG. 2 then shows a variant of the device 1, which may also be used for the bottling of carbonated sterile filling products. Here, it is important that the filling product, which is supplied via the filling-product supply line 110 and which is supplied to the heat exchanger 20 of the sterilization device 2, is at all times under a pressure which largely prevents release or outgassing of the CO.sub.2 from the carbonated filling product. Specifically, within the heat exchanger 20 of the sterilization device 2, this outgassing would lead to foam forming within the heat exchanger 20, with the result that it would not be possible to ensure reliable heating of the filling product and thus the attainment of microbiological safety. Accordingly, it is necessary, both in the heat exchanger 20 and in the sterile tank 22 situated downstream, to regulate the pressure to a level which is above the saturation pressure for the CO.sub.2 in the filling product.

(26) In order to make it possible here for the containers to be filled to be prepressurized by way of the pressurizing gas in order that the filling product can be introduced into the prepressurized container 100 so as to avoid excessive release of the CO.sub.2 during the filling process, a pressurizing gas line 70, which can be fed for example with pressurizing gas from the head space of the sterile tank 22, is provided in addition to the filling-product line 14 from the sterile tank 22. The head space of the sterile tank 22 is subjected for example to compressed air, nitrogen and/or CO.sub.2 via a pressurizing-gas supply 7 in order to provide corresponding prepressurization.

(27) Alternatively, the pressurizing gas for prepressurizing the containers 100 to be filled may also be provided directly from a pressurizing-gas supply 7. Preferably, said pressurizing-gas supply 7 is also the pressurizing-gas supply 7 which provides the sterile tank 22 with a supply. In this way, it is possible to do away with additional valves and similar fittings and the construction of the installation is simplified.

(28) Both the filling-product line 14 and the pressurizing-gas line 70 are passed to the rotating part of the filler 3 via the rotary distributor 16 such that both bottling of the sterile filling product by means of the proportional valve 4 and prepressurization carried out beforehand of the containers 100 via a corresponding pressurizing-gas valve 72 at the rotating part of the filler 3 by way of the pressurizing gas supplied via the pressurizing-gas line 70 can be carried out.

(29) After the filling process has been carried out, the pressure prevailing in the head space of the then filled container 100 has to be relieved in a controlled manner to ambient pressure. Provided for this purpose is a further rotary distributor 18, via which pressure relief of the filled container 100 can be achieved via in each case one corresponding relief valve 74, wherein the gas mixture then transferred via the rotary distributor 18, and possibly filling-product residues in the form of foam, can be sent on for controlled disposal. Preferably, a relief line (not shown) following the rotary distributor 18 opens into a sterile region, particularly preferably the sterile isolator 6. In this way, it is not possible for contaminants or bacteria to be introduced into the filling valve rearwards through this line path and the microbiological safety is increased.

(30) During the cleaning process, it is again possible for cleaning medium to be applied via the cleaning-media supply 50 to the isolator nozzles 52, and to the sterile tank 22 via the sterile-tank nozzle 54, and also via the cleaning-media supply line 56 to the heat exchanger 20, with the corresponding cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization medium.

(31) It is furthermore possible to treat not only the filling-product line 14, but also the pressurizing-gas line 70, the pressurizing-gas valves 72 and the relief valves 74, with the rotary distributor 18 included, in order, in this way, to achieve complete cleaning, disinfection and/or sterilization both of the isolator interior 6 and of all the paths in contact with the filling product and also of the pressurizing-gas paths.

(32) In accordance with common practice, the various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. The illustrations presented in the present disclosure are not meant to be actual views of any particular apparatus (e.g., device, system, etc.) or method, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) or all operations of a particular method.

(33) Terms used herein and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).

(34) Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.

(35) In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, it is understood that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc. For example, the use of the term “and/or” is intended to be construed in this manner.

(36) Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

(37) Additionally, the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are not necessarily used herein to connote a specific order or number of elements. Generally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used to distinguish between different elements as generic identifiers. Absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific order, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific order. Furthermore, absence a showing that the terms first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific number of elements, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific number of elements. For example, a first widget may be described as having a first side and a second widget may be described as having a second side. The use of the term “second side” with respect to the second widget may be to distinguish such side of the second widget from the “first side” of the first widget and not to connote that the second widget has two sides.

(38) Where applicable, all the individual features presented in the exemplary embodiments may be combined with one another and/or interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.