Abstract
Shown and described is a device for filling liquid or flowable contents into packaging, comprising: a tank for the contents to be filled; a filling device having a filling valve, wherein the filling valve has a variable flow cross-section and is adjustable between an open position and a fully closed position; a line connecting the tank to the filling device; a throttle valve arranged in the line between the tank and the filling device, wherein the throttle valve has a variable flow cross-section and is adjustable between a first open position and a second open position; and a control device for controlling the filling valve and the throttle valve. In order to optimise the properties of the filling jet, it is proposed that the control device and/or the throttle valve are configured such that the throttle valve is at least partially open throughout the entire filling time. Also shown and described is a method for filling liquid or flowable contents into packaging.
Claims
1. A device for filling liquid or flowable contents into packaging, comprising: a tank for the contents to be filled, a filling device with a filling valve, wherein the filling valve has a variable flow cross-section and is adjustable between an open position and a fully closed position; wherein the filling time refers to the period between the opening of the filling valve and the closing of the filling valve, a line connecting the tank to the filling device; a throttle valve arranged in the line between the tank and the filling device, a shut-off valve being arranged in the line between the lank and the filling device, wherein the throttle valve has a variable flow cross-section and is adjustable between a first open position and a second open position; and a control device for controlling the filling valve, the throttle valve, and the shut-off valve, characterised in that the control device and/or the throttle valve are configured such that the throttle valve is at least partially open throughout the entire filling time and that the control device and/or the shut-off valve are configured such that the shut-off valve is at least partially open throughout the entire filling time.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flow cross-section of the throttle valve is at least 3 mm.sup.2, in particular at least 10 mm.sup.2, throughout the entire filling time.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flow cross-section of the shut-off valve is at least 1 mm.sup.2, in particular at least 3 mm.sup.2, throughout the entire filling time.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein a flow meter is arranged in the line between the tank and the filling device.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the throttle valve and/or the shut-off valve has an actuator for adjusting the flow cross-section.
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the throttle valve and/or the shut-off valve have a channel, whose flow cross-section can be varied by the actuator, in particular completely shut off.
9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the throttle valve and/or the shut-off valve have a passage opening, whose flow cross-section cannot be varied by the actuator, in particular cannot be completely shut off.
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the filling valve is segmentless or segmented.
11. A method for filling liquid or flowable contents into packaging, comprising the following steps: a) providing a device for filling liquid contents into packaging with a filling valve, a throttle valve, and a shut-off valve, b) opening the filling valve c) increasing the flow cross-section of the throttle valve from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area, d) reducing the flow cross-section of the throttle valve from a second cross-sectional area to a first cross-sectional area, e) closing the filling valve, f) increasing the flow cross-section of the shut-off valve from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area, and g) reducing the flow cross-section of the shut-off valve from a second cross-sectional area to a first cross-sectional area, wherein the filling time refers to the period between the opening of the filling valve and the closing of the filling valve, and wherein the throttle valve is at least partially open throughout the entire filling time, wherein the shut-off valve is at least partially open throughout the entire filling time.
12. (canceled)
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the steps b) to e) take place in the sequence b-c-d-e.
14. (canceled)
15. The method according to claim 11, wherein step f) takes place before steps b) to e).
16. The method according to claim 11, wherein step g) takes place after step d) and before step e).
Description
[0036] The invention will subsequently be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only a preferred design example. In the drawings:
[0037] FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in a schematic view,
[0038] FIG. 2 a second embodiment of a device according to the invention in a schematic view,
[0039] FIG. 3 the time profiles of the valve positions in a method known from the prior art,
[0040] FIG. 4 the time profiles of the valve positions in a first embodiment of a method according to the invention,
[0041] FIG. 5 the time profiles of the valve positions in a second embodiment of a method according to the invention,
[0042] FIG. 6a a valve for a device according to the invention in a first valve position,
[0043] FIG. 6b the valve from FIG. 6a in a second valve position, and
[0044] FIG. 7 the time profile of the volume flow.
[0045] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention in a schematic view. The device 1 initially comprises a tank 2 for the contents 3 to be filled and a filling device 4 with a filling valve 5. The filling device 4 is arranged above a transport device 6 for packaging 7, so that the contents 3 emerging through the filling valve 5 can be filled approximately vertically into the packaging 7 open at the top. The connection between the tank 2 and the filling device 4 is generated by a line 8 through which the contents 3 can flow (flow direction of the contents 3 in FIG. 1 shown schematically by arrows). The device 1 also comprises a flow meter 9, a throttle valve 10 and a shut-off valve 11, which viewed in the flow directionare arranged one after the other in the stated order. In addition, the device 1 has a control device 12. The control device 12 is connected to the flow meter 9, to the throttle valve 10, to the shut-off valve 11 and to the filling device 4 (in particular to its filling valve 5) in the device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and in this respect preferred. The connection can be made by lines or can be wireless.
[0046] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. Those areas of the device 1 which have already been described in connection with the device 1 from FIG. 1, are provided in FIG. 2 with corresponding reference numerals. The second embodiment of the device 1 (FIG. 2) differs from the first embodiment of the device 1 (FIG. 1) in particular in that the shut-off valve 11 has been omitted.
[0047] FIG. 3 shows the time profiles of the valve positions in a method known from the prior art. The time t is shown on the first, horizontal axis, wherein the filling time is denoted as t.sub.F. On the second, vertical axis the flow cross-section S is shown, wherein the step A corresponds to a completely shut-off flow cross-section S and wherein the steps B to F correspond to differently sized flow cross-section S. In FIG. 3, the profile marked S.sub.10(t) corresponds to the flow cross-section S.sub.10 of the throttle valve 10 and the profile marked S.sub.5(t) corresponds to the flow cross-section S.sub.5 of the filling valve 5. Both flow cross-sections S.sub.5, S.sub.10 are initially completely closed (step A), before the filling valve 5 opens at the beginning of the filling time t.sub.F (step E). Following this, the throttle valve 10 opens (step D). Even during the filling time t.sub.F, the throttle valve 10 closes completely again (step A). Subsequently, the filling valve 5 closes completely again (step A), whereby the filling time t.sub.F is terminated. In the profile shown, the flow cross-section S.sub.10 of the throttle valve 10 is thus temporarily closed completely during the filling time t.sub.F (at the beginning and at the end of the filling time t.sub.F).
[0048] The time profiles shown in FIG. 3 correspond approximately to the method known from EP 2 199 249 B1.
[0049] In FIG. 4, the time profiles of the valve positions are shown in a first embodiment of a method according to the invention. An essential difference from the profile of the valve positions known from the prior art (FIG. 3) is that in the case of the valve progressions illustrated in FIG. 4, the flow cross-section S.sub.10 of the throttle valve 10 is not completely closed at any time during the entire filling time t.sub.F. In other words, the flow cross-section S.sub.10 of the throttle valve 10 is greater than zero throughout the filling process. It is evident that the filling valve 5 is initially completely closed (step A), while the flow cross-section S.sub.10 of the throttle valve 10 is partially open (step C). At the beginning of the filling time t.sub.F, the filling valve 5 opens (step E). Following this, the throttle valve 10 increases its flow cross-section S.sub.10 (from step C to step D). Even during the filling time t.sub.F, the throttle valve 10 again reduces its flow cross-section S.sub.10 (from step D to step C), but without completely closing it. Subsequently, the filling valve 5 closes completely again (step A), whereby the filling time t.sub.F is ended. The method sequence illustrated in FIG. 4 can be carried out, for example, on a device 1 shown in FIG. 2.
[0050] FIG. 5 shows the time profiles of the valve positions in a second embodiment of a method according to the invention. Also in FIG. 5, the profile indicated by S.sub.10(t) corresponds to the throttle valve 10 and the profile marked S.sub.5(t) corresponds to the filling valve 5. In addition, the profile marked S.sub.11(t) corresponds to the shut-off valve 11. An essential difference from the profile of the valve positions known from the prior art (FIG. 3) is that in the case of the valve progressions illustrated in FIG. 5, the flow cross-section S.sub.10 of the throttle valve 10 is not completely closed at any time throughout the entire filling time t.sub.F and the that flow cross-section S.sub.11 of the shut-off valve 11 is not completely closed at any time throughout the entire filling time t.sub.F. In other words, the contents 3 can flow through the throttle valve 10 and the shut-off valve 11 throughout the filling process. It is evident that the filling valve 5 is initially completely closed (step A), while the flow cross-section S.sub.10 of the throttle valve 10 is partially open (step C) and while the flow cross-section S.sub.11 of the throttle valve 11 is partially open (step B). Even before the start of the filling time t.sub.F, the shut-off valve 11 increases its flow cross-section S.sub.11 (from step B to step F). At the beginning of the filling time t.sub.F, the filling valve 5 also opens (step E). Following this, the throttle valve 10 increases its flow cross-section S.sub.10 (from step C to step D). Even during the filling time t.sub.F, the throttle valve 10 again reduces its flow cross-section S.sub.10 (from step D to step C), but without completely closing it. Thereafter, and also during the filling time t.sub.F, the shut-off valve 11 also reduces its flow cross-section S.sub.11 again (from step F to step B). Subsequently, the filling valve 5 closes completely again (step A), whereby the filling time t.sub.F is ended. Subsequently, the filling valve 5 closes completely again (step A), whereby the filling time t.sub.F is ended. The method sequence illustrated in FIG. 5 can be carried out, for example, on a device 1 shown in FIG. 1.
[0051] In FIG. 6a, a valve for a device according to the invention is shown in a first valve position. FIG. 6b shows the valve of FIG. 6a in a second valve position. The valve 13 shown in FIG. 6a and in FIG. 6b can be used, for example, as a throttle valve 10 and/or as a shut-off valve 11. The valve 13 comprises a housing 14 with an inlet 15 and with an outlet 16. The housing 14 has on its inside a projection 17 with a sealing surface 18 and a passage opening 19. On the opposite side of the projection 17, the housing 14 has an opening 20 in which a membrane 21 having a sealing region 22 is arranged. An actuation unit 23 is connected to the opening 20 of the housing 14, which in the valve shown in FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b is a pneumatic actuation unit. In the actuation unit 23, a positive pressure or a negative pressure can be generated, which can act on the membrane 21 through a pressure opening 24.
[0052] In the first valve position (FIG. 6a), the sealing region 22 of the membrane 21 is lifted off the sealing surface 18 of the projection 17, which can be achieved by a negative pressure in the actuation unit 23. In the first valve position, the valve 13 can therefore be flowed through in two ways, which are represented by arrows: a partial flow may flow through the passage opening 19 of the projection 17 and a partial flow may flow through a channel 25 which forms between the sealing region 22 of the membrane 21 and the sealing surface 18 of the projection 17. By contrast, in the second valve position (FIG. 6b), the sealing region 22 of the membrane 21 is pressed onto the sealing surface 18 of the projection 17, thereby closing or shutting off the channel 25 (not shown in FIG. 6b). Even in this position, however, a partial flow can flow through the passage opening 19 of the projection 17, so that the valve 13, regardless of the position of the membrane 21, is not completely shut off.
[0053] The valve 13 shown in FIG. 6a and in FIG. 6b has a flow cross-section S.sub.13 which is composed of the (invariable) flow cross-section S.sub.19 of the passage opening 19 and the (variable and blockable) flow cross-section S.sub.25 of the channel 25. Due to the passage opening 19, the valve 13 is configured such that the valve 13 is permanently at least partially open, and thus also is open during the entire filling time. The valve 13 shown in FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b represents a structural or mechanical possibility for implementing the invention. Alternatively or additionally, complete shut-off of the flow can be prevented by control technology measures.
[0054] In FIG. 7, lastly, the time profile of the volume flow V is shown. For example, this may be the volume flow V through the filling valve 5 of the device 1 shown in FIG. 2 when the valve positions shown in FIG. 5 are used. The profile of the volume flow V is divided into six time intervals I to VI. The time interval I is before the beginning of the filling time t.sub.F. The time intervals II to V together form the filling time t.sub.F. The time interval VI is after the end of the filling time t.sub.F. The following table shows the valve positions for each of these time intervals:
TABLE-US-00001 Time Position of the Position of the Position of the interval shut-off valve 11 throttle valve 10 filling valve 5 I Step F (open, Step C (open, Step A (closed) unthrottled) throttled) II Step F (open, Step C (open, Step E (open) unthrottled) throttled) III Step F (open, Step D (open, Step E (open) unthrottled) unthrottled) IV Step F (open, Step C (open, Step E (open) unthrottled) throttled) V Step B (open, Step C (open, Step E (open) throttled) throttled) VI Step B (open, Step C (open, Step A (closed) throttled) throttled)
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0055] 1, 1: Device for filling liquid contents [0056] 2: Tank [0057] 3: Content [0058] 4: Filling device [0059] 5: Filling valve [0060] 6: Transport device [0061] 7: Packaging [0062] 8: Line [0063] 9: Flow meter [0064] 10: Throttle valve [0065] 11: Shut-off valve [0066] 12: Control device [0067] 13: Valve [0068] 14: Housing [0069] 15: Inlet [0070] 16: Outlet [0071] 17: Projection [0072] 18: Sealing surface [0073] 19: Passage opening [0074] 20: Opening [0075] 21: Membrane [0076] 22: Sealing region (of the membrane 22) [0077] 23: Actuation unit [0078] 24: Pressure opening [0079] 25: Channel [0080] t: Time [0081] t.sub.F: Filling time [0082] A-F: Steps (of the valve position) [0083] S: Flow cross-section [0084] S.sub.5: Flow cross-section (of the filling valve 5) [0085] S.sub.10: Flow cross-section (of the throttle valve 10) [0086] S.sub.11: Flow cross-section (of the throttle valve 11) [0087] S.sub.13: Flow cross-section (of the valve 13) [0088] S.sub.19: Flow cross-section (of the passage opening 19) [0089] S.sub.25: Flow cross-section (of the channel 25) [0090] S.sub.5(t): Time profile of the flow cross-section (of the filling valve 5) [0091] S.sub.10(t): Time profile of the flow cross-section (of the throttle valve 10) [0092] S.sub.11(t): Time profile of the flow cross-section (of the shut-off valve 11) [0093] V: Volume flow [0094] I-IV: Time interval
