EP0499776B1 - Filling head for filling containers with liquid - Google Patents

Filling head for filling containers with liquid Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0499776B1
EP0499776B1 EP92100305A EP92100305A EP0499776B1 EP 0499776 B1 EP0499776 B1 EP 0499776B1 EP 92100305 A EP92100305 A EP 92100305A EP 92100305 A EP92100305 A EP 92100305A EP 0499776 B1 EP0499776 B1 EP 0499776B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling head
insert body
outlet opening
filling
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92100305A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0499776A1 (en
Inventor
Manfred Dr. Ing. Mette
Wolfgang Dipl.-Ing. Wilke
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alfill Getraenketechnik GmbH
Original Assignee
Alfill Getraenketechnik GmbH
Omega Produktions und Getraenketechnik GmbH
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Publication date
Application filed by Alfill Getraenketechnik GmbH, Omega Produktions und Getraenketechnik GmbH filed Critical Alfill Getraenketechnik GmbH
Publication of EP0499776A1 publication Critical patent/EP0499776A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0499776B1 publication Critical patent/EP0499776B1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C3/2614—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
    • B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
    • B67C3/02—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus
    • B67C3/22—Details
    • B67C3/26—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks
    • B67C2003/266—Means for centering the container with the filling head

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a filling head for filling containers, such as bottles or cans, with a pressurized, in particular carbonated liquid with an outlet opening for the liquid filling head housing, a centering and sealing member for largely gas-tight docking of a container to be filled the outlet opening, which is designed as a substantially tubular one with its inlet end protruding into the outlet opening of the filling head housing, at least during the filling process closely fitting against its inner wall and at its outlet end having a seal for application to a container opening with a flow channel and a gas connection for application a preload pressure to the inside of the container and to discharge the return gas from the container during the filling process.
  • Carbonated beverages under increased pressure are usually filled into portion containers such as bottles, cans or the like with a back pressure filler to maintain the pressure in the container even after filling.
  • a counterpressure filler has a rotating storage tank in which a supply of the liquid to be filled is kept ready under pressure.
  • a number of filling heads are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction, which are connected to the storage kettle via corresponding pipe connections, passages and possibly valves.
  • Such a counter pressure filler is shown in principle, for example, in the older patent application DE 39 27 489.
  • the filling heads of such a counterpressure filler have the devices required for filling predetermined amounts of the liquid into the individual containers, such as, for example, metering devices , Tension and return gas lines, valves and their actuators as well as centering and sealing means for docking the containers to be filled to the outlet openings.
  • Such filling heads are described for example in the older patent applications DE 39 28 009 and DE-OS 39 20 977.
  • a container to be filled can be docked to the filling head by means of a centering tulip, which has the appropriate sealing means for creating the container opening.
  • the centering tulip of the filling head is lowered onto the container opening for docking the container, while the container essentially maintains its height.
  • This centering bell is guided on the outside of the filling head housing and can be moved back and forth to the container with a corresponding actuating means.
  • the construction and arrangement of such a centering bell require sliding seals and tight seats on the filling head housing, which means high stress and wear due to the high working frequency on modern filling machines.
  • the construction effort is relatively large because appropriate guides must be provided for the movements of the centering tulip on the filling head housing. Flushing the centering bell with a cleaning liquid in the assembled state is difficult. This complicates the cleaning of the filling head and requires additional assembly work, which means a relatively high effort with the high number of filling heads on each filler.
  • the centering tulip can also be arranged stationary on the filling head, as is the case, for example, with the device described in DE-OS 37 17 256. In this case, the container to be filled is moved from below against the stationary centering bell and pressed with a predetermined force.
  • a filling head with such a stationary centering tulip is also shown and described in FR-A 405 101.
  • the liquid outlet of this filling head is designed as a downwardly open cylindrical sleeve into which a rubber sealing ring is inserted.
  • a central channel leads liquid and gas connections to the interior of the container to be filled, the opening of which is pressed against the sealing ring for filling.
  • the sealing ring is fixed in the liquid outlet by means of a screwed-in threaded ring.
  • the construction and handling of this filling head are relatively complex because the insertion and fixing of the sealing ring requires additional assembly work, which is particularly important in the case of fillers with a large number of filling heads in view of the time required. Flushing the filling head with cleaning liquid is also difficult to do when installed. Cleaning therefore makes additional assembly work necessary, because for hygienic reasons the thread and sealing rings must be removed.
  • the invention has for its object to further improve a filling head of the type specified.
  • the structure and handling of the filling head are to be simplified and the cleaning of the centering and sealing member is to be facilitated.
  • the insert body according to claims 2 and 3 consists, at least in one length section, of an elastically deformable material, which at the latest when a prestressing pressure is applied to the inner wall of the outlet opening, or it consists entirely of an elastically deformable material and has one at its outlet end the sealing surface surrounding the outlet opening for creating a container to be filled.
  • the centering and sealing member is thus inserted as a piston-like insert into the outlet opening of the filling head housing and can be moved up and down therein. This has the advantage that there are no dead spaces in the area of the liquid outlet of the filling head which are difficult to clean and which can lead to eddies in the outflowing liquid.
  • the elastic design of the insert body makes it possible to dispense with separate slide guides for the insert body in the outlet opening.
  • the force acting on the insert body when a prestressing pressure is applied reliably seals the liquid outlet from the outside by applying the insert body to the inner wall of the outlet opening.
  • claims 4 and 5 create particularly favorable conditions for generating a rotating wall flow of the escaping liquid by means of an upstream swirl chamber.
  • the design of the insert body thus enables trouble-free maintenance of a wall flow generated by means of a swirl chamber right into the container to be filled.
  • the displaceable arrangement of the insert body makes lifting the container to be filled superfluous for the purpose of docking. Special guide devices are not required for the axial displacement of the insert body in the outlet opening of the filling head.
  • the arrangement and actuation of the insert body according to claim 6 allow a simple and problem-free cleaning of the liquid outlet by means of a flowing cleaning liquid. There are no dead spaces in the area of the liquid outlet which hinder the cleaning. It is not necessary to disassemble the insert body to clean the filling head.
  • the insert body is preferably made of an elastically deformable material.
  • the features of claims 7 and 8 are provided.
  • the features of claim 9 ensure that between the moving insert body and the No friction occurs on the inner wall of the outlet opening of the filling head housing, which increases the service life of the centering and sealing members.
  • the measures of claim 10 improve the piston-like mobility of the insert body in the outlet opening.
  • the measures of claim 11 relate to the holding and docking of PET bottles to be filled at the outlet opening.
  • the invention proposes a filling head of simple construction in a very advantageous manner.
  • the design of the insert body provided as a centering and sealing member facilitates its assembly and allows easy cleaning with a rinsing liquid without the disassembly of the insert body being necessary.
  • the design of the insert body according to the invention allows the use of a differential pressure prevailing between the inside and the outside of the filling head for the reliable application of the centering and sealing member to the container opening and for the sealing contact of the inlet end of the insert body with the inner wall of the outlet opening of the filling head housing.
  • This differential pressure makes the filling head particularly suitable for filling liquids in containers of low stability, such as PET bottles.
  • the invention results in a very unconventional, but clever and advantageous solution to the sealing problems when docking containers to be filled to a filling head of a counterpressure filler.
  • a filling head In the drawing, the lower outlet end of a filling head is shown insofar as it is necessary for an understanding of the invention.
  • the filling head itself can have any structure. Examples of filling heads which are suitable for realizing the invention are described in the earlier applications DE 40 10 413 and DE 40 12 849. A number of such filling heads is attached to the circumference of a rotating storage container, so that successive containers can be docked one after the other during a revolution of the storage container, prestressed with tension gas, filled, relieved of pressure and released again.
  • the filling head shown in the drawing has a filling head housing 1, which is mounted in a manner not shown next to other such filling head housings on a rotating storage container, also not shown, and is connected to the latter via the necessary feed lines for the liquid to be filled and the compressed gas.
  • the liquid space of the storage container, not shown is connected to a cylindrical container part 2, which projects from above into a metering chamber 3 of the filling head.
  • a double seat valve 4 controls the dosing and filling process. In its lower closed position (shown on the right) it opens a liquid passage 6 from the reservoir 2 to the metering chamber 3. In its upper closed position (shown on the left) it closes this liquid passage 6 and opens a liquid outlet 7 of the metering chamber 3.
  • a swirl chamber closes at the liquid outlet 7 8, which opens into an outlet funnel 9.
  • the structure of the swirl chamber can be any. A possible embodiment is described in the older patent application DE 40 12 849.
  • the outlet funnel 9 merges into an outlet opening 11 of the filling head housing with a cylindrical inner wall section 12.
  • a tensioning and return gas line 13 runs through the foot part 14 of the filling head housing 1 and ends concentrically in the middle of the outlet opening 11.
  • An insert body 17 made of an elastically deformable material is inserted into the outlet opening 11 as the centering and sealing member 16.
  • This insert body has a funnel-shaped flow channel 18, the inlet end of which has a diameter adapted to the outlet opening 11 and the lower outlet end of which is adapted to the opening diameter of the container to be filled.
  • the elastic insert body 17 is enclosed in a support ring 19 which in turn is attached to an arm 21 of an actuating device 22 for axially displacing the insert body 17 in the outlet opening 11.
  • the arm 21 is seated at the lower end of a reciprocating piston 23 which can be displaced upwards against the force of a return spring 26 by means of a cam-guided control roller 24.
  • the insert body 17 moves from its lower filling position 27, shown on the left in section, to an upper washing position 28, shown on the right in section.
  • the drawing shows that the outer diameter of the insert body 17 is greatest at its upper inlet end and that it is significantly smaller than the inside diameter of the outlet opening 11 in an underlying length section. This results in lifting the insert body 17 into its upper washing position 28 between the The outer circumference of the insert body 17 and the inner wall 12 of the outlet opening 11 have an annular gap 29 which is used for flushing and cleaning the filling head a cleaning liquid relieved.
  • a bright 31 is attached, which engages under a neck collar 32 of a container 33 to be filled, for example a commercially available PET bottle, and in this way keeps the container 33 ready for filling.
  • the holder 31 can be adjustable in height and pivotable about its longitudinal axis. In the device described here, however, this is not necessary because the insert body 17 can be lowered onto the container opening as a centering and sealing member.
  • a container 33 For filling a container 33, this, for example a PET bottle, is transferred to the holder 31, which holds it in an axially aligned position under the outlet opening 11 and the insert body 17 in a position to be filled. Then the insert body 17 is lowered by means of the actuating device 22 until it rests on the container opening, so that it assumes the filling position 27 shown on the left in the drawing. In this filling position, the upper end of the insert body 17 lies with its inlet opening in the cylindrical inner wall section 12 of the outlet opening 11 of the foot part 14 of the filling head housing 1.
  • a narrow gap can still remain between the outer periphery of the insert body 17 at the inlet end and the inner wall of the outlet opening 11 , so that the axial movement of the insert body 17 on the inner wall of the outlet opening 11 does not cause any rubbing movement. This increases the service life of the centering and sealing member 16 and the insert body 17 considerably.
  • the interior of the container 33 to be filled is then acted upon with a tension gas, in the case of CO2-containing beverages usually with carbon dioxide, so that pressure equalization takes place in the entire filling system.
  • the preload pressure makes the elastic Insert body 17, on the one hand, firmly pressed onto the container edge 34 at the filling opening, as a result of which a sealing surface 36, which surrounds the outlet end of the insert body, seals the transition from the insert body to the container to be filled with the required pressure.
  • the preload pressure acts on the elastic inlet end of the insert body 17 and presses it firmly against the cylindrical inner wall 12 of the outlet opening 11.
  • the double-seat valve 4 is brought back into its lower closed position, the interior of the container is relieved by being connected to the atmosphere, and the insert body 17 is moved into its upper position 28 shown on the right by means of the cam-guided control roller 24. Now the filled container 33 can be dispensed and an empty container to be filled can be picked up for a new filling process.
  • the illustrated shape of the insert body 17 as a funnel with a wide inlet end and a narrow outlet end causes the differential pressure prevailing during prestressing between the interior and the exterior presses the insert body 17 both against the container edge 34 and against the inner wall of the outlet opening 11.
  • a reliable seal is achieved with simple means, which requires no sliding seals in the area of the liquid.
  • the insert body is moved into its raised position 28 shown on the right, so that the annular gap 29 is opened between the outer periphery of the insert body and the inner wall 12 of the outlet opening 11. If rinsing liquid is now passed through the filling head, it rinses the insert body both inside and outside. Thorough cleaning is thus possible in a simple manner. Disassembly of the centering and sealing member 16 for cleaning purposes is not necessary.

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  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Füllkopf zum Füllen von Behältern, wie Flaschen oder Dosen, mit einer unter einem erhöhten Druck stehenden, insbesondere kohlensäurehaltigen Flüssigkeit mit einem eine Auslaßöffnung für die Flüssigkeit aufweisenden Füllkopfgehäuse, einem Zentrier- und Abdichtorgan zum weitgehend gasdichten Andocken eines zu füllenden Behälters an die Auslaßöffnung, welches als im wesentlichen rohrförmiger mit seinem Einlaufende in die Auslaßöffnung des Füllkopfgehäuses hineinragender, sich wenigstens beim Füllvorgang dicht an deren Innenwand anlegender und an seinem Auslaufende eine Dichtung zum Anlegen an eine Behälteröffnung aufweisender Einsatzkörper mit einem Durchflußkanal ausgebildet ist und einem Gasanschluß zum Anlegen eines Vorspanndrucks an das Behälterinnere und zum Ableiten des Rückgases aus dem Behälter beim Füllvorgang.The invention relates to a filling head for filling containers, such as bottles or cans, with a pressurized, in particular carbonated liquid with an outlet opening for the liquid filling head housing, a centering and sealing member for largely gas-tight docking of a container to be filled the outlet opening, which is designed as a substantially tubular one with its inlet end protruding into the outlet opening of the filling head housing, at least during the filling process closely fitting against its inner wall and at its outlet end having a seal for application to a container opening with a flow channel and a gas connection for application a preload pressure to the inside of the container and to discharge the return gas from the container during the filling process.

Unter einem erhöhten Druck stehende kohlensäurehaltige Getränke werden gewöhnlich mit einem Gegendruckfüller in Portionsbehälter, wie Flaschen, Dosen oder dergl., abgefüllt, um den Druck auch nach dem Abfüllen in dem Behälter zu erhalten. Ein solcher Gegendruckfüller weist einen rotierenden Vorratskessel auf, in dem ein Vorrat der abzufüllenden Flüssigkeit unter Druck bereitgehalten wird. Am Umfang des Vorratskessels oder an seiner Unterseite sind in Umfangsrichtung nebeneinander eine Anzahl von Füllköpfen angeordnet, die über entsprechende Rohranschlüsse, Durchlässe und ggf. Ventile mit dem Vorratskessel verbunden sind. Ein derartiger Gegendruckfüller ist beispielsweise in der älteren Patentanmeldung DE 39 27 489 im Prinzip gezeigt.Carbonated beverages under increased pressure are usually filled into portion containers such as bottles, cans or the like with a back pressure filler to maintain the pressure in the container even after filling. Such a counterpressure filler has a rotating storage tank in which a supply of the liquid to be filled is kept ready under pressure. On the circumference of the storage kettle or on its underside, a number of filling heads are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction, which are connected to the storage kettle via corresponding pipe connections, passages and possibly valves. Such a counter pressure filler is shown in principle, for example, in the older patent application DE 39 27 489.

Die Füllköpfe eines solchen Gegendruckfüllers weisen die zum Abfüllen vorgegebener Mengen der Flüssigkeit in die einzelnen Behälter erforderlichen Einrichtungen auf, wie z.B. Dosiereinrichtungen , Spann- und Rückgasleitungen , Ventile und deren Betätigungsorgane sowie Zentrier- und Abdichtmittel zum Andocken der zu füllenden Behälter an die Auslaßöffnungen. Solche Füllköpfe sind beispielsweise in den älteren Patentanmeldungen DE 39 28 009 und DE-OS 39 20 977 beschrieben.The filling heads of such a counterpressure filler have the devices required for filling predetermined amounts of the liquid into the individual containers, such as, for example, metering devices , Tension and return gas lines, valves and their actuators as well as centering and sealing means for docking the containers to be filled to the outlet openings. Such filling heads are described for example in the older patent applications DE 39 28 009 and DE-OS 39 20 977.

Das Andocken eines zu füllenden Behälters an den Füllkopf kann mittels einer Zentriertulpe erfolgen, welche die entsprechenden Abdichtmittel für das Anlegen der Behälteröffnung aufweist.A container to be filled can be docked to the filling head by means of a centering tulip, which has the appropriate sealing means for creating the container opening.

Bei einem in der DE-OS 39 20 977 beschriebenen Füllkopf wird die Zentriertulpe des Füllkopfes zum Andocken des Behälters auf die Behälteröffnung abgesenkt, während der Behälter im wesentlichen seine Höhenlage beibehält. Diese Zentriertulpe ist außen am Füllkopfgehäuse geführt und mit einem entsprechenden Betätigungsmittel zum Behälter hin und zurück bewegbar. Aufbau und Anordnung einer solchen Zentriertulpe erfordern gleitende Dichtungen und enge Sitze am Füllkopfgehäuse, was bei der hohen Arbeitsfrequenz an modernen Füllmaschinen hohe Beanspruchung und hohen Verschleiß bedeutet. Außerdem ist der Bauaufwand relativ groß, weil für die Bewegungen der Zentriertulpe am Füllkopfgehäuse eigens entsprechende Führungen vorgesehen werden müssen. Ein Durchspülen der Zentriertulpe mit einer Reinigungsflüssigkeit im montierten Zustand ist nur schlecht möglich. Das erschwert die Reinigung des Füllkopfs und macht dafür zusätzliche Montagearbeiten erforderlich, was bei der hohen Anzahl von Füllköpfen an jedem Füller relativ hohen Aufwand bedeutet.In a filling head described in DE-OS 39 20 977, the centering tulip of the filling head is lowered onto the container opening for docking the container, while the container essentially maintains its height. This centering bell is guided on the outside of the filling head housing and can be moved back and forth to the container with a corresponding actuating means. The construction and arrangement of such a centering bell require sliding seals and tight seats on the filling head housing, which means high stress and wear due to the high working frequency on modern filling machines. In addition, the construction effort is relatively large because appropriate guides must be provided for the movements of the centering tulip on the filling head housing. Flushing the centering bell with a cleaning liquid in the assembled state is difficult. This complicates the cleaning of the filling head and requires additional assembly work, which means a relatively high effort with the high number of filling heads on each filler.

Die Zentriertulpe kann auch stationär am Füllkopf angeordnet sein, wie das z.B. bei der in der DE-OS 37 17 256 beschriebenen Vorrichtung der Fall ist. In diesem Fall wird der zu füllende Behälter von unten gegen die stationäre Zentriertulpe bewegt und mit einer vorgegebenen Kraft angedrückt.The centering tulip can also be arranged stationary on the filling head, as is the case, for example, with the device described in DE-OS 37 17 256. In this case, the container to be filled is moved from below against the stationary centering bell and pressed with a predetermined force.

Ein Füllkopf mit einer solchen stationären Zentriertulpe ist auch in der FR-A 405 101 dargestellt und beschrieben. Der Flüssigkeitsauslaß dieses Füllkopfes ist als nach unten offene zylindrische Hülse ausgebildet, in welche ein Dichtring aus Gummi eingesetzt ist. Durch einen zentralen Kanal sind Flüssigkeits- und Gasverbindungen zum Innern des zu füllenden Behälters geführt, dessen Öffnung zum Füllen gegen den Dichtring gedrückt wird. Der Dichtring ist mittels eines eingeschraubten Gewinderings im Flüssigkeitsauslaß fixiert. Der Aufbau und die Handhabung dieses Füllkopfes sind relativ aufwendig, weil das Einsetzen und Fixieren des Dichtringes zusätzliche Montagearbeiten erfordert, was insbesondere bei Füllern mit einer großen Anzahl von Füllköpfen auch im Hinblick auf die erforderliche Zeit stark ins Gewicht fällt. Auch das Durchspülen des Füllkopfes mit Reinigungsflüssigkeit ist im montierten Zustand nur schlecht möglich. Die Reinigung macht daher zusätzliche Montagearbeiten erforderlich, weil hierfür aus hygienischen Gründen der Ausbau der Gewinde- und der Dichtringe erfolgen muß.A filling head with such a stationary centering tulip is also shown and described in FR-A 405 101. The liquid outlet of this filling head is designed as a downwardly open cylindrical sleeve into which a rubber sealing ring is inserted. A central channel leads liquid and gas connections to the interior of the container to be filled, the opening of which is pressed against the sealing ring for filling. The sealing ring is fixed in the liquid outlet by means of a screwed-in threaded ring. The construction and handling of this filling head are relatively complex because the insertion and fixing of the sealing ring requires additional assembly work, which is particularly important in the case of fillers with a large number of filling heads in view of the time required. Flushing the filling head with cleaning liquid is also difficult to do when installed. Cleaning therefore makes additional assembly work necessary, because for hygienic reasons the thread and sealing rings must be removed.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, einen Füllkopf der eingangs angegebenen Art weiter zu verbessern. Insbesondere sollen der Aufbau und die Handhabung des Füllkopfes vereinfacht und das Reinigen des Zentrier- und Abdichtorgans erleichtert werden.The invention has for its object to further improve a filling head of the type specified. In particular, the structure and handling of the filling head are to be simplified and the cleaning of the centering and sealing member is to be facilitated.

Gelöst wird diese Aufgabe bei einem Füllkopf der eingangs beschriebenen Art erfindungsgemäß durch die im Kennzeichen des Anspruchs 1 angegebenen Maßnahmen.This object is achieved according to the invention in a filling head of the type described in the introduction by the measures specified in the characterizing part of claim 1.

Merkmale von Weiterbildungen der Erfindung und vorteilhaften Ausgestaltungen sind in den Unteransprüchen 2 bis 11 enthalten.Features of further developments of the invention and advantageous refinements are contained in subclaims 2 to 11.

So besteht der Einsatzkörper gemäß den Ansprüchen 2 und 3 wenigstens in einem Längenabschnitt aus einem elastisch verformbaren Material, welches sich spätestens beim Anlegen eines Vorspanndrucks dicht an die Innenwand der Auslaßöffnung anlegt, oder er besteht ganz aus einem elastisch verformbaren Material und weist an seinem Auslaufende eine die Auslauföffnung umgebende Dichtfläche zum Anlegen eines zu füllenden Behälters auf. Gemäß der Erfindung ist das Zentrier- und Abdichtorgan also als Einsatzkörper kolbenartig in die Auslaßöffnung des Füllkopfgehäuses eingesetzt und darin auf und ab verschiebbar. Das hat den Vorteil, daß im Bereich des Flüssigkeitsauslasses des Füllkopfes keine toten Räume entstehen, die schwer einer Reinigung zugänglich sind und die zu Wirbelbildungen in der ausströmenden Flüssigkeit führen können. Die elastische Ausbildung des Einsatzkörpers macht es möglich, auf gesonderte Gleitführungen für den Einsatzkörper in der Auslaßöffnung zu verzichten. Die beim Anlegen eines Vorspanndrucks auf den Einsatzkörper wirkende Kraft dichtet den Flüssigkeitsauslaß durch Anlegen des Einsatzkörpers an die Innenwand der Auslaßöffnung zuverlässig nach außen hin ab.Thus, the insert body according to claims 2 and 3 consists, at least in one length section, of an elastically deformable material, which at the latest when a prestressing pressure is applied to the inner wall of the outlet opening, or it consists entirely of an elastically deformable material and has one at its outlet end the sealing surface surrounding the outlet opening for creating a container to be filled. According to the invention, the centering and sealing member is thus inserted as a piston-like insert into the outlet opening of the filling head housing and can be moved up and down therein. This has the advantage that there are no dead spaces in the area of the liquid outlet of the filling head which are difficult to clean and which can lead to eddies in the outflowing liquid. The elastic design of the insert body makes it possible to dispense with separate slide guides for the insert body in the outlet opening. The force acting on the insert body when a prestressing pressure is applied reliably seals the liquid outlet from the outside by applying the insert body to the inner wall of the outlet opening.

Die Merkmale der Ansprüche 4 und 5 schaffen besonders günstige Voraussetzungen für das Erzeugen einer rotierenden Wandströmung der auslaufenden Flüssigkeit mittels einer vorgeschalteten Drallkammer. Die Gestaltung des Einsatzkörpers ermöglicht so eine störungsfreie Aufrechterhaltung einer mittels einer Drallkammer erzeugten Wandströmung bis in den zu füllenden Behälter hinein. Die verschiebbare Anordnung des Einsatzkörpers macht ein Anheben des zu füllenden Behälters zum Zwecke des Andockens überflüssig. Besondere Führungseinrichtungen sind zum axialen Verschieben des Einsatzkörpers in der Auslaßöffnung des Füllkopfes nicht erforderlich.The features of claims 4 and 5 create particularly favorable conditions for generating a rotating wall flow of the escaping liquid by means of an upstream swirl chamber. The design of the insert body thus enables trouble-free maintenance of a wall flow generated by means of a swirl chamber right into the container to be filled. The displaceable arrangement of the insert body makes lifting the container to be filled superfluous for the purpose of docking. Special guide devices are not required for the axial displacement of the insert body in the outlet opening of the filling head.

Die Anordnung und Betätigung des Einsatzkörpers gemäß Anspruch 6 erlauben eine einfache und problemlose Reinigung des Flüssigkeitsauslasses mittels einer durchströmenden Reinigungsflüssigkeit Es gibt im Bereich des Flüssigkeitsauslasses keine toten Räume, welche die Reinigung behindern. Eine Demontage des Einsatzkörpers ist zum Reinigen des Füllkopfes nicht erforderlich.The arrangement and actuation of the insert body according to claim 6 allow a simple and problem-free cleaning of the liquid outlet by means of a flowing cleaning liquid. There are no dead spaces in the area of the liquid outlet which hinder the cleaning. It is not necessary to disassemble the insert body to clean the filling head.

Gemäß der Erfindung besteht der Einsatzkörper vorzugsweise aus einem elastisch verformbaren Material Um dem Einsatzkörper dennoch die für den Betrieb notwendige Stabilität zu geben, sind die Merkmale der Ansprüche 7 und 8 vorgesehen Mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 9 wird erreicht, daß zwischen dem bewegten Einsatzkörper und der Innenwand der Auslaßöffnung des Füllkopfgehäuses keine Reibung auftritt, was die Standzeit der Zentrier- und Abdichtorgane erhöht. Die Maßnahmen des Anspruchs 10 verbessern die kolbenartige Beweglichkeit des Einsatzkörpers in der Auslaßöffnung. Die Maßnahmen des Anspruchs 11 beziehen sich auf das Halten und Andocken von zu füllenden PET-Flaschen an die Auslaßöffnung.According to the invention, the insert body is preferably made of an elastically deformable material. In order to give the insert body the stability necessary for operation, the features of claims 7 and 8 are provided. The features of claim 9 ensure that between the moving insert body and the No friction occurs on the inner wall of the outlet opening of the filling head housing, which increases the service life of the centering and sealing members. The measures of claim 10 improve the piston-like mobility of the insert body in the outlet opening. The measures of claim 11 relate to the holding and docking of PET bottles to be filled at the outlet opening.

Durch die Erfindung wird in sehr vorteilhafter Weise ein Füllkopf einfachen Aufbaus vorgeschlagen. Die Ausbildung des Zentrier- und Abdichtorgans als Einsatzkörper, der in die Auslaßöffnung des Füllkopfgehäuses eingesetzt wird, erspart zusätzliche Führungen am Füllkopfgehäuse für die Arbeitsbewegungen des Organs. Damit entfallen auch schiebende Dichtungen an unzugänglichen Stellen. Tote, nur schwer zu reinigende Räume im Bereich des Flüssigkeitsauslasses, die zum gründlichen Reinigen zusätzliche Montagearbeiten erfordern, werden vermieden. Die Gestaltung des als Zentrier- und Abdichtorgan vorgesehenen Einsatzkörpers erleichtert seine Montage und erlaubt eine problemlose Reinigung mit einer Spülflüssigkeit, ohne daß die Demontage des Einsatzkörpers erforderlich ist. Die Gestaltung des Einsatzkörpers gemäß der Erfindung erlaubt das Ausnutzen eines zwischen dem Inneren und dem Äußeren des Füllkopfes herrschenden Differenzdruckes zum zuverlässigen Anlegen des Zentrier- und Abdichtorgans an der Behälteröffnung und zum dichten Anlegen des Einlaufendes des Einsatzkörpers an der Innenwand der Auslaßöffnung des Füllkopfgehäuses. Die Ausnutzung dieses Differenzdruckes macht den Füllkopf besonders geeignet für das Füllen von Flüssigkeiten in Behälter geringer Stabilität, wie z.B. PET-Flaschen. Insgesamt ergibt sich durch die Erfindung eine sehr unkonventionelle, aber geschickte und vorteilhafte Lösung der Abdichtprobleme beim Andocken zu füllender Behälter an einen Füllkopf eines Gegendruckfüllers.The invention proposes a filling head of simple construction in a very advantageous manner. The formation of the centering and sealing member as an insert body, which is inserted into the outlet opening of the filling head housing, saves additional guides on the filling head housing for the working movements of the organ. This also eliminates sliding seals in inaccessible places. Dead, difficult-to-clean spaces in the area of the liquid outlet, which require additional assembly work for thorough cleaning, are avoided. The design of the insert body provided as a centering and sealing member facilitates its assembly and allows easy cleaning with a rinsing liquid without the disassembly of the insert body being necessary. The design of the insert body according to the invention allows the use of a differential pressure prevailing between the inside and the outside of the filling head for the reliable application of the centering and sealing member to the container opening and for the sealing contact of the inlet end of the insert body with the inner wall of the outlet opening of the filling head housing. The use of this differential pressure makes the filling head particularly suitable for filling liquids in containers of low stability, such as PET bottles. Overall, the invention results in a very unconventional, but clever and advantageous solution to the sealing problems when docking containers to be filled to a filling head of a counterpressure filler.

Die Erfindung wird nun anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert. Sie zeigt einen Querschnitt durch ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Füllkopfes nach der Erfindung.The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows a cross section through an embodiment of a filling head according to the invention.

In der Zeichnung ist das untere Auslaufende eines Füllkopfes dargestellt, soweit es für das Verständnis der Erfindung erforderlich ist. Der Füllkopf selbst kann an sich beliebig aufgebaut sein. Beispiele von Füllköpfen, die für die Realisierung der Erfindung geeignet sind, sind in den älteren Anmeldungen DE 40 10 413 und DE 40 12 849 beschrieben. Eine Reihe solcher Füllköpfe ist am Umfang eines rotierenden Vorratsbehälters angebracht, so daß aufeinanderfolgende Behälter während eines Umlaufs des Vorratsbehälters nacheinander angedockt, mit Spanngas vorgespannt, gefüllt, druckentlastet und wieder freigegeben werden können.In the drawing, the lower outlet end of a filling head is shown insofar as it is necessary for an understanding of the invention. The filling head itself can have any structure. Examples of filling heads which are suitable for realizing the invention are described in the earlier applications DE 40 10 413 and DE 40 12 849. A number of such filling heads is attached to the circumference of a rotating storage container, so that successive containers can be docked one after the other during a revolution of the storage container, prestressed with tension gas, filled, relieved of pressure and released again.

Der in der Zeichnung dargestellte Füllkopf weist ein Füllkopfgehäuse 1 auf, das auf eine nicht dargestellte Art und Weise neben anderen solchen Füllkopfgehäusen an einem ebenfalls nicht gezeigten rotierenden Vorratsbehälter angebracht und über die erforderlichen Zuleitungen für die abzufüllende Flüssigkeit und das Druckgas mit diesem verbunden ist. Der Flüssigkeitsraum des nicht gezeigten Vorratsbehälters steht mit einem zylindrischen Behälterteil 2 in Verbindung, das von oben in eine Dosierkammer 3 des Füllkopfes hineinragt. Ein Doppelsitzventil 4 steuert den Dosier- und Füllvorgang. In seiner unteren Schließstellung (rechts dargestellt) öffnet es einen Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 6 vom Vorratsbehälter 2 zur Dosierkammer 3. In seiner oberen Schließstellung (links dargestellt) verschließt es diesen Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 6 und öffnet einen Flüssigkeitsauslaß 7 der Dosierkammer 3. An den Flüssigkeitsauslaß 7 schließt sich eine Drallkammer 8 an, die in einen Auslauftrichter 9 mündet. Der Aufbau der Drallkammer kann beliebig sein. Eine mögliche Ausführungsform ist in der älteren Patentanmeldung DE 40 12 849 beschrieben.The filling head shown in the drawing has a filling head housing 1, which is mounted in a manner not shown next to other such filling head housings on a rotating storage container, also not shown, and is connected to the latter via the necessary feed lines for the liquid to be filled and the compressed gas. The liquid space of the storage container, not shown, is connected to a cylindrical container part 2, which projects from above into a metering chamber 3 of the filling head. A double seat valve 4 controls the dosing and filling process. In its lower closed position (shown on the right) it opens a liquid passage 6 from the reservoir 2 to the metering chamber 3. In its upper closed position (shown on the left) it closes this liquid passage 6 and opens a liquid outlet 7 of the metering chamber 3. A swirl chamber closes at the liquid outlet 7 8, which opens into an outlet funnel 9. The structure of the swirl chamber can be any. A possible embodiment is described in the older patent application DE 40 12 849.

Der Auslauftrichter 9 geht in eine Auslaßöffnung 11 des Füllkopfgehäuses mit einem zylindrischen Innenwandabschnitt 12 über. Eine Spann- und Rückgasleitung 13 verläuft durch den Fußteil 14 des Füllkopfgehäuses 1 und endet konzentrisch in der Mitte der Auslaßöffnung 11.The outlet funnel 9 merges into an outlet opening 11 of the filling head housing with a cylindrical inner wall section 12. A tensioning and return gas line 13 runs through the foot part 14 of the filling head housing 1 and ends concentrically in the middle of the outlet opening 11.

In die Auslaßöffnung 11 ist als Zentrier- und Abdichtorgan 16 ein Einsatzkörper 17 aus einem elastisch verformbaren Material eingesetzt. Dieser Einsatzkörper weist einen trichterförmig verlaufenden Durchflußkanal 18 auf, dessen Einlaufende einen der Auslaßöffnung 11 angepaßten Durchmesser hat und dessen unteres Auslaufende dem Öffnungsdurchmesser des zu füllenden Behälters angepaßt ist. Zur Stabilisierung der Form des elastischen Einsatzkörpers 17 ist dieser in einen Stützring 19 eingefaßt, der seinerseits an einem Arm 21 einer Betätigungseinrichtung 22 zum axialen Verschieben des Einsatzkörpers 17 in der Auslaßöffnung 11 angebracht ist. Der Arm 21 sitzt am unteren Ende eines Hubkolbens 23, der mittels einer kurvengeführten Steuerrolle 24 gegen die Kraft einer Rückstellfeder 26 nach oben verschiebbar ist. Dabei gelangt der Einsatzkörper 17 aus seiner unteren, im Schnitt links gezeigten Füllposition 27 in eine im Schnitt rechts dargestellte obere Waschposition 28.An insert body 17 made of an elastically deformable material is inserted into the outlet opening 11 as the centering and sealing member 16. This insert body has a funnel-shaped flow channel 18, the inlet end of which has a diameter adapted to the outlet opening 11 and the lower outlet end of which is adapted to the opening diameter of the container to be filled. To stabilize the shape of the elastic insert body 17, the latter is enclosed in a support ring 19 which in turn is attached to an arm 21 of an actuating device 22 for axially displacing the insert body 17 in the outlet opening 11. The arm 21 is seated at the lower end of a reciprocating piston 23 which can be displaced upwards against the force of a return spring 26 by means of a cam-guided control roller 24. The insert body 17 moves from its lower filling position 27, shown on the left in section, to an upper washing position 28, shown on the right in section.

Die Zeichnung läßt erkennen, daß der äußere Durchmesser des Einsatzkörpers 17 an seinem oberen Einlaufende am größten ist und daß er in einem darunterliegenden Längenabschnitt deutlich kleiner ist als der Innendurchmesser der Auslaßöffnung 11. Dadurch entsteht beim Anheben des Einsatzkörpers 17 in seine obere Waschposition 28 zwischen dem Außenumfang des Einsatzkörpers 17 und der Innenwand 12 der Auslaßöffnung 11 ein Ringspalt 29, der das Durchspülen und Reinigen des Füllkopfes mit einer Reinigungsflüssigkeit erleichtert.The drawing shows that the outer diameter of the insert body 17 is greatest at its upper inlet end and that it is significantly smaller than the inside diameter of the outlet opening 11 in an underlying length section. This results in lifting the insert body 17 into its upper washing position 28 between the The outer circumference of the insert body 17 and the inner wall 12 of the outlet opening 11 have an annular gap 29 which is used for flushing and cleaning the filling head a cleaning liquid relieved.

An der Unterseite des Füllkopfgehäuses 1 bzw. seines Fußteiles 14 ist ein Heiter 31 angebracht, der einen Halskragen 32 eines zu füllenden Behälters 33, beispielsweise einer handelsüblichen PET-Flasche, untergreift und den Behälter 33 auf diese Weise in füllgerechter Position bereithält. Der Halter 31 kann höhenverstellbar und um seine Längsachse schwenkbar sein. Bei der hier beschriebenen Vorrichtung ist dies allerdings nicht erforderlich, weil der Einsatzkörper 17 als Zentrier- und Abdichtorgan auf die Behälteröffnung absenkbar ist.On the underside of the filler head housing 1 or its foot part 14, a bright 31 is attached, which engages under a neck collar 32 of a container 33 to be filled, for example a commercially available PET bottle, and in this way keeps the container 33 ready for filling. The holder 31 can be adjustable in height and pivotable about its longitudinal axis. In the device described here, however, this is not necessary because the insert body 17 can be lowered onto the container opening as a centering and sealing member.

Funktionsweise: Zum Füllen eines Behälters 33 wird dieser, beispielsweise eine PET-Flasche, an den Halter 31 übergeben, der ihn in füllgerechter Position axial fluchtend unter der Auslaßöffnung 11 und dem Einsatzkörper 17 bereithält. Dann wird der Einsatzkörper 17 vermittels der Betätigungseinrichtung 22 bis zur Anlage auf der Behälteröffnung abgesenkt, so daß er die in der Zeichnung links dargestellte Füllposition 27 einnimmt. In dieser Füllposition liegt das obere Ende des Einsatzkörpers 17 mit seiner Einlauföffnung im zylindrischen Innenwandabschnitt 12 der Auslaßöffnung 11 des Fußteils 14 des Füllkopfgehäuses 1. Dabei kann zwischen dem äußeren Umfang des Einsatzkörpers 17 am Einlaufende und der Innenwand der Auslaßöffnung 11 noch ein schmaler Spalt bestehen bleiben, so daß die axiale Bewegung des Einsatzkörpers 17 an der Innenwand der Auslaßöffnung 11 keine reibende Bewegung verursacht. Das erhöht die Standzeit des Zentrier- und Abdichtorgans 16 und des Einsatzkörpers 17 beträchtlich. Durch die Spann- und Rückgasleitung 13 wird das Innere des zu füllenden Behälters 33 sodann mit einem Spanngas, bei CO₂-haltigen Getränken in der Regel mit Kohlendioxyd, beaufschlagt, so daß im ganzen Füllsystem ein Druckausgleich stattfindet. Durch den Vorspanndruck wird der elastische Einsatzkörper 17 einerseits fest auf den Behälterrand 34 an der Einfüllöffnung gepreßt, wodurch eine Dichtfläche 36, die das Auslaufende des Einsatzkörpers umgibt, den Übergang vom Einsatzkörper zum zu füllenden Behälter mit dem erforderlichen Druck dicht abschließt. Andererseits wirkt der Vorspanndruck auf das elastische Einlaufende des Einsatzkörpers 17 und drückt dieses fest gegen die zylindrische Innenwand 12 der Auslaßöffnung 11.Function: For filling a container 33, this, for example a PET bottle, is transferred to the holder 31, which holds it in an axially aligned position under the outlet opening 11 and the insert body 17 in a position to be filled. Then the insert body 17 is lowered by means of the actuating device 22 until it rests on the container opening, so that it assumes the filling position 27 shown on the left in the drawing. In this filling position, the upper end of the insert body 17 lies with its inlet opening in the cylindrical inner wall section 12 of the outlet opening 11 of the foot part 14 of the filling head housing 1. A narrow gap can still remain between the outer periphery of the insert body 17 at the inlet end and the inner wall of the outlet opening 11 , so that the axial movement of the insert body 17 on the inner wall of the outlet opening 11 does not cause any rubbing movement. This increases the service life of the centering and sealing member 16 and the insert body 17 considerably. Through the tension and return gas line 13, the interior of the container 33 to be filled is then acted upon with a tension gas, in the case of CO₂-containing beverages usually with carbon dioxide, so that pressure equalization takes place in the entire filling system. The preload pressure makes the elastic Insert body 17, on the one hand, firmly pressed onto the container edge 34 at the filling opening, as a result of which a sealing surface 36, which surrounds the outlet end of the insert body, seals the transition from the insert body to the container to be filled with the required pressure. On the other hand, the preload pressure acts on the elastic inlet end of the insert body 17 and presses it firmly against the cylindrical inner wall 12 of the outlet opening 11.

Unterdessen ist durch Absenken des Doppelsitzventils 4 in seine rechts dargestellte untere Schließposition der Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 6 von dem Vorratsbehälter 2 zur Dosierkammer 3 geöffnet worden, so daß die Dosierkammer 3 mit der abzufüllenden Flüssigkeit gefüllt wird. Anschließend wird das Doppelsitzventil 4 in seine links dargestellte obere Schließposition gebracht, was den Flüssigkeitsdurchlaß 6 schließt und den Flüssigkeitsauslaß 7 der Dosierkammer öffnet. Die in der Dosierkammer abgemessene Flüssigkeitsmenge fließt durch die Drallkammer 8 und bildet dann bei ihrem Auslauf im Auslauftrichter 9 und dem trichterförmigen Durchflußkanal 18 des Einsatzkörpers 17 eine rotierende Wandströmung, die sich bis in den Flaschenhals fortsetzt. Das beim Einfüllen der Flüssigkeit in den Behälter 33 verdrängte Gas strömt durch die Gasleitung 13 ab. Sobald der Behälter 33 gefüllt ist, wird das Doppelsitzventil 4 wieder in seine untere Schließposition gebracht, der Behälterinnenraum wird durch Verbinden mit Atmosphäre entlastet, und der Einsatzkörper 17 wird mittels der kurvengeführten Steuerrolle 24 in seine rechts dargestellte obere Position 28 bewegt. Jetzt kann der gefüllte Behälter 33 abgegeben und für einen neuen Füllvorgang ein leerer zu füllender Behälter aufgenommen werden.In the meantime, by lowering the double-seat valve 4 into its lower closed position shown on the right, the liquid passage 6 has been opened from the storage container 2 to the metering chamber 3, so that the metering chamber 3 is filled with the liquid to be filled. Then the double-seat valve 4 is brought into its upper closed position shown on the left, which closes the liquid passage 6 and opens the liquid outlet 7 of the metering chamber. The amount of liquid measured in the metering chamber flows through the swirl chamber 8 and then forms a rotating wall flow at its outlet in the outlet funnel 9 and the funnel-shaped flow channel 18 of the insert body 17, which continues into the bottle neck. The gas displaced when filling the liquid into the container 33 flows out through the gas line 13. As soon as the container 33 is filled, the double-seat valve 4 is brought back into its lower closed position, the interior of the container is relieved by being connected to the atmosphere, and the insert body 17 is moved into its upper position 28 shown on the right by means of the cam-guided control roller 24. Now the filled container 33 can be dispensed and an empty container to be filled can be picked up for a new filling process.

Die dargestellte Form des Einsatzkörpers 17 als Trichter mit einem breiten Einlaufende und einem schmalen Auslaufende bewirkt, daß der beim Vorspannen herrschende Differenzdruck zwischen dem Innenraum und dem Außenraum den Einsatzkörper 17 sowohl gegen den Behälterrand 34 als auch gegen die Innenwand der Auslaßöffnung 11 drückt. Dadurch wird mit einfachen Mitteln eine zuverlässige Abdichtung erzielt, die keine schiebenden Dichtungen im Bereich der Flüssigkeit verlangt. Außerdem gibt es keine toten Räume, die eine Reinigung der Vorrichtung mittels einer Spülflüssigkeit behindern könnten. Zur Reinigung der Vorrichtung wird der Einsatzkörper in seine rechts dargestellte angehobene Position 28 bewegt, so daß zwischen dem Außenumfang des Einsatzkörpers und der Innenwand 12 der Auslaßöffnung 11 der Ringspalt 29 geöffnet wird. Wird jetzt Spülflüssigkeit durch den Füllkopf geleitet, so umspült diese den Einsatzkörper sowohl innen als auch außen. So ist auf einfache Weise eine gründliche Reinigung möglich. Eine Demontage des Zentrier- und Abdichtorgans 16 zum Zwecke der Reinigung ist nicht erforderlich.The illustrated shape of the insert body 17 as a funnel with a wide inlet end and a narrow outlet end causes the differential pressure prevailing during prestressing between the interior and the exterior presses the insert body 17 both against the container edge 34 and against the inner wall of the outlet opening 11. As a result, a reliable seal is achieved with simple means, which requires no sliding seals in the area of the liquid. In addition, there are no dead spaces that could hinder cleaning of the device with a rinsing liquid. To clean the device, the insert body is moved into its raised position 28 shown on the right, so that the annular gap 29 is opened between the outer periphery of the insert body and the inner wall 12 of the outlet opening 11. If rinsing liquid is now passed through the filling head, it rinses the insert body both inside and outside. Thorough cleaning is thus possible in a simple manner. Disassembly of the centering and sealing member 16 for cleaning purposes is not necessary.

Claims (11)

  1. Filling head of a counter-pressure filler for filling containers, such as bottles or cans, with a liquid that is at an elevated pressure, in particular a liquid which contains carbon dioxide, the filling head having a filling head housing (1) which has an outlet opening (11) for the liquid, having a centring and sealing member (16) for substantially gastight docking of a container (33), which is to be filled, onto the outlet opening, which member (16) is designed as an essentially tubular insert body (17), with a through-flow channel (18), whose inlet end protrudes into the outlet opening (11) of the filling head housing (1, 14), bears sealingly on the inner wall (12) of said opening at least during the filling operation and has at its outlet end a seal (36) for bearing on a container opening (34), and having a gas connection for applying a prestressing pressure on the inside of the container and for diverting the return gas from the container during the filling operation, characterized in that the insert body (17) is arranged axially displaceably in the outlet opening (11) of the filling head housing (1, 14), in that the external diameter of the insert body (17) in the area of its inlet end is at least approximately equal to, and in a longitudinal section adjacent to the inlet end is smaller than, the internal diameter of the outlet opening (11) of the filling head housing (1, 14), in that the insert body can bear sealingly on the inner wall (12) of the outlet opening (11) at least in an axial position (27), and in that an annular gap (29) is present, at least in a further axial position (28) of the insert body (17), between the outer circumference of the insert body (17) and the inner wall (12) of the outlet opening (11).
  2. Filling head according to Claim 1, characterized in that the insert body (17) consists of an elastically deformable material at least in a longitudinal section inserted into the outlet opening (11) of the filling head housing (1, 14), which material bears sealingly on the inner wall (12) of the outlet opening (11) at the latest upon application of a prestressing pressure.
  3. Filling head according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insert body (17) consists entirely of an elastically deformable material, and in that it has, at its outlet end, a sealing surface (36) which surrounds the outlet opening and on which there bears a container (33) which is to be filled.
  4. Filling head according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the insert body (17) has a through-flow channel (18) which tapers in the manner of a funnel from the inlet side to the outlet side.
  5. Filling head according to Claim 4, characterized in that the filling head housing (1, 14) has a swirl chamber (8) with an outlet funnel (9) for generating a wall flow of the outgoing liquid, and in that the through-flow channel (18) in the insert body (17) is designed as a funnel which is a continuation of the outlet funnel (9) and which maintains the wall flow as far as the container (33) which is to be filled.
  6. Filling head according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an activation means (22) is provided for axial displacement of the insert body (17) from a lower filling position (27), in which its inlet end lies in the outlet opening (11) of the filling head housing (1, 14), into an upper wash position (28), in which its longitudinal section of smaller diameter lies in the outlet opening (11) and frees an annular gap (29) between the inner wall (12) of the outlet opening and the insert body.
  7. Filling head according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the insert body (17) is connected to an essentially dimensionally stable support body (19).
  8. Filling head according to Claim 7, characterized in that a support ring is provided as support body (19) and surrounds the insert body (17) in an axial longitudinal section outside the area of its inlet end.
  9. Filling head according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the greatest external diameter of the insert body (17) in the area of its inlet end in the relaxed state is smaller than the internal diameter of the outlet opening (11) of the filling head housing (1, 14).
  10. Filling head according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the outlet opening (11) of the filling head housing (1, 14) has a concentric cylindrical wall section (12).
  11. Filling head according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the underside of the filling head housing (1, 14) is allocated a holder (31) for receiving and holding ready a beverage bottle (33) with neck collar (32) in front of the outlet opening (11), and in that the insert body (17) can be lowered in the outlet opening (11) until its sealing surface (36) bears on the bottle opening (34) and until its inlet end bears on the inner wall (12) of the outlet opening (11).
EP92100305A 1991-01-23 1992-01-10 Filling head for filling containers with liquid Expired - Lifetime EP0499776B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4101891 1991-01-23
DE4101891A DE4101891A1 (en) 1991-01-23 1991-01-23 FILLING HEAD FOR FILLING A LIQUID IN A CONTAINER

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0499776A1 EP0499776A1 (en) 1992-08-26
EP0499776B1 true EP0499776B1 (en) 1995-09-27

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92100305A Expired - Lifetime EP0499776B1 (en) 1991-01-23 1992-01-10 Filling head for filling containers with liquid

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US5226463A (en)
EP (1) EP0499776B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH04327186A (en)
CA (1) CA2059856A1 (en)
DE (2) DE4101891A1 (en)

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US5878797A (en) * 1997-05-20 1999-03-09 The Coca-Cola Company Vent tube
GB2451635B (en) * 2007-08-06 2012-03-28 Diageo Great Britain Ltd Apparatus for dispensing a carbonated beverage
DE102014109589A1 (en) 2014-07-09 2016-01-14 Khs Gmbh Filling system for filling bottles or similar containers
DE102018219119A1 (en) 2018-11-09 2020-05-14 Krones Ag Process for back pressure filling of containers and filling system of a back pressure filler
US20230240943A1 (en) * 2022-01-28 2023-08-03 Express Scripts Strategic Development, Inc. Methods and apparatus for performing liquid medication bottle-splitting operations

Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR405101A (en) * 1909-06-25 1909-12-20 Joseph Henry Champ Machine for bottling liquids
DE1482647C3 (en) * 1965-03-26 1974-03-14 Seitz-Werke Gmbh, 6550 Bad Kreuznach Device for holding bottles or the like !. Containers in the filling position on filling elements of bottle filling machines
EP0179976B1 (en) * 1984-10-02 1989-10-04 SIMONAZZI A. & L. S.p.A. Continuous-filling machine
DE3920977A1 (en) * 1989-06-27 1991-01-10 Alfill Getraenketechnik DEVICE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS

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US2671591A (en) * 1952-07-03 1954-03-09 Henry H Franz Mechanism for filling containers with a liquid
US3774658A (en) * 1972-03-03 1973-11-27 Arthur Products Co Vent tube with slidable spreader for filling containers
DE7238305U (en) * 1972-10-19 1973-01-25 Ortmann & Herbst Gmbh Filling element without filling tube for bottle filling machines
US4126163A (en) * 1977-02-17 1978-11-21 Hartness Thomas P Centering device for bottle filling machines
FR2552749A1 (en) * 1983-10-04 1985-04-05 Pont A Mousson Device for the automatic filling of bottles, particularly with carbonated liquids
DE8705632U1 (en) * 1987-04-16 1988-05-19 Holstein Und Kappert Ag, 4600 Dortmund Filling machine for filling containers
DE3717256A1 (en) * 1987-05-22 1988-12-01 Seitz Enzinger Noll Masch METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FILLING CARBONIC LIQUIDS, IN PARTICULAR DRINKS, UNDER BACK PRESSURE IN VESSEL OD. DGL.

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR405101A (en) * 1909-06-25 1909-12-20 Joseph Henry Champ Machine for bottling liquids
DE1482647C3 (en) * 1965-03-26 1974-03-14 Seitz-Werke Gmbh, 6550 Bad Kreuznach Device for holding bottles or the like !. Containers in the filling position on filling elements of bottle filling machines
EP0179976B1 (en) * 1984-10-02 1989-10-04 SIMONAZZI A. & L. S.p.A. Continuous-filling machine
DE3920977A1 (en) * 1989-06-27 1991-01-10 Alfill Getraenketechnik DEVICE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE59203783D1 (en) 1995-11-02
EP0499776A1 (en) 1992-08-26
CA2059856A1 (en) 1992-07-24
US5226463A (en) 1993-07-13
JPH04327186A (en) 1992-11-16
DE4101891A1 (en) 1992-07-30

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