EP3656731A1 - Gravity-operated tube filler and method for gravity-operated filling of beverages - Google Patents

Gravity-operated tube filler and method for gravity-operated filling of beverages Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3656731A1
EP3656731A1 EP19199527.3A EP19199527A EP3656731A1 EP 3656731 A1 EP3656731 A1 EP 3656731A1 EP 19199527 A EP19199527 A EP 19199527A EP 3656731 A1 EP3656731 A1 EP 3656731A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
beverage
valves
inflow
return air
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP19199527.3A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3656731B1 (en
Inventor
Stefan Poeschl
Franz Obermeier
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Krones AG
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Krones AG
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Publication date
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Priority to SI201930323T priority Critical patent/SI3656731T1/en
Publication of EP3656731A1 publication Critical patent/EP3656731A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
    • B67D1/08—Details
    • B67D1/12—Flow or pressure control devices or systems, e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
    • B67D1/1277—Flow control valves
    • B67D1/1279—Flow control valves regulating the flow
    • 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
    • B67C3/28—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves
    • B67C3/286—Flow-control devices, e.g. using valves related to flow rate control, i.e. controlling slow and fast filling phases
    • 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
    • B67C3/2617—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened by mechanical or electrical actuation
    • B67C3/262—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened by mechanical or electrical actuation and the filling operation stopping when the liquid rises to a level at which it closes a vent opening
    • 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
    • B67C3/2625—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened automatically when a given counter-pressure is obtained in the container to be filled
    • B67C3/2628—Filling-heads; Means for engaging filling-heads with bottle necks specially adapted for counter-pressure filling the liquid valve being opened automatically when a given counter-pressure is obtained in the container to be filled and the filling operation stopping when the liquid rises to a level at which it closes a vent opening

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a gravity short tube filler according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for the gravity filling of beverages according to the preamble of claim 9.
  • the filling level is preferably set by the length of the return air tube formed on the filling valves, in that the filled beverage rises to the free end of the return air tube and closes it gas-tight.
  • the inflow of the beverage to be filled comes to a standstill.
  • the drink rises upwards in the return air pipe. If the bottle is then removed from the filling valve, the drink in the return air pipe runs into the bottle, which can cause the bottle to overfill.
  • the hydrostatic pressure difference between the level of the beverage in the boiler and the filling valves must also be limited.
  • the filling valves are usually attached directly to the product kettle, especially on the outside. However, this results in undesirable restrictions for the design of the gravity short tube filler.
  • the object is achieved with a gravity short tube filler according to claim 1. Accordingly, this is used for filling drinks, in particular spirits, wine or the like liquid products in bottles.
  • the gravity short-tube filler comprises a product kettle for the beverage and filling valves connected to it, which are designed to stop the flow of beverage by rising the beverage to and / or in the return air tubes.
  • the filling valves are individually preceded by control valves for the machine-controllable throttling of the beverage flow to the filling valves.
  • the inflow of drinks is stopped by climbing the drink up to at least the return air pipe and the resulting gas-tight closure of the return air passage.
  • the inflow of beverages can be deliberately throttled based on the hydrostatic pressure between the level of the beverage in the product kettle and the product outlet on the filling valves.
  • the filling valves can be arranged more flexibly, in particular with a greater height difference and / or completely below the product kettle, in contrast to mounting the filling valves on the outside of the product kettle.
  • the height of the beverage in the return air pipe is reduced by throttling the inflow of beverages.
  • control valves are preferably designed for individual and in particular for continuous flow restriction. This is to be understood to mean that each control valve is assigned to a specific filling valve and can throttle / slow down the flow of drinks in a coordinated manner with the filling process of the respective filling valve.
  • a continuously variable flow restriction enables a particularly precise adjustment of the beverage inflow and the height of the beverage in the return air pipe.
  • the control valves are preferably proportional flow valves. Such control valves can, in particular depending on the electrical control current, continuously adjust the flow rate of the beverage. Proportional flow valves can continuously change a flow cross section for the beverage.
  • the proportional flow-through valves preferably also include pressure compensation such that the beverage inflow can be adjusted independently of the hydrostatic pressure on the inlet side and the viscosity of the beverage.
  • the inflow of beverages can thus be specifically adapted for individual sections of the filling process and in particular can be selectively throttled immediately before the beverage rises to the return air tube and / or when it rises in the return air tube.
  • the gravity short tube filler comprises a control for the control valves for time-selective flow restriction at least in an end section of the filling from a point in time at which the beverage has reached the return air tube and / or from an adjustable time interval before reaching the return air tube.
  • a control for the control valves for time-selective flow restriction at least in an end section of the filling from a point in time at which the beverage has reached the return air tube and / or from an adjustable time interval before reaching the return air tube.
  • control valves are preferably connected to the product boiler by means of pipelines and / or hose lines and / or to the respectively assigned filling valve by means of pipelines and / or hose lines.
  • the control valves can be flexibly arranged at a suitable height between the product boiler and the filling valves.
  • the arrangement of the filling valves with respect to the product boiler can be flexibly optimized, for example in such a way that the filling valves are arranged completely below the product boiler and do not project laterally beyond it.
  • a first height difference between the control valve and a nominal fill level of the beverage in the product kettle is preferably greater than a second height difference between the control valve and a product outlet formed on the fill valve.
  • the second height difference then also plays a subordinate role for the flow rate of the beverage in the case of comparatively simple control valves, since only a comparatively low hydrostatic pressure can arise between the control valve and the product outlet of the filling valve.
  • a height difference between a nominal fill level of the beverage in the product kettle and a product outlet formed on the fill valve is preferably at least 500 mm. This enables a comparatively high maximum flow rate of the beverage and a compact arrangement of the filling valves under the product kettle.
  • the product kettle and the filling valves are preferably arranged on the rotor of a filler carousel.
  • the product kettle is then designed, for example, as a ring kettle. This enables an equally powerful and compact gravity short tube filler.
  • the object is also achieved with a method according to claim 9. Accordingly, this is used for the gravity filling of beverages, in particular spirits, wine or similar liquid products in bottles.
  • the drink is fed from a product kettle connected to filling valves. There, a flow of beverages into the bottles, driven by hydrostatic pressure difference, is stopped by ascending the beverage at least up to the return air pipes.
  • the inflow of drinks to the filling valves is, in particular, throttled individually by means of mechanically controllable control valves.
  • the inflow of drinks to the respective filling valve is preferably throttled to a machine-adjustable value and in particular a minimum value before the drink has reached the return air pipe. This allows the height of the beverage in the return air pipe to be minimized. As a result, the fill level of the beverage in the bottle can be precisely set even without vacuum correction suction.
  • the inflow of drinks to the respective filling valve is preferably throttled to an adjustable value and in particular a minimum value after at least 90%, in particular at least 95%, of a predetermined target filling volume has been filled.
  • the drink In front of each, the drink can flow in faster.
  • the duration of the filling process can thus be minimized as well as the height of the beverage in the return air pipe. Deviations from the target filling volume can also be minimized in this way, if necessary.
  • the inflow of drinks to the filling valves is throttled selectively in each case within an end section of the filling in such a way that the maximum rise height of the drink in the return air tube is at most 60 mm, in particular at most 10 mm. This enables the target filling volume to be maintained particularly precisely.
  • the flow of beverages to the filling valves is selectively throttled in time from an in particular beverage-specific maximum value to an in particular beverage-specific minimum value at the end of the filling.
  • an in particular beverage-specific maximum value to an in particular beverage-specific minimum value at the end of the filling.
  • a time course of the inflow of drinks is preferably set in a product-specific manner by means of a programmed control.
  • the filling can be specifically optimized with regard to the properties of the bottles and the beverage that are relevant for the filling.
  • the gravity short-tube filler 1 for filling beverages 2, such as spirits, wine or the like liquid products in bottles 3, comprises a product kettle 4 and a plurality of filling valves 5 (only one of which is shown) connected thereto, which by pressing and pulling the bottles 3 open and close in a known manner.
  • the gravity short-tube filler 1 is preferably of a rotating design, so that the product kettle 4, which can also be designed as a ring kettle (not shown), for example, and the filling valves 5 are then arranged on the rotor of a filler carousel 6. This is in the Figure 1 schematically indicated by an axis of rotation 6a.
  • the filling valves 5 include return air tubes 7, which are sealed gas-tight at the end of the respective filling process by rising beverage 2, as a result of which the beverage inflow 8 (product inflow) comes to a standstill.
  • control valves 9 are preferably proportional flow valves, in particular those with pressure compensation, which allow the associated flow and thus the product inflow 8 to be set independently of the hydrostatic pressure on the inlet side and the viscosity of the beverage 2.
  • a throttle cross section 10 of the control valves 9 can preferably be set continuously by an electronic control 11, for example on the basis of control currents through the individual control valves 9.
  • the control valves 9 are connected to the product boiler 4 by means of an inlet-side product line 12 and to the respectively assigned filling valve by means of an outlet-side product line 13 5 connected.
  • the product lines 12, 13 are preferably designed as pipelines and / or hose lines, optionally in any combination. This enables a flexibly optimizable arrangement of the filling valves 5 with respect to the product boiler 4.
  • the beverage inflow 8 can be throttled, in particular in an end section of the respective filling process, in order to minimize a (schematically indicated) rising height 14 of the beverage 2 in the return air pipe 7.
  • the rise 14 results from the hydrostatic pressure applied to the filling valve 5. This results from a height difference 15 between the product outlet 16 at the filling valve 5 and the respective filling level 17 of the beverage 2 in the product kettle 4.
  • the entire height difference 15 can be divided into a first height difference 15a between the fill level 17 and the control valve 9 and a second height difference 15b between the control valve 9 and the product outlet 16 at the fill valve 5.
  • the second height difference 15b is then preferably smaller than the first height difference 15a. Influences of a hydrostatic residual pressure which may act between the control valve 9 and the filling valve 5, depending on the design of the control valves 9, can thereby be reduced.
  • the beverage inflow 8 can be set largely independently of the pressure conditions upstream and downstream of the control valve 9.
  • the total height difference 15 is preferably at least 500 mm.
  • the Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary time course 20 of the beverage inflow 8 during a filling process. Accordingly, the beverage inflow 8 can be selectively adjusted laterally individually at least between a maximum value 8a and a minimum value 8b for each filling valve 5 with the respectively associated control valve 9.
  • the maximum value 8a and the minimum value 8b are to be understood here as meaning specifically adjustable and / or programmable values of the beverage inflow 8 for the respective filling process.
  • the maximum value 8a can be limited, for example, by the hydrostatic conditions and / or the viscosity of the beverage 2.
  • the minimum value 8b is greater than zero.
  • Maximum value 8a and minimum value 8b are preferably set or programmed in a drink-specific manner, as is the associated time profile 20 of the beverage inflow 8.
  • the inflow of beverages 8 is additionally prevented when the bottles 3 are removed from the filling valves 5, so that beverage 2 which has risen in the return air tube 7 can then only flow into the bottles 3 beforehand.
  • FIG. 2 An example is shown in the Figure 2 the start 21 of the filling process, a point in time 22 at which the beverage inflow 8 is deliberately throttled, a point in time 23 at which the drink 2 has risen up to the return air pipe 7, an associated time interval 24 in between and the end 25 of the filling process.
  • the beverage inflow 8 is preferably throttled before the time 23, that is to say before the beverage 2 has reached the return air pipe 7.
  • the inflow of drinks 8 has already reached its minimum value 8b at time 23. This is advantageous, but not absolutely necessary.
  • any time profiles 20 for the beverage inflow 8 or the associated flow rate and / or flow rate during a filling process by setting / programming the electronic control 11 can be specified.
  • product-specific setting / programming of such time profiles 20 is possible.
  • the beverage inflow 8 can be continuously and continuously adjusted to any intermediate values between the maximum value 8a and the minimum value 8b.
  • the duration of the filling process as a whole can be minimized and flexibly adapted to the respective beverage 2, and the rise height 15 in the return air pipe 7 can be minimized.
  • a target filling level of the beverage 2 in the respective bottle can be maintained reproducibly and particularly precisely even without level correction by means of vacuum suction.
  • the described gravity short-pipe filler 1 can be produced comparatively inexpensively as well as for a large number of high-quality drinks 2, in particular for filling of spirits and wine.
  • the gravity short tube filler 1 is designed and set up in such a way that at least one of the variants of the method described can be carried out with it.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

Abstract

Beschrieben wird ein Verfahren und ein Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller (1) zur Abfüllung von Getränken (2), insbesondere von Spirituosen oder Wein, in Flaschen (3), umfassend einen Produktkessel (4) und daran angeschlossene Füllventile (5), die zur Begrenzung der Füllhöhe in den Flaschen mittels Rückluftrohr (7) ausgebildet sind. Dadurch, dass den Füllventilen Regelventile (9) zur maschinell steuerbaren Drosselung des Produktzulaufs (8) zu den Füllventilen individuell vorgeschaltet sind, kann der Einfluss des hydrostatischen Drucks zwischen dem Getränk im Produktkessel und dem Füllventil gezielt reduziert werden, wodurch die Steighöhe des Getränks im Rückluftrohr sinkt und sich die Füllhöhe präzise auch ohne Füllhöhenkorrektur oder Füllhöhenüberwachung mittels Sonden einstellen lässt.A method and a gravity short tube filler (1) for filling beverages (2), in particular spirits or wine, into bottles (3) is described, comprising a product boiler (4) and filling valves (5) connected to it, which are used to limit the Filling height in the bottles are formed by means of a return air pipe (7). The fact that control valves (9) for machine-controlled throttling of the product inlet (8) to the filling valves are individually connected upstream of the filling valves enables the influence of the hydrostatic pressure between the beverage in the product boiler and the filling valve to be reduced in a targeted manner, thereby increasing the height of the beverage in the return air pipe decreases and the fill level can be set precisely using probes without level correction or fill level monitoring.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller gemäß Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 und ein Verfahren zur Schwerkraft-Abfüllung von Getränken gemäß Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 9.The invention relates to a gravity short tube filler according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for the gravity filling of beverages according to the preamble of claim 9.

Für die Abfüllung von Getränken, wie beispielsweise Spirituosen, Wein oder dergleichen flüssiger Produkte in Flaschen haben sich bekanntermaßen Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller bewährt. Es herrscht dann während des Füllens Gleichdruck zwischen einem am Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller vorhandenen Produktkessel mit dem abzufüllenden Getränk und mit dem Inneren der zu füllenden Flasche. Derartiger Gleichdruck kann sowohl bei Umgebungsdruck als auch bei Überdruck, wie beispielsweise zur Abfüllung karbonisierter Getränke, herrschen.For the filling of beverages, such as spirits, wine or the like liquid products in bottles, it is known that gravity short-tube fillers have proven successful. Then there is constant pressure during filling between a product kettle on the gravity short-tube filler with the beverage to be filled and with the interior of the bottle to be filled. Such constant pressure can prevail both at ambient pressure and at excess pressure, for example for filling carbonated beverages.

Die Füllhöhe wird bei derartigen Füllern vorzugsweise durch die Länge des an den Füllventilen ausgebildeten Rückluftrohren eingestellt, indem das eingefüllte Getränk bis zum freien Ende des Rückluftrohrs hochsteigt und dieses gasdicht verschließt. In der Folge kommt der Zustrom des abzufüllenden Getränks zum Erliegen. Allerdings steigt das Getränk aufgrund des hydrostatischen Druckgefälles zum Produktkessel hin im Rückluftrohr nach oben. Wird die Flasche anschließend vom Füllventil abgezogen, so läuft das im Rückluftrohr vorhandene Getränk in die Flasche, wodurch eine Überfüllung der Flasche verursacht werden kann.In the case of such fillers, the filling level is preferably set by the length of the return air tube formed on the filling valves, in that the filled beverage rises to the free end of the return air tube and closes it gas-tight. As a result, the inflow of the beverage to be filled comes to a standstill. However, due to the hydrostatic pressure drop to the product boiler, the drink rises upwards in the return air pipe. If the bottle is then removed from the filling valve, the drink in the return air pipe runs into the bottle, which can cause the bottle to overfill.

Um dann dennoch einen vorgegebenen Füllstand des Getränks in der Flasche möglichst exakt einstellen zu können, hat sich eine Füllstandkorrektur durch zusätzliches Absaugen überfüllten Getränks als praktikabel erwiesen. Derartige Absaugsysteme haben jedoch den Nachteil, dass während des Abfüllprozesses ständig Vakuum an den Füllventilen vorgehalten und das abgesaugte Getränk zurückgewonnen werden muss, insbesondere bei hochwertigen Produkten wie Wein oder Spirituosen. Neben dem zusätzlichen Aufwand für derartige Rückgewinnungskreisläufe können sich kontaminierte Flaschen negativ auf die Produktqualität auswirken, da der Produktkessel dann vom zurückgewonnenen Getränk kontaminiert werden kann.In order to be able to set a predetermined fill level of the beverage in the bottle as precisely as possible, a level correction by additional suction of overfilled beverage has proven to be practical. However, such suction systems have the disadvantage that a vacuum is constantly maintained at the filling valves during the filling process and the extracted beverage must be recovered, especially in the case of high-quality products such as wine or spirits. In addition to the additional effort for such recovery cycles, contaminated bottles can have a negative impact on the product quality, since the product kettle can then be contaminated by the recovered beverage.

Um die Steighöhe des eingefüllten Getränks im Rückluftrohr zu begrenzen, muss zudem der hydrostatische Druckunterschied zwischen dem Füllstand des Getränks im Kessel und den Füllventilen begrenzt werden. Zu diesem Zweck werden die Füllventile üblicherweise direkt am Produktkessel befestigt, insbesondere auch seitlich außenliegend. Daraus ergeben sich für die Bauform des Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüllers jedoch unerwünschte Einschränkungen.In order to limit the height of the filled beverage in the return air pipe, the hydrostatic pressure difference between the level of the beverage in the boiler and the filling valves must also be limited. For this purpose, the filling valves are usually attached directly to the product kettle, especially on the outside. However, this results in undesirable restrictions for the design of the gravity short tube filler.

Es besteht somit Bedarf für Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller und Verfahren zur Schwerkraft-Abfüllung von Getränken, die hinsichtlich wenigstens eines der oben genannten Probleme verbessert sind.There is therefore a need for gravity short tube fillers and methods for the gravity filling of beverages which are improved with respect to at least one of the problems mentioned above.

Die gestellte Aufgabe wird mit einem Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller gemäß Anspruch 1 gelöst. Demnach dient dieser zur Abfüllung von Getränken, insbesondere Spirituosen, Wein oder dergleichen flüssiger Produkte in Flaschen. Der Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller umfasst einen Produktkessel für das Getränk und daran angeschlossene Füllventile, die zur Beendigung des Getränkezuflusses durch Hochsteigen des Getränks bis an die und/oder in den Rückluftrohren ausgebildet sind. Erfindungsgemäß sind den Füllventilen Regelventile zur maschinell steuerbaren Drosselung des Getränkezuflusses zu den Füllventilen individuell vorgeschaltet.The object is achieved with a gravity short tube filler according to claim 1. Accordingly, this is used for filling drinks, in particular spirits, wine or the like liquid products in bottles. The gravity short-tube filler comprises a product kettle for the beverage and filling valves connected to it, which are designed to stop the flow of beverage by rising the beverage to and / or in the return air tubes. According to the invention, the filling valves are individually preceded by control valves for the machine-controllable throttling of the beverage flow to the filling valves.

Der Getränkezufluss wird durch Hochsteigen des Getränks wenigstens bis zum Rückluftrohr und den dadurch verursachten, gasdichten Verschluss der Rückluftpassage beendet.The inflow of drinks is stopped by climbing the drink up to at least the return air pipe and the resulting gas-tight closure of the return air passage.

Dadurch kann der Getränkezufluss ausgehend von dem hydrostatischen Druck zwischen dem Füllstand des Getränks im Produktkessel und dem Produktauslass an den Füllventilen gezielt gedrosselt werden. Folglich können die Füllventile flexibler angeordnet werden, insbesondere mit einem größeren Höhenunterschied und/oder vollständig unterhalb des Produktkessels, im Gegensatz zu einer Montage der Füllventile seitlich außen am Produktkessel. Ferner wird die Steighöhe des Getränks im Rückluftrohr durch die Drosselung des Getränkezuflusses reduziert.As a result, the inflow of beverages can be deliberately throttled based on the hydrostatic pressure between the level of the beverage in the product kettle and the product outlet on the filling valves. As a result, the filling valves can be arranged more flexibly, in particular with a greater height difference and / or completely below the product kettle, in contrast to mounting the filling valves on the outside of the product kettle. Furthermore, the height of the beverage in the return air pipe is reduced by throttling the inflow of beverages.

Vorzugsweise sind die Regelventile zur individuellen und insbesondere zur stufenlosen Durchflussdrosselung ausgebildet. Darunter ist zu verstehen, dass jedes Regelventil einem bestimmten Füllventil zugeordnet ist und den Getränkezufluss mit dem Füllvorgang des jeweiligen Füllventils zeitlich koordiniert drosseln / verlangsamen kann. Eine stufenlose Durchflussdrosselung ermöglicht eine besonders präzise Einstellung des Getränkezuflusses und der Steighöhe des Getränks im Rückluftrohr.The control valves are preferably designed for individual and in particular for continuous flow restriction. This is to be understood to mean that each control valve is assigned to a specific filling valve and can throttle / slow down the flow of drinks in a coordinated manner with the filling process of the respective filling valve. A continuously variable flow restriction enables a particularly precise adjustment of the beverage inflow and the height of the beverage in the return air pipe.

Vorzugsweise sind die Regelventile Proportional-Durchfluss-Ventile. Derartige Regelventile können, insbesondere abhängig vom elektrischen Steuerstrom, die Fließgeschwindigkeit des Getränks stufenlos einstellen. Proportional-Durchfluss-Ventile können einen Durchflussquerschnitt für das Getränk kontinuierlich ändern.The control valves are preferably proportional flow valves. Such control valves can, in particular depending on the electrical control current, continuously adjust the flow rate of the beverage. Proportional flow valves can continuously change a flow cross section for the beverage.

Vorzugsweise umfassen die Proportional-Durchfluss-Ventile ferner eine Druckkompensation derart, dass der Getränkezufluss unabhängig vom eingangsseitigen hydrostatischen Druck und der Viskosität des Getränks eingestellt werden kann.The proportional flow-through valves preferably also include pressure compensation such that the beverage inflow can be adjusted independently of the hydrostatic pressure on the inlet side and the viscosity of the beverage.

Der Getränkezufluss kann so für einzelne Teilabschnitte der Abfüllvorgänge gezielt angepasst werden und insbesondere unmittelbar vor dem Hochsteigen des Getränks ans Rückluftrohr und/oder beim Hochsteigen im Rückluftrohr selektiv gedrosselt werden.The inflow of beverages can thus be specifically adapted for individual sections of the filling process and in particular can be selectively throttled immediately before the beverage rises to the return air tube and / or when it rises in the return air tube.

Vorzugsweise umfasst der Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller eine Steuerung für die Regelventile zur zeitlich selektiven Durchflussdrosselung wenigstens in einem Endabschnitt des Abfüllens ab einem Zeitpunkt, an dem das Getränk das Rückluftrohr erreicht hat, und/oder ab einem einstellbaren Zeitintervall vor Erreichen des Rückluftrohrs. Dadurch kann die Steighöhe des Getränks gezielt reduziert werden. Ferner kann der Getränkezufluss vor dem Endabschnitt des Abfüllens gegenüber herkömmlichen Füllvorgängen erhöht werden, da die Steighöhe des Getränks im Rückluftrohr dann davon unabhängig ist.Preferably, the gravity short tube filler comprises a control for the control valves for time-selective flow restriction at least in an end section of the filling from a point in time at which the beverage has reached the return air tube and / or from an adjustable time interval before reaching the return air tube. This allows the height of the beverage to be reduced in a targeted manner. Furthermore, the inflow of drinks before the end section of the filling can be increased compared to conventional filling processes, since the height of the drink in the return air tube is then independent of this.

Vorzugsweise sind die Regelventile mittels Rohrleitungen und/oder Schlauchleitungen mit dem Produktkessel und/oder mittels Rohrleitungen und/oder Schlauchleitungen mit dem jeweils zugeordneten Füllventil verbunden. Dadurch können die Regelventile flexibel auf einem geeigneten Höhenniveau zwischen dem Produktkessel und den Füllventilen angeordnet werden. Zudem kann die Anordnung der Füllventile bezüglich des Produktkessels flexibel optimiert werden, beispielsweise derart, dass die Füllventile vollständig unterhalb des Produktkessels angeordnet sind und seitlich nicht nach außen über diesen überstehen.The control valves are preferably connected to the product boiler by means of pipelines and / or hose lines and / or to the respectively assigned filling valve by means of pipelines and / or hose lines. As a result, the control valves can be flexibly arranged at a suitable height between the product boiler and the filling valves. In addition, the arrangement of the filling valves with respect to the product boiler can be flexibly optimized, for example in such a way that the filling valves are arranged completely below the product boiler and do not project laterally beyond it.

Vorzugsweise ist eine erste Höhendifferenz zwischen dem Regelventil und einem nominellen Füllstand des Getränks im Produktkessel größer als eine zweite Höhendifferenz zwischen dem Regelventil und einem am Füllventil ausgebildeten Produktauslass. Die zweite Höhendifferenz spielt dann auch bei vergleichsweise einfach aufgebauten Regelventilen eine untergeordnete Rolle für die Fließgeschwindigkeit des Getränks, da nur ein vergleichsweise niedriger hydrostatischer Druck zwischen Regelventil und Produktauslass des Füllventils entstehen kann.A first height difference between the control valve and a nominal fill level of the beverage in the product kettle is preferably greater than a second height difference between the control valve and a product outlet formed on the fill valve. The second height difference then also plays a subordinate role for the flow rate of the beverage in the case of comparatively simple control valves, since only a comparatively low hydrostatic pressure can arise between the control valve and the product outlet of the filling valve.

Vorzugsweise beträgt eine Höhendifferenz zwischen einem nominellen Füllstand des Getränks im Produktkessel und einem am Füllventil ausgebildeten Produktauslass wenigstens 500 mm. Dies ermöglicht eine vergleichsweise hohe maximale Fließgeschwindigkeit des Getränks und eine kompakte Anordnung der Füllventile unter dem Produktkessel.A height difference between a nominal fill level of the beverage in the product kettle and a product outlet formed on the fill valve is preferably at least 500 mm. This enables a comparatively high maximum flow rate of the beverage and a compact arrangement of the filling valves under the product kettle.

Vorzugsweise sind der Produktkessel und die Füllventile am Rotor eines Füllerkarussells angeordnet. Der Produktkessel ist dann beispielsweise als Ringkessel ausgebildet. Dies ermöglicht einen gleichermaßen leistungsfähigen wie kompakten Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller.The product kettle and the filling valves are preferably arranged on the rotor of a filler carousel. The product kettle is then designed, for example, as a ring kettle. This enables an equally powerful and compact gravity short tube filler.

Die gestellte Aufgabe wird ebenso mit einem Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9 gelöst. Demnach dient dieses zur Schwerkraft-Abfüllung von Getränken, insbesondere Spirituosen, Wein oder dergleichen flüssiger Produkte in Flaschen. Das Getränk wird aus einem Produktkessel daran angeschlossenen Füllventilen zugeleitet. Dort wird ein durch hydrostatische Druckdifferenz getriebener Getränkezufluss in die Flaschen durch Hochsteigen des Getränks wenigstens bis an Rückluftrohre beendet. Erfindungsgemäß wird der Getränkezufluss zu den Füllventilen mittels maschinell steuerbarer Regelventile insbesondere individuell gedrosselt. Damit lassen sich die bezüglich des Anspruchs 1 beschriebenen Vorteile erzielen.The object is also achieved with a method according to claim 9. Accordingly, this is used for the gravity filling of beverages, in particular spirits, wine or similar liquid products in bottles. The drink is fed from a product kettle connected to filling valves. There, a flow of beverages into the bottles, driven by hydrostatic pressure difference, is stopped by ascending the beverage at least up to the return air pipes. According to the invention, the inflow of drinks to the filling valves is, in particular, throttled individually by means of mechanically controllable control valves. The advantages described with respect to claim 1 can thus be achieved.

Vorzugsweise wird der Getränkezufluss zum jeweiligen Füllventil auf einen maschinell einstellbaren Wert und insbesondere Minimalwert gedrosselt, bevor das Getränk das Rückluftrohr erreicht hat. Dadurch lässt sich die Steighöhe des Getränks im Rückluftrohr minimieren. Folglich kann der Füllstand des Getränks in der Flasche auch ohne Vakuumkorrekturabsaugung präzise eingestellt werden.The inflow of drinks to the respective filling valve is preferably throttled to a machine-adjustable value and in particular a minimum value before the drink has reached the return air pipe. This allows the height of the beverage in the return air pipe to be minimized. As a result, the fill level of the beverage in the bottle can be precisely set even without vacuum correction suction.

Vorzugsweise wird der Getränkezufluss zum jeweiligen Füllventil auf einen einstellbaren Wert und insbesondere Minimalwert gedrosselt, nachdem wenigstens 90%, insbesondere wenigstens 95%, eines vorgegebenen Soll-Füllvolumens eingefüllt ist. Jeweils davor kann das Getränk schneller zufließen. Somit kann die Dauer des Füllvorgangs insgesamt ebenso minimiert werden wie die Steighöhe des Getränks im Rückluftrohr. Abweichungen vom Soll-Füllvolumen können so gegebenenfalls auch getränkespezifisch minimiert werden.The inflow of drinks to the respective filling valve is preferably throttled to an adjustable value and in particular a minimum value after at least 90%, in particular at least 95%, of a predetermined target filling volume has been filled. In front of each, the drink can flow in faster. The duration of the filling process can thus be minimized as well as the height of the beverage in the return air pipe. Deviations from the target filling volume can also be minimized in this way, if necessary.

Vorzugsweise wird der Getränkezufluss zu den Füllventilen zeitlich selektiv jeweils innerhalb eines Endabschnitts der Abfüllung derart gedrosselt, dass die maximale Steighöhe des Getränks im Rückluftrohr höchstens 60 mm beträgt, insbesondere höchstens 10 mm. Dies ermöglicht eine besonders exakte Einhaltung des Soll-Füllvolumens.Preferably, the inflow of drinks to the filling valves is throttled selectively in each case within an end section of the filling in such a way that the maximum rise height of the drink in the return air tube is at most 60 mm, in particular at most 10 mm. This enables the target filling volume to be maintained particularly precisely.

Vorzugsweise wird der Getränkezufluss zu den Füllventilen ausgehend von einem insbesondere getränkespezifischen Maximalwert zeitlich selektiv auf einen insbesondere getränkespezifischen Minimalwert zum Ende der Abfüllung hin gedrosselt. Dadurch kann die Abfüllung unterschiedlicher Getränke gezielt optimiert werden, beispielsweise für Wein oder Spirituosen.Preferably, the flow of beverages to the filling valves is selectively throttled in time from an in particular beverage-specific maximum value to an in particular beverage-specific minimum value at the end of the filling. This enables the bottling of different beverages to be optimized in a targeted manner, for example for wine or spirits.

Vorzugsweise wird ein zeitlicher Verlauf des Getränkezuflusses mittels programmierter Steuerung produktspezifisch eingestellt. Die Abfüllung kann so gezielt hinsichtlich für die Abfüllung relevanter Eigenschaften der Flaschen und des Getränks optimiert werden.A time course of the inflow of drinks is preferably set in a product-specific manner by means of a programmed control. In this way, the filling can be specifically optimized with regard to the properties of the bottles and the beverage that are relevant for the filling.

Eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist zeichnerisch dargestellt. Es zeigen:

Figur 1
einen schematischen Teilschnitt durch einen Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller mit vergrößerter Darstellung eines Füllventils; und
Figur 2
eine schematische Darstellung eines zeitlichen Verlaufs des Getränkezuflusses.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing. Show it:
Figure 1
a schematic partial section through a gravity short tube filler with an enlarged view of a filling valve; and
Figure 2
a schematic representation of a time course of the inflow of drinks.

Wie die Figur 1 in schematischer Teilansicht erkennen lässt, umfasst der Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller 1 zur Abfüllung von Getränken 2, wie beispielsweise Spirituosen, Wein oder dergleichen flüssiger Produkte in Flaschen 3, einen Produktkessel 4 und eine Vielzahl daran angeschlossener Füllventile 5 (nur eines davon dargestellt), die sich durch Andrücken und Abziehen der Flaschen 3 auf bekannte Weise öffnen und schließen lassen.As the Figure 1 can be seen in a schematic partial view, the gravity short-tube filler 1 for filling beverages 2, such as spirits, wine or the like liquid products in bottles 3, comprises a product kettle 4 and a plurality of filling valves 5 (only one of which is shown) connected thereto, which by pressing and pulling the bottles 3 open and close in a known manner.

Der Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller 1 ist vorzugsweise von umlaufender Bauart, so dass der Produktkessel 4, der beispielsweise auch als Ringkessel (nicht dargestellt) ausgebildet sein kann, und die Füllventile 5 dann am Rotor eines Füllerkarussells 6 angeordnet sind. Dies ist in der Figur 1 schematisch durch eine Drehachse 6a angedeutet.The gravity short-tube filler 1 is preferably of a rotating design, so that the product kettle 4, which can also be designed as a ring kettle (not shown), for example, and the filling valves 5 are then arranged on the rotor of a filler carousel 6. This is in the Figure 1 schematically indicated by an axis of rotation 6a.

Wie insbesondere der vergrößerte Ausschnitt in der Figur 1 erkennen lässt, umfassen die Füllventile 5 Rückluftrohre 7, die am Ende des jeweiligen Abfüllvorgangs durch hochsteigendes Getränk 2 gasdicht verschlossen werden, wodurch der Getränkezufluss 8 (Produktzufluss) zum Erliegen kommt.Like in particular the enlarged section in the Figure 1 can be seen, the filling valves 5 include return air tubes 7, which are sealed gas-tight at the end of the respective filling process by rising beverage 2, as a result of which the beverage inflow 8 (product inflow) comes to a standstill.

Zur maschinell steuerbaren Drosselung des Getränkezuflusses 8 sind den Füllventilen 5 jeweils individuell Regelventile 9 vorgeschaltet. Die Regelventile 9 sind vorzugsweise Proportional-Durchfluss-Ventile, insbesondere solche mit Druckkompensation, die eine Einstellung des zugehörigen Durchflusses und somit des Produktzuflusses 8 unabhängig vom eingangsseitigen hydrostatischen Druck und der Viskosität des Getränks 2 ermöglichen.For the machine-controllable throttling of the beverage inflow 8, the filling valves 5 are each preceded individually by control valves 9. The control valves 9 are preferably proportional flow valves, in particular those with pressure compensation, which allow the associated flow and thus the product inflow 8 to be set independently of the hydrostatic pressure on the inlet side and the viscosity of the beverage 2.

Beispielsweise kann hierzu ein Drosselquerschnitt 10 der Regelventile 9 vorzugsweise stufenlos von einer elektronischen Steuerung 11 eingestellt werden, beispielsweise anhand von Steuerströmen durch die einzelnen Regelventile 9.For example, a throttle cross section 10 of the control valves 9 can preferably be set continuously by an electronic control 11, for example on the basis of control currents through the individual control valves 9.

Die Regelventile 9 sind mittels einer eingangsseitigen Produktleitung 12 an den Produktkessel 4 und mittels einer ausgangsseitigen Produktleitung 13 an das jeweils zugeordnete Füllventil 5 angeschlossen. Die Produktleitungen 12, 13 sind vorzugsweise als Rohrleitungen und/oder Schlauchleitungen ausgebildet, gegebenenfalls in beliebiger Kombination. Dies ermöglicht eine flexibel optimierbare Anordnung der Füllventile 5 bezüglich des Produktkessels 4.The control valves 9 are connected to the product boiler 4 by means of an inlet-side product line 12 and to the respectively assigned filling valve by means of an outlet-side product line 13 5 connected. The product lines 12, 13 are preferably designed as pipelines and / or hose lines, optionally in any combination. This enables a flexibly optimizable arrangement of the filling valves 5 with respect to the product boiler 4.

Mit den Regelventilen 9 kann der Getränkezufluss 8 insbesondere in einem Endabschnitt des jeweiligen Abfüllvorgangs gedrosselt werden, um eine (schematisch angedeutete) Steighöhe 14 des Getränks 2 im Rückluftrohr 7 zu minimieren. Bei nicht gedrosseltem Getränkezufluss 8 resultiert die Steighöhe 14 aus dem am Füllventil 5 anliegenden hydrostatischen Druck. Dieser ergibt sich aus einer Höhendifferenz 15 zwischen dem Produktauslass 16 am Füllventil 5 und dem jeweiligen Füllstand 17 des Getränks 2 im Produktkessel 4.With the control valves 9, the beverage inflow 8 can be throttled, in particular in an end section of the respective filling process, in order to minimize a (schematically indicated) rising height 14 of the beverage 2 in the return air pipe 7. When the inflow of drinks 8 is not throttled, the rise 14 results from the hydrostatic pressure applied to the filling valve 5. This results from a height difference 15 between the product outlet 16 at the filling valve 5 and the respective filling level 17 of the beverage 2 in the product kettle 4.

Wie die Figur 1 schematisch erkennen lässt, kann die gesamte Höhendifferenz 15 in eine erste Höhendifferenz 15a zwischen dem Füllstand 17 und dem Regelventil 9 und eine zweite Höhendifferenz 15b zwischen dem Regelventil 9 und dem Produktauslass 16 am Füllventil 5 untergliedert werden. Vorzugsweise ist dann die zweite Höhendifferenz 15b kleiner als die erste Höhendifferenz 15a. Dadurch können Einflüsse eines zwischen dem Regelventil 9 und dem Füllventil 5 je nach Bauart der Regelventile 9 gegebenenfalls wirkenden hydrostatischen Restdrucks reduziert werden.As the Figure 1 shows schematically, the entire height difference 15 can be divided into a first height difference 15a between the fill level 17 and the control valve 9 and a second height difference 15b between the control valve 9 and the product outlet 16 at the fill valve 5. The second height difference 15b is then preferably smaller than the first height difference 15a. Influences of a hydrostatic residual pressure which may act between the control valve 9 and the filling valve 5, depending on the design of the control valves 9, can thereby be reduced.

Bei einem Proportional-Durchfluss-Ventil lässt sich der Getränkezufluss 8 jedoch weitgehend unabhängig von den Druckverhältnissen stromaufwärts und stromabwärts des Regelventils 9 einstellen. Die gesamte Höhendifferenz 15 beträgt vorzugsweise wenigstens 500 mm.In the case of a proportional flow valve, however, the beverage inflow 8 can be set largely independently of the pressure conditions upstream and downstream of the control valve 9. The total height difference 15 is preferably at least 500 mm.

Die Figur 2 zeigt in schematischer Darstellung einen beispielhaften zeitlichen Verlauf 20 des Getränkezuflusses 8 während eines Abfüllvorgangs. Demnach kann der Getränkezufluss 8 wenigstens zwischen einem Maximalwert 8a und einem Minimalwert 8b individuell für jedes Füllventil 5 mit dem jeweils zugeordneten Regelventil 9 seitlich selektiv eingestellt werden. Mit dem Maximalwert 8a und dem Minimalwert 8b sind hierbei gezielt für den jeweiligen Abfüllvorgang einstellbare und/oder programmierbare Werte des Getränkezuflusses 8 zu verstehen.The Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary time course 20 of the beverage inflow 8 during a filling process. Accordingly, the beverage inflow 8 can be selectively adjusted laterally individually at least between a maximum value 8a and a minimum value 8b for each filling valve 5 with the respectively associated control valve 9. The maximum value 8a and the minimum value 8b are to be understood here as meaning specifically adjustable and / or programmable values of the beverage inflow 8 for the respective filling process.

Der Maximalwert 8a kann beispielsweise durch die hydrostatischen Gegebenheiten und/oder die Viskosität des Getränks 2 begrenzt sein. Der Minimalwert 8b ist größer als Null. Maximalwert 8a und dem Minimalwert 8b werden vorzugsweise getränkespezifisch eingestellt bzw. programmiert, ebenso der zugehörige zeitliche Verlauf 20 des Getränkezuflusses 8.The maximum value 8a can be limited, for example, by the hydrostatic conditions and / or the viscosity of the beverage 2. The minimum value 8b is greater than zero. Maximum value 8a and minimum value 8b are preferably set or programmed in a drink-specific manner, as is the associated time profile 20 of the beverage inflow 8.

Der Getränkezufluss 8 wird beim Abziehen der Flaschen 3 von den Füllventilen 5 zusätzlich unterbunden, so dass dann nur noch zuvor im Rückluftrohr 7 hochgestiegenes Getränk 2 in die Flaschen 3 fließen kann.The inflow of beverages 8 is additionally prevented when the bottles 3 are removed from the filling valves 5, so that beverage 2 which has risen in the return air tube 7 can then only flow into the bottles 3 beforehand.

Beispielhaft dargestellt ist in der Figur 2 der Beginn 21 des Abfüllvorgangs, ein Zeitpunkt 22, an dem der Getränkezufluss 8 gezielt gedrosselt wird, ein Zeitpunkt 23, an dem das Getränk 2 bis zum Rückluftrohr 7 hochgestiegen ist, ein zugehöriges Zeitintervall 24 dazwischen und das Ende 25 des Abfüllvorgangs.An example is shown in the Figure 2 the start 21 of the filling process, a point in time 22 at which the beverage inflow 8 is deliberately throttled, a point in time 23 at which the drink 2 has risen up to the return air pipe 7, an associated time interval 24 in between and the end 25 of the filling process.

Demnach wird der Getränkezufluss 8 vorzugsweise vor dem Zeitpunkt 23 gedrosselt, also bevor das Getränk 2 das Rückluftrohr 7 erreicht hat. Im gezeigten Beispiel hat der Getränkezufluss 8 zum Zeitpunkt 23 bereits seinen Minimalwert 8b erreicht. Dies ist vorteilhaft, jedoch nicht zwingend notwendig.Accordingly, the beverage inflow 8 is preferably throttled before the time 23, that is to say before the beverage 2 has reached the return air pipe 7. In the example shown, the inflow of drinks 8 has already reached its minimum value 8b at time 23. This is advantageous, but not absolutely necessary.

Wie in der Figur 2 anhand eines (gestrichelt gezeichneten) alternativen zeitlichen Verlaufs 20' des Getränkezuflusses 8 angedeutet ist, können je nach Ausbildung des Regelventils 9 prinzipiell beliebige zeitliche Verläufe 20 für den Getränkezufluss 8 bzw. der zugehörigen Fließgeschwindigkeit und/oder Durchflussrate während eines Abfüllvorgangs durch Einstellung / Programmierung der elektronischen Steuerung 11 vorgegeben werden. Beispielsweise ist eine produktspezifische Einstellung / Programmierung solcher zeitlichen Verläufe 20 möglich.Like in the Figure 2 is indicated on the basis of an alternative time profile 20 '(shown in dashed lines) of the beverage inflow 8, depending on the design of the control valve 9, in principle any time profiles 20 for the beverage inflow 8 or the associated flow rate and / or flow rate during a filling process by setting / programming the electronic control 11 can be specified. For example, product-specific setting / programming of such time profiles 20 is possible.

Insbesondere bei Proportional-Durchfluss-Ventilen kann der Getränkezufluss 8 zwischen dem Maximalwert 8a und dem Minimalwert 8b stufenlos und kontinuierlich auf beliebige Zwischenwerte eingestellt werden. Dadurch kann sowohl die Dauer des Abfüllvorgangs insgesamt minimiert werden und an das jeweilige Getränk 2 flexibel angepasst werden als auch die Steighöhe 15 im Rückluftrohr 7 minimiert werden. Dies hat zur Folge, dass eine Sollfüllhöhe des Getränks 2 in der jeweiligen Flasche reproduzierbar und besonders präzise auch ohne Füllstandkorrektur mittels Vakuumabsaugung eingehalten werden kann.In the case of proportional flow valves in particular, the beverage inflow 8 can be continuously and continuously adjusted to any intermediate values between the maximum value 8a and the minimum value 8b. As a result, the duration of the filling process as a whole can be minimized and flexibly adapted to the respective beverage 2, and the rise height 15 in the return air pipe 7 can be minimized. The consequence of this is that a target filling level of the beverage 2 in the respective bottle can be maintained reproducibly and particularly precisely even without level correction by means of vacuum suction.

Elektrisch betriebene Füllstandsonden oder dergleichen sind entbehrlich. Dies ist insbesondere vorteilhaft bei Getränken 2 mit hohem Alkoholgehalt, insbesondere bei Spirituosen.Electrically operated level probes or the like are not necessary. This is particularly advantageous for drinks 2 with a high alcohol content, in particular for spirits.

Da das Füllventil 5 ausschließlich füllstandgeregelt mittels gasdichten Verschlusses des Rückluftrohrs 7 durch das Getränk 2 und somit rein fluid-mechanisch arbeitet, lässt sich der beschriebene Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller 1 sowohl vergleichsweise kostengünstig herstellen, als auch für eine Vielzahl hochwertiger Getränke 2, insbesondere für die Abfüllung von Spirituosen und Wein einsetzen.Since the filling valve 5 works exclusively with level control by means of the gas-tight closure of the return air pipe 7 through the beverage 2 and thus works purely fluid-mechanically, the described gravity short-pipe filler 1 can be produced comparatively inexpensively as well as for a large number of high-quality drinks 2, in particular for filling of spirits and wine.

Der Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller 1 ist derart ausgebildet und eingerichtet, dass damit wenigstens eine der beschriebenen Varianten des Verfahrens ausgeführt werden kann.The gravity short tube filler 1 is designed and set up in such a way that at least one of the variants of the method described can be carried out with it.

Claims (14)

Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller (1) zur Abfüllung von Getränken (2), insbesondere Spirituosen, in Flaschen (3), umfassend einen Produktkessel (4) für das Getränk (2) und daran angeschlossene Füllventile (5) mit Rückluftrohren (7), die zur Beendigung des Getränkezuflusses (8) durch Hochsteigen des Getränks (2) wenigstens bis an die Rückluftrohre (7) ausgebildet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass den Füllventilen (5) Regelventile (9) zur maschinell steuerbaren Drosselung des Getränkezuflusses (8) zu den Füllventilen (5) individuell vorgeschaltet sind.Gravity short tube filler (1) for filling beverages (2), in particular spirits, in bottles (3), comprising a product boiler (4) for the beverage (2) and connected filling valves (5) with return air pipes (7), which are used for Termination of the inflow of beverages (8) by ascending the beverage (2) at least up to the return air pipes (7), characterized in that the filling valves (5) control valves (9) for mechanically controllable throttling of the inflow of drinks (8) to the filling valves ( 5) are individually upstream. Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Regelventile (9) zur individuellen und insbesondere stufenlosen Durchflussdrosselung ausgebildet sind.Gravity short tube filler according to claim 1, wherein the control valves (9) are designed for individual and in particular stepless flow restriction. Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Regelventile (9) Proportional-Durchfluss-Ventile sind.Gravity short tube filler according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control valves (9) are proportional flow valves. Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller nach einem der vorigen Ansprüche, mit einer Steuerung (11) für die Regelventile (9) zur zeitlich selektiven Durchflussdrosselung wenigstens in einem Endabschnitt des Abfüllens ab einem Zeitpunkt (24), an dem das Getränk (2) das Rückluftrohr (7) erreicht hat, und/oder ab einem einstellbaren Zeitintervall (25) vor Erreichen des Rückluftrohrs (7).Gravity short-tube filler according to one of the preceding claims, with a control (11) for the control valves (9) for temporally selective flow restriction at least in an end portion of the filling from a point in time (24) at which the beverage (2) the return air tube (7) has reached, and / or from an adjustable time interval (25) before reaching the return air pipe (7). Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller nach wenigstens einem der vorigen Ansprüche, wobei die Regelventile (9) mittels Rohrleitungen und/oder Schlauchleitungen mit dem Produktkessel (4) und/oder mittels Rohrleitungen und/oder Schlauchleitungen mit dem jeweils zugeordneten Füllventil (5) verbunden sind.Gravity short-tube filler according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the control valves (9) are connected to the product boiler (4) by means of pipelines and / or hose lines and / or to the respectively assigned filling valve (5) by means of pipelines and / or hose lines. Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller nach wenigstens einem der vorigen Ansprüche, wobei eine erste Höhendifferenz (15a) zwischen dem Regelventil (9) und einem nominellen Füllstand (17) des Getränks (2) im Produktkessel (4) größer ist als eine zweite Höhendifferenz (15b) zwischen dem Regelventil (9) und einem am Füllventil (5) ausgebildeten Produktauslass (16).Gravity short-tube filler according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a first height difference (15a) between the control valve (9) and a nominal fill level (17) of the beverage (2) in the product boiler (4) is greater than a second height difference (15b) between the control valve (9) and a product outlet (16) formed on the filling valve (5). Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller nach wenigstens einem der vorigen Ansprüche, wobei eine Höhendifferenz (15) zwischen einem nominellen Füllstand (17) des Getränks (2) im Produktkessel (4) und einem am Füllventil (5) ausgebildeten Produktauslass (16) wenigstens 500 mm beträgt.Gravity short-tube filler according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a height difference (15) between a nominal fill level (17) of the beverage (2) in the product kettle (4) and a product outlet (16) formed on the fill valve (5) is at least 500 mm. Schwerkraft-Kurzrohrfüller nach wenigstens einem der vorigen Ansprüche, wobei der Produktkessel (4) und die Füllventile (5) am Rotor eines Füllerkarussells (6) angeordnet sind.Gravity short-tube filler according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the product tank (4) and the filling valves (5) are arranged on the rotor of a filler carousel (6). Verfahren zur Schwerkraft-Abfüllung von Getränken (2), insbesondere Spirituosen, in Flaschen (3), wobei das Getränk (2) aus einem Produktkessel (4) daran angeschlossenen Füllventilen (5) zugeleitet und ein durch hydrostatische Druckdifferenz getriebener Getränkezufluss (8) in die Flaschen (3) durch Hochsteigen des Getränks (2) wenigstens bis an Rückluftrohre (7) beendet wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Getränkezufluss (8) zu den Füllventilen (5) mittels maschinell steuerbarer Regelventile (9) individuell gedrosselt wird.Process for the gravity filling of beverages (2), in particular spirits, in bottles (3), the beverage (2) being fed from a product kettle (4) to filling valves (5) connected to it and a beverage inflow (8) driven by a hydrostatic pressure difference the bottles (3) are ended at least up to the return air pipes (7) by climbing the beverage (2), characterized in that the beverage inflow (8) to the filling valves (5) is individually throttled by means of mechanically controllable control valves (9). Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei der Getränkezufluss (8) zum jeweiligen Füllventil (9) auf einen maschinell einstellbaren Wert und insbesondere Minimalwert (8b) gedrosselt wird, bevor das Getränk (2) das Rückluftrohr (7) erreicht hat.Method according to Claim 9, the beverage inflow (8) to the respective filling valve (9) being throttled to a machine-adjustable value and in particular a minimum value (8b) before the beverage (2) has reached the return air pipe (7). Verfahren nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, wobei der Getränkezufluss (8) zum jeweiligen Füllventilen auf einen einstellbaren Wert und insbesondere Minimalwert (8b) gedrosselt wird, nachdem wenigstens 90%, insbesondere wenigstens 95%, eines vorgegebenen Soll-Füllvolumens eingefüllt ist.Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the beverage inflow (8) to the respective filling valve is throttled to an adjustable value and in particular minimum value (8b) after at least 90%, in particular at least 95%, of a predetermined target filling volume has been filled. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, wobei der Getränkezufluss (8) zu den Füllventilen (5) zeitlich selektiv jeweils innerhalb eines Endabschnitts der Abfüllung derart gedrosselt wird, dass die maximale Steighöhe (14) des Getränks (2) im Rückluftrohr (7) höchstens 60 mm beträgt, insbesondere höchstens 10 mm.Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the beverage inflow (8) to the filling valves (5) is throttled selectively in each case within an end section of the filling in such a way that the maximum rise height (14) of the beverage (2) in the return air pipe (7) is at most 60 mm, in particular at most 10 mm. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 12, wobei der Getränkezufluss (8) zu den Füllventilen (5) ausgehend von einem getränkespezifischen Maximalwert (8a) zeitlich selektiv auf einen getränkespezifischen Minimalwert (8b) zum Ende der Abfüllung hin gedrosselt wird.Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the beverage inflow (8) to the filling valves (5) is selectively throttled from a beverage-specific maximum value (8a) to a beverage-specific minimum value (8b) at the end of the filling. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 13, wobei ein zeitlicher Verlauf (20) des Getränkezuflusses (8) mittels programmierter Steuerung (11) produktspezifisch eingestellt wird.Method according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein a temporal course (20) of the beverage inflow (8) is set by product-specific control (11).
EP19199527.3A 2018-11-23 2019-09-25 Gravity-operated tube filler and method for gravity-operated filling of beverages Active EP3656731B1 (en)

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DE102018220176.5A DE102018220176A1 (en) 2018-11-23 2018-11-23 Gravity short tube filler and method for the gravity filling of beverages

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DE3325338A1 (en) * 1983-07-13 1985-01-31 Otto Sick Kg, 7830 Emmendingen Filling device for still drinks
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DE102014114708A1 (en) * 2014-10-10 2016-04-14 Krones Ag Filling valve for filling a container with a filling product
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CN204569397U (en) * 2015-04-29 2015-08-19 吴怀兵 A kind of draught beer bottle placer
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US3605827A (en) * 1969-08-04 1971-09-20 U S Bottlers Machinery Co Rotary filling machine
DE102013103431A1 (en) * 2013-04-05 2014-10-09 Khs Gmbh Method and filling system for filling containers
EP3078628A1 (en) * 2015-04-09 2016-10-12 Krones Ag Device for varying the volume flow of a filling product in a filling system

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DE102018220176A1 (en) 2020-05-28
SI3656731T1 (en) 2022-10-28
CN111217310B (en) 2022-07-22
EP3656731B1 (en) 2022-08-10

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