Abstract:
An apparatus for filling a container with a two-component filling material includes separate liquid channels for the two components. Each channel has a controllable valve. A flow meter is configured for directly measuring an amount of the first component fed to the container and indirectly measuring an amount of the second component fed to said container. It does the indirect measurement by measuring a flow rate of the first component resulting from a flow rate of the second component. Each component has an associated variable-volume chamber configured so that a volume change in one leads to an inverse volume change in the other. This affects flow rate of the first component.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the national stage entry under 35 USC 371 of international application no. PCT/EP2010/007409, filed Dec. 7, 2010, which claims the benefit of the Feb. 16, 2010 priority date of German application no. 10 2010 008 166.3. The contents of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates to filling containers with a filling material. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Methods and filling systems are known for filling containers with a liquid filling material composed of at least two components that are introduced separately into the respective container in a volume-controlled and/or amount-controlled manner, in particular also for the bottling of fruit juices in which case one component is a homogenous liquid and a further component exhibits, for example, a high proportion of solids, e.g. fruit pulp and/or fruit fiber. 
     Volume-measuring or amount-measuring devices or flowmeters, in particular contactlessly operating electronic flowmeters, for example magnetically inductive flowmeters, which may be very suitable for electrically conductive liquid and homogenous components and provide exact measurement signals depending on the particular volumetric flow rate but which are not or only partly suitable for non-homogenous components and in particular components containing a high concentration of solids, are often used for volume-controlled or amount-controlled filling. 
     For the volume-controlled or amount-controlled filling of a filling material composed of two components, it has already been proposed in our own but not yet published patent application DE 10 2009 049 583.5 that each of the components that are to be sequentially introduced into the respective container be provided with its own liquid path connected to a storage tank for the component concerned, and that a flowmeter be disposed in only one of the liquid paths, namely in the liquid path for a first liquid and homogenous component, said flowmeter directly measuring the amount of that component introduced into the respective container during filling and indirectly measuring the amount of a second component introduced into the respective container. This latter is achieved in that, before it is introduced into the container, the second component is passed into a part-length of the liquid channel of the first component and in the process the first component is displaced on this part-length and returns through the flowmeter into a tank holding the first component. This returning amount of the first component is measured with the flowmeter. The introduction of the second component into the tank does not take place directly while measuring, but in a further process step after measuring. There is a certain disadvantage in the fact that the components can mix together in the first liquid channel or in the part-length of said channel, and that, when being measured, the amounts of the first and second component flow through the flowmeter in opposite directions which can lead to measurement errors and/or necessitate a complex calibration of the flowmeter concerned. 
     The object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus that avoids the foregoing disadvantages. Suitable methods and apparatuses are recited in the attached claims. 
     In the case of the invention, the amount or volume of the at least one second component is also measured indirectly by measuring or capturing the first component&#39;s volumetric flow rate which results from the volumetric flow rate of the at least one second component, the volumetric flow rate of the least one second component being the volumetric flow rate of this component directly flowing to the respective container. During direct and indirect measuring of the amount or volume of all components, the flow through the flowmeter used for the measurement is in one and the same direction, this also being the direction of flow in which the first component flows through the first liquid channel when introduced into the respective container. This is made possible by the fact that at least one first chamber is associated with the first liquid channel for the first component and at least one second chamber with variable volume is associated with the second liquid channel for the second component, and that when the second component is introduced into the respective container, the volume of the at least one second chamber associated with the second component is reduced, starting from an initial volume and accompanied by an increase in the volume of the at least one first chamber associated with the first component. As a result of this the first component flows through the flowmeter and on into the at least one first chamber. The amount (volume) of the first component measured by the flowmeter is equal to the amount (volume) of the second component introduced into the container. If the volume-controlled or amount-controlled introduction of several “second” components into each container is necessary, then the above described indirect measurement of the amounts (volumes) of the “second” components is carried out with a time delay. 
     Further embodiments, advantages and possible applications of the invention arise out of the following description of embodiments and out of the figures. All of the described and/or pictorially represented attributes whether alone or in any desired combination are fundamentally the subject matter of the invention independently of their synopsis in the claims or a retroactive application thereof. The content of the claims is also made an integral part of the description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The invention is described below in greater detail by reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  which each schematically show a filling position of a filling systems for filling containers with two components K 1  and K 2  of a filling material. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic function representation of part of a filling system  1 , for example of a rotary filling machine for filling containers  2  with the different components K 1  and K 2 . During a filling process these components are introduced into the respective container  2  in an amount-controlled and/or volume-controlled manner in a given mix ratio or each with a given nominal volume, and also in such a way that each container  2  contains a given total amount of the mixed product, for example of a drink or fruit juice. 
     Component K 1  is for example a liquid homogenous or essentially homogenous component, for example fruit juice. Component K 2  is for example a non-homogenous component which with a reduced proportion of liquid contains a high proportion of solids, e.g. in the fruit pulp and/or fruit fibres etc. 
     Filling system  1  comprises a plurality of filling positions, each with a filling element  3 , which in the case of rotary filling machines is provided together with further filling elements on the periphery of a rotor driven to rotate about a vertical machine axis in the manner known to the person skilled in the art. Filling element  3  is configured with a valve V 1  (liquid valve) for the controlled starting and stopping of the filling process. During the filling process, the respective container  2  is disposed under filling element  3  or under a delivery opening there located, and in the depiction of  FIG. 1  is at a distance away from filling element  3  for open jet filling. There are provided jointly for all filling elements  3  of the filling system two tanks  4  and  5 , of which, during the filling operation tank  4  contains component K 1  with a pressure P 1  and tank  5  contains component K 2  with a pressure P 2 . At the delivery opening of filling element  3 , components K 1  and K 2  flowing to container  2  exhibit the filling pressure P 3 , which in the case of open jet filling is equal to the ambient pressure. The pressure in tanks  4  and  5  is set so that pressure P 1  is less than pressure P 2  but greater than pressure P 3 , hence P 3 &lt;P 1 &lt;P 2 . 
     Filling element  3  is connected to both tanks  4  and  5  by a liquid connecting and proportioning structure which is generally indicated by  6  in  FIG. 1 . Within filling system  1  there is provided for each filling element  3  or for each filling position a separate liquid connecting and proportioning structure  6  each of which consists essentially of two liquid paths or liquid channels  7  and  8 , of which liquid channel  7  is connected to tank  4  for component K 1  and liquid channel  8  to tank  5  for component K 2 , and which in the direction of flow of components K 1  and K 2  flow at a mouth  9  into a common liquid channel of filling element  3 , said channel being the continuation of liquid channel  7  in  FIG. 1 . 
     In liquid channel  7  there are provided sequentially in the direction of flow from tank  4  to liquid valve  3 , a restrictor  10  for reducing the volumetric flow rate of component K 1  when valves V 1  and V 2  are open, a flowmeter  11 , for example in the form of a magnetically inductive flowmeter, and a valve V 2 . Liquid channel  7  is configured with an extension or first chamber  7 . 1  in the region between flowmeter  11  and valve V 2 . 
     A control valve V 4  and a control valve V 3  are provided sequentially in liquid channel  8  in the direction of flow from tank  5  to filling element  3  and/or to mouth  9 . Between the two valves V 4  and V 3 , liquid channel  8  is configured with an extension or second chamber  8 . 1  which in the depicted embodiment is formed by the interior space of a bellows  12  protruding into chamber  7 . 1 . Bellows  12  or its movable and/or deformable walls separate the two chambers  7 . 1  and  8 . 1  in a fluid-tight or liquid-tight manner. Consequently chamber  8 . 1  possesses a variable volume to the extent that the volume of chamber  7 . 1  changes in inverse proportion to the volume of chamber  8 . 1 . 
     It is self-evident that other embodiments of chambers whose volumes are inter-dependent in inverse proportion can also be used instead of bellows  12 . 
     It is alternatively possible for example to provide a piston/cylinder arrangement which provides this function. For this, a cylinder with a preferentially overhung-mounted piston would have to be provided, with the piston being pressurised with the one component on the one side and with the other component on the other side. As a result of this arrangement the piston constitutes the separation or plane of separation between the two components, with the volumes of the two chambers  7 . 1  and  8 . 1  also being inter-dependent in inverse proportion. Because the piston is also easily displaceable through pressure differences between the two components, the chamber volumes can be easily adapted or altered in the desired manner. 
     Filling system  1  offers the advantage that with the aid of the only flowmeter  11 , an amount-based and/or volume-based proportioning or introducing of components K 1  and K 2  into respective container  2  is possible, whereby during the measurement component K 1  flows through flowmeter  11  in one direction of flow only, namely in the direction of flow from tank  4  to filling element  3 . With the aid of flowmeter  11 , the amount (volume) of component K 1  fed to respective container  2  is measured directly and the amount (volume) of component K 2  fed to respective container  2  is measured indirectly. The modus operandi of filling system  1  can be described as follows: 
     1.1. Initial State of Filling System  1   
     
         
         
           
             The valves in this phase of the filling process exhibit the following status: 
             V 1 : Closed 
             V 2 : Closed 
             V 3 : Closed 
             V 4 : Open 
           
         
       
    
     The two tanks  4  and  5  are filled with components K 1  and K 2  and pressurised pressurized with pressure P 1  and P 2 . Bellows  12  lies with a base section  13  against a region of chamber  7 . 1  formed as a stop  14  that defines the greatest volume (initial volume) of chamber  8 . 1 . Liquid channels  7  and  8  and their chambers  7 . 1  and  8 . 1  are completely filled with components K 1  and K 2  respectively. 
     1.2. Filling of Component K 2  in Filling System  1   
     
         
         
           
             The valves in this phase of the filling process exhibit the following status: 
             V 1 : Open 
             V 2 : Closed 
             V 3 : Open 
             V 4 : Closed 
           
         
       
    
     Pressure P 1  of component K 1  in liquid channel  7  and in chamber  7 . 1  causes a compression of bellows  12  and hence an increasing reduction of the volume of chamber  8 . 1  as well as an introduction of component K 2  via open valves V 3  and V 1  into container  2  standing ready under filling element  3 . At the same time the volume in chamber  7 . 1  increases with the consequence of a volumetric flow rate of component K 1  from tank  4  into chamber  7 . 1 , with the amount (volume) measured by flowmeter  11  being equal to the amount of component K 2  introduced from chamber  8 . 1  into container  2 . Flowmeter  11  therefore supplies a measurement signal which corresponds to the amount (volume) of component K 2  introduced into container  2  in this phase of the filling process. 
     The signal from flowmeter  11  stops this phase of the filling process in a controlled manner as soon as the required nominal volume of component K 2  is introduced into container  2 . 
     1.3. Filling of Component K 1  in Filling System  1   
     
         
         
           
             The valves in this phase of the filling process exhibit the following status: 
             V 1 : Open 
             V 2 : Open 
             V 3 : Closed 
             V 4 : Open 
           
         
       
    
     Component K 1  flows through open valves V 1  and V 2  into container  2  until the nominal volume for component K 1  is reached. Monitoring is again effected by flowmeter  11 . The measurement signal from flowmeter  11  closes valves V 1  and V 2  in a controlled manner when the nominal volume for component K 1  is reached. The filling process is now complete. The filled container  2  can then removed from filling element  3  or from the filling position which exhibits this filling element. 
     1.4. Refilling Chamber  8 . 1  in Filling System  1   
     
         
         
           
             On completion of the filling process the liquid connection and proportioning section  6  is prepared for the filling of a further container  2 . The status of the valves in this preparation phase is: 
             V 1 : Closed 
             V 2 : Closed 
             V 3 : Closed 
             V 4 : Open 
           
         
       
    
     The fact that pressure P 2  is greater than pressure P 1  causes component K 2  to flow from tank  5  into chamber  8 . 1 /bellows  12 , so that eventually chamber  8 . 1  exhibits its maximum initial volume again and base section  13  lies against stop  14 . The amount (volume) of component K 1  which is displaced from chamber  7 . 1  flows through liquid channel  7  back to tank  4  without this amount (volume) being measured by flowmeter  11 . The initial status is restored when the maximum initial volume of chamber  8 . 1  is reached, and the filling of the next container  2  can commence. 
       FIG. 2  shows as a further embodiment a filling system  1   a  which in essence only differs from filling system  1  in that the respective filling position exhibits two separate outlets or delivery openings for components K 1  and K 2 , and wherein these outlets are formed either, as indicated in  FIG. 2 , by two independent filling elements  3   a . 1  and  3   a . 2  or by at least two separate delivery openings of one and the same filling element. 
     Accordingly liquid connecting and proportioning structure  6   a  which is again provided separately for each filling position of filling systems  1   a  differs from liquid connecting and proportioning structure  6  in that the two liquid channels  7  and  8  are not connected to one another but that instead liquid channel  7  is connected via valve V 1  to the delivery opening of filling element  3   a . 1  and liquid channel  8  is connected via valve V 3  to the delivery opening of filling element  3   a . 2 . Valve V 2  is not required. 
     The modus operandi of filling system  1   a  corresponds very broadly to that of filling system  1  and can be described as follows: 
     2.1. Initial State of Filling System  1   a    
     The valves in this phase of the filling process exhibit the following status: 
     V 1 : Closed 
     V 3 : Closed 
     V 4 : Open 
     The two tanks  4  and  5  are filled with components K 1  and K 2  and pressurized with pressure P 1  and P 2 . Bellows  12  lie with a base section  13  against a region of chamber  7 . 1  formed into a stop  14  that defines a greatest volume (initial volume) of chamber  8 . 1 . Liquid channels  7  and  8  and their chambers  7 . 1  and  8 . 1  are completely filled with components K 1  and K 2  respectively. 
     2.2. Filling of Component K 2  in Filling System  1   a    
     The valves in this phase of the filling process exhibit the following status: 
     V 1 : Closed 
     V 3 : Open 
     V 4 : Closed 
     Here the respective container  2  is initially disposed beneath the delivery opening of filling element  3   a . 2 . 
     Pressure P 1  of component K 1  in liquid channel  7  and in chamber  7 . 1  causes a compression of bellows  12  and hence an increasing reduction of the volume of chamber  8 . 1  as well as an introduction of component K 2  via open valve V 3  into container  2  standing ready under filling element  3   a . 2 . At the same time the volume in chamber  7 . 1  increases with the consequence of a volumetric flow rate of component K 1  from tank  4  into this chamber, with the amount (volume) measured by flowmeter  11  being equal to the amount of component K 2  introduced from chamber  8 . 1  into container  2 . Flowmeter  11  therefore supplies a measurement signal which corresponds to the amount (volume) of component K 2  introduced into container  2  in this phase of the filling process. 
     The signal from flowmeter  11  stops this phase of the filling process in a controlled manner as soon as the required nominal volume of component K 2  is introduced into container  2 . 
     2.3. Filling of Component K 1  in Filling System  1   a    
     The valves in this phase of the filling process exhibit the following status: 
     V 1 : Open 
     V 3 : Closed 
     V 4 : Open 
     To introduce component K 1  into container  2 , the latter is disposed beneath filling element  3   a . 1 ; this can be effected by appropriate movement of the respective container  2  and/or filling elements  3   a . 1  and  3   a . 2  of the filling position concerned. 
     Component K 1  flows through open valve V 1  into container  2  until the nominal volume for component K 1  is reached. Monitoring is again effected by flowmeter  11 . The measurement signal from flowmeter  11  closes valve V 1  in a controlled manner when the nominal volume for component K 1  is reached. The filling process is now complete. The filled container  2  can then be removed from filling element  3   a . 1  or from the filling position which exhibits this filling element. 
     2.4. Refilling Chamber  8 . 1  in Filling System  1   a    
     On completion of the filling process the liquid connection and proportioning section  6   a  is prepared for the filling of a further container  2 . The status of the valves in this preparation phase is: 
     V 1 : Closed 
     V 3 : Closed 
     V 4 : Open 
     The fact that pressure P 2  is greater than pressure P 1  causes component K 2  to flow from tank  5  into chamber  8 . 1 /bellows  12 , so that eventually chamber  8 . 1  exhibits its maximum initial volume again and base section  13  lies against stop  14 . The amount (volume) of component K 1  which is displaced from chamber  7 . 1  flows through liquid channel  7  back to tank  4  without this amount (volume) being measured by flowmeter  11 . The initial status is restored when the maximum initial volume of chamber  8 . 1  is reached, and the filling of the next container  2  can commence. 
     The invention has been described hereinbefore by reference to embodiments. It goes without saying that variations as well as modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention. 
     It is for example in particular possible to also realise chambers  7 . 1  and  8 . 1  with the variable volume by other means, for example generally by way of an enclosed space which is subdivided into chambers  7 . 1  and  8 . 1  by a movable wall or by at least one piston/cylinder arrangement having at least one piston axially displaceable in a cylinder and having two cylinder spaces which are separated from one another by, for example, this piston and of which one then forms chamber  7 . 1  and the other chamber  8 . 1 . 
     It is also basically possible for liquid channel  8  with chamber  8 . 1 , whose change of volume produces a corresponding volumetric flow rate in liquid channel  7  incorporating flowmeter  11 , to be provided more than once so as to fill more than two components of a mixed product, for example of a mixed drink, into container  2  in an amount-controlled and/or volume-controlled manner while using a single flowmeter. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           1 ,  1   a  Filling system 
           2  Container 
           3 ,  3   a . 1 ,  3   a . 2  Filling element 
           4 , 5  Tank 
           6 ,  6   a  Liquid connecting and proportioning structure 
           7 , 8  Liquid channel 
           7 . 1 , 8 . 1  Chamber 
           9  Mouth opening of liquid channel  8  into liquid channel  7   
           10  Restrictor 
           11  Flowmeter 
           12  Bellows 
           13  Base section 
           14  Stop 
         K 1 , K 2  Component 
         P 1 , P 2 , P 3  Pressure 
         V 1 -V 4  Valve