Abstract:
An apparatus for processing containers includes a container-filling system having filling-point pairs in which each filling point has a filling element. Each filling element has a channel formed in a housing, a liquid valve in the channel that controls flow through a dispensing opening. The filling system also has internal and external gas-paths that are internal and external relative to the filling elements. These gas paths connect to each other. A gas-path control-valve controls the external path. Nothing controls the internal path. A stand-alone control module contains part of the external gas-path and the gas-path control-valve.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the national stage under 35 USC 371 of PCT/EP2014/000124, filed on Jan. 17, 2014, which claims the benefit of the Feb. 25, 2013 priority dates of German applications 102013101812.2 and 102013101813.0 the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to container processing, and in particular, to filling containers with liquid. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is known to have a filling system that has a plurality of filling points. Each filling point has a filling element and a container holder. The container-holder holds the container so that it is sealed against the filling element during filling. These systems implement many different filling methods, such as open jet filling, vacuum filling, and pressurized filling. It is also known to provide controlled gas paths in the filling elements or in their filling-element housings. Especially with pressure filling, it is essential to hold the containers in a sealed position on the filling element, i.e. pressed against the container carrier by a lifting device. This occurs not only during a filling phase, in which the liquid contents flow to the relevant container, but also in at least one process phase preceding this filling phase, for example to pretension the container interior with pressure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one aspect, the invention features an apparatus for processing containers. Such an apparatus includes a filling system for filling containers with liquid filling-material. The filling system has filling-point pairs, each of which includes filling points. Each filling point includes a filling element, and each filling element includes a filling-element housing, a liquid valve, and a liquid channel formed within the housing. The liquid channel has a dispensing opening at an end thereof for dispensing the liquid filling-material into a container. The liquid valve controls the dispensing by the dispensing opening. The filling system also includes, for each filling pair, a gas path, a gas-path control-valve, and a stand-alone control module that includes both part of the external gas-path and the gas-path control valve. The gas path has comprises two sections: an internal gas-path and an external gas-path. The internal gas-path is internal to a filling element, and the external gas-path is external to any filling element, and common to both filling elements in a filling-point pair. The gas-path control-valve is disposed along the external gas-path. The internal gas-path is connected to the gas-path control-valve. 
         [0005]    Some embodiments include a transport element on which the filling elements and the control modules are mounted. The transport element conveys the filling elements along a first path having a first radius, and the control modules along a second path concentric to the first but having a second radius that is less than the first. 
         [0006]    In other embodiments, the control module comprises a module housing. At least a section of the external gas-path is formed within the module housing. The gas-path control-valve is along the at least a section of the external gas-path. 
         [0007]    Other embodiments include a transport element having an outer surface on which the filling elements are disposed and in which a section of the external gas-path with uncontrolled gas flow is formed. Among these are embodiments in which the section of the external gas-path that is formed on the transport element opens into internal gas-paths of multiple filling elements, and those in which the section of the external gas-path that is formed on the transport element opens into channels provided in the transport element, the channels being common to multiple filling elements. 
         [0008]    Yet other embodiments include a transport element on which the control modules are arranged on an annular surface thereof. 
         [0009]    Additional embodiments include those in which the external gas-path opens directly into the internal gas-path. 
         [0010]    Still other embodiments include an external gas-path opening, an internal gas-path opening, and a seal having a cross-sectional area that is greater than either opening. In these embodiments, the external gas-path opening and the internal gas-path opening define an interface for fluid communication between the external gas-path and the internal gas-path. The seal then seals the interface. 
         [0011]    Another embodiment includes a transport element that forms a partition that defines first and second regions, the second one being an aseptic space for sterile filling of liquid filling material into containers passing therethrough. Each of the filling elements comprises a first portion and a second portion, with the latter including the dispensing opening. Only the second portion extends into the aseptic space. The control module and gas-path control-valves are both disposed on the partition in the first region. 
         [0012]    In other embodiments, the filling elements are spaced apart by a fixed distance, and both the control module and the filling elements are configured to be mounted on either a first rotor or a second rotor, with the two rotors having different pitch circles with radii that differ by no more than a specified non-zero value. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for processing containers. The apparatus includes a container-filling system having filling-point pairs in which each filling point has a filling element. Each filling element has a channel formed in a housing, and a liquid valve in the channel that controls flow through a dispensing opening. The filling system also has internal and external gas-paths that are internal and external relative to the filling elements. These gas paths connect to each other. A gas-path control-valve controls the external path. Nothing controls the internal path. A stand-along control module contains part of the external gas-path and the gas-path control-valve. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, the invention includes an apparatus in which the filling points of a filling system form filling-point pairs with common gas-path control-valves for the filling elements of each filling-point pair in gas paths that route process gas and/or a vacuum. In addition, they also form a common gas-path control-valve for the two filling points of each filling-point pair that is part of a stand-alone module that is connected to a gas path made in each filling element of the filling-point pair. The stand-alone module is a control module with an outer controlled gas path for each filling-point pair. One control module is provided for each filling-point pair. 
         [0015]    These filling elements have internal gas-paths that are not controlled. This means that the filling elements themselves do not have any gas-path control-valves. The outer gas paths can also be made in partial sections in a common rotor element or ring for all the filling points. The common rotor element or ring has the same axis as the machine axis of a filling machine having the filling system. 
         [0016]    This modular structure has considerable advantages. With it, the connection required between the filling points and an annular channel common to all the filling elements or a group of filling elements of a filling system is more easily established. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, the modular structure allows control and/or actuation modules, and in particular the gas-path control-valves and/or the actuation elements, to be arranged outside an aseptic region so that only a partial length of each filling element, namely the partial length comprising the delivery opening, protrudes into the aseptic region. 
         [0018]    The modular structure also allows different filler sizes or filler divisions to be made, i.e. a different number of filling-point pairs on rotors with the same filling elements and the same gas-path control-valves and/or pneumatic actuation elements. The adaptation to the particular filler division or to the division spacing then occurs solely by means of the rotor element in which the outer gas paths of all the filling-point pairs are in part formed. 
         [0019]    The filling elements and the control module are preferably made so that the connection between the inner and the outer gas channels occurs at the same time that the filling elements are mechanically secured. 
         [0020]    As used herein, “pressure filling” means a filling method in which the container to be filled lies in a sealed position against the filling element and generally is pre-tensioned before an actual filling phase, i.e. before a liquid valve is opened, by a controlled gas path formed in the filling element with a pressurization gas under pressure, such as an inert gas or carbon dioxide gas, which then, during filling, is increasingly forced out of the container interior by the liquid contents flowing into the container as a return gas, this being likewise through a controlled gas path formed in the filling element. Further treatment phases can precede this pre-tensioning phase, examples of which include evacuating and/or the purging the inside of the container with an inert gas, such as carbon dioxide gas, this being likewise carried out by using gas paths formed in the filling element. 
         [0021]    As used herein, “free-jet filling” means a process in which the liquid contents flow into the container to be filled in a free filling jet, wherein the container mouth or opening of the container does not lie against the filling element, but is at a distance from the filling element or from a contents outlet there. A salient feature of free-jet filling is that the air forced out of the container during the filling process by the liquid contents does not return to the filling element or to an area or channel formed therein that conveys gas. Instead, it flows freely out into the environment. 
         [0022]    As used herein, “pitch circle” means a circle enclosing a vertical machine axis on which the filling elements of the filling system or of the filling machine are arranged. 
         [0023]    As used herein, the expressions “substantially” or “approximately” mean variations from an exact value by ±10%, preferably by ±5% and/or variations that are insignificant for the function. 
         [0024]    Further developments, benefits and application possibilities of the invention also arise from the following description of examples of embodiments and from the figures. In this regard, all characteristics described and/or illustrated individually or in any combination are categorically the subject of the invention, regardless of their inclusion in the claims or reference to them. The content of the claims is also an integral part of the description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0025]    The invention is explained in more detail below by means of the figures using examples of embodiments. The following are shown: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view of a rotary filling-machine for filling containers with liquid filling material, such as beverages; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a pair of filling points of the filling machine of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a view from above two filling elements of a filling-point pair parallel to a vertical machine axis; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a section through a rotor and through one of the filling elements of a filling-point pair in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of an embodiment of two filling points forming one filling-point pair; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the filling points shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of another embodiment of two filling points forming one filling-point pair; 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the filling points shown in  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 9  shows an interface between the inner and outer gas channels in the filling-point pairs of  FIGS. 5-8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]      FIG. 1  shows a rotary filling-machine  1  for filling bottles  2  with liquid filling-material. The filling machine  1  comprises a rotor  3  that rotates about a vertical machine axis MA passing through its center. The rotor&#39;s pitch circle has first and second filling points  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2  disposed thereon. The center of the pitch circle is the machine axis MA. The distance between two adjacent filling points is a “pitch distance.” In the illustrated embodiment, all pitch distances are the same. 
         [0036]    The first and second filling points  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2  are formed in such a way that, in the direction of rotation A of the rotor  3 , every second filling point  4 . 2  is adjacent to and between two first filling points  4 . 1 . Empty bottles  2  arrive at the filling machine  1  through a container inlet  5  and leave as filled bottles  2  through a container outlet  6 . 
         [0037]    The filling points  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2  are configured for different filling methods. One method is pressurized filling of bottles  2 . Pressurized bottle filling includes pre-tensioning a bottle&#39;s interior with a pressurized process gas or inert gas, such as CO 2  gas. It can also include purging the bottle&#39;s interior one or more times with a process gas or an inert gas. Pressurized bottle filling can also include evacuating the bottle&#39;s interior, rapid or slow filling of the bottle, and pressure-relief of the bottle&#39;s interior after filling. These process steps are controlled in part by gas-path control-valves in gas paths of the filling points  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , each filling point  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2  has one filling element  7  and a container carrier. The container carrier is a conventional one that suspends a bottle  2  from its opening flange  2 . 1  and that presses the bottle&#39;s mouth against the underside of the filling element  7  during the filling process. The container carrier is a conventional feature whose detailed illustration is not essential for a proper understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it has been omitted from the drawing. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows a cam follower  8  that interacts with a control cam that does not rotate with the rotor  3  and is part of a lifting device to raise the particular container carrier. In the illustrated embodiment, the cam follower  8 , or the associated lifting device, is provided jointly for the two container carriers of each filling-point pair  4 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , each filling element  7  comprises a filling-element housing  9  in which a liquid channel  10  is formed. The liquid channel  10  connects to a product pipe  11  that leads to a common tank  12  on the rotor  3  for supplying liquid filling-material to the filling points  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2 . During the filling process, liquid filling-material at least partially fills the common tank  12 . 
         [0041]    On the underside of each filling-element housing  9 , the liquid channel  10  forms an annular dispensing opening  13  for dispensing liquid filling-material into a bottle. Inside the liquid channel  10  is a liquid valve  14  with a valve body. Moving the valve body axially along the vertical filling element axis FA opens and closes the liquid valve  14  and controls the dispensing of the liquid-filling material through the dispensing opening  13  and into a bottle  2 . A pneumatic actuation device  15  causes this movement. 
         [0042]    The filling machine  1  defines an aseptic space  16  through which the open mouths of bottles  2  move during the filling process. This aseptic space  16  is separated from by walls, among which is a top wall formed by a disc-type pipe element  3 . 2  bearing the annual rotor element  3 . 1 . The filling elements  7  are fitted on an outer surface of the rotor element  3 . 1 . Each filling element  7  has an upper portion and a lower portion. Only the lower portion of the filling element  7  extends into the aseptic space  16 . 
         [0043]    Above the rotor element  3 . 2 , and hence outside the aseptic space  16 , are common annular chambers or channels  17  that provide fluid communication to all the filling points  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2 . These channels  17  route process gases and/or provide a vacuum to all filling points  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2  during the filling process. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the channels  17  are between the machine axis MA and the filling element axis FA. 
         [0044]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , each filling-point pair  4  has gas-path control-valves  18  that control flow through various external gas-paths  20 , each of which has a first gas-path section  20 . 1  and a second gas-path section  20 . 2 . The control valves  18  thereby provide control over the various phases of the particular filling process. These gas-path control-valves  18  are provided jointly for the two filling elements  7  of each filling-point pair  4 . The gas-path control-valves  18  are also controlled jointly. 
         [0045]    The external gas-paths  20  are outside the filling-element housings  9 . There are also internal gas-paths  19  inside the filling-element housings  9 . However, these internal gas-paths  19  are uncontrolled because there are no gas-path control-valves inside the filling-element housing  7 . At least one external gas-path  20  connects to the associated internal gas-paths  19  of the two filling elements  7  of each filling-point pair  4 . The gas-path control-valve  18  is arranged in an external gas-path  20 . As a result, controlling the gas-path control-valve  18  provides simultaneous control over both filling elements  7  of a particular filling-point pair  4 . 
         [0046]    In the illustrated embodiment, the gas-path control-valves  18  for a filling-point pair  4  are preferably pneumatically actuated valves that are part of a valve block  21  comprising multiple electrically controlled pneumatic valves. A central machine-controller  22  controls these valves. 
         [0047]    The valve block  21  also provides control for opening and closing the liquid valves  14  in each of the filling elements  7 . It does so based at least in part on how much liquid filling-material has flowed into the bottles  2  during the filling phase. A flow meter  23  shown in  FIG. 2  measures this amount and sends a suitable signal back to the central machine-controller  22 . In some embodiments, the flow meter  23  is a magnetic induction flow meter. As long as the filling elements  7  are designed with sufficient precision, their filling behavior will be essentially identical. Therefore, each filling-point pair  4  will require only one flow meter  23 . This flow meter  23  can be placed in a product pipe  11  that supplies either one of the two filling elements  7 . 
         [0048]    The gas-path control-valves  18  and first gas-path section  20 . 1  of each external gas-path  20  of the particular filling-point pair are part of a control module  24 , which is shown with a dashed line surrounding it in  FIG. 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, for each filling-point pair  4 , there is a separate control module  24  on the top face of the rotor element  3 . 1 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , each control module  24  includes a block or module housing  25  that encloses both the first gas-path section  20 . 1  of the external gas-path  20  and the gas-path control-valve  18  that controls the external gas-path  20 . 
         [0050]    Meanwhile, the second gas-path section  20 . 2  of the external gas-path  20  is formed in the rotor element  3 . 1 . This second gas-path section  20 . 2  is what opens into the annular chambers  17  and also into an internal gas-path  19  of the filling elements  7 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second gas-path section  20 . 2  of the external gas-path  20  is not controlled. This means that there are no gas-path control-valves in the second gas path section  20 . 2 . 
         [0051]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the control modules  24  lie between the machine axis MA and the filling element axes FA. The control modules  24  are thus located inside the pitch circle TK. This places them inside the movement path of the filling elements  7 . 
         [0052]    The foregoing design results in a modular architecture in which filling-point pairs  4  and control modules  24  can be readily interchanged. This modular structure allows simple replacement of defective components. For example, if a filling element  7  or control module  24  goes bad, all one has to do is swap it out for a new one. Moreover, the modular structure also allows specially-made filling elements  7  for special filling processes to be assembled with a standard control module  24 , or conversely, to use non-standard control modules  24  with standard filling elements  7 . As a result, it becomes possible for the first time to have a filling machine  1  in which one can mix and match control modules  24  and filling-point pairs  4  with abandon. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 5-9  show the rotor  3  of a filling machine  1   a  together with two filling points  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2  that form a filling-point pair  4   a .  FIGS. 6 and 7  show a view from above, while  FIGS. 6 and 8  show a side view in which the filling elements  7   a  of the filling points  4 . 1  and  4 . 2  are only partially indicated. 
         [0054]    The filling elements  7   a  are arranged with their filling element axes FA spaced apart by a division spacing TA on a pitch circle TK. The difference between  FIGS. 5 and 6  and  FIGS. 7 and 8  is the radius of the pitch circle TK. In particular, the pitch circle TK in  FIGS. 5 and 6  has a smaller radius than the pitch circle TK in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . This difference can be readily ascertained by noticing the difference in curvature in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . 
         [0055]    In the filling machine  1   a , the openings in the control modules  24   a  must be made to mate with corresponding openings in a filling element  7   a . Referring to  FIG. 9 , this is carried out by providing the control module  24   a  with a housing  25  having a level underside that is oriented in a plane perpendicular to the machine axis MA. Similarly, the filling element  7   a  has a mating surface that is oriented in a plane perpendicular to the machine axis MA. This area of the filling element  7   a  is radially offset so that it can mate with the level underside of the housing  25 . 
         [0056]    When the mating surface of a filling element  7   a  contacts the level underside of the housing  25 , a mouth opening  20 . 1 . 1  of the first gas-path section  20 . 1  of the external gas-path  20  connects to a corresponding mouth opening  19 . 1  of an internal gas-path  19  of the filling element  7   a . A seal  26  completes the connection so that gas can flow without loss between the control module  24   a  and the filling element  7   a.    
         [0057]    The seal  26  has a seal opening  26 . 1  that is somewhat larger than necessary. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the seal opening  26 . 1  is quite a bit larger than either mouth opening  20 . 1 . 1 ,  19 . 1 . This makes it possible to maintain the same division spacing TA across pitch circles TK of different radii, as shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . As a result, it is possible to do more than just swap control modules and filling elements in and out of a particular filling machine  1  with a particular rotor  3 . It is also possible to take a control module and filling element that fits a rotor having one radius and move them to a rotor that has a different radius. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , one can see that a distance X changes due to a change in the pitch circle size. However, because the seal opening  26 . 1  is so much larger than the connection opening  19 . 1 , this does not matter. All that will happen is that the connection openings  19 . 1 ,  20 . 1 . 1  will be at different relative positions. They will still both open in to the chamber defined by the seal  25 . As a result, compensation for variations in the distance X is possible up to a measurement that is double the difference of the lineal dimensions of the seal opening  26 . 1  and the mouth opening  19 . 1 . 
         [0059]    For different division spacing TA of the filling points  4 . 1  and  4 . 2 , i.e. for different axial distances between the filling elements  7   a  forming these filling points  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2  on the circumference of the rotor  3 , it is necessary to provide control modules  24   a  for which the axial distance of the connection openings  20 . 1 . 1  has been adapted to the particular division spacing TA.