阅读说明：本技术 用于以液态灌装物灌装容器的灌装机和方法 (Filling machine and method for filling containers with a liquid filling material ) 是由 L·克吕塞拉特 于 2020-04-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于以液态灌装物灌装容器(5)的灌装机,其中,所述灌装机(1)具有多个灌装位置(3),其中,每个灌装位置(3)具有灌装元件(4),其中,每个灌装元件(4)包括用于密封所述容器(5)的通入口(5.1)的密封元件(8)、能由灌装阀(12)封闭的液体通道(9)和能由气体阀(13)封闭的气体通道(10),其中,所述液体通道(9)在所述灌装阀(12)打开的情况下与所述容器(5)的内部空间(5.2)流体连通,并且所述气体通道(10)在所述气体阀(13)打开的情况下与所述容器(5)的内部空间(5.2)流体连通。所述灌装机(1)的特征在于,所述灌装机(1)构造成用于在以液态灌装物灌装之前通过所述气体通道(10)将CO-(2)或N-(2)引入到所述容器(5)中并且在所述容器(5)中产生预加压压力,其中,在预加压压力下处于所述容器(5)中的CO-(2)具有用于使所述液态灌装物碳酸化所需的量,并且所述灌装机构造成用于通过所述液体通道(9)将所述液态灌装物在一灌装压力下引入到所述容器(5)中,其中,所述灌装压力大于所述预加压压力。此外,本发明涉及一种用于借助于根据前述说明的灌装机(1)以液态灌装物灌装容器(5)的方法。(The invention relates to a filling machine for filling containers (5) with a liquid filling material, wherein the filling machine (1) has a plurality of filling positions (3), wherein each filling position (3) has a filling element (4), wherein each filling element (4) comprises a sealing element (8) for sealing an opening (5.1) of the container (5), a liquid channel (9) that can be closed by a filling valve (12), and a gas channel (10) that can be closed by a gas valve (13), wherein the liquid channel (9) is located in the container (5)The filling valve (12) is in fluid communication with the interior space (5.2) of the container (5) when open, and the gas channel (10) is in fluid communication with the interior space (5.2) of the container (5) when the gas valve (13) is open. The filling machine (1) is characterized in that the filling machine (1) is configured for feeding CO through the gas channel (10) before filling with the liquid filling material 2 Or N 2 Is introduced into the container (5) and generates a pre-pressurization pressure in the container (5), wherein the CO in the container (5) is at the pre-pressurization pressure 2 Has a required quantity for carbonating the liquid filling, and is designed for introducing the liquid filling into the container (5) through the liquid channel (9) at a filling pressure, wherein the filling pressure is greater than the pre-pressurization pressure. The invention further relates to a method for filling containers (5) with a liquid filling material by means of a filling machine (1) according to the preceding description.)

1. A filling machine for filling containers (5) with a liquid filling material, wherein the filling machine (1) has a plurality of filling stations (3), wherein each filling station (C3) Having filling elements (4), wherein each filling element (4) comprises a sealing element (8) for sealing an access opening (5.1) of the container (5), a liquid channel (9) which can be closed by a filling valve (12), and a gas channel (10) which can be closed by a gas valve (13), wherein the liquid channel (9) is in fluid communication with the interior space (5.2) of the container (5) with the filling valve (12) open, and the gas channel (10) is in fluid communication with the interior space (5.2) of the container (5) with the gas valve (13) open, characterized in that the filling machine (1) is configured for placing CO through the gas channel (10) before filling with a liquid filling ₂Or N₂Is introduced into the container (5) and generates a pre-pressurization pressure in the container (5), wherein the CO in the container (5) is at the pre-pressurization pressure₂Has N in the amount required for carbonating the liquid filling or in the container (5) under pre-pressurizing pressure₂Has a required quantity for nitriding the liquid filling, and the filling means are designed for subsequently introducing the liquid filling into the container (5) through the liquid passage (9) at a filling pressure that exceeds the pre-pressurization pressure.

2. The filling machine as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the liquid filling material is not carbonated or only partially carbonated or enriched with N before carbonation in the container (5)₂。

3. Filling machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said pre-pressurization pressure is between 0.1bar and 6bar, preferably between 2bar and 5 bar.

4. The filling machine as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each filling element (4) comprises a vacuum channel (11) which can be closed by a vacuum valve (14), wherein the vacuum channel (11) is in fluid communication with the interior space (5.2) of the container (5) with the vacuum valve (14) open, and the filling machine (1) is configured for generating a negative pressure in the interior space (5.2) of the container (5) through the vacuum channel (11) and/or for reducing the pressure in the region of the access opening (5.1) of the container (5).

5. The filling machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling element (4) has a pressure sensor which is configured for measuring the pressure in the interior space (5.2) of the container (5) and/or in the region of the opening (5.1) of the container (5).

6. The filling machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (8) adjoins a protective space (17) and each filling position (3) has a closure device (15), wherein the closure device (15) is configured for closing the access opening (5.1) of the container (5) in the protective space (17) with a closure cap (16).

7. The filling machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling locations (3) are arranged on a surrounding conveying element (2).

8. Method for filling a container (5) with a liquid filling by means of a filling machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the filling machine (1) has a plurality of filling positions (3) and each filling position (3) has a filling element (4), wherein an access opening (5.1) of the container (5) is sealed with a sealing element (8) of the filling element (4) and a filling valve (12) closing a liquid channel (9) is opened, so that the liquid filling is introduced into the container (5) via the liquid channel (9) under a filling pressure, characterized in that a gas valve (13) closing a gas channel (10) is opened after sealing the access opening (5.1) of the container (5) and before introducing the liquid filling, so that CO is present ₂Is introduced into the container (5) and thereby generates a pre-pressurization pressure in the container (5), wherein the CO in the container (5) is at the pre-pressurization pressure₂Having provisions for carbonating said liquid fillingAnd the liquid filling is introduced into the container (5) via the liquid channel (9) at a filling pressure which exceeds the pre-pressurization pressure.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the CO located in the container (5) is introduced into the container (5) while the liquid filling is introduced into the container (5)₂Immediately dissolves in the liquid filling and thereby at least partially carbonates the liquid filling.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the pressure prevailing in the inner space (5.2) of the container (5) and/or in the region of the opening (5.1) of the container (5) is measured by means of a pressure sensor.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the CO is under a pressure to be pre-pressurized₂Before introduction into the container (5), the container (5) is evacuated via a vacuum channel (11) and/or is evacuated with CO₂The scavenging is performed at least once.

12. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that a flap (16) is received in a protective space (17) adjoining the sealing element (8), a pressure being set after the introduction of the liquid filling, preferably in the region of the opening (5.1) of the container (5), which is higher than the CO of the liquid located in the container (5)₂Then closing the access opening (5.1) of the container (5) with a closure cap (16) and subsequently releasing the access opening (5.1) of the container (5) from the sealing element (8).

13. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that after the introduction of the liquid filling, a pressure is set, preferably in the region of the opening (5.1) of the container (5), which pressure is approximately equal to the CO of the liquid in the container (5)₂To stabilize the liquid in the container (5) for a predetermined time, subsequently releasing the pressure in the region of the opening (5.1) of the container (5) to atmospheric pressure and conveying the container (5) to a closure device.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a filling machine for filling containers with liquid filling material according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a method for filling containers with liquid filling material according to the preamble of claim 8.

The invention relates to a container treatment machine in the beverage industry, in particular to a container treatment machine with power exceeding 5000 containers per hour, and in particular to a container treatment machine with power exceeding 20000 containers per hour. The invention relates in particular to a container treatment machine which is designed and arranged as a so-called filling machine or filler for filling containers with liquid filling material, in particular with beverages.

Background

Filling machines and methods for filling containers with a liquid filling are known in particular from the prior art. If the liquid in the container comprises carbon dioxide (CO)₂) Or nitrogen (N)₂) Different solutions are also known. For example, already doped with CO₂Or N₂Can be filled into the container. However, the risk of foam formation is very great here.

Furthermore, document DE 10028676A 1 describes a device and a method in which CO is first used₂The flask is purged, then with liquid, CO-free₂The bottle is filled with CO ₂Pre-pressurizing the bottle, then carbonating the filling, and thenThe bottles filled with carbonated contents are stable and filled before pre-decompression and finally the remaining decompression takes place. A disadvantage is that it takes a relatively long time to fill and carbonate the bottle.

Document WO 2018/206698 a1 describes another device and a corresponding method for filling containers with a filling. The device comprises a filling valve for opening and closing a filling product flow between a filling product reservoir and the container to be filled, and a carbonator for carbonating the filling product flowing through the filling product flow. Thus, the filling with CO takes place just before the filling product is injected into the container to be filled₂The filling product is injected. This requires a fine-tuning of the components, in particular the filling valve and the carbonator, with respect to each other, not only in the structure of the device but also in the control.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from this, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved filling machine for filling containers with liquid filling material and a correspondingly improved method, which make it possible in particular to fill containers quickly and to carbonate the liquid filling material and in this case are of as simple a construction as possible.

This object is achieved by a filling machine for filling containers with liquid filling according to the features of independent claim 1 and by a method for filling containers with liquid filling according to the features of the dependent claim 8. The respective dependent claims relate here to particularly preferred embodiments of the invention.

A filling machine for filling containers with a liquid filling material is proposed. The containers are, for example, bottles, other bottle-like containers or cans, which are made of different materials. The liquid filling is in particular a beverage or a liquid food.

The filling machine has a plurality of filling positions, wherein each filling position has a filling element. Here, each filling element comprises a sealing element for sealing the container access opening. If the access opening of the container is sealed with a sealing element, there is no longer a communication between the interior space of the container and the ambient air or atmosphere surrounding the container. In particular, a negative pressure or an overpressure can then be established in the container. Furthermore, each filling element comprises a liquid channel which can be closed by a filling valve and a gas channel which can be closed by a gas valve, wherein the liquid channel is in fluid communication with the interior of the container when the filling valve is open and the gas channel is likewise in fluid communication with the interior of the container when the gas valve is open. In other words, both the liquid passage and the gas passage end in the space sealed by the sealing element.

According to the invention, the filling element is designed to introduce CO via the gas channel before filling with the liquid filling material₂Or N₂Introduced into the vessel and create a pre-pressurization pressure in the vessel. The end of the gas channel facing away from the container is therefore preferably joined to the CO₂Bottle, CO₂Reserves or other CO₂Or N₂On the source. CO in the vessel under a pre-pressure₂Or N₂In the amounts required for carbonation or nitriding of the liquid filling. Furthermore, the filling element is designed to introduce the liquid filling into the container through the liquid channel at a filling pressure that exceeds the pre-pressurization pressure. That is to say, the filling machine is provided for generating a filling pressure which is greater than the pre-pressurization pressure generated and built up in the container. The latter is essential for: the liquid filling can be introduced into the container completely against the pre-pressure. CO located in the container when the liquid filling material flows into the container₂Directly dissolves in the liquid filling and thereby carbonates the liquid filling. Since the access opening of the container is sealed by the sealing element, CO is present during the filling process₂Nor escape from the container. With a filling machine constructed in this way, a rapid filling of the container can be achieved during filling with simultaneous carbonation of the liquid filling. Moreover, such a filling machine is relatively simple in construction.

Advantageously, the liquid filling is not carbonated or is only partially carbonated before being filled into the container. In the case of liquid non-carbonated filling materials, completion of the liquid filling material occurs during filling of the containerAnd (4) full carbonation. Conversely, if the liquid filling has already been partially carbonated, only supplementary carbonation takes place when the container is filled. In both cases, the liquid filling in the container then has the desired CO₂Content or carbonation degree and the filling of the container is carried out quickly and simply.

Advantageously, the pre-pressurization pressure is between 0.1bar and 6bar, preferably between 2bar and 5 bar. A pre-pressurization pressure of 0.5bar corresponds here to approximately 1g of CO per liter₂A pre-pressurization pressure of 5bar corresponds to about 10g of CO per liter₂And pre-pressurization pressures of 2bar and 4bar correspond to about 4g or 8g of CO per liter₂. The pre-pressurizing pressure is therefore suitable for producing beverages with up to about 8g CO per litre, common in the beverage industry₂CO of₂And (4) content.

It is furthermore advantageous if each filling element comprises a vacuum channel which can be closed by a vacuum valve, wherein the vacuum channel is in fluid communication with the interior space of the container with the vacuum valve open, i.e. the vacuum channel ends in the space sealed by the sealing element. The filling machine is designed to generate a negative pressure in the interior of the container via the vacuum channel and/or to reduce the pressure in the region of the opening of the container. Such vacuum channels may be used in a variety of ways. First, CO at a pre-pressurization pressure ₂Before being supplied to the container, primary air or residual air can be removed from the container through the vacuum channel. The less air or oxygen still in the container, the better the carbonation of the liquid filling can take place. Depending on how much residual air is to be present in the container, the container can be filled with CO after evacuation through the gas channel₂And then evacuated again. These steps may be repeated as many times as necessary.

By simultaneously introducing CO₂The vessel may also be purged by introducing into the vessel via a gas passage and withdrawing the gas mixture located in the vessel via a vacuum passage. Thereby also removing air or residual air from the container.

An alternative to evacuating or scavenging the container is to pre-fill it with CO₂Is supplied to the filling element. In this case, further scavenging and thus the vacuum channel can be dispensed with.

After filling the container with the liquid filling, the pressure in the region of the container opening can be set to a defined value and, if appropriate, released to atmospheric pressure at a later point in time. In order to reduce the pressure, the vacuum valve is opened in this case, so that excess gas can escape from the region of the opening of the container. The pressure relief to atmospheric pressure can also be achieved by means of a further outward connection.

Advantageously, the filling element comprises a pressure sensor configured for measuring the pressure in the inner space of the container and/or in the mouth region of the container. Depending on the measured values of the pressure sensor, the gas valve and/or the vacuum valve can be controlled such that a desired pressure is present in the interior space of the container or in the region of the container access opening. This is particularly important for the pre-pressurization pressure, since it determines the CO dissolved in the liquid filling₂And is therefore an important feature of the finished product.

Advantageously, the sealing element adjoins the protective space. The protective space is thus adjacent to the access opening of the container and in fluid contact with the inner space of the container. However, the inner space and the protective space of the container are sealed from the environment. In addition, the liquid channel and the gas channel open into the protective space. Furthermore, each filling position has a closure device, wherein the closure device is designed to close the access opening of the container in the protective space with the closure cap. The closure cap is here, for example, a crown cork, a screw closure or a lid of a beverage can. The container is closed in the protective space by means of a closure device. For this purpose, if this is not the case, the pressure in the protective space is set higher than the CO in the liquid filling ₂The value of the saturation pressure of (c). Since the container is closed in the protective space immediately after filling, the container can be filled and handled particularly quickly.

Finally, it is advantageous if the filling station is arranged on a circumferential conveying element. The containers are then received by the conveying element through the inlet star, and the filled containers are transferred to a subsequent container processing machine through the outlet star. Thus, a fast filling and handling of the container can be achieved without having to stop the container in between.

Furthermore, a method for filling a container with a liquid filling is proposed. The container is here, for example, a bottle, other bottle-like container or a can. The liquid filling is in particular a beverage or a liquid food. The filling of the containers takes place here by means of a filling machine according to the preceding description. In particular, the filling machine has a plurality of filling positions, wherein each filling position has a filling element. The opening of the container is sealed with the sealing element of the filling element, so that the interior space of the container is no longer in contact with the ambient air. To fill the container, a filling valve closing the liquid passage is opened, so that the liquid filling is introduced into the container through the liquid passage at a filling pressure.

According to the invention, the gas valve closing the gas passage is opened after the opening of the container has been sealed and before the liquid filling has been introduced. The end of the gas channel facing away from the container is connected to CO₂Bottle, CO₂Reserves or other CO₂On the source, so that when the gas valve is opened, CO is introduced before filling with the filling material₂Introduced into the vessel and create a pre-pressurization pressure in the vessel. CO in a vessel under pre-pressurized pressure₂In this case, the amount required for the carbonation of the liquid filling is provided. Subsequently, the liquid filling is introduced into the container at a filling pressure which exceeds the pre-pressurization pressure. In order to be able to subsequently introduce the liquid filling into the container against the pre-pressurization pressure, the filling pressure is particularly advantageously selected to be greater than the pre-pressurization pressure. By means of the method, rapid filling of the container can be achieved, while the liquid filling is carbonated.

It is also advantageous to use CO₂The pre-pressurized container can be filled with a non-carbonated or partially carbonated liquid. In the case of liquid non-carbonated filling materials, complete carbonation of the liquid filling material occurs during filling of the container. Conversely, if the liquid filling has already been partially carbonated, only a supplementary carbonation takes place when the container is filled. In that In both cases, the liquid filling in the container then has the desired CO₂Content or carbonation and filling of the container is carried out quickly and simply.

Advantageously, the CO located in the container is introduced into the container in the liquid state of the filling₂Immediately dissolves in the liquid filling and the liquid filling is thereby at least partially carbonated. Since the opening of the container is sealed, CO₂Nor can it escape from the container. Thus, a rapid carbonation of the liquid filling is achieved.

It is also advantageous to measure the pressure in the interior space of the container and/or the pressure in the region of the container access opening by means of a pressure sensor. The gas valve and possibly further valves, which enable the gas to be fed into the space enclosed by the sealing element or to be discharged from the space enclosed by the sealing element, can then be controlled as a function of the measured values of the pressure sensor such that the desired pressure is present in the interior space of the container or in the region of the opening of the container. This is particularly important for the pre-pressurization pressure, since it determines the CO dissolved in the liquid filling₂And is therefore an important feature of the finished product.

It is also advantageous when the CO is to be at a pre-pressurised pressure₂The container is evacuated at least once through the vacuum channel prior to introduction into the container. Thus, the air still present in the container or the residual air is removed from the container, which improves the carbonation of the liquid filling. Depending on how much residual air is to be present in the container, the container can be filled with CO after evacuation through the gas channel₂And then evacuated again. These steps may be repeated as many times as necessary. Alternatively or in addition to the evacuation of the container, CO may be used₂The vessel is purged. For this purpose, CO is introduced simultaneously₂Is introduced into the container through the gas channel and the gas mixture located in the container is evacuated through the vacuum channel. Thereby also removing air or residual air from the container.

In a particularly advantageous variant of the method, the closure cap is received in the protective capIn the space, the sealing element adjoins the protective space. The closure cap is here, for example, a crown cork, a screw closure or a lid of a beverage can. The protective space is adjacent to the access opening of the container and in fluid contact with the inner space of the container. However, the inner space and the protective space of the container are sealed from the environment. After the introduction of the liquid filling into the container, a pressure is preferably set in the region of the container opening, which is higher than the CO of the liquid in the container ₂The saturation pressure of (c). In this case, it is entirely possible for the pressure prevailing in the region of the container opening to already have the desired value after filling the container with the liquid filling. Then, the access opening of the container is closed with a sealing cap. The method is particularly fast because the container can be closed immediately after filling the container. After closing the container, the access opening of the container is released from the sealing element and the container is transported or transferred to a subsequent container treatment machine.

In a further advantageous variant of the method, after the introduction of the liquid filling, a pressure is preferably set in the region of the container opening, which pressure approximately corresponds to the CO of the liquid in the container₂The saturation pressure of (c). The liquid in the container is allowed to stabilize for a predetermined period of time at this pressure. CO passing through a liquid substantially equal to that in the container₂The pressure of the saturation pressure ensures that there is no CO during the stabilization of the liquid₂Escape from the liquid without additional CO on the other hand₂Is absorbed by the liquid. After the liquid has stabilized, the pressure in the region of the access opening is released to atmospheric pressure and the container is conveyed to the closure. This method is slower than the above proposed method because a certain time has to be waited for the liquid to stabilize. The filling machine is however simpler in construction, since a closure device for closing the container in the protective space can be dispensed with.

Further developments, advantages and application possibilities of the invention can also be taken from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the drawings. All described and/or illustrated features are subject matter of the invention in principle here, either by themselves or in any combination, independently of their generalization in the claims or their citations. The content of the claims also forms part of the description.

Although some aspects have been described in connection with an apparatus, it is to be understood that these aspects are also a description of a corresponding method, so that blocks or structural elements of an apparatus may also be understood as corresponding method steps or as features of method steps. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps may be implemented by (or using) hardware devices, such as microprocessors, programmable computers or electronic circuits. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below on the basis of embodiments with the aid of the drawing. The figures show by way of example:

Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a filling machine,

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a filling element, and

fig. 3 is a schematic side view of another filling element.

In the drawings, identical or functionally identical elements of the invention are provided with the same reference signs. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only the reference numerals necessary for describing the respective figures are shown in the respective figures.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of a filling machine 1 with a circulating conveying element 2, which rotates about a vertical axis a. Arranged on the periphery of the conveying element 2 is a filling position 3, which has a filling element 4. In operation of the filling machine 1, this filling position receives the container 5 to be filled from the inlet star 6. During the transport of the containers 5 by the filling machine 1 in the transport direction T, the containers 5 are filled. The filled containers 5 are then transferred to the outlet star 7 and, if appropriate, supplied for further processing.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the filling element 4 of the filling machine 1 according to the invention and of the upper access opening region of the container 5 to be filled. Even though the container 5 is shown here as a bottle, other containers 5, such as a can, may be used.

A sealing element 8 configured as an annular seal is arranged on the lower face of filling element 4, sealing element 8 being designed such that it can seal opening 5 of container 5. For this purpose, the container 5 is pressed onto the sealing element 8 from below. When the opening 5.1 of the container 5 is sealed with the sealing element 8, the interior space 5.2 of the container 5 is no longer in contact with the ambient air surrounding the container 5.

Furthermore, the filling element 4 has a liquid channel 9, a gas channel 10 and a vacuum channel 11, which each end in the space sealed by the sealing element 8, i.e. the liquid channel 9, the gas channel 10 and the vacuum channel 11 are in fluid contact with the interior space 5.2 of the container 5.

Furthermore, a filling valve 12 for closing the liquid channel 9 is arranged in the liquid channel 9, a gas valve 13 for closing the gas channel 10 is arranged in the gas channel 10, and a vacuum valve 14 for closing the vacuum channel 11 is arranged in the vacuum channel 11.

After the opening 5.1 of the container 5 has been sealed at the sealing element 8, the air still present in the interior space 5.2 of the container 5 is first removed. For this purpose, the vacuum valve 14 is opened, so that air is removed from the container 5 through the vacuum channel 11. After the air is removed from the container 5, the vacuum valve 14 is closed again. Depending on the strength of the vacuum generated, sufficient removal of air from the container 5 for the filling process is already achieved with this step. But usually there is always too much residual air in the container 5. Then, the gas valve 13 is opened for a certain period of time so that CO is allowed to flow ₂Can flow into the inner space 5.2 of the container 5 via the gas channel 10. Here, CO₂From CO₂Bottle, CO₂Reserves or other CO₂A source arranged at the end of the gas channel 10 facing away from the container 5. The evacuation of the container 5 is now repeated. The gas now located in the inner space 5.2 of the vessel 5 is composed of a substantial part of CO₂And a small amount of remaining air. If the amount of remaining air is still too large, CO₂Introduction and subsequent withdrawal ofThe vacuum may be repeated until the amount of residual air is sufficiently small.

Instead of evacuating the container 5, the inner space 5.2 of the container 5 can also be evacuated with CO₂And (5) scavenging. For this purpose, the gas valve 13 and the vacuum valve 14 are opened simultaneously, so that CO is produced₂Flows into the vessel 5 and will be contaminated with CO₂And air are withdrawn from the vessel. The proportion of residual air remaining in the interior 5.2 of the container 5 is here less and less.

Finally, there is another alternative in which the vacuum channel 11 and the vacuum valve 14 may even be omitted. In this alternative, the filling with CO is transferred simultaneously to the filling element 4₂So that evacuation and/or scavenging of the vessel 5 can be eliminated.

If the container 5 is now (as described above) ready for the filling process, the CO ₂Is introduced into the container 5 via the gas channel 10 such that a predetermined pre-pressurizing pressure is generated in the container 5. The pre-pressurization pressure is so great that the CO introduced into the container 5 at this pre-pressurization pressure₂Is determined in such a way that it is sufficient to carbonate the liquid filling, with which the container 5 is subsequently filled. The liquid filling can be uncarbonated or only partially carbonated, i.e. in the partially carbonated state, already dissolved CO can be contained in the liquid filling₂. Corresponding to CO already present in the liquid filling₂With the desired CO₂CO of difference therebetween₂The amount of (c) must be below the pre-pressurizing pressure in the container 5. A pre-pressurization pressure of 1bar corresponds here to approximately 2g of CO per liter₂The amount of (c). In order, for example, to carbonate a completely uncarbonated liquid tank to 8g per litre of conventional CO₂Content, a pre-pressurization pressure of 4bar had to be used.

Advantageously, a pressure sensor, not shown here, measures the pressure prevailing in the interior space 5.2 or in the region of the opening 5.1 of the container 5. The gas valve 13 is controlled in accordance with the pressure so that a desired pressure is reached in the container 5. Other pressure determination methods for determining the existing pressure can alternatively be used.

When the desired pre-pressurization pressure is reached in the container 5 and the gas valve 13 is closed again, the filling of the container 5 with the liquid filling begins. For this purpose, the filling valve 12 is opened, so that liquid filling can flow into the container 5 via the liquid channel 9. The liquid channel 9 is connected here, for example, to a ring channel or a reservoir for supplying liquid filling, on the side facing away from the container 5. In order to be able to flow into the container 5 counter to the pre-pressurizing pressure, the liquid filling must flow out of the liquid channel 9 at a filling pressure which is greater than the pre-pressurizing pressure. Here, preferably, CO is located in the vessel 5₂Immediately dissolved in the liquid filling flowing into the container 5. When the desired filling quantity of the liquid filling material is reached in the container 5, the filling valve 12 is closed again. The achievement of the desired filling quantity can be determined, for example, by a predetermined filling time or by a flow meter or measured by a filling level detector.

After the container 5 has been filled, a pressure is set in the region of the opening 5.1 of the container 5, which pressure corresponds approximately to the saturation pressure of the now carbonated liquid in the container 5. For this purpose, the pressure prevailing is measured by means of a pressure sensor, and the desired pressure is set by introducing gas via the vacuum channel 11 or by discharging gas via the gas channel 10. At this pressure, the liquid located in the container 5 is allowed to stabilize for a predetermined period of time. Then, after the time has elapsed, the vacuum valve 14 is opened and the pressure in the region of the opening 5.1 of the container 5 is relieved to atmospheric pressure. Subsequently, the container 5 is pulled downwards, thereby releasing the seal between the sealing element 8 and the access opening 5.1 of the container 5. The container 5 is then transported to a closing device, where it is closed with a closing cap.

Fig. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a filling element 4 according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, a closure device 15 is additionally provided, which can close the container 5 with a closure cap 16, which is designed here as a crown cork.

To fill the container 5, it is first introduced into the recess of the filling element 4 from below. The sealing element 8, which is designed as an annular seal, then surrounds the container 5 from the outside, so that the space left in the filling element 4 forms a protective space 17, which is sealed off from the surroundings. The opening 5.1 of the container 5 is located in this protective space 17, as are one end of the liquid channel 9, one end of the gas channel 10, one end of a vacuum channel, not shown here, and the closure 16.

The evacuation, purging and pre-pressurization of the vessel are carried out as described in the example in fig. 2. In the present embodiment, one end of the liquid channel 9 is arranged laterally in the protective space 17. In order to be able to pass the liquid filling directly from the liquid channel 9 into the container 5, the bent connecting channel 19 is pushed into the protective space 17 by means of a slide 18 arranged on the side of the protective space 17 opposite to the end of the liquid channel 9, so that one end of the connecting channel 19 ends/closes (absclie β t) with one end of the liquid channel 9 and the other end of the connecting channel 19 is located directly above the opening 5.1 of the container 5. Thus, a reliable injection of the liquid filling into the container 5 is ensured.

After the liquid filling has been introduced into the container 5, the slide 18 with the connecting channel 19 is returned and, if necessary, the pressure in the protective space 17 is set to a pressure above the saturation pressure of the liquid located in the container 5.

The container 5 is then closed in the presence of pressure in the protective space 17. In this case, a waiting time for stabilizing the liquid located in the container 5 is not necessary, which makes the method particularly fast for the filling process. The closure 16, which has been introduced into the protective space 17 in advance, is held above the opening 5.1 of the container 5. The flap 16 is pressed onto the opening 5.1 by means of the counter-holder 20. Then, the ring pull 21, which is arranged concentrically around the corresponding holder 20, pulls the side of the crown cork 16 onto the access opening 5.1 of the container 5 and thereby closes the container 5.

Finally, the sealing element 8 is removed from the container 5, the container 5 is pulled down out of the protective space 17 and transported on to further processing.

The invention is described above by way of example. It should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The invention has thus been made above primarily by reference to CO ₂And corresponding description and/or examples of carbonation. N is a radical of₂The use of (a) and the corresponding nitriding is illustrated by means of only a few examples. However, this is not intended to limit N according to the invention₂But merely to improve the readability of the description. Thus, the substances CO2 and N2 and the terms carbonation and nitridation are used synonymously within the scope of the present application, as they are technically feasible and meaningful.

List of reference numerals

1 filling machine

2 conveying element

3 filling position

4 filling element

5 Container

5.1 Access

5.2 interior space of the Container

6 entry star

7 outlet star

8 sealing element

9 liquid channel

10 gas channel

11 vacuum channel

12 filling valve

13 gas valve

14 vacuum valve

15 sealing device

16 sealing cover

17 protective space

18 sliding part

19 connecting channel

20 corresponding holder

21 pull ring

Axis A

T direction of conveyance