Patent Application
20190233141
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the filling of containers as well as to a container which is capable of being filled with the method described. A multiplicity of apparatus and methods for the filling of containers are known from the prior art. It is customary in this case for the empty containers, for example plastics material containers, to be filled with a liquid, for example a beverage, during a movement along a conveying path. To this end, widely differing variants are known, for example a hot filling of beverages or even a filling of beverages with different components.
In addition, different apparatus and methods of removing liquids from containers are also known from the prior art. In this way, DE 10 2007 054 431 for example describes a method of removing liquids. The contents of the disclosure of this patent application are hereby also made the contents of the disclosure of the present application in its complete entirety.
Conventional filling methods for containers have in part the drawback that a large amount of atmospheric oxygen which can adversely affect certain types of beverages, even during the filling procedure, is present in the empty container. In addition, precautions have to be taken in conventional filling plants to remove a residual gas during the filling.
The object of the present invention is to make the filling of containers simpler in these respects.
In the case of a method of filling a container with a liquid the container is filled by way of an aperture of the container and an internal volume of the container is enlarged during the filling. In this case the internal volume of the subsequently filled container amounts to at least twice (preferably at least three times, preferably at least five times and in a particularly preferred manner at least ten times) the volume of the non-filled container.
It is therefore proposed that the container itself should be enlarged in the course of the filling procedure. This enlargement, however, does not relate to the possible slight increase occurring, which occurs as a result of the filling material poured in. It is proposed, rather, that a substantial increase in the volume of the container should occur, in particular just as a result of the filling procedure. The container is thus as it were “blow moulded” directly by the filling material to be poured in.
In the case of a preferred method the container is or has been expanded by an expansion procedure before the filling procedure. It is preferable for a plastics material pre-form first to be expanded to form a plastics material container and then for the plastics material container produced in this way to be advantageously reduced again in its volume, in particular folded, and preferably only then expanded again by the filling procedure.
It is thus advantageous for no stretching or at least no substantial stretching of the wall of the and/or of the material of the plastics material container to take place during the filling procedure, but in particular only an unfolding. It is therefore preferable for the container which is to be filled (as well as the aperture thereof) already to have its final shape in at least one area of the container, for example in a base area. This expansion procedure can be carried out in this case immediately before the filling, but it would also be possible for the containers first to be reduced in their volume again after their production and then to be stored and/or conveyed to a filling means in this reduced state.
It is preferable for the container to be compressed after the expansion procedure. In this way, it is possible in particular for the container produced by the expansion procedure to be folded in such a way that the internal volume thereof is reduced. In the folded state it is preferable for a pre-set wall portion, and in particular a continuous wall portion, to be situated adjacent to a further pre-set wall portion, and in particular to a further continuous wall portion. It is advantageous for these wall portions to touch each other in a state of the containers—folded together—at least locally and preferably along a peripheral face.
It is thus possible for example for a container first to be produced with the aid of a blow moulding machine and for this container then to be rolled in or folded in respectively, in order to reduce the internal volume of this container as much as possible in this way.
It is advantageous for the container to be folded with respect to a defined folding edge. It is preferable for this to be a folding edge extending continuously with respect to the longitudinal direction of the container, and in a particularly preferred manner a folding edge extending at least locally, and in a particularly preferred manner completely, in a straight line.
It is advantageous for the container to be folded in such a way that the folded container can be inserted into a further container which is folded in a corresponding manner. In this way, it is possible for two or more containers to be inserted one into the other—in particular in a cylindrical region thereof.
It is preferable for the container to be rolled in during the course of the folding procedure. In this way, a container shape folded or rolled in respectively in such a way has two concentric external diameters which are preferably situated one above the other. In other words, the container shape which is rolled in has a concentric internal diameter or a further concentric internal diameter which is smaller than a smaller external diameter.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment the wall of the container has a thickness which is between 0.1 and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.6 mm and in a particularly preferred manner between 0.3 and 0.45 mm. In particular, the container is pressure-stable for carbonated beverages, such as beer or soft drinks, for example.
In the case of a further advantageous method the container is folded or rolled in respectively in such a way that a volume ratio between the plastics material pre-form and the container of reduced volume (which are inserted one into the other) is smaller than 1:2, preferably 1:1.5 and in a particularly preferred manner smaller than 1:1. It is advantageous in this case for a volume ratio between a plastics material pre-form and the container which is not rolled in to be 1:50 in the case of a 20-litre container.
It is preferable, in the case of the aforesaid compression or folding procedure, for a compression of the material also to take place, which is preferably permanent. It is preferable for this deformation still to be present even after the filling under pressure.
It is advantageous for the container to be deformed in a cold state and, in particular, without the action of heat. This can mean that for example the plastics material pre-forms are cooled after their shaping to form plastics material containers, before they are compressed or folded respectively. It may also be sufficient, however, for the shaped plastics material containers merely not to be heated further.
It is advantageous for two or more containers compressed in this way to be subsequently stacked one in the other. It is easily possible for the stacked containers to be conveyed in this state. Before these containers are filled, the containers can be separated again and subsequently filled, in particular with a liquid.
It is advantageous for at least one wall portion of the container arranged at a distance from the aperture of the container to have substantially the same wall thickness before the filling procedure as after the filling procedure.
It is advantageous, during the filling procedure, for the container not to be heated or to be heated only to a temperature which is below that temperature which is present for the expansion of plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers. It is advantageous, during the filling, for the container to be kept below a temperature of 80° C., preferably below a temperature of 60° C. and in a particularly preferred manner below a temperature of 40° C.
It is advantageous for the container to be unfolded during the filling procedure. It is advantageous during the filling procedure for a wall portion of the container to be displaced with respect to a further wall portion of the container, in particular along a longitudinal direction of the container.
It is advantageous for the container to be a container which is capable of being folded, and in particular a plastics material container and in a particularly preferred manner a blow moulded plastics material container. The material of the container can also be a different material—in particular capable of being folded—such as for example a metal, in particular aluminium.
In principle, it is both possible for the container to be filled with the aperture upwards or even upside down. In this way, a filling procedure is proposed for a container in which the internal space thereof has been reduced, in particular beforehand. It is therefore preferable for the internal volume of the container to be reduced before the filling procedure. This reduction could be carried out in this case immediately before the filling procedure, but it is preferable for this reduction of the internal volume to take place at a substantially earlier point in time and, in this way, it would also be possible for the non-filled containers first to be transported, for example delivered to a bottler.
The aforesaid original reduction in volume affords substantial advantages as compared with the conventional filling method. On the one hand, the atmospheric oxygen is reduced by the small volume and it can be additionally improved by a one-off or repeated evacuation and flushing with gas. The evacuation known in the prior art in the case of glass bottles can also be carried out in this case by the supporting action of a plunger (described in greater detail below). In addition, it would be possible for the beginning of filling to take place in an evacuated container.
A further advantage is that no return gas conveying is necessary on account of the increase in volume during the filling. This in turn results in a simple valve design and optionally also a regulation of the flow rate controlled by the stroke. It would also be possible in this case for the filling pressure to be regulated by way of the stroke movement. In this way, it would also be possible for example on the one hand for the container to be expanded by the filling pressure, but on the other hand for the container to be enlarged—optionally in an assisted manner—by the apparatus itself with respect to the volume of the latter during the filling procedure and for the filling procedure to be facilitated in this way. A filling of the container upside down is likewise possible. This affords an advantage with respect to a special gentle treatment of the product for example.
It is advantageous for the container to be expanded by a filling pressure exerted during the filling. In this case the force which is required in order to shape out the container in a controlled manner is high, but it need not be generated in a special manner for this. The generation of the force can occur predominantly and preferably also exclusively from the filling pressure itself. A filling pressure of more than 2 bar, preferably of more than 5 bar and in a particularly preferred manner of more than 10 bar is advantageous.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment a distance between a base area and the aperture of the container varies during the filling. In this way, it is possible for example for the container to be folded together in the starting stage in such a way that the aperture of the container is situated very close to the base. The internal volume of the container is also increased by a corresponding unfolding of the latter.
In the case of a further advantageous method the container has a folding edge extending continuously (in particular contrary to the longitudinal direction of the container). In the case of this design an inner wall of the container is advantageously situated opposite an outer wall of the container in a radially continuous manner. In this case it is advantageous for the outer wall of the container to be arranged in this region inside the inner wall. It is advantageous for a plane, which is at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the container, to be formed by this folding edge.
It is advantageous for a distance between this inner wall and the outer wall to be at least locally <1 cm, at least locally preferably <0.5 cm and at least locally preferably <0.3 cm. It is particularly preferred for this aforesaid distance to be made continuous in the peripheral direction. In this case it is possible for this distance also to be further increased during the filling by the pressures which arise.
In the case of a further advantageous method, during the filling procedure the aperture of the container is moved away from the base area of the container at a pre-set speed at least for a time and at the same time the aforesaid folding edge is moved away from the base area at a speed which is half this speed. This means that it is advantageous for both the aperture area and the folding edge to be moved away from the base area but for these speeds to act in the ratio of 2:1.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment a filling element is locked with respect to the aperture during the filling. In this way, it is possible to ensure that during the filling the filling element does not slip off the aperture on account of the filling pressure. It is advantageous for the filling element also to be sealed off with respect to the aperture.
It is advantageous for at least one portion of the container wall to be deformed during the filling procedure. It is advantageous for this to be a portion of the container which is situated below the aperture, and in a particularly preferred manner in a region of a shoulder of the container. It is advantageous for the folding edge to disappear during the filling procedure. It is advantageous during the filling procedure for an annular portion of the container to be bent at an angle which is greater than 20°, preferably greater than 40°, preferably greater than 60°, preferably greater than 90°, preferably greater than 120°, and preferably greater than 150°, with respect to a further annular portion of the container. It is preferable for the container in a folded state to form a second folding edge, in which case it is advantageous for this second folding edge likewise to be made continuous. It is advantageous for a distance between the first folding edge and the second folding edge to be reduced during the unfolding or expansion respectively of the container. It is advantageous for the second folding edge likewise to form a plane which is at a right angle to the longitudinal direction of the container. It is advantageous for the container in a folded state to have no further folds apart from these two folding edges.
The present invention further relates to an apparatus for the filling of containers capable of being expanded, this apparatus having a filling element through which a liquid is capable of being supplied to the container by way of the aperture thereof. In addition, the apparatus has a first holding device for holding a base area of the container as well as a second holding device for holding an aperture area of the container.
According to the invention the first holding device and the second holding device are movable with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction of the container and at least one holding device (preferably the second holding device which holds the aperture area of the container) has a cross-section which is smaller at least locally than an internal cross-section of the filled container. It is preferred for this holding device to be suitable for being introduced into a main body of the container. It is advantageous for a cross-section of this holding device also to be adapted to a cross-section of the container (but preferably somewhat smaller).
In this way, it is also proposed with respect to the apparatus that a filling apparatus should be made available which itself also carries out an expansion of the container at the same time. In an advantageous manner a filling pressure for the liquid to be removed can be made available by way of the filling element, this filling pressure also being sufficient to expand and, in particular, to unfold the container.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment the apparatus has a sealing element which seals off a region between the aperture of the container and the filling element. It is advantageous in this case for this sealing to take place completely and, in a particularly preferred manner, over the entire periphery.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment the sealing element is capable of being fastened to the aperture of the container. In this case this sealing element can be clipped onto and/or screwed to the aperture. It would also be possible, however, for the sealing element to project into the aperture.
The present invention further relates to a container which is capable of being filled with a liquid, this container having an aperture, a base area and a main body formed in one piece with the aperture and the base area. In this case the main body is bent in such a way by a pre-set bending angle around a pre-set continuous folding edge of the main body that the aperture of the container is situated closer to the base area than the continuous folding edge. According to the invention a relative position (and/or a distance) of the folding edge is capable of being changed with respect to the base area of the container during an expansion of the container. It is also advantageous for a relative position of the folding edge to be capable of being changed with respect to the aperture of the container during an expansion of the container.
In this way, a container capable of being folded is proposed in this case, which in particular is folded in such a way that the aperture area is situated close to the base area of the container. It is advantageous, in this way, for the main body itself to be folded together with at least one folding edge and preferably with precisely one folding edge. It is advantageous for the container to be a plastics material container. In addition, however, it would also be possible for another material capable of being folded to be used.
In the case of a preferred embodiment an outer surface of the main body is situated in a continuous manner at least locally opposite an inner surface of the main body—in particular in a radial direction of the container. In this way, a highly effective reduction in the internal volume is achieved in the folded state of the container.
It is preferable for the outer surfaces and the inner surface of the container to be at a distance from each other at least locally which is >0.2 cm. It is advantageous for this to be a continuous distance and, in a particularly preferred manner, also a distance in a radial direction of the container.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment a wall thickness of the main body is substantially constant at least locally (and in a particularly preferred manner in the entire region of the main body). It is thus proposed in this case that a thin-walled region for example for folding the container should not be set against another region, but that a fold of a wall region with a substantially constant wall thickness is preferably made. It is advantageous for the aforesaid folding edge also to be capable of being displaced during an expansion procedure. What is proposed therefore is not a constant folding edge around which a folding procedure is carried out, but rather a displaceable folding region which also moves in the course of the expansion of the container.
In the case of a further advantageous embodiment the container has a cylindrical cross-section at least locally in the longitudinal direction thereof. In this case it is possible for this cylindrical cross-section of the container to vary in the longitudinal direction. In this way, it would be possible for example for the container to have three or more portions in the longitudinal direction which have different cross-sections in each case. In the case of a preferred embodiment it is possible for the aperture of the container to be adjoined by a first cylindrical portion, for the latter to be adjoined by a second cylindrical portion with a second cross-section or diameter respectively and for the latter to be adjoined in turn by a third portion with a third cylindrical cross-section or diameter respectively. In this case the second cross-section can be larger than the two other cross-sections. The first cross-section is preferably smaller than the third cross-section or diameter respectively.
In addition, it would also be possible for the container to have a sphere-like cross-section in a region adjoining the aperture.
It is advantageous for a region of the container to have arranged in it an identification element which is capable of being read out, in particular, without contact and by means of which at least one piece of information is capable of being read out which is characteristic of the container. It is preferable for this to be an RFID element such as, in particular but not exclusively, an RFID chip.
It is advantageous for the identification element to be connected in an inseparable manner to the container. It is advantageous for this information to be selected from a group of pieces of information which contains a best-before date, information about the type of beverage or the like.
In this way, it would be possible to ensure for example that containers, of which the best-before date is past, are no longer emptied. On the basis of the knowledge of the type of beverage it is possible for example for relevant parameters for the removal to be controlled, such as for example an appropriate pressure.
In the case of a preferred embodiment the identification element is arranged in the form of a label on the container. In addition, it would also be possible for the identification element to be incorporated in an area of the container, for example a wall area.
In addition, it is possible for the identification element to be already incorporated in the containers during the production of the latter. In this way, it would be possible—during a production process for the container, in particular during a blow moulding procedure—for the identification element to be already held ready in a region of a blow moulding machine for example inside a wall of a blow mould and—during the procedure of shaping a plastics material pre-form into the container—to be fixed to the wall of the container.
In this context a suitable apparatus for the emptying of containers, and in particular containers of the type described above, is also explained. In the case of an advantageous embodiment an apparatus of this type has a read-out device for reading out—in particular wirelessly—at least one identification element attached to the container. In particular, this can be an apparatus for reading out an RFID element arranged on the container. In this way, the container to be emptied can be identified in a manner free of doubt. In the case of a further advantageous embodiment the apparatus has a control device which controls a removal procedure also in a manner dependent upon a read-out result of the read-out device. In this way for example, the user can be informed by means of an alarm that he or she is using a container which is unsuitable for the removal procedure. In addition, a removal procedure can be interrupted or the start thereof prevented in reaction to a read-out result of this type.
It is also possible, if the control device establishes that a marking element is not provided on the container, for it to interrupt or not to initiate a removal procedure.
The present invention further relates to a plant for the filling of containers having a plurality of apparatus of the type described above. In this case a plant of this type also advantageously has a conveying device which conveys the containers along a pre-set conveying path, preferably at a right angle to the longitudinal direction thereof. The apparatus is advantageously designed in this case in such a way that it fills the containers during this conveying along the conveying path.
Further advantages and embodiments are evident from the accompanying drawings. In the drawings
The apparatus 1 shown in
The reference 10a refers to an aperture of the container 10, by way of which the container 10 is filled by a filling element 2 with a liquid, for example a beverage. The reference number 12 designates a fastening device by which the filling element 2 is arranged on the aperture 10a of the container 10 during the filling procedure. The reference 10c designates a main body of the container 10 which in this case is folded with respect to a folding edge 10d which, however, in the filled state of the container 10 is arranged between the base area 10b and the aperture 10a of the container 10.
The reference number 6 designates a second holding device which in this case receives the aperture region 10a of the container and which in the still non-filled state of the container is surrounded over its entire periphery—in this case by an outer wall 20a of the main body 10b—and engages in this outer wall 20a. A corresponding inner wall 20b of the container is situated opposite the outer wall 20a of the container 10 in this case and is arranged radially inside the outer wall 20a.
The fastening device 12 also acts as a sealing element, in order to seal off a region between the filling element 2 and the aperture of the container 10, so that no liquid runs laterally past the aperture of the container. It is advantageous for the holding device 6 to have a cavity in which the filling element 2 and preferably also a line attached to the filling element are arranged.
In the situation shown in
In the case of a dynamic flushing procedure it would also be possible for the second holding device 6 and/or the first holding device 4 to be altered in a dynamic or pulsating manner respectively (with respect to their relative position) and thus for the internal volume of the container also to be altered in a dynamic or pulsating manner. This change in the volume can also be used for cleaning the container or even for cleaning a filling system. The reference letter R designates a radial direction of the container 10.
In the case of the embodiment shown in
In the case of a further design it would also be possible for the supporting plunger or the second holding device respectively to be drawn out from the base and for the shoulder of the container to be supported by a cup. In the case of this embodiment the bead or the folding edge 10d respectively would be directed downwards. If the folding edge or the bead respectively is directed downwards, then the folding edge is also filled with a product and, in this way, it would be possible for the container to be filled in a still better manner.
In addition, the container 10 also advantageously has a second folding edge 10e. This second folding edge 10e is advantageously arranged radially inside the first folding edge 10d and advantageously moves with the aperture 10a of the container during the unfolding of the container.
During the unfolding of the container 10 it is preferable for a bending of a first portion of the container relative to a second portion of the container also to take place with respect to this second folding edge 10e, preferably at an angle which is between 10° and 170°, preferably between 20° and 160°, preferably between 30° and 150°, preferably between 50° and 130°, and in particularly preferred manner between 70° and 110°. The second folding edge 10e advantageously faces in a direction opposed to the first folding edge 10d.
The beverage to be poured in can be for example beer or the like, which is poured into PET bottles, in order to achieve advantageous oxygen values. The size of the container is only of subordinate importance in this case. In this way, it is possible for containers ranging from those with volumes of less than half a litre to those with volumes of over 30 litres to be processed. On the other hand, even so-called soft drinks in which CO2 is used or juices which are susceptible to oxygen can be filled in the manner proposed in this case. The reference letter F designates a filling level of the liquid inside the container.
In this case it is possible for the container 10 to be acted upon with a medium, in particular a gaseous medium such as for example (sterile) air, during the folding together in order to assist the desired folding process with respect to the two folding edges. In addition, it would be possible for a closure, which allowed the escape of air from the container only in relatively small quantities, to be arranged on the container during the folding together, so that the container is under a certain internal pressure at least at first during its compression. As soon as the two folding edges 10d and 10e are formed it would also be possible for the container to be compressed further by the additional evacuation of air. In addition, it would be possible for an internal sterilization also to be carried out during a folding together of the container (for example by being acted upon with a sterilization agent such as hydrogen peroxide).
The reduction in volume of the container can be carried out both after the production of the container, for example in a spatially separate manner before the filling procedure in order to keep the conveying volume as small as possible in this way. This is suitable in particular for filling operations which themselves do not produce containers.
The reduction in volume can also, however, be carried out directly in the filling machine or even in a cleaning machine arranged upstream. In this case it would be possible for lifting cylinders which are required for pressing and sealing purposes likewise to be used.
As shown in
In addition, it would be possible, in order to form a multiple-way system, for the containers to be returned from a corresponding bar installation, which uses the reduction in volume for emptying the containers, for re-use again. In the case of this type of re-use, the small volume of the containers not only benefits the conveying but also allows a smaller demand for cleaning agent in order to clean the containers on the inside.
In addition, it is possible for an apparatus of this type for the filling of containers also to have measuring instruments 38 which allow a measurement of the quantity of the filling material poured into the container. In this way, for example, a flow meter can be provided which determines in a quantitative manner the filling material flowing by way of the line 36. In addition, weighing devices can also be provided which determine the weight of the container 10 in order to allow a measurement of the quantity in this way. The reference number 42 designates a supply device in order to supply the containers not yet filled and preferably also not yet folded to the plant, and the reference number 44 designates a removal device in order to remove the containers from the plant 30. The supply device 42 and/or the removal device 44 can be designed in this case in the form of conveying star wheels.
In addition, the plant 30 can also have arranged upstream of it a blow moulding machine (not shown) for producing the containers, as well as a device which folds over the containers 10 or folds them together respectively.
A compression of the container diameter is limited by the material properties as well as also by physical influencing factors, such as for example pressure, temperature and the wall thickness as well as the container diameter. If excessive deformation occurs in this case as a result of a compression process, the diameter can become so small that the wall buckles outwards. In the case of a diameter which is too large or a deformation which is too small respectively, the rolling radius is too small to ensure a proper or stress-free rolling in.
It is advantageous for the container to be designed in such a way that it can be inserted into a container of similar design up to a minimum requirement which results from the aperture and the base shape. In order that this minimum stacking height may be achieved, the shoulder area is adapted to the base area to a considerable degree. In addition, it is also possible for the envelope diameter (this is the diameter beyond which the shoulder is deformed) to be selected in such a way that the aperture disappears far enough in the base area and foot space respectively.
Furthermore, it would also be possible for the container to have an UV protection by a suitable admixture of colours. It is advantageous for the container 10 to have an improved or special barrier property with respect to CO2 permeation from the inside to the outside and/or of oxygen permeation from the outside to the inside. In this case the container can have additives such as for example so-called scavengers. A material with scavenger properties is a material which can intercept oxygen. In this case the material itself can have this property or, on the other hand, can contain substances which intercept oxygen. In this way for example, substances with scavenger properties can be added to the material of the container. In this case the scavenger for example intercepts in a seal the oxygen which is present in the head space of the filled and closed bottle. The use of a scavenger of this type for filling products sensitive to oxygen is particularly advantageous.
In addition to the use of RFID chips it would also be possible for other identification elements, such as in particular barcodes or QR codes, to be used. These could also for example be printed on a wall of the container.
The Applicants reserve the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as being essential to the invention, insofar as they are novel either individually or in combination as compared with the prior art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2012 101 868.5 | Mar 2012 | DE | national |
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/383,852, filed Sep. 8, 2014, which was filed as a 371 of PCT/EP2013/054419, filed Mar. 5, 2013, claiming priority to German Application 10 2012 101 868.5, filed Mar. 6, 2012.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14383852 | Sep 2014 | US |
| Child | 16383409 | US |
