JP-7856607-B2 - Ambient temperature filling system and method

JP7856607B2JP 7856607 B2JP7856607 B2JP 7856607B2JP-7856607-B2

Inventors

エンバー・ブランマズ

Assignees

ペプシコ・インク

Dates

Publication Date: 20260511
Application Date: 20230810
Priority Date: 20161108

Claims (8)

A carbonization tank filled with a carbon dioxide fluid at ambient temperature, A beverage container filling device, A carousel having at least one product supply conduit extending from the carbonization tank to the beverage container filling device, The carousel is equipped with a gas supply source connected to it. The carousel is configured to rotate from a first position to a second position. The gas supply source is configured to fill the container with inert gas when the carousel is rotated to the first position. The beverage container filling device is configured to fill the container with the carbonated fluid when the carousel is rotated to the second position. A beverage container filling system in which the carbon dioxide fluid at ambient temperature is maintained at ambient temperature during the operation of the beverage container filling device.
The beverage container filling system according to claim 1, wherein the carousel is further configured to rotate from the second position to the third position, from the third position to the fourth position, and from the fourth position to the fifth position.
The beverage container filling system according to claim 2, wherein the gas supply source is configured to close when the carousel is rotated to the third position.
The beverage container filling system according to claim 2, wherein when the carousel is rotated to the third position, the beverage container filling device is configured to stop filling the container with the carbonated fluid at ambient temperature.
The beverage container filling device has a snifting pipe, The beverage container filling system according to claim 2, wherein when the carousel is rotated to the fourth position, the snifting pipe is configured to release the inert gas from the headspace of the container.
The beverage container filling system according to claim 1, wherein the ambient temperature is approximately 15 degrees Celsius.
The carousel has an exit station located adjacent to it, The beverage container filling system according to claim 1, wherein the outlet station is configured to send filled containers from the carousel to a predetermined position.
A carbonization tank filled with fluid at ambient temperature, A beverage container filling device, A support housing having an upper and lower surface that defines an inner fluid chamber for supplying the carbon dioxide fluid at ambient temperature to be discharged into the container, A valve housing provided on the lower surface for controlling the discharge of the fluid, A vent pipe having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end extends at least partially through the valve housing, An umbel inflorescence ring surrounds the aforementioned ventilator and is positioned adjacent to the second end of the aforementioned ventilator, A spring is positioned around the first end of the vent pipe, A beverage container filling device comprising: a fluid sealing mechanism positioned adjacent to the upper surface and acting together with the spring to control the flow of the ambient temperature carbonated fluid into the beverage container; A carousel having at least one product supply conduit extending from the carbonization tank to the beverage container filling device, The carousel is equipped with a gas supply source connected to it. The carousel is configured to rotate from a first position to a second position. The gas supply source is configured to fill the container with inert gas when the carousel is rotated to the first position. The beverage container filling device is configured to fill the container with a carbonated fluid at the ambient temperature when the carousel is rotated to the second position. A beverage container filling system in which the carbon dioxide fluid at ambient temperature is maintained at ambient temperature during the operation of the beverage container filling device.

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for filling containers with fluids, particularly for filling beverage containers with carbonated fluids. The three most common types of liquid filling systems are volume-based filling, time-based filling, and gravimetric filling (weight-based filling). These are typically implemented in semi-automatic or automatic filling systems where empty containers are transported to the filling position. Once the containers reach the filling position, they are stopped, filled to the desired level by the filling head, and then transported to the desired position. A volumetric filling system (i.e., volumetric metering and filling) dispenses a set amount of fluid into a container. For example, a chamber is set to the desired volume, the chamber is filled with fluid, and the contents of the chamber are dispensed into a container. A time-metered filling system (i.e., time-metered volumetric filling) dispenses fluid from a nozzle with a known volumetric flow rate for a set time period sufficient to fill a container with a set volume of fluid. The weight measurement system (weight measurement) utilizes a weight sensor to monitor the amount of liquid the container receives. The weight sensor provides feedback to the dispensing device, and when the desired weight of fluid is received, the dispensing device stops dispensing. Cold filling operations utilize a refrigeration process to eliminate effervescence in carbonated beverages during filling. A significant amount of energy is required to cool the carbonated fluid during this refrigeration process. This energy can lead to increased operating costs. One aspect of the present invention enables a filling system that utilizes an increased filling temperature, such as ambient temperature. To achieve this increased filling temperature, the operating parameters of the mixer and blower can be modified along with the Ventile design of the new filling system. The present invention enables the filling of a carbonated fluid into a container at ambient temperature. In another embodiment, the filling system can reduce foam formation by eliminating turbulence in the carbon dioxide fluid within the filling system. In one aspect of the present invention, a method for producing containers filled with a carbonated fluid product may include: holding treated water in a water tank; degassing the water tank using a vacuum pump; mixing the treated water with a concentrate to produce a fluid mixture; injecting carbon dioxide into the fluid mixture to produce a carbonated fluid product; storing the carbonated fluid product in a carbonization tank fluid-connected to a filling machine; and operating the filling machine to fill containers with the carbonated fluid product. The treated water, fluid mixture, and carbonated fluid product can be maintained at ambient temperature. In a further embodiment, a beverage container filling device for filling a beverage container with fluid at ambient temperature may include: a support housing having an upper and lower surface defining an inner fluid chamber for supplying fluid material to be discharged into the container; a valve housing mounted on the lower surface for controlling the discharge of fluid material; a vent tube having a first end and a second end, the second end extending at least partially through the valve housing; an umbel ring surrounding the vent tube and positioned adjacent to the second end of the vent tube; a spring positioned around the first end of the vent tube; and a fluid sealing mechanism positioned adjacent to the upper surface and acting together with the spring to control the flow of fluid into the beverage container. In another embodiment, a method for producing containers filled with a carbonated fluid product may include: holding treated water at ambient temperature in a water tank; degassing the water tank using a vacuum pump to generate a negative pressure of at least 0.8 bar; mixing the treated water with a concentrate to produce a fluid mixture; injecting carbon dioxide and the fluid mixture at a pressure ranging from about 3.2 bar to about 4.2 bar to produce a carbonated fluid product; storing the carbonated fluid product in a carbonization tank having an internal pressure of about 5.5 bar and being fluidly connected to a filling machine; operating the filling machine having an internal pressure of about 5 bar to fill containers with the carbonated fluid product; and the carbonated fluid product being at ambient temperature. In this method, the filling machine may include a support housing having an upper and lower surface defining an inner fluid chamber for supplying fluid material to be discharged into a container; a valve housing mounted on the lower surface for controlling the discharge of fluid material; a vent tube having a first end and a second end, the second end extending at least partially through the valve housing; an umbel ring surrounding the vent