# US 10,478,832 B2 · Method and device for treating a mixture of expansion gas and filling product foam in a beverage filling plant > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,478,832 B2 - Document ID: US10478832B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/537,345 - Filed: 2015-12-17 - Published: 2017-12-28 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2014-12-17 - Assignees: Krones AG - Applicants: Krones AG - Inventors: Stefan Kieninger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478832B2 ## CPC - B04C 9/00: Combinations with other devices, e.g. fans, {expansion chambers, diffusors, water locks}(with filters B01D50/00) - A23L 2/76: by removal of gases - A61L 2/18: Liquid substances - B01D 19/0036: {Flash degasification (the other groups take precedence)} - B01D 19/0057: {the centrifugal movement being caused by a vortex, e.g. using a cyclone, or by a tangential inlet} - B01D 19/02: Foam dispersion or prevention (during boiling B01B1/02; during fermentation C12) - B01D 19/0404: {characterised by the nature of the chemical substance} - B01F 23/23: by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids - B04C 5/04: Tangential inlets - B04C 5/23: using liquids - B08B 9/0813: {by the force of jets or sprays} - B67C 3/06: using counterpressure, i.e. filling while the container is under pressure - B67C 3/10: preliminary filling with inert gases, e.g. carbon dioxide - B67C 3/22: Details - A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs - B04C 2009/005: {with external rotors, e.g. impeller, ventilator, fan, blower, pump} - B04C 2009/008: {with injection or suction of gas or liquid into the cyclone} - B67C 3/08: and subsequently lowering the counterpressure - B67C 3/222: {Head-space air removing devices, e.g. by inducing foam} - B04C: APPARATUS USING FREE VORTEX FLOW, e.g. CYCLONES ({centrifugal separation of water from steam B01D45/12;} jet mills B02C19/06; {wind sifters B07B7/00;} cyclonic type combustion apparatus F23; {vortex burners for cyclone-type combustion apparatus F23D1/02; cyclonic type combustion apparatus for gas turbines F23R3/00}) - A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B) - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06) - B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL - B67C: CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS - A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION ## Abstract Various embodiments relate to devices and methods for treating a mixture of expansion gas and filling product foam in a beverage filling plant, comprising the steps of introducing the mixture of expansion gas and filling product foam into a closed separation container and extracting the expansion gas out of the closed separation container via suction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for treating a mixture of an expansion gas and a fill product foam in a beverage filling plant, comprising the steps of: removing the mixture of the expansion gas and the fill product foam from a fill product; introducing the mixture into a closed separation container after the mixture is removed from the fill product; and extracting the expansion gas out of the closed separation container via suction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising sprinkling a fluid medium on the mixture after the mixture is introduced into the closed separation container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the sprinkling comprises applying the fluid medium by using a sprinkler nozzle that is accommodated in the closed separation container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the extracting comprises using suction above the sprinkler nozzle to extract the expansion gas. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the sprinkling comprises extracting the fluid medium from a lower area of the closed separation container and recirculating the fluid medium, and wherein the lower area of the closed separation container comprises a sump. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, further comprising periodically conveying the fluid medium and the fill product foam out of the closed separation container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the introducing comprises tangentially introducing the mixture into the closed separation container. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising cleaning the closed separation container. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the cleaning comprises: spraying at least one of a cleaning medium and a sterilizing medium onto an interior wall of the closed separation container; and conducting at least one of the cleaning medium and the sterilization medium out of a lower area of the closed separation container. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A device for performing the method of claim 1, the device comprising: the closed separation container, wherein the closed separation container is configured to be coupled to a relief line to receive the mixture into the closed separation container and configured to be coupled to a suction extractor so that the expansion gas is extracted from the closed separation container via suction from the suction extractor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, further comprising a sprinkler nozzle disposed in the closed separation container, wherein the sprinkler nozzle applies a fluid medium to the mixture of the expansion gas and the fill product foam that is present in the closed separation container. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein a lower area of the closed separation container comprises an outlet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with the sprinkler nozzle so that the fluid medium recirculated from the lower area of the closed separation container to the sprinkler nozzle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the lower area of the closed separation container comprises a sump. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, further comprising the suction extractor, wherein the suction extractor is in fluid communication with the closed separation container and is disposed above the sprinkler nozzle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the closed separation container is at least substantially cylindrical and/or substantially conical. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, further comprising the relief line, wherein the relief line is tangentially coupled to the closed separation container. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, further comprising a clean-in-place (CIP) nozzle provided in the closed separation container, wherein the CIP nozzle is configured to impinge on an interior wall of the closed separation container with a CIP medium. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The device of claim 18, further comprising a CIP return line that is in fluid communication with a lower area of the closed separation container. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture consists of the expansion gas and the fill product foam.