Filler element and filling system
AssigneeKHS GmbH
InventorsLudwig Clüsserath, Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A filler element includes a valve arrangement that switches it between filling mode and CIP mode by controlling a connection between a chamber formed in a housing and a CIP channel formed from a valve body provided at a filling-height-controlling element. Axial movement of a filling-height-controlling element through an extension connected to the chamber controls mode-switching. In both modes, a continuous fluid connection exists between the extension's CIP connection and the CIP channel. Axial movement of the filling-height-controlling element also controls filling height in the container. In CIP mode, a CIP flow formed in the housing conducts liquid CIP medium out of the boiler, through the filling element, and out into a CIP channel.
Claims20
An apparatus for filling a container with liquid filling contents, said apparatus comprising a filler element that switches between a filling mode and a CIP mode, wherein said filler element comprises
- a filler element housing,
- a liquid channel,
- a dispensing opening,
- a liquid valve,
- a chamber,
- an extension,
- a filling-height-controlling element,
- a valve body,
- a first ring channel,
- a connecting channel,
- a seal, and
- a flush closure element,
- wherein said liquid channel is formed in said filler element housing,
- wherein said liquid channel is configured to be connectable to a filling-contents boiler,
- wherein said liquid valve is disposed in said liquid channel,
- wherein said liquid channel forms said dispensing opening,
- wherein said filling-height-controlling element controls filling height in said container,
- wherein, during filling of a container, a first end of said filling-height-controlling element projects beyond said dispensing opening and extends into said container,
- wherein axial movement of said filling-height-controlling element within an adjustable range adjusts said filling height,
- wherein, in CIP mode, liquid CIP medium is conducted out of said boiler, flows through said filler element, and out of said filler element into said first ring channel,
- wherein, in CIP mode, said flush closure element closes said filler element at said dispensing opening,
- wherein said chamber is formed in said filler element housing,
- wherein said extension connects to said chamber on an upper side of said filler element housing facing away from said dispensing opening,
- wherein said filling-height-controlling element is guided through said extension,
- wherein said connecting channel connects said extension to said first ring channel,
- wherein, in CIP mode, said liquid CIP medium flows through said liquid channel, said chamber, and said extension,
- wherein said seal blocks a fluid connection between said chamber and said first ring channel when said filling element is in filling mode,
- wherein said seal clears said fluid connection between said first ring channel and said chamber when said filling element is in CIP mode,
- wherein said seal is provided on said filling-height-controlling element and moves with said filling-height-controlling element,
- wherein, during said filling mode, said seal blocks said fluid connection between said chamber and said connecting channel of said extension,
- wherein, during CIP mode, said seal opens said fluid connection between said chamber and said connecting channel of said extension,
- wherein opening and closing of said seal is controlled by axial movement of said filling-height-controlling element, and
- wherein, in said filling mode and in said CIP mode, a continuous fluid connection exists through said connecting channel between said extension and said first ring channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.