EP3808696A1 - Validation of cleaning in a container filling device - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, and a method for treating, preferably cleaning and / or sterilizing, such a device which has: at least one filling station with a filling element (20) for introducing the filling product into the container to be filled; a treatment device for treating, preferably cleaning and / or sterilizing, components of the device (1) coming into contact with the filling product, comprising components of the filling element (20), by means of a treatment medium; at least one pressure determination device (11, 41) for detecting pressures of the treatment medium at one or more points of the device (1); and an evaluation device (44) which is set up to receive the pressures detected by the pressure determination device (11, 41) during the treatment of the device (1) and to determine therefrom whether the device (1) has been adequately treated.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, and a method for cleaning and / or sterilizing such a device.

State of the art

Among the various methods and devices for filling containers with a filling product in beverage filling systems, a technology for suddenly filling containers is known, for example in the DE 10 2014 104 872 A1 and DE 10 2014 104 873 A1 is described. Here, the filling product is provided under an overpressure, the container to be filled is evacuated and the filling product under overpressure is introduced into the underpressure container. Due to the pressure difference produced in this way, the filling product is introduced suddenly.

In order to shorten the settling time of the filling product after filling in the container and to prevent foaming and over-foaming of the filling product, the container can according to one in the DE 10 2014 104 873 A1 described further development are sealed under overpressure, without a pressure equalization of the container interior with the external environment taking place beforehand. For this purpose, the container mouth is placed in a chamber for filling and closing, and the chamber is brought to the above-mentioned overpressure. Only after the container has been closed is the chamber released to atmospheric pressure in order to be able to remove the container.

The pressure level in the chamber surrounding the container mouth is detected and recorded with a pressure sensor. The system and method for sudden filling manage without a flow meter at the individual filling stations, since the filling can be regulated by the vacuum pressure level in the evacuated container and the filling pressure.

The mechanical engineering simplification resulting from the omission of flow meters, however, entails a technical difficulty in validating the cleaning of the filling device.

Various methods for cleaning and sterilizing filling devices are known. Among them, for example, the so-called CIP (“Cleaning-In-Place”) and SIP (“Sterilization-In-Place”) processes have established themselves, in which the components and components that are in contact with the filling product or the intermediate products and auxiliary materials are dismantled Lands can essentially be dispensed with. For example, the filling elements do not have to be removed for cleaning or sterilization, but rather they are flushed through or dampened with a cleaning medium or sterilization medium in the installed state.

For the sake of linguistic simplicity, the SIP process is subsumed under the CIP process, i.e. the CIP process includes cleaning and / or sterilization.

The surfaces of the filling system that come into contact with the filling product can be thermally sterilized by means of superheated steam. The filling valves are exposed to superheated steam and brought to the sterilization temperature in this way. The temperature of the filling valves resulting therefrom is maintained and monitored over a certain period of time in order to achieve a predetermined sterilization effect, as can be seen, for example, from the DE 10 2010 031 873 A1 or the DE 10 2013 113 621 A1 is known.

According to the prior art, one possibility of temperature monitoring is to monitor each individual filling valve with a thermocouple, which is usually integrated in the filling valve or arranged on the panel. However, this requires a thermocouple per filling valve or per diaphragm and correspondingly complex wiring, which is installed in the rotating part of rotary machines. An alternative temperature monitoring of the filling valves during the sterilization by means of a contactless temperature sensor is from the WO 2018/104551 A1 known.

It is also known from conventional filling systems to validate the CIP cleaning with the aid of the flow meters used to fill the containers. If a set flow threshold value is exceeded on the filling valve to be validated during cleaning, the cleaning is considered successful.

The filling / closing system described at the beginning, however, requires comparatively few sensors to monitor the filling process; In particular, there is no need for a flow meter, since the filling can be regulated by the vacuum pressure level in the evacuated container and the filling pressure.

A validation of the cleaning or sterilization is therefore not easily possible by detecting and recording the volume flow of the cleaning or sterilization medium by means of flow meters.

Presentation of the invention

Based on the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to further improve the validation of the cleaning and / or sterilization process of a device for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, in particular structurally and / or procedurally simplify.

The object is achieved by a device with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of the independent method claim. Advantageous developments follow from the subclaims, the following presentation of the invention and the description of preferred exemplary embodiments.

The device according to the invention, also referred to herein as a "filling device", is used to fill a container with a filling product. The device is particularly preferably used in a beverage filling system for filling beverages - such as, for example, water, carbonized or non-carbonized, soft drinks, beer or mixed drinks.

When terms such as “container”, “closure”, “filling element”, “filling valve” and others are used herein in the singular, this is primarily for the sake of linguistic simplicity. The plural is included unless it is expressly or technically excluded.

The filling device has at least one filling station with a filling element for introducing the filling product into the container to be filled and a treatment device for treating components of the device that come into contact with the filling product by means of a treatment medium. In particular, there is a treatment of components of the filling element, such as, for example, filling valve, product line, gas lines, gas valves and the like. The treatment device primarily serves to clean and / or sterilize product-carrying / product-carrying components of the device.

Accordingly, a distinction is made here between a “regular operation” of the device, in which the containers are filled, and a “treatment operation”, in which the treatment (cleaning and / or sterilization) takes place.

According to the invention, the device has at least one pressure determination device for detecting pressures of the treatment medium at one or more points on the device on. The pressure of the treatment medium is thus determined at one or more points of the fluid-carrying components of the device, ie in lines, chambers, valves, etc.

The phrase “recording pressures” includes a direct measurement of the pressures in customary physical units as well as the determination or derivation of alternative parameters that can be used as an alternative measure for the pressure. The terms “pressure”, “pressures” etc. also include not only absolute pressure values, but also pressure changes and in particular equivalent physical quantities which, although not necessarily measured in typical units of pressure, are a measure of the pressure. In other words, the pressure determination device can comprise a pressure sensor, pressure transducer or the like, but it can also implement a device for indirect determination of the pressure, for example by evaluating other physical variables. Examples of such an indirect pressure determination are presented in detail with the aid of the description of preferred embodiments.

According to the invention, the device also has an evaluation device which is set up to receive the pressures detected by the pressure determination device during the treatment of the device (this can be done wirelessly or wired) and to determine from this whether the device has been adequately treated. In other words, the evaluation device monitors and / or verifies the treatment on the basis of the determined pressures of the treatment medium.

By evaluating the pressures of the treatment medium in the filling device during the treatment operation, in particular the cleaning and / or sterilization operation, the success of the treatment can also be verified without the use of flow meters. No additional measuring equipment is necessary. The pressure can be determined directly via pressure sensors or pressure sensors or indirectly, for example by synergetic use of the equipment of the filling device. The verification or monitoring thus takes place in a structurally and procedurally particularly simple, autarkic and reliable manner.

By determining and possibly recording pressures in the filling device, pressure drops and thus flow losses in the line system of the device can be found, which - if they exceed certain limits or threshold values - can indicate an inadequate treatment success. The “certain limits”, threshold values and / or characteristics can be obtained from previous measurements in regular operation and / or treatment operation.

At least two pressure determination devices are preferably provided for detecting pressures of the treatment medium at at least two different points on the device, the evaluation device in this case being set up to receive the pressures detected by the pressure determination devices during treatment of the device and to determine them from a comparison whether the device has been adequately treated. The comparison can be made by forming the difference. In this way, the pressure drop between two points of the device can be used to infer irregularities, for example insufficient flow through sections of the device.

The device preferably has a product vessel in fluid connection with the filling element, the at least one pressure determination device being set up to detect pressures of the treatment medium in the product vessel and / or in the filling element or in a treatment chamber surrounding the filling element. Pressure sensors or equivalent devices are usually installed in the product tank and / or in the filling element or a treatment chamber surrounding the filling element for the regular operation of the filling device anyway, which can then be used synergistically for the treatment operation, which further simplifies the device in terms of mechanical engineering and further increases the reliability of the same becomes. The structure and the nature of a treatment chamber which is preferably provided are set out in detail below.

One of the pressure determination devices is preferably set up to detect pressures in the product vessel and another of the pressure determination devices is set up to detect pressures of the treatment medium in the filling element or in a treatment chamber surrounding the filling element. The monitoring or verification of the treatment is possible in a particularly efficient way from a mechanical engineering point of view if pressures in the product tank and in filling organs or any treatment chambers of the filling stations are used for this purpose. For example, if the pressure drop between the product vessel and the filling element or the treatment chamber is too high, when the filling valve is open, conclusions can be drawn that there is too little or no flow and thus an inadequate treatment effect. This observation, in turn, can be used for the early detection of a possible later failure.

The filling station preferably has a treatment chamber for receiving the container to be filled in a sealed manner, either completely or in sections. Furthermore, a component sealing the treatment chamber and movable relative to the treatment chamber by means of a drive and protruding into the treatment chamber is preferably provided, in this component If the at least one pressure determination device or one of the pressure determination devices is set up to detect pressures of the treatment medium in the treatment chamber.

The treatment verification presented here is particularly suitable for filling devices that are set up for the sudden filling of containers or for "overpressure filling". For this purpose, the container, or at least the container mouth, is introduced into the said treatment chamber for filling and, if necessary, for closing, it being possible to regulate the pressure in the treatment chamber.

The device is preferably set up for filling and closing the container, in this case also referred to herein as "filler / closer", each filling station in this case preferably having: a treatment chamber which is set up to at least partially surround the container, preferably an opening section of the container, and which is sealable from the external environment; the filling element, which is set up in the treatment chamber for evacuating the container and introducing the filling product into the evacuated container, the filling product preferably being under excess pressure; and a closure member with a closure head which is set up to receive a closure and to close the container in the treatment chamber and without prior release to ambient pressure with the closure. The closer head is preferably movable between a retracted position, also referred to as a "sealing position", and an advanced closing position in which the closer head protrudes into the treatment chamber.

The terms "evacuate", "vacuum" and the like do not necessarily imply an endeavor to bring the negative pressure in the container as close as possible to a perfect vacuum. Rather, the evacuation can serve to build up a specific negative pressure.

The terms "underpressure" and "overpressure" are initially to be understood relative to one another. However, the negative pressure P _low after the evacuation is preferably below atmospheric pressure (= normal pressure). The overpressure of the filling product under which the filling is carried out can correspond to atmospheric pressure, but is preferably higher.

In other words, a negative pressure can also be a pressure which is above atmospheric pressure. Evacuating the container to this pressure can therefore also correspond to an increase in the pressure relative to the environment, in which case an atmosphere is preferably provided in the container which then corresponds to a defined amount of carbon dioxide. The gas providing the negative pressure in the container is preferably mainly carbon dioxide.

Thus, before the filling product is introduced, the container is preferably _{evacuated to a negative pressure P low} with an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 0.05 bar, preferably 0.3 to 0.1 bar, particularly preferably about 0.1 bar. The overpressure is preferably above atmospheric pressure, for example at an absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar. The container is preferably evacuated in such a way that essentially no gas is displaced by the filling product when it is filled with the filling product and, accordingly, no gas has to flow out of the interior of the container. Rather, the entire mouth cross-section of the container can be used to introduce the filling product. In other words, during filling there is only one flow of filling product directed into the container, but no opposing flow of fluid.

The negative pressure in the container, which is preferably built up essentially by gaseous carbon dioxide, can, however, also be above atmospheric pressure, for example at an absolute pressure of 1.1 to 2 bar. The overpressure is then above the respective negative pressure and particularly preferably 1 to 5 bar above the respective negative pressure, that is to say, for example, at an absolute pressure of 2.2 to 7 bar. When the filling product lying at the overpressure is suddenly filled into the container lying at the negative pressure, the carbon dioxide in the filling product is extensively spontaneously bound, so that a gas flow directed out of the container does not occur, but the gas is absorbed in the filling product.

In this way, the container is filled suddenly and it is closed in a temporally and spatially integrated and therefore extremely hygienic manner.

The filling element preferably has an opening section, the filling being carried out in this case in such a way that the opening section for filling the container is brought into sealing fluid communication therewith in the treatment chamber, the treatment chamber is sealed off from the external environment and brought to an overpressure, and the mouth section is released from the container after the filling process has ended, whereby the overpressure of the treatment chamber acts on the filling product in the container. In this way, the container is filled suddenly, while at the same time foaming over after filling, in particular after removing the filling element from the container mouth, is prevented.

The verification of the cleaning and / or sterilization of the filling elements presented here is particularly suitable for fillers / closers, in particular for sudden filling, since the complex structure of the filling stations, including the filling element and the closer, makes conventional monitoring by means of a flow meter difficult. According to the pressure-based verification of the Treatment does not have to rely on a flow measurement of the treatment medium.

The pressure determination device is preferably set up to determine a pressure of the treatment medium present in the treatment chamber by determining a manipulated variable of the drive of the movable component, the drive preferably comprising an electric linear motor and the manipulated variable corresponding to a current strength and / or voltage supplied to the drive. Alternatively, the drive can comprise, for example, a pressure cylinder, preferably a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, the manipulated variable evaluated to determine the pressure in the treatment chamber corresponding to an actuating pressure supplied to the pressure cylinder.

In this way, the pressure present in the treatment chamber can be determined without a pressure sensor having to be provided in the treatment chamber, which would otherwise mean an additional built-in part that would have to be electrically supplied, read out and placed. The pressure sensor would still have to be hygienic so that it cannot contaminate the filling product. The drive is used here synergistically to determine the pressure in the treatment chamber. It can also be used that the manipulated variable is preferably proportional to a holding force of the drive for holding the component in a predetermined position. This is particularly the case when the component and its drive are in principle freely movable due to the pressure in the treatment chamber and the drive must accordingly apply a holding force to hold the position of the component. This holding force is expressed accordingly by the manipulated variable to be applied.

The movable component preferably comprises the filling element, which is particularly preferably set up for sealing application to the container sealed with the treatment chamber and for introducing the filling product into the container. Alternatively or additionally, the movable component comprises a closure member for applying a container closure to a filled container within the treatment chamber. In this way, the equipment of the filling device can be used synergistically to determine the pressure in the treatment chamber. Alternatively or additionally, any movable centering bell, comprising a container receiving opening in the treatment chamber for sealingly receiving the container, and / or a lifting device for lifting and / or pressing the container against a container receiving opening in the treatment chamber can also be used for this purpose.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a method for treating, preferably cleaning and / or sterilizing, a device for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant. The method comprises: treating components of the device that come into contact with the filling product, comprising a treatment of a filling element of at least one filling station for introducing the filling product into the container to be filled, by subjecting the same to a treatment medium; Detecting pressures of the treatment medium at one or more locations on the device during the treatment; and determining whether the device has been adequately treated from the sensed pressures.

The features, technical effects, advantages and exemplary embodiments that were described in relation to the device apply analogously to the method.

For the reasons mentioned above, pressures are preferably detected at at least two different points on the device during the treatment, in which case it is determined from a comparison of these whether the device has been adequately treated.

For the reasons mentioned above, a volume flow of the treatment medium is preferably provided for the treatment via a product tank, the filling element and a product line bringing this into fluid connection, in which case pressures of the treatment medium in the product tank and pressures of the treatment medium in the filling element and / or during the treatment are detected in a treatment chamber surrounding the filling member and it is determined from a comparison of the same whether the device has been adequately treated.

Preferably, if the pressure drop between the product vessel and the treatment chamber exceeds a threshold value, when the filling valve is open, it is concluded that the treatment effect is inadequate. The amount of the pressure drop can be used for the comparison.

For the reasons mentioned above, the filling station preferably has a treatment chamber for sealingly accommodating the container to be filled and a component which seals the treatment chamber and is movable relative to the treatment chamber by means of a drive, in which case pressures of the treatment medium in the treatment chamber are recorded during the treatment and taking this into account, it is determined whether the device has been adequately treated.

For the reasons mentioned above, a pressure present in the treatment chamber is preferably determined by determining a manipulated variable of the drive, the drive preferably being used comprises an electric linear motor and the manipulated variable corresponds to a current intensity and / or voltage supplied to the drive.

The movable component preferably comprises the filling element, particularly preferably for sealing application to the container sealed with the treatment chamber and for introducing the filling product into the container, and / or a closing element for applying a container closure to a filled container within the treatment chamber. Here, the closing element can be moved between a sealing position, i.e. a retracted position, and an advancing position. In the advancing position, the closing element protrudes into the treatment chamber. The feed position corresponds to the position in which the closure element applies the closure to the container during regular operation.

During the treatment, various states of the filling station influencing the pressures of the treatment medium are preferably run through, the pressure changes being used to determine whether the device has been adequately treated.

The states passed through by the filling station can include one or more of the following: a basic state in which a filling valve of the filling element is open, the closing element is in the sealing position and a return line for transporting the treatment medium out of the treatment chamber is open; a cap advance state in which the filling valve of the filling element is open, the closing element is in the sealing position and the return line is completely or partially closed by a CIP cap; a closer advancing state in which the fill valve is closed and the filling member is withdrawn and the closing member is in the advancing position; and a filler advancing state in which the filling valve is closed and the filling element is retracted into the treatment chamber and the closing element is in the sealing position.

The device preferably comprises a rotary carousel with several filling stations, the pressures being determined via different angular positions of the rotary carousel. In this way, states of the filling stations that occur during regular operation can be used for the treatment operation and used for verification via pressure changes.

The treatment medium preferably comprises water and / or alkali, for example sodium hydroxide solution, and / or acid, for example nitric acid and / or peracetic acid, and / or a disinfectant. Alcohols, such as ethanol, can also be used alone or in combination as a treatment medium.

Preferably, no volume flows are used to determine whether the device has been adequately treated. In particular, no flow measuring devices have to be installed for monitoring and / or verification of the treatment.

Further advantages and features of the present invention can be seen from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments. The features described therein can be implemented alone or in combination with one or more of the features set out above, provided the features do not contradict one another. The following description of preferred exemplary embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht von der Seite betrachtet, die einen Ausschnitt einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen und Verschließen von Behältern gemäß einer Ausführungsform zeigt;

Figur 2A

eine schematische Darstellung einer Füllvorrichtung gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel in einem Grundzustand vor/nach einer CIP-Behandlung;

Figur 2B

eine schematische Darstellung der Füllvorrichtung der Figur 2A in einem Kappenvorschubzustand während einer CIP-Behandlung;

Figur 2C

eine schematische Darstellung der Füllvorrichtung der Figur 2A in einem Verschließervorschubzustand während einer CIP-Behandlung; und

Figur 2D

eine schematische Darstellung der Füllvorrichtung der Figur 2A in einem Füllervorschubzustand während einer CIP-Behandlung.

Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Show:

Figure 1

a schematic cross-sectional view viewed from the side, showing a section of a device for filling and closing containers according to an embodiment;

Figure 2A

a schematic representation of a filling device according to a further embodiment in a basic state before / after a CIP treatment;

Figure 2B

a schematic representation of the filling device of Figure 2A in a cap advancing state during a CIP treatment;

Figure 2C

a schematic representation of the filling device of Figure 2A in a capper advancing condition during a CIP treatment; and

Figure 2D

a schematic representation of the filling device of Figure 2A in a filler advancing state during a CIP treatment.

Detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar or identically acting elements are provided with identical reference symbols in the different figures, and a repeated description of these elements is in some cases dispensed with in order to avoid redundancies.

A device for filling and closing containers, also referred to herein as a “filler / closer”, according to one embodiment is shown in detail in FIG Figure 1 shown. The device also falls under the terms “filling device” or “device for filling a container with a filling product”. The container to be filled and closed is not shown in the figures.

The filler / closer has a filling member 20, which is in the Figure 1 Process stage shown protrudes into a treatment chamber 10. The filling element 20 has, accommodated in a filling element housing 21: a filling product line 22; a filling valve 23 which is arranged at the lower, ie downstream end of the filling product line 22; a gas line 24; and a gas valve 25 disposed at the lower end of the gas line 24.

The container can be flushed and / or pretensioned with a gas, for example inert gas, nitrogen and / or carbon dioxide, via the gas line 24 and the gas valve 25. Furthermore, the interior of the container can be adjusted to a desired pressure, in particular evacuated. It should be noted that the gas line 24 can be a multi-channel construction, for example by means of a tube-in-tube construction, it can comprise several gas lines in order to supply one or more gases into the container and / or to discharge gas from the container physically separate if necessary.

The gas valve 25 comprises, for example, a gas valve cone and a gas valve seat, which are designed to regulate the gas flow. For this purpose, the gas valve cone can be switched via an actuator (not shown).

The filling product line 22 is preferably designed as a ring line which extends at least in sections essentially concentrically to the gas line 24. The filling valve 23 comprises, for example, a filling valve cone and a filling valve seat, which are designed to regulate the flow of the filling product, or to open or close it. The filling valve 23 is set up to enable the flow of filling product to be shut off completely. In the simplest case, the filling valve 23 has two positions, one open and one completely closed. For this purpose, the filling valve 23 can be switched via an actuator (not shown).

The actuation of the gas valve 25 and the filling valve 23 takes place via actuators which are not shown in detail. It should be pointed out that the gas valve 25 and filling valve 23 can be operatively connected to one another, so that, for example, an actuator can be set up for common use in order to simplify the construction of the filling element 20 and to increase the reliability.

At the outlet end of the media, the filling element 20 has an opening section 26 which is set up in such a way that the container opening can be brought against the opening section 26 in a sealing manner. For this purpose, the mouth section 26 preferably has a centering bell with a suitably shaped pressing rubber or a metallic pressing surface. The centering of the container and thus the container mouth can alternatively take place by means of a seal which receives the container mouth in the treatment chamber 10 in which the filling element 20 is also located. The container is centered by the seal resting on the outer surface of the container, preferably a shoulder area.

Optionally, the filling element 20 can have one or more metering valves 27, 28, which open into a metering chamber 22a, whereby a quick type change can be realized, essentially without a changeover time.

The metering valves 27, 28 are preferred versions or designs of metering feed lines. In other words: In certain embodiments in which the introduction and any dimensioning of the dosage component (s) into the dosage space 22a is implemented by means external to the filling element 20, the dosage valves 27, 28 can optionally be dispensed with, so that, for example, only corresponding Dosage lines or channels open into the dosing space 22a.

The metering space 22a can be a section or a suitably shaped part of the filling product line 22. Via the dosing valves 27, 28, to which corresponding dosing lines are connected, one or more dosing components, for example syrup, pulp, aromas, etc., can be added to a main component introduced into the dosing chamber 22a via the filling product line 22, for example water or beer.

If there are dosing valves 27, 28, these and their feed lines are preferably also flushed with treatment medium in the treatment operation described below.

The filling member 20 is set up to be at least partially movable, so that the in the Figure 1 The arm-like section of the filling element 20 shown can be moved into the treatment chamber 10 and either withdrawn therein or partially or even completely removed therefrom. This makes it possible to press the container mouth for the filling process against the mouth section 26 of the filling element 20 and then withdraw the filling element 20 after the filling process has ended so that the container can be closed in the treatment chamber 10.

In order to ensure the displaceability of the filling element 20 without the atmosphere of the treatment chamber 10 being exposed to uncontrolled external influences, there are corresponding Sealing means, such as inflatable seals, are provided for sealing. As an alternative or in addition, the treatment chamber pressure can be greater than the pressure of the external environment after completion of the filling process, as a result of which the penetration of contaminants into the treatment chamber 10 can be virtually ruled out. As an alternative or in addition, the treatment chamber 10 can be located in a clean room or form one.

The filler / closer also has a closing element 30 for closing the container. Since, in addition to the filling element 20, further components, such as the treatment chamber 10 and the closing element 30, can be provided spatially integrated as a structural unit on a rotary carousel (not shown in the figures), the filling station is implemented in this case by this structural unit.

The closing member 30 has a closing head 31 which protrudes into the treatment chamber 10 and, in the present exemplary embodiment, can be moved essentially vertically. Like the filling element 20, the closing element 30 is sealed off from the wall of the treatment chamber 10 in order to avoid contamination or uncontrolled impairment of the atmosphere in the interior of the treatment chamber 10 due to external influences.

The closure member 30 is designed and set up to receive and hold a closure V on the closure head 31. For this purpose, the closure head 31 can have a magnet, whereby a closure V, in particular if it is a metal crown cap, can be centered and placed on the container mouth to close the container in a structurally simple manner. Alternatively, the closure V can be grasped, held and applied to the container mouth by suitable gripping or clamping means, so that the concept presented here can also be used in particular for plastic closures, rotary closures, etc.

The closure head 31 is designed to be movable in the up / down direction, it being arranged essentially coaxially to the container mouth in order to be able to reliably apply the closure V to the container.

A closure V can be transferred to the closer head 31 in various ways. For example, per filling / closing cycle, a closure V can be introduced into the treatment chamber 10, for example from a sorting unit and a feed chute, in one step at the beginning of the cycle. For this purpose, the treatment chamber 10 can be part of the closure member 30 and execute a movement relative to the closure feed, such as the feed channel or a transfer arm, the closure head 31 picking and holding a closure V from the closure feed.

It should be noted that the container can also be closed at another point. In particular in the case of filling products containing carbon dioxide, however, the sealing preferably takes place immediately after filling and in the treatment chamber 10 under excess pressure, as explained below.

To fill the container, it is raised, for example, relative to the treatment chamber 10, for example by means of an in the Figure 1 Lifting device, not shown, which has a plate-shaped support that moves from below against the container and lifts it. Alternatively, the treatment chamber 10 can be lowered and moved onto the container mouth. In this case, the lifting device can be used to stabilize the container during filling and closing. Of course, a combination of both procedures, ie lowering of the treatment chamber 10 and lifting of the container by the lifting device, is also possible.

In this way, the container mouth is now introduced into the treatment chamber 10, and the treatment chamber 10 is sealed off from the external environment. The container mouth is pressed sealingly against the mouth section 26 of the filling element 20, which is extended into the filling position. The mouth section 26 of the filling member 20 thus marks the end position of the container stroke and / or the lowering of the treatment chamber 10.

The closer head 31 picks up the closure V and moves into the treatment chamber 10. The sealing of the treatment chamber 10 with respect to the surroundings and with respect to the container or its mouth area can be achieved by suitable means, such as inflatable seals. If the closing head 31 is in the retracted position and the treatment chamber 10 is sealed on the closing element 30, this state is also referred to herein as the “sealing position” of the closing element 30.

During the filling process, gas is preferably fed into the treatment chamber 10. The overall process can be optimized through such a parallel execution. During the filling process, the treatment chamber 10 is sealed on all sides, as a result of which a suitable internal pressure can be built up in the treatment chamber 10. In the case of carbon dioxide-containing filling products, this preferably corresponds to the filling pressure or saturation pressure of the carbon dioxide or is higher, which effectively prevents the filling product from foaming up or over-foaming after the filling process has ended.

The gas supply for the treatment chamber 10 can by means of a treatment chamber valve, in the Figure 1 not shown. As an alternative or in addition, the gas supply can be at least partially integrated in the filling element 20. For this purpose, the filling element 20 according to the embodiment of Figure 1 a treatment chamber gas line 29. The treatment chamber gas line 29, in particular its outlet into the treatment chamber 10, can be set up in such a way that the exiting gas jet hits the underside of the closure V when the filling element 20 is in the filling position. In this way, the closure V is cleaned at the same time during the filling process. Carbon dioxide is preferably used as the gas, but another medium, such as sterile air, can also be used.

If the container is now filled and the interior of the treatment chamber 10 is brought to the desired pressure, the filling element 20 is withdrawn and the closing head 31 continues its downward movement until the opening of the container is closed when it is reached.

1. i) Evakuieren des Behälters auf einen Unterdruck P_low;
2. ii) Einfüllen des Füllprodukts in den Behälter, vorzugsweise unter einem Überdruck;
3. iii) Erzeugen eines Überdrucks P_high in der Behandlungskammer 10 sowie gegebenenfalls im Kopfraum des Behälters, um beim Lösen des Füllorgans 20 von der Behältermündung ein Auf- und Überschäumen des Füllprodukts zu vermeiden;
4. iv) Aufbringen des Verschlusses V auf die Behältermündung und Verschließen des Behälters, ohne vorherige Entlastung auf Umgebungsdruck;
5. v) Entlüften der Behandlungskammer 10 und Ausbringen des Behälters zur weiteren Verarbeitung (bspw. Etikettierung, Verpackung usw.).

A preferred process for suddenly filling the container with a filling product and closing it with a closure V comprises:

1. i) evacuating the container to a negative pressure P _low ;
2. ii) filling the filling product into the container, preferably under an overpressure;
3. iii) generating an overpressure P _high in the treatment chamber 10 and optionally in the head space of the container in order to prevent the filling product from foaming up and over when the filling element 20 is released from the container mouth;
4. iv) applying the closure V to the container mouth and closing the container without prior release to ambient pressure;
5. v) venting of the treatment chamber 10 and removal of the container for further processing (e.g. labeling, packaging, etc.).

The terms "underpressure" and "overpressure" are initially to be understood relative to one another. However, the negative pressure P _low after the evacuation in step i) is preferably below atmospheric pressure (= normal pressure). _{The overpressure P high} generated in step iii) can correspond to atmospheric pressure, but is preferably higher.

In other words, a negative pressure can also be a pressure that is above atmospheric pressure. Evacuating the container to this pressure can therefore also correspond to an increase in the pressure relative to the environment, in which case such an atmosphere is then preferably provided in the container which then has a defined amount Corresponds to carbon dioxide. The gas providing the negative pressure in the container is preferably mainly carbon dioxide.

Thus, before the filling product is introduced, the container is preferably _{evacuated to a negative pressure P low} with an absolute pressure of 0.5 to 0.05 bar, preferably 0.3 to 0.1 bar, particularly preferably about 0.1 bar. The overpressure P _high is preferably above atmospheric pressure, for example at an absolute pressure of 1.1 bar to 6 bar. In this way, the container is evacuated in such a way that when it is filled with the filling product, essentially no gas is displaced by the filling product and, accordingly, no gas has to flow out of the interior of the container. Rather, the entire mouth cross-section of the container can be used to introduce the filling product. In other words, during filling there is only one flow of filling product directed into the container, but not an opposing fluid flow, whereby the filling can be accelerated further.

The negative pressure in the container, which is preferably built up essentially by gaseous carbon dioxide, can, however, also be above atmospheric pressure, for example at an absolute pressure of 1.1 to 2 bar. The overpressure is then above the respective negative pressure and particularly preferably 1 to 5 bar above the respective negative pressure, that is to say, for example, at an absolute pressure of 2.2 to 7 bar. When the filling product lying at the overpressure is suddenly filled into the container lying at the negative pressure, the carbon dioxide in the filling product is extensively spontaneously bound, so that a gas flow directed out of the container does not occur, but the gas is absorbed in the filling product.

A CIP treatment facility, in particular the validation of one, is described in detail below with reference to the Figures 2A to 2D which show a schematic representation of a filling device 1 in different states of the CIP treatment.

The filling device 1 is used to fill a container with a filling product in a filling product filling system, preferably a beverage filling system. The filling device 1 is preferably designed in a rotary design and has a rotatable rotary carousel which is usually equipped with several filling stations, each of which has a filler / closer, for example according to the embodiment of FIG Figure 1 exhibit.

The filling members 20 are each connected via the filling product line 22 to a product vessel 40, which in regular operation as a filling product reservoir and in the cleaning and / or sterilization operation, also referred to herein as "treatment operation", as a reservoir for treatment medium, for example in the form of a cleaning and / or or sterilization medium acts. As a treatment medium For example, water, alkalis, acids (such as, for example, sodium hydroxide solution, nitric acid, peracetic acid, etc.), disinfectants, alcohols or the like come into consideration.

A boiler pressure determination device 41 is installed on the product boiler 40 and is set up to determine the pressure in the product boiler 40. In the simplest case, the boiler pressure determination device 41 comprises a pressure sensor, but it can also be another device that is capable of directly or indirectly determining the pressure in the product boiler 40, for example by evaluating other physical variables, as described below with reference to the ones described below Treatment chamber pressure is set out.

A chamber pressure determination device 11, which is set up to determine the pressure in the treatment chamber 10, is installed on the treatment chamber 10. In the simplest case, the chamber pressure determination device 41 comprises a pressure sensor, but it can also be another device which is capable of directly or indirectly determining the pressure in the treatment chamber 10.

Thus, the chamber pressure determination device 11 can be set up and designed to determine the pressure present in the treatment chamber 10 by determining the manipulated variable of a drive 32 of the closure member 30, since the closure member 30 controls the treatment chamber 10 in addition to any CIP cap 42 that is attached to the container side Closing of the treatment chamber 10 or a return line 43 is set up, is sealed from above and can be moved back and forth between a sealing and closing position during the treatment, as set out above in relation to the process of closing a container. This functionality, which initially relates to regular operation, can now be used synergistically to determine the pressure in the treatment chamber 10.

In this case, the closing member 30 is viewed as a piston on which the pressure present in the treatment chamber 10 acts. The manipulated variable is thus proportional to a holding force of the drive 32 for holding the closing element 30 in a predetermined position. For this purpose, the drive 32 of the closing element 30 is controlled in such a way that the closing element 30 is held in a predetermined position. A pressure change in the treatment chamber 10 acts directly on an end face of the closure member 30. Therefore, based on the pressure change in the interior of the treatment chamber 10, there is a resulting force on the closure member 30. To prevent a change in position of the closure member 30, a corresponding holding force must be applied the drive 32 are provided.

If the drive 32 is implemented by an electric linear motor, the manipulated variable consequently corresponds to a current intensity and / or voltage supplied to the drive 32. The one to comply with the The change in the current intensity required for a given position is proportional to a change in pressure in the sealed treatment chamber 10.

To determine the pressure in the treatment chamber 10, the determined manipulated variable can be compared, for example, with values from a look-up table. Alternatively and / or additionally, the pressure can be determined from the result of a predetermined function as a function of the determined manipulated variable. Alternatively and / or additionally, another algorithm or artificial intelligence can also be used to determine the pressure in the treatment chamber 10.

In this way, the chamber pressure determination device 11 can determine the pressure in the treatment chamber 10 even without a pressure sensor. In other words, the displaceable filling element 30, its drive 32 and any electronic control device assume the function of a pressure sensor.

It should be pointed out, however, that the pressure in the treatment chamber 10 can alternatively or additionally also be measured by a pressure sensor in the treatment chamber 10, in the mouth area of the filling element 20 or at another suitable point.

The chamber pressure determination device 11 and the boiler pressure determination device 41 as well as any other sensors or electronic devices, such as the drive 32 or an ammeter connected to it, are communicatively connected to an evaluation device 44, which is an electronic device for monitoring and / or controlling the treatment process. The data transfer can be wireless or wired.

In the treatment operation, ie cleaning and / or sterilization operation, the treatment medium runs from the product vessel 40 via the filling product line 22 to the filling element 20. In the case of the filler / closer according to the embodiment of FIG Figure 1 If necessary, the gas line 24 and the treatment chamber 10 are also flushed through or treated with the treatment medium. The treatment medium is transported away via the return line 43, to which, for example, a negative pressure is applied. The removed treatment medium can be disposed of or prepared for complete or partial reuse.

To monitor or validate the treatment, pressures are determined and evaluated at different points in the filling device 1. The pressures in the product vessel 40 and in the treatment chamber 10, which can be measured or otherwise determined as set out above, are particularly preferably used here.

To verify the treatment, the pressure in the product vessel 40 can be compared with the pressure in the treatment chamber 10. Depending on the opening state of the inlet and outlet paths located on the filling element 20 and / or the treatment chamber 10, different pressure states can be recorded and evaluated. In the case of a rotary machine, these pressure states can be recorded and evaluated as a function of the angle, in that the rotary carousel rotates during the treatment and all or some inlet and outlet valves are repeatedly switched.

According to a preferred exemplary embodiment, the system sections of the filling device 1 to be treated are filled with treatment medium and flushed through, so that the treatment medium runs or flows in a treatment circuit. In particular, a volume flow of the treatment medium is provided via the product lines 22, the product boiler 40, the filling elements 20, any gas lines 23 and gas valves 24 and the return line 43. Those means which provide the treatment medium and circulate it in the filling device 1, for example a reservoir for treatment medium, lines, pump (s), valves and the like, together form a treatment device.

1. 1. Das Füllventil 23 des Füllorgans 20 ist geöffnet; das Verschließorgan 30 ist in die Abdichtposition gebracht; der Rückweg für das Behandlungsmedium über die Behandlungskammer 10 ist offen (=großer Querschnitt), d.h. die CIP-Kappe 42 verschließt die Behandlungskammer 10 bzw. die Rückleitung 43 nicht. Dieser Zustand, dargestellt in der Figur 2A, sei als "Grundzustand" bezeichnet. In diesem Fall liegt normalerweise nur ein geringer Druckabfall zwischen dem Druck im Produktkessel 40 und dem Druck in der Behandlungskammer 10 vor. Der Druckabfall wird von der Auswerteeinrichtung 44 anhand der von der Kesseldruckermittlungseinrichtung 41 und der Kammerdruckermittlungseinrichtung 11 ermittelten Drücke bestimmt.
2. 2. Das Füllventil 23 des Füllorgans 20 ist geöffnet; das Verschließorgan 30 ist in die Abdichtposition gebracht; der Rückweg für das Behandlungsmedium über die Behandlungskammer 10 ist geschlossen oder nur teilweise geöffnet (=kleiner Querschnitt), d.h. die CIP-Kappe 42 verschließt die Behandlungskammer 10 bzw. die Rückleitung 43 vollständig oder teilweise (beispielsweise indem die CIP-Kappe 42 eine kleine Öffnung aufweist). Dieser Zustand, gezeigt in der Figur 2B, sei als "Kappenvorschubzustand" bezeichnet. In diesem Fall ist der Druckabfall zwischen dem Druck im Produktkessel 40 und dem Druck in der Behandlungskammer 10 größer als im Grundzustand.
3. 3. Das Füllventil 23 des Füllorgans 20 ist geschlossen und das Füllorgan 20 ist zurückgezogen; das Verschließorgan 30 fährt in die Behandlungskammer 10, wodurch der Druck in der Behandlungskammer 10 steigt. Dieser Zustand, gezeigt in der Figur 2C, sei als "Verschließervorschubzustand" bezeichnet. Bei vollständig geöffneter Rückleitung 43 (=großer Querschnitt), d.h. die CIP-Kappe 42 verschließt die Behandlungskammer 10 bzw. die Rückleitung 43 nicht, baut sich der Druck in der Behandlungskammer 10 schnell ab. Bei vollständig oder teilweise geschlossener Rückleitung 43 (=kleiner Querschnitt), d.h. die CIP-Kappe 42 verschließt die Behandlungskammer 10 bzw. die Rückleitung 43 vollständig oder teilweise, baut sich der Druck in der Behandlungskammer 10 langsam ab. Die Bezeichnungen "schnell" und "langsam" sind hier relativ zueinander zu verstehen.
4. 4. Das Füllventil 23 ist geschlossen und das Füllorgan 20 fährt in die Behandlungskammer 10, wodurch der Druck in der Behandlungskammer 10 steigt; das Verschließorgan 30 ist in die Abdichtposition gebracht. Dieser Zustand, gezeigt in der Figur 2D, sei als "Füllervorschubzustand" bezeichnet. Bei vollständig geöffneter Rückleitung 43 (=großer Querschnitt), d.h. die CIP-Kappe 42 verschließt die Behandlungskammer 10 bzw. die Rückleitung 43 nicht, baut sich der Druck in der Behandlungskammer 10 schnell ab. Bei vollständig oder teilweise geschlossener Rückleitung 43 (=kleiner Querschnitt), d.h. die CIP-Kappe 42 verschließt die Behandlungskammer 10 bzw. die Rückleitung 43 vollständig oder teilweise, baut sich der Druck in der Behandlungskammer 10 langsam ab. Die Bezeichnungen "schneller" und "langsamer" sind hier relativ zueinander zu verstehen.

On this basis, a treatment sequence can be carried out for each filling station using one or more of the following scenarios:

1. 1. The filling valve 23 of the filling element 20 is open; the closure member 30 is brought into the sealing position; the return path for the treatment medium via the treatment chamber 10 is open (= large cross section), ie the CIP cap 42 does not close the treatment chamber 10 or the return line 43. This state, shown in the Figure 2A , is referred to as the "basic state". In this case there is normally only a slight pressure drop between the pressure in the product vessel 40 and the pressure in the treatment chamber 10. The pressure drop is determined by the evaluation device 44 on the basis of the pressures determined by the boiler pressure determination device 41 and the chamber pressure determination device 11.
2. 2. The filling valve 23 of the filling element 20 is open; the closure member 30 is brought into the sealing position; the return path for the treatment medium via the treatment chamber 10 is closed or only partially open (= small cross section), that is, the CIP cap 42 completely or partially closes the treatment chamber 10 or the return line 43 (for example by the CIP cap 42 having a small opening having). This state, shown in the Figure 2B , let as "cap feed state" designated. In this case, the pressure drop between the pressure in the product vessel 40 and the pressure in the treatment chamber 10 is greater than in the basic state.
3. 3. The filling valve 23 of the filling element 20 is closed and the filling element 20 is withdrawn; the closure member 30 moves into the treatment chamber 10, whereby the pressure in the treatment chamber 10 increases. This state, shown in the Figure 2C , is referred to as the "capper advance state". When the return line 43 is completely open (= large cross section), ie the CIP cap 42 does not close the treatment chamber 10 or the return line 43, the pressure in the treatment chamber 10 is rapidly reduced. When the return line 43 is completely or partially closed (= small cross section), ie the CIP cap 42 closes the treatment chamber 10 or the return line 43 completely or partially, the pressure in the treatment chamber 10 slowly decreases. The terms "fast" and "slow" are to be understood here relative to one another.
4. 4. The filling valve 23 is closed and the filling element 20 moves into the treatment chamber 10, whereby the pressure in the treatment chamber 10 rises; the closure member 30 is brought into the sealing position. This state, shown in the Figure 2D , shall be referred to as "filler advance state". When the return line 43 is completely open (= large cross section), ie the CIP cap 42 does not close the treatment chamber 10 or the return line 43, the pressure in the treatment chamber 10 is rapidly reduced. When the return line 43 is completely or partially closed (= small cross section), ie the CIP cap 42 closes the treatment chamber 10 or the return line 43 completely or partially, the pressure in the treatment chamber 10 slowly decreases. The terms "faster" and "slower" are to be understood here relative to one another.

Some or all of the states that are set out above under points 1 to 4 can be approached, whereby a certain pressure behavior in comparison between the product tank pressure and the treatment chamber pressure (or equivalent: evaluation via the change in the current consumption of the closing element 30) by the evaluation device 44 can be recorded and evaluated.

In the case of a rotary machine, the pressure determination and evaluation can take place at the time of the pressure change over the various angles of the carousel.

1. i) Bei einem zu hohen Druckabfall zwischen dem Produktkessel 40 und der Behandlungskammer 10 bei geöffnetem Füllventil 23 kann auf einen zu geringen oder keinen Durchfluss und somit auf eine unzureichende Behandlungswirkung rückgeschlossen werden. Diese Beobachtung wiederum kann zur Früherkennung eines möglichen späteren Ausfalls genutzt werden.
2. ii) Bei einem zu hohen Druckaufbau in der Behandlungskammer 10 bei geschlossenem Zulauf über das Füllventil 23 und beim Verfahren des Verschließorgans 30 in die Behandlungskammer 10 (analog beim Einfahren einer anderen Komponente in die Behandlungskammer 10) kann auf einen unzureichenden Durchfluss durch Verblockung der Rückleitung 43 und somit auf eine unzureichende Behandlungswirkung rückgeschlossen werden.

The changes in pressure can be used as a measure to verify the success of the treatment. The following error scenarios arise in particular:

1. i) If the pressure drop between the product vessel 40 and the treatment chamber 10 is too high when the filling valve 23 is open, conclusions can be drawn that there is too little or no flow and thus an inadequate treatment effect. This observation, in turn, can be used for the early detection of a possible later failure.
2. ii) If the pressure build-up in the treatment chamber 10 is too high with the inlet closed via the filling valve 23 and when the closure member 30 is moved into the treatment chamber 10 (analogously when another component is moved into the treatment chamber 10), there may be insufficient flow due to the blocking of the return line 43 and thus conclusions can be drawn about an inadequate treatment effect.

To determine a reference, a threshold value, a characteristic curve or the like for comparison with the determined pressure states during the treatment, previously recorded pressure / current values with a functioning system (for example, depending on the opening cross-section and different for vacuum and CO ₂ paths) can be used by the Evaluation device 44 can be used.

By evaluating pressure states in the filling device 1 during the cleaning and / or sterilization operation, the success of the treatment can also be verified without the use of flow meters. This is possible in a particularly efficient manner in terms of mechanical engineering if the pressures in the product vessel 40 and in the treatment chambers 10 of the filling stations are used for this purpose. No additional measuring equipment is necessary. The pressure can be determined directly via pressure sensors or pressure sensors or indirectly through synergetic use of the equipment in the filling device 1, for example by evaluating the power consumption of the drive 32 of the closing element 30.

As far as applicable, all of the individual features shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and / or exchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference list

1

Device for filling a container with a filling product

10

Treatment chamber

11

Chamber pressure determination device

20th

Filling organ

21

Filling organ housing

22nd

Filling product line

22a

Dosing room

23

Filling valve

24

Gas pipe

25th

Gas valve

26th

Mouth section

27

Dosing valve

28

Dosing valve

29

Treatment chamber gas line

30th

Closing element

31

Capping head

32

drive

40

Product boiler

41

Boiler pressure determination device

42

CIP cap

43

Return line

44

Evaluation device

V.

Clasp

Claims (15)

Device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, the device (1) having: at least one filling station with a filling element (20) for introducing the filling product into the container to be filled; a treatment device for treating, preferably cleaning and / or sterilizing, components of the device (1) coming into contact with the filling product, comprising components of the filling element (20), by means of a treatment medium; at least one pressure determination device (11, 41) for detecting pressures of the treatment medium at one or more points of the device (1); and an evaluation device (44) which is set up to receive the pressures detected by the pressure determination device (11, 41) during the treatment of the device (1) and to determine therefrom whether the device (1) has been adequately treated. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two pressure determination devices (11, 41) for detecting pressures of the treatment medium are provided at at least two different points of the device (1) and the evaluation device (44) is set up to measure during the Treatment of the device (1) to receive the pressures detected by the pressure determination devices (11, 41) and to determine from a comparison thereof whether the device (1) has been adequately treated. Device (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a product vessel (40) in fluid connection with the filling element (20), the at least one pressure determination device (11, 41) for detecting pressures of the treatment medium in the product vessel (40) ) and / or is set up in the filling element (20). Device (1) according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that one of the pressure determination devices (41) for detecting pressures of the treatment medium in the product vessel (40) and another of the pressure determination devices (11) for detecting pressures of the treatment medium in the filling element (20) is set up. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling station has a treatment chamber (10) for sealingly receiving the container to be filled and the at least one pressure determination device (11) is set up to detect pressures of the treatment medium in the treatment chamber (10) is. Apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the filling station has a component which seals the treatment chamber (10) and is movable relative to the treatment chamber (10) by means of a drive (32), the pressure determination device (11) being set up to provide an in to determine the pressure present in the treatment chamber (10) by determining a manipulated variable of the drive (32), the drive (32) preferably comprising an electric linear motor and the manipulated variable corresponding to a current strength and / or voltage supplied to the drive (32), the movable Component preferably the filling element (20) for sealing application to the container sealed with the treatment chamber (10) and for introducing the filling product into the container and / or a closing element (30) for applying a container closure (V) to a filled container within the treatment chamber (10) includes. A method for treating, preferably cleaning and / or sterilizing, a device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, the method comprising: Treating components of the device (1) that come into contact with the filling product, comprising components of a filling element (20) of at least one filling station for introducing the filling product into the container to be filled, by subjecting the same to a treatment medium; Detecting pressures of the treatment medium at one or more locations on the device (1) during the treatment; and Determining whether the device (1) has been adequately treated from the recorded pressures. Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that pressures are recorded at at least two different points on the device (1) during the treatment and it is determined from a comparison of these whether the device (1) has been adequately treated. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that a volume flow of the treatment medium is provided for the treatment via a product vessel (40), the filling element (20) and a product line (22) bringing this into fluid connection, with the treatment medium being pressurized in the product vessel during the treatment (40) and pressures of the treatment medium in the filling element (20) are detected and a comparison of these determines whether the device (1) has been adequately treated, preferably with a pressure drop between the product vessel (40) and the filling element exceeding a threshold value (20) it is concluded that the treatment effect is inadequate. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the filling station has a treatment chamber (10) for receiving the container to be filled in a sealed manner and pressures of the treatment medium in the treatment chamber (10) are recorded during the treatment and are determined taking them into account, whether the device (1) has been sufficiently treated. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the filling station has a component which seals the treatment chamber (10) and is movable relative to the treatment chamber (10) by means of a drive (32), a pressure present in the treatment chamber (10) being determined by determining a manipulated variable of the Drive (32) is determined, wherein the drive (32) preferably comprises an electric linear motor and the manipulated variable corresponds to a current strength and / or voltage fed to the drive (32), the movable component preferably the filling element (20) for sealing application to the with the treatment chamber (10) sealed container and for introducing the filling product into the container and / or a closure member (30) for applying a container closure (V) to a filled container within the treatment chamber (10), the closure member (30) between a sealing position and a feed position can be moved. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that during the treatment various states of the filling station influencing the pressures of the treatment medium are run through and the pressure changes are used to determine whether the device (1) has been adequately treated. Method according to Claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the states of the filling station passed through comprise one or more of the following: a basic state in which a filling valve (23) of the filling element (20) is open, the closing element (30) is in the sealing position and a return line (43) for transporting the treatment medium out of the treatment chamber (10) is open; a cap advance state in which the filling valve (23) of the filling element (20) is open, the closing element (30) is in the sealing position and the return line (43) is completely or partially closed by a CIP cap (42); a closer advancing state in which the filling valve (23) is closed and the filling member (20) is withdrawn and the closing member (30) is in the advancing position; and a filler advance state in which the filling valve (23) is closed and the filling element (20) has moved into the treatment chamber and the closing element (30) is in the sealing position. Method according to one of Claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a rotary carousel with several filling stations and the pressures are determined via different angular positions of the rotary carousel. Method according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the treatment medium comprises water and / or alkali, preferably sodium hydroxide solution, and / or acid, preferably nitric acid and / or peracetic acid, and / or a disinfectant, preferably alcohol, and / or
to determine whether the device (1) has been adequately treated, no volume flows are determined and used, the device (1) preferably not having any flow measuring devices.

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