To meet the increasing demand for fast and effective filling of CO2-KHS has made improvements to its Innofill PET DRV modular filler for filling beverages containing carbonated beverages and non-carbonated beverages in PET bottles. Even under extreme conditions, beverages are filled to a reliably high quality.
The Innofill PET DRV is now available with three new features, mostly with a stretch blow molder in a duoblock - or additionally with a labeller as a TriBlock. This means that the filler meets the growing requirements of the beverage industry, especially for CO2and non-carbonated beverages: Firstly, bottlers of non-carbonated beverages benefit from higher capacities for large-volume containers, without having to forego full flexibility. Secondly, it defines KHS The company has relaunched its own high-speed concept with an output of up to 90,000 PET bottles per hour. And thirdly, the use of a Bottle base full-jet cooling for even more reliable quality.
With the new Innofill PET DRV HC (High Capacity) filler option, KHS offers precisely additional flexibility when filling large-volume containers from 1.5 litres upwards. Thanks to two technical optimisations, the Machine output increased by up to 15 per cent for these container sizes be realised: Firstly, the product vessel was raised to increase the static height between the tubular ring bowl and the filling valve. This results in a higher pouring speed. In order to still be able to offer unlimited flexibility, the pneumatic changeover valve between the tank and filling valve was also equipped with three switching stages instead of the previous two.
Beverage producers can choose between three different filling speeds and can fill both small and large container formats in optimum quality and time. The CO2-Consumption is not affected by the different filling speedsWhile the consumption for a 300-millilitre bottle is still 150 grams per hectolitre, it decreases continuously with increasing volume and approaches zero for a 1.0-litre bottle. For larger containers, no CO2 more needed.
„The reason for this exceptionally low consumption is that we have dispensed with the nozzle technology in the filling valve, which we used in the past to control the filling speed in the bottle. With our new modular platform, this takes place instead on the product path between the tubular ring bowl and the filling valve, so that there is no more gas loss.“
Manfred Härtel, Product Manager Filling at KHS
„By filling up to 90,000 containers per hour for carbonated soft drinks, we have responded to the growing demands of our customers,“ explains Härtel. „At these high speeds, the art lies above all in keeping the Transport beverage containers as safely and gently as possible, so that damage is avoided and the contents do not spill out.“
The newly developed bottle base cooling system is part of the energy-efficient and particularly compact block solution. „When filling carbonated soft drinks or mineral water, the PET bottles must be able to withstand the required filling pressure,“ explains Härtel.
„In order to provide the necessary stability, the container coming out of the stretch blow-moulding machine at a temperature of around 80 degrees Celsius must be cooled as quickly as possible so that it solidifies completely. This is particularly necessary at the complex moulded bottle base, where the injection point is located. Particularly in tropical regions with sometimes very high hall temperatures, the previous method of convection cooling with an air-water mixture reaches its limits. In the worst-case scenario, damage to the still soft floor material with negative consequences for stability or impermeability cannot be completely ruled out.“
To avoid this risk in the first place, KHS relies on effective and gentle full-jet bottle base cooling, which gives the containers sufficient stability before they are pressurised. Thanks to a filtered cooling water circulation system, the Use of water regulated and thus reduced. In addition to its excellent cooling properties, the process impresses with improved hygiene and the saving of two stars. „This reliable technology is now the new standard for the Innofill PET DRV filler,“ Härtel emphasises in conclusion.
Source:KHS
