DE102009037780A1 - Filling element for controlled filling of e.g. bottle with juice of orange, has delivery opening provided at lower side of element, where components are controlled independent of each other and associated to product valves - Google Patents

Abstract

The element (1) has a delivery opening (4) provided at a lower side of the element. Components (K1, K2) i.e. fluid components such as juice, are controllably inserted into a package (2) e.g. bottle, via the opening. A ring or ring segment like chamber (8) partially surrounds a filling element axis (FA) and/or an axis of the opening. The chamber is connected with a product channel (6) for supplying one of the components. The components are controlled independent of each other and are associated to product valves (11, 15). Another chamber is connected with another product channel (7).

Description

The invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling system or a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 12.

In the beverage industry, but also in other areas, it is often necessary to introduce two different components in packaging, with z. B. when bottling fruit juices, z. As orange juice, a first component of the liquid product or juice and the second component of the product or juice is formed with a high proportion of pulp and / or fibers.

The object of the invention is to show a filling element, which allows for a simplified constructive training an optimal introduction of at least two different components in packaging. To solve this problem, a filling element according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A filling system or a filling machine are the subject matter of patent claim 12.

The filling element according to the invention is basically designed so that at least one individually controllable product valve is provided for each component, so that the components can be introduced in any proportions in the packaging and in particular also in any temporal order. A mixing of the components in the filling element or in chambers or channels formed there is avoided, in particular it is also avoided that components within the filling element reach into product channels or chambers which are not intended for them and as a result a mixing of the components within the filling element occurs. As a result, in particular disturbances of the product valves are effectively prevented.

Preferably, the filling element according to the invention is designed so that with him a filling of the packaging in the free beam is possible, d. H. in such a way that the respective packaging material is arranged below the filling element and spaced therefrom.

In a preferred embodiment, a product valve, for example the second component product valve having a higher viscosity and / or containing solid components in the liquid phase, is centrally located with respect to a filler axis and / or with respect to the axis of a dispensing opening shared for the delivery of all components. For a further component, for example for a first component, a chamber is provided which surrounds the Füllelementachse or the axis of the discharge opening annular or ring segment-like and controlled by this component is introduced by the associated product valve in the provided on the filling element packaging.

Packing means in the context of the invention are in particular bottles or bottle-like containers, but also bag packaging, tubes, packaging material produced from flat material, etc.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

1 in a schematic representation and in section a filling element according to the invention for the controlled introduction of two components of a filling material in packaging in the form of bottles or similar containers, in the closed state;

2 in the positions a-d, the filling element of 1 in different operating states;

3 in a schematic representation and in section a further embodiment of the filling element according to the invention, in the closed state;

4 in the positions a-d, the filling element of 3 in different operating states.

That in the 1 and 2 generally with 1 designated filling element, which is part of a filling system or a filling machine, such as a filling machine of rotating design with a variety of similar filling elements is used to fill bottles 2 with two components K1 and K2 of a product. The component K1 is, for example, a liquid component, for. As juice and the component K2 is a component which has a higher viscosity compared to the component K1 and / or contains solid components in a liquid or viscous phase, for example juice in mixture with pulp or fibers.

In the illustrated embodiment, the filling element 1 for a free jet filling of the bottles 2 formed with the two components K1 and K2, ie for a filling in which the respective bottle 2 essentially with its vertical bottle axis Is arranged coaxially with a Füllelementachse FA, with their mouth forming the bottle opening 2.1 but at an axial distance from the filling element 1 or from one at the bottom of the Füllelementgehäuses 3 formed discharge opening 4 , The filling element 1 is further designed so that both components K1 and K2 each in a free stream (arrows 5 ) with respect to the axis FA exclusively axial flow direction of the under the filling element 1 arranged bottle 2 flow into it and in particular also in each bottle 2 introduced amount of the components K1 and K2 individually controllable and the temporal order when introducing the components K1 and K2 is arbitrary selectable and also no or substantially no mixing of the two components K1 and K2 within the filling element 1 he follows. In particular, the filling element 1 designed such that a penetration of a component K1 or K2 intended for the other component K2 or K1 and in the housing 3 trained channels and chambers is effectively prevented.

In detail, the filling element 1 on the housing 3 two product channels 6 and 7 on, which are offset radially relative to the axis FA and at least in their upper sections 6.1 and 7.1 each parallel to this axis. The product channel 6 serves to supply the component K1 and the product channel 7 for feeding the component K2. In the area of their lower sections 6.2 respectively. 7.2 the product channels run 6 and 7 each obliquely toward the axis FA, in such a way that the axes of these sections with the axis FA include an angle smaller than 90 °, which is to that of the discharge opening 4 facing away from the top of the filling element 1 opens. With the section 6.2 the product channel opens 6 in a FA enclosing the axis FA, for example concentrically enclosing in the housing 3 trained annular channel 8th , This is about a the axis FA enclosing, the axis FA, for example concentrically enclosing ring opening 9 with gas lock with a likewise in the housing 3 trained and the discharge opening 4 having delivery chamber 10 ,

At the transition between the two sections 6.1 and 6.2 is in a local extension of the product channel 6 or chamber 6.3 a liquid or product valve 11 provided, which essentially consists of a valve lifter 12 and one within the product channel 6 formed, with the valve lifter 12 interacting valve surface 13 exists against which the valve tappet 12 in the closed state of the product valve 11 is applied. By an actuator 14 , which is for example a pneumatic or electric actuator, may be the valve lifter 12 for controlled opening and closing of the product valve 11 be moved axially by a given stroke.

The section 7.2 opens into a centric with respect to the axis FA trained extension of the product channel 7 or chamber 7.3 in which another fluid or product valve 15 is provided, again in essence consisting of a valve stem 16 in the closed state of the product valve 15 against a valve surface annularly surrounding the axis FA 17 is present, which on the inner surface of the chamber 7.3 in the area of this chamber with the chamber 10 connecting opening 18 is trained. The opening 18 is from the ring opening 9 enclosed.

To open and close the product valve 15 is an actuator 19 , For example, a pneumatic or electrical actuator 19 provided with the valve stem for opening and closing the product valve 15 axially movable by a predetermined stroke. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve stem is 16 arranged with its axis coaxial with the axis FA.

With the filling element 1 are the two components K1 and K2 offset in time and independently in any amount, ie in any ratio and in any order and without mixing in the filling element in the bottle 2 einbringbar, in the free beam 5 with a substantially axial, parallel to the axis FA in the flow direction.

Position a) of 2 shows the filling element 1 again in a condition in which both product valves 11 and 15 are closed. In position b) is the product valve 11 opened so that the component K1 via the product channel 6 , the ring chamber 8th , the ring opening 9 , the delivery room 10 and the discharge opening 4 the under the filling element 1 positioned bottle 2 flows in the free jet. Is the required amount of component K1 in the bottle 2 introduced, the product valve 11 closed again. The annular chamber 8th remains filled with the component K1, since with closed product valve 11 a flow of the component K1 from the annular chamber 8th or emptying of this annular chamber are prevented by the gas barrier. For introducing the component K2 into the under the filling element 1 arranged bottle 2 becomes the product valve 15 opened (position c), so then the component K2 via the product channel 7 , the opening 18 , the chamber 10 and the discharge opening 4 the bottle 2 in the open beam 5 can flow. Because the annular chamber 8th is completely filled with the component K1, is an intrusion of the component K2 in the annular chamber 8th and thus a mixing of the components K1 and K2 within the filling element or effectively prevented within formed there chambers or channels.

After introducing the required amount of component K2 into the bottle 2 becomes the product valve 15 closed again. Following this, for example, for the final filling or correction filling of the bottle 2 the product valve 11 again briefly opened (position d), and indeed for the delivery of the component K1, wherein with the component K1, inter alia, the chamber 10 is rinsed, ie possibly in the chamber 10 remaining residues of the component K2 removed and with the component K1 in the under the filler 1 arranged bottle 2 be introduced. After closing the product valve again 11 can now filled with two components K1 and K2 bottle 2 from the filling element 1 or of this filling element 1 be removed with the filling position.

The 3 shows as a further embodiment, a filling element 1a , which also for filling containers or bottles 2 formed with two different components K1 and K2, wherein the component K1, for example, again a liquid component and the component K2 is a component which has a higher viscosity compared to the component K1 and / or contains solid constituents in a liquid or viscous phase.

The filling element 1a consists essentially of a housing 20 on which two product channels 21 and 22 are formed, namely the product channel 21 for the component K1 and the product channel 22 for the component K2. Both product channels extend obliquely from outside to the filling element axis FA in such a way that the axes of these product channels with the axis FA each enclose an angle smaller than 90 °, which is to that of the discharge opening 23 of the filling element 1a facing away filler top opens.

The filling element 1a is on its underside with a cup-like housing base 24 formed, which is centered and coaxial with the axis FA of the discharge opening 23 and via a linkage or lifting rods 25 with an actuating device 26 connected to the housing lower part 24 in the direction of the axis FA by a predetermined stroke in the vertical direction, ie up and down in the direction of the axis FA is movable. In each stroke position of the housing base 24 this is with a border area 24.1 in which in the illustrated embodiment, the lifting rods 25 attack, sealed with the housing 20 connected so that within the housing part 24 an axis enclosing FA FA, the axis FA, for example, concentrically enclosing annular chamber 27 is formed, the outboard by an annular wall portion or wall portion 20.1 of the housing 20 or through the inner surface of the annular edge region 24.1 down through one the discharge opening 23 having ground 24.2 of the housing base 24 and up through the case 20 is limited. In the ring chamber 27 the product channel opens 21 ,

In the upper stroke position of the lower housing part 24 is the ring chamber 27 inside by a conical-shaped wall section 20.2 of the housing 20 limited, the rotationally symmetrical to the axis FA or to the axis of the discharge opening 23 is formed, with a to the bottom of the filling element 1a or to the delivery opening 23 towards tapered outer and inner cross-section. When located in the upper stroke position housing lower part 24 this lies with one on the inside of the soil 24.2 in the area of the discharge opening 23 formed valve surface 28 against the outer surface of the conical wall portion 20.2 on, so no connection between the annular chamber 27 and the delivery port 23 consists.

By lowering the lower housing part 24 becomes the connection between the annular chamber 27 and the delivery port 23 via an annular gap between the valve surface 28 and the outer surface of the conical wall portion 20.2 manufactured, ie the lower housing part 24 forms in cooperation with the valve surface 28 a product valve 29 via which a controlled release of the via the product line 21 the annular chamber 27 supplied component K1 in the below the filling element 1a arranged bottle 2 takes place, again in the free jet with a relative to the axis FA exclusively or substantially exclusively axial flow direction.

The product channel 22 flows into one in the housing 20 trained chamber 30 , which in their lower area through the conical-shaped wall section 20.2 is limited and there is an opening 31 having for the controlled release of the component K2 in the under the filler 1a standing by bottle 2 to the discharge opening 23 can be opened and closed controlled, with a centrally arranged product valve 32 , The latter consists essentially of a valve tappet 33 , with a valve surface annularly surrounding the axis FA in the region of the opening 31 interacts and to open and close the product valve 32 is movable by an actuator in the direction of the axis FA by a predetermined stroke.

With the filling element 1 can the components K1 and K2 by appropriate control of the actuators 26 and 34 in any ratio and in any order in the under the filler 1a arranged bottle 2 are introduced, in turn, in such a way that a mixing of the components K1 and K2 within the filling element 1a or within designated channels or chambers does not occur.

The 4 shows in position a) again the filling element 1a in a condition where both product valves 29 and 32 are closed. For introducing the component K1 is using the actuator 26 the lower housing part 24 lowered and thereby the product valve 29 open so that the over the product channel 21 supplied component K1 via the annular chamber 27 and the discharge opening 23 the bottle 2 can flow (position b). Is the component K1 with the required amount in the bottle 2 introduced, the product valve 29 by lifting the lower housing part 24 closed again. For introducing the component K2 then the product valve 32 with the help of the actuator 34 open so that the over the product channel 22 supplied component K2 from the chamber 30 over the opening 31 and the discharge opening 23 the bottle 2 can flow into (position c). After introducing the required amount of component K2, the product valve 32 closed again. This is followed, for example, by reopening the product valve 29 a correction filling of the respective bottle 2 with the component K1 and a rinsing eventual in the region of the discharge opening 23 remaining residues of component K2 (position d).

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1a

filler

2

bottle

2.1

bottle mouth

3

Housing of the filling element 1

4

discharge opening

5

Current of the filling material flowing into the bottle

6, 7

product channel

6.1, 6.2

Section of the product channel 6

6.3

Extension or chamber in the product channel 6

7.1, 7.2

Section of the product channel 7

7.3

Extension or chamber in the product channel 7

8th

annular chamber

9

Ring opening with gas lock

10

delivery chamber

11

Liquid or product valve

12

tappet

13

valve surface

14

Actuation device for valve tappets 12

15

product valve

16

tappet

17

valve surface

18

opening

19

Actuator for the valve lifter

20

casing

20.1

annular wall section on the housing 20

20.2

conical-ring-shaped wall section on the housing 20

21, 22

product channel

23

discharge opening

24

Housing bottom

24.1

annular edge of the housing base

24.2

Bottom section of the housing base 24

25

lifting rod

26

actuator

27

annular chamber

28

valve surface

29

Liquid or product valve

30

chamber

31

opening

32

Liquid or product valve

33

tappet

34

actuator

FA

filling element

Claims (12)

Filling element for the controlled filling of packaging materials ( 2 ) with at least two different components (K1, K2) of a product, characterized in that the filling element ( 1 . 1a ) with at least two product valves ( 11 . 15 ; 29 . 32 ) is formed, each of which at least one of each component (K1, K2) is assigned and which are independently controllable such that the components (K1, K2) in any quantitative ratio and / or in any temporal order and without mixing in the filling element in the respective packaging ( 2 ) are introduced. Filling element according to claim 1, characterized in that on an underside of the filling element ( 1 . 1a ) a discharge opening common to the at least two components (K1, K2) ( 4 . 23 ) is provided, via which these components (K1, K2) controlled in the respective packaging ( 2 ) are introduced. Filling element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is for introducing the Components (K1, K2) into the packing means arranged at a distance below the filling element ( 2 ) is trained. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the filling element ( 1 . 1a ) for a first component (K1) one a Füllelementachse (FA) and / or an axis of the discharge opening ( 4 . 23 ) at least partially enclosing ring or ring segment-like chamber ( 8th . 27 ) provided with a first product channel ( 6 ) is connected to supply the first component (K1), and that in the filling element ( 1 . 1a ) a second chamber ( 7.3 . 30 ) formed with a second product channel ( 7 . 22 ) is connected for supplying the second component (K2) and which is preferably provided centrally with respect to the Füllelementachse (FA). Filling element according to claim 4, characterized in that in a connection between the chamber ( 7.3 . 30 ) for the second component (K2) and the discharge opening ( 4 . 23 ) the product valve controlling the delivery of the second component (K2) ( 15 . 32 ) is provided, which is preferably of the ring or ring-segment-like chamber ( 8th . 27 ) and / or with respect to the axis of the discharge opening and / or the Füllelementachse (FA) opposite the discharge opening ( 4 . 23 ) is axially offset. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first product channel ( 6 ) the product valve controlling the delivery of the first component (K1) ( 11 ) is provided. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular or ring-segment-like chamber ( 8th ) via at least one preferably provided with a gas barrier and / or running as an annular opening opening ( 9 ) into a discharge opening ( 4 ) having delivery chamber ( 10 ) opens. Filling element according to claim 7, characterized in that the second component (K2) leading chamber ( 7.3 ) via the product valve assigned to this component ( 15 ) with the delivery chamber ( 10 ). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first component (K1) associated product valve ( 29 ) of a the discharge opening ( 23 ) housing part ( 24 ), which is used to open and close the between the annular chamber ( 27 ) and the discharge opening ( 23 ), the first component (K1) associated product valve ( 29 ) relative to a housing ( 20 ) of the filling element ( 1a ) is movable, preferably axially with respect to the Füllelementachse (FA). Filling element according to claim 9, characterized in that the first component (K1) associated product valve ( 29 ) from a valve surface ( 28 ) on one side of the housing part ( 24 ) and one with this valve surface ( 28 ) cooperating surface of the housing ( 20 ), preferably on a conical-annular wall section ( 20.2 ) of the housing ( 20 ) is formed. Filling element according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that one with the valve surface ( 28 ) of the first product valve ( 29 ) cooperating wall portion of the housing ( 20 ), the valve surface of the second component (K2) associated product valve ( 32 ). Filling system or filling machine for introducing at least two components (K1, K2) into packaging ( 2 ), with a plurality of filling elements ( 1 . 1a ), characterized in that the filling elements are designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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