CN109789932B

CN109789932B - Filling device for a packaging machine for filling bulk material into containers

Info

Publication number: CN109789932B
Application number: CN201780062162.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·哈佩; R·梅克尔
Original assignee: Haver and Boecker OHG
Current assignee: Haver and Boecker OHG
Priority date: 2016-10-10
Filing date: 2017-10-10
Publication date: 2021-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-10
Also published as: EP3523201A1; PL3523201T3; BR112019007041A2; EA201990865A1; EP3523201B1; DE102016119191A1; EA038954B1; CN109789932A; WO2018069294A1; ES2899941T3; BR112019007041B1

Abstract

A filling device (1) for a packaging machine for the automatic filling of bulk material (5) into containers (4) comprises a housing (40) and a filling channel (2) formed in the housing and a controllable channel closure mechanism (3) for controlling the filling of the bulk material (5) into the containers (4). The channel closure (3) comprises a closure part (6) which can be pivoted and which is accommodated in a closure-means receptacle (32) in the installed state in the housing (40), the closure-means receptacle (32) traversing the filling channel (2) in a transverse direction (44). The closure element (6) comprises a drive shaft (7) which projects outwardly of the housing (40) on a drive side (45) of the housing (40) and by means of which the closure element (6) can be controllably pivoted in order to close the filling channel (2) in the closed position (11) and to completely open the filling channel at least in the central region (34) in the open position (13). The wall (15) of the housing (40) has an insertion opening (49) for the closing element (6) so that the closing element (6) can be inserted into and/or removed from the closing means receptacle (32) through the insertion opening (49) during assembly or maintenance. The closing element (6) is supported on the drive side (45) on the side of the filling channel (2) and is sealed off from the housing (40) on the drive side (45) by a circular element section (8).

Description

Filling device for a packaging machine for filling bulk material into containers

Technical Field

The invention relates to a filling device for a packaging machine for the controlled automatic filling of bulk material into containers, comprising a housing and a filling channel extending in the housing and a channel closing means. The invention also relates to a packaging machine for filling bulk material into containers, equipped with such a filling device. The filling device according to the invention can be used for filling all types of bulk material. Particularly preferably, such a filling device and a packaging machine equipped therewith can be used for filling fine products, i.e. for filling fine and dusty products such as cement. The invention can also be used for filling other bulk materials, for example from the chemical or nutritional field.

Background

Various filling devices equipped with a channel closing mechanism are known from the prior art. GB416,215 discloses a packaging machine with a valve in the filling channel, wherein the valve is received so as to be pivotable about a valve axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the filling channel. The valve comprises a closing plate which is designed in a circular manner and can be pivoted by means of a valve axis arranged centrally thereon. A pivotable valve axis extends centrally through the filling channel. In the upright position, the closure plate closes the circular filling channel. After swinging 90 ° into the horizontal position, the filling channel is substantially opened. The rotary shaft and the closing plate are centered in the material flow in the open state. The frictional contact with the material to be filled during the filling of the bulk material therefore causes continuous, severe wear at the rotary shaft and the closure plate. Requiring correspondingly frequent maintenance and periodic replacement of the rotating shaft and the closure plate. In this case, not only the packaging machine, but also the entire installation is required to be stopped. Although the downtime may be extended with thicker wall thickness, the throughput is thereby reduced. The closing plate forms an interference body in the flow stream, which significantly increases the wear and the bulk material flow resistance. Perhaps, build-up or scale formation occurs at the rotating shaft and closing plate, which also impedes the flow more strongly. Therefore, the use of such valves in bulk filling has not been successful.

DE3150682a1 discloses a valve at the outlet of a filling impeller of a bulk material packaging machine, in which the bulk material is forced out of a cartridge by means of a filling impeller having a plurality of blades distributed over the circumference. For control, a valve is provided. The valve is designed to be rotatable and is accommodated in a charging barrel of the cylindrical insert, which is arranged radially just outside the filling impeller with blades. The valve creates a 90 ° turn of the material flow. For this purpose, the valve or the channel provided with the valve has an arcuate inner surface for diverting the material flow from a substantially tangential flow direction in the charging cartridge into the radial direction of the filler neck. The disadvantage of this system is that the 90 ° steering is achieved within a very short range end. The abrasive bulk material also always impacts the front edge of the valve and the wall of the cylindrical insert and causes severe wear there. Considerable wear is also caused by the bulk material turning snugly at the valve, when the valve front edge is constantly subjected to the flow of material and shearing it. Therefore, all edges must be hardened significantly, but still wear quickly. Component replacement is costly because the cartridge must be separated from the material path and completely removed. Thus, such systems have not been successful in the marketplace.

Thus, for example, a scissor valve is more frequently used than a channel closure, in which the scissor clamp completely opens the elastic part of the filling channel in the open state, while the scissor clamp partially closes in the trickle position and completely closes the filling channel in the closed state. Such a scissor valve works reliably and allows a tight closure of the filling channel, wherein a high throughput in the open state can be achieved. The scissor clamps themselves are virtually unworn because they are not in frictional contact with the material to be filled. However, the disadvantage here is that the channel closure has to be inserted into the elastic part of the filling channel, so that a filling device with a large axial design is produced. Furthermore, the elastic hose wears due to the shearing motion and must be replaced regularly. Although it is not necessary to remove the cartridge entirely, longer down times occur. Furthermore, the filling channel is lengthened by the flexible hose and its compressible part, so that tube friction becomes severe.

In rotary packaging machines with a plurality of filling devices distributed around the circumference, this leads to a larger diameter and thus a larger construction volume of the packaging machine.

Small volume and small length of construction are achieved by means of slide valves. In such a channel closure, the pivotably mounted screen plate is accommodated between two further steel plates. The filling channel extends through three adjacent steel plates. The axis of rotation of the central screen plate, which optionally opens the filling channel, extends parallel to the filling channel. By means of the eccentric oscillation, the filling channel is first partially closed and finally completely closed, so that a defined control of the filling process can be achieved.

To seal the three plates, they are pressed against each other by spring bias to achieve a sufficient seal against the outside. Such a channel closure works reliably and requires only a small installation space in the direction of the filling channel. But the relatively sliding steel plates encounter continuous wear. The wall thickness of the slide plate can be increased accordingly to extend down time. Nevertheless, some steel plates must also be replaced during maintenance intervals, whereby downtime occurs. This also results in installation costs. It is also disadvantageous that the material is transported to the outside between the steel plates during operation. Even if this is only relatively small, this leads to contamination of the packaging machine and the environment. The seal surrounding the slide valve will wear over time and interfere with slide plate movement.

WO2013/079183a1 discloses a filling device for a packaging machine for filling a valve bag with bulk material, such as cement, wherein the filling device has a filling channel and a controllable channel closure mechanism for controlling the flow of bulk material to be filled into the valve bag through the filling channel. The channel closing mechanism has a pivotable closing part which comprises circular parts arranged in opposite walls of the filling channel, which are connected to one another via an eccentric closing wall over an angular range. The drive shaft is laterally connected to the circular section and, by means of its rotational movement, can oscillate the eccentric closing wall in order to completely close or completely open the filling channel. The circular portion fits in the opposite walls of the filling channel and allows for a simple function and at the same time serves as a seal to prevent the bulk material from flowing out of the filling channel. On the drive side, the drive shaft extends outward and is pivoted into different pivot positions by a cylinder. On the opposite side, a cover is screwed on in order to better seal the filling channel from the outside, so that the bulk material is completely prevented from flowing out. The idea is that bulk material which may enter the intermediate space between the circular part and the cover, bypassing the circular part, may accumulate there, but without interfering with the operation. However, it has been found that bulk material which collects during operation in the region between the cover and the circular section may become hard there and may interfere with the continuous operation over time and may even lead to the channel closure becoming jammed. When the device is used, for example, in the food sector (flour, cocoa, etc.), this dead space also means higher cleaning costs. When such intermediate space has become blocked, the packaging machine must be stopped and the cover removed in order to clean the intermediate space between the circular portion and the cover. Such downtime is undesirable and may result in the entire plant along with the upstream and downstream machines being shut down. A simple solution is to dispense with the cover, but this possibility is not taken into account, since hitherto the contamination by the outflowing bulk material should or must be minimized.

US3,191,906 has disclosed a hemispherical valve for liquids that may contain solids. The known valve is not suitable for filling abrasive bulk material, since the hemispherical surface can only be sealed with respect to the abrasive material with difficulty over a long period of time. Furthermore, in this known valve, the stub shaft is always located in the liquid flow, which leads to correspondingly severe wear when the material is loose. Moreover, handling and also production is very cumbersome.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a filling device for an automatic operating packaging machine for filling bulk material in containers, having a passage closing mechanism, and a packaging machine equipped therewith, by means of which low wear and high throughflow can be achieved and high neatness can be achieved.

This object is achieved by a filling device having the features of claim 1 and a packaging machine having the features of claim 20. Preferred developments are the subject matter of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the invention result from the description of the embodiments and the description given above.

The filling device according to the invention is provided for a packaging machine for automatically filling containers, in particular valve bags or open bags, with bulk material. The filling device comprises a housing and a filling channel formed in the housing and a controllable channel closure mechanism for controlling the filling of the bulk material into the container. The channel closing mechanism includes a swingable closing member. The closure part is accommodated in a closure groove in the housing in the mounted state. The closure reservoir extends transversely across the fill passage. That is, the closure pocket intersects the material path defined by the fill channel. The closure element comprises a drive shaft which projects out of the housing on the drive side of the housing and by means of which the closure element can be pivoted in a controlled manner in order to close the filling channel in the closed position and to completely open the filling channel at least in the central region in the open position. Multiple intermediate positions may also be possible. One wall of the housing, in particular the outer wall or the outer side wall, has an insertion opening (on the housing outer side) for the closing element, so that the closing element can be inserted into and/or removed from the closing-means pocket through the insertion opening (from the outside) during installation or maintenance. The closing element is supported on the drive side only on one side of the filling channel and is sealed off from the housing on the drive side by a circular element portion. No sealing is required on the side opposite the drive side, since the closing element is not supported on this side and the outward flow or inflow of the bulk material into the outer chamber is not possible.

The filling device according to the invention has a number of advantages. A significant advantage is that the closure element is supported only on one side of the filling channel, specifically only on the drive side. On the drive side, it must be provided that the drive shaft passes through the outside in order for the drive to rotate the closure element into the desired position. It has been found that there is no need to provide for the support of the closure element on the opposite side. Thereby, it is possible to dispense with passing through the wall. There is no intermediate space between the end cap and the part of the closure element designed as a circular and full surface, which could hinder operation over a long period of time.

The invention also allows simple handling and easy maintenance operation. The filling device is provided with a separate housing and can therefore also be used in existing packaging machines. The housing of the filling device is arranged outside the bulk material and is not accommodated in the cartridge, for example. In order to replace the closure element, there is no need to remove the filling device as a whole or to remove the cartridge in order to fill the interior with the closure element. The filling device is therefore also suitable for retrofitting existing packaging machines. This results in a significant operating advantage, which is less complex even when the closure part is replaced. It is furthermore true that in the filling device according to the invention the closure element can be removed laterally (outwardly and not, for example, inwardly) from the housing. There is generally no need to remove the filling device. It is also not necessary to separate the filling device from the material feed and the material discharge. For replacement in the field of maintenance or during handling, the closure element can be inserted or removed again via the insertion opening on the side or from below. In the corresponding space situation, installation from above is also possible. In all these cases, only a short downtime is required for the maintenance.

For mounting, the closure element can be inserted laterally or parallel to the lateral direction into the closure groove. Through the insertion opening, the closing element is also removed again during installation.

The closure receiving slot is accessible for removal through the insertion opening.

The insertion opening is preferably on the drive side. Thus, no opening in the housing is required on the opposite side. The insertion opening can however also be provided on the side opposite the drive side and can be closed tightly in a simple manner by a cover. Thus, there is no provision for the drive shaft to run through.

Preferably, a drive is provided, which is designed in particular as a cylinder drive. The drive mechanism is preferably connected to the closure member by a rod.

In all embodiments, the filling device is suitable and designed for being inserted into a packaging machine equipped with at least one filling nozzle, by means of which the bulk material can be filled in a controlled manner in containers suspended from the filling nozzle.

The housing of the filling device is a separate piece. Such a housing is preferably connectable to a cartridge of a packaging machine. It is also possible that the filling device comprises a cartridge.

The filling device has the housing and a filling channel which preferably extends therein from the feed side to the discharge side. The feed-in side can in particular be connected to the material conveying means and the discharge side can in particular be connected to the discharge channel.

The closure groove is in particular designed cylindrical. The closing member preferably comprises a closing wall arranged eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation. The closing wall is preferably connected in the axial direction to the circular component part. The closing element can in particular be formed substantially by the drive shaft, the circular element portion and the closing wall. The closing wall is preferably designed in all embodiments as a cylinder section or as a semi-cylinder section and can have a circular-arc-shaped cross section. The circular arc has a central angle of in particular less than 210 °, preferably less than 180 °, and a circular arc height of less than 1.2 half-times the diameter and in particular less than the circular arc radius. In particular, the outer contour of the closing wall is delimited by half cylinders. The exact outer contour of the closing wall can be designed differently. A circular outer contour is always preferred.

In a preferred development, the closing element is accommodated in the housing in a contactless manner on the side opposite the drive side. In this case, a small gap exists between the contour of the closure part and the housing wall, in particular on the side opposite the drive side.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises a valve housing part and a support housing part connected thereto. In particular, the support housing portion is sealed with respect to the valve housing portion. The valve housing part and the support housing part can be designed in one piece. It is possible and preferred, however, for the valve housing part and the bearing housing part to be constructed as separate parts, which are connected to one another. For example, the support housing part may be provided with a flange part and be screwed to the valve housing part at the flange. Preferably, the support housing portion is detachably connected to the valve housing portion. Preferably the closure member is rotatably mounted on the support housing portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the support housing part is hollow and is connected, in particular screwed, to the valve housing part. It is particularly preferred that the valve housing part (not the pouring channel) is sealed off from the outside. Particularly preferably, the bearing housing part is sealed to the outside. The support housing part is preferably sealed by the closure part and at least one seal up to the valve housing part and/or the filling channel. The support housing part is preferably sealed by at least one seal from the outside to the drive. Such a seal allows for a very tight design.

In a preferred embodiment, the support housing part surrounds the drive shaft of the closure part. Preferably, at least one seal for sealing the drive shaft relative to the filling channel is provided in the support housing part on the filling channel side. A support unit for supporting the drive shaft relative to the support housing part is preferably arranged close to the outer end of the drive shaft. Preferably, an externally sealed cavity extends between the inner wall of the support housing part and the drive shaft, which cavity is ventilated by means of at least one ventilation nozzle in order to minimize, in particular, the penetration of bulk material from the filling channel through the seal into the cavity. By means of the ventilation nozzle, the cavity can be exposed to an overpressure, which results in a (small) flushing air flow from the cavity into the filling channel via the seal, whereby the bulk material escape is significantly reduced or prevented. The flushing air flow is particularly preferably regulated in such a way that the pressure in the cavity is at least approximately the same as the pressure in the filling channel or, preferably, greater than the pressure in the filling channel.

Preferably, the housing comprises two opposing walls or side walls, one of which is arranged on the drive side. Preferably, the housing has two walls which are formed as outer walls and which lie opposite one another. In particular, the wall facing the drive side is formed as an outer wall (separating the housing from the environment).

Preferably, the insertion opening is provided on the drive side. However, it is also possible for the insertion opening or an insertion opening to be provided on the wall opposite the drive side. The drive side is preferably located on a side wall of the housing when the closure member is oriented horizontally in the mounted state or when oriented laterally approximately horizontally. In this and other embodiments, it is preferred that the housing is produced with a continuous inner bore or continuous opening, so that an insertion opening is actually formed on each of the opposite sides of the housing. It is then conceivable that the closure element can be inserted from both sides, or that the drive mechanism or drive side can alternatively be arranged on the right or left side.

Preferably, a through hole is formed in a wall opposed to the driving side, and the through hole is closed by a cover member. When the size is correspondingly large, the through hole can be used as an insertion opening. In this connection, it is possible for the insertion opening to be formed on the side opposite the drive side. The drive shaft then only has to run on the drive side. In all embodiments, the through opening is closed off by a cover part on the wall opposite the drive side. Preferably, the cover member closes the through hole and is inserted into the through hole and forms a part of a channel wall of the filling channel. Preferably, the cover part (inner surface) is at least partly in direct and immediate contact with the bulk material to be filled.

It is also possible for the drive side to be formed on the bottom side or the top side of the housing. The insertion opening is provided on the drive side, particularly when the insertion opening is formed on the lower side wall of the housing. The insertion opening is particularly accessible from the environment. The insertion opening is not formed in the cartridge. Thus, during typical installation and particularly after, the transverse direction extends substantially vertically.

Preferably, at least one ventilation nozzle is provided on the cover part to ventilate the closure pocket area and/or the closure part area as required. It has been found that small or large difficulties arise in the guidance of bulk material in the region of the channel closure. This applies in particular after long downtimes and also in relation to the material. Reliable operation can be ensured by such a ventilation nozzle in the region of the closure element or the closure groove. With the invention it is also possible to retrofit such a ventilation nozzle to a filling device in existing packaging machines at the closure pocket. This eliminates the considerable difficulties in filling troublesome materials and allows the bulk material to be kept in a constant state by means of ventilation as required even when the filling itself is filled with good materials.

Preferably, a ventilation nozzle is arranged in a wall of the housing in front of the closure element in the flow direction, whereby the filling channel can be ventilated as required. In particular, such a ventilation nozzle is arranged in a wall of the housing which is arranged below when the housing is installed as intended. By means of such (lower) ventilation nozzles, it is possible to ventilate the area in front of the closing element to improve the flowability of the bulk material. Such a venting nozzle can be used when filling each container (e.g. valve or open bag) or e.g. after a long downtime.

It is particularly advantageous to arrange a ventilation nozzle in front of the closure element and (another) ventilation nozzle on the cover element in the flow direction, in order to be able to ventilate in particular in a targeted manner the region in front of the closure element and the region immediately behind or at the closure element in order to set the appropriate fluidization behavior.

The closure element preferably has the drive shaft and a circular element portion and a closure wall arranged eccentrically with respect to the drive shaft.

The closing wall is particularly preferably formed essentially by a hollow cylindrical section or a cylindrical section and is preferably delimited by a half-cylinder with the outer diameter of the circular component part and is preferably designed with a non-interfering edge in a planar manner inward to the filling channel.

In a preferred embodiment, the filling channel has a substantially rectangular cross section at least in the region of the closure element. It is possible here for the corners to be of rounded design.

In a preferred embodiment, the filling channel has at least one recess in the region of the closure element, in which recess the closure wall is at least partially arranged when the closure wall is in the fully open position. Preferably, the filling channel has at least one recess in the region of the closure element, into which recess the closure wall is at least partially inserted when the closure wall is in the closed position. Preferably, the closing wall is inserted into the slot with a closing edge when the closing wall is rotated into the closed position (closing position). The groove may be formed in the potting channel and formed by a recess, or may be formed thereon. The closing edge is especially tapered towards the end. The closing edge of the closing wall or the closing wall itself in particular provides a wear reserve. When the front end is worn, the closing wall is always inserted into the groove to close the filling channel. Thus, maintenance-less operation is allowed. When the material wears at the front edge, the closing wall only rotates a little bit more into the groove to create a tight closure.

Preferably, an insert is arranged in the recess, which insert is screwed, for example. The insert preferably fills the recess almost completely (or completely). Preferably, a (small) groove is left into which the tip or closing edge of the closing wall in the closed position is inserted to achieve a tight closure of the filling channel. The groove is left in this recess, which is not occupied by the insert.

Particularly preferably, the recess is formed such that the closing wall can be inserted completely therein. In the open position, the closing wall preferably completely fills the recess, so that in the open state a (practically) interference-free filling channel is present, which corresponds to the cross section in front of and behind it. The closing wall does not substantially impede the flow of material.

In all embodiments, the filling device can comprise a conveying element and/or a filling shaft for receiving an intermediate supply of bulk material to be filled. The conveying member may be designed as a conveying impeller. However, other conveying elements, such as air conveyors or screw conveyors or pump conveyors, can also be used. All such delivery processes generate pressure (within the cartridge and in particular) in the filling channel. The overpressure is caused by the conveying elements, but also by the addition of air, in order to make the bulk material flowable or to set the desired flowability. Bulk materials such as cement or flour or cocoa powder and many other materials become much flowable by the addition of air only. The "fluidizing" air also increases the internal pressure that exists, which facilitates the undesirable outward exit of the bulk material from the fill channel. Thereby also increasing the cost of the seal.

In all embodiments and refinements it is preferred that the closure element in the installed state lies at least partially in a rectangular surface which surrounds the outer circumference and/or the inner cross section of the cartridge as closely as possible, wherein the side edges of the rectangular surface are aligned parallel to the course of the filling channel through the housing.

Preferably, at least the region of the interior of the cartridge where the filling channel has an outlet is of rounded design. The delivery member is preferably housed within a cartridge.

In all embodiments, it is possible and preferred that the filling device comprises a filling nozzle connected to the filling channel. In this case, an elastic tube is provided, in particular, between the filling nozzle and the filling channel. The flexible hose preferably extends linearly. The elastic hose preferably forms a linear extension of the filling channel and/or of the filling nozzle.

In a further embodiment, the filling device is also designed for a packaging machine for automatically filling bulk material into containers, in particular bags, preferably valve bags or open bags, and comprises a housing and a filling channel formed in the housing and a controllable channel closure mechanism for controlling the filling of the bulk material into the containers. The passage closure comprises a closure part which can be pivoted and which is accommodated in a closure groove in the housing in the installed state. The closure groove extends transversely across or intersects the fill passage. The closure element comprises a drive shaft which projects out of the housing on the drive side thereof and by means of which the closure element can be pivoted in a controlled manner in order to (completely) close the filling channel in the closed position and to completely (and in particular completely) open the filling channel at least in the central region in the open position. The wall (outer wall) of the housing has an insertion opening for the closing element so that the closing element can be inserted into the closing means receptacle via the insertion opening when mounted. In contrast to the first embodiment described above, the closing element is rotatably supported on the wall opposite the drive side by a hollow support ring, while the closing element is supported on the drive side and is sealed by a circular element part. This embodiment of the filling device also brings about a number of advantages, since it allows reliable sealing operation. The self-retraction of the cavity between the end cap and the component part designed as a full-face and circular part on the side opposite the drive side is reliably prevented, since the support ring is designed to be hollow and thus does not prevent the bulk material from passing in both directions. It is then possible that the support ring is designed for rotatably supporting or bearing the closing element on the side opposite the drive side. In a development, the design and development described above are possible. Basically, one or several differences are that a support ring part is provided. The support ring section is preferably of circumferential design. It is also possible that the support ring is not supported over the entire circumference, but only over a part or two or more parts of the circumference.

The invention further relates to a packaging machine having at least one filling device and for automatically filling a bulk material into containers. The packaging machine comprises at least one cartridge and a housing having a filling channel formed therein and a controllable channel closure mechanism for controlling the filling of the bulk material into the containers. The passage closure comprises a closure part which can be pivoted and which is accommodated in a closure groove in the housing in the installed state. The closure element groove extends transversely through the filling channel. The closure element comprises a drive shaft which projects out of the housing on the drive side of the housing and by means of which the closure element can be pivoted in a controlled manner in order to close the filling channel in the closed position and to completely open the filling channel at least in the central region in the open position. The wall (outer wall or outer side wall) of the housing has an insertion opening for the closure element so that the closure element can be inserted into the closure mechanism pocket through the insertion opening when mounted. In this case, the closing element is preferably supported on the drive side only on one side of the filling channel and is sealed off from the housing on the drive side by a circular element portion. It is also possible for the closing part to be supported or mounted on the side opposite the drive side by a hollow support ring on the side opposite the drive side.

The housing with the passage closure mechanism may be designed to be integral with the cartridge. Preferably the housing is a separate piece which is connected to the cartridge. From the housing with the channel closure, the filling channel preferably extends linearly to a filling nozzle, on which a container (e.g. a valve bag) is suspended for filling with bulk material. In the case of open bags, a gentle downward turn of about 90 ° (about +/-15 °) is generally provided with a correspondingly large radius of curvature, and in the case of valve bags no turn is generally provided. In the region of the closure element, the filling channel is preferably (in particular, as intended or even always) of linear design. A linear filling channel is also preferably a filling channel which runs exactly straight and encloses a small angle of up to 2.5 ° or 5 ° or up to 10 °.

In all embodiments, the passage closure can be used to specifically control the filling quantity or the filled filling volume. Therefore, the closure element is normally brought into the open position at the beginning of the filling process in order to start the coarse flow filling process. The material flow is reduced towards the end of the filling process and only filling is carried out in a trickle flow. The material flow is preferably controlled at least substantially by the closure element being moved from the fully open position into the partially open position. When the desired filling volume or the filled quantity is obtained, the channel closing means are completely closed, so that the filling process is stopped. It is possible that the closure member may be in two, three or more intermediate positions.

The invention provides a channel closing means which requires little installation space and a small installation length. The filling device and the channel closure are retrofittable. Little wear is achieved.

The filling channel is preferably completely open in the open position. Preferably, the fully openable proportion of the cross-section of the filling channel is at least 50%, in particular at least 66%, preferably more than 75%. Particularly preferably up to 80%, 90%, 95% and particularly preferably above 98% of the accessible proportion. In all embodiments, it is preferred that the circular component part is designed to be full-surface. Suitable sealing rings, such as O-rings, labyrinth sealing rings, radial bellows sealing rings or the like, can be provided on the circumferential surface in order to seal the circular component part against the housing wall.

The channel closing means in the present invention encounter the material or bulk flow only when the channel closing means at least partially closes the channel. In the fully open state, the channel closing means do not protrude into the channel and also do not deflect the flow of the dispersion. This results in operation with little wear. No (or practically no) significant diversion of the bulk material flow at the channel closure is achieved during the rough-flow filling.

In all embodiments, the channel closure and in particular the circular component part of the channel closure can have a diameter which is greater than the height of the filling channel, so that the closure wall can be inserted simultaneously into the recess on one side of the filling channel and into the recess on the other side of the channel and thus completely close the filling channel. The circular part and the closing part can be arranged generally centrally or also eccentrically with respect to the filling channel.

In all modifications and embodiments, the filling device and/or the packaging machine according to the invention are used for filling containers, preferably designed in the form of pouches. In this preferred embodiment, the term "container" may be replaced by the precise expression "bag".

Although the following exemplary embodiments describe the filling of bulk material in valve-opening bags, it is likewise possible to fill open bags with a correspondingly adapted packaging machine in a corresponding manner. In principle, the invention can be used to fill open bags or also valve bags with bulk material.

Drawings

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the following embodiments described with reference to the drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a very schematic top view of a rotary packaging machine;

fig. 2 shows a filling device for the packaging machine according to fig. 1 from the drive side of the lane closing mechanism;

fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the filling device according to fig. 2 from the opposite side;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the filling device according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the channel closing mechanism of the priming device according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section of the filling device according to FIG. 2, while schematically showing the container with its filling channel closed;

fig. 7 shows the view according to fig. 6, when the closure member is in a partially opened position;

fig. 8 shows the filling device according to fig. 6 with the closure member in the fully open position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a very schematic top view of a packaging machine 100 according to the invention for filling any bulk material into containers 4, here in the form of valve bags. The valve bag 4 is filled with cement, for example, by the packing machine 100. It is also possible that the packaging machine 100 is designed as a tandem packaging machine or as a single-tube packaging machine. All packaging machines can be designed for filling valve bags or open bags.

The packaging machine 100 is turned clockwise in the direction of arrow 104. At a suitable angular position, an automatic insertion machine 101 is provided, which removes one container 4 from a storage bag 103 and automatically projects the respective one container 4 onto the revolving filling nozzle 30.

While continuing to rotate, the container 4 is filled with the bulk material to be filled. At this point, the raw filling is first carried out until a predetermined weight threshold is reached. Then, the filling is carried out in a trickle flow until the final weight is reached. This may be followed by a stabilization phase until the corner position is reached at which the discharge belt 102 is located, on which the filled containers are discharged. The weight of the containers 4 can be checked again on the unloading belt 102. The filled container 4 is transported away.

Fig. 2 shows a filling device 1 for the packaging machine 100 according to fig. 1 in a perspective view. The filling device 1 here comprises a housing 40. The filling device 1 or the housing 40 of the filling device 1 can be designed in one piece or integral with the cartridge 25. In this embodiment, the charging sleeve 25 is a separate component which is connected, in particular screwed, to the charging device 1, in this case in particular the housing 40.

The cartridge 25 has a conveying element 24 in an inner space 29 of the cartridge 25, which conveying element is designed here as a conveying impeller 27. Other transport elements may be used. At the upper end of the cartridge an inlet 26 is formed through which the material to be filled enters the cartridge 25. The starting point of the filling channel 2 is in the lower region 28 of the cartridge 25, and the filling channel continues in the housing 40 of the filling device 1.

The filling device 1 comprises a housing 40 with a filling channel 2 and a channel closure 3. The channel closing means 3 comprises a closing part 6, which is not visible here in the illustration according to fig. 2, with a drive shaft 7 which is pivotable between various positions via a rod 9 and a drive means 10, here in the form of a cylinder drive 14, in order to selectively close, partially open or completely open the filling channel 2.

The housing 40 here comprises a valve housing part 41 and a bearing housing part 42 flange-coupled thereto.

The side wall or wall 15 adjoins the filling channel 2 on the drive side 45, and the side wall or wall 16 adjoins the filling channel 2 on the opposite side 46. The cover 55 is visible on the opposite side 46 (opposite side 46 — the side opposite the drive side 45).

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the filling device 1 and the cartridge 25 of fig. 2 from the other side. Here, a substantially triangular housing 40 can be seen in cross section in side view. Such a shape can advantageously be arranged in the lower side edge region of the charging barrel 25 and thus allows a very space-saving arrangement of the channel closing means 3. The through-hole 47 (see fig. 4) in the wall 16 is closed by means of a cover 55.

The filler neck 30 can be connected to the end face 48 of the housing 40, for example by means of a flexible hose, and the container suspended from the filler neck can be filled. Fig. 3 shows a ventilation nozzle 59 on the lid 55, through which the filling channel 2 can be ventilated as required in the region of the closure element recess 32 of the channel closure element 3 (see fig. 4). The bulk material located there can thus be ventilated directly in the region of the closing element 6 in order to provide suitable fluidization properties. Optionally, the filling channel 2 can also be freely ventilated via a ventilation device 59.

Fig. 4 shows a horizontal cross section of the view according to fig. 3, wherein it is clearly apparent from the different hatching of the valve housing part 41, of the bearing housing part 42 and of the cartridge 25 that these parts are formed here as separate parts. It is also possible, however, for the cartridge 25 to be designed in one piece with the valve housing part 41.

From the interior 29 of the cartridge 25, the filling channel 2 extends into the housing 40. In the position shown, the closure element 6 with the closure wall 18 is in a closed position (both not shown in section here), in which the filling channel is completely closed by the closure wall 18. In this case, the substantially L-shaped configuration of the closure element 6 in the region of the filling channel 2 can be seen in plan view. The closing element 6 here comprises a closing wall 18 which extends transversely across the filling channel 2 or intersects it, and a circular element portion 8 on the wall 15 of the housing 40. The circular component part 8 makes the filling channel 2 as far as possible sealed off from the outside. A seal 51 is provided behind the circular component part 8. The seal 51 prevents as much as possible the bulk material particles from entering the cavity 53 of the support housing part 42. Thereby, only the support unit 52 provided on the drive side 45 is reliably protected from the ingress of bulk material. For further sealing, at least one ventilation nozzle 54 is preferably provided, by means of which the cavity 53 between the drive shaft 7 and the wall of the bearing housing part 42 is brought to a defined overpressure in order to in particular cause a flushing air flow from the cavity 53 into the filling channel 2, which serves for a still better sealing effect.

As can be seen from fig. 4, the closing element 6 with the drive shaft 7, the circular element portion 8 and the closing wall 18 extends in a transverse direction 44 oriented transversely to the filling channel 2.

On the side 46 opposite the drive side 45, a through-opening 47 is formed in the wall 16 of the housing 40, which is closed by a cover 55. The through-hole 47 in this exemplary embodiment has the same diameter as the insertion opening 49 of the drive side 45 and is formed concentrically therewith. That is to say, two insertion openings are provided in principle here. In principle, the closure element 6 can be inserted into the closure groove 32 not only from the drive side 45 but also from the opposite side 46.

The cover 55 axially fills the through hole 47 almost completely (or completely) and thus forms a part of the filling channel 2 having no or only a minimal disturbing edge.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is proposed that the closure part 6 be moved in from the drive side 45, since the closure part 6 can be mounted, for example, on the support housing part 42 first. Subsequently, the closing wall 18 and the circular component part 8 are inserted into the insertion opening 49, and the support housing part 42 and the valve housing part 41 are screwed together. This allows a simple and quick installation, in particular during repair or replacement, since a lateral insertion of the channel closure 3 can be achieved. There is no need to take the housing 40 out of the material path or to break the material path itself. It is sufficient that the housing 40 can be opened sideways and the closure member 6 can be removed.

The outlet end of the lower ventilation nozzle 35, which has a through opening immediately in front of the closing wall 18 in the closed position, can also be seen in the illustration according to fig. 4, so that effective ventilation of the area immediately in front of the closing wall 18 can be achieved when the next filling process is to be started.

Ventilation can likewise be provided via ventilation nozzles 59 on the cover 55, so that air can be supplied via the

ventilation nozzles

35 and 59 immediately in front of and behind the closure wall 18.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective schematic view of the channel closing means 3, which has a drive mechanism, here provided as a cylinder drive 14, a rod 9 and a closing element 6, which has a drive shaft 7, a circular element part 8 and a closing wall 18 extending in a lateral transverse direction. The end face 38 of the closing wall 18 is located closer to the inner wall of the channel wall 16 or the cover 55 in the installed state, so that a contactless, long-term reliable operation can be ensured.

The cylinder-segment-like structure of the closing wall 18 can be seen in the view according to fig. 5. This design has the advantage that, in the fully open position, the bulk material can flow through the (almost) smooth-walled filling channel 2 without interference.

The functionality is briefly described below with reference to fig. 6, 7 and 8.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a filler neck 30, which is connected to a flexible tube section 31. By means of this flexible tube 31, it is achieved that the filling device 1 of the cartridge 25 is decoupled from the container or valve bag 4 in terms of weight. A bulk material 5 is schematically depicted in the valve bag 4, which is filled in this case according to the total weight method. That is, the containers 4 or bags are weighed together with the bulk material during the filling process.

The channel closure 3 or the closure element 6 is in the illustration according to fig. 6 in a fully closed position 11, in which the filling channel 2 is completely closed. A cylindrical closure mechanism pocket 32 may be seen in this side view. Above the filling channel 2 there is a recess 22 into which the closing wall 18 is completely inserted in the open position. A recess 23 is formed below the filling channel 2, which is substantially filled by the insert 56. Insert 56 is secured by screws as shown. The insert 56 leaves free a small edge or groove (visible in fig. 8), into which the closing wall 18 is inserted from above in the closed position 11 shown here in order to reliably close the filling channel 2 completely.

In the transport direction, the (lower) ventilation nozzle 35 can be seen in the housing 40 in front of the closure element 6, while the outlet opening of the ventilation nozzle 59 can be seen in the closure element receptacle 32. The ventilation nozzles 35 and 59 allow ventilation of the bulk material 5 before and after the closing wall 18.

The filling channel 2 is fully closed in fig. 6, but the central area 34 of the filling channel 2 can be completely opened in the fully open position (see fig. 8).

Fig. 7 shows the partially opened position 12, in which the closing wall 18 of the closing element 6 is partly swung upwards, so that the lower region of the filling channel 2 is opened.

Fig. 7 shows a groove 23a, which is left here by the recess 23 after the insert 56 has been inserted. When no insert is provided, the groove 23a can also be machined directly into the corresponding wall of the filling channel. In the closed state as shown in fig. 6, the closing edge 18a is inserted into the groove 23a and is used for complete closing. When the closing edge 18a wears at the front end, the closing wall is only slightly further rotated for closing to close the filling channel tightly. In a simple case, this is automatically achieved by a drive mechanism (e.g., the cylinder drive 14). The material of the closing wall 18 serves in such a case as a wear reserve.

Fig. 7 indicates with reference number 43 the (lower) wall 43 of the housing 40 provided with the ventilation nozzle 35.

Fig. 8 finally shows the fully open position 13, in which the filling channel 2 is completely and practically 100% open. In position 13, the closing wall 18 is completely located in the upper recess 22. By designing the closing wall 18 in the form of a cylindrical section, the filling channel 2 can be opened without flow in this position.

In fig. 8, rectangular faces 57 and 58 are drawn. The closure member 6 is sectioned by a rectangular interface 57 defined by the inner surface of the cartridge 25. The closing element 6 is likewise interrupted by an outer surface 58 which surrounds the cartridge 25 most closely, wherein the

rectangles

57, 58 each have one side extending at least approximately parallel to the orientation of the filling channel 2. It is clear from this that a very compact and space-saving construction can be achieved, in which case the filling device 1 according to the invention can also be retrofitted to older equipment.

Fig. 8 also shows an alternative design, in which the closing element 6 is supported or supported on the side 46 opposite the drive side 45 by a support ring 50. The support ring section 50 is now of hollow design and can be constructed around as shown in fig. 8. By this design the closure member is supported on both

sides

45, 46 of the filling channel 2. The opposite side 46 is closed with a cover 55. By designing the support ring 50 hollow, free material transport and material exchange can be achieved. There is no closed cavity that is filled with material and may prevent continued operation. It is also possible to dispense with the use of ventilation nozzles for the ventilation of the interspace. A ventilation nozzle 59 for fluidisation of the bulk material in the filling channel may be mounted on the lid 55.

In summary, the invention provides an advantageous filling device and an advantageous packaging machine, with which bulk material can be filled efficiently and automatically into containers, in particular valve bags or open bags. The design of the channel closing means allows reliable function and little wear. Furthermore, an advantageous ventilation possibility is provided.

The filling device works with little wear and can seal the filling channel against the outer seal even at higher delivery pressures and requires only little space. Thereby, a replacement of the known filling device can be achieved, so that a longer service life can be achieved while the function is reliable. Furthermore, the combined dimensions of the known filling devices can be complied with, so that a smooth replacement can be achieved.

List of reference numerals

1, a filling device; 2, filling a material channel; 3a channel closing mechanism; 4 container, valve bag; 5, dispersing materials; 6 a closure member; 7 driving the shaft; 8 circular component parts; 9 rods; 10 a drive mechanism; 11 a closed position; a closed position; 12 a partially open position; 13 open position, open position; 14 cylinder driving mechanism; 15 walls (drive side); 16 walls; 18a closure wall; 18a closing the edges; 22 gaps; 23, a recess; 23a grooves; 24 a transport component; 25 charging barrels; 26 an inlet; 27 a delivery impeller; 28 filling channel inlet; 29 cartridge chamber; 30 filling and connecting pipes; 31 an elastic hose; 32 closing the mechanism containing groove; 34 a central region; 35 (lower) ventilation nozzles; 38 end faces of the closing walls; 40 a housing; 41 a valve housing portion; 42 a support housing portion; 43 (lower) wall; 44 transverse direction; 45 drive side; 46 opposite sides; 47 a through hole; 48 end faces of the valve housing portions; 49 insertion opening; 50 a support ring portion; 51, sealing; 52 a support unit; 53 a cavity; 54 a vent nozzle for the cavity; 55; 56 an insert; 57 rectangular surface; 58 rectangular surfaces; 59 a ventilation nozzle in the lid; 100, packaging machine; 101, inserting machine; 102, unloading the carrier tape; 103 a storage bag; 104 direction of rotation.

Claims

1. A filling device (1) for a packaging machine for the automatic filling of bulk material (5) into containers (4), comprising a housing (40) and a filling channel (2) formed in the housing and a controllable channel closure mechanism (3) for controlling the filling of the bulk material (5) into the containers (4),

wherein the passage closure (3) comprises a closure part (6) which can be pivoted and which is accommodated in a closure-means receptacle (32) in the housing (40) in the installed state,

wherein the closure element receptacle (32) extends transversely (44) to the filling channel (2), wherein the closure element (6) comprises a drive shaft (7) which extends outwardly of the housing (40) on a drive side (45) of the housing (40) and by means of which the closure element (6) can be pivoted in a controlled manner in order to close the filling channel (2) in the closed position (11) and to completely open the filling channel at least in the central region (34) in the open position (13),

wherein the wall of the housing (40) has an insertion opening (49) for the closing element (6) so that the closing element (6) can be inserted into and/or removed from the closing-means receptacle (32) via the insertion opening (49) during installation or maintenance,

characterized in that the closing element (6) is supported on the drive side (45) on one side of the filling channel (2) and is sealed off from the housing (40) on the drive side (45) by a circular element part (8), wherein ventilation nozzles which can be used for ventilating the filling channel (2) are arranged in the wall of the housing in the flow direction upstream of the closing element (6);

wherein the housing (40) has a valve housing part (41) and a bearing housing part (42) connected to the valve housing part, wherein the closure member (6) is rotatably mounted on the bearing housing part (42), wherein the bearing housing part (42) is sealed with respect to the valve housing part (41);

wherein the bearing housing part (42) is of hollow design and is connected to the valve housing part (41);

wherein the bearing housing part (42) surrounds the drive shaft (7) of the closure part (6),

wherein at least one seal (51) for sealing the drive shaft (7) relative to the filling channel (2) is provided in the support housing part (42) on the filling channel side and a bearing unit (52) for supporting the drive shaft (7) relative to the support housing part (42) is provided near the outer end,

and wherein a cavity (53) extends between the inner wall of the support housing part (42) and the drive shaft (7), which cavity can be ventilated by means of at least one ventilation nozzle to reduce the ingress of bulk material (5) from the filling channel (2) through the seal (51) into the cavity.

2. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closure element (6) is accommodated in the housing (40) at a side opposite the drive side (45) without contact.

3. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (40) comprises two opposite walls, one of the two walls being arranged at the drive side (45).

4. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insertion opening (49) is provided at the drive side (45), or wherein the insertion opening (49) is provided at a wall opposite to the drive side.

5. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a through hole (47) closed by a cover member (55) is formed in a wall opposite to the drive side (45).

6. Filling device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the cover part (55) is inserted into the through hole (47) and forms part of a channel wall of the filling channel (2).

7. A filling device (1) according to claim 5, wherein a ventilation nozzle is provided on the cover part (55) in order to ventilate the area of the closure pocket (32) as required.

8. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closing member (6) protrudes into two opposite walls of the filling channel (2).

9. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closure element (6) has the drive shaft (7) and a circular element portion (8) and a closure wall arranged concentrically to the drive shaft (7).

10. The filling device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the closing wall is essentially formed by a cylindrical section or is delimited by a half-cylinder having the outer diameter of a circular component part.

11. Filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filling channel (2) has a substantially rectangular cross section (21) in the region of the closure element (6).

12. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filling channel (2) has at least one recess (22) in the region of the closure element (6), in which recess the closure wall is at least partially arranged when the closure wall is in the open position (13), wherein the filling channel (2) has at least one recess (23) in the region of the closure element (6), into which recess the closure wall is at least partially inserted when the closure wall is in the closed position (11).

13. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one conveying member (24) and a magazine (25) for accommodating an intermediate stock of bulk material (5) to be filled.

14. The filling device (1) according to claim 13, wherein the closing element (6) in the mounted state at least partially lies in a rectangular surface which surrounds the periphery and/or the cross section of the cartridge (25).

15. Filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a filling nipple (30) is connected to the filling channel (2), wherein an elastic hose (31) is provided between the filling nipple (30) and the filling channel (2).

16. A packaging machine (50) having at least one filling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-15.