CN216970082U

CN216970082U - Filling head and filling device thereof

Info

Publication number: CN216970082U
Application number: CN202220826703.XU
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱孟兵; 李雪; 周彩明
Original assignee: Kangmeibao Suzhou Co ltd
Current assignee: Kangmeibao Suzhou Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-07
Filing date: 2022-04-07
Publication date: 2022-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-07

Abstract

The utility model provides a filling head and a filling device thereof. The filling head has a longitudinal axis and comprises an inlet region and an outlet region along the longitudinal axis; the filling head comprises: a channel assembly connecting the inlet region and the outlet region and configured to convey the fluid from the inlet region to the outlet region, the channel assembly having two outlets disposed at the outlet region, the fluid exiting the two outlets through the channel assembly, the channel assembly being curved to diverge the two exit directions of the two outlets; wherein, the included angle between the two liquid outlet directions and the longitudinal axis is different, and/or the transverse distance between the two outlets and the longitudinal axis is different. The filling head provided by the present disclosure may reduce or even avoid liquid splashing or foaming of the liquid in the package, thereby reducing the risk of contaminating the filling device.

Description

Filling head and filling device thereof

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a filling head and a filling device thereof.

Background

The filling device may be used for filling liquid products, such as food products like milk, juice, pulp or yoghurt, into packages. During the filling process, due to the high filling speed, liquid splashes or foams are easily formed in the package, thereby affecting the sealing of the package or contaminating the filling device.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

When the existing filling head is used for filling, due to high flow velocity, liquid can splash or foam can be formed, when the liquid splashes to the sealing area of the packaging box, the sealing effect of the packaging box can be influenced, for example, the sealing performance is poor, and if the liquid splashes to the outside of the packaging box, for example, on a filling device, the filling device can be polluted. In addition, when the liquid foams, it affects the mouthfeel upon drinking.

In order to solve at least one of the above problems, the present invention provides a filling head and a filling device thereof.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a filling head for filling with a fluid, the filling head having a longitudinal axis and comprising along the longitudinal axis an inlet area configured to let in the fluid and an outlet area configured to let out the fluid; the filling head further comprises: a channel assembly connecting the inlet region and the outlet region and configured to convey the fluid from the inlet region to the outlet region, the channel assembly having two outlets disposed at the outlet region, the fluid exiting the two outlets through the channel assembly, the channel assembly being curved to diverge the two exit directions of the two outlets; wherein, the included angle between the two liquid outlet directions and the longitudinal axis is different, and/or the transverse distance between the two outlets and the longitudinal axis is different.

In at least some embodiments, the two outlets include a first outlet and a second outlet; the channel assembly comprises a first conduit and a second conduit; the first conduit includes a first bend connected to the first outlet, a central axis of the first bend being inclined at a first angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal axis; the second conduit includes a second bend connected to the second outlet, a central axis of the second bend being inclined at a second angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal axis; wherein the first and second tilt angles are different.

In at least some embodiments, the first tilt angle ranges from 15 degrees to 25 degrees; the value range of the second inclination angle is 15-25 degrees; the value range of the difference between the first inclination angle and the second inclination angle is 2 degrees to 5 degrees.

In at least some embodiments, the filling head further comprises an end face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first and second outlets being located on the end face; the first outlet and the second outlet are located on both sides of the longitudinal axis in a first transverse direction parallel to the end surface, and the two outlet directions are located in the same longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the end surface.

In at least some embodiments, the first bend and the second bend are located on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis in the first lateral direction, and a central axis of the first bend and a central axis of the second bend are located within the same longitudinal plane.

In at least some embodiments, the two outlets include a first outlet and a second outlet; the channel assembly further comprises: a first inlet and a second inlet located in the inlet region; a first conduit connecting the first inlet and the first outlet, the first conduit having a first lateral distance from the longitudinal axis; a second conduit connecting the second inlet and the second outlet, the second conduit having a second lateral distance from the longitudinal axis; wherein the first lateral distance and the second lateral distance are different.

In at least some embodiments, the filling head further comprises an end face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first and second outlets being located on the end face; the first and second conduits are located on either side of the longitudinal axis in a first transverse direction parallel to the end face, the first and second transverse distances each being in the first transverse direction.

In at least some embodiments, the first conduit includes a first bend connected to the first outlet and a first connection connected to the first bend; the second conduit includes a second bend connected to the second outlet and a second connection connected to the second bend; the first and second connecting portions extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and are located on either side of the longitudinal axis in the first transverse direction.

In at least some embodiments, the first transverse distance is a distance between the first connection portion and the longitudinal axis along the first transverse direction, and a value of the first transverse distance ranges from 4mm to 10 mm; the second transverse distance is the distance between the second connecting part and the longitudinal axis along the first transverse direction, and the value range of the second transverse distance is 4-10 mm; the value range of the difference value of the first transverse distance and the second transverse distance is 2-3 mm.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a filling device comprising the above filling head.

In the filling head that above-mentioned this disclosed embodiment provided, through making the play liquid direction of two exports and the contained angle between the longitudinal axis different and/or make two exports and the transverse distance between the longitudinal axis different, can reduce or even avoid liquid to form liquid splash or foam in the packing to reduce the risk of polluting the filling device.

Drawings

To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below, and it is apparent that the drawings in the following description relate only to some embodiments of the present disclosure and are not limiting to the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a filling head provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from a first perspective;

fig. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional schematic view of a filling head provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure during a filling process;

fig. 3 is a top view of the filling head of fig. 1;

fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a filling head provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure from a second perspective;

fig. 5 is a schematic view of a filling head and package provided by embodiments of the present disclosure during a filling process;

fig. 6 is a schematic view of two tapping directions of the filling head of fig. 5;

fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary schematic view of a first conduit and a second conduit in a filling head provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a partial schematic structural view of a filling head according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a schematic partial structural view of a filling head provided in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a filling head and packaging on a conveyor provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural view of a package provided according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure more apparent, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the described embodiments are only a few embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the described embodiments of the disclosure without any inventive step, are within the scope of protection of the disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The use of "first," "second," and similar terms in the description and claims of the present disclosure are not intended to indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The word "comprise" or "comprises", and the like, means that the element or item listed before "comprises" or "comprising" covers the element or item listed after "comprising" or "comprises" and its equivalents, and does not exclude other elements or items. The terms "connected" or "coupled" and the like are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections, but may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "upper", "lower", "left", "right", and the like are used merely to indicate relative positional relationships, which may also change accordingly when the absolute position of the object being described changes.

In the liquid filling process, it is necessary to fill the liquid into the package as quickly as possible to achieve high-speed and large-volume filling. Typically, the filling device comprises a liquid supply device and a filling head. The inlet area of the filling head is connected to the liquid supply device for receiving the liquid, and the outlet area is provided with a plurality of outlets through which the liquid is filled into a package to be filled, such as a packaging box.

However, when the existing filling head is used for filling, due to high flow rate, liquid splashes or foams are generated, when the liquid splashes to the sealing area of the packaging box, the sealing effect of the packaging box is affected, for example, the sealing performance is poor, and if the liquid splashes to the outside of the packaging box, for example, on a filling device, the filling device is polluted. In addition, when the liquid foams, the taste of the liquid is affected when the liquid is drunk.

Therefore, the embodiment of the disclosure provides a filling head, a filling device and a filling method thereof, which can reduce or even avoid splashing of liquid or formation of foam.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a filling head for filling with a fluid, the filling head having a longitudinal axis and comprising along the longitudinal axis an inlet region configured to let in the fluid and an outlet region configured to let out the fluid. The filling head further comprises a channel assembly connecting the inlet region and the outlet region and configured to communicate fluid from the inlet region to the outlet region. The channel assembly has two outlets disposed at the outlet region, and the fluid is ejected from the two outlets through the channel assembly, and the channel assembly is curved to make two outlet directions of the two outlets divergent. The two outlet directions have different included angles with the longitudinal axis and/or the two outlets have different transverse distances with the longitudinal axis.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the two liquid outlet directions may be set to have different included angles with the longitudinal axis, or the two outlets may be set to have different transverse distances from the longitudinal axis, or the two liquid outlet directions may be set to have different included angles with the longitudinal axis and the two outlets may be set to have different transverse distances from the longitudinal axis, and all of the three implementation manners may reduce or prevent liquid from splashing or foaming in the package, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, fluid refers to a pourable product, which may be a liquid or a mixture of liquid and solid particles. For example, the liquid includes, but is not limited to, at least one of juice, milk, yogurt, etc., and the solid particles include, but are not limited to, at least one of fruit pieces, vegetables, nuts, etc., which are not limited in this disclosure.

The present disclosure is illustrated by the following specific examples. Detailed descriptions of known functions and known components may be omitted in order to keep the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure clear and concise. When any component of an embodiment of the present disclosure appears in more than one drawing, that component may be referred to by the same reference numeral in each drawing.

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a filling head provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, as viewed from a first viewing angle. Fig. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional schematic view of a filling head provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure during a filling process. Fig. 3 is a top view of the filling head of fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a filling head provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure from a second perspective. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a filling head and package during a filling process provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 1-4, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a filling head 100 for filling with a fluid, the filling head 100 having a longitudinal axis MM, e.g., the longitudinal axis MM extends in a longitudinal direction Z. The filling head 100 comprises, along its longitudinal axis MM, an inlet region 10 and an outlet region 20, the inlet region 10 being configured to let fluid in and the outlet region 20 being configured to let fluid out. For example, an inlet region 10 is arranged opposite to an outlet region 20 along the longitudinal axis MM, the inlet region 10 being intended to receive or store a quantity of fluid and the outlet region 20 being intended to eject the fluid onto the package to be filled.

As shown in fig. 2, the filling head 100 further comprises a channel assembly 30 connecting the inlet region 10 and the outlet region 20 and configured to convey fluid from the inlet region 10 to the outlet region 20. The channel assembly 30 comprises two inlets, e.g. a first inlet 101 and a second inlet 102, arranged in the inlet region 10, and two outlets, e.g. a first outlet 201 and a second outlet 202, arranged in the outlet region 20, the fluid entering through the first inlet 101 and the second inlet 102 of the channel assembly 30 and flowing out of the first outlet 201 and the second outlet 202.

To illustrate the working principle of the filling head 100 during filling, fig. 2 further shows the valve stem 300 of the closure element 200, however these components do not belong to the filling head 100. As shown in fig. 2, at the start of filling, the valve stem 300 is raised and the blocking element 200 is moved along the longitudinal axis MM in a direction away from the filling head 100, at which time fluid can flow from the inlet region 10 into the channel assembly 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow. When the filling is stopped, the valve stem 300 is lowered, the blocking element 200 is moved towards the filling head 100 and pressed into the inlet area 10, thereby blocking or closing the first inlet 101 and the second inlet 102 of the inlet area 10.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the channel assembly 30 is designed to be curved so that the first outlet direction F1 of the first outlet 201 and the second outlet direction F2 of the second outlet 202 diverge. For example, portions of the channel assembly 30 proximate the first outlet 201 and the second outlet 202 are curved. In a longitudinal section of the filling opening 100 through the longitudinal axis MM, the curved portion of the channel assembly 30 has a bell-mouth shape, so that the two outlet directions F1, F2 also have a bell-mouth shape. By designing the channel assembly 30 to be curved such that the first liquid outlet direction F1 of the first outlet 201 and the second liquid outlet direction F2 of the second outlet 202 are divergent, the first jet S1 emitted from the first outlet 201 and the second jet S2 emitted from the second outlet 202 are facilitated to be emitted towards the side wall of the package and to flow downstream along the side wall, thereby reducing the velocity of the liquid flow and thereby the risk of splashing of the liquid.

As shown in fig. 5, during filling, the package 40 to be filled is located below the filling head 100. The package 40 has an opening 43 and a sidewall 42 defining the opening 43, the opening 43 being configured to face the first and

second outlets

201, 202 of the filling head 100.

The inventors have found that one of the main causes of liquid splashing when filling liquids with existing filling heads is the intersection of two jets at the centre of the bottom surface of the package. Because of the high velocity of the two jets, when they meet, they are very likely to splash onto the seal of the package opening or splash out of the opening, causing poor sealing of the package or contamination of the filling device, and more likely to generate foam.

To this end, the disclosed embodiments provide an improved approach. Fig. 6 is a schematic view of two tapping directions of the filling head of fig. 5. As shown in fig. 5 and fig. 6, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, a first included angle b1 is formed between the first liquid outlet direction F1 and the longitudinal axis MM, and a second included angle b2 is formed between the second liquid outlet direction F2 and the longitudinal axis MM, where the first included angle b1 is greater than the second included angle b 2. As shown in fig. 5, since the first included angle b1 is greater than the second included angle b2, the contact positions of the first jet S1 and the second jet S2 with the side wall 42 of the package 40 are different, and when the first jet S1 and the second jet S2 flow downstream along the side wall 42 and fall to the bottom surface, they can meet at a position deviated from the center of the bottom surface, thereby changing the direction of the two jets after collision and reducing the risk of forming large splashes or foams.

Fig. 5 and 6 only schematically show the case that the first included angle b1 of the first liquid outlet direction F1 is larger than the second included angle b2 of the second liquid outlet direction F2, and it is understood that the first included angle b1 can be smaller than the second included angle b2 in other embodiments. As long as the first included angle b1 and the second included angle b2 are not equal, the first jet flow S1 and the second jet flow S2 can meet at a position deviated from the center of the bottom surface, so that the direction of the two jet flows after collision is changed, and the risk of forming large splashes or foams is reduced, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the value range of the first included angle b1 is 15 degrees to 25 degrees; the value range of the second included angle b2 is 15-25 degrees; the difference between the first angle b1 and the second angle b2 ranges from 2 degrees to 5 degrees.

As shown in fig. 5, the channel assembly 30 includes a first conduit 310 and a second conduit 320. For example, the first conduit 310 includes a first bent portion 311 connected to the first outlet 201 and a first connection portion 312 connected to the first bent portion 311. For example, the second conduit 320 includes a second curved portion 321 connected to the second outlet 202 and a second connection portion 322 connected to the second curved portion 321. The first connection portion 312 is connected to the first outlet 201, and the second connection portion 322 is connected to the second outlet 202. Thus, the fluid entering from the first inlet 101 flows out from the first outlet 201 through the first connection portion 312 and the first bending portion 311 to form the first jet flow S1, and the fluid entering from the second inlet 102 flows out from the second outlet 202 through the second connection portion 322 and the first bending portion 321 to form the second jet flow S2.

As shown in fig. 5, the central axis O1 of the first curved portion 311 is inclined at a first inclination angle a1 with respect to the longitudinal axis MM. The central axis O2 of the second curved portion 321 is inclined at a second inclination angle a2 with respect to the longitudinal axis MM. For example, the first inclination angle a1 is greater than the second inclination angle a 2. By setting the first inclination angle a1 to be larger than the second inclination angle a2, the path of the fluid in the first and

second conduits

310, 320 can be changed, thereby changing the first and second outlet directions F1, F2 of the fluid, thereby facilitating the formation of two jets S1, S2 having different exit angles, thereby reducing the risk of generating large splashes or bubbles.

Fig. 5 only schematically illustrates a case where the first inclination angle a1 of the first curved portion 311 is greater than the second inclination angle a2 of the second curved portion 321, and it is understood that the first inclination angle a1 may be smaller than the second inclination angle a2 in other embodiments. As long as the first inclination angle a1 and the second inclination angle a2 are not equal, the first included angle b1 of the first liquid outlet direction F1 is not equal to the second included angle b2 of the second liquid outlet direction F2, so that the first jet flow S1 and the second jet flow S2 meet at a position deviated from the center of the bottom surface, thereby reducing or avoiding the liquid splashing or foaming in the package, and therefore, the embodiment of the disclosure does not limit this.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the value range of the first inclination angle a1 is 15 degrees to 25 degrees; the value range of the second inclination angle a2 is 15-25 degrees; the difference between the first inclination angle a1 and the second inclination angle a2 ranges from 2 degrees to 5 degrees.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, for example, the filling head 100 further comprises an end face 210 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis MM, the first outlet 201 and the second outlet 202 being located on the end face 210; the first outlet 201 and the second outlet 202 are located on either side of the longitudinal axis MM in a first transverse direction X parallel to the end face 210. For example, the first liquid outlet direction F1 and the second liquid outlet direction F2 lie in the same longitudinal plane P parallel to the longitudinal axis MM and perpendicular to the end face 210. By having the first outlet direction F1 and the second outlet direction F2 in the same longitudinal plane P, it is avoided that the two jets S1, S2 are directed towards non-flat areas of the side wall 42 of the package 40, such as the corners of the side wall 42 (which typically have four corners), which further reduces splashing of the liquid caused by the jets hitting the corners. In one example, the first exit direction F1, the second exit direction F2, and the longitudinal axis MM are coplanar, e.g., all located in a longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal axis MM and perpendicular to the end face 210, which further reduces liquid splashing caused by the jet hitting a corner.

As shown in fig. 3 and 5, for example, the first bend 311 and the second bend 321 are located on both sides of the longitudinal axis MM in the first lateral direction X, and the central axis O1 of the first bend 311 and the central axis O2 of the second bend 321 lie within the same longitudinal plane P. The central axis O1 of the first bending part 311 and the central axis O2 of the second bending part 321 are located in the same longitudinal plane P, which is beneficial to controlling the liquid outlet direction of the fluid, and the first liquid outlet direction F1 and the second liquid outlet direction F2 are located in the same longitudinal plane P. In one example, central axis O1 of first bend 311, central axis O2 of second bend 321, and longitudinal axis MM are coplanar, e.g., all located in a longitudinal plane passing through longitudinal axis MM and perpendicular to end face 210, which may further reduce liquid splashing caused by the jet impinging on a corner.

As shown in fig. 5, for example, the first and

second connection portions

312 and 322 extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis MM and are located on both sides of the longitudinal axis MM in the first transverse direction D1. For example, a central axis (not shown) of the first connection portion 312 and a central axis (not shown) of the second connection portion 322 lie in the same longitudinal plane P. Therefore, the fluid can be ensured to reach the outlet in the shortest path in the filling process, and the filling speed is improved. In one example, the central axis of first connection portion 312, the central axis of second connection portion 322, and longitudinal axis MM are coplanar, e.g., all lying in a longitudinal plane passing through longitudinal axis MM and perpendicular to end face 210, which facilitates both increased filling speed and further reduces liquid splashing caused by the jet impinging on a corner.

Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged schematic view of a first conduit and a second conduit in a filling head provided by an embodiment of the disclosure. For example, fig. 7 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the first and

second conduits

310, 320 of the filling head 100 of fig. 5.

With reference to fig. 5 and 7, the first conduit 310 connects the first inlet 101 and the first outlet 201, the first conduit 310 having a first transverse distance d1 along the first transverse direction X from the longitudinal axis MM. A second conduit 320 connects the second inlet 102 and the second outlet 202, the second conduit 320 having a second transverse distance d2 along the first transverse direction X from the longitudinal axis MM, wherein the first transverse distance d1 and the second transverse distance d2 are equal.

During filling, the longitudinal axis MM of the filling head 100 is generally coaxial with the central axis NN of the package 40. In this embodiment, the first transverse distance d1 is equal to the second transverse distance d2, so that the liquid outlet directions of the two jets are not affected, which is preferable.

Fig. 7 only shows that the first lateral distance d1 and the second lateral distance d2 are equal, and it is understood that the first lateral distance d1 and the second lateral distance d2 may not be equal in the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will be described in detail in the following embodiments.

Fig. 8 is a partial structural schematic view of a filling head according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The difference from the filling head shown in fig. 5 is that the channel assembly 30' of fig. 8 comprises an inlet 103 at the inlet region 10 and a conduit 330 with a diverging structure 331. That is, fig. 8 only connects one inlet and two outlets using the diverging structure of the conduit 330, and does not take the form of the two conduits of fig. 5.

As shown in fig. 8, for example, a bifurcating structure 331 extends between the inlet 103 and the two

outlets

201, 202 such that the inlet 103 communicates with the two

outlets

201, 202 through the bifurcating structure 331. The duct of fig. 8 may be more complex in design than that of fig. 5, but may reduce the number of inlets and the occupied area.

Fig. 9 is a partial structural schematic view of a filling head according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. The difference with the filling head shown in fig. 5 is that the first transverse distance d1 between the first guide tube 310 of fig. 9 and the longitudinal axis MM of the filling head 100 is larger than the second transverse distance d2 between the second guide tube 320 and the longitudinal axis MM of the filling head 100. Since the first lateral distance d1 is greater than the second lateral distance d2, the contact locations of the first and second jets S1 and S2 with the side wall 42 of the package 40 are different, and when the first and second jets S1 and S2 flow down the side wall 42, they meet at a location off the center of the floor, thereby changing the direction of the two jets after impact and reducing the risk of splashing out of or onto the package opening.

Fig. 9 only shows the case where the first lateral distance d1 is greater than the second lateral distance d2, and it is understood that the first lateral distance d1 may be less than the second lateral distance d2 in other embodiments. As long as the first lateral distance d1 and the second lateral distance d2 are not equal, the first jet S1 and the second jet S2 can meet at a position deviated from the center of the bottom surface, so as to reduce or avoid the liquid splashing or foaming in the package, and therefore, the embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit this.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first transverse distance d1 is not equal to the second transverse distance d2, a first included angle b1 of the first liquid outlet direction F1 and a second included angle b2 of the second liquid outlet direction F2 may be equal to each other, or may not be equal to each other; the first inclination angle a1 of the first curved portion 311 and the second inclination angle a2 of the second curved portion 321 may be equal or unequal. However, when the influence factor on the liquid outlet direction of the jet is large, the complexity of designing the filling head is increased, and therefore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, in the case that the first transverse distance d1 and the second transverse distance d2 are not equal, it is preferable that the first included angle b1 is equal to the second included angle b2, and the first inclination angle a1 is equal to the second inclination angle a 2.

As shown in fig. 9, the first conduit 310 includes a first bent portion 311 connected to the first outlet 201 and a first connection portion 312 connected to the first bent portion 311; the second conduit 320 includes a second curved portion 321 connected to the second outlet 202 and a second connection portion 322 connected to the second curved portion 321. The first connection portion 312 and the second connection portion 322 extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis MM and are located on both sides of the longitudinal axis MM in the first transverse direction X. By extending the first and

second connection portions

312, 322 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis MM, fluid may be caused to flow in a shortest path to the outlet, thereby increasing the filling rate.

As shown in fig. 9, for example, the first transverse distance d1 is the distance between the first connection portion 312 and the longitudinal axis MM in the first transverse direction X; the second transverse distance d2 is the distance between the second connection portion 322 and the longitudinal axis MM in the first transverse direction X.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the value range of the first transverse distance d1 is 4mm to 10 mm; the value range of the second transverse distance d2 is 4-10 mm; the difference between the first lateral distance d1 and the second lateral distance d2 ranges from 2mm to 3 mm. If the difference is too small, the flow conditions on the two sides will not be very different, and if the difference is too large, a flow with a larger distance may deviate from the position of the drop point intended to impinge on the side wall of the package. The first and second lateral distances d1 and d2 are selected in consideration of the requirements of machining, and if too small, the thickness of the wall between the holes on both sides is too thin to be easily machined, and usually the wall thickness cannot be smaller than 2mm, and for 6mm holes, the minimum distance between the two holes is not smaller than 8 mm.

In fig. 9, the arrangement of the two inlets, the arrangement of the two outlets, the arrangement of the first bending portion 311 and the second bending portion 321, and the arrangement of the first connecting portion 312 and the second connecting portion 322 may refer to the description in the previous embodiment, and are not described again here.

In any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure, the channel assembly may be multiple. Returning to fig. 3 and 4, the filling head comprises four channel assemblies 30, the first outlet 101 and the second outlet 102 of each channel assembly 30 constituting a pair of filling ports located on either side of the longitudinal axis MM in a first transverse direction X parallel to the end face 210. The four pairs of filling openings, i.e. the four channel assemblies 30, are arranged along a second transverse direction Y parallel to the end face 210, the second transverse direction Y being perpendicular to the first transverse direction X. By arranging the four channel assemblies 30, the filling speed can be increased, and the liquid filling amount in unit time can be increased.

Fig. 3 only shows the case of including four channel assemblies, and it is understood that in other embodiments, two, three, or more channel assemblies may be provided, and those skilled in the art can select the appropriate number and distribution of channel assemblies according to the volume and area of the package.

As shown in fig. 3, the four channel assemblies 30 are arranged at equal intervals in the second transverse direction Y, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a filling device comprising the filling head of any of the preceding embodiments.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a filling method using the filling head of any of the previous embodiments.

In the filling method provided by the embodiment of the disclosure, the included angle between the liquid outlet direction of the two outlets of the filling head and the longitudinal axis is different and/or the transverse distance between the two outlets and the longitudinal axis is different, so that liquid splashing or foam formed in the package by liquid in the filling process can be reduced or even avoided, and the risk of polluting the filling device is reduced.

For example, taking fig. 5 as an example, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a filling method using the filling head of fig. 5, including:

s100: a package 40 is provided, wherein the package 40 has an opening 43 and a sidewall 42 defining the opening 43, the opening 43 being configured to face the first outlet 201 and the second outlet 202 of the filling head 100, the sidewall 42 having a score line 41 for sealing the opening 43 after filling. For example, the opening 43 is disposed at an upper end of the package 40, and when the package 40 is filled with liquid, it can be folded along the score line 41 and sealed to seal the opening 43.

S200: the fluid is filled into the package 40, wherein the fluid forms two jets into the opening 43 via the first outlet 201 and the second outlet 202, wherein the two jets contact the side wall 42 at the side of the embossing line 41 remote from the opening 43.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid outlet directions of the two outlets of the filling head are determined mainly by considering the spatial positions of the filling head and the package and the structural characteristics of the filling head and the package. By bringing the two jets into contact with the side wall 42 on the side of the score line 41 remote from the opening 43, it is ensured that the flow of liquid falls from the filling head onto the side wall 42 and downstream. It is also ensured that the liquid flow does not fall above the score line (i.e. subsequently used to seal the opening) and thereby avoid affecting the subsequent sealing process, nor directly onto the bottom surface of the package, avoiding the generation of large splashes and foam.

As shown in fig. 3, for example, first jet S1 contacts sidewall 42 at a first contact zone 421, second jet S2 contacts sidewall 42 at a second contact zone 422, first contact zone 421 is different from second contact zone 422, and the perpendicular distance (i.e., the distance in the direction of the longitudinal axis) of first contact zone 421 to opening 43 is not equal to the perpendicular distance (i.e., the distance in the direction of the longitudinal axis) of second contact zone 422 to opening 43. In this way it is ensured that the streams may start to flow down different positions of the side wall 42 respectively and eventually meet at a position off centre of the floor, thereby changing the direction of the two jets after impact and reducing the risk of large splashes or bubbles being formed.

As shown in fig. 3, for example, the package 40 has a central axis NN that is substantially parallel to, and preferably coincident with, the longitudinal axis MM when filled with fluid into the package 40. Therefore, the jet flow direction can be controlled more conveniently in the filling process, and the jet flow can reach an ideal position. The terms "substantially parallel" or "substantially parallel" in this disclosure may be understood as substantially or substantially parallel, allowing for process errors or deviations.

As described in the previous embodiments, the filling head 100 may have a plurality of channel assemblies, each channel assembly comprising a pair of

outlets

201, 202. During filling, the liquid can be injected into the package 40 through the plurality of outlets of the plurality of channel assemblies, thereby increasing the filling speed.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a filling head and packaging on a conveyor provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 10, prior to filling the fluid into the package 40 of fig. 5, the above-mentioned filling method may further include:

s300: the packs 40 are conveyed below the filling heads 100 in a conveying direction V which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes MM of the filling heads 100. The transport direction V is, for example, parallel to the first transverse direction X.

In the disclosed embodiment, the liquid in the package 40 can be filled at one time or filled in several times until the package is full. In order to avoid liquid splashing caused by overhigh jet speed during one-time filling, a fractional filling mode is mostly adopted in actual production.

For example, as shown in fig. 10, the conveyor 400 first moves the packages 40 in the conveying direction V below the filling head 100 and stops briefly for a first filling. After the liquid has been filled into the package 50 at the designated location, the conveyor 400 moves the package 40 to the next filling head 400 for a second filling and the package 40 is filled.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the filling head 400 may have the same or different configuration as the filling head 100. Since the package 40 is empty at the first filling, which is more likely to cause liquid splashing or foaming, the filling head 100 provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is preferably used at the first filling.

The dashed box a in fig. 10 is a simplified top view of the filling head 100 and the package 40 of fig. 5, wherein the filling head 100 comprises four channel assemblies, each comprising a pair of

outlets

201, 202. The liquid is filled into the package 40 through eight outlets. When filling is performed in a manner shown in a dashed box a, the following hidden troubles exist:

since the conveying device 400 (for example a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain) needs to be held briefly below the filling head 100, the conveyor belt or conveyor chain can be positioned below the filling head 100 and as far as possible the longitudinal axis MM of the filling head 100 coincides with the central axis of the package 40. However, after a long period of use, the conveyor belt or chain is mechanically worn and is misaligned in the conveying direction V, so that the longitudinal axis MM of the filling head 100 is offset relatively far from the central axis of the package 40, thereby affecting the jet effect of the jet.

In order to solve the above hidden troubles, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the filling head 100 in the dashed box a is rotated by 90 °, so that the arrangement direction of the plurality of channel assemblies (i.e., the first transverse direction x shown in fig. 10) is substantially parallel to the conveying direction V, and thus, even if the conveying device 400 has a positioning deviation in the conveying direction V, the longitudinal axis MM of the filling head 100 can be ensured to deviate from the central axis of the package 40 and substantially coincide, and the jetting effect of the jet flow is not affected.

The filling head provided by the embodiment of the disclosure can be used for filling not only the package with a plane bottom as shown in fig. 5, but also the package with a non-plane bottom.

As shown in fig. 11, the package 50 includes a sidewall 52 having an opening 53 and defining the opening 53, the opening 53 being configured to face a first outlet 201 and a second outlet 202 of the filling head 100, the sidewall 42 having a score line 51 for sealing the opening 53 after filling.

As shown in fig. 11, the package 50 further includes a sealing structure 54, the sealing structure 54 being disposed opposite the opening 53. The sealing structure 54 includes an end 541 connected to the sidewall 52, the end 541 having a tapered cross-section. The seal structure 54 further includes a deflector member 542 engaged with the end 541 and a cover 543 covering the deflector member 542. In this embodiment, by providing the end 541 connected to the sidewall 52 with a gradually decreasing cross-section, liquid accumulation at the connection of the sidewall 52 and the end 541 can be avoided when pouring liquid, especially viscous liquid such as yogurt.

When filling the package 50 of fig. 11 with a prior art filling head, the package 50 of fig. 11 is more likely to cause splashing than the package 40 of fig. 5 because of the severe bounce caused by the direct impact of the liquid stream against the four sloping side walls of the end 541.

When filling the package 50 with the filling head of the disclosed embodiment, the liquid enters the opening 53 through at least the first outlet 201 and the second outlet 202 as two jets that contact the sidewall 52 on the side of the score line 51 remote from the opening 53. In this way, it is not only avoided that the flow impinges on the four inclined side walls of the end 541, downstream along the side wall 52, but it is also ensured that the flow does not fall above the score line 51, thereby avoiding affecting the subsequent sealing of the opening 53.

In the disclosed embodiment, the level of the fluid filled into the package is at least flush with the junction 54 of the end 54 and the side wall 52, i.e., the level is greater than or equal to the junction 54. For example, the total amount of fluid filled into the package is 80% or less, preferably 50% or less, of the total volume of the package. In one example, when the total package capacity is 250ml, the total amount of liquid for the first fill is 80 ml.

In the filling head, the filling device and the filling method provided by the embodiment of the disclosure, at least one channel assembly is arranged on the filling head, and the included angles between the two outlets of the channel assembly and the longitudinal axis are different, and/or the transverse distances between the two outlets and the longitudinal axis are different, so that the liquid splashing or foam formation of the liquid in the package can be reduced or even avoided, and the risk of polluting the filling device is reduced. Compared with the situation that two jet flows of the existing filling head are intersected at the center of the bottom surface of the package after being injected into the package, the filling head provided by the embodiment of the disclosure can enable the first jet flow and the second jet flow to flow down along the side wall to the bottom surface and be intersected at the position deviated from the center of the bottom surface, so that the direction of the two jet flows after collision is changed, and the risk of forming larger splashing or foam is reduced.

Herein, the following points need to be noted:

(1) the drawings of the embodiments of the disclosure only relate to the structures related to the embodiments of the disclosure, and other structures can refer to general designs.

(2) Without conflict, embodiments of the present disclosure and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other to arrive at new embodiments.

The above description is intended to be exemplary of the present disclosure, and not to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A filling head for filling with a fluid, characterized in that the filling head has a longitudinal axis and comprises along the longitudinal axis an inlet area configured to let the fluid in and an outlet area configured to let the fluid out; the filling head further comprises:

a channel assembly connecting the inlet region and the outlet region and configured to convey the fluid from the inlet region to the outlet region, the channel assembly having two outlets disposed at the outlet region, the fluid exiting the two outlets through the channel assembly, the channel assembly being curved to diverge the two exit directions of the two outlets;

wherein, the included angle between the two liquid outlet directions and the longitudinal axis is different, and/or the transverse distance between the two outlets and the longitudinal axis is different.

2. The filling head of claim 1, wherein:

the two outlets comprise a first outlet and a second outlet;

the channel assembly comprises a first conduit and a second conduit;

the first conduit includes a first bend connected to the first outlet, a central axis of the first bend being inclined at a first angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal axis;

the second conduit includes a second bend connected to the second outlet, a central axis of the second bend being inclined at a second angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal axis;

wherein the first and second tilt angles are different.

3. The filling head of claim 2, wherein:

the value range of the first inclination angle is 15-25 degrees;

the value range of the second inclination angle is 15-25 degrees;

the value range of the difference between the first inclination angle and the second inclination angle is 2 degrees to 5 degrees.

4. The filling head of claim 2, wherein:

the filling head further comprises an end face perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the first and second outlets being located on the end face;

the first outlet and the second outlet are located on both sides of the longitudinal axis in a first transverse direction parallel to the end surface, and the two outlet directions are located in the same longitudinal plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the end surface.

5. The filling head of claim 4, wherein:

the first bend and the second bend are located on either side of the longitudinal axis in the first transverse direction, and a central axis of the first bend and a central axis of the second bend are located within the same longitudinal plane.

6. The filling head of claim 1, wherein:

the two outlets comprise a first outlet and a second outlet;

the channel assembly further comprises:

a first inlet and a second inlet located in the inlet region;

a first conduit connecting the first inlet and the first outlet, the first conduit having a first lateral distance from the longitudinal axis;

a second conduit connecting the second inlet and the second outlet, the second conduit having a second lateral distance from the longitudinal axis;

wherein the first lateral distance and the second lateral distance are different.

7. The filling head of claim 6, wherein:

the first and second conduits are located on either side of the longitudinal axis in a first transverse direction parallel to the end face, the first and second transverse distances each being in the first transverse direction.

8. The filling head of claim 7, wherein:

the first conduit includes a first bend connected to the first outlet and a first connection connected to the first bend;

the second conduit includes a second bend connected to the second outlet and a second connection connected to the second bend;

the first and second connecting portions extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and are located on either side of the longitudinal axis in the first transverse direction.

9. The filling head of claim 8, wherein:

the first transverse distance is the distance between the first connecting part and the longitudinal axis along the first transverse direction, and the value range of the first transverse distance is 4-10 mm;

the second transverse distance is the distance between the second connecting part and the longitudinal axis along the first transverse direction, and the value range of the second transverse distance is 4-10 mm;

the value range of the difference value of the first transverse distance and the second transverse distance is 2-3 mm.

10. A filling device comprising a filling head according to any of claims 1 to 9.