DE102017114382A1 - Device for treating a container in a filling product filling plant - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100) for treating a container in a Füllproduktabfüllanlage, preferably for filling a container with a filling product and for subsequently closing the filled container with a container closure, comprising a treatment chamber (1) for receiving a respective container to be treated and at least one treatment element acting on the container to be treated accommodated in the treatment chamber (1), the treatment chamber (1) having a first chamber part (10) and a second chamber part (12), the second chamber part (12) being opposite the first chamber part (12) 10) about a pivot axis (14) is pivotable to open the treatment chamber (1) and close.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for treating a container in a filling product filling plant, preferably for filling a container with a filling product and / or for closing a container filled with a filling product with a container closure in a beverage filling plant.

Technical background

In beverage filling plants, it is known to first fill the containers to be filled with the filling product in a filler carousel, on which a plurality of filling elements is arranged. Subsequently, the containers filled with the filling product are transported in the open state to a capping carousel, for example, with the interposition of at least one transport star, and closed on the capper carousel by means arranged there sealing members with a container closure.

At high plant performance and with increasing filling heights within the container, it can come in the transfer of filled, but not yet sealed container from the filler carousel to the capper carousel to a spilling over of the filling product, which can lead to contamination of the system and the outside of the container and uncontrolled levels in the then finally closed containers can result.

In the EP 965 524 A1 a filling device is proposed in which a single container to be filled is received in a pressure-tightly sealed to the environment treatment chamber is filled in this treatment chamber by means of a filling member with the filling product and is provided after filling with a container closure. In this way, at least the disadvantages associated with the transfer of a filled but not yet sealed container from a filler carousel to a capper carousel can be overcome.

The in the EP 0 965 524 A1 However, due to the large stroke of the sleeve of the treatment chamber in the area of the bottle feed and bottle outlet, the proposed design requires a large installation space, so that the treatment angle available for the actual treatment is reduced.

From the DE 41 26 136 A is a filling element is known in which a treatment chamber is provided, in which the container to be treated is pushed in from below via a bottle plate with a large stroke.

From the DE 195 38 023 A1 a device for filling a bottle with a carbonated beverage and for closing the bottle is known, in which a treatment chamber is sealed by an inserted from below in a ring seal bottle against the environment.

Presentation of the invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for treating a container in a filling product bottling plant.

This object is achieved by a device for treating a container in a Füllproduktabfüllanlage with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims, the present description and the figures.

Accordingly, an apparatus for treating a container in a Füllproduktabfüllanlage is proposed, preferably for filling a container with a filling product and for subsequently closing the filled container with a container closure, wherein the device comprises a treatment chamber for at least partially receiving a respective container to be treated and at least one comprises the treated in the treatment chamber container treatment member. According to the invention, the treatment chamber has a first chamber part and a second chamber part, wherein the second chamber part is pivotable relative to the first chamber part about a pivot axis in order to open and close the treatment chamber.

The fact that the treatment chamber has a second chamber part which can be pivoted relative to a first chamber part, wherein the first and the second chamber part can be pivoted relative to one another for opening and closing the treatment chamber, makes the device overall more compact and efficient.

In particular, it is possible by this expression to reduce the height of the apparatus for treating a container over the prior art devices known and in particular the hub and the space required for its implementation space, which is required to open the treatment chamber and to close to introduce a container to be filled or a filled and closed container from the treatment chamber perform, reduce.

Thus, upstream and / or downstream transport devices require no special structure. In other words, conventional transporting devices, such as transporting stars or other conveyors, provided for feeding the containers to be treated and for discharging the treated containers may be used, so that the filling product filling line as a whole is very efficient and without the need for redesigning the other aggregates of the filling product filling line can be built.

It is correspondingly possible, the other aggregates, which are provided for the transport of treated or treated containers in a Füllproduktabfüllanlage, and in particular an upstream feed star for supplying containers to be treated and / or a downstream outlet star for discharging the treated container, simple to bind to the proposed device.

Thus, it is also possible to transfer the container to be treated earlier to the device and to remove the treated container later, so that the available treatment angle, within which a treatment of the respective container to be treated is made, can be increased, so that the plant can be made more compact at a given throughput or can achieve a higher throughput for a given plant size.

The required closing or opening time of the treatment chamber can also be reduced by the pivotable arrangement of the second chamber part relative to the first chamber part with respect to the known from the prior art embodiments, in which either a sleeve over a wide stroke must be raised or lowered, or in which the container itself serves to seal the respective treatment chamber and must be raised or lowered over a wide stroke accordingly. In the proposed device, on the other hand, the container need not be raised or lowered, but may remain at its supply or discharge level. This is particularly advantageous if in the rest of Füllproduktabfüllanlage the containers to be treated are conveyed at a constant level, for example, when holding the container to be treated below a neck ring (so-called neck handling).

The treatment chamber and thus the treatment chamber forming the first chamber part and the second chamber part can be dimensioned so that the container to be treated can be completely absorbed in the treatment chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the treatment chamber is dimensioned so that the largest container to be treated with the device can be completely accommodated in the treatment chamber. Smaller to be treated with the device container can also be taken up completely in the treatment chamber accordingly.

In an alternative embodiment, the treatment chamber may be dimensioned so that only a part of the container to be treated can be accommodated in the container chamber. For example, the treatment chamber can receive the mouth region of the container and seal against the environment. This results in a situation in which the container to be treated is accommodated with a partial area in the treatment chamber, but a different partial area of the container is then arranged outside the treatment chamber. The container interior is, however, preferably in fluid communication with the treatment chamber, so that the treatment of the container interior of the treatment chamber can be performed.

Preferably, the first chamber part and the second chamber part are geometrically divided so that the released by the pivoting of the second chamber part opening of the treatment chamber results in the simplest possible access for the containers and the transport devices in the treatment chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the first chamber part and the second chamber part each form substantially one half of the treatment chamber.

Preferably, the pivot axis about which the second chamber part is pivoted relative to the first chamber part, aligned horizontally and is particularly preferably arranged in the lower region of the treatment chamber. In this case, an orientation of the treatment chamber is used, in which the container to be treated is aligned with its container mouth upwards.

Particularly preferably, the pivot axis is also aligned perpendicular to the radius of a treatment carousel, on whose circumference the device is arranged. This results in that the second chamber part can pivot to open the treatment chamber to the outside. In an arrangement of the pivot axis in the lower region of the treatment chamber and perpendicular to the radius, the second chamber part also pivots downward and radially outward. Thus, the space under the treatment chamber is not needed to an opening allow the treatment chamber, so that results in a compact and efficient construction.

Furthermore, when the second chamber part is swiveled outwards, the treatment chamber is freely accessible, so that the supply of containers to be treated and the discharge of treated containers are substantially unhindered and, for example, by a tangential container guide and / or the guiding of the containers by means of a transport star can be achieved.

The second chamber part is preferably pivotable relative to the first chamber part by means of a pivot drive, wherein the pivot drive particularly preferably has an actuator for actively pivoting the second chamber part relative to the first chamber part and / or a roller guide with a guide roller, which is guided on a roller guide. Particularly preferably, the actuator presses the guide roller on the roller guide, wherein the actuator is preferably a pneumatic cylinder, which is particularly preferably permanently supplied with compressed air from a ring line.

By providing the pivot drive, an active operation of the opening and closing of the treatment chamber can be achieved in order to achieve a particularly efficient process control. In one embodiment, in which the opening and closing of the treatment chamber is performed via the actuator, a roller guide is preferably provided to serve as an emergency guide in case of failure of the actuator, so that collisions between parts of the system can be avoided.

By using a roller guide for opening and closing a particularly simple system structure can be achieved in which an individual control of actuators is not necessary. Pressing the roller to the roller guide by means of the actuator, preferably by means of a permanently biased in the pressing direction actuator in the form of a pneumatic cylinder, results in a safe and control technology easy to achieve operation of the opening and closing of the treatment chamber.

In a preferred development, the first chamber part can be sealed off from the second chamber part via a switchable seal.

By using a switchable seal, the closing forces that have to be used to close the treatment chamber can be kept small and it can still be achieved by switching the switchable seal in the closed state of the treatment chamber, a pressure and gas-tight sealing of the treatment chamber. Thus, the structure of, for example, a rotary actuator can be kept simple and the seal takes place only after the actual closing of the treatment chamber. Accordingly, the rotary actuator does not have to compress a seal for sealing the treatment chamber, but merely has to move the dead weight of the second chamber part from the open position into the closing position.

Particularly preferably, the switchable seal on a safety device, which prevents switching of the switchable seal when the treatment chamber is open and preferably comprises a pressure medium supply, which is interrupted when the treatment chamber is open. In this way it can be avoided that the switchable seal is damaged by an incorrect operation of the switchable seal with the treatment chamber open, for example, in that the respective sealing element is pushed out of its sealing groove, because the respective opposite sealing surface is missing.

Preferably, a seal for gas-tight sealing of the treatment chamber from the environment in its closed state is provided on the first and / or the second chamber part. The seal is preferably one which can be moved or expanded by being charged with a pressure medium. By providing this switchable seal can be achieved accordingly, that a rapid opening and closing of the treatment chamber is made possible because the concerns of the two chamber parts can take place together without the resistance, which would bring the deformation of a seal, overcome got to. Accordingly, the two chamber parts can be quickly applied to each other and locked together, and only then the switchable seal is switched, while the two chamber halves are already locked together or are in the locked position. Correspondingly, the actuating device for pivoting the first chamber part relative to the second chamber part can be formed small dimensioned, so that here both space and energy can be saved during operation.

Particularly preferred is a safety device is provided, which allows a switching of the switchable seal only when the first chamber part and the second chamber part are in the closed position. For this purpose, for example, a valve is provided such that the possibility of pressurizing the switchable seal with a pressure medium is made possible only when the first chamber part in a predetermined relative position to the second chamber part is located. Alternatively or additionally, the safety device can also be set up such that the switchable seal can only be acted upon by the switching medium when the first chamber part is locked to the second chamber part in the closed position.

In a further preferred embodiment, an orifice seal is provided, by means of which a container mouth of the container to be treated can be sealed against the treatment chamber, wherein the mouth seal is preferably a switchable seal.

By providing the mouth seal further treatment steps on the container can be made possible. For example, it can be achieved by sealing the container mouth opposite the treatment chamber that a different atmosphere or a different pressure is provided inside the container to be treated, than on the outside of the container. Furthermore, different zones can be provided and, for example, a different atmosphere or a different pressure can be provided in the mouth region of the container than in the region of the container body.

By means of the mouth seal, an embodiment of the device can be provided, in which the container to be treated is not completely received in the treatment chamber, but the treatment chamber is sealed with the mouth region of the container.

In an alternative, the mouth seal may also be provided within the treatment chamber, so that the container can be completely accommodated within the treatment chamber despite the sealing by means of the mouth seal.

Thus, for example, a negative pressure can be provided on the outside of the container body and in the mouth region a CO ₂ atmosphere, for example, in a thin-walled container to close the container with a container closure under a CO ₂ atmosphere in a full extent of the container.

By providing the muzzle seal as a switchable seal closing the treatment chamber and / or enclosing the container mouth can be achieved first with a low operating force and only then by switching the seal a complete seal can be achieved. Furthermore, by providing a switchable seal sealing of container mouths of different diameters or larger manufacturing tolerances can be achieved without the particularly high closing forces would be necessary.

Particularly preferably, the mouth seal has an orifice sealing element, which has a varying cross section and preferably a lip, by means of which it can be applied to an opposite sealing surface. Thus, a seal can be achieved even with tolerance-related or production-related fluctuations in the diameter or cross-section of the container mouth, which can be achieved especially between the muzzle sealing element and the opposite sealing surface.

Preferably, in this orifice seal for sealing the container mouth, a safety device is provided such that switching of the switchable seal can only be performed when the treatment chamber is closed and according to the first chamber part is arranged relative to the second chamber part in a predetermined closure position. Here again, it is important that the closing force for closing the chamber and for receiving the mouth region of the container to be filled by the use of the switchable seal can be reduced.

Furthermore, it is achieved by the safety device that inadvertent switching, for example by a faulty switching command or other system failure, the unintentional expulsion of the sealing element of the switchable seal from their respective recording or sealing groove by the application of the pressure medium, without the corresponding opposite sealing surface is present, is avoided. Accordingly, the operation of the device can be made particularly secure and a malfunction of the switchable seal or even a threading of the switchable seal from their respective receiving groove can be avoided.

Preferably, a locking device is provided for locking the treatment chamber, which can be actuated via a control cam, and which can be positively locked to lock the treatment chamber.

By the locking device, the treatment chamber can be kept locked during the treatment of the respective container and any pressures and forces, which are caused for example by the treatment of the treatment chamber with a gas or compressed air, can be intercepted by the locking device.

In order to use the treatment chamber for the treatment of containers of different volumes and thereby achieve an efficient use of compressed gases, a volume reduction device for reducing the volume of the treatment chamber is preferably provided, which preferably a volume reduction element with a first part arranged on the first chamber part and a The second part arranged in the second chamber part comprises. Thus, the volume of the treatment chamber can be adapted to the respective container size and the consumption of gases and compressed air can be reduced accordingly.

In order to achieve efficient cleaning of the treatment chamber, a cleaning channel extends from the first chamber part into the second chamber part and from there into the treatment chamber and preferably flows into the lower part of the treatment chamber.

The treatment member acting on the container in the treatment chamber is preferably designed as a filling member for filling a container received in the treatment chamber with a filling product and / or as a closing member for closing a container filled with a filling product in the treatment chamber, wherein preferably a filling member and a closure member are arranged in the treatment chamber and act in succession on the container.

This results in a particularly efficient treatment of the container, so that after receiving the container in the treatment chamber first filling the container and then closing the container can be achieved.

The treatment carried out in the treatment chamber of the container can - in addition to the just-mentioned treatment steps of filling and / or closing - also include other or alternative treatment steps such as cleaning the container with a cleaning medium, rinsing the container with a flushing medium, disinfecting the container with a disinfecting medium, pressurizing the container with a defined gas to form a defined atmosphere within the container or rinsing the container with a purge gas. However, the treatment of the container in the treatment chamber is not limited to the treatment methods and treatment steps mentioned here.

Preferably, a plurality of the above-described devices are arranged around the circumference of a treatment carousel of a filling product filling plant to allow continuous treatment of a stream of containers.

list of figures

• 1 eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Behandeln eines Behälters in einer Füllproduktabfüllanlage, wobei eine geschlossene Behandlungskammer zur Aufnahme des jeweils zu behandelnden Behälters gezeigt ist;
• 2 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch die geschlossene Behandlungskammer der 1, wobei sich ein erster Kammerteil und ein zweiter Kammerteil in einer gegeneinander verschlossenen Stellung befinden;
• 3 eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung der Behandlungskammer der 1 und 2, wobei die Behandlungskammer geöffnet ist und der zweite Kammerteil gegenüber dem ersten Kammerteil in eine Öffnungsposition verschwenkt ist;
• 4 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der geöffneten Behandlungskammer aus 3;
• 5 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer Behandlungskammer in einer weiteren Ausführung mit an der Behandlungskammer angeordnetem Füllorgan zum Befüllen eines in der Behandlungskammer aufgenommenen, zu befüllenden Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt sowie einem Verschließorgan zum nachfolgenden Verschließen des in der Behandlungskammer aufgenommenen und mit dem Füllprodukt befüllten Behälters mit einem Behälterverschluss;
• 6 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines Details, in welchem die Verriegelung der Behandlungskammer in einer Ausführungsform gezeigt wird;
• 7 eine schematische Draufsicht auf die Verriegelung der Behandlungskammer gemäß 6 in einer geöffneten Position;
• 8 eine Draufsicht auf die Verriegelung der Behandlungskammer aus 6 und 7 in einer verriegelten Position;
• 9 eine schematische, perspektivische Teilansicht eines unteren Bereichs der Behandlungskammer, in welcher eine Dichtungsnut und ein Reinigungskanal gezeigt sind;
• 10 der aus 9 gezeigte Teilabschnitt der Vorrichtung unter einem anderen Betrachtungswinkel;
• 11 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch eine im Randbereich des ersten Kammerteils angeordnete Dichtungsnut mit einer geschalteten Dichtung zur Abdichtung des ersten Kammerteils gegenüber dem zweiten Kammerteil;
• 12 eine schematische Darstellung der Schaltung einer schaltbaren Dichtung in zwei unterschiedlichen Schaltzuständen;
• 13 schematische Schnittdarstellungen weiterer mögliche Dichtungsprofile der schaltbaren Dichtung;
• 14 eine schematische Darstellung einer Sicherheitsschaltung für eine schaltbare Dichtung zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Kammerteil;
• 15 eine schematische Darstellung einer schaltbaren Dichtung zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Kammerteil sowie eine schaltbare Mündungsdichtung zur Abdichtung der Behandlungskammer gegenüber einer Behältermündung;
• 16 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine schaltbare Mündungsdichtung zur Abdichtung des Mündungsbereichs eines zu befüllenden Behälters;
• 17 eine schematische Teildarstellung der Mündungsdichtung aus 16;
• 18 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer Behandlungskammer mit einer Volumenreduzierungsvorrichtung zur Reduzierung des Volumens der Behandlungskammer zur Verwendung der Behandlungskammer mit unterschiedlichen Behältergrößen; und
• 19 eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch einen Teilbereich der Vorrichtung, in welchem der Übergang einer Reinigungsbohrung in den unteren Bereich der Behandlungskammer gezeigt ist.

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

• 1 a schematic, perspective view of an apparatus for treating a container in a Füllproduktabfüllanlage, wherein a closed treatment chamber is shown for receiving the respective container to be treated;
• 2 a schematic sectional view through the closed treatment chamber of 1 wherein a first chamber part and a second chamber part are in a mutually closed position;
• 3 a schematic perspective view of the treatment chamber of 1 and 2 wherein the treatment chamber is opened and the second chamber part is pivoted relative to the first chamber part to an opening position;
• 4 a schematic sectional view of the open treatment chamber 3 ;
• 5 a schematic sectional view of a treatment chamber in a further embodiment arranged on the treatment chamber filling member for filling a container to be filled in the treatment chamber to be filled with a filling product and a closure member for subsequent closure of the container received in the treatment chamber and filled with the filling container with a container closure;
• 6 a schematic sectional view of a detail, in which the locking of the treatment chamber is shown in one embodiment;
• 7 a schematic plan view of the locking of the treatment chamber according to 6 in an open position;
• 8th a plan view of the lock of the treatment chamber 6 and 7 in a locked position;
• 9 a schematic, partial perspective view of a lower portion of the treatment chamber, in which a sealing groove and a cleaning channel are shown;
• 10 the out 9 shown portion of the device under a different viewing angle;
• 11 a schematic sectional view through a arranged in the edge region of the first chamber part sealing groove with a switched seal for sealing the first chamber part relative to the second chamber part;
• 12 a schematic representation of the circuit of a switchable seal in two different switching states;
• 13 schematic sectional views of other possible sealing profiles of the switchable seal;
• 14 a schematic representation of a safety circuit for a switchable seal between the first and the second chamber part;
• 15 a schematic representation of a switchable seal between the first and the second chamber part and a switchable orifice seal for sealing the treatment chamber with respect to a container mouth;
• 16 a schematic plan view of a switchable muzzle seal for sealing the mouth region of a container to be filled;
• 17 a schematic partial view of the mouth seal 16 ;
• 18 a schematic sectional view of a treatment chamber with a volume reduction device for reducing the volume of the treatment chamber for use of the treatment chamber with different container sizes; and
• 19 a schematic sectional view through a portion of the device, in which the transition of a cleaning hole is shown in the lower region of the treatment chamber.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements in the different figures are provided with identical reference numerals, and a repeated description of these elements is partially omitted in order to avoid redundancies.

In the 1 and 2 is schematically a treatment chamber 1 a device 100 for treating a container in a filling product bottling plant. In the treatment chamber 1 the device 100 As a treatment, in particular filling of a container to be filled with a filling product and / or closing of the filled container with a container closure can be carried out. In the embodiment shown, it is provided that initially a filling of the in the treatment chamber 1 received container is made with a filling product and then the container filled with the filling product is provided with a container closure, without the container from the treatment chamber 1 Will get removed.

In other words, filling of the container with the filling product and closure of the filled container take place successively in the treatment chamber 1 instead of. In a variant, however, only one filling or closing of the container in the treatment chamber 1 be made.

The treatment chamber 1 has a first chamber part 10 and a second chamber part 12 on. The second chamber part 12 is opposite the first chamber part 10 around a pivot axis 14 pivoted around to the treatment chamber 1 to open and close. In the 3 and 4 is the treatment chamber 1 correspondingly shown in an open position, in which the second chamber part 12 opposite the first chamber part 10 around the pivot axis 14 is pivoted around and corresponding to the interior 16 the treatment chamber 1 opens. In the in the 3 and 4 shown opened position of the treatment chamber 1 in which the second chamber part 12 opposite the first chamber part 10 pivoted into the open position, a container to be filled in the treatment chamber 1 be introduced or an already filled and / or sealed container from the treatment chamber 1 be removed.

In its closed position is the treatment chamber 1 sealed to the environment substantially gas-tight, so that in the treatment chamber 1 a different atmosphere from the environment and / or a relation to the environment different pressure can be established.

In the embodiments shown, the first chamber part 10 a substantially fixed chamber part, which for example via a connection 110 can be connected to a treatment carousel a Füllproduktabfüllanlage. In order to enable a continuous treatment of a stream of containers to be treated in a filling product filling plant, a plurality of treatment chambers are customary 1 and therefore a plurality of apparatuses for treating containers 100 around the circumference of a treatment carousel, not shown here, the Füllproduktabfüllanlage arranged around. The device 100 runs along with the treatment carousel, for example, to allow, for example, the continuous production of containers filled with a filling product and sealed with a container closure.

To the container to be filled 100 in the interior 16 the treatment chamber 1 is to bring a supply device, not shown here, for example in the form of a feed star provided by means of which the container to be filled to the device 100 can be passed when the treatment chamber 1 is open. After the transfer of the container, the treatment chamber 1 closed and the container can be subjected to the intended treatment in the treatment chamber - for example, a filling and closing.

After in the closed treatment chamber 1 the treatment of the respective container was carried out and / or completed, in particular by filling the container with a filling product and then closing the container with a container closure, the treatment chamber 1 by pivoting the second chamber part 12 opposite the first chamber part 10 around the pivot axis 14 opened again around. Then, the container filled and provided with the container closure by means of an outlet device, for example in the form of a Auslasssterns from the device 100 be issued and passed to a subsequent treatment device, for example to a labeler or a packaging device.

To a filling of the container to be filled in the treatment chamber 1 is possible in the first chamber part 10 a Füllorganaufnahme 120 provided, through which a filling member so on the device 100 it can be attached that the filling member with a in the interior 16 the treatment chamber 1 recorded container and in particular with the container mouth can communicate to fill the filling product in the interior of the container can. The filling organ, which in the Füllorganaufnahme 120 is received, is preferably designed so that it can be moved to fill the container to be filled in a treatment position with its Füllproduktauslass over the mouth of the container to be filled, and then can be withdrawn after completion of the filling process back into a parking position. The retraction of the filling member into a parking position allows another treatment member, such as a closure member described below, to reach the container mouth undisturbed and without collisions with the filling member or other treatment member so that the further treatment member can also act on the container.

Accordingly, in the first chamber part 10 Also, a Verschließorganaufnahme 130 is provided, in which a closure member can be introduced, by means of which the filled container within the treatment chamber 1 can be closed with a container closure. The closure member, which is received in the Verschließorganaufnahme 130, is also preferably designed so that it can be moved back and forth between a treatment position and a parking position to act in the treatment position on the container and in the parking position another treatment organ such as allowing the filling member to act on the container. Thus, by a correspondingly controlled advancing or retracting both the filling member and the closing member sequential filling of the in the treatment chamber 1 received container and a subsequent closing of the then filled with the filling container with a container closure can be achieved without that filled by the filling member, but not yet sealed container would have to be handed over to another treatment carousel.

Furthermore, the container may remain stationary in the treatment chamber or at least be moved only along its container axis to raise and lower the in the treatment chamber 1 Received container with respect to the respective treatment organ to allow.

A schematic diagram of the arrangement of the filling member 2 which is in a Füllorganaufnahme 120 of the first chamber part 10 is received, and a closure member shown schematically 132 , which in the Verschließorganaufnahme 130 of the first chamber part 10 is included is schematically in the 5 shown.

The pivoting of the second chamber part 12 around the pivot axis 14 opposite the first chamber part 10 is by a rotary actuator 2 reached. The rotary actuator 2 is in the embodiment shown by an actuator in the form of a pneumatic cylinder 20 , which via a pivot lever 22 on the second chamber part 12 acts, educated. By the actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 20 can according pivoting of the second chamber part 12 opposite the first chamber part 10 be achieved, and thus opening and closing the treatment chamber 1 for transferring containers.

The swivel lever 22 may be designed as a toggle lever to provide an efficient closing with a high closing force at a relatively low operating force to a sealing closing of the second chamber part 12 opposite the first chamber part 10 to enable. Furthermore, when using a toggle lever by overstretching the toggle lever, a locking of the treatment chamber 1 be achieved in the closed state at a high Verschließkraft without an actuator would have to exert a permanent force.

The rotary actuator also has an emergency guide 24 on, which one with the pivot lever 22 connected role 240 and a roller guide 242 having. The roller guide 242 is arranged stationary on the treatment device, such that the treatment carousel with its rotating part relative to the roller guide 242 rotates. Accordingly, the role 240 during circulation of the device 100 around the treatment device by the rotation of the treatment carousel according to the contour of the roller guide 242 depart.

In normal operation, however, the control of the second chamber part 12 preferably exclusively via the pneumatic cylinder 20 performed and the leadership 240 is usually not in normal operation with the roller guide 242 in contact, both to avoid the frictional resistance and to reduce the associated vibration and noise components.

The emergency guide 24 Rather, it is merely intended to ensure that in the event of a failure of the pneumatic system or its control or other defects in the control of the rotary actuator 2 nevertheless a reliable opening of the second chamber part 12 opposite the first chamber part 10 is reached to collisions of the second chamber part 12 with other plant components - to prevent or completely exclude, for example, a feeder or an outlet device for the container.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the pivot axis 14 around which the first chamber part 10 opposite the second chamber part 12 is pivoted, in the lower part of the treatment chamber 1 arranged such that the fixed, first chamber part 10 with the Füllorganaufnahmen arranged in the upper area 120 and closing organ recordings 130 is completely unaffected by the pivoting process. Furthermore, it is achieved by this arrangement that a container receptacle 140 which, for example, in 5 is shown, and which also in the upper region of the treatment chamber 1 is arranged, during the pivoting of the second chamber part 12 opposite the first chamber part 10 remains accessible for as long as possible.

The pivot axis 14 is preferably arranged horizontally, so that the second chamber part 12 unfolds to the outside. In an arrangement of the pivot axis 14 perpendicular to a radius of a treatment carousel can continue to be achieved in the radial direction outward pivoting, so that of the unfolded, second chamber part 12 released opening of the treatment chamber 1 allows easy feeding and removal of containers and in particular allows a tangential feeding and discharging of containers.

The treatment chamber 1 is still by means of a locking device 3 lockable, wherein, as in the 6 to 8th is shown schematically, the locking device 3 a locking bolt 30 having a locking lever 32 that of a switching element 34 during circulation of the device 100 and in particular the treatment chamber 1 is actuated such that a locking of the treatment chamber 1 and in particular the first chamber part 10 opposite the second chamber part 12 is reached.

The locking bolt 30 has a locking element for this purpose 36 on, which in a first switching position, for example, in 7 is shown in a corresponding locking receptacle 38 can be introduced and in a second switching position, for example, in 8th is shown, the locking element 36 opposite the locking receptacle 38 is rotated so that a positive locking is formed.

To a gas and pressure-tight training of the treatment chamber 1 to reach and in particular the interior 16 the treatment chamber 1 To be able to conclude pressure-tight with respect to the environment is preferably a switchable seal 4 provided which, for example, in the first stationary chamber part 10 is provided. The switchable seal 4 is there, as in 9 and 10 shown in a sealing groove 40 that in the first chamber part 10 and in particular in its edge region, which in the closed state of the treatment chamber 1 the second chamber part 12 opposite. The sealing groove 40 takes a sealing element 42 which is switchable by a pressure medium in between the sealing element 42 and the sealing groove 40 formed cavity is introduced and thereby the sealing element 42 from the sealing groove 40 is pushed out.

This is schematically in 11 shown, from which both the sealing groove 40 , which in the edge region of the first chamber part 10 is provided, as well as the sealing element 42 which is in the in 11 shown embodiment in the form of an elastomeric cord is formed in the relaxed state circular cross-section, to see. Via a pressure medium channel 44 can suitably in the between the sealing groove 40 and the sealing element 42 trained pressure room 440 the pressure medium are introduced so that the sealing element 42 from the sealing groove 40 want to move out. Accordingly, the sealing element 42 on an opposite surface, for example a surface of the second chamber part 12 , For example, an edge region of the second chamber part 12 , pressed by means of the sealant.

The pressure, which by means of the sealant in the pressure chamber 440 must be applied to achieve a tight seal, can be significantly lower than the pressure to be sealed perpendicular thereto.

In 12 is another geometry of this switchable seal 4 shown, wherein the sealing element 42 in this embodiment has a rectangular cross-section having a width substantially equal to the width of the sealing groove 40 equivalent. Due to this geometry occur when applying this sealing element 42 with the perpendicular to the contact force directed pressure force, which by a in the interior of the treatment chamber 1 present pressure on the sealing element 42 is exercised, no forces, which the sealing element 42 would press out of its sealing position.

When using a circular cross-section having a sealing element 42 On the other hand, it is also possible to counteract the pressing direction of the sealing element 42 acting forces on the sealing element 42 act, which is an increase in the pressure of the pressure medium in the pressure chamber 440 require to maintain the seal.

In 13 are other possible geometries for sealing elements 42 shown which in the sealing groove 40 can be introduced and which for sealing the second chamber part 12 opposite the first chamber part 10 can be used.

To prevent the pressure chamber 440 the switchable seal 4 is acted upon by a pressure medium as long as the corresponding counter surface, against which the sealing element 42 is to be pressed, is not positioned opposite and accordingly there is a risk that the sealing element 42 when pressurized with the pressure medium from the seal groove 40 is a safety device 46 provided, which schematically in 14 is shown.

In other words, it is a safety device 46 provided, by means of which it can be prevented that the sealing element 42 the switchable seal 4 from the sealing groove 40 is squeezed out when the treatment chamber 1 is still open and according to the first chamber part 10 and the second chamber part 12 not yet lie against each other.

In this embodiment, the first chamber part 10 , which is provided fixed, with in the 14 schematically indicated switchable seal 4 provided, which is a sealing element 42 which, in turn, in a sealing groove 40 is arranged and according to a pressure chamber 440 formed. The pressure medium can the pressure chamber 440 via a pressure medium channel 44 be supplied, wherein in the second chamber part 12 also a pressure medium channel 44 is provided. The pressure medium channel 44 of the first chamber part 10 flows into an opening 442 which with an opposite opening 444 is sealingly matched, when the first and the second chamber part 10 . 12 abut each other. Accordingly, the pressure medium channel extends 44 with closed treatment chamber 1 from the first chamber part 10 in the second chamber part 12 if according to the first chamber part 10 and the second chamber part 12 are locked together. The pressure channel 44 extends through the second chamber part 12 and can there via a corresponding nozzle-shaped connection 460 that with a recording 462 in the first chamber part 10 can be brought into gas-tight consistency when the first chamber part 10 with the second chamber part 12 is locked, again in the first chamber part 10 to be led back. Accordingly, there is a continuous pressure medium channel 44 only if the first chamber part 10 with the second chamber part 12 is locked. Are the first chamber part 10 and the second chamber part 12 not locked together, so is the pressure medium channel 44 open and not with the pressure room 440 the switchable seal 4 connected.

In other words, it serves in the security device 46 of the second chamber part 12 , opposite the first chamber part 10 is pivotable, as a safety device and thus as a switch for the connection of the pressure medium channel 44 with the pressure room 440 ,

Accordingly, it can be prevented that the pressure chamber 440 pressurized with pressure medium will if the treatment chamber 1 is not closed or the second chamber part 12 not with the first chamber part 10 is brought into plant. This can be an accidental destruction of the switchable seal 4 be avoided.

There are other forms for the safety device 46 conceivable, for example in the form of a mechanically switchable valve, which is the supply of pressure medium in the pressure chamber 440 prevents as long as the treatment chamber 1 not closed and / or locked.

The safety device is preferably mechanically designed to prevent the sealing element in the event of failure of electronics or control devices 42 from the sealing groove 40 is squeezed out.

In the 15 is another form of a sealing element 42 for the mutual sealing of the first chamber part 10 opposite the second chamber part 12 shown.

In addition to the sealing element for sealing the first chamber part 10 opposite the second chamber part 12 is a muzzle seal 5 provided by means of which the container mouth 162 a container to be filled opposite the treatment chamber 1 can be sealed.

This allows the container 160 completely in the treatment chamber 1 however, for example, different pressures may be applied to the area within the container 160 and outside the container 160 to be provided.

In an alternative embodiment, the mouth seal 5 but also in the area of the chamber parts 10 . 12 be provided so as to seal the treatment chamber 1 also over the muzzle seal 5 takes place. In other words, it is part of the container 160 within the treatment chamber 1 arranged, for example, the container mouth 162 , and part of the container 160 is outside the treatment chamber 1 ,

The muzzle seal 5 is preferably also designed as a switchable seal and preferably in the in 16 provided expression provided. Accordingly, the mouth seal 5 in a muzzle sealing groove 50 inserted and there are sealing elements 52 intended. The sealing elements 52 can by applying the between the sealing elements 52 and the muzzle sealing groove 50 trained pressure room 500 be switched.

It is in a special expression the in 17 shown shape of the sealing element 52 provided, wherein the sealing of a sealing element 52 on an opposite surface and in particular on an opposite further sealing element 52 via an opposite to the remaining contour of the sealing element 52 flared lip 520 is provided. The lip 520 extends correspondingly in the direction of the opposite surface or of the sealing element 52 such that when applying the sealing elements 52 or the pressure chamber 500 with the pressure medium a sealing concern of the lip 520 takes place. As the sealing element 52 due to the tolerances of the respective container mouths 162 different far from the muzzle sealing groove 50 can be pushed out by means of the lip 520 in any case, a sealing contact of the sealing element 52 can be achieved on the opposite surface. The lip 520 serves accordingly, one between two opposite sealing elements 52 or a sealing element 52 and an opposing surface forming gap 522 to bridge sealingly at different gap widths. The different gap widths of the gap 522 arise from the tolerances of the different container mouths 162 each in the treatment chamber 1 taken up to be treated container.

Due to the tolerances of the container mouths 162 also finds a slight rotation of the sealing element 52 around the lip 520 around, which serves as a kind of fulcrum instead, so that even with such a rotation, a reliable seal can be achieved. The lip 520 then can still reliably provide a seal. This results in this way by the special geometric design of at least one of the sealing elements 52 with a lip 520 a reliable pressure-tight seal of the container mouth 162 of the container to be filled with respect to the environment.

In 18 is another embodiment of the device 100 shown in which interior 16 the treatment chamber 1 a volume reduction device 6 in the form of an insert, which in both the first chamber part 10 as well as the second chamber part 12 can be inserted, is provided to the volume of the interior 16 the treatment chamber 1 to reduce. This is important if containers to be filled, which have a smaller volume, are to be filled in order in this way compressed gas, which in the interior 16 the treatment chamber 1 should be introduced to save.

The volume reduction device 6 is preferably formed at least in two parts, wherein the first part 60 in the fixed first chamber part 10 is inserted and the second part 62 in the second, pivotable chamber part 12 is inserted. Accordingly, the two parts 60 . 62 the volume reduction device 6 be operated as if the device 100 and the treatment chamber 1 without the volume reduction device 6 would be operated. In other words, the first part pivots 62 the volume reduction device 6 and the other part 60 the volume reduction device 6 remains stationary.

In 19 is still the connection of a cleaning channel 7 shown which in a first area 70 in the stationary, first chamber part 10 is guided and in a second area 72 in the pivotable second chamber part 12 , By means of the cleaning channel 7 may be during the cleaning of the device 100 a cleaning medium or a cleaning agent in the interior 16 the treatment chamber are introduced, such that the entire interior of the treatment chamber 1 be rinsed and cleaned.

Where applicable, all individual features illustrated in the embodiments may be combined and / or interchanged without departing from the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

treatment chamber

10

first chamber part

12

second chamber part

14

swivel axis

16

inner space

100

contraption

110

connection

120

Füllorganaufnahme

122

Filling head

130

Verschließorganaufnahme

132

A closure

140

container receptacle

160

container

162

container mouth

2

Rotary actuator

20

pneumatic cylinder

22

pivoting lever

24

emergency guide

240

leadership

242

roller guide

3

locking device

30

locking bolt

32

locking lever

34

switching element

36

locking element

38

locking receptacle

4

switchable seal

40

seal groove

42

sealing element

44

Pressure fluid channel

46

safety device

440

pressure chamber

442

opening

444

opening

460

connection

5

mouth seal

50

Mündungsdichtungsnut

52

sealing element

500

pressure chamber

520

lip

522

gap

6

Volume reduction device

60

first part

62

second part

7

cleaning channel

70

first area

72

second area

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 965524 A1 [0004]
• EP 0965524 A1 [0005]
• DE 4126136A [0006]
• DE 19538023 A1 [0007]

Claims (12)

Apparatus (100) for treating a container in a Füllproduktabfüllanlage, preferably for filling a container with a filling product and for subsequently closing the filled container with a container closure, comprising a treatment chamber (1) for at least partially receiving in each case a container to be treated and comprising at least one acting on the container in the treatment chamber (1) acting treatment member (122, 132), characterized in that the treatment chamber (1) has a first chamber part (10) and a second chamber part (12), wherein the second chamber part (12) opposite the first chamber part (10) about a pivot axis (14) is pivotable to open the treatment chamber (1) and close. Device (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the pivot axis (14) is aligned horizontally and preferably in the lower region of the treatment chamber (1) is arranged, preferably perpendicular to the radius of a treatment carousel, on the periphery of the device (100) is arranged. Device (100) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the second chamber part (12) by means of a pivot drive (2) relative to the first chamber part (10) is pivotable, wherein the pivot drive (2) preferably an actuator for pivoting the second chamber part (12) relative to the first chamber part (10 ) and / or a roller guide with a guide roller (240) which is guided on a roller guide (242). Device (100) according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the actuator presses the guide roller (240) on the roller guide (242), wherein the actuator is preferably a pneumatic cylinder, which is particularly preferably permanently supplied with compressed air from a loop. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first chamber part (10) relative to the second chamber part (12) via a switchable seal (4) is sealable. Device (100) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the switchable seal (4) has a safety device (46) which, when the treatment chamber (1) is open, prevents switching of the switchable seal (4) and preferably comprises a pressure medium supply which is interrupted when the treatment chamber (1) is open. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an orifice seal (5) is provided, by means of which a container mouth (162) of the container relative to the treatment chamber (1) can be sealed, the mouth seal (5) preferably a switchable Seal is. Device (100) according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the mouth seal (5) comprises a sealing element (52) having a varying cross section and preferably a lip (520) by means of which it can be applied to an opposite sealing surface. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking device (3) is provided, which is controllable via a control cam, and which can be positively locked to close the treatment chamber (1). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a volume reduction device (6) is provided for reducing the volume of the treatment chamber (1), which preferably has a volume reduction element with a first part (60) arranged on the first chamber part (10). and a second part (62) disposed on the second chamber part (12). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cleaning channel (7) extends from the first chamber part (10) into the second chamber part (12) and from there into the treatment chamber (1) and preferably in the lower part of the Treatment chamber (1) opens into this. Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the treatment chamber (1) acting on the container treatment member as filling member (122) for filling each one in the treatment chamber (1) recorded container with a filling product and / or as Closing member (132) for closing a in the treatment chamber (1) accommodated, filled with a filling container is formed, preferably a filling member (122) and a closure member (132) in the treatment chamber (1) successively each act on the container.

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