DE102017127327A1 - Filling machine with cooling devices for cooling different plant parts - Google Patents

Abstract

Described and illustrated is a filling machine (1) for filling flowable products in packaging (2), in particular in cardboard composite packaging, with a plurality of cooling devices (44-53) for cooling different parts of the filling machine (1) with at least one cooling fluid. In order to be able to provide reliable cooling with comparatively low control engineering and equipment expenditure in compact filling machines with high outputs, it is provided that at least one first cooling device (49-53) corresponds to a first cooling circuit (43, 71) for supplying the at least one first cooling device (44-53) with cooling fluid and at least one second cooling device (44-48) are associated with a second cooling circuit (42,74) for supplying the at least one second cooling device (44-48) with cooling fluid and that at least the first cooling circuit (43, 71) as a mixing circuit (43,71) comprising a mixer (55,79) for at least partial recycling of cooling fluid from the return (57,76) in the flow (59,72) respectively of the first cooling circuit (43,71) is formed ,

Description

The invention relates to a filling machine for filling flowable products in packaging, in particular in cardboard composite packaging, with a plurality of cooling devices for cooling different parts of the filling machine with at least one cooling fluid. Furthermore, the invention relates to a production device comprising at least one filling machine for filling flowable products in packaging, in particular in cardboard composite packaging. In addition, the invention also relates to a method for cooling different plant parts of such a filling machine.

Filling machines for filling packages with flowable products, in particular in the form of food, are known in different configurations. The filling of the packages with, preferably flowable, food, such as in the form of drinks, juices, milk, yogurt and / or sauces, in a sterile or aseptic environment of a filling machine. Since the food should be durable for a long time after filling the packaging, a possible germ-free filling is desirable. For this purpose, the filling machines, for example, sterilization rooms or aseptic chambers, in which the packages are sterilized and then filled under sterile conditions as possible and closed.

As packaging, in particular those are used which are open at an upper side in order to provide an opening for filling. The packages are, for example, cardboard composite packages, which are formed from a laminate comprising a cardboard layer and outer, in particular thermoplastic, plastic layers, such as polyethylene (PE). The carton provides the packages with sufficient stability to allow the packages made up of the package and the product filled therein to be handled and stacked, for example. The plastic layers protect the carton from moisture and the food from absorbing unwanted substances from the packaging. In addition, other layers, such as an aluminum layer, may be provided which, if necessary, prevent diffusion of oxygen and other gases through the package.

The packages may be made from a package precursor, preferably in the filling machine. As a packaging precursor, for example, packaging material blanks can be used, which can be prefabricated as needed, for example, by sealing longitudinal edges to a packaging blank. Corresponding packaging blanks are typically mounted on mandrels of a so-called mandrel wheel, which has a plurality of spikes and is cyclically rotated in a transport direction about a central mandrel wheel shaft. The wrapped on the thorns packaging blanks are initially facing outward against the thorns. This projecting portion of the packaging blanks is then folded against the end face of the mandrel and sealed there. In this way, the so-called bottom of the package is formed, which can if necessary also form the head of the pack. Whether the closed package for storage, transport and / or for sale is rotated or not, so where in the finished pack is up and down, can be chosen freely and therefore always stand by. In order for the label to be sealed to a liquid-tight floor, the heated floor is pressed by a floor press against the face of the mandrel for a certain period of time. Alternatively, the packaging material used for the packaging precursors can be unwound from a roll virtually indefinitely.

After forming the bottom of the packages, the packages, which are then open on one side, are introduced into a sterilization zone of the filling machine. This is usually done by the packages are successively transferred from the thorns of the mandrel wheel to cells of a transport device. The cells are typically on a cell carrier and pick up the packages. The transport device, which may be a so-called cell chain, in which the cell carriers circulate in the form of an endless chain around deflection devices, of which at least one deflection device is driven by a motor. The packages are thus transported by the transport device at a defined speed at a defined distance from each other through the sterilization zone of the filling machine.

In the sterilization zone, the packages are preheated as needed. The packages are blown with hot sterile air. Subsequently, at least the inner surfaces of the packages with a sterilizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, are applied and thereby sterilized. Subsequently, the sterilized packaging can be dried with sterile air. The sterilized packages are transferred to the filling and sealing zone where they are filled by at least one filler, preferably with a foodstuff. The food is especially flowable. In a large number of cases, the food is drinks. Subsequently, the filled package is still sealed by sealing the packaging head, whereby the package as such from packaging and bottled product is formed. The sealed package is then transported via the transport device from the filling and sealing zone and then removed from the corresponding cells of the cell carrier of the transport device.

In some filling machines, the packages are transported by the conveyor in a straight line through the filling machine. Corresponding filling machines are also referred to as cross-country skiers or longitudinal skaters. In other filling machines, the so-called rotary machines, the packages describe a more or less arcuate movement, which may comprise one or more circular arc sections.

In addition, the filling machines have a rather complex control and many electrical components. Since the filling machines are built very compact at the same time to take up little space for the installation of the filling machines, and at the same time heated various equipment parts, it is necessary for a reliable continuous operation of the filling machines to dissipate excess heat. In modern filling machines, this can only be achieved to a sufficient extent by active cooling. The cooling comprises different cooling devices for separate cooling of different mechanical and electrical system parts of the filling machine. Among other things, the task is to cool the corresponding mechanical and electrical system parts in each case to a sufficient extent and at the same time to avoid condensation, at least in certain system parts safely. This entails a complicated control of the cooling and a correspondingly complex apparatus cooling. In particular, against the background that the demands on the performance, the reliability, the space requirements and the functions of the filling machines continue to increase, the cooling problem of filling machines is not yet solved to a satisfactory extent.

Therefore, the present invention has the object, the filling machine, the production facility and the method, each of the aforementioned and previously described type to design and refine that even with compact filling machines with high performance reliable cooling with a relatively low control engineering and apparatus Effort can be provided.

This object is achieved in a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that at least one first cooling device associated with a first cooling circuit for supplying the at least one first cooling device with cooling fluid and at least one second cooling device to a second cooling circuit for supplying the at least one second cooling device with cooling fluid are and that at least the first cooling circuit is designed as a mixing circuit comprising a mixer for the at least partial recycling of cooling fluid from the return flow in the flow of each of the first cooling circuit.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a production device according to the preamble of claim 10, characterized in that the at least one filling machine is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9, that the at least one first cooling device and the at least second cooling device in a, preferably air-conditioned hall are arranged and that a cooling device is located outside the hall.

• - bei dem die unterschiedlichen Anlagenteile über wenigstens einem ersten Kühlkreislauf und einen zweiten Kühlkreislauf von mit wenigstens einem Kühlfluid versorgten Kühleinrichtungen gekühlt werden und
• - bei dem wenigstens das Kühlfluid des Rücklaufs des ersten Kühlkreislaufs unter Bildung eines Mischkreislaufs und unter Anhebung der Vorlauftemperatur im Mischkreislauf wenigstens teilweise in den Vorlauf des Kühlkreislaufs zurückgeführt wird.

In addition, the aforementioned object is achieved according to claim 12 by a method for cooling different plant parts of a filling machine according to one of claims 1 to 9,

• - Wherein the different parts of the system are cooled by at least one first cooling circuit and a second cooling circuit supplied with at least one cooling fluid cooling means and
• - In which at least the cooling fluid of the return of the first cooling circuit to form a mixing circuit and raising the flow temperature in the mixing circuit is at least partially returned to the flow of the cooling circuit.

According to the invention, therefore, the cooling devices of a filling machine are supplied with cooling fluid via different cooling circuits, specifically at least from a first cooling circuit and a second cooling circuit. At least one of these cooling circuits, so at least the first cooling circuit is designed so that the cooling fluid of the return of the cooling circuit can be at least partially returned to the flow and thus the cooling fluid of the flow can be mixed again. For this purpose, at least in the first cooling circuit, a mixer for connecting the return to the flow and for closing the cooling circuit in the form of a mixing circuit is provided.

It is thus fed to the mixing circuit via a flow to the mixing circuit cooling fluid, which is then at least partially via a return from the mixing circuit again for re-cooling, ie for renewed cooling or heat dissipation, is passed. The non-discharged and recooled portion of the cooling fluid from the return of the mixing circuit is returned to the flow and mixed there with the cooling fluid supplied to the mixing circuit to collect the cooling fluid of the flow of the first To form a cooling circuit. The withdrawn via the return from the mixing circuit cooling fluid is replaced over the flow to the mixing circuit.

Finally, a part of the cooling fluid is circulated in the cooling circuit in the form of the mixing circuit and the cooling circuit at the same time fresh, ie cooler cooling fluid supplied and consumed, so warmer cooling fluid withdrawn. The return of the mixing circuit then forms, if necessary, the return to cool the cooling fluid, be it directly or indirectly, if necessary, together with the return of at least one further cooling circuit, such as the second cooling circuit. The flow to the cooling circuit then forms, directly or indirectly, the recooled flow and, if necessary, together with another flow to another cooling circuit, such as the second cooling circuit.

It thus follows that at least one cooling circuit, namely at least the first cooling circuit, is designed as a mixing circuit, which is not closed via a re-cooling, but via the mixer. The counting method is basically arbitrary. The first cooling circuit thus differs from the second cooling circuit, without there being a specific order to be maintained. Thus, for example, be arranged in the flow direction of the recooled cooling fluid, the second cooling circuit before the first cooling circuit. Since the cooling of the filling machine does not depend on it to a particular extent, the distinction between simplicity and simplicity is further made by the first and the second cooling circuit.

As a rule, the mixing circuit is preferably designed as an open circuit in order to remove cooling fluid and to be able to cool it again. If necessary, the mixing circuit can also be designed as a closed circuit. Then, the entire cooling fluid of the return of the mixing circuit is returned to the flow of the mixing circuit. In the classic sense, then, no mixing of cooling fluid takes place in the mixer and the mixer then has the function of a return. However, since closed mixing circuits are less preferred in practice than open mixing circuits because they are easier to implement in terms of apparatus and easier to handle in terms of control technology, the term mixer and mixing circuit are used here for ease of understanding and to avoid unnecessary repetition.

The partial return of the cooling fluid of the return of the mixing circuit in the flow of the mixing circuit leads to an increase in the temperature of the cooling fluid in the flow, so the flow temperature. In this way, for example, in a cooling circuit, such as the first cooling circuit, cooling fluid can be used with a lower flow temperature without having to use the cooling fluid of this flow temperature in another cooling circuit, the mixing circuit. Due to the partial return of the cooling fluid from the return to the flow, the temperature of the flow in the mixing circuit can be raised. It is thus a state as in a cooling circuit with a per se higher flow temperature of the cooling fluid produced. Furthermore, the flow temperature of the cooling fluid in the mixing circuit can be set or regulated very precisely, via the fraction of the part of the cooling fluid of the return flow of the mixing circuit which is returned to the supply line. The more cooling fluid is returned from the return of the mixing circuit as cooling fluid in the flow, the more the flow temperature of the cooling fluid is raised in the mixing circuit.

This ultimately allows the individual cooling circuits to allocate certain cooling devices, which are preferably cooled with cooling fluid of a similar flow temperature. In other words, different temperature levels for the cooling of certain parts of the system can be provided in the cooling system by means of different cooling circuits. The cooling devices for cooling the system parts of the filling machine can then be assigned to the corresponding cooling circuits and thus to the corresponding temperature levels, depending on the desired temperatures, in particular flow temperatures, of the cooling fluid.

With regard to the production device, it is furthermore preferred if it has a hall in which the filling machine with the at least one first cooling device and the at least one second cooling device but not at least one cooling device for cooling the cooling fluid is set up. The waste heat of the refrigerator can then be delivered to the environment of the hall and not to the environment in the hall. This could lead to an additional impairment of the cooling of the filling machine. Due to the higher ambient temperature in the hall then not only a higher cooling capacity of the cooling would be required if necessary, but could also affect the control of the cooling. In addition, under certain circumstances, the need for additional air conditioning of the hall can be avoided. In addition, when the hall is conditioned, the overall efficiency of cooling and air conditioning is increased when the refrigerator is placed outside the hall, or at least the waste heat exchanger of the refrigerator is located outside the hall and delivers the waste heat to the environment outside the hall.

Cooling means in the present case quite generally that an initially cooled and then cooled cooling fluid is cooled down again, wherein, if necessary, the original temperature of the cooling fluid can be achieved but need not. Upon cooling, the cooling fluid is thus removed from the heat that has absorbed the cooling fluid due to the cooling of the filling machine or certain parts of the filling machine.

For ease of understanding and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the filling machine, the production equipment and the method are described together below, without distinguishing in detail between the filling machine, the production facility and the method. On the basis of the context, however, it results for the person skilled in the art which feature is particularly preferred for the filling machine, the production device and the method.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the filling machine, at least the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit is connected to a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling medium. The cooling fluid can be recooled via the heat exchanger or heat absorbed during the cooling of system components. It may be particularly preferred if this is a heat exchanger of a refrigerator. Thus, the filling machine can be operated refrigeration autonomously. However, it may also be a heat exchanger of a cooling fluid supply, if so for the sake of simplicity, an external cooling fluid supply or an external cooling device can be used to provide the cooling capacity. However, the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit can also be connected directly to a cooling fluid supply, wherein then instead of a heat exchanger cooling fluid connections for supplying cooled cooling fluid of the cooling fluid supply in the filling machine, in particular the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit, and for discharging are provided by heated cooling fluid of the cooling fluid supply from the filling machine. In terms of operation and / or control, however, it will generally be preferred to resort to a heat exchanger instead of cooling fluid connections.

The equipment of the filling machine with its own cooling device is therefore unnecessary if necessary, if, for example, already a cooling device or a cooling fluid supply is available at the installation of the filling machine. Then, for example, the filling machine may have a heat exchanger, which is connected to the external cooling device or the external cooling fluid supply to cool the cooling fluid of the filling machine, ie to cool the heat and re-cooling the filling machine to cool again. In an especially simple case, if an external cooling fluid supply is present, only two cooling fluid connections are required, a cooling fluid connection for supplying cooling fluid into the filling machine, in particular the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit, and another cooling fluid connection for discharging cooling fluid from the filling machine , The discharged cooling fluid is preferably recooled outside the filling machine and passed back to the filling machine for reuse. However, the discharged cooling fluid can basically be replaced by another, cooler cooling fluid. Cooling of the cooling fluid is thus unnecessary if necessary, although not particularly preferred.

Alternatively or additionally, at least the second cooling circuit may be formed as a mixing circuit comprising a mixer for at least partially returning the cooling fluid from the return to the flow of each of the second cooling circuit. Thus, the first cooling circuit and at least the second cooling circuit are designed as mixed circuits. Ultimately, all cooling circuits or only a few cooling circuits can be designed as mixed cycles. The number of cooling circuits can be selected, for example, according to how many different temperature levels are desired for cooling the equipment parts of the filling machine. If necessary, it should be noted that the complexity of the apparatus increases with the number of cooling circuits, which is why basically only two cooling circuits can be preferred, but need not. In addition, depending on the requirements, it can be selected how many of the cooling circuits are designed as mixed cycles. On the one hand to be able to provide many different temperature levels for the cooling and on the other hand limit the apparatus and control engineering effort, it may be useful if at least one cooling circuit is designed as a mixed cycle.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one mixing circuit may have at least one circulating pump for circulating the cooling fluid. Thus, the corresponding mixing circuit and the flow temperature of the cooling fluid can be controlled very precisely in the flow of the mixing circuit. The regulation of the flow temperature is then preferably carried out via a metrological detection of the flow temperature, a metrological detection of the recirculated cooling fluid and / or a throttle valve in the mixing circuit.

The at least one first cooling device is preferably at least one cooling device for a mechanical system part. In this case, the mechanical system part may further preferably be at least one filler cooling device, at least one cell drive cooling device, at least one bottom press cooling device and / or at least one mandrel wheel shaft cooling device. In the Cooling of the mechanical parts of the filling machine, the temperature control is of particular importance, since it can cause condensation on these parts of the system, if they are cooled down too far. Such condensation can present several disadvantages, such as non-sterile conditions and corrosion.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one second cooling device can be at least one cooling device for an electronic system part, in which respect, for example, a cable channel cooling device and / or at least one switching-circuit cooling device come into consideration. Due to the increasing number of electrical system parts, cabinets and lines, an increasing amount of heat is generated, which must be safely removed in order to provide reliable operation of the filling machine can. Therefore, and because the electronic system components to be cooled are generally provided in the range of lower humidities, it may be expedient to cool them down further and / or with a colder cooling fluid.

In order to limit the apparatus required for the cooling, it may be expedient if at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit have a common return collection pipe for collecting in each case at least parts of the cooling fluid of the returns of the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit. Then, the return of at least two cooling circuits, whether it is mixed or not, are combined together for re-cooling of the corresponding cooling fluid and coupled indirectly or directly with the cooling device. In a particularly simple embodiment of the apparatus, the return collection pipe may be connected to a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling medium, in which it may be further preferred to act as a corresponding heat exchanger of the refrigerator, but need not.

Thus, it may be preferred if at least the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit, in particular the return collection pipe, is connected directly to the cooling device, to a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling medium or to a cooling fluid supply. Then piping and heat exchangers can be saved. Alternatively or additionally, however, it may also be expedient if a cooling medium circuit of the cooling device, a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling medium or a cooling fluid supply via a heat exchanger is indirectly thermally coupled at least to the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit, in particular with the return collection pipe. Then, the thermal coupling of the cooling circuits can be done with a cooling device or a cooling fluid supply, for example via a heat transfer medium, which in turn can be performed in a circuit. For example, longer paths can be bridged and / or several filling machines can be supplied with a cooling device. Consequently, at least the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit, in particular the return collection pipe, can be connected indirectly via a transfer cooling circuit to a cooling device, a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling medium or a cooling fluid supply. However, it can also be provided that a cooling medium circuit of a cooling device or a cooling fluid supply is thermally coupled indirectly via a heat exchanger at least with the transmission cooling circuit.

If at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit form a closed overall cooling circuit, further expenditure on equipment can be saved. Then at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are connected via the cooling fluid and at the same time form a plurality of separate cooling circuits which are taken together closed to the outside. Thus, for example, contamination of the cooling fluid and thus the filling machine can be avoided. If a transfer cooling circuit is provided, this can form a closed cooling circuit, for example in order to reduce the risk of a total failure of the cooling in the event of a malfunction, to reduce the effort and to avoid any contamination. Alternatively or additionally, for the same reasons, the cooling medium circuit form a closed cooling circuit, especially as a cost-intensive cooling medium is used in the cooling medium circuit compared to the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid may be, in a simple case, water, glycoal or other cooling fluid known per se.

For a reliable operation of the filling machine and the cooling, it makes sense if at least one control device is provided for providing a predetermined flow temperature at least in the first cooling circuit, the second cooling circuit and / or for providing different flow temperatures at least in the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit , The control device can be used to control various temperature measuring points, the mixers, such as in the form of mixing valves, and / or the circulation pumps.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the production device, at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are arranged in the, preferably conditioned, hall. In addition, the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are indirectly above the Transfer cooling circuit connected to the refrigerator outside the, preferably air-conditioned hall. Thus, a cooling unit can easily supply several filling machines with cooling power. Also, a decoupling of the circuits takes place, it can be prevented that contaminated cooling fluid enters the cooling circuits of the filling machine.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the cooling fluid is circulated at least in the first cooling circuit via at least one first cooling device, a mixer and a circulation pump. This allows the backmixing to be adapted in a targeted manner so that the desired flow temperature in the mixing circuit is achieved.
Alternatively or additionally, at least one first cooling device, in particular at least one filler, at least one cell drive, at least one bottom press and / or at least one mandrel wheel shaft can be cooled via the at least one first cooling device. In this way it can be ensured by a targeted adjustment of the flow temperature of the cooling fluid in the mixing circuit, that there is no undesirable condensation on at least certain mechanical system parts.

Likewise, at least one electronic system component, in particular at least one cable channel and / or at least one control cabinet, can be cooled via at least one second cooling device. At the electronic system parts, the risk of unwanted condensation is lower, so that there can be provided effective cooling with a high temperature gradient.

If the cooling fluid from the return of at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit is at least partially collected in a common return collection pipe, this return can be recooled together, which is both control technology and equipment technically easier.

The cooling fluid of the return of at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit may be supplied to a heat exchanger, preferably via the return collection pipe, for cooling the cooling fluid. Thus, at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit can be merged into a closed circuit in order to achieve a corresponding separation. This is particularly preferred when it is a heat exchanger of the cooling medium circuit of the refrigerator or a heat exchanger of the transfer cooling circuit or a heat exchanger of the cooling fluid supply, which is thermally coupled to the cooling medium circuit of the refrigerator, in particular the heat exchanger of the cooling medium circuit of the refrigerator, or the cooling fluid supply ,

An apparatus and control simplification can also be achieved if the cooling fluid of the flow is split at least on the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit.

For efficient cooling of the filling machine, it is also useful if the flow temperature of at least the first cooling circuit, in particular the mixing circuit, and / or the second cooling circuit, in particular the mixing circuit, is regulated. This way, enough heat can be dissipated from the corresponding system parts without cooling them too much.

If the flow temperatures of at least the first cooling circuit, in particular mixing circuit, and the second cooling circuit, in particular mixing circuit, independently, in particular different, adjusted and / or regulated, the cooling of the corresponding equipment parts can be carried out on the desired, in particular different, temperature levels.

For an efficient and unproblematic cooling of the filling machine, it makes sense if the flow temperature of the first cooling circuit between 15 ° C and 30 ° C, preferably between 22 ° C and 26 ° C, in particular between 23 ° C and 25 ° C. Alternatively or additionally, for the same reason, the flow temperature of the second cooling circuit between 15 ° C and 25 ° C, preferably between 17 ° C and 21 ° C, in particular between 18 ° C and 20 ° C, are set.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Füllmaschine in einer schematischen Seitenansicht,
• 2 das Kühlsystem der Füllmaschine aus 1 in einer schematischen Darstellung und
• 3 ein alternatives Kühlsystem einer Füllmaschine in einer schematischen Darstellung.

Subsequently, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiments illustrative drawing. In the drawing shows

• 1 a filling machine according to the invention in a schematic side view,
• 2 the cooling system of the filling machine 1 in a schematic representation and
• 3 an alternative cooling system of a filling machine in a schematic representation.

In the 1 is a filling machine 1 for filling packaging 2 in the form of cardboard composite packaging, in particular with flowable food, represented by a molding device 3 for molding of the packages to be filled 2 includes. In principle, it is also possible that the filling machine already to be filled unilaterally open packaging 2 be supplied. The illustrated and in this respect preferred cardboard composite packaging are made of a laminated material with at least one cardboard layer, preferably at least a barrier layer, consisting for example of aluminum, polyamide and / or an ethylene vinyl alcohol, and outer layers of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene (PE), formed.

The illustrated and so far preferred filling machine 1 also has a number of parallel processing lines, of which in 1 only one processing line is shown. Each processing line is a bundle 4 of packaging blanks 5 assigned, the longitudinal edges are sealed together and so open on both sides of the packaging coats 6 form. By a feeder 7 become the packaging coats 6 unfolded and on a thorn 8th a mandrel wheel 9 pushed.

The illustrated and so far preferred mandrel wheel 9 has six spines 8th and turns cyclically, step by step, counterclockwise. In the first mandrel wheel position I is a packaging blank 6 on the thorn 8th pushed. Unspecified spring clips secure the position of the package blank 6 on the spine 8th , In addition, the bottom areas of the packaging blank 6 opposite a front side of the mandrel 8th outward. Subsequently, the mandrel wheel 7 in the next mandrel wheel position II further rotated in the opposite of the mandrel outwardly projecting bottom portion of the packaging blank 6 is heated with hot air via an unspecified hot air blower. In the next mandrel wheel position III, the heated floor area is passed through a floor folding device 10 against the front of the spine 8th folded and in the subsequent mandrel wheel position IV in the folded position by a floor press 12 sealed to a liquid-tight floor. It is thus closed on one side closed packaging 2 obtained in the subsequent mandrel wheel position V pushed by the mandrel and to a cell 13 a circulating endless transport device 14 is handed over. The packaging 2 is doing partially in the cell 13 taken and held there, preferably form-fitting. In the illustrated and so far preferred transport device 14 it is a so-called cell chain. Other transport facilities are conceivable, however. In the next mandrel wheel position VI no work step is assigned. The number of mandrel wheel positions or thorns 8th and the processing steps provided there may, if necessary, from the representation according to 1 and its description.

From the mandrel wheel 9 subtracted, the unilaterally open packaging 2 with the transport device 13 in the direction of the arrow through an aseptic chamber 15 the filling machine 1 transported, which is a sterilization zone 16 and a filling and sealing zone 17 includes. To avoid contamination of the sterile environment of the aseptic chamber 15 to avoid being in the aseptic chamber 15 preferably maintaining a flow of sterile air from top to bottom. These are corresponding sterile air connections 18 along the aseptic chamber 15 intended for the supply of sterile air. The sterilization zone 16 and the filling and sealing zone 17 are in the illustrated device 1 separated by a lock or a bottleneck, although this is not mandatory.

After entering the sterilization zone 16 become the packaging 2 by a preheating device 19 preheated successively by blowing hot sterile air. Subsequently, the packs 2 by means of a sterilizer 20 with a sterilizing agent, in particular comprising hydrogen peroxide, applied to at least the insides of the packaging 2 to sterilize. After that, the packaging 2 by applying sterile air via a drying device 21 dried and after the transition from the sterilization zone 16 into the filling and sealing zone 17 in a filling position 24 below a filling device 22 brought. There are the packaging 2 successively, in particular with a food filled. The filled packages 2 are then with a closing device 23 by folding the upper region or the head region of the packaging 2 and sealed. The sealed packaging 2 are then by means of the transport device 13 from the aseptic chamber 15 and the filling machine 14 transported. So then those from the packaging 2 and the packaged product formed therein 24 from the cells 13 the transport device 14 taken. The now empty cells 13 be with the transport device 14 continue in the direction of the Dornrad 9 moved to other packaging there 2 take.

The filling machine 1 In addition to the previously described, mainly mechanical parts of the system, which also includes a mandrel wheel shaft arranged centrally in the mandrel wheel 25 , a cell drive, as well as a number of other electronic and electrical equipment parts. Thus, different sensors are installed, which are connected to a control device. In addition, various drives are provided, which are connected via cables to a power supply. Furthermore, various actuators, such as shut-off valves or valves are provided, which can be electrically controlled. Also, further control means for controlling the system and control cabinets for receiving electrical and electronic system components or components are provided. For a reliable operation of the filling machine, in which excess heat must be safely dissipated, various parts of the system, both mechanical and electronic or electrical system parts are cooled by a cooling system, which for the sake of clarity not in the 1 , rather separate and very schematic in the 2 is shown. The representation of all the plant parts described above in the 1 , would that 1 very confusing. In addition, these parts of the system are just examples of many different potentially relevant parts of the system. Therefore, the separate presentation of all of these parts of the system has been dispensed with, especially since the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art even without such a separate representation.

That in the 2 illustrated and so far preferred cooling system 30 includes a cooling device 31 , which is preferably designed in the manner of a compression refrigeration machine. The refrigerator 31 has a closed cycle 32 for a cooling medium, which is a compressor 33 an evaporator 34 , a capacitor 35 and a throttle 36 include. The capacitor 35 Gives heat to the environment, preferably to an environment outside a hall in which the filling machine 1 is set up. This can be the entire cooling unit 31 be placed outside of this hall.

The evaporator 34 is via a heat exchanger 37 with a transmission cycle 38 thermally coupled. In the transmission circuit circulates driven by a circulation pump 39 a cooling fluid in a closed circuit, that in the evaporator 34 of the refrigerator 31 Heat is withdrawn. This heat removes the cooling fluid of the transmission circuit 38 in turn a further cycle 40 a cooling fluid, via a further heat exchanger 41 with the transmission cycle 38 thermally coupled. this cycle 40 includes two separate cooling circuits 42 . 43 to supply different cooling devices 44 - 53 with cooled cooling fluid to pass over the cooling devices 42 . 43 to cool the associated system components.

The two cooling circuits 42 . 43 are designed as mixed circuits, as these cooling circuits 42 . 43 a mixer 54 . 55 , in particular in the form of a mixing valve, for returning the cooling fluid of the returns 56 . 57 in the heats 58 . 59 the cooling circuits 42 . 43 include. In addition, the illustrated and so far preferred mixing circuits 42 . 43 one circulating pump each 60 . 61 associated to a circulation of the cooling fluid in the mixing circuits 42 . 43 maintain. At least one of these circulation pump 60 . 61 However, this could also be outside the mixing cycles 42 . 43 be arranged.

In the illustrated and so far preferred mixing circuits 42 . 43 are the coolers supplied by the cooling fluid 44 - 53 each arranged parallel to each other, which is therefore preferred because so the cooling means 44 - 53 be supplied with cooling fluid at least about the same flow temperature. This simplifies the control of the cooling system 30 since the flow temperatures do not depend on the return temperatures of previous cooling devices 44 - 53 are dependent, as would be the case with a serial arrangement of the cooling devices. For the targeted distribution of the cooling fluid to the different cooling devices 44 - 53 are these valves 62 . 63 assigned, via which the respective cooling fluid flow rate can be controlled. For this purpose, a not shown in detail but as such known control device is provided. In addition, corresponding sensors for detecting cooling fluid flow rates and Kühlfliudtemperaturen are provided, which can arrange the expert as needed. The return 56 . 57 the mixing circuits 42 . 43 who has the cooling facilities 44 - 53 leaves again, is in manifolds 64 . 65 the mixing circuits 42 . 43 collected and then together in one of the two mixed cycles 42 . 43 connecting manifold 66 collected and merged. This manifold 66 then forms the common return and serves to supply the cooling fluid to the heat exchanger 41 and to recool there via the transmission cycle 38 , The recooled cooling fluid then forms the flow 67 of the cycle 40 returning the cooling fluid to the two mixing circuits 42 . 43 distributed.

About the proportion of over the respective mixer 54 . 55 in the mixed cycle 42 . 43 recirculated cooling fluid, the flow temperature of the respective mixing circuit 42 . 43 targeted against the common lead 67 in the cycle 40 be raised. By a suitable control, which can provide the expert in a suitable manner, the flow temperature in the two mixing circuits 42 . 43 be set and regulated differently from each other.

In the illustrated and insofar preferred cooling system 30 are the first mixing cycle 43 a filler cooling device 49 , a cell drive cooling device 50 , two floor press cooling facilities 51 . 52 and a mandrel wheel shaft cooling device 53 , for cooling a filler, the cell drive, the soil press and the mandrel wheel shaft assigned. The second mixing circuit 42 On the other hand, there are two cable channel cooling devices 44 . 45 , two control cabinet cooling devices 46 . 47 and a drive cooling device 48 assigned to cool cable ducts, cabinets and, for example, an electric air-water heat exchanger.

In the 3 is an alternative cooling system 70 to the cooling system 30 according to 2 shown. The cooling systems 30 . 70 are similar to each other in large parts. An essential difference of the cooling system 70 according to 3 lies in the fact that only one mixing circuit 71 is provided, whose flow 72 away from the lead 73 of the other cooling circuit 74 fed, which is not designed as a mixing circuit and therefore no mixer for direct recycling of cooling fluid from the return 75 in the lead 73 of the cooling circuit 74 having. The cooling fluid of the return 75 the corresponding cooling circuit 74 on the other hand, it is entirely in line with that from the return 76 of the mixed cycle 71 withdrawn cooling fluid over the associated heat exchanger 78 re-cooled. This is also not with a transmission circuit, but directly with the cooling unit 31 thermally coupled. In the present case, an additional transmission cycle has therefore been dispensed with.

So it's like the cooling system 30 the 2 a first cooling circuit 71 provided, via a flow 72 a series of parallel cooling devices 49 - 53 supplied with cooling fluid. The cooling fluid will after passing the cooling devices 49 - 53 over a return 76 dissipated and via a mixer 79 partly in the lead 72 of the cooling circuit 71 returned to there with the cooling fluid of the flow 72 to be mixed. The mixer 79 , Can be designed as a mixing valve to control the amount of recirculated cooling fluid can. To maintain the circulating circulation, there is a circulating pump 80 intended. Due to the partial backmixing of cooling fluid via the mixer 79 forms the first cooling circuit 71 a mixed cycle 71 , The cooling circuit is supplied with cooling fluid 71 through a second cooling circuit 74 that together with the first cooling circuit 71 forms a closed cooling circuit.

In the second cooling circuit 74 are also several cooling facilities 44 - 48 connected in parallel, via a flow 73 be supplied with cooling fluid. That of the cooling facilities 44 - 48 coming cooling fluid in the return 75 of the second cooling circuit 74 is used with the non-recirculated portion of the cooling fluid of the first cooling circuit 71 in a return collection pipe 82 of the first cooling circuit 74 summarized and one with a cooling unit 31 directly coupled heat exchanger 78 fed, in which the cooling fluid on the cooling medium of the refrigerator 31 is recooled. Then the cooling fluid enters the flow 73 the closed cooling circuit or second cooling circuit 74 of which a part of the cooling fluid is the first cooling circuit 71 is supplied, and that before the cooling fluid for cooling of cooling devices 44 - 53 is used. The first cooling circuit 71 and the second cooling circuit 74 are each designed as open circuits, but together form a closed cooling circuit. The flow of the cooling fluid in the second cooling circuit 74 is via a circulation pump 81 provided.

In the present case, the flow is understood to mean the part of a cooling circuit which conducts cooled cooling fluid to the cooling device or the cooling devices. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling fluid flowing through this part of the cooling circuit in the direction of the cooling device or of the cooling devices can also be understood as a flow, unless otherwise described. Accordingly, the return is understood to mean the part of the refrigeration circuit which directs the cooling fluid from the cooling means or the cooling means to cool the cooling fluid back to a corresponding heat exchanger for recooling or remixing with the cooling fluid of the flow. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling fluid which is cooled down by the cooling device or the cooling devices to the cooling fluid which cools the cooling fluid and / or cooling fluid flowing back into the flow can be understood as a return flow. Whether in a particular case the corresponding part of the cooling circuit and / or the corresponding part of the cooling fluid is meant, will be apparent to those skilled in the art by way of the appropriate context. Thus, a mixing circuit has a flow and a return. The microcirculation is, however, connected via at least one further circuit to the heat exchanger for cooling the cooling fluid, so that in addition there is a flow to the microcirculation as well as a return to the mixing circuit. The amount of cooling fluid in the flow to the mixing circuit relative to the fluid is lower by the amount of cooling fluid returned from the return via the mixer than the amount of cooling fluid in the flow of the mixing circuit. The amount of cooling fluid in the return from the mixing circuit, however, based on the fluid to the recycled from the return flow through the mixer amount of cooling fluid is less than the amount of cooling fluid in the return of the mixing circuit.

If at least one cooling circuit is not designed as a mixing circuit, the mixing circuit or the mixing circuits can be supplied with recooled cooling fluid from the at least one cooling circuit, which is not designed as a mixing circuit. If all cooling circuits are designed as mixed circuits, they can be combined together via a partial circuit with a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling fluid back. The mixing circuits and the subcircuit then together form a closed cooling circuit for circulating the cooling fluid.

Claims (15)

Filling machine (1) for filling flowable products in packaging (2), in particular in cardboard composite packaging, with a plurality of cooling means (44-53) for cooling different parts of the filling machine (1) with at least one cooling fluid, characterized in that at least one first cooling device (49-53) a first cooling circuit (43,71) for Supplying the at least one first cooling device (44-53) with cooling fluid and at least one second cooling device (44-48) to a second cooling circuit (42,74) for supplying the at least one second cooling device (44-48) with cooling fluid and at least the first cooling circuit (43, 71) as a mixing circuit (43, 71) comprising a mixer (55, 79) for at least partially recirculating cooling fluid from the return (57, 76) into the flow (59, 72) of the first cooling circuit ( 43,71) is formed. Filling machine after Claim 1 , characterized in that at least the first cooling circuit (71) and / or the second cooling circuit (74) with a heat exchanger (41,78) for cooling the cooling medium, in particular a cooling device (31) or a cooling fluid supply, or a cooling fluid supply is connected and / or that at least the second cooling circuit (42) as a mixing circuit (42) comprising a mixer (54) for at least partially returning cooling fluid from the return (56) in the flow (58) respectively of the second cooling circuit (42) is formed and / / or that at least one mixing circuit (42, 43, 71) has at least one circulating pump (60, 61, 80) for circulating the cooling fluid. Filling machine after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the at least one first cooling device (49-53) at least one cooling device for a mechanical component part, in particular at least one Füllerkühleinrichtung (49), at least one Cellantriebskühleinrichtung (50), at least one Bodenpressenkühleinrichtung (51,52) and / or at least a mandrel wheel shaft cooling device (53). Filling machine according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the at least one second cooling device (44-48) is at least one cooling device for an electronic system part, in particular at least one cable channel cooling device (44, 45) and / or at least one switching device cooling device (46, 47). Filling machine according to one of the Claims 1 to 4 characterized in that at least the first cooling circuit (43, 71) and the second cooling circuit (42, 74) comprise a common return collection pipe (66, 82) for collecting at least parts of the cooling fluid of the return (56, 57, 75, 76) of the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) and that, preferably, the return collection pipe (66,82) is connected to a heat exchanger (41,78) for cooling the cooling medium. Filling machine according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that at least the first cooling circuit (71) and / or the second cooling circuit (74), in particular the return collection pipe (82), directly to a cooling device (31), a heat exchanger (41,78) for cooling the cooling medium or a cooling fluid supply is connected and / or that a cooling medium circuit (32) of the cooling device (31) via a heat exchanger (41) indirectly at least with the first cooling circuit (43) and / or the second cooling circuit (42), in particular with the return collection pipe (66) , is thermally coupled. Filling machine according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that at least the first cooling circuit (43) and / or the second cooling circuit (42), in particular the return collection pipe (66), indirectly via a transfer cooling circuit (38) with the cooling device (31), a heat exchanger (41,78) for cooling the cooling medium or is connected to a cooling fluid supply and / or that a cooling medium circuit (32) of the cooling device (31) via a heat exchanger (41,37) is directly thermally coupled at least with the transmission cooling circuit (38). Filling machine according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that at least the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) form a closed total cooling circuit and / or that the transfer cooling circuit (38) forms a closed cooling circuit and / or that the cooling medium circuit (32) a closed cooling circuit forms. Filling machine according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that at least one control device for providing a predetermined flow temperature at least in the first cooling circuit (43,71) and / or for providing different flow temperatures at least in the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) is provided is. Production device comprising at least one filling machine (1) for filling flowable products in packaging (2), in particular in cardboard composite packaging, characterized in that the at least one filling machine (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 is formed, that the at least one first cooling device (43,71) and the at least second cooling device (42,74) are arranged in a, preferably air-conditioned, hall and that a cooling device (31) is arranged outside the hall. Production facility after Claim 10 , characterized in that at least the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) are arranged in the air-conditioned hall and that, preferably the first cooling circuit (43) and the second cooling circuit (42) are indirectly connected via the transfer cooling circuit (38) to the cooling device (31) outside the air-conditioned hall. Method for cooling different system parts of a filling machine (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 in which the different parts of the system are cooled by at least one first cooling circuit (43, 71) and a second cooling circuit (42, 74) of cooling means (44-53) supplied with at least one cooling fluid, and in which at least the cooling fluid of the return ( 57, 67) of the first cooling circuit (43, 71) forming a mixing circuit (43, 71) and raising the flow temperature in the mixing circuit (43, 71) at least partially into the flow (59, 72) of the cooling circuit (43, 71) is returned. Method according to Claim 12 in which the cooling fluid is circulated, at least in the first cooling circuit (43, 71), via at least one first cooling device (49, 53), a mixer (55, 79) and a circulating pump (61, 80), and / or in which a mechanical system part, in particular at least one filler, at least one cell drive, at least one bottom press and / or at least one mandrel wheel shaft is cooled via the at least one first cooling device (43, 71) and / or - in which at least one second cooling device ( 42,74) at least one electronic system part, in particular at least one cable duct and / or at least one control cabinet is cooled. Method according to Claim 12 or 13 in which the return (56, 57, 75, 76) of at least the first cooling circuit (43, 71) and the second cooling circuit (42, 74) are at least partly collected in a common return collection pipe (66, 82) and / or in that the cooling fluid of the return (56, 57, 75, 76) of at least the first cooling circuit (43, 71) and the second cooling circuit (42, 74), preferably via the return collection pipe (66, 82), is used to cool the cooling fluid to a heat exchanger (41,78), in particular the cooling medium circuit (32) of the cooling device (31) or with a heat exchanger (34) of the cooling medium circuit (32) of the cooling device (31) thermally coupled transmission cooling circuit (38) or a cooling fluid supply, is supplied and / or - In which the cooling fluid of the flow (67,73) at least on the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) is divided. Method according to one of Claims 12 to 14 in which the flow temperature of at least the first cooling circuit (43, 71) and / or the second cooling circuit (42, 74) is regulated and / or in which the flow temperatures of at least the first cooling circuit (43, 71) and the second cooling circuit ( 42,74) independently, in particular different, adjusted and / or regulated and / or - in which the flow temperature of the first cooling circuit (43,71) between 15 ° C and 30 ° C, preferably between 22 ° C and 26 ° C. , in particular between 23 ° C and 25 ° C, and / or the flow temperature of the second cooling circuit (42,74) between 15 ° C and 25 ° C, preferably between 17 ° C and 21 ° C, in particular between 18 ° C and 20 ° C, is set.

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