DE102018116104A1 - Device and method for filling a container with a filling product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, comprising a rotary distributor (2) with a fixed part (20) and a rotating part (10), the rotary distributor (2) for transferring the filling product from the fixed part (20) is formed on the rotating part (10), the fixed part (20) of the rotary distributor (2) comprising a mixing container (21) for the filling product.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for filling a container with a filling product.

State of the art

In order to produce filling products, such as mixed beverages, which consist of at least two components, these components are often mixed with one another before the actual filling and filled into the container to be filled in the already mixed state.

For filling products which are to be filled into containers such as bottles, different methods are known for mixing filling product components. The components, such as carbonated or still water, sugar, fruit concentrate or syrup, are usually mixed together before the actual filling process. For example, a mixing container can be used for this purpose, in which, for example, water is fed directly and syrup or fruit concentrate is metered in from a separate storage container. The components are then mixed together in the mixing container, for example by mechanical movement of the fluid through a mixing device.

Rotary filling machines, in which the actual filling process is carried out on a filler carousel, are often used for filling the ready-mixed filling products. The actual filling elements, by means of which the filling product is introduced into the containers, are arranged around the circumference of this filler carousel.

The filling product, which is completely mixed in the mixing container, must be transferred from a stationary part of the plant to the rotating part of the filler carousel. This is usually made possible by means of a rotary distributor, which transfers the filling product and also other media from the stationary system parts to the rotating system parts of the rotary filler.

As an alternative or in addition to the aforementioned mixture of components in a mixing tank, it is also possible to transfer the required filling product components separately to the individual filling valves via the rotary distributor of a rotary filler and then to mix the filling product components directly on or in the filling valve or only in the respective container perform.

The EP 2 185 423 A1 describes a process in which two products are fed to a standard filling valve, which are then mixed in the filling valve to form a target product. In the case of milk, for example, this can be advantageous if milk starting products with different fat contents are present and these are then mixed in the filling valve to the desired end product with the desired fat content and are then filled directly.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for filling a container with a filling product, and a corresponding method.

The object is achieved by a device for filling a container with a filling product with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments result from the subclaims, the figures and the present description.

Accordingly, a device for filling a container with a filling product is proposed, comprising a rotary distributor with a fixed part and a rotating part, the rotary distributor being designed to transfer the filling product from the fixed part to the rotating part. According to the invention, the fixed part of the rotary distributor comprises a mixing container for the filling product.

The rotating part and the fixed part of the rotary distributor are fluidly connected to one another in such a way that filling product can be transferred from the fixed part to the rotating part. Using the rotary distributor, it is therefore possible to transfer media from fixed feed lines to the rotating parts of a rotary filler.

The fixed part of the device correspondingly comprises a mixing container which is set up to mix fill product. It is possible to supply several mixing product components to the mixing container, which are mixed in the mixing container to a finished filling product. It is also possible to homogenize an already finished filling product in the mixing container shortly before filling.

Because the fixed part of the rotary distributor comprises a mixing container for the filling product, it is thus possible to mix the filling product into containers shortly before filling, without an additional external mixing container being necessary. Due to the short line lengths to the filling elements, this can be done finally filled product filled in the containers to be filled with an even higher degree of homogeneity. The omission of a separate mixing container further reduces the investment costs and, above all, the space required for the filling system.

Furthermore, it is always possible to mix exactly the amount of product that is actually to be filled, which is particularly advantageous for sensitive products or products with suspended matter such as fruit pulp.

Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the mixing container can also take on the function of a filler kettle, so that a separate filler kettle is no longer necessary in the filling plant and the rotating mass is reduced in this way, as a result of which the energy requirement and the size of the plant can be reduced.

In the present case, filling product is understood to mean all liquids and flowable products such as, for example, carbonated or non-carbonated beverages, dairy products, sauces, oil or non-food items such as cleaning agents, which are filled into containers such as bottles.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mixing container has a device for mixing the filling product. The device for mixing the filling product can have any possible form of a stirrer, such as a blade stirrer, grid stirrer, anchor stirrer, impeller stirrer, disk stirrer, paddle stirrer, propeller stirrer, crossbar stirrer or a combination of these. The shape of the stirrer is essentially according to the viscosity of the filling product and the desired flow in the mixing container, i.e. turbulent or laminar. In addition, baffles can be provided in the mixing container in order to avoid the formation of trombones.

By means of the device for mixing the filling product, an optimal mixing of the filling product components is possible. That the mixing takes place not only by the inflow of the filling product components into the mixing container, but the mixing is additionally supported by the device for mixing the filling product. As a result, a homogeneous filling product is achieved overall faster, easier and more reliably.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device for mixing the filling product is adjustable. The height of the device for mixing the filling product can be adjustable, tiltable or completely folded in or out in order to be able to generate different flows, that is to say a turbulent or laminar flow.

The mixing of the filling product can be configured flexibly by means of an adjustable device for mixing the filling product. Furthermore, the adjustability and the resulting different flow conditions make it possible to optimally mix different fill product components with different properties, for example different viscosities.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device for mixing the filling product is arranged rotatably in the mixing container and a rotation of the device for mixing the filling product can be coupled with a rotation of the rotating part. When the filler carousel rotates and thus the rotating part of the device rotates, the device for mixing the fill product also rotates. Thus, the filling product components or the filling product are only mixed when the filler carousel is running. However, it is also possible for the rotation of the device for mixing the filling product to be completely or partially decoupled from the rotation of the rotating part. This is advantageous, for example, if no mixing of the filling product is necessary or desired or if the device for mixing the filling product is to be folded in or adjusted.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fixed part has a plurality of feed lines for filling product components. Various components such as sugar, carbonated water, still water, syrup, beer, milk or gaseous media such as CO ₂ , nitrogen or other media to be used in the production or cleaning process can be fed into the mixing container via these feed lines. A supply line for a component can be provided in each case. The arrangement of the supply lines on the fixed part must be determined according to the geometry of the filler. For example, it is possible to arrange the feed lines one above the other and / or next to one another.

Due to the fact that the fixed part has several supply lines for filling product components, any number and any complex filling products can be mixed out shortly before filling, as required. Mixing in separate mixing containers is no longer necessary.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a bypass is provided in order to bypass the mixing container. In other words, media that is bypassed will become the Mixing container not fed. By means of the bypass, media can thus be transferred from fixed feed lines via the rotary distributor directly to the rotating parts of a rotary filler without getting into the mixing container. By means of the bypass, filling product media can be transferred directly to the filling elements or a filling bowl of the rotary filler and / or auxiliary media that should not come into contact with the filling product, such as compressed air, can be transferred directly to the filling elements.

The bypass makes it possible to make the product filling process as flexible as possible. For example, different products can be filled simultaneously in a single filler, which have different concentrations of the respective filler product components. For example, it is possible to fill a first concentration of a specific fill product component via the mixing container and to fill a second concentration of the fill product components via the bypass regardless of the first concentration. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to direct a product component such as CO ₂ directly to the filling elements in order to be able to carbonize the filling product there. Adding some or all of the amount of CO ₂ shortly before filling a container can be advantageous, for example, for strongly foaming products.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the fixed part comprises a mixing chamber and a filling chamber, the mixing chamber and the filling chamber being fluidly connected to one another via a switchable connection. The feed lines for various filling product components lead into the mixing chamber, in which the filling product components are mixed batchwise to form an end product. The mixing in the mixing chamber is preferably carried out by means of a device for mixing the filling product described above. The completely mixed filling product is then completely transferred to the filling chamber via a switchable connection between the mixing chamber. The filling chamber in turn is fluidly connected to the rotating part of the device, so that the filling product can be transferred to the rotating part and filled.

The fact that a mixing chamber for mixing different filler product components and a filler chamber for providing the ready mixed filler product to the filler organs of the filler provide optimal mixing by means of batchwise production. The dwell time or mixing time of the filling product components can be adapted to the corresponding filling product components. The separate filling chamber allows filling product to be filled into containers regardless of the mixing in the mixing chamber.

The above object is further achieved by a method for filling a container with a filling product with the features of claim 8. Advantageous further developments of the method result from the subclaims and the present description and the figures.

Accordingly, a method for filling a container with filling product is proposed, the filling product being transferred from a fixed part to a rotating part of a rotary distributor, the filling product being mixed in the fixed part of the rotary distributor.

The filling product or various filling product components are therefore first fed into the fixed part of the rotary distributor via fixed feed lines, the fixed part of the rotary distributor comprising a mixing container for holding the filling product or the filling product components. The supplied filler product components are mixed in the mixing container. The finished mixed filling product is then transferred to a rotating part of the rotary distributor and can then be forwarded to filling elements for filling in containers.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the filling product is mixed continuously or in batches.

Continuous mixing is understood to mean a process in which filler product components are continuously fed into the mixing container from above or below and mixed there, and filler product is continuously drawn off from the corresponding opposite side of the mixing container, ie below or above. The filling product components are mixed via a likewise continuous rotation of the device for mixing the filling product.

Batch mixing is understood to mean a process in which the filling product components are first passed into the mixing container and mixed there.

After mixing is complete, the finished filling product is transferred completely from the mixing container to the rotating part of the device or is transferred from the mixing chamber to a filling chamber of the fixed part via a switchable connection. Only when the finished filling product has been withdrawn from the mixing container or from the mixing chamber are filling product components again introduced into the mixing container.

The method is preferably carried out with the device described above. This means that all the features disclosed for the method are also disclosed for the device and vice versa.

list of figures

• 1 eine erste Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit Füllprodukt, wobei die Zuleitung von Füllproduktkomponenten von oben in einen Mischbehälter eines feststehenden Teils eines Drehverteilers erfolgt;
• 2 eine zweite Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit Füllprodukt, wobei die Zuleitung von Füllproduktkomponenten von unten in einen Mischbehälter eines feststehenden Teils eines Drehverteilers erfolgt; und
• 3 eine dritte Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit Füllprodukt, wobei ein feststehender Teil eines Drehverteilers eine Mischkammer und eine Füllkammer aufweist.

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

• 1 a first embodiment of a device for filling a container with filling product, the supply of filling product components from above into a mixing container of a fixed part of a rotary distributor;
• 2 a second embodiment of a device for filling a container with filling product, the supply of filling product components from below into a mixing container of a fixed part of a rotary distributor; and
• 3 a third embodiment of a device for filling a container with filling product, wherein a fixed part of a rotary distributor has a mixing chamber and a filling chamber.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. 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 1 is schematically a first embodiment of a device 1 shown for filling a container with a filling product. A rotary distributor 2 is provided of a rotating part 10 and a fixed part 20 having. In the rotary distributor 2 is the rotating part 10 with the fixed part 20 Fluidically connected, such that filling product from the fixed part 20 on the rotating part 10 can be handed over. Using the rotary distributor 2 So it is possible to use media in fixed feed lines 25 the fixed part 20 are fed over in the rotating part 10 proposed derivatives 12 for example to be transferred to individual filling stations.

At the in 1 shown embodiment has the standing part 20 of the rotary distributor 2 a mixing container 21 on. The standing part 20 of the rotary distributor 2 is provided here in the form of a rotary distributor axis, in which the mixing container then 21 is introduced. In the present embodiment, the mixing tank 21 provided essentially in the form of a voluminous bore in the rotary distributor axis.

By means of the mixing container 21 it is possible to mix different fill product components with each other to form a fill product. The filling product components are fed into the mixing container from above 21 of the fixed part 20 via different supply lines 25d . 25e . 25f , By means of these feed lines 25d . 25e . 25f can the mixing tank 21 Various filling product components, such as carbonated water, fruit juice concentrate and sugar syrup, are added.

The mixing tank 21 is coaxial to the rotary distributor 2 arranged, but can be both in the upper area, as well as in the lower area or in the middle of the rotary distributor 2 are located.

In the in 1 The exemplary embodiment shown are three feed lines by way of example 25d . 25e . 25f shown. Depending on the product to be manufactured and filled, more or fewer feed lines can also be used, depending on the fill product components required 25 be provided.

The mixing tank 21 is intended to mix the various filler product components with one another. A mixture of the filling product components in the mixing container 21 can be achieved with products that are easy to mix with one another simply by flowing the filler product components into the mixing container.

In order to obtain a homogeneous end product, the in 1 embodiment shown a device 22 provided for mixing the filling product components. The facility 22 to mix the filling product components is rotatable and coaxial to the axis of rotation 13 of the rotating part 10 arranged. The facility 22 to mix the filling product with the rotating part 10 coupled so that a rotation 13 of the rotating part 10 a rotation 24 the facility 22 for mixing the filling product.

The finished mixed end product is then opened 26 in the fixed part 20 to a distribution track 11b in the rotating part 10 to hand over.

In the in 1 In the embodiment shown, the filling product components are mixed continuously, ie the mixing container 21 are filling product components continuously from above via the feed lines 25d . 25e . 25f fed and it is continuously finished mixed final product of from the bottom of the mixing container 21 deducted. Over the openings 26 the finished mixed product arrives in a distribution track 11b of the rotating part 10 , From this distribution track 11b lead derivatives 12b the finished mixed product in the direction of filling elements, not shown.

Furthermore, in the 1 Embodiment shown a bypass 30a and a bypass 30c shown by means of which the mixing container 21 of the rotary distributor 2 can be bypassed for certain media or for certain filling processes and thus media directly from the standing part 20 on the rotating part 10 can be handed over.

For example, a filling product component such as CO ₂ , carbonated water, fruit juice concentrate and sugar syrup can be supplied via a fixed feed line 25a by means of the rotary distributor 2 via a distribution channel 11a to a derivative 12a of the rotating part 10 transferred and thus forwarded to individual filling stations of a rotary filler. Via the bypass 30a For example, CO ₂ can be sent directly to the filling element, which is an advantage for highly foaming products.

In a given operating mode, filling product can also be used directly and without the mixing container 21 to flow through the fixed part by means of a bypass 20 on the rotating part 10 of the rotary distributor 2 be handed over.

Via the bypass 30c media can also be routed which should not come into contact with the filling product. For example, auxiliary media, such as compressed air, can be via the bypass via the bypass 2 be led directly to the filling elements. There is a supply line 25c provided, which via the rotary distributor 2 with the distribution track 11c and the derivative 12c of the rotating part 10 connected is. The supply line 25c does not lead into the mixing container 21 of the fixed part 20 ,

In 2 is schematically a second embodiment of a device 1 shown for filling a container with filling product, with the supply of filling product components from below into a mixing container 21 of a fixed part 20 a rotary distributor 2 he follows. In the 2 The embodiment shown essentially corresponds to that of FIG 1 , However, the filling product components are supplied via the supply lines 25d . 25e . 25f from below into the mixing container 21 of the fixed part 20 of the rotary distributor 2 and a discharge of the finished mixed filling product via the rotating part 10 of the rotary distributor 2 takes place in the upper area of the mixing container 21 over the distribution channel 11b and the derivatives 12b ,

In 3 is schematically a third embodiment of a device 1 shown for filling a container with filling product, the fixed part 20 of the rotary distributor a mixing chamber 27 and a filling chamber 28 having. The two chambers 27 . 28 are arranged coaxially with each other, with the mixing chamber 27 inside the filling chamber 28 located. However, it is also possible that the filling chamber 28 inside the mixing chamber 27 is arranged or the two chambers 27 . 28 within the fixed part 20 are arranged one above the other or side by side. The filling product components are via the feed lines 25d . 25e . 25f first into the mixing chamber 27 initiated and there by means of the facility 22 for thorough mixing. The filling product is produced in batches, ie the filling product components are not fed in and out continuously, but rather in batches, so that the mixing container 21 is first filled with filler product components, which are then mixed. After the mixing of the filling product components is complete, the filling product is then completely removed from the mixing chamber 27 deducted and only then fill product components are again in the mixing chamber 27 initiated. The finished mixed filling product is connected via a switchable connection 29 into the filling chamber 28 directed. The filling chamber 28 has openings 26 on which the filling product of the fixed part 20 in the ring channel 11b of the rotating part 10 can be handed over. By means of the derivatives 12b the finished mixed product goes in the direction of filling elements, not shown.

At the in 3 shown embodiment, the leads 25d . 25e . 25f also in the lower part of the fixed part 20 be provided and the rotating part 10 with the derivatives 12 above the fixed part, as in the in 2 illustrated embodiment. As in the 1 and 2 The embodiments shown also have the in 3 shown embodiment a bypass 30a and a bypass 30b by means of which the mixing container 27 and the filling container 28 can be avoided. Via the bypass 30a filling product components can be directed directly to filling processes. Via the bypass 30c auxiliary media that should not come into contact with the filling product can be directed to the filling processes.

As far as applicable, all individual features that are shown in the exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another and / or exchanged without leaving the scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Device for filling a container with filling product

2

rotary distributor

10

rotating part

11a - c

distribution channel

12a - c

Derivation filler

13

Rotation of the rotating part

20

fixed part

21

mixing tank

22

Mixing device

23

agitator blade

24

Rotation of the device for mixing

25a - f

Supply product component supply

26

opening

27

mixing chamber

28

filling chamber

29

switchable connection

30a, c

bypass

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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.

Patent literature cited

• EP 2185423 A1 [0007]

Claims (9)

Device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, comprising a rotary distributor (2) with a fixed part (20) and with a rotating part (10), the rotary distributor (2) for transferring the filling product from the fixed part (20 ) is formed on the rotating part (10), characterized in that the fixed part (20) of the rotary distributor (2) comprises a mixing container (21) for the filling product. Device (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the mixing container (21) has a device (22) for mixing the filling product. Device (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the device (22) for mixing the filling product is arranged rotatably in the mixing container (21), the device (22) for mixing the filling product preferably being coupled to the rotating part (10) in order to rotate (24 ) to achieve the device (22) for mixing the filling product during a rotation (13) of the rotating part (10). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed part (20) has at least two feed lines (25) for filling product components. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bypass (30) is provided to bypass the mixing container (21). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed part (20) comprises a mixing chamber (27) and a filling chamber (28), the mixing chamber (27) and the filling chamber (28) via a switchable connection ( 29) are fluidly connected to one another. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed part (20) of the rotary distributor (2) is designed as a rotary distributor axis and the mixing container (21) is introduced into the rotary distributor axis. Method for filling a container with filling product, the filling product being transferred from a fixed part (20) to a rotating part (10) of a rotary distributor (2), characterized in that the filling product is mixed in the fixed part (20) of the rotary distributor. Procedure according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the mixing of the filling product is carried out continuously or batchwise.

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