EP0897864B1 - Apparatus and method for the dosed filling of liquid to pasty products - Google Patents

Abstract

A process and aseptic machine discharge two different products through two outlet tubes (31) linked to a common head (28) in which the products remain separate. During filling, the tubs (4) are held in tray openings and are lifted by a jack (57) and clamp (5) and are presented to the discharge head. As the tub is filled, the jack lowers the tub, which is automatically ejected when filled and is replaced by an empty tub. The tub may be rotated between filling sequences to expose a second chamber to a discharging product.

Description

The invention first relates to a method for filling each in one Container receptacle of circumferentially driven cell sheets driven in steps around the circumference suspended containers, preferably plastic cups, with at least one thin to pasty product, especially under aseptic conditions a filler head and one relative to it along a substantially vertical one Adjustable lifting and lowering lifting plate of a lifting device with Holding device, wherein the container by the lifting device from the container receptacle of the cell sheets raised to a filling position above, through which Holding device aligned and held at least during the filling process after filling and releasing the holding effect by the lifting device again be lowered into the receptacle of the cell sheets.

Such a method or a device for executing such a method has become known through the German utility model 295 12 257. At this known device is holding on to the raised lifting plates stored container achieved by a holding device, the two opposite, arranged on both sides of the vertical adjustment axis of the lifting plate and together with this has movable jaws up and down. These jaws can be with their by a suitably trained lever mechanism the clamping surfaces facing the outer cup surface in uniform motion in Set the closing direction to the container and towards it from the open position move away. The known lifting device with holding device is expedient used in connection with so-called rotary dosers, which several rotating around a common axis of rotation on a circular path Have filler neck. With the help of such a special filling head, for example a filler neck a first product, e.g. B. chocolate pudding and other filler neck a second product, e.g. B. custard. On in this way it is possible to sort the entire product into a helical shape Bring in containers. In the case of such or similar product introductions, the Jaws as a rotary abutment, d. H. they prevent unwanted turning of the Container while it is filled in a spiral manner.

Insofar as the product dose is held non-rotatably in the known device a helical filling is possible if the lifting plate and the clamping jaws can be rotated together around the vertical adjustment axis of the lifting plate.

A so-called rotary filling has become known from DE 37 18 950 A1, in which it is essentially a question of the containers being largely free of air inclusions and without Contamination of the container rim can be filled. For this purpose, a Product strand with a comparatively small cross-sectional area off-center to the vertical Center axis of the container introduced and with the container during the filling process a support device supporting it in the form of a support cage, at least temporarily, relatively turned to the filling basket around the central axis. The support basket arranged coaxially to the filling basket is part of a lifting device, by means of which the support cage in the different height positions can be adjusted. To the container, especially when rotating it to provide a secure hold for the carrying support basket, suitable device is fixed non-rotatably or positively in the support basket. As Note can be found in the document mentioned that the container for the suction of the aforementioned purpose against the inner wall of the support cage becomes.

US Pat. No. 4,729,206 relates to the filling of, for example, ice cream in conical beakers. A lifting device is arranged in the area of a filling station has a perforated lifting plate. With the help of this lifting plate, the one to be filled can be filled Container from a receiving opening of a conveyor belt up into a Filling position are brought. The holding and centering force of the cone cup in the Lift plate is determined solely by the weight of the cone cup.

The invention has for its object a method of the type mentioned and to improve an apparatus for performing the method such that a precisely aligned and secure holding of the containers when filling on a simple and inexpensive way is given, also simple and effective cleaning this device should be possible.

In procedural terms, this object is achieved in that each container shortly before lifting from the container holder of the cell sheet into the filling position Reaching the end position of the lifting movement of the lifting plate with its container edge on Filling head reaches the system in a supportive manner and through the reaction force generated in the process In the sense of an increasingly stronger holding force or centering stability in the holding device is pressed out of the container after filling during the downward movement the lifting plate of the lifting device each container through its container edge the appropriately trained container receptacle of the cell sheet is retained and then automatically from the holding device when the lifting plate is lowered further is pulled and released.

The means according to the invention ensure that no disruptive or inaccessible corners, columns or the like in the area of the holding device are present which are contaminated by an uncontrolled overflow of the product could or become inoperable. This means that even after a long period of use Device a perfect function with regard to the exact alignment of the filled container ensured. The most important thing is that at least during the filling process, the containers are securely held in the holding device and are automatically released again after filling. Additional Actuators can thus be completely omitted.

Of great importance for the invention is above all that the clamping effect between the holding device and, for example, as a plastic cup trained container at a distance from the bottom wall in a preferably compliant wall area of the container is generated. By holding on to the Container in a so-called soft tissue area, a minimal contact force is sufficient, to establish a secure frictional connection.

This is especially important if every container at least during the Filling process is rotated around the vertical axis of the lifting plate in order to create a helical, zigzag or other rotary form of product filling to reach.

In the case of a device for filling containers, particularly preferably plastic cups, according to the method steps according to the invention and with means the preamble of claim 4, the invention provides that the holding device a to the shape and / or dimensions of each container to be filled coordinated, ring-shaped adjustable together with the lifting plate of the lifting device Centering element and the filling head one with the container during the filling process to the system has reaching support.

Such a filling device enables particularly simple means both an automatic alignment of the containers to be filled and their tight fit in the centering element during the filling process and finally its problem-free Release and release from the centering element after filling.

This triple function can be realized particularly easily if that Centering element of a clamping ring and the support on the filling head of one in essentially vertical shoulder surface extending to the adjustment axis of the lifting device is formed.

It has turned out to be completely sufficient if the clamping ring is only one partially over its inner wall extending clamping surface. This can for example from a spaced from the bottom of the clamping ring on the Inner wall arranged annular bead may be formed. This then serves as a centering element for, for example, cylindrical glasses and / or conical plastic cups, while in another solution, where the inner wall of the clamping ring except one Extension on the insertion side of the container extends vertically, especially for the use of conical containers. This ensures that the clamping surface on Transition between the ring surface and the extension above the cup bottom to Effect comes, where the container is made of plastic by Naturally has a soft tissue area.

To improve the clamping effect, the inner wall can at least in the area of Clamping surface with a flexible covering, e.g. B. be provided with a rubber covering.

The lifting plate can be designed as a separate component of the lifting device his.

The lifting device, which can be adjusted in the stroke, can then be easily removed from product residues clean if e.g. B. from above the movement path of the cell sheets Cleaning liquid escaping spray nozzles onto the clamping ring or lifting plate is judged.

Figur 1

eine Teildarstellung einer Fülleinrichtung für eine wendelförmige Produktabfüllung mit einer Hub- und Festhaltevorrichtung,

Figur 2

eine abgewandelte Ausführungsform der Festhaltevorrichtung,

Figur 3

einen Teil einer Füllmaschine mit Hub- und Festhaltevorrichtung und zugehöriger Antriebseinrichtung in einer schematischen Seitenansicht und

Figur 4

eine der Figur 3 entsprechende Darstellung in der Aufsicht.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are explained in more detail below. Each shows in a schematic representation:

Figure 1

a partial view of a filling device for a helical product filling with a lifting and holding device,

Figure 2

a modified embodiment of the holding device,

Figure 3

a part of a filling machine with lifting and holding device and associated drive device in a schematic side view and

Figure 4

a representation corresponding to Figure 3 in supervision.

FIG. 1 shows cell sheets 1 driven in a rotating manner step by step. The Cell sheets 1 have several, for example five each, transverse to the direction of movement 2 container receptacles 3 lying in two rows, in the known manner for step-by-step transport along the work stations of a container filler, not shown and sealing machine container 4, of which only one is shown used can be. Below one row of containers is an adjustable one, below Lifting device 70 described in more detail (FIG. 4) a lifting plate 5 for one container each 4 adjustable along an essentially vertical adjustment axis 59. In this way can the container from the position shown with dashed lines from the Container receptacle 3 of the cell sheet 1 in the raised with solid lines Filling position can be raised. In the filling position, the containers 4 come with their Cup edge 7 on a substantially perpendicular to the adjustment axis 59 of the lifting device 70 d. H. horizontal shoulder surface 61 of a multiple dispenser 28 for contact, whereby the effect described in more detail below is achieved. In the illustrated Exemplary embodiment, the multiple dosing device 28 is designed as a ram dosing device, with which Help two different products, e.g. B. Chocolate pudding and custard in at least two separate strands can be filled in the container 4. For Product supply lines 45, 50 are available, which are not shown Product containers. The first reaches via the feed line 45 Product and via the feed line 50 the second product reaches a control sleeve 46, which is provided with two ring channels 47, 48. Through openings act with the latter 49, 51 "of a housing 52 together, in which as a closure member with a cutter trained plungers 55, 56 are axially adjustable. The plungers 55, 56 are over a lever mechanism 60 indicated by double arrows in the vertical direction raised or lowered depending on whether a product drain or a product closure to be held.

The lifting plate 5 has a holding device in the form of a centering element 6, which is formed by a clamping ring 58 in the illustrated embodiment. The for example made of stainless steel clamping ring 58 has in it Bottom surface 62 on obliquely outward surfaces with grooves 63 on the in Connection with openings to drain 64 product residues or cleaning liquid can. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping ring 58 has a cylindrical Inner wall that is spaced from the bottom surface 62 on the open side of the clamping ring 58 merges into an extension 65. Due to the conical design of, for example, as Plastic cup formed container 4 is a clamping surface 66 on the clamping element formed at a distance from the bottom surface 4 'of the container 4 in a soft tissue area the container creates a clamping effect. This becomes the stronger, the more the Container during the upward movement over the lifting plate 5 against the shoulder surface 61 of the Control sleeve 46 is pressed, as this causes the container deeper into the clamping ring 58th is pushed into it. After filling the container, it is finally removed from the shown filling position by means of the lifting plate 5 moved down until the Finally, the container with its edge region 7 in the receiving opening 3 of the cell sheet 1 gets stuck. With the further downward movement of the lifting plate 5 is then the container 4 is automatically removed from the clamping ring 58 and released.

This is particularly useful and practical if the lifting plate 5 with the clamping ring 58 for the purpose of a helical or zigzag or other rotary product filling relative to the multiple dispenser 28 about the vertical adjustment axis 59 of the lifting plate 5 is rotated. For this purpose - as can be seen in FIG. 3 results - the lifting plate 5 is connected to a rotary drive 67. This essentially comprises one stored in a frame wall 68 of the container filling and closing machine Rotary shaft 69, on the bevel gears 71, 72 each assigned to each row of containers Lift plate 5 can be rotatably driven. The rotary shaft 69 receives with the interposition drive shafts 73, 74 are driven by a servo motor 38.

The lifting device 70 for the lifting plate 5 results primarily from FIG. 4 and comprises in essentially a lifting frame 76 which, contrary to the illustration in FIG. in which two rows of cup receptacles in a cell sheet exist, is extended accordingly. A is used to drive the lifting frame 76 separate servo motor 77 with gear 78 and an articulated shaft 79 and one with it connected pivot shaft 81. One arm 82 of a pair of toggle levers sits on this, whose other arm 83 is articulated on the lifting frame 76. To achieve a synchronous Lifting movement of the lifting frame 76 is a second pivot shaft 77 with the first Swivel shaft 81 articulated via a linkage 84.

To the lifting plate 5 depending on the shape and dimensions of the container 4 to be filled easily To be able to replace, is a not shown at the lower end of the lifting plate Locking bolt provided, after loosening an easy replacement of the Hubtellers 5 is made possible against another version.

A modified embodiment of the lifting plate or the associated Clamping ring 58 is shown in FIG. 2, for example. In contrast to the execution after Figure 1, where the inner wall of the clamping ring 58 up to the extension 65 in runs essentially vertically and thus with the conical peripheral wall of a Container 4 encloses an angle α, is in the variant according to Figure 2 on the inner wall of the clamping ring 58 an annular bead 85 is provided. This can e.g. B. in cylindrical Containers, e.g. B. glasses can be used, especially when additionally a rubber covering is used.

In principle, it is also possible to fill the helical product with a to achieve so-called rotary dosing, so that you can then possibly on the Rotary drive can be dispensed with in the lifting device or lifting plate, but is not required then the advantageous rotary movement of the lifting plate 5 during the cleaning process.

For cleaning, in particular the area of the clamping ring 58, there is at least one in each case Spray nozzle 86 is provided, which is activated when the lifting device 5 in its lower position shown by dash-dotted position, is rotated all around.

Claims (8)

1. Method for filling containers (4), preferably plastic cups in each case circumferential rim-hung-in a container receptacle (3) of stepwise rotated cell plates (1), having at least one highly fluid to pasty product and in particular performed under aseptic conditions, by means of a filling head (28) and a lifting disk (5) of a lifting device (70) having a locking device (6) raisable and lowerable relative to said filling head along a substantially vertical adjusting axis (59), the containers (4) being raised by the lifting device (70) from the container receptacle (3) of the cell plates (1) into an upper filling position, being locked in aligned manner by the locking device (6) at least during the filling process and after filling and eliminating the locking action are lowered again by the lifting device (70) into the container receptacle (3) of the cell plates (1), characterized in that during raising from the container receptacle (3) of the cell plate (1) into the filling position, shortly before each container (4) reaches the end position of the lifting movement of the lifting disk (5) has its container rim (7) engaged in supporting manner on the filling head (28) and as a result of the reaction force produced is pressed in the sense of an increasingly strong locking force or centring stability into the locking device (6) from which, following container filling, during the downward movement of the lifting disk (5) of the lifting device (70) each container (4) is retained by means of its container rim (7) by the correspondingly constructed container receptacle (3) of the cell plate (1) and subsequently, on further lowering of the lifting disk (5) is automatically drawn from the locking device (6) and released.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the container (4) is locked in spaced manner with respect to its bottom wall (4') in a preferably flexible wall area (soft part area) of the container.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, at least during the filling process and preferably also during a cleaning process, each container (4) is rotated about the adjusting axis (59) of the lifting disk (5) .
4. Apparatus for filling containers (4), preferably plastic cups in each case circumferential rim-hung-in a container receptacle (3) of stepwise rotated cell plates (1), having at least one highly fluid to pasty product and in particular performed under aseptic conditions according to the method one of the claims 1 or 2, by means of a filling head and a lifting disk (5) of a lifting device (70) raisable relative thereto along a substantially vertical adjusting axis (59) into an upper filling position and lowerable into a bottom rest position and provided with a locking device (6) for the aligned locking of each individual container (4) at least during the filling process, characterized in that the locking device (6) has an annular centring element (58) adjustable together with the lifting disk (5) of the lifting device (70) and matched to the shape and/or dimensions of the container (4) to be filled and the filling head (28) has a support (61) engaging on the container (4) during the filling process.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the centring element is formed by a clamping ring (58) and the support on the filling head (28) by a shoulder surface (61) passing substantially perpendicular to the adjusting axis (59) of the lifting device.
6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the clamping ring (58) has a clamping surface (66) extending only partly over its inner wall and which is formed by an inwardly directed torus (85) spaced from the bottom surface (62) thereof.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamping surface extends vertically on the inner wall of the clamping ring (58) with the exception of a widening (65) on the insertion side of the container (4) and consequently forms an angle (α) with a conical circumferential wall of the container.
8. Apparatus according to one or more of the claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the lifting disk (57) is connected to a rotary drive (67).

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