EP1122210B1 - Filling head - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble of claim 1.

Filling elements for filling containers with a liquid filling material, in particular for Filling drinks in bottles, cans or similar containers are in different designs known. It is also known for a filling under pressure (pressure filling) in the respective filling element or in its housing gas paths formed by gas channels, for example span and return gas paths or Gas paths for purging with inert gas, for vacuum or steam treatment, etc. provided. The gas flow (possibly also steam flow) and thus functional elements controlling the course of the filling process provided, for example passive, i.e. not controlled from the outside Functional elements, such as nozzles, spring-loaded valves, too Check valves or sensors, and possibly also active functional elements, i.e. functional elements controlled by external control signals, such as, for example Control valves.

Such a filling element is also used for filling a filling material with a high Solids content (e.g. pulp, fibers, etc.), e.g. to the usually unpressurized Filling fruit and / or vegetable juices used, such Solid content in the event of malfunctions in the filling operation or in the event of handling errors Functional elements arrive, clog them and thereby interfere with the filling process.

The gas flow in a return gas path has already been proposed (DE 33 35 898) Controlling return gas nozzles to be provided on a slide, which in the housing of the Filler element can be inserted and removed again, so that by fast Accessibility a problem-free cleaning of these return gas nozzles is possible.

The invention has for its object a filling element of the generic type to improve and allow easy cleaning.

To solve this problem, a filling element is in accordance with claim 1 educated.

In the invention is an insert from an insert or Removal position in which this insert is inserted into the filling element in question or can be removed from the filling element, by pivoting into the Functional position movable, in which the insert then functionally with the Filler is connected. This type of training is quick and easy Safe coupling and uncoupling of the insert possible. This also results from this a very simplified construction, especially with regard to the necessary ones Leak tightness of the coupling of several gas channels designed in use to the associated gas channels of the filling element housing and their connections.

Developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1 und 2

jeweils in Rückansicht ein Füllelement einer Füllmaschine zum Füllen von Flaschen, Dosen oder dergleichen Behältern mit einem flüssigen Füllgut, und zwar bei am Gehäuse des Füllelementes verriegeltem Düsen- und/oder Ventil-Einsatz (Figur 1) bzw. bei in die Einlege- oder Entnahmestellung ausgeklapptem Einsatz;

Fig. 3 und 4

jeweils in Draufsicht das Füllelement der Figur 1 bzw. der Figur 2;

Fig. 5

das Füllelement der Figuren 1 - 4 in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 6 und 7

jeweils in vereinfachter Darstellung und im Schnitt zwei unterschiedliche Einsätze.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using an exemplary embodiment. Show it:

1 and 2

in each case a rear view of a filling element of a filling machine for filling bottles, cans or similar containers with a liquid filling material, namely with the nozzle and / or valve insert locked on the housing of the filling element (FIG. 1) or in the insertion or removal position unfolded insert;

3 and 4

each in plan view of the filling element of Figure 1 or Figure 2;

Fig. 5

the filling element of Figures 1-4 in side view;

6 and 7

each in a simplified representation and on average two different inserts.

In the figures, 1 is a filling element of a filling machine, which is otherwise not shown all-round design for filling containers, for example bottles with a liquid filling material. The filling element 1 is in the manner known to those skilled in the art together with a multitude of similar filling elements 1 on the circumference one by one vertical machine axis and generally in FIG. 5 with 2 designated rotor attached. This includes a ring channel or boiler for that liquid filling material and a ring channel for a pressurized inert gas, For example, CO2 gas for a pressure filling of, for example, C02-containing Beverages, a ring channel serving as a return gas channel, etc. At the rotor 2 assembled filling element 1, this lies with its filling element axis FA parallel to Axis of the rotor 3 and thus parallel to the vertical machine axis.

The filling element 1, which in the illustrated embodiment is a short tube filling element is formed, but can also be a filling element of another type, has the usual functional elements, such as liquid valve, in a housing 3 and gas paths controlled by control valves, not shown, which, among other things, of Gas channels are formed in the housing 3, of which a gas channel 4 in FIG. 5 is shown. The gas paths are used to control the individual in a known manner Phases of the filling process during pressure filling, for example preloading, slow Filling, quick filling, then slow filling, preliminary relief, calming, Relieve rest.

For control purposes, there are various gas flow control or influencing elements are provided, for example throttles or nozzles, the one have precisely defined flow cross-section, but also check valves.

In the filling element 1 shown, these functional elements are on a nozzle and Valve support or insert 5 provided as an elongated cuboid or as Bar is executed and in which several gas channels are formed, namely in the illustrated embodiment, the gas channels 6 and 7 (Figure 6). Any gas channel 6 and 7 ends at both ends at a connection opening 8. All connection openings 8 are on a common side, namely on the plan bottom 5 'of the insert 5 provided. The elastic seals 9 are something about the bottom 5 '.

Furthermore, each connection opening has a seal 9, so that at the filling element 1 or on its housing 3 locked insert 5, the channels 6 and 7 via the Connection openings 8 and the seals 9 tight with the corresponding, in Housing 3 formed gas channels 4 are connected and with these the respective Form gas path.

A throttle or nozzle 10 is provided in channel 6. A choke or Nozzle 11 provided in series with a check valve 12, which in known Way gas flow in one direction only, i.e. from the one with the check valve 12 provided connection opening 8 to the connection opening 8 provided with the nozzle 11 allowed, but blocks in the opposite direction.

At one end the insert 5 is provided with a bore 13 with its axis perpendicular to the plane of the bottom 5 'and also perpendicular to the plane of the flat top 5 "of the insert 5 is oriented. The bore 5 is the insert 5 can be placed on a pin 14 on the rotor 2 or the vertical Machine axis facing back of the housing 3 is provided. The cone 14 is parallel with its axis to the machine axis or to the filling element axis FA oriented and with its lower end on a rear projection 3 'of Housing 3 attached, in such a way that this pin 14 via one of the Projection formed flat housing surface 15 protrudes in a plane perpendicular to Filler element axis lies. The pin 14 is at its upper, free end with a section tapering towards this end.

Above the surface 15 there is a hold-down device or slide bar 16 on the housing 3 attached, which forms a plane bottom 16 'which is parallel to the plane of the Housing surface 15 is located and is at a distance from the housing surface 15 which is the same or only slightly larger than the distance between the bottom 5 'of the Top 5 ". The hold-down 16 ends at a distance from the pin 14, in such a way that the insert 5 with its bore 13 can be placed on the pin 14, namely in an insertion and removal position, in which the insert 5 with its perpendicular to the axis of the bore 13 extending longitudinal axis L perpendicular or approximately protrudes vertically over the back of the housing 3, as shown in Figures 2 and 4 is shown.

After being placed on the pin 14, the insert 5 can then rotate about the axis thereof Pin on the back of the housing 3 in an operating or functional position be pivoted up (arrow A), so that the insert 5 then over the larger part its longitudinal extent between the housing surface 15 and the underside 16 'of Hold-down device 16 is received and each connection opening 8 with an opening a gas channel 4 in the housing 3 is connected and the seals 9 sealing bear against the housing surface 15. The insert 5 is in this by a lock 17 Functional position between the surfaces 16 'and 15 against unwanted Swivel back (arrow B of the figure) lockable.

The lock 17 is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a fall lock, and with a lever 18 on the side of the housing 3 facing away from the Hold-down device 16 with one end by means of a hinge pin 19 about an axis is provided pivotably perpendicular to the filling element axis FA, and on its other End has a fork-shaped recess 20 which with a further pin 21st interacts. The lever 18 can hereby only a limited pivoting movement execute, in such a way that he in his lowered position in which he is due to gravity is normally in the operating position located insert 5 overlaps and thereby locked in this operating position, such as this is shown in Figures 1 and 5. In the locked state, the overlaps Lever 18 the relevant insert 5 on its rear side facing away from the housing 3 5 "'. The pins 19 and 21 are formed by screws with which the sliding beam or hold-down device 16 is attached to the housing 3.

By lifting or pivoting the lever 18 according to the arrow C in FIG. 2 insert 5 is unlocked and can then be inserted and removed pivoted from the pin 14 are withdrawn (arrow D) and by another Insert, for example, can also be replaced by an insert 5a.

This insert 5a, which is shown in FIG. 7, corresponds in terms of its outer geometry and the geometry of the gas channels 6 and 7 and their Connection openings 8 the insert 5, however, has in the gas channels 6 and 7 Nozzles 10 and 11 as well as the check valve 12 and other gas channel controls not on.

By using either insert 5 or 5a, it is possible to use one existing filling machine or its filling elements from a pressure filling under Use the ice sets 5 on a pressure-free filling using the inserts 5a quick and easy to convert. The inserts 5a are also particularly suitable for a pressure-free filling of containers with a filling material, which contains solid components contains, for example pulp or fibers, the nozzles 10 and 11 and that Check valve 12 and other compressed gas channel control elements, not shown contaminate and thus impair the filling process.

The inserts 5a are also used for cleaning a filling machine or whose filling elements 1, used for example for CIP cleaning. The insert 5a is in the same way as described above for the insert 5 was, with its bore 13 on the pin 14 of the respective filling element 1a attachable and then by swiveling according to arrow A in the Operating position movable so that it is between the two surfaces 15 and 16 ' recorded and locked by the lock 17 and the gas channels 6 and 7 with the associated gas channels 4 are connected in the housing 3.

To facilitate the handling or the exchange of the inserts 5 / 5a, are these in the region of their end remote from the bore 13 each with a rod-shaped handle 22, which over the back 5 "'of the insert 5 or 5a stands out.

The housing 3 is made of metal, for example. The hold-down 16 is made for example made of plastic. Is suitable for the production of the inserts 5, 5a for example metal or plastic.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filler

2

rotor

3

casing

3 '

housing projection

4

gas channel

5, 5a

Insert or nozzle and / or valve carrier

5 '

bottom

5 '

top

5 ''

back

6, 7

gas channel

8th

connecting opening

9

poetry

10, 11

jet

12

check valve

13

drilling

14

spigot

15

housing area

16

Sliding beam or hold-down

16 '

bottom

17

barrier

18

lever

19

hinge pins

20

recess

21

bolt

22

handle

A, B, C, D

arrow

L

longitudinal extension

FA

filling element

Claims (12)

1. Filler element for a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid product, the filler element (1) including at least one gas path which is formed partially by a gas channel in the housing and a gas channel (6, 7), which is provided in an insert (5) interchangeably provided on the housing (3), characterised in that the insert (5) is pivotable from an introduction or extraction position into an operative position for connection to the at least one gas channel of the filler element housing.
2. Filler element according to claim 1, characterised in that the insert (5, 5a) has a rectangular or strip-like configuration.
3. Filler element according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that a pivot pin (14) is provided on the filler element housing (3), the insert (5, 5a) being mountable on said pin with a pivotal aperture (13), and the insert (5) being pivotable about said pin from an introduction and extraction position into the operative position.
4. Filler element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the insert (5) includes at least all of the passive operational component parts to control the gas flow of the gas paths of the filler element (1).
5. Filler element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the at least one gas channel (6, 7) forms in the insert (5, 5a), at least at each end thereof, a respective connecting aperture (8), via which this gas channel (6, 7) is connected to the associated gas channel (4) in the filler element housing (3) during transfer of the insert (5, 5a) into its operative position.
6. Filler element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that all of the connecting apertures (8) are provided in a common side (5') of the insert (5, 5a).
7. Filler element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the insert (5, 5a), in the operative position, is disposed between a first face (15) of the filler element housing (3) and a second face (16'), and in that the gas channels (4), which are provided in the filler element housing (3), terminate at the first face (15), opposite which are provided the connecting apertures (8) of the insert (5, 5a), which is in its operative position.
8. Filler element according to claim 7, characterised in that the second face (16') is formed by a face of a slide bar or hold-down means (16).
9. Filler element according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the connecting apertures (8) of the insert (5) are provided in a face (5') which lies perpendicularly relative to the axis about which the insert is pivotable from the introduction or extraction position into the operative position.
10. Filler element according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised by a closure, preferably by a catch-type closure (17) for locking the insert (5, 5a) in the operative position.
11. Filler element according to claim 8, characterised in that the slide-piece or the hold-down means (16) is formed from plastics material.
12. Filler element according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the insert (5, 5a) is formed from metal or plastics material.

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