EP1134183B1 - Device for filling bottles and similar containers with liquids - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for filling bottles and other containers with food and beverages, such as with low viscosity pasteous dairy and fat products, juices, water or the like the preamble of claim 1. A device designed as a bottle filling machine this genus includes described in DE 196 42 987 A1.

The device described in DE 196 42 987 A1 has approximately basket-shaped container receptacles, which are orthogonal to the direction of movement of an endlessly circulating conveyor on the outer circumference are attached to the latter.

The arrangement is such that the ones to be sterilized are too filling and closing bottles, in the present case PET bottles, run through the upper run of the conveyor in several tracks. To the bottles are sterilized using a filling jet (milk) filled in two consecutive clock levels. In another work cycle the container is then closed sterile, for example by means of a sealing washer and a screw cap.

The device according to DE 196 42 987 A1 can be because of the filling jet operation use only to a limited extent for products that are too foaming.

From a filling device not belonging to the genus according to the invention according to DE 29 22 308 A1, which works according to the monoblock system, at which the bottles to be filled in pick-up bars in the horizontal circuit circulating on a machine level are filling pipes or immersion nozzles known. Those filling tubes dip into the empty container and move by means of a curve or the like. With the filling process upwards, thereby a to enable bottling that is as agitation-free as possible.

Starting from the filling device according to DE 196 42 987 A1 the invention has for its object to develop the known filling device so that they fill containers, especially bottles, permitted regardless of the foaming behavior of the goods to be filled.

According to the invention, this object is shared with the Features of the preamble of claim 1 solved in that the support elements are elongated plates which have the container receptacles, that filling tubes protruding from the product filling station with at least a series of container receptacles that can be aligned that coupling means serve the releasable mounting of the plates on the conveyor, are available, and that means are provided which are uncoupled from the conveying means in the container receptacles Plate held container by means of vertical adjustment of the plate by Push it down onto the filling pipes and lower it as it fills.

According to the invention, the support elements are elongated in shape Plates can be uncoupled from the conveyor to the one equipped with filling pipes Product filling station can be moved vertically upwards and the containers of can be pushed onto the filling tubes from below. While subsequently the product emerges from the filling pipes, the plate carrying the container can accordingly progressively lower the filling progress until the coupling agent again a transport connection between the plate and the conveyor have gone into what the containers, either fully or partially filled to the next work station or to the next filling station can.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention is a precise guidance of the plate free of vertical misalignment during its Vertical movement achieved in that the uncoupled from the funding Plate a coupled with their vertical movement, the upper main surface the hold-down stop facing the plate is assigned.

Precise lateral guidance of the plate in the plane is further Modification of the invention with a special embodiment thereby achieved that the centering of each uncoupled from the funding vertically moving plate at least one vertical guide means is provided is.

Additional advantageous embodiments according to the invention are the subject of further subclaims.

Fig. 1 eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Behältern, beim gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel von Flaschen,

Fig. 2 einen Querschnitt durch die Vorrichtung etwa entsprechend der in Fig. 1 mit II-II bezeichneten Schnittlinie; eine Behälter in ihren Behälteraufnahmen tragende längliche Platte befindet sich in der abgesenkten Position,

Fig. 3 in Anlehnung an die Darstellung gemäß Fig. 2 die Vorrichtung in angehobener Position der länglichen Platte,

Fig. 4 ein vergrößertes Detail etwa gemäß der mit dem Pfeil DU in Fig. 2 gekennzeichneten Stelle,

Fig. 5 eine Schnittansicht etwa entsprechend der in Fig. 4 mit V-V bezeichneten Schnittlinie,

Fig. 6 ein gegenüber der Darstellung in Fig. 3 vergrößertes und dort mit dem Pfeil DO bezeichnetes Detail und

Fig. 7 eine teilweise Draufsicht auf drei in Förderrichtung aufeinanderfolgende längliche Platten unter Weglassung weiterer Einzelheiten, etwa entsprechend der in Fig. 1 mit VII bezeichneten Blickrichtung.

In the drawings, a preferred embodiment according to the invention is shown, it shows

1 is a schematic side view of a device for filling containers, in the shown embodiment of bottles,

2 shows a cross section through the device approximately corresponding to the section line designated II-II in FIG. 1; an elongated plate carrying containers in its container receptacles is in the lowered position,

3, based on the representation according to FIG. 2, the device in the raised position of the elongated plate,

4 shows an enlarged detail approximately according to the location indicated by the arrow DU in FIG. 2,

5 is a sectional view approximately corresponding to the section line labeled VV in FIG. 4,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged compared to the representation in Fig. 3 and there indicated by the arrow DO and

Fig. 7 is a partial plan view of three successive elongated plates in the conveying direction with omission of further details, approximately corresponding to the viewing direction designated VII in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 is a device for filling containers B, shown Embodiment of bottles, overall with reference number 10 designated. The housing 11 of the device 10 is on a support feet 12 on a Elevated building footprint 13.

The housing 11 is substantially frame-shaped and accordingly has a lower frame leg 14, an upper frame leg 15 and lower and upper frame legs connecting each other Frame webs 16, 17 on. The upper frame leg 15 is supported its central area via a support portal 18 on the lower frame leg 14 from.

The frame legs 14, 15, the frame webs 16, 17 and optionally the supports 18 are channel-like and serve to guide Fluids such as of sterile air, inert gas or other sterile agents.

Through the frame of the housing 11 is a conveyor 19 (conveyor traction) endless all around arranged at about the ends of the frame Deflection areas 20, 21, 22, 23 out. Between the deflection areas 20, 21 extends the upper run OT and between the deflection areas 22, 23 Lower strand UT of funding 19.

The funding 19 can be of any convenient type e.g. as a chain, be designed as a rope or toothed belt. In the embodiment shown the conveyor 19 is formed by two link chains 85. Funding 19 is therefore available in pairs, so in the embodiment consists of two Single chains 85 running in the conveying direction x.

The conveying means 19 is driven via the in the deflection area 20 included chain drive wheel 24 in the direction of rotation U, while in the other Deflection areas 21, 22, 23 each only drive-less moving chain deflection wheels 25, 26, 27 are present. Accordingly, the funding return direction denoted by z and the conveying direction of the conveying means by x. The Axes (deflection axes) of the deflection areas 20-23 or the deflection wheels 24-27 each have the reference number 39.

The wheels 24-27 are each connected to the frame legs 14, 15 as well as corner areas of the housing formed by the frame webs 16, 17 11 arranged.

The driven deflection wheel or chain wheel 24 is in a corner area arranged between the upper frame leg 15 and the frame web 17. In this way, the drive disrupts the conveying and filling process of the device in no way. The chain drive wheel 24 can be a servo drive, in particular on an electric servo drive, which is assigned both in terms of conveyor speed and in terms of cycle times can be set relatively easily.

On the outside of the deflection area 22, the containers B, and are to be filled indeed in the present case PET bottles, via a container feed device 28 brought up and finally by means of a swivel bracket 29 having container feed station 30 the support members 41, namely elongated long rectangular plates 41, so that the container B indirectly over these plates 41 in the lower run UT of the conveyor, hanging on the latter, can go through a treatment route. The elongated plates 41 are arranged with their longitudinal axes L transverse to the conveying direction x.

The treatment section assigned to the lower run UT includes named according to the flow in the direction x in succession, the following Workstations: downstream of the container feed station 30, a sensor station 31 for finding container receptacles not occupied by containers B. A, 32 a sterile agent station, 33 a first filling station for delivery a first product quantity into the containers B, 34 a second filling station Feeding a second (remaining) amount of product into the containers B, 35 a Lid disinfection and lid feed station, 36 a lid sealing station, 37 a lid crimping station and 38 a container removal station.

From Fig. 1 it is clear that the work stations 31-37 in that of the Debris, i.e. from the lower strand UT, from the upper strand OT and from the two side debris ST1 and ST2 delimited space 52 are arranged. Here are the Effective sides of the workstations, the inner sides IS of those located in the lower strand UT Plates 41 and the container receptacles A facing there.

From Fig. 1 it is also clear that below the lower strand UT in the conveying direction x and perpendicular to it moving space 53 for containers B projecting from the plate receptacles A from the plates 41 is formed.

To feed the container B is adjacent to the deflection area 22 already mentioned container feed station 30 with the swivel bracket 29 provided that one to the deflection axis 39 of the deflection area 22 or Chain deflection wheel 26 has parallel pivot axis 40.

On the outside of the conveying means 19 are arranged transversely to the conveying direction x the elongate plates 41 are provided, each of two complementary Sub-plates 42, 43 exist, which are divided by a parting line T. which are at the same time the container receptacles consisting of recesses A divides. The container receptacles A each consist of two to each other open semicircular recesses 48, 49 together.

In connection with FIGS. 1,5 and 7 it is conceivable that the joint T when passing the deflection area 22 due to the angular position to each other of the two corresponding complementary partial plates 42, 43 has opened, so that the holding area H of the container B is inserted into the container receptacle A. can be.

As soon as the plates 41 have left the deflection area 22, close the joints T again, so that the holding areas H of the container B are securely accommodated in the container receptacles A.

Since it is a ten in the present case (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 7) Device 10 having container tracks S is always a ten Container row R containing container B supplied to the swivel bracket 29 and there are always ten containers B with their holding areas H at the same time in ten Container receptacles A introduced.

In Fig. 7 are the paths formed by the recordings A with S and R series.

After the container B the individual work stations of the lower run Have gone through the bottom, the lids are filled and flared provided container B by means of essentially representing a short conveyor belt Container removal station 38 removed at the deflection area 23 because the separating joints T with the container receptacles A at the deflection region 23 opened analogously to the deflection area 22 and so the holding areas H of the container B released.

The parting lines T thus open in the deflection areas, e.g. at 22 and 23 and close as soon as they are straight in the conveying direction x extended arrangement of the conveyor 19 and the elongated plates 41, the latter e.g. at the beginning of the lower strand UT.

5 and 7 can be seen how PET bottles B with the arranged below their external thread mouth 51 holding flange 50 above support on the partial plates 42, 43 forming the container receptacles A. 5 and 7 it is conceivable that also bottles or others Containers of whatever material, modified mouth shapes can have, which can also be used advantageously in the sense described above are.

The second filling station 34 shown in FIG. 2 is constructed as follows: a storage container 44 in the present case containing milk, the The outer contour is only partially shown in dashed lines, feed pipes 45 are provided, which extend in an arc and approximately at the height of their apex 46 are introduced into the reservoir 44 at the top and with their not shown inner bends arranged in the storage container 44 to the bottom 47 of the reservoir 44 range. In this way, a construction height is saving Construction achieved.

The inlet pipes 45 lead to inductive flow meters 55, in their Drain pipes 54 electrically switched shut-off valves 56 are installed. The Drain pipes 54 finally open into filling pipes 57, the upper ends 59 in a holding bracket 58 are screwed and the freely projecting down Ends 60 are filled with filling nozzles 61 (see FIG. 6).

The downward-facing surfaces 62 of the workstations 30-38 (see Fig.1) continuous plates 41 rest in the area between the two Ends of the plates 41 arranged coupling means K on support tracks 63, which extend in the conveying direction x.

Each support track 63 forms one on a narrow surface plate-shaped web 64 arranged slideway. To ensure smooth management to ensure the plates 44 on top of the plate-shaped web 64, it may be appropriate, the upward-facing cut surface with a Profile P can be assembled from plastic with sliding properties.

The plate-shaped webs 64 go vertically on their undersides Support 65 over, whose feet 66 screwed on top of a drive crossmember 67 which are all vertical supports 65 and their feet 66 transversely under the conveying direction x.

From Fig. 5 it can be seen that the support track 63 with its plate-shaped Web 64 each by two successive in the conveying direction x Gaps 68 is interrupted, so that the middle shown in Fig. 5 Area of the plate-shaped web 64 a separate web section 69 forms.

The axial length of the web section 69 measured in the conveying direction x corresponds approximately to the total width of the two partial plates 42, 43 formed elongated plate 41. The plate-shaped webs 64 of the support track 63, including the railway section 69, support those on them resting plates 41 only pressure-resistant.

At both ends 71, 72 of the drive cross member 67 is vertical in each case arranged lifting rod 70 attached. The lifting rod 70 is through guide bushings 73 passed through. At each upper end 74 of the lifting rods 70 is the lower end of a piston rod 75 of a pneumatically operated piston-cylinder unit 76 connected.

A linear drive is located approximately at the level of the storage container 44 in FIG Form of a toothed belt drive 77. The two debris of the toothed belt drive 77 run vertically. A fastening tab 79 is in a belt drum 78 of the upper end 74 of the lifting rod 70 shown on the right in FIGS. 2 and 3 screwed to the toothed belt. In this way, the drive crossmember 67 can be raised or lowered vertically by means of the toothed belt drive 77, the distance between the two toothed belt pulleys 81, 82 being used for the stroke from each other is decisive.

It is not shown that the device 10 according to FIGS. 2 and 3 likewise on the left side one with the upper end 74 of the lifting rod 70 Movement-coupled toothed belt drive 77, which via a synchronization shaft 83 with the toothed belt drive shown on the right in FIGS. 2 and 3 77 is connected to movement. The synchronization shaft 83, on which also both toothed belt pulleys 81 (left and right, only the right and is shown in Figs. 2 and 3) are rotationally fixed, is via a servo electric motor 80 driven by a drive toothed belt 84.

The conveyor 19 has two arranged at a parallel distance from each other Conveying means in the form of the already mentioned link chains 85, which are guided on slide rails 86 extending in the conveying direction x (see Fig. 4) and on the inside of the device M facing inside brackets 87 are attached, the horizontal legs 88 with their free Wear ends of cones 89 pointing upwards.

The cone pins 89 form the male-shaped and the partial plates 42, 43 with the driver recesses 90 which penetrate them transversely Elements of the coupling means K.

There is one at each end region 71, 72 of the drive crossmember 67 Vertical support 91 attached, which extends through the space between each adjacent lifting rod 70 and the adjacent link chain 85 through extends. At the top of the free end of the vertical supports 91 is a adjacent link chain 85 to the device center M overlapping arm 92 attached, which is also one of the upper main surface 93 of the adjacent Plate 41 facing hold-down stop 94 forms.

The hold-down stop 94 is attached on the underside to the arm 92 Skid 95 arranged. In the vertical through holes 97 of the runner 95 are Sliding guide bushings 96 are added, which are fixed along the housing Centering shafts 98 are slidably guided. If the plate 41 in question from its lowered position (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) into its raised position (see FIG. 3 and 6) is displaced, the centering shafts 98 penetrate apart from the sliding guide bushes 96 also centering openings 99 which cross the plates 42, 43 enforce (see Fig. 6).

The centering shafts 98 are located at a parallel distance from the Filling tubes 57 of the product filling station 34 and protrude from their attachment points on the bracket 58 freely down.

A centering opening 99 is arranged at each end of the partial plates 42, 43 (see Fig. 7).

The functioning of the filling device shown is best explain with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3:

The conveyor 19 carrying the elongated plates 41 is in the lower strand UT cyclically advanced in conveying direction x. During the cycle rest periods the individual workstations 30-38 have to do their jobs. As soon as a row R of container receptacles A with the ten held there Containers (PET bottles) B erected below the filling tubes 57 with the latter is located, the two toothed belt drives 77 are activated so that the Drive cross member 67 via the vertical supports 65 and the plate-shaped Web 64 the elongated plate 41 (consisting of two sub-plates 42, 43) in Direction h pushes upwards, the container B with its mouths Slide over the filling tubes 57.

At the beginning of the upward movement in direction h, the driver recesses loosen 90 of the cone pins held on the link chains 85 89th

At the same time as the drive traverse 67, they also move uniformly Arms 92 up. The sliding guide bushes 96 of the runner 95 are open the centering shafts 98 out. Both when moving upwards h as well as the lowering movement in the direction d of the plate 41 provide the runner-side hold-down stops 94 for precise height control of the Plate 41.

The piston-cylinder unit 76 is intended to balance the weight, in particular, however, prevent the product filling of the container B from becoming too strong acceleration when lowering the plate 41 causes.

The bottoms of the containers B can additionally by pointing upwards Support blocks 100 may be supported.

As soon as the filling pipes reach their filling position according to FIGS. 3 and 6 , the filling of the container B can begin or be continued, the toothed belt drives 77 activated in the reverse direction of movement can be, so that a lowering of the Drive traverse 67, and thus indirectly lowering the container B bearing plate 41 can be made in the direction d; and so deep until the 2 is reached and the conical pins 89 in turn are accommodated in the driver recesses 90 on the plate side. The lowering process can be carried out very sensitively thanks to the servo electric motor 80, if this should be required individually for a specific product. Then a further clocking of the arrangement in the conveying direction x respectively.

It must also be added that the ends 71, 72 of the drive cross member 67 reach through the housing 11 in slots not shown, which is why all other drive parts, in particular drive parts 70 and 73-81, can be arranged outside the housing 11, what the sterile air duct favored from top to bottom within the housing 11. Based on these advantageous arrangement, the aforementioned drive parts are all outside the product zone are therefore excluded from product wetting and therefore do not require separate cleaning. on the other hand there are only components that are particularly sensitive to contamination, that is, the entire filling area, in particular the filling tubes 57, specifically in that of Sterile air applied aseptic area.

Claims (23)

1. Device (10) for filling bottles and other containers (B) with foods and delicacies, such as highly fluid-to-pasty dairy and fatty products, juices, waters or the like, the said device having at least one conveyer means (19) which is guided over deflecting regions (20-23), particularly over deflecting wheels (24-27), in a continuously revolving manner and which has, on its outer side, carrying elements (41) which are disposed with their longitudinal axes (L) transverse to the direction of conveyance (x) and each possess at least one row (R), which is disposed transversely to the said direction of conveyance (x), of container receptacles (A), which additionally form tracks (S) disposed in the said direction of conveyance (x) and which run successively through working stations (30-38) which are aligned with them, such as a container infeed station (30), at least one product-filling station (33, 34), a lid-applying station (35), a lid-sealing station (36) and a container removal station (38), characterised in that the carrying elements are elongated plates (41) which have the container receptacles (A), that filling tubes (57) projecting down from the product-filling station (33, 34) can be aligned with at least one row (R) of container receptacles (A), that coupling means (K) which serve to hold the plates (41) detachably on the conveyer means (19) are present, and that means are provided which push up (arrow h) the containers (B) held in the container receptacles (A) of the particular plate (41) which is uncoupled from the conveyer means (19), onto the filling tubes (57) from below by vertical shifting (arrows h and d) of the said plate (41), and lower them in the course of the filling operation.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling means (K) form patrix-shaped and matrix-shaped coupling elements (89, 90) which can be lifted off from one another in a detachable manner in the vertical direction and correlate with one another and which are associated on the one hand with the conveyer means (19) and on the other with the plates (41).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that there are fastened to the conveyer means (19), at least indirectly, patrix-shaped coupling elements in the form of conical pegs (89) which point upwards towards the product-filling station (33, 34) with their free ends, that the plates (41) have, as matrix-shaped coupling elements, entrainment clearances (90) which pass transversely through the said plates (41), and that the conical pegs engage through the entrainment clearances (90) from below.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the conveyer means (19) has two conveyer traction means, such as side-plate chains (85) or the like, which are disposed at a parallel distance from one another and fastened to whose inner sides that point towards the middle (M) of the device are angled side-plates (87) whose horizontal legs (88) carry the conical pegs (89) which point upwards towards the product-filling station (33, 34) with their free ends.
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the coupling means (K) are disposed on the two ends of the plates (41).
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the downwardly pointing faces (62) of the plates (41) running through the work stations (30-38) rest, in the region between the coupling means (K) disposed on the two ends of the plates (41), on at least one supporting track (63) extending in the direction of conveyance (x).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterised in that the supporting track (63) is a sliding track (at P) disposed on one narrow face of a plate-shaped web (64).
8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that each supporting track (63) forms, in the region underneath the product-filling station (33, 34), a separate track section (69) which is driven so as to be capable of being raised and lowered in the vertical direction (arrows h and d).
9. Device according to claim 8, characterised in that the separate track sections (69) can be raised and lowered jointly by means of a driving element (67).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterised in that the joint driving element is formed by a driving crosspiece (67) which can be raised and lowered and which engages under the separate track sections (69) transversely to the direction of conveyance (x).
11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the driving element (67) is driven at least predominantly electromotively, particularly with the aid of an electric servomotor (80).
12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the driving crosspiece (67) is driven by means of an electromotive linear drive (80, 77).
13. Device according to claim 12, characterised in that the electromotive linear drive has a toothed-belt drive (77) which extends vertically with its two belt strands and which is kinematically connected, in one of its belt strands (78), to a lifting linkage (70, 70).
14. Device according to claim 13, characterised in that the lifting linkage is formed by two lifting rods (70) fastened to the ends of the driving crosspiece (67), and that a linear drive, particularly a toothed-belt drive (77), is associated with each lifting rod (70).
15. Device according to claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the two toothed-belt drives (77) are rotationally connected to one another via a synchronising shaft (63), and that a single electric motor, particularly an electric servomotor (80), is drivingly connected to the synchronising shaft (63).
16. Device according to one of claims 11 to 15,
    characterised in that at least one fluid-operated piston/cylinder unit (76) which influences the vertical acceleration and/or the vertical retardation of the driven components is associated with the electromotive drive (80, 77) of the driving element or driving crosspiece (67).
17. Device according to claim 16, characterised in that a fluid-operated piston/cylinder unit (76) which extends perpendicularly with its longitudinal central axis is associated with each toothed-belt drive (77), the downwardly pointing piston rod (75) of the piston/cylinder unit (76) being fastened coaxially to one lifting rod (70) in each case.
18. Device according to claim 17, characterised in that the piston/cylinder unit (76) is pneumatically operated.
19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18,
    characterised in that there is associated with the particular plate (41) which is uncoupled from the conveyer means (19), a holding-down stop (94) which is coupled to the vertical movement of the said plate (41) and faces towards the upper main face (93) of the latter.
20. Device according to one of claims 4 to 19,
    characterised in that a vertical support (91) which extends through the space between the adjoining lifting rod (70) and the adjoining conveyer traction means (85) is fastened to each of the two end regions (71, 72) of the driving crosspiece (67), and that there is fastened to the free end of the said vertical support (91) an arm (92) which engages over the adjoining conveyer traction means (85) towards the centre (M) of the device and which forms the holding-down stop (94) which faces towards the upper main face (93) of the adjoining plate (41).
21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 20,
    characterised in that at least one vertical guide means (98) is provided for centering the particular plate (41) which is uncoupled from the conveyer means (19) and is moving vertically.
22. Device according to claim 21, characterised in that each vertical guide means is formed by a centering shaft (98) which is fastened at a parallel distance from, and next to, the filling tubes (57) of the product-filling station (33, 34) and projects freely down from the fastening point of the said guide means and which engages transversely through the plate (41) in a centering aperture (99).
23. Device according to claim 22, characterised in that a centering aperture (99) which cooperates with a centering shaft (98) is disposed at each of the two ends of the plate (41).

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