EP1544155A1 - Filling head and filling machine with such filling heads - Google Patents

Abstract

The container support (7) has a closing element (16) for closing the recess (15) for producing an outwardly closed rinsing chamber during cleaning or rinsing of the filler element (1). The closing element can be pressed by the container support (7) against a sealing surface which surrounds the opening of the recess. Independent claim describes filling machine with filling element with closing element.

Description

The invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 19.

Filling elements, in particular those circulating for use in filling machines Design are known in different versions. Is known Furthermore, these filling elements as well as when filling with critical areas of the container coming into contact surfaces of the filling elements in a cleaning or Rinsing phase with an example liquid and / or vapor medium to clean and / or to rinse. Critical areas of the containers are in particular Container inner surfaces and surfaces in the area of the container mouth.

For cleaning and / or rinsing, it is common at the filling elements in the area the discharge openings through which the liquid product introduced into the container during filling is to mount, for example, cap-like closing elements, and although to the formation of closed washrooms. Cleaning and / or rinsing the Filling elements, including their channels and their critical areas with the Container when filling coming into contact surfaces is then through the u.a. the respective flushing space flowing through flushing and cleaning medium possible, which the washing compartment, for example via the respective discharge opening the liquid channel flows and at least one further, also in the flushing chamber opening channel, for example, discharged via the return gas channel becomes.

The placement and fixing of the cap-like closing elements for preparation the rinsing or cleaning phase and the removal of these closing elements after the rinsing and cleaning phase is expensive. Object of the invention It is therefore to show a filling element which avoids these disadvantages and its cleaning and / or rinsing can be carried out in a simplified manner. To the solution This object is a filling element according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A filling machine is the subject of patent claim 19.

In the filling element according to the invention that is in a receptacle of the container carrier arranged or received closure element for forming the respective closed Spülraumes through the container carrier against a sealing surface Pressed, the opening of a recess on the underside of the filling element encloses, in which the discharge opening is provided and in which When filling fill the containers with their container mouth.

The container carrier is preferably designed so that it holds the containers at one slightly below the container mouth formed container flange z. B. fork-like engages behind.

The closing elements are preferably at least at their in each case closed Dishwasher against the sealing surface of the filling element adjacent portion plate-like design.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Darstellung ein Füllelement einer Füllmaschine umlaufender Bauart zum Füllen von Behältern in Form von PET-Flaschen mit einem flüssigen Füllgut (Getränk), zusammen mit einem an dem Füllelement in Dichtlage befindlichen Behälter;

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung des Füllelementes entsprechend Figur 1, jedoch mit einem, für eine Reinigung (CIP-Reinigung) durch ein Verschließelement in Form einer Spülplatte verschlossenem Füllelement;

Fig. 3

das Füllelement in einer Ansicht radial zu einer vertikalen Maschinenachse.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified representation, a filling element of a filling machine of the rotary type for filling containers in the form of PET bottles with a liquid product (beverage), together with a container located on the filling element in a sealing position;

Fig. 2

a representation of the filling element according to Figure 1, but with a, for a cleaning (CIP cleaning) by a closing element in the form of a flushing plate closed filling element;

Fig. 3

the filling element in a view radially to a vertical machine axis.

In the figures, 1 is a filling element, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as filler tube filling element and with its Füllelementgehäuse second along with a variety of similar filling elements on the circumference of one vertical machine axis circumferentially driven rotor 3 one not otherwise is provided in more detail filling machine. In the housing 2 are in in itself known way u. a. a fluid channel with a liquid valve for controlled Delivery of the contents and at least one controllable gas path provided wherein the fluid channel with a rotor formed on the container or channel for feeding the contents and the at least one controllable gas path with at least a gas channel provided in the rotor, as this the expert is known in principle.

At the bottom of the housing 2 forms the not shown by the liquid valve controllable fluid channel an annular discharge opening 4 for the liquid contents. The discharge opening 4 encloses a return gas pipe 5, which with its axis defines the vertical filling element axis FA and one at the lower end open return gas channel 5.1 forms. About this example, when filling of the container 6 located in the Figure 1 in sealing position with the filling element 1 below Counterpressure which displaced by the inflowing medium from the container interior Inert gas (C02 gas) dissipated, as also known in the art is. The return gas pipe 5 and the channel 5.1 can also have other functions serve, for example, for rinsing and / or biasing the container interior with inert gas etc.

Part of the filling element 1 is also a container carrier 7 at the bottom of the housing 2. This container carrier 7 is at the lower end of two parallel to Füllelementachse FA oriented guide rods 8 fixed in the housing. 2 or in guides formed there displaceable by a predetermined Axialhub and are offset in the direction of rotation of the rotor 3 against each other. At the upper end are the two guide rods 8 each at the end of a yoke 9 with each other connected, which with its longitudinal extent radially to Füllelementachse FA oriented and on which a control roller 10 is freely rotatably mounted, at least in normal filling operation with at least one fixed control cam 11 such cooperates, that with rotating rotor 3 each container carrier 7 in the area a container inlet of the filling machine is lowered, on which the empty container 6 individually fed to each filling position formed by a filling element 1 be, as well as at a container outlet, where the filled container 6 of the respective filling position are removed, while in the angular range of rotation of the rotor 3 following the container inlet and before reaching the container outlet the container carrier 7 are raised so that the respective a container carrier 7 held container 6 with its container mouth 6.1 against a the sealing opening 4 enclosing ring seal 12 pressed in sealing position is. By two in each case a guide rod 8 enclosing and between the top of the housing 2 and the yoke 9 acting compression springs 13 is each Container carrier 7 is biased in its raised position and is characterized by with the control cam 11 cooperating control roller 10 on the container inlet and container outlet and in the angular range of the rotational movement of the rotor 3 between Container outlet and container inlet against the action of the compression springs 13 moved to the lower position.

Also known is an embodiment in which the bias of the container carrier 7 not by compression springs 13, but by within the filling element. 1 arranged means, e.g. Pneumatic cylinder and / or rolling membranes causes is, where it is of particular advantage, the pressurization of this Centered by under bias or filling pressure inert gas.

The container carrier 7 is u.a. from a support element 7.1, which in one piece with two webs 7.1.1 and a wall or leg-shaped section 7.1.2 is trained. The webs 7.1.1 are with their longitudinal extent radially or approximately Oriented radially to the vertical axis of the machine and at their - related to the machine axis - Outer ends each with the lower end of one of the two Guide rods 8 connected. At their inner end go the webs 7.1.1 in the section 7.1.2 above, the two webs at these ends together connects and to the lower, in the direction of the Füllelementachse FA on the Housing 2 opposite underside of the webs 7.1.1 protrudes. Section 7.1.2 lies with its surface sides in planes parallel to Füllelementachse FA and parallel to a tangent to an imaginary circular orbit, on which the filling elements 1 or their axes FA with circulating filling machine move.

At the bottom of section 7.1.2 is a fork-like support plate 7.2 of the container carrier 7 attached. This support plate 7.2, with their surface sides in Layers oriented perpendicular to the Füllelementachse FA extends from the Füllelementachse FA spaced section 7.1.2 relative to the vertical machine axis radially outward into the region of the filler element axis FA and forms at the relative to the machine axis radially outer side to one this side open recess 14. With this, the support plate 7.2 engages behind the respective container 6 received by the filling element 1 at a below the container mouth 6.1 formed support or container flange 6.2, so this container 6 at its container flange 6.2 hanging on the container carrier. 7 held and of this with the container mouth 6.1 in sealing position against the Ring seal 12 is pressed.

As the figures show, the discharge opening 4, the lower end of the return gas pipe 5 and the ring seal 12 provided within a recess 15, formed in a protruding over the bottom of the housing 2 extension 2.1 and at its lower, the housing 2 facing away from the end is open. The in Sealing with the filling element 1 located container 6 extends with its the container mouth 6.1 having end into the recess 14 into it also the centering of the container 6 on the filling element 1 is used. As FIG. 1 shows, is the housing projection 2.1 befindlichem in sealing position with the filling element 1 Container 7 of the two, spaced apart and in the direction of rotation of the Rotor 3 consecutive bars 7.1.1 bifurcated, d. H. the housing projection 2.1 protrudes through the opening formed between the webs 7.1.1 the housing 2 facing away from underneath the webs 7.1.1 before.

From time to time is a cleaning or rinsing of the filling machine, its filling elements 1 and in particular also the liquid formed in these filling elements 1 and / or gas paths, including the return gas channel 5.1 required. In this Cleaning and / or rinsing (also known as CIP cleaning) will not only the different liquid and / or gas paths of all filling elements. 1 the filling machine flows through the cleaning and / or rinsing media, but It is also necessary, all with surfaces of the container in particular in the area the container mouth 6.1 coming into contact surfaces of the respective To clean filling element 1 and in particular also the ring seal 12, the inner surfaces the recess 15 and the return gas pipe. 5

For cleaning, the housing projection 2.1 of each filling element 1 at its lower, open end by a rectangular in the illustrated embodiment Flush plate 16 sealed, with each filling element 1 a separate Flush plate 16 is assigned, which then with their surface sides in planes perpendicular is arranged to Füllelementachse FA. The flushing plate 16, for example Made of metal or a suitable plastic is, with their two, themselves in approximately radially to the machine axis extending longitudinal sides of the support element 7.1 or guided on the mutually facing longitudinal sides of the webs 7.1.1. Therefor have the webs 7.1.1 on these longitudinal sides in each case a guide groove 17, in each engaging a longitudinal edge of the flushing plate 16.

In this guide, the flushing plate 16 is radial to the machine axis from a non-use or home position, in which the flushing plate 16 in the normal filling operation the filling machine is located and shown in the figure 1, radially to Outside (arrow A of Figure 2) in a rinsing position movable, shown in the figure 2 is and in which the flushing plate 16 provided with a at its top Seal 16.1 is located immediately below the open end of the recess 15, so that the flushing plate 16 then by lifting the container carrier 7 with her Seal 16.1 in sealing position against the lower, the opening of the recess 15th enclosing edge 2.1.1 of the housing projection 2.1 can be brought. As a result, the recess 15 forms a closed washing compartment, which then of the respective cleaning or rinsing medium for cleaning and / or rinsing all Liquid and gas paths and all critical surfaces can be flowed through. The cleaning or rinsing medium flows through the washing compartment, for example via the Gas channel 5.1 and is discharged via the discharge opening 4. Also a reverse Flow direction and / or changing the flow direction during the cleaning or rinsing phase are possible.

To prepare the cleaning or rinsing phase thus each flushing plate 16 at lowered container carrier 7 from its initial position radially outward into the Rinsing position moves so that the seal 16.1 immediately below the housing projection 2.1 is located. By lifting the container carrier 7, the flushing plate 16 brought with their seal 16.1 in sealing position against the edge 2.1.1. After completion the cleaning or rinsing phase and after lowering the container carrier 7, the respective flushing plate 16 radially inwardly from the flushing position to the starting position emotional. The cleaning or rinsing of the filling elements 1 takes place at revolving machine.

Moving the flushing plates 16 of all filling elements 1 of the filling machine the starting position in the rinsing position (arrow A) or from the rinsing position in the Starting position (arrow B of Figure 1) takes place in the illustrated embodiment automatically via an actuator, of which in the figures, only one of a U-shaped guide or a driver 18 is shown. Each filling element 1, for example, associated with such a driver 18, which radially to the Machine axis displaceable on the rotor 3 or on an element of this rotor provided and the respective one actuating element, for example a pneumatic cylinder assigned for the radial movement. Other educations are conceivable, for example, a mechanical coupling of several drivers 18th with a common actuator. Furthermore, it is possible the driver 18 only once for all filling elements 1 together at a certain position of the Circulating path of the filling elements 1 and not rotatable with the rotor 3, For example, in the angular range of rotation of the rotor 3 between the container outlet and container inlet and / or for moving the flushing plates 16 between the starting position and the rinsing position or the driver 18 with a manually operable actuator to drive coupled.

Each flushing plate 16 has at its radial relative to the vertical axis of the machine inside one side attached to one end of the flushing plate 16 and on the underside of the flush plate wegstehende entrainment pin 19 which in the Driver 18 extends, both with lowered container carrier 7 than also with raised container carrier 7, so that regardless of the position of the Behälterträgers 7 a driving connection between the flushing plate 16 and the driver 18 is. The one or more drivers 18 are located at this Embodiment relative to the vertical machine axis radially within the circular Trajectory on which the filling elements 1 with rotating rotor move.

In FIG. 1, 16a denotes a flushing plate which is used in a filling machine can be used, which the Spülplatten 16 and the actuating means (driver 18, driving pin 19, etc.) for these flushing plates 16 does not have. The Flush plate 16a, which in turn provided for each filling element 1 of the filling machine is, for the preparation of the cleaning or rinsing phase, respectively at lowered Container carrier 7 with their longitudinal sides in the grooves 17 of this container carrier used, so that the seal 16a.1 below the housing projection 2.1 and the open end of the recess 15 is located and then by lifting the container carrier 7, the flushing plate 16a with its seal 16a.1 turn can be brought into sealing position with the edge 2.1.1. After rinsing or Each flushing plate 16a is cleaned again after the container carrier 7 has been lowered taken.

The described embodiments have in common that moving the Rinse plates 16 between the starting position and the rinsing position or the insertion and removing the flushing plates 16 a takes place there, where the container carrier. 7 are lowered by the at least one control cam 11, i. at the container inlet or container outlet or in the angular range between the container outlet and the container inlet. Especially when manually inserting the flushing plates 16a for this purpose, the rotor 3 of the filling machine at low speed or also driven clocked.

This training has the advantage that for the initiation and termination of the cleaning or rinse phase basically no further changes and / or settings on the filling machine are necessary, in particular, no settings the at least one control cam 11 or other guiding or control elements. In principle, however, there are other procedures for initiation and completion of the cleaning or rinsing phase conceivable.

As the figures show, is in a sealing position with the filling element 1 arranged container 6, for example, the seal 16.1 in the direction the axis FA at a greater radial distance from the edge 2.1.1 than the against the container mouth 6.1 fitting underside of the ring seal 12. The stroke to the container carrier 7 from its position shown in Figure 1 for recording or release of a container 6 by the control cam 11 moves down must be less than the one required to Lowering the flushing plate 16 as far as this for their movement between the Starting position and the rinsing position is necessary.

This makes it possible, in addition to the at least one control cam 11 which shows the movement of the container carrier 7 during the normal filling process controls to provide a control cam 11.1, which also with the control rollers 10th the filling elements cooperates and with the container carrier 7 only during the Preparation and completion of the cleaning and rinsing phase further than through the Control cam 11 are moved down. During the cleaning and rinsing phase the cam 11.1 is then disabled, so that during the Cleaning and rinsing phase in spite of the cooperating with the control cam 11 Roll 10 in each rotational position of the rotor 3, the seals 16.1 or 16a.1 all Flush plates 16 and 16a through the compression springs 13 to create closed Rinse rooms sufficiently abut against the respective edge 2.1.1.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It understands that many changes and modifications are possible without that thereby leave the inventive concept underlying the invention becomes.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filler

2

casing

2.1

housing projection

2.1.1

Edge of the housing projection

3

rotor

4

discharge opening

5

Return gas pipe

5.1

Return gas channel

6

container

6.1

container mouth

6.2

vessel flange

7

container carrier

7.1

Support element of the container carrier

7.1.1

Bridge of the support element

7.1.2

Leg portion of the support element

7.2

support plate

8th

guide rod

9

yoke

10

control roller

11

cam

11.1

additional control curve

12

ring seal

13

compression spring

14

recess

15

recess

16, 16a

Flushing plate

16.1, 16a.1

poetry

17

guide

18

takeaway

19

driver pin

Claims (20)

Container (6) with a liquid product, with a in a Füllelementgehäuse (2) formed liquid channel for the controlled delivery of the filling in a on the filling element (1) attached container (6 ) via a discharge opening (4) on an underside of the Füllelementgehäuses (2) with a container carrier (7) which is controlled in the direction of a Füllelementachse (FA) movable and the respective container (6) on a container-side investment or supporting surface (6.2 ) for filling with its container mouth (6.1) presses against a recess (15) formed on the filler element (12), with at least one further in the recess (15) or in the filling element (1) attached container (6 ) opening channel (5.1), characterized in that in or on the container carrier (7) has a closing element (16, 16 a) for closing de R recess (15) for creating a closed to the outside rinsing space during cleaning or rinsing of the filling element (1) is arranged. Filling element according to claim 1, characterized in that on the container carrier (7) arranged closing element (16, 16a) by the container carrier (7) against a the opening of the recess (15) enclosing sealing surface (2.1.1) can be pressed. Filling element according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing element (16, 16a) is formed flat on its against the sealing surface (2.1.1) side. Filling element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that against the sealing surface (2.1.1) abutting surface of the Verschließelementes (16, 16a) of a, on the closing element (16, 16a) arranged seal (16.1, 16a.1) is formed , Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element (16, 16a) is formed plate-shaped at least on one with the sealing surface (2.1.1) cooperating portion. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element is a flushing plate (16, 16a). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container carrier (7) for gripping and holding the respective container (6) on a container below the container mouth (6.1) formed container flange (6.2) is formed, for example fork-like. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the container carrier (7) at least one receptacle or guide (17) for positioning the closing element (16, 16a) under the opening of the recess (15) is provided. Filling element according to claim 7, characterized in that the closing element (16, 16a) can be positioned by introducing or moving radially to the filling element axis under the opening of the recess (15) in a rinsing position. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element (16a) can be manually moved into the rinsing position and / or positioned in this. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element (16) between a non-use or starting position outside of the respective container (6) during filling occupied space and the rinsing position movable on the filling element (1) or on the container carrier (7 ) is provided. Filling element according to claim 10, characterized in that the closing element (16) in a guide (17) of the container carrier (7) between the initial position and the rinsing position radially or approximately radially to Füllelementachse (FA) is displaceable. Filling element according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the closing element (16) for moving between the starting position and the rinsing position is drivingly connected to an adjusting mechanism (18, 19). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (6) during filling with its container mouth (6.1) receiving recess (15) in the Füllelementgehäuse (2) or in a projection (2.1) of a Füllelementgehäuses (2) is formed , Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (15) is formed by a centering element on the filling element housing or by a centering tulip. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle or guide (17) for the closing element (16, 16a) located on the container carrier (7) above a contact or driving surface (7.2) for the container (6). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by its design as filling tube-free filling element. Filling element according to claim 16, characterized in that the further channel is formed for example by a return gas pipe (5) return gas channel (5.1). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by its design as such with a short filling tube. Filling machine of continuous design for filling bottles or the like. Container (6) with a liquid filling material, with a plurality of filling elements (1) on a rotor (3), characterized in that the filling elements (1) are designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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