EP1585669B1 - Machine for filling bags or the like comprising a cam-controlled device - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine has a transferring post rotating around a vertical central axis on a chassis platform by the filling posts. Each filling post has a unit gripping and maintaining a base of a detachable shutter of wine/water and a unit operating a higher part of the shutter. A filling device (8) coincides with the shutters aperture and provides liquid by a pump linked to a reservoir managed by a cam.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging and dispensing liquids, in particular food liquids, in small flexible containers, these containers being provided, for this purpose, valves, shutters such as plugs or any other accessories of dispensing or withdrawal, and relates to a filling machine skimmers or the like having a cam control device.

Currently, the packaging and distribution of certain food drinks, especially table wines, fruit juices or ultra-high temperature sterilized milk, is carried out using flexible containers, such as plastic bottles, commonly known. under the name of "bag in box", generally provided with taps or caps fixed on the drain plug of these containers.

These skins are made from multilayer films generally comprising a barrier layer arranged between sealed layers and internal and external protection, and vacuum packed in cartons grouping and routed to their filling destination. This embodiment allows rapid manufacture of the bottles, as well as good quality control.

Recent commercial developments tend to limit the number of intermediate steps between the production of the liquid and its marketing, in order to reduce the associated labor costs, transport of bulky empty packaging and storage. For this purpose, it has been proposed to simultaneously manufacture and fill the bags at a single production site, the filled bottles being then sent to the places of sale and / or consumption. Such organization of packaging and distribution requires the implementation of specific facilities, in which the manufacture and filling of the bottles are made simultaneously.

These known installations therefore make it possible, a priori, to satisfy the new requirements for the packaging of liquid products. However, in these known installations, the filling machine is subjected to very large stresses detrimental to reliable operation at high speed.

In fact, the filling machines equipping these installations are generally machines with multiple stations for individual filling of the bottles, of which each station comprises a set of means making it possible to hold and immobilize the bottle, the manipulation of the shutter by to allow the filling of said further, then the filling thereof, the closure of the further and its evacuation for packaging. The various operations performed by these filling machines are all controlled and controlled by means of a control device with pneumatic cylinders and control with position sensors and / or electrical or electro-optical end-of-stroke.

As a result, the control and control device is particularly complex and its installation and maintenance are relatively expensive. Indeed, because these machines perform a large number of unit operations per hour, the cylinders equipping them are subject to a very demanding mode of operation, so that their replacement following fatigue must be considered at relatively short time This leads, on the one hand, to corresponding machine downtimes and, on the other hand, to additional production costs.

In addition, the operation of the current machines leads to a significant energy consumption, in particular because of the transformation of electrical energy necessary for the production of pneumatic energy, which is not recyclable, as well as for the cancellation of the effect of friction and inertia of the masses of the machine during the successive phases of negative and positive acceleration.

It should also be noted that these machines must have an asynchronous type of operation, which necessarily leads to relatively long cycle times and therefore a relatively low efficiency.

Furthermore, US Pat. No. 4,283,901 describes a machine for filling bees, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the beverage filling machines known to date by providing a filling machine of this type comprising a cam control device for a simplification of the construction, a better reliability of operation and simplified maintenance resulting in lower manufacturing costs for the machine and lower production costs.

For this purpose, the machine for filling bottles or the like, in particular with food liquids, which is essentially constituted by a rotary transfer station around a vertical central axis mounted on a plate secured to the frame of the machine, by multiple filling stations each comprising a means for gripping and holding the base of a removable shutter of a further and a means for handling the upper part of said shutter, and by a filling device cooperating with the orifice of said shutter open following disassembly of the upper part of the latter and supplied with liquid by a pump connected to a reservoir or the like , all of these elements being controlled by a control device, characterized in that the control device is a cam device fixedly mounted on the machine, said cams for actuating the different elements of the machine. , being mounted concentrically around the central vertical axis on a plate, secured to the frame of the machine and disposed under the transfer station t rotating.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective, partiellement arrachée, d'une machine de remplissage conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en élévation suivant F de la figure 1, et
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues en perspective, partiellement arrachées, représentant plus particulièrement le dispositif de commande dans ces différentes applications.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which refers to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view, partially cut away, of a filling machine according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 is an elevational view along F of FIG. 1, and
• Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views, partially broken away, showing more particularly the control device in these different applications.

Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings show a machine for filling bottles or the like, in particular with food liquids, which consists essentially of a transfer station 1 rotatable about a central vertical axis 2 mounted on a solidarity plate the chassis of the machine, by multiple filling stations 3 each having a means 4 for gripping and holding the base of a removable shutter 5 of a further 6 and a means 7 for handling the upper part of said shutter, and by a filling device 8 cooperating with the orifice of said shutter 5 open after disassembly of the upper part of the latter and supplied with liquid by a pump connected to a reservoir or the like, all of these elements being managed by a control device.

According to the invention the control device of the filling machine is a cam device 9 to 14 fixedly mounted on the machine. These cams 9 to 14, intended for actuation of the various elements of the machine, are concentrically mounted around the vertical central axis 2 on a plate 2 'integral with the frame of the machine and disposed under the rotary transfer station 1.

In addition, according to another characteristic of the invention, the cams 9 to 14 are advantageously mounted in an angularly adjustable manner on the plate 2 'integral with the frame of the machine, by cooperation with a corresponding lower annular support (not shown) integral with said plateau 2 ', maintaining in position, after adjustment, the cams 9 to 14 being ensured by means of screws traversing vertically said cams and cooperating with their annular support or screw clamping side clamps. The annular supports of the cams 9 to 14 and the means for fixing the latter on said supports are not shown in detail in the accompanying drawings, being of simple constitution, easily accessible to those skilled in the art.

Thus, it is possible to precisely adjust the different movements of the elements to be controlled by the cams and more particularly the beginning and the end of the intervention of said cams.

In this way, the operation of the filling machine can be guaranteed with great flexibility, since the beginning and the end of the execution of the different movements of the controlled elements can be adjusted at will, according to the specific requirements.

Each filling station 3 is constituted by a pivotable head 29, mounted on a vertical axis 3 ', guided on the rotary transfer station 1 by means of a fixed support 3 ", mounted on said station 1, said pivotable head 29 being provided with an eccentric actuating pivot 16 cooperating with a pusher assembly 11 '- elbow lever 11 "- rod 11' '' actuated by a cam 11 of the cam control device. The bent lever 11 "is pivotally mounted on the transfer station 1 via a bearing 15 and is hingedly connected at both ends, respectively at one end of the pusher 11" opposite to the cam 11 and one end of the rod 11 '' ', which is pivotally mounted on the eccentric actuating pivot 16 of the head 29 of the filling station 3.

The pusher 11 'is guided on the transfer station 1 by means of a sleeve 18 secured to the latter and is provided at its end cooperating with the cam 11 of a support wheel 17, a spring 19 mounted concentrically on the pusher 11 'between the sleeve 18 and a shoulder or a support washer located near the wheel 17 providing a permanent contact of the latter with the cam 11. Thus, during the rotation of the transfer station 1 with the filling stations 3, the heads 29 of the latter are actuated in pivoting between two extreme positions which are delimited by the profile of the cam 11. As described below, these positions respectively correspond to that of tearing and setting the shutter before and after filling and that of filling the further.

The number of filling stations 3 is four in the accompanying drawings. However, this number may be different, the cams 9 to 14 simply having to take into account the number of filling stations 3, in order to allow in a rotation of the cams about the axis 2 a complete cycle of operation of the stations 3.

The means 4 for gripping and holding the base of a removable shutter 5 of a further 6 of each filling station 3 is constituted by a set of left-hand 4 'and straight 4 "grippers actuated at a later time, respectively controlled by cams. 10 and 9 of the cam control device, via push-in assemblies 10 ', 9' - angle lever 10 ", 9" - link 10 "', 9"'. The bent levers 10 ", 9" are articulated on the transfer station 1 by means of respective bearings 23, 22 and the pushers 10 ", 9" are guided on said transfer station 1 by means of sleeves 21, 20, said pushers being, in addition, provided, on the one hand, each of a wheel 27, 26 bearing on the respective cams 10 and 9 and, on the other hand, a compression spring 25, 24 pressing near its end bearing the bearing wheel and against the sleeve 21, 20. The articulated connection between the left 4 'and right 4 "clamps and the rods 10"', 9 '' 's' performs, in known manner, via an eccentric pivot cooperating with the corresponding end of the rod.

Thus, during the rotation of the transfer station 1, for the maintenance and positioning of a further 6, one of the clamps, namely the left clamp 4 'is first pushed into its service position and surrounds partially the lower part of the shutter 5 of said further 6 by bringing this shutter in its final position of removal and laying in the upper part, and filling, then, during the continuation of the rotation of the station 1 the other gripper, namely the right gripper 4 ", is brought into the service position, in which it serves the lower part of the shutter 5 against the left gripper 4 ', holding the lower part of the shutter 5 and thus of the further 6 is ensured throughout the duration of the filling and until the moment of evacuation of the 6.

The means 7 for handling the upper part of the shutter 5 is constituted by a sleeve 28 for gripping the upper part of the shutter 5 mounted on the head 29 of the filling station 3 with the possibility of slight displacements parallel to the 3 'support axis of the head 29. This sleeve 28 is mounted on the head 29 by means of a damping guide assembly 30 to 32 (Figures 3 and 4) constituted by a sliding axis 30 loaded by a spring 31 and a guide rod 32 cooperating with a corresponding guide of the head 29 and maintaining it against rotation about the axis 30.

The sleeve 28 is provided with at least two claw claws 28 'opposite each loaded by a spring (not shown) of return in a closed position of the claws. Claw clamps 28 'are intended to grip, through their claws, the lower rim of the upper part of a shutter 5, to allow tearing. Perfect operation of the sleeve 28 can thus be ensured by mounting it on the head 29 with the possibility of slight displacements in the direction of the latter by means of the damping guide assembly 30 to 32.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the axis 3 'of each filling station 3, which is guided on the fixed support 3 "integral with the transfer station 1, passes through said transfer station 1 and cooperates with its opposite free end at the head 29 with an annular cam 12 of the cam control assembly 9 to 14. For this purpose, the free end of the axis 3 'is advantageously provided with two lugs or guide rollers 3' '' s pressing on either side of the annular cam 12.

Thus, during the rotation of the transfer station 1, the axis 3 ', which cooperates with the cam 12 by means of its lugs or rollers 3 "', is affected by an upward and downward vertical movement, in which it drives the head 29 and thus the sleeve 28.

To tear off the upper part of a shutter 5, in the corresponding pivoting position of the head 29 of the station 3, following the actuation thereof by means of the cam 11, the cam 12 actuates said head 29 in a downward movement having the effect of applying the sleeve 28 of the means 7 for handling the upper part of the shutter 5, said shutter 5 and to engage the claws of the claw clamps 28 'under the rim of said upper part. It follows that during the consecutive rotation of the 1, the cam 12 pushes the axis 3 'supporting the head 29 in the opposite direction and causes tearing of said upper part of the shutter, which remains in the sleeve 28. The damping guide assembly 30 to 32 of the sleeve 28 makes it possible to ensure with certainty the grip of the upper part of the shutter, while avoiding a crushing of the latter under the effect of the downward movement of the head 29.

The filling device 8, cooperating with the orifice of the shutter 5, is mounted on the movable head 29 of the station 3 and is pivotally movable, together with the means 7 for handling the upper part of the shutter 5, and is in the form of a hollow body that can be applied in a sealed manner on the lower part of the shutter 5, this hollow body being, on the one hand, connected by a connection 33 to a pipe 34 connecting the pump filling device connected to a reservoir and, on the other hand, provided with means for closing the connection 33 controlled by a pneumatic jack 35 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 4).

Thus, after tearing of the upper part of the shutter 5 by means of the sleeve 28 controlled by the cam 12, the head 29 of the station 3 is pivoted in the filling position of the further 6 by the cam 11 and the device of filling 8 is applied in a sealed manner on the base of the shutter 5 in a movement controlled by the cam 12.

A simple detection of this application by a limit switch integrated in the device 8 allows actuation of the cylinder 35 for a period corresponding to the filling of the 6. This can be perfectly predetermined and controlled by a timer, which operates the cylinder 35 at the closure, at the end of the filling.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the transfer station 1 is provided, at each filling station 3, with a means 36 for supporting, closing and evacuating the bottles 6, which essentially consists of a pivoting device 37 for receiving the bottles cooperating with a control cam 14 and by an assembly 38 for closing the bottles 6 after filling, cooperating with a control cam 13 (FIGS. 3 and 4).

The pivoting device 37 for receiving the bottles cooperating with a control cam 14 is in the form of a pivoting support plate 37 'mounted to articulate on the transfer station 1 by means of a pivot shaft 37 "and by an actuating arm 37 ''', integral with the pivoting support plate 37' and co-operating with its free end, via a wheel or the like 39, with the cam 14 of the cam control device. Thus, the part 6 can be deposited empty and flat, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings and be grasped and positioned, then filled to be finally evacuated, after filling and replacement of the shutter, in being held flat during the positioning operation, as well as during filling and sealing, a pivoting of the plate 37 'occurring after said closing, when the actuating arm 37 "' arrives on the corresponding profile of Indeed, at this moment, the arm 37 "', whose length is immutable, is no longer maintained in a position allowing the plate 37' to be horizontal, so that said plate pivots in a 6. When the arm 37 "'meets again an obstacle of the profile of the cam 14, it is pushed in such a way that it causes a pivoting of the plate 37' towards its position of horizontal service.

The closure assembly 38 of the bottles 6 after filling is in the form of a support plate 38 'housed in a recess of corresponding shape of the pivoting support plate 37', this plate 38 'being secured to a pusher 38 "guided under the plate 37 'in a sleeve 40 integral with the latter and supported by its opposite end by means of a wheel or the like 41 on the cam 13 of the cam control device, a compression spring 42, mounted between the sleeve 40 and the end of the pusher 38 "carrying the wheel 41, ensuring a permanent support of said pusher 38" on said cam 13. With this embodiment of the assembly 38, it is possible to to ensure a maintenance of the part 6, on the side opposite the shutter 5, to favor the putting in place by pressure of the upper part of said shutter 5 after the filling of the part 6, by means of the sleeve 28 of the handling means 7.

Preferably, according to another characteristic of the invention, the sleeve 40 for guiding the pusher 38 "of the closure assembly 38 is an integral part of the actuating arm 37" ', the latter being secured to said sleeve 40 of eccentrically relative to the axis of the pusher 38 "(Figure 4).

According to another characteristic of the invention, the driving of the filling machine is ensured by means of an electric motor controlled by means of an electronic control circuit. This electronic control circuit is not described in more detail and is of a known technology. Thus, the energy required for the operation of the machine is used directly without the need for additional processing, as is the case in the case of the use of pneumatic or other actuating means, so that the energy efficiency is higher. .

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to carry out in a continuous and automatic cycle filling of others, by performing all the necessary operations via a cam control of particularly reliable operation and requiring no position detection device. In addition, this fully mechanical control allows synchronous operation without risk of maladjustment over a long operating time.

In addition, it is possible to perform on each filling station 3 all the operations relating to the filling of a further, so that the performance of the filling machine can be considerably increased, said operations being carried out continuously. This results in significant productivity gains.

Furthermore, the provision of a command of all the operations almost exclusively by means of cams makes it possible to simplify considerably the construction and operation of the machine, as well as to improve its reliability, in particular by reducing maintenance time, and therefore maintenance costs.

In addition, the productivity of the machine can be improved by taking into account the positive and negative acceleration of the movements of the various elements, in order to optimize the operation of the machine.

Finally, the arrangement of the cams according to the invention results in a great compactness of the filling machine while avoiding contact between the mechanical operating parts, possibly lubricated, and the filling stations, so that hygiene conditions perfect are guaranteed.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (17)

1. Machine for filling bags or the like, in particular with comestible liquids, basically constituted by a transfer station (1) rotatable about a central vertical axle (2) mounted on a plate (2') integral with the frame of the machine, by multiple filling stations (3) each comprising a means (4) for gripping and holding the base of a removable closure (5) of a bag (6) and a means (7) for manipulating the upper portion of said closure, and by a filling device (8) cooperating with the opening of said closure (5) that is open following removal of the upper portion of said closure and supplied with liquid by a pump connected to a reservoir or the like, the assembly of these elements being managed by a control device, characterised in that the control device is a device with cams (9 to 14) mounted fixedly on the machine, said cams (9 to 14), adapted for the actuation of the various elements of the machine, being mounted concentrically about the central vertical axle (2) on a plate (2') integral with the frame of the machine and disposed below the rotatable transfer station (1).
2. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the cams (9 to 14) are mounted angularly adjustably on the plate (2') integral with the frame of the machine, by cooperation with a corresponding lower annular support integral with said plate (2'), the cams (9 to 14) being held in position, after adjustment, by means of screws passing vertically through said cams and cooperating with their annular support or by lateral grippers that grip with screws.
3. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that each filling station (3) is constituted by a pivotable head (29), mounted on a vertical axle (3'), guided on the rotatable transfer station (1) by means of a fixed support (3"), mounted on said station (1), said pivotable head (29) being provided with an eccentric actuating pivot (16) cooperating with an assembly consisting of a pusher (11'), an elbowed lever (11") and a rod (11''') actuated by a cam (11) of the cam control device.
4. Machine according to claim 3, characterised in that the elbowed lever (11") is mounted pivotably on the transfer station (1) by means of a bearing (15) and is connected in an articulated manner by its two ends, respectively to one end of the pusher (11") opposite the cam (11) and to one end of the rod (11'''), which is mounted in an articulated manner on the eccentric actuating pivot (16) of the head (29) of the filling station (3).
5. Machine according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the pusher (11') is guided on the transfer station (1) by means of a sleeve (18) integral therewith and is provided at its end cooperating with the cam (11) with a bearing roller (17), a spring (19) mounted concentrically on the pusher (11') between the sleeve (18) and a shoulder or a bearing ring located near the roller (17) providing permanent contact of said roller with the cam (11).
6. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the means (4) for gripping and holding the base of a removable closure (5) of a bag (6) of each filling station (3) is constituted by an assembly of left and right pinchers (4', 4") with differential actuation controlled respectively by cams (10 and 9) of the cam control device, by means of assemblies consisting of a pusher (10', 9'), an elbowed lever (10", 9") and a rod (10"', 9''').
7. Machine according to claim 6, characterised in that the elbowed levers (10", 9") are articulated to the transfer station (1) by means of respective bearings (23, 22) and the pushers (10", 9") are guided on this transfer station (1) by means of sleeves (21, 20), moreover said pushers each being provided, on the one hand, with a roller (27, 26) for bearing on the respective cams (10 and 9) and, on the other hand, with a compression spring (25, 24) bearing near its end carrying the bearing roller and against the sleeve (21, 20).
8. Machine according to any one of claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the means (7) for manipulating the upper portion of the closure (5) is constituted by a sleeve (28) for gripping the upper portion of the closure (5) mounted on the head (29) of the filling station (3) with the possibility of slight movements parallel to the axle (3') for supporting the head (29).
9. Machine according to claim 8, characterised in that the sleeve (28) is mounted on the head (29) by means of a shock absorbing guide assembly (30 to 32) constituted by a sliding axle (30) loaded by a spring (31) and by a guide rod (32) cooperating with corresponding guidance of the head (29) and preventing said head from rotating about the axle (30).
10. Machine according to claim 8, characterised in that the sleeve (28) is provided with at least two pinchers with opposed claws (28') each loaded by a return spring in a closure position of the claws.
11. Machine according to any one of claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the axle (3') of each filling station (3), which is guided on the fixed support (3") integral with the transfer station (1), passes through said transfer station (1) and cooperates at its free end opposite the head (29) with an annular cam (12) of the control assembly with cams (9 to 14), by means of two lugs or guide rollers (3''') bearing on either side of the annular cam (12).
12. Machine according to any one of claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the filling device (8), cooperating with the opening of the closure (5), is mounted on the movable head (29) of the station (3) and is pivotably displaceable, together with the means (7) for manipulating the upper portion of the closure (5), and is in the form of a hollow body that can be applied in a sealed manner to the lower portion of the closure (5), this hollow body being on the one hand connected by a connection (33) to a conduit (34) for connecting to the filling pump connected to a reservoir and, on the other hand, provided with a closure means for the connection (33) controlled by a pneumatic actuator (35).
13. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the transfer station (1) is provided, at each filling station (3), with a means (36) for support, closure and evacuation of the bags (6), which is basically constituted by a pivoting device (37) for receiving the bags cooperating with a control cam (14) and by an assembly (38) for closing the bags (6) after filling, cooperating with a control cam (13).
14. Machine according to claim 13, characterised in that the pivoting device (37) for receiving the bags cooperating with a control cam (14) is in the form of a pivoting support plate (37') mounted in an articulated manner on the transfer station (1) by means of a pivoting shaft (37") and by an actuating arm (37'''), integral with the pivoting support plate (37') and cooperating at its free end, by means of a roller or the like (39), with the cam (14) of the cam control device.
15. Machine according to claim 13, characterised in that the assembly (38) for closing the bags (6) after filling is in the form of a bearing plate (38') disposed in a shape-mating recess in the pivoting support plate (37'), this plate (38') being integral with a pusher (38") guided below the plate (37') in a sleeve (40) integral therewith and bearing by its opposite end by means of a roller or the like (41) against the cam (13) of the cam control device, a compression spring (42), mounted between the sleeve (40) and the end of the pusher (38") carrying the roller (41), providing permanent bearing of said pusher (38") against said cam (13).
16. Machine according to any one of claims 14 and 15, characterised in that the sleeve (40) for guiding the pusher (38") of the closure assembly (38) is an integral part of the actuating arm (37'''), said arm being integral with said sleeve (40) eccentrically relative to the axle of the pusher (38").
17. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that it is driven by means of an electric motor controlled by an electronic control circuit.

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