EP2722304B1 - Device for filling at least one container with a filling product - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a device for filling at least one container with a filling product, preferably a rotary filling machine.

State of the art

In the field of rotary filling machines, it is known to transfer the media, which are required in the rotating filling carousel for filling containers, via so-called media rotary distributor to the filler carousel. The media to be supplied include, for example, the actual product to be filled, but also auxiliary substances such as cleaning media, sterilization media and gases, which are used for flushing and biasing the container to be filled, and for example compressed air, which is used for valve control.

In conventional rotary filling machines, a product tank is usually provided, in which the product to be filled into the respective container is kept in order to provide a static pressure over the filling level of the product in the product tank, which is required for the controlled filling of the product into the respective container. The product tanks are either designed as a central boiler or in the form of a ring boiler. Both the central boiler and the ring bowl rotate together with the filler carousel.

In order to transfer the different media from the stationary machine parts to the filler carousel or to the rotor, media rotary distributors are known which direct the respective media from a stationary central shaft which has a number of bores corresponding to the number of media to be supplied to the filler carousel transfer rotating distributor head. The distributor head receives the individual media via annular chambers which are sealed off from the stationary shaft.

The sealing of the annular chambers in the distributor head is complicated because each annular chamber must have a seal both at its upper and at its lower end. Such a rotary distributor is for example from the DE 296 20 323 U1 known.

In one variant, the filling product is fed from a separate, stationary product vessel to the rotor of the rotary filling machine via a media rotary distributor. In this variant, only one is not provided with the rotor with rotating product vessel. Such an embodiment is for example from the DE 1 432 396 or the DE 603 09 244 T2 known.

The DE 603 09 244 T2 shows a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

The US 2,762,545 A shows a filling system, and more particularly, a system for recycling beer or other aerated liquids between a storage tank and a filling machine.

The EP 0 470 398 A1 shows a method and apparatus for filling a liquid into portion containers.

In the DE 10 2010 027337 A1 is shown a container handling machine.

The WO 2008/009400 A1 shows another treatment machine for containers.

In the product tank of conventional rotary filling machines typically different sensors are installed, which are used for monitoring the recorded product in the product tank. For example, level sensors are provided by means of which compliance with the predetermined filling level and thus also the adherence to the static pressure can be monitored. Temperature sensors serve to maintain the predetermined product temperature or the predetermined filling temperature. Pressure sensors within the product tank provide information about a gas bias, which is essential, for example, when filling carbonated products. In the case of the conventional rotary filling machines in which the product tank rotates in the form of a central boiler or a ring boiler with the rotor, additional slip ring transmitters must be provided for transferring the respective data from the sensors of the product tank. The usually provided cleaning nozzles for cleaning the inside of the product tank must be supplied via a separate distribution track in the media rotary distributor. A further disadvantage is that the product to be filled contained in the rotating product tank co-rotates with the tank. For this purpose, it was found that with a brief interruption of the filling operation, the product continues to rotate within the product tank, whereby a shaft passes through the boiler. When the filling operation is resumed soon, this wave interferes with the exact determination and regulation of the fill level in the product tank, since no more uniform level signal is detected. This leads to problems in the precise control of the filling process.

Presentation of the invention

Starting from the known prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for filling containers with a filling product, which is a simplifies construction and ensures a precisely controllable filling operation.

This object is achieved by a device for filling containers with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims. Accordingly, a device for filling at least one container with a filling product is provided, wherein the device comprises a stationary product tank for receiving the filling product and a rotatable rotor for connection to at least one filling member for filling the at least one container with the filling product, and wherein at least one with the rotor rotatably connected line for supplying the filling product is provided to the filling member. According to the invention, the line protrudes into the product tank in order to conduct filling product from the stationary product tank to the filling element.

By virtue of the fact that the line for supplying the filling product to the rotor projects into the stationary product tank, a simplification of the construction with regard to the media feedthrough can be achieved. In particular, by projecting the product line into the product tank, it is possible to dispense with the upper seal provided in the conventional media rotary distributors for sealing off an annular chamber. Rather, only a single seal in the area of the passage of the line is required in the product tank to achieve a reliable seal with a rotation of the line relative to the product tank. The stationary arrangement of the product tank ensures that the required electrical feeds to the sensors accommodated in the product tank, for example the temperature, pressure or filling height sensors, can be achieved without the use of slip ring transmitters. The product tank can still be made completely flexible in size and shape due to the proposed arrangement since it is not tied to the geometry of the rotor of the rotary filling machine. Rather, the product tank can be adapted exclusively to the filling product to be filled. For example, in contrast to the conventional central or ring boilers, the product tank may have a diameter which is larger than the diameter of the rotor. Furthermore, the height of the product tank is in principle no limits, so that in principle an arbitrarily high static pressure can be generated, which can be advantageous for certain filling products and which can optimize the filling speed in the respective rotary filling machine to the respective filling product.

Furthermore, it is achieved by the described arrangement that the product kettle does not rotate with the rotor of the rotary filling machine, whereby the corresponding mass of the product vessel including the product contained therein, as well as the associated moments of inertia in the rotor no longer exist. Accordingly, the bearings of the rotor can be made smaller and the drive and the control can be carried out accordingly simplified. In particular, the control can be simplified because the inertia, which had resulted from the recorded in the co-rotating product tank product are no longer available, so that the rotor of the corresponding device for filling containers is more direct and easier to control. Since the filling product is not set in rotation in the product tank during the filling operation, the problems identified in the prior art with regard to accuracy in the level control are avoided.

Due to the significantly lower mass of the rotor or the filler carousel in this way, it is also contemplated to form a bottomless filler, ie a filling device in which the rotor is designed to be suspended and is not supported on the ground. This particular embodiment offers advantages in terms of hygiene and cleaning options within the filler and is particularly advantageous within an insulator of an aseptic filling system.

The cleaning nozzles to be provided in the product tank for cleaning the product tank can be supplied via fixed lines with the appropriate cleaning media, so that here also a further distribution track can be saved in the media rotary distributor.

In a preferred embodiment, at least two product tanks are provided, which can serve, for example, for receiving different filling products. The at least two product tanks are arranged one above the other, so that one line per product tank is provided, which protrudes into the respective product tank. In this way it is possible to fill two different products either alternately or simultaneously in containers. For example, two-component bottlings can be performed in a container. For this purpose, the two products on the proposed provision of two product tanks on top of each other and feeding the product to the rotor via the correspondingly connected to the product tank line to the respective filling elements are supplied. For example, a layering of two products in one container can be achieved. In one variant, one product can be supplied, for example, to a first number of filling members, and the second filling product can be supplied to a second number of filling members. Thus, for example, during the same filling passage two different products can be filled, which then palletized in the further processing, for example, at the same time can be. This is desirable, for example, in the field of cold chain products, where, for example, a cocoa drink and a vanilla milk are to be palletized in the same palette. There are also other applications conceivable, for example, the feeding of fruit pulp and pure juice in containers, or other applications in which at least two different filling media to be supplied to a container in one pass in a filler carousel.

The projecting into the product tank line is provided in the form of a rotatably connected to the rotor shaft having a corresponding bore and a corresponding inlet opening. In the case of using a single product tank, in which this shaft protrudes, a simple through hole may be provided in the shaft, which allows for example at the upper end face of the shaft inflow of the product. When using at least two product tanks arranged one above the other, the shaft can be provided with the corresponding number of longitudinal bores extending in the direction of the shaft axis, which then lead via corresponding branches into the respective product tanks, such that the product reaches a certain and predetermined height can leak out the respective product tank. It is preferable to provide the respective inflow opening in the vicinity of the bottom of the respective product tank in order to limit the product volume to be discarded after the filling operation has been completed. Increasing the respective static pressure can also be achieved by raising the overall level of the product tank relative to the fillers, for example by placing the product kettle on a higher stage.

Preferably, the passage of the line is provided in the product tank pressure-tight. This can be achieved via known seals. When using a corresponding shaft which passes through the bottom of the product tank, the sealing can be carried out in the manner already known in the field of media rotary distributors.

In a preferred embodiment, the conduit passes through the bottom of the product tank. The bottom of the product tank is preferably designed in such a way that a simple passage is made possible, at the same time a secure sealing of the rotating line is made possible.

Preferably, the product tank is arranged outside or above an insulator of a beverage filling plant, so that in the manner described a simplified cleaning or sterilizing the interior of the insulator can be achieved. In particular, the product tank does not need to be cleaned and sterilized from the outside because it is outside the insulator. In a further preferred variant, the bottom of the product tank forms the insulator roof or a part of the insulator roof.

In order to supply additional media to the rotor of the rotary filling machine, at least one further distributor track in the jacket of the shaft carrying the line is preferably provided above, below or within the product tank, by means of which the corresponding media can be supplied and removed, for example sterilization media or gases, such as span gas, clean gas or vacuum.

In a further preferred variant, a second line protrudes into the product vessel, the first line for supplying the product protruding into the lower region of the product tank, and the second line for transferring the clamping gas to the filling element in the upper region of the product tank opens into the gas space. In this way, a further distribution track of a media rotary distributor can be saved, and thus more vulnerable seals can be saved. Concretely, in this way, on three of the former in a classic

Media rotary distributor necessary four seals to seal the required two annular chambers are dispensed with.

The product tank preferably has pressure, temperature or level sensors for monitoring the levels, the pressure and the temperature of the filling product received in the product tank.

A product feed for filling the product tank with the filling product preferably flows from the side into the product tank and, in a particularly preferred variant, is arranged such that the fill product flows into the product tank below the predetermined product level. From the above-described arrangement there are advantages in terms of a smaller space requirement and - due to the standing product tank - a simpler connection of the sensors, the supply of the product to the tank, and its cleaning. Furthermore, the size of the respective product tank is variable and independent of the respective rotor of the rotary filling machine.

Due to the stationary arrangement of the product tank, the arrangement of the rotor and the waiver of seals, the device for filling at least one container meets the requirements of Hygienic Design and meets the requirements of 3A, since the device is designed to prevent dead space and running idle running can be.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Befüllen mindestens eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt in einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel;

Figur 2

eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Befüllen mindestens eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt, wobei zwei Produkttanks vorgesehen sind;

Figur 3

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch eine Vorrichtung zum Befüllen mindestens eines Behälters mit einem Füllprodukt, wobei zwei Produktkessel vorgesehen sind, in einer weiteren Ausführungsform; und

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Vorrichtung zum Befüllen mindestens eines Behälters in einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.

Preferred further embodiments and aspects of the present invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. Showing:

FIG. 1

a device for filling at least one container with a filling product in a first embodiment;

FIG. 2

another device for filling at least one container with a filling product, wherein two product tanks are provided;

FIG. 3

a schematic sectional view through a device for filling at least one container with a filling product, wherein two product vessel are provided, in a further embodiment; and

FIG. 4

a schematic representation of another device for filling at least one container in another embodiment.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

In the following, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the figures. In this case, identical, similar or equivalent elements in the different figures are denoted by identical reference numerals and a repeated description of these elements will be omitted in the following description in part in order to avoid redundancies.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for filling at least one container 100 with a filling product 110th

A product tank 2 is provided, which serves to receive the filling product 110. A rotor, which is schematically indicated by the reference numeral 3, is provided, wherein the rotor 3 a schematically indicated filling member 30 for filling the container 100 with the filling product 110 has. The rotor 3 is, for example, the filler carousel of a rotary filling machine, on which a plurality of filling members 30 are provided with a certain machine pitch, such that a continuous filling process with a high performance is possible.

A rotatably connected to the rotor 3 line 4 is provided, which serves to supply the filling product 110 to the rotor 3 and thus also to the filling member 30. The line 4 accordingly has an inlet opening 40 and an outlet opening 42, wherein the filling product 110 can enter the line 4 through the inlet opening 40 and the filling product is dispensed to the filling element 30 through the outlet opening 42. The filling member 30 may be formed in a variety of designs. Depending on the requirements of the filling products to be processed, a filling element can be used for height, volume, weight filling or time filling etc.

The conduit 4 protrudes with its inflow opening 40 into the product tank 2 in order to transfer the filling product 110 from the stationary product tank 2 to the rotatable or rotating rotor 3 during the filling process. Accordingly, the conduit 4 rotates in the stationary product tank 2 during the filling process.

The line 4 is in the in FIG. 1 embodiment shown integrated into a shaft 5, wherein the shaft protrudes through the bottom 20 of the product tank 2 into the interior of the product tank 2. In the region of the passage of the shaft 5 through the bottom 20 of the product tank 2 seals 6 are provided, which allow a pressure-tight seal of the passage of the rotating shaft 5 in the product tank 2.

The conduit 4 is provided in the shaft 5 as extending substantially in the direction of the axis of rotation of the shaft 5 bore, which then branches off to reach the discharge opening 42, a transfer of the filling product 110 to the respective filling member 30. The shaft 5 rotates together with the conduit 4 in the stationary product tank 2 when the filling operation is performed.

Accordingly, the line 4 and the shaft 5 rotatably connected to the rotor 3 and the line 4 is integrated into the shaft 5.

In the preferred variant shown here, the static product tank is arranged outside of an insulator 7, in which the filling members 30 are provided for filling the respective containers 100 with the filling product 110. In the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the bottom 20 of the product tank 2 forms a part of the insulator roof 70, so that the remaining outer walls of the product tank 2 do not need to be cleaned when the insulator 7 is being cleaned. Accordingly, it can be achieved in this way that the number of surfaces to be cleaned within the insulator 7 can be reduced by removing the product tank from the insulator 7.

The product tank 2 has pressure, temperature and fill level sensors to monitor the product. In particular, the filling level, which is schematically indicated here by the reference numeral 120, is of crucial importance for the filling performance, since it determines the static pressure of the filling product 110, which is present at the filling member 30. The fact that the product tank 2 is stationary, the supply of the corresponding electrical connections for the said sensors is particularly simple.

In a further preferred embodiment, a product feed 130 is provided, by means of which the filling product 110 can be introduced into the product tank 2 so that the filling level 120 is kept substantially constant. In this case, the product feed 130 is preferably provided on the product tank 2 in such a way that it enters the product tank 2 below the intended filling level of the filling product 110 or that an outlet opening of the product feed is below the intended filling level of the filling product 110.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a development of the device 1. Here, in turn, a product tank 2 is provided, in which in a line 4 extends, which has an inlet opening 40 and an outlet opening 42, which is provided for dispensing the provided in the product tank 2 filling product 110 at a filling member 30 of the rotor 3 is used. Above the product tank 2, a second product tank 2 'is provided, which is provided for receiving a second filling product 110', and in which in a second conduit 4 'projects with a second inlet opening 40' and which via a discharge opening 42 'further filling members 30' with the second filling product 110 'acted upon to fill second container 100' with the second filling product 110 '.

The first line 4 and the second line 4 'are in turn provided integrated in a shaft 5.

The passage of the shaft 5 through the bottom 20 of the product tank 2 is in turn sealed pressure-tight via a seal 6. The passage of the shaft 5 through the bottom 20 'of the upper product tank 2' is also pressure-tightly sealed by a seal 6 '. Accordingly, only a single seal 6, 6 'is necessary for the delivery of the first product 110 and the second product 110' to the rotor 3 per product. It should be noted at this point that the seals 6, 6 'in all embodiments can also be designed in several parts, even if it is spoken of a single seal. By way of example, seals with two sealing rings can be used, which form a flushable leakage space between the sealing rings.

The filling levels 120, 120 'for the first product 110 and the second product 110' are correspondingly different due to the superposition of the product tanks 2, 2 '. Thus, the static pressure of the product 110 'is higher than the static pressure of the product 110 on the respective filling member 30, 30'. The filling members 30 are designed accordingly for different pressures. Alternatively or additionally, this difference in fill levels can also be used to fill products with different viscosity. Preferably, the product with the higher viscosity can then be kept in the upper product tank 2 '. Thus, depending on the circumstances, the same flow rates can be achieved at different viscosities.

In the FIG. 2 For example, the embodiment shown is used to fill two products simultaneously in the area of the cold chain products, which products can then be palletized on a pallet or packaged in a tray. For example, with the in FIG. 2 a simultaneous filling of a cocoa-containing beverage and a vanilla milk can be achieved, said different products are each directed to different filling members 30, 30 '. In a variant, a two-component end product of the two filling products 110, 110 'can be filled into a single container 100, as shown on the right side of FIG FIG. 2 is indicated schematically. A corresponding filling valve then deposits the two components in the respective container 100.

In FIG. 3 schematically is a sectional view through a further device with a first product tank 2 and a second product tank 2 ', wherein a shaft 5 is provided with corresponding lines 4, 4'. The shaft 5 projects with the lines 4, 4 'into the respective product tanks 2, 2' in order to transfer the corresponding filling product to the respective filling elements 30.

In the embodiment shown, the rotor 3 is formed so that it forms the insulator roof 70 and the product tanks 2, 2 'are arranged clearly above the rotor 3 and above the insulator roof 70. The product tanks 2, 2 'are again arranged stationary, and the rotor is rotatable relative thereto, such that the shaft 5 is inserted in the product tank 2, 2' each rotating.

The fact that the product is transferred via the product tanks 2, 2 'directly to the shaft 5 rotating in these product tanks 2, 2' or to the lines 4, 4 'respectively projecting into the product tanks 2, 2' can be easily sealed by means of a simple seal respective passages of the shaft 5 through the respective bottom 20, 20 'of the product tanks 2, 2' a complete sealing of the system can be achieved.

The rotor 3 and the filler carousel needed in the embodiment shown no further distribution tracks, since the filling valves 30 are controlled via the rotor 3 together with rotating pneumatic cabinets 300 and electrical cabinets 310 with control air and electrical control signals. A supply of the power required for this purpose and the compressed air takes place via the hollow star column 320 from below. These feeds are outside of the insulator 7 FIG. 3 embodiment shown on slip ring and distributor tracks of a media rotary distributor, in particular within the insulator, are omitted.

In the FIG. 4 a further embodiment is shown, wherein the product tank 2 is in turn filled with the filling product 110 up to the predetermined filling level. The shaft 5 again extends through the bottom 20 of the product tank 2 and is sealed at the passage via the seal 6.

In the shaft 5, which is rotatably connected to the rotor 3 and rotates correspondingly in the stationary product tank 2, a first conduit 4 is provided for supplying the product 110 to the filling member 30, in which case again an inflow opening 40 is provided, which in the Fill product 110 is immersed. A second conduit 8 is provided which extends into the gas space 112 to provide communication between the filling member 30 and the gas space 112 above the filling product 110. Such a connection is used, for example, when filling a container 100 with a carbonated beverage in order to achieve via a return gas pipe a return of the gas displaced from the container 100 into the gas space 112. In the embodiment shown is accordingly over a single seal, namely the Seal 6, a feeding of the product 110 to the filling valve 3 and a connection of the filling valve 30 with the gas chamber 112 achieved.

In a further embodiment (not shown) similar to the embodiment in FIG FIG. 1 At least a portion of the bottom of the product tank 20 is rotatably connected to the shaft 5. The seal 6 is thus spaced from the shaft 5 and seals two parts of the product tank bottom against each other. Alternatively, the seal 6 may also seal the complete product tank bottom 20 against a side wall of the product tank or the seal 6 seals two parts of the side wall of the product tank from each other. It is essential that even in these embodiments, not shown, the supply of media of all kinds, which are used on the rotor 3, are always passed over a stationary feed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Device for filling at least one container

100

container

110

filling product

112

headspace

120

filling height

130

product feed

2

Reservoir

20

Bottom of the product tank

3

rotor

30

Filling head

300

pneumatic cabinet

310

electrical cabinet

320

star column

4

management

40

inflow opening

42

discharge opening

5

wave

6

poetry

7

insulator

70

insulator roof

8th

second line

Claims (10)

1. A device (1) for filling at least one container (100) with a product to be filled (110), wherein the device (1) encompasses a stationary product tank (2) for receiving the product to be filled (110) and a rotatable rotor (3) to be attached to at least one filling element (30) for filling the at least one container (100) and wherein at least one line (4) connected with the rotor (3) in a rotationally fixed manner is provided for supplying the product to be filled (110) to the filling element (30),
   characterized in that
   the at least one line (4) connected with the rotor (3) in a rotationally fixed manner protrudes into the stationary product tank (2) in order to guide product to be filled (110) from the stationary product tank (2) to the filling element (30), wherein the line (4) is integrated into a shaft (5) connected with the rotor (3) in a rotationally fixed manner.
2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two product tanks (2, 2') for holding different products to be filled (110, 110') are arranged one on top of the other, and that at least one line (4, 4') is provided per product tank (2, 2').
3. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the line (4) comprises an supply opening (40), which is arranged in the product tank (2).
4. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passage of the line (4) into the product tank (2) is sealed, preferably by means of a gasket (6).
5. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the line (4) enters into the product tank (2) through the bottom (20) of the product tank (2).
6. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product tank (2) is provided outside and/or above an insulator (7) and/or an insulator roof (70), and/or that the bottom (20) of the product tank (2) is integrated with the insulator roof (70).
7. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one distributor port in the casing of a shaft (5) carrying the line (4) is provided below, above and/or inside the product tank (2) in order to supply and/or remove operating media.
8. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product tank (2) comprises pressure, temperature and/or filling level sensors for monitoring the product to be filled (110).
9. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a product feed (130) is provided, which opens into the product tank (2) from the side, and preferably opens into the product tank (2) below the provided product level.
10. The device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one second line (8) protrudes into the gas compartment (112) of the product tank (2), in order to establish a gas connection between the filling element (30) and the gas compartment (112).

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