EP2900590B1 - Filling machine - Google Patents

Description

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

Filling machines for filling of packaging materials, in particular bottles or similar containers, with a liquid product are known in numerous designs.

A filling machine with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known (US Pat. WO 2007/019 590 A2 ). In this continuous-type filling machine, a plurality of filling positions, each with a filling element, are formed on a transport element or rotor that can be driven around a vertical machine axis. At the non-rotating with the transport element machine frame of the filling machine, a cleaning unit is provided, which has two circular arc-shaped pipe sections a plurality of Spülkappen, which protrude beyond an upper surface of the respective pipe section. By a lifting device, the pipe sections with their Spülkappen between a starting position in which the pipe sections and the Spülkappen are laterally from the transport element and above the filling positions, and a working and rinsing position movable in the Spülkappen after a feed from below in sealing position against each abut a filling element. The known filling machine is structurally complex and in particular also for aseptic filling of packaging neither determined nor suitable.

Also known is a filling machine ( DE 698 15 475 T2 ), in which the containers to be filled are moved past fillers or filling nozzles on a linear transport path. For cleaning the filling nozzles, in each case a cleaning device with an adapter is provided, which is movable by axial displacement between a starting position in which it is outside the path of movement of the container during filling, in a working or rinsing position guided by a guide with an actuating device. The known filling machine is structurally complex in terms of the devices for cleaning the waste nozzles and has numerous winding areas or Surfaces where foreign matter or germs can adhere while impairing the quality of aseptic filling.

It is also known to provide flushing caps with a return or discharge channel for the medium used for rinsing, cleaning and / or disinfecting on the circulating transport element or rotor of the filling machine ( DE 10 2004 004 331 ), on a machine axis concentric enclosing common ring. The Spülkappen, each of which is associated with each filling element, are movable by turning or pivoting of this ring about the machine axis from a starting position in which they are outside the filling elements and the container to be filled during the filling operation in a working position, in the each rinse cap is brought into sealing position against its associated filling element and then forms an at least the discharge opening of the filling element enclosing outwardly closed rinsing or Spülkanal formed during cleaning and / or disinfection, especially during a CIP cleaning and / or disinfection flows through the liquid and / or gas and / or vaporous cleaning and / or sterilizing medium, which at least partially flows off via the drainage channel. Due to the arrangement and design of the Spülkappen there is also a constructive freedom restricting very dense construction, which is not desirable in many cases.

Also known are filling machines of peripheral design for an antiseptic filling of packaging materials, such as bottles or other containers with a liquid product, especially for free jet filling. In order to avoid contamination of the filling material during filling, such filling machines have an insulator-forming housing (insulator) in which the filling positions and the packaging material to be filled at least move during the filling process. However, such filling machines also require that irrespective of the cleaning and / or sterilization of the filling elements closed with the rinsing caps, a treatment of the isolator space and all surfaces within this space with a cleaning and / or sterilization medium, for example with a hot, vaporous medium, eg with water vapor. In this case, it must be avoided in particular that liquid Cleansing medium or condensate of this medium in areas within the insulator space collects, for example, by a lack of derivative. The problem here is, inter alia, that in many cases the drives for moving the Spülkappen between their starting position and working position are also located within the insulator space and form additional areas and angled areas where cleaning or sterilization medium or condensate can be deposited.

From the EP 2 103 564 A1 is still a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1 known.

The post-published WO 2013/167219 A1 also discloses a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1. Further, it discloses a rod to which a rinsing cap member is pivotally provided about an axis parallel to the machine axis. The object of the invention is to show a filling machine that enables a simplified structural design with high reliability and ensuring reliable cleaning and / or sterilization of the filling machine and its filling elements. To solve this problem, a filling machine according to claim 1 is formed.

"Packaging" in the context of the invention, in particular containers, such as cans, bottles, tubes, pouches, each made of metal, glass and / or plastic, but also other packaging, which are suitable for filling liquid or viscous products.

"Free jet filling" in the sense of the invention is to be understood as meaning a process in which the liquid filling material flows into the filling material or container to be filled in a free filling jet, the packaging means with its packaging agent opening or opening not resting on the filling element, but instead of the filling element or filler . Is spaced from a local Füllgutauslass.

The expression "essentially" or "approximately" in the sense of the invention means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function. Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures.

• Fig. 1 in schematischer Darstellung und in Draufsicht eine Füllmaschine umlaufender Bauart zum aseptischen Freistrahlfüllen von Packmitteln in Form von Flaschen mit einem flüssigen Füllgut;
• Fig. 2 und 3 in schematischer Teildarstellung und im Schnitt eine der Füllpositionen der Füllmaschine der Figur 1, zusammen mit einer die Behälter beim Füllen aufnehmenden Einhausung (Isolator) während des Füllbetriebes (Figur 2) bzw. während der Reinigung und/oder Desinfektion der Füllmaschine mit einem flüssigen und/oder gas- und/oder dampfförmigen Behandlungsmedium, z.B. während der CIP-Reinigung und/oder CIP-Sterilisation (Figur 3);
• Fig. 4 in vereinfachter Darstellung eine Draufsicht auf ein Spülkappenelement und einen unterhalb dieses Spülkappenelementes angeordneten Behälterträger;
• Fig. 5 eine Darstellung ähnlich Figur 3 aber mit einer schwenkbaren Stange;
• Fig. 6 und 7 Darstellungen ähnlich den Figuren 2 und 3 bei einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 8 und 9 Darstellungen ähnlich den Figuren 2 und 3 bei einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• Fig. 10 eine Darstellung ähnlich Figur 5 bei einer weiteren Füllmaschine.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

• Fig. 1 in a schematic representation and in plan view of a filling machine of rotating design for aseptic free-jet filling of packaging in the form of bottles with a liquid product;
• FIGS. 2 and 3 in a schematic partial view and in section one of the filling positions of the filling machine of FIG. 1 , together with an enclosure (insulator) receiving the containers during filling ( FIG. 2 ) or during the cleaning and / or disinfection of the filling machine with a liquid and / or gas and / or vapor treatment medium, eg during the CIP cleaning and / or CIP sterilization ( FIG. 3 );
• Fig. 4 in a simplified representation of a plan view of a Spülkappenelement and arranged below this Spülkappenelementes container carrier;
• Fig. 5 a representation similar FIG. 3 but with a swiveling rod;
• 6 and 7 Representations similar to the FIGS. 2 and 3 in another embodiment of the invention;
• 8 and 9 Representations similar to the FIGS. 2 and 3 in another embodiment of the invention;
• Fig. 10 a representation similar FIG. 5 at another filling machine.

In the figures, 1 is a filling machine of rotating design for the aseptic free jet filling of packaging or containers 2 in the form of bottles with a liquid product. The filling machine 1, as such a circulating design as a transport element, revolves around a vertical machine axis MA drivable rotor 3, distributed on the circumference at equal angular intervals about the machine axis MA and in the same radial distance from the machine axis MA a plurality of filling positions are formed. The containers to be filled 2 are fed via an outer conveyor 5 (arrow B) and transferred to a container inlet 6 each to a filling position 4. The filled containers 2 are removed at a container outlet 7 the filling positions 4 and fed via an outer conveyor 8 for further treatment (arrow C). At least on the angular range of the rotational movement A of the rotor 3 between the container inlet and the container outlet 7, the filling positions 4 and the container 2 provided thereon move in an insulator or in an enclosure 9 whose volume is kept as small as possible.

The FIG. 2 shows one of the filling positions 4 as well as the housing 9 in more detail in an embodiment of the filling machine 1. Each filling position 4 includes, inter alia, a filling element 10, which is arranged on the circumference of the rotor 3 and the circumference of a rotor element 3.1, and substantially above the rotor element 3.1 such that only a filler neck 11 of the filling element 10 projects beyond the underside of the rotor element 3.1 in the enclosure 9. The rotor element 3.1 is formed circular disk-like in the illustrated embodiment and lies with its top and bottom in planes perpendicular to the machine axis MA.

The filling element 10 is formed in the usual manner known to those skilled in the art, namely. with a liquid channel 12, which is connected to its upper end via a product line 13 with a common for all filling elements 10 of the filling machine 1, but not shown Füllgutkessel on the rotor 3. At the lower end of the filling nozzle 11, the filling element 10 forms a discharge opening 14 (Füllgutauslass), from which the liquid product flows during filling the respective container 2 through its container opening in a free jet. In the interior of the liquid channel 12, a liquid valve is further provided, with which the introduced into the container 2 contents is controlled.

Each filling position 4 further has below the filler neck 11 a container carrier 15 which is provided on a bolt 16, which with his Axis parallel to the machine axis MA is pivotally provided on the rotor element 3.1. For pivoting the bolt 16, a pivot lever 16.1 is provided on the upper side of the rotor element 3.1. By pivoting the pin 16 of the container carrier 15 is movable between an operative position for holding the container 2 below the filling element 10 and a non-operative position in which the container carrier 15 is located radially to the machine axis MA laterally from the filling element 10.

The housing 9 is formed in the illustrated embodiment by a relation to the machine axis MA with the rotor 3 outside and connected to the rotor element 3.1 wall 17 and a relative to the machine axis MA radially inner wall 18, not at one with the rotor circulating machine frame is provided. The FIG. 2 shows the filling machine or their filling positions 4 in an operating state for the free jet filling of the container 2, which are held hanging on a neck or neck ring on the container carrier 15 and housed in the housing 9 for this purpose.

For CIP cleaning and / or CIP disinfection of the filling machine 1 and in particular its filling elements 10 when the rotor 3, it is necessary to provide the filling elements 10 in the region of its discharge opening 14 with a flushing cap 19.1, in such a way that for this Cleaning and / or disinfection medium used to flow through the critical channels within each filling element 10, inter alia, also from the discharge opening 14 into the flushing cap 19.1 enter and be derived therefrom. This operating state of the filling machine 1 is in the FIG. 3 shown. For closing the filling elements 4 at its discharge opening 14 and for discharging the CIP cleaning and / or sterilizing medium, each filling position is associated with a flushing cap element 19 forming a flushing cap 19.1, which essentially consists of a tubular section 21 forming a drainage channel 20 which is connected to the axis its drainage channel 20 is arranged in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the machine axis MA and at one end at the top flushing cap 19.1 and at the other end at the bottom forms a port 19.2 ( FIG. 4 ). Between the two ends of the Spülkappenelement 19 is fixed to the bolt 16 and thus can not with the bolt 16 between a effective position in which the Spülkappenelement 19 or its tube piece 21 is oriented tangentially to the circular motion of the rotor 3 and the container carrier 15 in the in the FIG. 2 is shown in the effective position shown, and one in the FIG. 3 shown rinsing or working position are pivoted. In this rinsing or working position, in which the container carrier 15 in the in the FIG. 3 is not shown effective position, the Spülkappenelement 19 is arranged with its longitudinal extent with respect to the machine axis MA radially lies with the formed at one end flushing cap 19.1 against the filling element 10 in the region of its discharge opening 14 close to and is formed with the other end Port 19.2 fluidly with a coupling 22 in the compound. This is provided on the machine frame, which does not rotate with the rotor 3, and is connected to at least one fixed vertical outlet 23, ie, not circumferential to the rotor 3. In the embodiment of the FIGS. 2 and 3 is on the machine frame further preferably a machine axis MA concentrically enclosing annular collecting channel 24 is provided, with which the couplings 22 are fluidly connected and then preferably a plurality of vertical leads 23 are connected.

It is understood that the number of couplings 23 is equal to the number of filling positions 4 or filling elements 10 and the couplings 22 are arranged at the same angular distance about the machine axis MA as the filling element 10, with respect to the machine axis MA radially within the circular path of movement on which the filling elements 10 and their vertical axes move when the rotor 3 rotates.

The FIG. 4 shows in a schematic representation and in plan view provided on the bolt 16 Spülkappenelement 19 and also arranged below this Spülkappenelementes 19 container carrier 15. Preferably, this container carrier, 15 as in the FIG. 4 Dargstellt, as well as the Spülkappenelement 19 wing-like design and has at its two radially over the bolt 16 projecting ends container receptacles 15.1 different size, so that can be processed with one and the same filling machine 1 container 2 with different neck diameter.

The FIG. 5 shows in a representation similar to the FIG. 3 a filling position 4 of the filling machine 1 in a further embodiment. In this embodiment, the housing 9 forming walls 17 and 18 are part of the non-rotating with the rotor 3 machine frame. At the sloping bottom of the enclosure 9 forming portion 17.1 of the wall 17 is an axis of its axis parallel to the machine axis MA oriented rod 25 pivotally mounted, which carries the Spülkappenelement 19 at its upper end arranged in the housing 9 end. This is in the in the FIG. 5 shown filling or working position in turn with its flushing cap 19.1 tight against the filling element 1 in the region of the discharge opening 14 and is connected to its terminal 19.2 with the coupling 22. Also in this embodiment, a fluid connection between the discharge opening 14 of the respective filling element 10 and the vertical, fixed discharge line 23 is thus made on the Spülkappenelement 19 for the discharge of the cleaning or disinfecting medium. Furthermore, in this filling machine also on the machine frame of the collecting channel 24 may be provided with a plurality of leads 23.

The FIGS. 6 and 7 show as another embodiment one of the filling positions of the filling machine 1 in the filling operation ( FIG. 6 ) as well as in the cleaning and disinfection mode. Also in this embodiment, each filling element 10 is in turn associated with a separate Spülkappenelement 19, which is held on the rotatably mounted in the rotor element 3.1 bolt 16. While in the embodiment of the FIGS. 2 and 3 the bolt 16 is connected in the middle or substantially in the middle between the two ends of the Spülkappenelementes 19 with this, the Spülkappenelement 19 in which in FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrated embodiment so eccentrically fixed at the bottom, extending into the housing 9 end such that the flush cap 19.1 forming end has a greater distance from the bolt 16 than the other end.

Instead of the couplings 22 couplings 22a are provided, specifically on a connected to the rotor 3 and rotor element 3.1 wall portion 18.1 of the housing 9. Each filling element 10 is assigned a separate coupling 22a, ie the couplings 22a are at the same angular distance as the Filling elements 10 distributed around the machine axis MA provided. On the machine frame, which does not rotate with the rotor 3, coupling elements 27 are provided on a support ring concentrically surrounding the machine axis MA, in each case on a bolt 28 which is pivotable in the support ring 26 about an axis parallel to the vertical machine axis MA, for example by means of a Levers 28.1. The coupling elements 27 are similar to the Spülkappenelementen 19 executed and each consist essentially of a fluid channel 29 having a pipe section 30 which is closed at both ends, with the axis of its channel 29 in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the machine axis MA is arranged and at one end 30.1 at the top of a connection opening and at the other end 30.2 at the bottom has a connection opening.

During the filling operation ( FIG. 6 ) Both the Spülkappenelement 19, and the additional coupling element 27 are pivoted into a non-operative position in which these elements are oriented with their longitudinal extent tangentially with respect to the direction of rotation A of the rotor 3.

For the CIP cleaning and / or CIP disinfection, which in turn is carried out with the rotor 3 stationary, both the flushing cap element 19 and the coupling element 27 are pivoted into an operative position or into a working position, in which the flushing cap element 19 is the respective filling element 10 or the discharge opening 14 via the coupling 22a and the coupling element 27 with the fixed discharge line 23 fluidly connects. It is understood that the number of coupling elements 27 is equal to the number of couplings 22a or Füllpositionen 4, and that the coupling elements 27 are also provided at the same angular distance as the couplings 22a and the filling elements 10 distributed around the machine axis MA.

The clutches 22a are preferably part of a machine axis MA concentrically enclosing and rotating with the rotor 3 ring 31, in which the collecting channel 24 is formed, which rotates in this embodiment with the rotor 3 and to which the clutches 22a are connected.

The FIGS. 8 and 9 show as a further embodiment, a filling position 4 of the filling machine 1, in the filling operation ( FIG. 8 ) and in an operating state for CIP cleaning and / or CIP disinfection ( FIG. 9 ). These in the FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrated embodiment differs from the embodiment of the FIGS. 2 and 3 essentially only in that the housing 9 forming walls 17 and 18 are provided on the machine frame not rotating with the rotor and the transition between these walls and the underside of the rotor element 3.1 respectively by a machine axis MA concentrically enclosing circular Siffon seal 32 and 33 is sealed. For the formation of the Siffon seals 32 and 33 is provided at the upper end of the wall 17 and 18 respectively open at the top and filled with a sterile liquid annular channel, in which a wegende over the underside of the rotor element 3.1 annular and the machine axis MA concentrically enclosing wall portion extends.

In all the described embodiments, the machine frame further comprises a line 34 for loading the housing 9 during the filling operation, but also during the CIP cleaning and / or CIP disinfection with a sterile gas and / or vapor medium, for example with sterile air. This medium is supplied to a distribution space at the top of the enclosure and then preferably passes through a wall 9.1 (Fig. FIGS. 2 and 3 Also shown is a fixed discharge line 35 for discharging preferably also liquid media from the housing 9. To stiffen the housing 9, a plurality of reinforcing plates 36 are furthermore provided distributed around the machine axis MA.

The FIG. 10 finally shows a filling position 4 in the operating mode for CIP cleaning and / or CIP disinfection. In this filling machine each filling element 1 is associated with the Spülkappenelement 19 corresponding Spülkappenelement 19a, which differs from the Spülkappenelement 19 essentially only in that the Spülkappenelement 19a is arranged obliquely, ie oriented with its longitudinal extent an acute angle with the perpendicular to the machine axis MA Level which is located in the working or rinsing position Spülkappenelement 19a opens radially outward relative to the machine axis MA. The Spülkappenelement 19 a is permanently connected to the coupling 22 and pivotable on this coupling about a vertical axis. The Spülkappenelement 19 a can thus by pivoting by means of a lever 37 between an inoperative position and in the FIG. 10 pivoted position shown. In this filling machine, the flushing cap elements 19.1 are provided on the machine frame which does not revolve around the rotor 3, but connect the respective filling element 10 to the fixed discharge line 23 during the CIP cleaning and / or CIP sterilization.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filling Machine

2

container

3

rotor

3.1

rotor member

4

filling position

5

external transporter

6

container inlet

7

container outlet

8th

external transporter

9

Enclosure or insulator

10

filler

11

filling

12

liquid channel

13

product line

14

discharge opening

15, 15.1

container carrier

16, 16.1

bolt

17, 18

wall

17.1, 18.1

wall section

19, 19a

Spülkappenelement

19.1, 19.2

End of the Spülkappenelementes

20

drain channel

21

pipe section

22, 22a

clutch

23

Derivation or expiration

24

collecting duct

25

pole

26

support ring

27

Coupling or connecting element

27.1, 27.2

The End

28

bolt

29

channel

30

pipe section

31

ring

32, 33

Siffondichtung

34

management

35

Derivation or expiration

36

Support panel

37

lever

A

Direction of rotation of the rotor 3

B, C

Transport direction of the conveyors 5 and 8

M

machine axis

Claims (11)

1. Filling machine for filling packaging means (2), for example bottles or similar containers with a liquid filling material, with a transport element (3) which can be driven such as to revolve about at least one machine axis (MA) and having a plurality of filling positions (4) formed on the transport element, each position comprising at least one filling element (10) forming at least one dispensing opening (14) for the filling material, as well as rinsing caps (19.1) for the filling positions (4) for a CIP cleaning and/or CIP sterilisation, wherein the rinsing caps (19.1) are formed in each case at an end of a rinsing cap element (19, 19a) and are in connection with at least one discharge channel (20) formed in the rinsing cap element (19, 19a), wherein the rinsing cap elements (19, 19a) can be moved in each case between a starting position, in which they are arranged outside the space occupied by the packaging means (2) during the filling, and a working or rinsing position, in which the respective rinsing cap (19.1) is in contact against a filling element (10), preferably in a sealing position in the region of its dispensing opening (14), wherein the discharge channel (20) formed in the respective rinsing cap element (19, 19a) opens at an end of the rinsing cap element (19, 19a) which is remote from the rinsing cap (19.1), at a connection (19.2), by means of which, in the rinsing or working position, the respective rinsing cap (19.1) and its discharge channel (20) formed in the rinsing cap element (19, 19a) are in connection with an outlet (23), which is provided on a machine frame, not circulating with the transport element (3), characterised in that, for aseptic filling, the filling positions (4) are provided in an annular enclosure or in an isolator (9), that the rinsing cap elements (19, 19a) are in each case provided on a bolt (16) and can be moved with this bolt (16), by pivoting about a bolt axis parallel or essentially parallel to the machine axis, between the starting position and the working or rinsing position, and that, provided at the bolt (16), is also at least one packaging means carrier or container carrier (15) for a suspended holding of the respective packaging means (2).
2. Filling machine according to claim 1, characterised in that a coupling (22) is provided at the transport element (3) or at the machine frame for each rinsing cap element (19, 19a), by means of which, during the CIP cleaning and/or CIP sterilisation, the connection (19.2) of the rinsing cap element (19, 19a) is in connection with the at least one outlet (23).
3. Filling machine according to claim 2, characterised in that the connection (19.2) of each rinsing cap element (19, 19a) is coupled, by the pivoting of the rinsing cap element (19, 19a) into the working or rinsing position, to the coupling (22) in order to produce a flow connection.
4. Filling machine according to claim 2, characterised in that rinsing cap element (19a) is permanently connected to the coupling (22) and can be pivoted at the coupling (22) about a vertical axis.
5. Filling machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the rinsing cap element (19, 19a) is formed from a tube piece (21) or is configured as a tube-like element, which comprises the discharge channel (20), and that the rinsing cap (19.1) and the connection (19.2) are formed at opposed ends of the rinsing cap element (19, 19a) and/or at mutually opposed regions of a circumferential wall of the rinsing cap element (19, 19a).
6. Filling machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the rinsing cap elements (19, 19a) are provided at the transport element (3) or at a part (3.1) of the transport element which circulates with the transport element.
7. Filling machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised by a collection channel (24) formed at the transport element (3) or at the machine frame, with which the couplings (22), and therefore the discharge channels (20), of the rinsing cap elements (19, 19a) are in connection in the working or rinsing position, wherein the collection channel (24), at least during the CIP cleaning and/or CIP sterilisation, is connected to at least one fixed outlet (23).
8. Filling machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the couplings (22, 22a) are provided at a ring (31) surrounding the machine axis (MA) or are formed by this.
9. Filling machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that, with the arrangement of the couplings (22a) or of the ring (31) forming these couplings (22a) at the transport element (3), additional coupling elements (27) are provided at the machine frame, which, during the CIP cleaning and/or CIP sterilisation, connect the couplings (22a) in each case to at least one fixed outlet (23) or to the collection channel (24) which comprises the fixed outlets (23), and that the coupling elements (27) can be moved between a non-effective position, in which they are arranged outside the movement space of the couplings (22a) moved with the transport element (3), and a working position, in which the coupling elements (27) are connected in flow manner to the couplings (22) and to the at least one outlet (23) or to the collection channel (24).
10. Filling machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the rinsing cap elements (19, 19a) can be pivoted about an axis parallel or essentially parallel to the machine axis (MA), and in the working position are arranged with their longitudinal extension radial or essentially radial to the machine axis (MA).
11. Filling machine according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that each filling position (4) comprises a container carrier (15, 15a), which, at the movement or pivoting of the associated rinsing cap element (19, 19a), is moved between an effective position for holding the containers (2) and a non-effective position.

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