EP3015417B1 - Device for introducing a medium into a container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for introducing a medium into a container according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding method.

State of the art

Devices for introducing a medium into a container are known in particular from the beverage processing industry.

For this purpose, usually machines are used, which may be formed, for example, as rotary machines and include a carousel in which the not yet filled containers are introduced into filling stations and filled in these. For this purpose, either via the container corresponding filling valves are positioned or retracted into this. The filling valves then fill the container with the medium. This medium is, for example, the product to be filled into the container.

From the DE 19855975 C1 is a Getränkefüllorgan with return gas pipe according to the preamble of claim 1 known. When filling the product special requirements are made in terms of cleanliness around and in the opening of the container, which can be met only with great effort.

task

Starting from the prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for introducing a medium into a container, which allows a possible pollution-free introduction of medium into a container.

solution

This object is achieved by the device according to claim 1 and the method according to claim 14. Advantageous developments of the invention are covered in the subclaims.

In this case, according to the invention, the term "indirect magnetic drive means" is a drive means to understand in which only the drive member is driven or actively moved, and this movement is transmitted to the lance member due to the magnetic or electromagnetic interaction of the drive member with the lance member. It is provided that the lance part and the drive part are spatially separated from each other and in particular no contact of these parts takes place, so that the transmission of the movement of the drive member to the lance member exclusively by the magnetic or electromagnetic interaction of the parts with each other.

In particular, the device according to the invention allows a medium (in particular a gaseous medium for sterilizing) to be introduced in a region which is separate from the environment, since the movement of the lance part can also take place without mechanical connection to the drive part. Thus, special conditions can be realized in terms of sterility or sterility or cleanliness in the opening of the container. In addition, the use of lubricant can be dispensed with in the area of the lance.

According to the present invention, the device is characterized in that the lance can be rotated by the drive means. The rotation can be advantageous, in particular, when the container is being cleaned, since the introduced cleaning medium can thus be better distributed.

In one embodiment, the lance and the lance member are disposed in a tube and movable along the longitudinal axis of the tube and the drive member is disposed outside of the tube and movable along the longitudinal axis of the tube. This tube can enclose the region of the opening of the container and thus create an at least partially isolated from the environment environment in which the medium is introduced into the container.

In a development of this embodiment, the device is characterized in that the drive part is connected to a drive, wherein the drive part can be moved by the drive along the tube. The movement of the drive part can thus be converted into the movement of the lance part together with the lance inside the tube.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the drive comprises an arm movably connected to the drive part, wherein the arm is movably arranged along a control cam via a control roller and the movement of the control roller along the control curve can be transmitted to a movement of the drive part along the tube. This embodiment is particularly maintenance-free and does not require additional drive motors, so that malfunctions can be avoided.

In an advantageous development, the device is characterized in that the control cam is arranged stationary on the carousel. The rotational movement of the carousel relative to the guide can thus be converted into a movement of the arm, so that control units for controlling the movement of the individual arms of the treatment stations can be omitted.

In another embodiment, the arm is connected to a spring element that biases the arm in an initial position. For example, the return of the arm can be facilitated in the starting position.

In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, the drive part is designed as a magnet encompassing the lance part. This embodiment allows the indirect driving of the lance member regardless of how the lance member is aligned relative to the drive part, in particular twisted.

It is advantageous if the lance part is arranged at one end of the lance and a nozzle is arranged at the other end of the lance, wherein the medium can be passed from a reservoir through the lance to the nozzle. Impurities of the lance part by in particular liquid medium exiting the nozzle can be avoided.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the medium is a sterilizing gas and / or the medium is the product to be filled into the container. The invention can thus be applied to the cleaning of the container and to the filling of the container.

In a development of the preceding embodiment, the control cam encloses the axis of rotation of the carousel and the shape of the guide is continuous.

According to a further embodiment of the device, it is provided that the drive means comprises a linear drive or a servo drive. This alternative embodiment allows targeted control of the movement of the drive part of the magnetic drive means in each treatment station.

In a preferred development of this embodiment, the lance part is mounted in a guide arranged in the tube, wherein the guide is designed to effect a rotation of the first lance part relative to the tube during the movement of the lance part along the longitudinal axis of the tube. Thus, the rotation of the lance can be achieved without additional drive means alone by the magnetic interaction of the first and drive member to each other and the lance member predetermined by the guide movement along the tube.

Furthermore, the device may be characterized in that the lance part is mounted with a lubricant-free storage, in particular with a four-point ball bearing in the guide. Undesirable impurities within the tube can thus be avoided.

The method of the invention is according to claim 14. In one embodiment, a sterilizing gas or product is introduced into the container through the lance.

It can be provided that the lance is moved along a longitudinal axis of a pipe and is introduced for introducing the medium into the container and then pulled out.

In a development of this embodiment, it is provided that the lance is rotated during the introduction. This embodiment of the method according to the invention allows, in particular when introducing a cleaning medium, a reliable distribution of the medium within the container.

Brief description of the figures

FIG. 1

schematic representation of a device according to the invention

FIG. 2

schematic representation of a treatment station

FIG. 3a

Perspective view of a treatment station according to an embodiment

FIG. 3b

enlarged view of the head area of the treatment station according to FIG. 3a

FIG. 4a

Side view of the treatment station with lance retracted into a container

FIG. 4b

Top view of the treatment station FIG. 4a

Figure 4c

Side view of the treatment station with lance pulled out of a container

FIG. 4d

Top view of the treatment station Figure 4c

Figure 4e

schematic representation of the position of the treatment stations off FIG. 4a and Figure 4c in relation to a control curve

FIG. 5a

schematic top view of a pipe of a treatment station according to an embodiment in which the lance is rotatable

FIG. 5b

Perspective view of the embodiment with rotary drive for the lance

Detailed description

FIG. 1 shows a device 100 according to the invention, which is designed for filling a medium into containers, in particular flexible containers such as bags 103. For this purpose, the device 100 comprises a carousel 101 rotatably mounted on a frame 102 with a plurality of treatment stations 110. While the embodiment is preferred as a rotatable carousel (rotation axis R), of course, embodiments are also conceivable in which a linear device is provided (Linearfüller o .ä.), in which the containers are filled in individual stations, and does not rotate.

For example, the containers may be mounted in the device 100 to brackets 112 which are in the form of brackets and which engage the sides of the containers.

In accordance with the invention, lances 111 can then be introduced into the containers 103 and a medium introduced through them. This is shown schematically by the position of the lances at different positions of the machine with respect to the direction of rotation. The lance shown in the middle has moved into the container, the lances to the right of the center have not yet retracted and the lances to the left of the center are moved out of the containers again in this illustration. The lances 111 need not necessarily be introduced into the container 103. It is also sufficient if the lances 111 and a corresponding outlet opening for the medium are positioned above the opening of the container 103.

It is inventively provided that the lances 111 to the container or bag 103 and can be moved away from them, wherein the drive of the lances 111 via a in the FIG. 1 not yet shown in detail indirect magnetic drive means. In this case, "indirectly" according to the invention means that a driving force of, for example, a motor or the like is not translated directly into a movement of the lance, but rather an indirect transmission via at least one magnetic or electromagnetic interaction, such that a first part of the indirect magnetic Drive means, the is connected to the lance (hereinafter also called lance part), by a second part (drive part) of the magnetic drive means, which in turn is driven, can be moved. In this case, the lance part and the drive part of the indirect magnetic drive means are connected to each other indirectly only via magnetic or electromagnetic interaction. A mechanical connection or a mechanical contact of the first and drive part is preferably not carried out.

In addition shows FIG. 2 a schematic view of a treatment station for illustrating the basic principle of the indirect magnetic drive means.

In FIG. 2 a treatment station 110 is shown. This comprises a tube 220, which is shown here in cross section. The lance 221 extends through the interior of the tube 220 ..

The lance 221 is connected to the lance part 223 of the indirect magnetic drive means, for example via screw connections. The lance part 223 is movable within the tube, wherein at least one movement along the longitudinal axis, ie into the container and out of the container 103 is also possible.

Furthermore, a media supply 224 is shown, in which the medium to be introduced into the container, in particular a gaseous cleaning or sterilization medium, is provided. The lance as a component here only extends into the region of the lance part 223 and ends at the upper end of the lance part. Here, the lance upwards, so be open in the direction of the media supply or a valve may be provided.

The space in the tube 220 above the lance portion may be at least partially filled with the medium to be introduced into the container when the lance is retracted into the container, so that the medium can be passed from this area through the lance into the container. For this purpose, the opening of the media supply for introducing the medium into the region of the pipe can be controlled in dependence on the position of the lance, so that the medium is introduced before the lance is introduced into the container.

The lance portion 223 is indirectly magnetically coupled to a drive portion 222 of the indirect magnetic drive means. The driving part 222 is disposed outside the tube 220 and movable along the tube. The drive part 222 is moved via a drive 241, which is shown here only by dashed lines. Due to the indirect magnetic coupling of the lance part 223 with the drive part 222, a movement of the drive part 222 is converted into a movement of the lance part 223.

FIG. 3a shows a more detailed view of a preferred embodiment of the invention according to the principle FIG. 2 ,

In this embodiment, the lance 221 for introducing the medium into the container 103 is disposed in the tube 220 together with the lance portion 221 of the indirect magnetic drive means. The lance 221 is connected to the lance part 223 of the indirect magnetic drive means, wherein the lance part is movably mounted together with the lance 221 within the tube 220.

At the lower end of the tube 220 may be provided an opening portion 266 into which the opening of the container 103 is guided. In this case, the opening portion 266, the opening of the container 103 also completely enclose, so that an isolation of the opening portion of the container 103 takes place from the surrounding atmosphere. The filling of the medium can be done under as germ-free conditions as possible.

Outside the tube 220, the drive part 222 of the indirect magnetic drive means is arranged. This part is also movable along the tube 220. For this purpose, the drive part 222 may be mounted, for example, in a guide on the outside of the tube 220. By using a corresponding guide, the correct up and down movement of the drive member along the tube can be ensured. In particular, low-friction types of guidance, such as a guide rail and a four-point ball bearing mounted therein may be used.

However, this is not necessarily the case. The drive member 222 may also be located a slight distance, for example 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm or 2.0 mm from the outside 220 of the tube and be movable along the longitudinal axis of the tube.

In this case, the drive part 222, for example, as a hollow cylinder, the tube 220 completely or at least partially enclose. In a corresponding embodiment, the drive member 222 extends completely around the tube 220 shown here. However, the drive member may also consist of individual, for example, cuboidal elements, which may be evenly distributed over the circumference of the tube 220 or at certain, possibly unevenly distributed locations can be arranged.

In order to move the lance 221 within the tube 220, it is provided that the drive part 222 is connected to a drive 241, which drives the drive part 222 along the longitudinal axis of the Tube 220 moves. The in FIG. 3a shown drive 241 is itself movable. The movement of the drive 241 can be translated into a movement of the drive part 222.

The movement of the drive part 222 indirectly also moves the lance part due to the magnetic or electromagnetic interaction between the lance part and the drive part, so that the lance 221 can also be moved into or out of the container 103 into the container 103.

It is according to the in FIG. 3a illustrated embodiment, that the driving part 222 is connected to an arm 226 of the drive 241. In this case, the arm can be connected via a movable connection with the drive part 222 or be articulated thereto.

For this purpose, it can be provided that the arm 226 is formed as a double rocker 246 at least in the area in which it is articulated on the drive part 222. So he can attack on the drive part 222 on both sides. On each side corresponding bearings 245 may be provided which connect the region of the double rocker 246 with the drive part 222. The connection to the drive part 222 can be done for example indirectly via the sleeve 247, in which the bearings 245 can be arranged. This form of connection of the arm 226 to the drive member 222 is particularly stable and prevents possible misalignment during movement of the drive member.

The arm 226 may additionally be connected to a guide arm 227, the guide arm 227 being articulated at a point 228. The guide arm 227 is rotatably supported about the point 228. Also, the guide arm 227 may be formed both at the pivot point on the arm 226 and at the pivot point 228 as a double rocker. The articulation point 228 can be arranged, for example, on the tube 220. Also in the articulation point 228, a corresponding bearing for rotatably supporting the guide arm 227 may be provided. A movement of the arm 226 can thus be stabilized and / or guided by the guide arm 227.

The guide arm 227 may be connected to the arm 226 either in another articulation point or movably mounted along a guide provided in the arm 226. The articulation of the guide arm 227 at point 228 defines a certain range of motion for the arm 226.

Furthermore, in the embodiment according to FIG. 3a provided that the arm 226 is disposed on a carriage 280 which is movably supported along a support 229. It can be provided here that the arm 226 is formed in the region of the connection with the carriage 280 as a double rocker. This compound ensures high stability.

The support (support arm) 229 may be connected to the tube 220 and fix the entire treatment station to the carousel. For this purpose, for example, a screw 232 may be provided. The fixation can also be done via other means of attachment. The arm 226 may be arranged on the carriage 280, for example by means of a ball joint, as in FIG. 3a represented by the reference numeral 243. On the carriage 280, a control roller 230 is further arranged.

The control roller may for example be rotatably mounted on a support or pin. This pin may be immovably connected to the carriage 280. The movement of the carriage along the support may be limited by a stop 264 in at least one direction.

This control roller can rotate along a control cam, which is arranged stationary relative to the carousel. In order to ensure the contact of the control roller 230 with the cam, a spring element 225 may be connected to the carriage, wherein the spring element 225 may bias the carriage and thus the control roller 230 against the corresponding control cam. The spring element 225 may be arranged around the support 229. A possible embodiment of the control cam is shown in the schematic plan view Figure 4e shown.

The use of the stop 264 can be used here in an advantageous manner to specify the maximum penetration depth of the lance into the container. Since the spring element 225 biases the carriage into a position in which the lance is retracted into the container, wherein the spring element 225 pushes the carriage in the direction of the stop 264, by selecting the dimensions of the stop 264 in the direction of movement of the carriage 280 the Movement of the carriage 280 may be limited at a certain point, so that further movement of the carriage beyond this point (beyond the stop) is impossible, thereby avoiding further retraction of the lance in the container. Thus, the maximum penetration depth of the lance into the container can also be predetermined independently of the control curve. Thus, the control cam in a region in which the lance is retracted into the container for introducing the medium, have a gap or be further away from the carriage 280 and the control roller 230 than the stop 264, so that the carriage together with the Tax role against the stop is running.

While the spring element 225 is connected on one side to the carriage 280, it can be provided that the other side of the spring element 225 is connected either to the support 229 or to the tube 220.

By a suitable choice of the control curve, for example, about the axis of rotation R of in FIG. 1 and 4e can be arranged, the movement profile for the drive part 222 and thus also the movement profile for the lance 221 can be specified without complex control devices would be necessary.

To avoid jerky movements of the lance 221, it is particularly advantageous if the control cam 231 has a shape that can be described at least in sections by mathematical functions that are continuous at each point. It is particularly preferred if the functions describing the control curve 231 are continuous even up to the first derivative.

The tube 220 may further be associated with a media supply 224. In the media supply, the medium to be introduced, in particular a sterilizing gas, can be provided. The medium can fill the space in the tube to the lance part and flow through an opening of the lance at the top, the media supply side facing the lance part in the lance, for example by a higher pressure compared to the ambient pressure of the medium in the tube is applied.

FIG. 3b shows the head portion of the treatment station according to the embodiment FIG. 3a with the media supply 224 in a more detailed representation, wherein the drive part 222 and the lance part 223 together with the lance 221 here also in this area of the tube 220 are moved. In the media supply 224, a cavity, in particular a conduit can be provided, through which the medium to be introduced into the lance 221 can be passed. The introduction of the medium can be done for example by the illustrated valve 274.

In one embodiment, it can be provided that upon each upward movement of the lance by opening the valve 274 in the region of the media supply 224, the medium to be introduced into the container is introduced into the lance through the valve. When the lance is again moved away from the media supply 224 in the direction of the container, the valve can be closed and the media supply through the media supply 224 can be interrupted. According to this embodiment, the lance would thus be introduced into the container medium of transport the media supply 224 into the container, with the lance 221 not permanently connected to the media supply.

Further shows FIG. 3b a more detailed view of the drive part 222 and the lance part 223. The with reference to FIG. 3a described connection between the drive, in particular the arm 226, and the drive member 222 is shown in more detail here. When executing the arm 226 as a double rocker engages each part of the double rocker left or right on the drive member 222. Here it is connected to the drive part 222 via, for example, screw connections or bolts 245. The bearing of the double rocker on the drive part 222 is preferably movable, in particular rotatable. Thus, upon movement of the arm 226, it can be ensured that the drive member 222 can be moved along the tube.

Additionally is in FIG. 3b illustrated that the drive member 222 is surrounded by a sheath 263. In particular, the drive part can be encapsulated by the casing on all outer surfaces pointing away from the pipe 220. Impurities of the drive part can be prevented. Furthermore, the sheath may consist of diamagnetic material in order to localize the magnetic fields of the drive part 222 and the lance part 223 as possible in the region of the tube.

The embodiment of the indirect magnetic drive means according to FIG. 3a and 3b is not mandatory. It can also be provided that the drive part 222 is movable via a servo drive along the tube 220 along the arrow direction shown. It can also be provided that the drive part 222 forms a linear drive together with the lance part 223, wherein the drive part 222 may be formed as a plurality of electromagnets which are fixedly mounted outside of the tube 220. By controlling the individual electromagnets, a movement of the lance part 223 can then be realized together with the lance 221.

In this case, a separate control device can be provided for each treatment station 110, which controls the electromagnets, so that in each treatment station 110 an optionally individual movement profile of the lance part 223 together with the lance 221 can be achieved. This is particularly advantageous when in accordance with the device FIG. 1 during a treatment cycle different containers, which vary in size, for example, to be treated.

The lance part consists or comprises a permanent magnet. The drive member may also include a permanent magnet, but also be designed as an electromagnet or include this.

In principle, the medium used can be, for example, a gaseous medium such as hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) for sterilizing the inner region of the container 103 or the product to be filled into the container 103. However, other gaseous media may also be used for sterilization. Furthermore, the device can also be used to inflate the bag by means of introduced air. Alternatively, the device can also be used to fill a product to be filled into the container / bag.

In particular when using a gaseous medium, provision may be made for the tube 220 to extend at least around the opening region of the container 103 arranged in the treatment station 110. Furthermore, it can be provided that by means of a corresponding outlet opening of the lance or by an air or media supply within the tube 220 in the tube and in the region of the opening of the container 103, an at least slight overpressure compared with the pressure outside of the treatment station 110 is applied, so that no Air from the environment in the opening portion of the container 103 penetrates. Thus, the introduction of the medium can be carried out by the lance 221 under germ-free conditions as possible. This embodiment can be advantageously used to realize the filling of the product into the container 103 by a corresponding treatment station 110 under as germ-free conditions as possible.

FIG. 4a shows a treatment station according to the embodiment according to FIG. 3 with lance retracted into the container. FIG. 4b is a top view of the treatment station FIG. 4a , Further shows Figure 4c the treatment station with lance pulled out of the container and FIG. 4d a corresponding plan view of the treatment station. In Figure 4e is a schematic plan view of the carousel shown with a control cam to illustrate the sequence of movement.

In the arrangement 250 in FIG. 4a the lance 221 has retracted into the container 103 and has passed or introduced the medium. The carriage 280 is in this state close to the stop 264, wherein the control roller can either contact with the cam 231 or not in contact therewith and is pressed by the spring element against the control cam 231 or the stop. This is equivalent to the fact that the distance of the control cam 231 to the rotation axis R of the carousel in accordance with FIG. 1 is smallest (see also Fig. 4e ).

After the medium has been introduced into the container 103, the lance is now pulled piecewise or continuously out of the container 103. In order for the lance 221 to be moved out of the container 103, the lance part 223 has to be moved away from the container 103 along the tube 220. Accordingly, the driving part 222 must be moved away from the container. To accomplish this, the arm 226 must be moved toward the tube 220. This is achieved by the control roller is moved away by the control cam 231 of the rotational axis R of the carousel, against the spring tension of the spring element. In the in Figure 4c illustrated situation 250 'is therefore the distance of the control cam 231 to the axis of rotation R of the carousel is greater than the distance in the in FIG. 4a illustrated situation.

As in Figure 4c As can be seen, the carriage was also moved away from the stop 264 (along the support), so that the arm 226 was rotated about the joint 243 (for example, a ball joint) and moved to the illustrated, erected position. Likewise, there was a movement of the drive part 222, so that the lance part is indirectly driven and the lance is moved out of the container.

In Figure 4c the lance 221 has reached the furthest outside of the container 103 at the end of the movement.

The corresponding distances of the control cam to the axis of rotation in the position 250 according to FIG. 4a and 250 'according to Figure 4c are schematic in Figure 4e shown.

During the extraction of the lance 221 from the container 103, especially when using this device for introducing a cleaning medium such as hydrogen peroxide through an outlet opening in the lance 221 at the lower end (the end which is also retracted into the container 103), the application of Medium are continued, so that the opening portion of the container initially does not come into contact with the normal surrounding air.

FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of the indirect magnetic drive means. This is in FIG. 5a a cross section through the tube, as shown schematically in FIG. 2 is shown. While in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 and the embodiment as shown in Figure 3a to 3b has been described, the tube 220 can have any cross-section, which can be square or round, for example, in the embodiment according to FIG. 5 a round inner cross section of the tube 220 is provided. Within the tube, the lance part 223 of the indirect magnetic drive means for the lance 221 is arranged. The lance part 223 is shown here as a hollow cylinder, which via connecting elements 460 with the lance 221st is firmly connected. The lance part 223 need not be formed as a hollow cylinder, it may also be composed of individual elements. Thus, for example, one or more cuboidal elements may be provided, which are arranged in the tube 220, along a guide. These are then connected in each case via connecting elements 460 with the lance 221. According to the embodiment in FIG FIG. 5 is the drive part 222 of the indirect magnetic drive element in FIG. 5a also arranged as a hollow cylinder completely around the tube 220. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5 it is necessary that the driving part 222 completely surrounds the tube 220. Although the outer cross section of the tube 220 and the inner cross section of the drive member 222 need not be round as shown, but so canting can be avoided.

FIG. 5b shows a schematic view of the inner portion of the tube 220, wherein the tube 220 and the drive part 222 of the indirect magnetic drive means are here only dashed and transparent represent, so as not to endanger the clarity. In FIG. 5b the lance part 223 is shown schematically by means of two cuboids. In the embodiment according to FIG. 5b the lance part 223 is connected via guide elements 451 to a guide 450 arranged inside the tube 220. This can be designed as a helical line. By providing this guidance and guiding the lance part 223 by means of the guide elements 451 during a movement along the illustrated double arrow, a rotation of the lance 221 can be ensured. As a result of the up and down movement of the drive part 222 outside of the tube 220, the up and down movement of the lance part 223 within the tube 220 can be superimposed on a rotational movement of the lance part 223 corresponding to the shape of the guide 450.

In this case, the guide 450 does not have to be formed as a helical line, but may, for example, also comprise straight sections and differently curved sections. This embodiment is particularly advantageous when cleaning the container with cleaning medium, since the lance and in particular one or the outlet openings, which are introduced into the container, according to the invention can be rotated. If, for example, a plurality of outlet openings are arranged on the circumference of the lance, then they can treat by rotation the inner surface of the container at different exit angles of the medium. This can ensure that the cleaning is as complete and effective as possible, especially since flexible bags, for example, wrinkles can be treated from different angles with the cleaning medium.

Since the rotation of the lance or outlets for the medium may be desired only within the container, it may be provided that during movement of the lance onto the container to the guide 450 comprises a straight portion which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 220 and a shape corresponding to a screw thread (helix) only in the area in which the lance member 223 must be rotated to also allow rotation of the lance while at least partially inserted in the container.

In the FIG. 5b shown guide elements 451 are preferably formed lubricant-free, in order to prevent contamination of the opening area and in particular the inner region of the container. For this example, four-point ball bearings can be used.

While the above embodiments have been described in all terms using a tube in which the lance and the lance member are arranged, the tube may also be dispensed with and only one guide for the lance portion of the indirect magnetic drive means may be provided instead of the tube by moving the drive member by means of one of the drives described above, an indirect drive of the lance member and the associated lance can be realized.

Since the lance part is only indirectly connected together with the lance to the drive part of the indirect magnetic drive means, there is a risk that the lance part will fall down together with the lance due to the gravitational force acting on it. In order to prevent this, the lance part can be pretensioned analogously to the drive part by a spring element which can be arranged, for example, in the tube. This can also serve a flexible hose, which is connected to the reservoir and the lance and through which the medium to be introduced into the container is passed. Furthermore, the field strength of the prevailing between the first and the driving part of the magnetic field can be chosen so that it can compensate for the forces acting on the lance and the lance part gravitational force and "float" these elements.

Claims (17)

1. Apparatus (100) for passing a medium into a container (103), for example a flexible pouch, with a rotatable carousel (101) and one or more treatment stations (110) with a movable lance (221) that can be inserted into the container and a slot for a container, wherein an indirect magnetic drive means for moving the lance (221) is provided, wherein a lance part (223) of the magnetic drive means is joined with the lance (221) and a drive part (222) of the magnetic drive means is indirectly magnetically coupled with the lance part (223), characterized in that the lance (221) is arranged such that it can be rotated by means of the magnetic drive means.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the lance (221) and the lance part (223) are arranged in a tube (220) and are movable along the longitudinal axis of the tube and the drive part (222) is arranged outside the tube and movable along the longitudinal axis of the tube.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive part (222) is connected with a drive (241) by which the drive part (222) can be moved alongside the tube (220).
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive (241) comprises an arm (226) that is movably connected with the drive part, wherein the arm is arranged movably along a control cam (231) via a cam roll and movement of the cam roll along the control cam is transferred into a movement of the drive part (223) along the tube.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control cam (231) is stationary arranged to the carousel (101).
6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the arm (226) is connected with a spring element (225) that pretensions the arm in an initial position.
7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the drive part (222) is embodied as a magnet embracing the lance part (223).
8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lance part (222) is arranged at one end of the lance (221) and a nozzle is arranged at the other end of the lance, wherein the medium can be led from a reservoir (224) through the lance to the nozzle.
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the medium is a sterilizing gas or the medium is the product that is to be filled into the container.
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the control cam (223) encloses the axis of rotation (R) of the carousel (101) and the shape of the control cam is continuous.
11. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the magnetic drive means comprise a linear drive or a servo drive.
12. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the lance part (223) is mounted in a guide (450) arranged in the tube (220), wherein the guide is adapted to cause a rotation of the lance part (222) relative to the tube while the movement of the lance part along the longitudinal axis of the tube.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the lance part is mounted in the guide (450) by means of a lubricant-free bearing (451), especially a four-point ball bearing.
14. Method for passing a medium into a container (103), for example a flexible pouch, wherein a lance (221) passes the medium into the container, characterized in that the lance (221) is indirectly magnetically moved into the container in order to introduce the medium, wherein the apparatus (100) according to claim 1 is used for passing the medium into the container.
15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that a sterilizing gas or a product is passed into the container via the lance.
16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the lance (221) is moved along a longitudinal axis of a tube (220) and introduced into the container (103) for passing the medium and, subsequently, is pulled out.
17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the lance (221) is rotated while the passing.

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