EP3041746A1

EP3041746A1 - Device for flow rate control

Info

Publication number: EP3041746A1
Application number: EP14744851.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Richard Heuser
Original assignee: SIG Technology AG
Current assignee: SIG Services AG
Priority date: 2013-09-04
Filing date: 2014-07-30
Publication date: 2016-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-30
Also published as: JP6441933B2; CN105517907A; US20160221700A1; EP3041746B1; JP2016532609A; RU2016112471A; MX2016002315A; DE102013109633A1; WO2015032555A1; AU2014317410A1; CN105517907B

Abstract

A device (19) for controlling the flow rate of flowable products, in particular foodstuffs, is shown and described, comprising: a valve rod (1), a sealing element (5), which is connected to the valve rod (1) and has at least one sealing lip (9), the sealing element (5) having a base plane (11) and a contact plane (10) with the sealing lip (9) arranged in the contact plane (10), and a run-out element (13) with a stop plane (14) and with at least one run-out channel (17), the stop plane (14) having at least one sealing region (15), assigned to the sealing lip (9), and at least one run-out region (16), connected to the run-out channel (17). In order to allow the filling of flowable products to be performed without dripping and in a way that involves low cost and a simple construction, it is proposed that the contact plane (10) is at a distance from the base plane (11) so as to form an offset between the sealing lip (9) and the base plane (11).

Description

Device for controlling the flow rate

The invention relates to a device for controlling the flow rate of flowable products, in particular of foods, comprising: a

Valve rod, a connected to the valve rod sealing element with at least one sealing lip, wherein the sealing element has a ground plane and a contact plane, wherein the sealing lip is arranged in the contact plane; and a

Outlet element with a stop plane and with at least one outlet channel, wherein the stop plane has at least one sealing region associated with the sealing lip and at least one outlet region connected to the outlet channel

The invention also relates to the use of such a device for the filling of food, in particular for the aseptic filling of

Food. When filling flowable products - such as foods such as fruit juices or milk - it is desirable and necessary to be able to regulate the flow rate. The control of the flow rate often takes place through the following sequence: First, the flowable products are filled in a tank; which has several outlets to different packing tracks At each of these outputs, the flow rate can be adjusted by a reducing valve. Seen in the flow direction, a metering valve is arranged behind the reducing valve with the aid of which the flow rate can be increased or decreased or the flow can be completely interrupted. For constructive reasons, however, it is often not possible, the metering valve at the end of

Flow line, ie immediately before the exit of the flowable products from the filling machine to arrange. Instead, at this point usually nozzles are arranged on the product to be filled and the volume of

Packaging are matched and can be easily replaced. These Arrangement of valve and nozzle, however, has the consequence that when shut off

As the metering valve is tightly sealed, the remaining amount does not run out of the nozzle, but remains - as in a pipette - in the flow path between the metering valve and the outlet of the Jet.

However, there is a risk that individual drops detach from the nozzle and contaminate, for example, the packaging or the filling machine. This can result in that the packaging, for example a cardboard / plastic composite packaging, is contaminated in the area in which it is to be closed later by welding. In the area of contamination, however, no reliable weld between the walls of the packaging can be generated more, so that the packaging can not be sealed tight and must be sorted out. If the leak is not detected immediately, the leaky packaging may fail

Processing steps or transport contaminate parts of the filling machine or other packaging. Since many foods must be filled under sterile, ie germ-free conditions, such contamination of the filling machine can make a complicated cleaning and re-sterilization of the entire filling machine required. Bottling can not occur during this time, resulting in lost production. Contamination of other packaging, on the other hand, can result in larger units or pallets of packaging becoming unsaleable.

Even single drops, which uncontrollably detach from the nozzle of a filling machine, can therefore cause considerable problems. Therefore, different attempts have already been made to prevent the detachment of drops from the nozzle of a filling plant. From EP 0400368 Bl it is known, for example, the Nachfliegen and

Dripping of product residues in the filling of flowable products by the targeted use of vibration to prevent. It is suggested that

Tappet to connect with a vibration unit. The vibration unit can move the valve lifter up and down in the axial direction so that a vibration occurs. The stroke of the valve lifter is considerably smaller during vibration than the stroke for opening and closing the valve lifter. In addition, constructive measures ensure that the closing function of the valve tappet is maintained during the vibration. The vibrations are intended to shake off adhering product residues that have not already detached during the closing process.

The solution known from EP 0400 368 B1 has several disadvantages. First, the described solution requires a high design effort: First, a drive must be provided for generating the vibrations and, secondly, it must be ensured that the vibration does not affect the closing function of the valve. Another disadvantage is the proposed solution in that vibrations cause dynamic loads on the machine. This can result in increased maintenance and a shorter life of the machine. Vibrations are also undesirable for acoustic reasons. In addition, the parallel-connected flow paths of the outlet channels of the outlet element in such a "Abschüttelprozess" emptied differently, which may be due to the random location of solid particles contained in the contents. This may result in unwanted Füllhöhendifferenzen. An alternative solution for preventing run-off and dripping of products to be filled is known from DE 3229 162 A1. It is proposed to connect a liquid filling needle with a cylindrical space in which a displaceable piston is arranged. By displacing the piston, the volume of the Interior enlarged or reduced. The idea is to move the piston after shutting off the valve in such a way that the interior of the cylinder is enlarged Shut off remaining in the filling needle liquid is sucked back into the cylindrical space and thus can not drip out of the filling needle.

The solution known from DE 3229 162 A1 also has the disadvantage of

complicated structural design. In particular, a separate piston and a drive associated with this piston must be provided for the sucking back of the liquid to be filled. In addition, the relative movement between the piston and the cylindrical interior requires on the one hand a good seal and on the other hand a low friction between the two components; However, both can be difficult to reconcile with the filling of liquid foods, such as yogurt. Another disadvantage is the limited suitability for very fast filling operations. For today's required filling capacity of 24,000 or more packages per hour, for example, results in 6 parallel

switched packing intervals in the machine cycle times of about one second.

Accordingly, only a few tenths of a second of time are available for the filling process within a station in the respective packaging web, for which a device according to DE 32 29 162 A1 is too slow

The invention is therefore based on the object to design the above-mentioned and previously described device in such a way and further, that the drop-free filling of flowable products is made possible in a cost-effective and structurally simple manner.

This object is achieved in a device according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the contact plane is spaced from the ground plane, so that an offset arises between the sealing lip and the ground plane

A device according to the invention initially comprises a valve rod and a sealing element connected to the valve rod with at least one sealing lip. The valve rod can directly or indirectly so on other components, with the

Be connected sealing element. About the valve rod, the sealing element be controlled and, for example, raised or lowered onto the surface to be sealed. The sealing element has a ground plane and a contact plane. The contact plane is the plane in which the lowest edge of the sealing lip lies; that is to say that region of the sealing lip which first touches the surface to be sealed when it is placed on. Furthermore, a device according to the invention comprises an outlet element with a stop plane and with a plurality

Outlet channels. The stop plane is that plane which is assigned to the sealing element. For sealing, the sealing lips of the

Sealing element therefore pressed onto the stop plane of the outlet element The outlet channels serve the products to be filled as an outlet; they lead from the stop plane towards the bottom of the outlet element. The stop level can be subdivided into different areas: the sealing area and the outlet areas. The sealing area is assigned to the sealing lip and serves as a stop. In the outlet areas, however, are the inputs of the

Outlet channels.

According to the invention, the contact plane is spaced from the ground plane so that an offset occurs between the sealing lip and the ground plane. The invention has accordingly recognized; Instead of a sealing element with a smooth, flat bottom to use a sealing element with a profiled bottom. The projecting edge of the sealing lip lies in the contact plane. Between the sealing lips form cavities whose back walls reach back to a level called the ground plane. By the contact plane and the ground plane are not identical, but arranged offset, a certain depth of the cavities is ensured

The inventive design of the sealing element is achieved that the size of the offset, so the depth - and thus the volume - of the cavities can be varied depending on the contact force of the sealing element. For example, in a first step, the sealing element can be pressed very firmly onto the outlet element, with the result that the flowable products to be filled are no longer penetrated by the Device can flow. Due to the high contact pressure and the elasticity of the sealing lips, the sealing lips deform in such a way that the offset between the ground plane and the contact plane is reduced. As a result, the volume of the cavities lying between the sealing lips is likewise reduced. In this first position, a certain amount of flowable products to be filled remains in the outlet channels of the outlet element, forming a flow front at the bottom of the outlet element

Flow front beyond the bottom of the outlet element, so that there is a risk of droplet formation The inventive design of the sealing element now allows that the sealing element is pressed in a second step a little less firmly on the outlet element. In this second position, a sealing effect is still ensured so that the flowable products to be filled can not flow through the device, However, the offset between the ground plane and the contact plane - and thus the volume of the cavities - has again increased slightly in this position This ensures that a portion of the flowable products to be filled from the outlet channels is sucked back into the - now enlarged - cavities, so that forms a modified flow front The new flow front typically no longer protrudes beyond the bottom of the outlet element, so that the risk of As a result of the inventive design of the sealing element, a variation of the volume between the sealing surface and the outlet of the filling nozzle can be achieved, so that the residual quantity of flowable products remaining in this region is small Piece can be sucked back. By sucking back the flowable products can also blockages of

Outlet channels are solved, which can arise, for example, in fibrous or lumpy contents.

Particularly good results are achieved when the offset is at least 1 mm and in particular in the range between 1 mm and 10 mm A too small offset would cause too small a change in volume of the cavities and thus produce no appreciable suction effect. A too big offset would In contrast, due to the high elasticity of the sealing element have a reduced sealing effect. A particularly good compromise between sufficient volume change and reliable sealing effect can be achieved by an offset in the range between 2 mm and 5 mm.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sealing element;

In particular, the sealing lip, a lower hardness than the outlet element Due to the different hardness ensures that in a contact between the sealing element and the outlet element almost exclusively the

Seal element and in particular its sealing lip verronnen. This has the advantage that the outlet element provides a firm, even with pressure dimensionally stable stop for the sealing element whereby the seal between the sealing element and the outlet element is particularly reliable So that the sealing lip can fulfill the desired sealing and Rücksaugaufgaben well, it is of particular advantage when the sealing lip has a material thickness of 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, preferably from 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm

The profile of the sealing lip can assume different configurations.

For example, their wall thickness may vary, it may be curved outwardly or inwardly or inclined and edged or curved, in particular

bell-shaped, be formed. If only a single sealing lip is provided, it may be annular and have a diameter which is suitable for the area occupied by the outlet channel inlets

Completely enclose stop plane. It is particularly advantageous if a plurality of annular sealing lips are provided, which are arranged concentrically, for example. This improves the overlay and extends the life of the seal so that the service interval of the seal can be adapted to that of the filling machine. Additional sealing lips also serve to increase the achievable return and thus suction forces. The sealing lips can be designed to be particularly elastic because the "spring forces" to be generated by them are distributed over two or more sealing lips. In addition, each further outwardly displaced sealing lip forms a kind

Safety function in case of possible damage or leakage of a further inside sealing lip.

It is also possible that the second or further sealing lip divides the cavity formed by the first sealing lip into at least two chambers, wherein the

Influencing the volume of the adjacent chambers according to the design or the profile of the sealing lips is done So it can

For example, it may be desired that the void volume be above certain

Inputs of spout channels during a filling cycle is greatly varied, while the volume changes in another area are smaller.

Concentric to each other arranged Dichtiippenringe can be interconnected. Advantage roll are provided for star-shaped or radially extending from the middle web-shaped sealing lips. The web-shaped sealing lips can have the same wall thickness as a sealing lip ring, but the wall thickness can also vary. The wall thicknesses of the individual sealing lip rings can vary as well. Thus, the first sealing lip always reliably deformed can also be provided that at least a portion of the other sealing lip rings or sealing lip webs a smaller offset from the

Ground plane than the first sealing lip.

Another teaching of the invention provides that the sealing element; In particular the sealing lip is made of an elastomer, in particular of silicone. Elastomers and in particular silicone are characterized by a high elasticity and can therefore be particularly well suited to the - never perfectly smooth - surface of the material

Adjust the outlet element. This feature ensures a reliable seal between the sealing element and the outlet element. Further advantages of elastomers and, in particular, silicone are the low producibility and the variable shaping. Finally, elastomers and especially silicone meet Also, the hygienic requirements, for example, in the filling of food.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing element;

in particular, the sealing lip has a hardness of 75 Shore A or less.

The hardness is preferably in the range between 55 Shore-A and 65 Shore-A. The unit Shore-A is measured by pressing a needle with a blunt tip into the plastic to be tested to measure the penetration depth. The end face of the truncated cone has a standard diameter of 0.79 mm, the opening angle is 35 °, the weight is 1 kg and the holding time is 15 s (DIN 53505 and DIN 7868). On a scale of 0 to 100, a higher number means greater hardness. The specified degrees of hardness ensure high elasticity and at the same time sufficient dimensional stability of the sealing element and its sealing lip

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the valve stem

Plastic and / or metal is manufactured Plastics are characterized by variable shape, low weight and low cost. In addition, many meet

Plastics the hygienic requirements when filling food. Due to its high strength; its temperature resistance and above all because of its high abrasion resistance PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is a particularly suitable plastic. By contrast, metals can be used to achieve very high rigidity, strength and hardness. It can in particular certain

Stainless steels are used, which are particularly resistant to corrosion and are therefore suitable for use in the filling of foodstuffs. Also with regard to the spout element provides an embodiment of the invention, a preparation of plastic and / or metal before. However, the outlet element is preferably made of metal, since in particular a high rigidity and hardness are required in order to serve as a stop for the sealing element. Both at the

Valve rod and the outlet element are also combinations Plastic and metal possible, for example, a metal core with a coating of plastic.

According to one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the sealing element comprises a stiffening element made of metal

Metal stiffening element form a core which has a coating of an elastomer, in particular of silicone. By means of a stiffening element, the dimensional stability of the sealing element can be increased. Especially with a

Sealing element made of very soft plastic, a metal stiffening element can fulfill a supporting function that holds the sealing element in its basic form The use of a stiffening element made of metal thus allows the use of particularly soft, elastic sealing elements. Another advantage of a

Stiffening element made of metal is that the sealing element on the

Stiffening element can be particularly reliably connected to the valve rod, for example via a screw connection.

The invention can advantageously be further developed by an intermediate element which is arranged between the valve rod and the sealing element and the

Valve rod with the sealing element connects intermediate elements can

have different lengths and be interchangeable. In this way, the distance between the valve rod and the sealing element can be varied. In addition, the intermediate element can fulfill an adapter function, so that the same

Valve rod can be equipped by using corresponding intermediate elements with different sealing elements.

For this purpose, it is further proposed that the intermediate element comprises two opposing threads wherein one thread of the valve rod is associated and wherein the other thread is associated with the sealing element By opposing threads, the valve rod and the sealing element can be particularly well aligned and connected in the aligned position with the intermediate element become. The

Valve rod, for example, must be aligned so that a drive can be coupled. The sealing element, however, must be aligned so that the position of the sealing lip and the cavities of the position of the outlet channels in the outlet element corresponds by opposing thread can

Intermediate element are screwed by rotation in one direction simultaneously with the aligned valve rod and with the aligned sealing element.

Preferably, the intermediate element has at least two surfaces arranged parallel to one another, against which an open-end wrench can engage. The assembly can be facilitated by an assembly aid. For this purpose, the valve rod, the intermediate element and the sealing element initially only loosely screwed together, both the valve rod and the sealing element in the mounting aid are secured against rotation This can be done, for example, that the mounting aid - as an open-end wrench - acts on two mutually parallel surfaces which are provided for this purpose on the valve rod and the sealing element or the associated pressure plate. The screwing is finally done by the intermediate element - for example, with an open-end wrench - is rotated, tightening both opposing threads simultaneously.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the intermediate element comprises a

Threaded bolt and a spacer In this case, the threaded bolt may have at its ends two opposing threads, one of which is associated with the thread of the valve stem and of which the other thread is associated with the sealing element between the two threads, the threaded bolt a threadless profile, for example Have square profile, on which the spacer element can be positively fitted. The threaded bolt and the spacer can be moved in this case in the axial direction relative to each other; However, they are connected to each other in a rotationally secure manner. The

Distance element may have at least two mutually parallel surfaces on which an open-end wrench can attack. According to a further teaching of the invention, the intermediate element is sealed on both sides with an O-ring, in particular with a coated O-ring O-ring is an annular sealing element whose cross-section is approximately 0-shaped O-rings, the transition between the intermediate element and its associated components, such as the valve rod, can be reliably sealed. Particularly advantageous are O-rings with a

Coating that reduces friction This can be a nano-coating. Such O-rings are marketed, for example, under the registered trademark "RFN" (Reduced Friction by Nano-Technology) by Freudenberg O-rings with particularly low friction have the advantage that they slip off when screwing on the components bolted together and therefore not Because they are concentric with the axis passing through the screw connection, they facilitate the assembly and, moreover, because of their closed and smooth surface germs, they are not able to be stored in. A further embodiment of the invention provides a pressure plate which lies between the two In particular, the pressure plate fulfills the function of transferring the force emanating from the valve stem as uniformly as possible to the sealing element

can be overcome, since the valve rod usually has a substantially smaller cross-sectional area than the sealing element In addition, the pressure plate can also fulfill an adapter function, so that the same valve rod can be equipped by using appropriate pressure plates with different sealing elements.

Finally, it is provided according to an embodiment of the invention that the

Sealing areas and the outlet areas are arranged in a common plane. Due to the profiled design of the sealing element, the sealing areas and the outlet areas of the outlet element can be formed flat. This can prevent the formation of depressions - so-called "pockets" - between the sealing areas, which are conventionally raised in relation to the Auslauibereichen this way, the risk of unwanted accumulations or deposits can be significantly reduced. In known outlet elements come such accumulations or deposits, especially in those sinks, which are associated with no outlet openings. In addition, swirling can occur in the depressions when the valve is opened, since the depressions are often very shallow and therefore have unfavorable flow cross sections. The arrangement of the sealing areas and the outlet areas in a common plane can be addressed these problems. The device described above can be used particularly well in all illustrated embodiments for filling foodstuffs, in particular for aseptically filling foodstuffs. The foods may be, for example, fruit juices, milk, sauces, yoghurt or pudding. The invention will now be described with reference to a preferred one

Exemplary embodiment illustrative drawing explained in more detail in the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a valve rod of a device according to the invention in

perspective view

2 shows the valve rod of FIG. 1 in a perspective view,

3 a discharge element of a device according to the invention in

perspective view;

4 shows the outlet element from FIG. 3 in a perspective view

5 shows a device according to the invention in a sectional view in an open position, 6 shows the device of Figure 5 in a first closed position, and

Fig. 7 shows the device of Figure 5 in a second closed position. Fig. 1 shows a valve rod 1 of a device according to the invention in

Perspective view In its upper region, the valve rod 1 has a coupling 2, via which the valve rod 1 in operation by positive

Intervention of a drive can be moved up and down. The valve rod 1 is connected in its lower region But a spacer element 3 and a pressure plate 4 with a sealing element 5. The connection can be made by a - in Fig. 1, not shown - threaded bolt 6, which has two opposing threads A thread of the threaded bolt 6 is screwed into the valve stem 1; the other thread of the threaded bolt 6 is screwed into the sealing element 5 Das

Spacer 3 and the pressure plate 4 are merely stuck to the threaded bolt 6 without being screwed to this. To seal the transitions between the valve rod 1 and the spacer element 3 and between the spacer element 3 and the pressure plate 4 each have an O-ring 7 is provided. In the view shown in Fig. 1, the sealing element 5 is on a flat surface, so that the valve rod 1 is perpendicular to the top by the valve rod 1, the spacer element 3, the pressure plate 4 and the sealing element 5 centrally extends a central axis eighth

In Figure 2, the valve rod 1 of Figure 1 is shown in a perspective view The essential difference from the view shown in Figure 1 is that the valve rod 1 is laterally on a flat surface; so that the underside of the sealing element 5 is visible. The areas already described in connection with FIG. 1 are provided with corresponding reference numerals in FIG. The sealing element 5 has on its underside projecting sealing lips 9, which lie in a - not shown in Figure 2 - contact plane 10. The remaining areas of the sealing element 5 are offset in relation to the sealing lips 9 to the rear, ie in the direction of the valve rod 1; arranged and reach up to a - also not shown in Figure 2 - Ground level 11 back. This has the consequence that cavities 12 form in the areas between the sealing lips 9 when placing the sealing element 5 on a flat surface. 3 shows an outlet element 13 of a device according to the invention in a perspective view. The outlet element 13 has an abutment plane 14, the surface of which can be subdivided into sealing regions 15 and outlet regions 16. The sealing areas 15 are intended for sealing engagement of the sealing lips 9 of the sealing element 5. In each of the outlet areas 16, in contrast, in each case at least one outlet channel 17 is provided. Preferably, each outlet region 16 comprises a plurality of outlet channels 17. Through the outlet element 13 centrally extends a central axis 8 '. In the outlet element 13 shown in FIG. 3, the sealing regions 15 and the outlet regions 16 are arranged in a common plane. The outlet element 13 from FIG. 3 is shown in a perspective view in FIG. 4. The essential difference from the view shown in FIG in that the outlet element 13 with its sealing element 5 associated side is located on a flat surface so that the bottom of the outlet element 13 is visible The already described in connection with Fig. 3 areas of the outlet element 13 are provided in Figure 4 with corresponding reference numerals , At the bottom of the outlet element 13, the outputs of the outlet channels 17 are visible. A large part of the bottom of the outlet elements 13 is covered by the outputs of the outlet channels 17 so that between the outputs of the outlet channels 17 only narrow webs 18 are present.

5 shows a device 19 according to the invention in a cutaway view in an open position. The device 19 shown by way of example in FIG. 5 comprises, inter alia, the valve rod 1 already known from FIGS. 1 and 2 with the sealing element 5 and also the outlet element 13 already known from FIGS. 3 and 4. The already described in connection with FIG 1 to 4 described areas of the device 19 are provided in Fig. 5 with corresponding reference numerals. The Valve rod 1 and the indirectly connected sealing element 5 are arranged relative to the outlet element 13 such; that the central axis 8 of the valve rod 1 and the sealing element 5 and the central axis 8 'of the outlet element 13th

congruent, so run collinear. Due to the sectional view, it can be seen that the sealing element 5 has a stiffening element 20 in its interior. The sectional view also allows a view of the threaded bolt 6 concealed by the spacer element 3, which holds the valve rod 1 with the sealing element 5 or its stiffening element 20. 5, the different and previously mentioned levels can be seen: The sealing element 5 initially has a contact plane 10, in which the lower edges of the protruding sealing lips 9 lie. The remaining areas of the sealing element 5 are offset in the direction of the valve rod 1 upwards so that form between the sealing lips 9 cavities 12, the rear walls extend back to a ground plane 11. Between the contact plane 10 and the ground plane

11 - and thus also between the sealing lips 9 and the ground plane 11 - therefore results in an offset 21, which in the position shown in Figure 5, the height of the cavities

In addition to the contact plane 10 and the ground plane 11, the stop plane 14 is also shown in FIG. 5, which is a plane of the outlet element 13

In operation, both parts of the device 19 can be moved towards and away from one another along the central axes 8, 8 '. For this purpose, the sealing element 5 and the outlet element 13 are aligned such that upon contact between these two components, the sealing lips 9 of the sealing element 5 are pressed onto the sealing regions 15 of the outlet element 13 to securely seal the outlet channels 17. By the sealing lips 9 are lifted back from the sealing areas 15, the outlet channels 17 can be released again. The position shown in FIG. 5 is an open position. In this position, there is no contact between the sealing lips 9 of the sealing element 5 and the stop plane 14 of the outlet element 13, so that the products to be filled in Direction of the arrows shown in Figure 5 can flow through the device 19 to be filled in packaging 22 can.

FIG. 6 shows the device 19 from FIG. 5 in a first closed position. The areas of the device 19 already described in connection with FIG. 5 are provided with corresponding reference symbols in FIG. The essential difference to the position shown in Figure 5 is that the sealing lips 9 are pressed firmly in the position shown in Figure 6 on the stop plane 14 so that the flowable products to be filled, the device 19 can not flow through. Due to the contact between the sealing lips 9 and the sealing regions 15 of the outlet element 13, the contact plane 10 is in the stop plane 14. Due to the high contact pressure and the elasticity of

Sealing lips 9 deform the sealing lips 9 so; that the distance between the contact plane 10 and the ground plane 11 is reduced. In other words, in the position shown in FIG. 6, an offset 21 'is produced, which is smaller than the offset 21 shown in FIG. 5. This has the consequence that The volume of the cavities 12 is also reduced. In the position shown in FIG. 6, a certain amount of flowable products to be filled remains in the outlet channels 17 and forms a flow front 23 on the underside of the outlet element 13.

Typically, the flow front 23 projects beyond the underside of the outlet element 13, so that there is a risk of droplet formation

FIG. 7 shows the device 19 from FIG. 5 in a second closed position. The areas of the already described in connection with Fig.5 and Fig.6

Device 19 are provided in Figure 7 with corresponding reference numerals. The essential difference from the position shown in FIG. 6 is that the sealing lips 9 are pressed less firmly onto the stop plane 14. As in FIG. 6, a sealing contact between the sealing lips 9 and the outlet element 13 also exists in FIG. 7, so that the flowable products to be filled can no longer flow through the device 19. Due to the contact between the sealing lips 9 and the sealing regions 15 of the outlet element 13, the contact plane 10 is therefore located 7 in the stop plane 14. Due to the lower contact pressure and the elasticity of the sealing lips 9, the distance between the contact plane 10 and the ground plane 11 while still lower than in the open position (Figure 5) , but larger than in the first closed position (Fig.6). In other words, in the position shown in Fig. 7, an offset 21 ", which is smaller than the offset 21 shown in Fig. 5 and larger than the offset 21 shown in Fig. 6, is produced the volume of the cavities 12 is slightly increased compared to the position shown in Figure 6 This ensures that a portion of the flowable products to be filled from the outlet channels 17 back into the - now enlarged - cavities 12 is sucked, so that changed Flow front 23 'forms The new flow front 23' typically no longer protrudes beyond the bottom of the

Outlet element 13 addition, so that the risk of drop formation is significantly reduced

In practice, in device 19, the position shown in FIG. 6 can be brought to the position shown in FIG. 7 in different ways. A

Possibility is the valve stem 1 from the maximum position (Figure 6) active again a piece to pull up (Fig.7). This can be done, for example, by a drive which moves the valve rod 1 via the coupling 2. Another possibility is that only the contact force acting on the valve rod 1 and thus also on the sealing element 5 is slightly reduced. Due to the elasticity of the sealing element 5 and in particular of the sealing lips 9, a reduction of the contact pressure automatically results in a decompression of the sealing element 5 and thus an increase in the offset 21 and the cavities 12.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1: valve stem

2: clutch

3: Spacer element

4: Andrückplatts

5: sealing element

6: threaded bolt

7: O-ring

8, 8 ': central axis

9: sealing lip

10: Contact level

11: Ground level

12: cavity

13: outlet element

14: stop level

15: sealing area

16: outlet area

17: outlet channel

18: Footbridge

19: device

20: stiffening element

21, 21 ', 21 ": offset

22: packaging

23, 23 ': flow front

Claims

Patent claims

1. Device (19) for controlling the flow rate of flowable

Products, especially food, comprising:

- a valve rod (1),

- a sealing element (5) connected to the valve rod (1) with at least one sealing lip (9),

- wherein the sealing element (5) has a base plane (11) and a contact plane (10),

- wherein the sealing lip (9) is arranged in the contact plane (10), and

- an outlet element (13) with a stop plane (14) and with at least one outlet channel (17),

- wherein the stop plane (14) has at least one of the sealing lips (9)

assigned sealing area (15) and at least one outlet area (16) connected to the outlet channel (17).

characterized in that

the contact plane (10) is spaced from the base plane (11) so that an offset is created between the sealing lip (9) and the base plane (11). 2. Device according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the offset is at least 1 mm and in particular is in the range between 1 mm and 10 mm

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the sealing element (5), in particular the sealing lip (9), has a lower hardness than the outlet element (13).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that

the sealing element (5), in particular the sealing lip (9), is made of an elastomer, in particular silicone 5. Device according to claim 4,

characterized in that

the sealing element (5), in particular the sealing lip (9), has a hardness of 75 Shore-A or less 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that

the valve rod (1) is made of plastic and / or metal 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized in that

the outlet element

(13) is made of plastic and / or metal 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that

the sealing element (5) has a stiffening element (20) made of metal 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8,

marked by

an intermediate element; which is arranged between the valve rod (1) and the sealing element (5) and connects the valve rod (1) to the sealing element (5). 10. Device according to claim 9,

characterized in that the intermediate element comprises two opposing threads, one thread being assigned to the valve rod (1) and the other thread being assigned to the sealing element (5). 11. Device according to claim 9 or 10,

characterized in that

the intermediate element comprises a threaded bolt (6) and a spacer element (3). 12. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11,

characterized in that

the intermediate element is sealed on both sides with an O-ring (7), in particular with a coated O-ring (7). 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12,

marked by

a pressure plate (4) between the sealing element (5) and the valve rod (1), in particular between the sealing element (5) and the intermediate element; is arranged

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13,

characterized in that

the sealing areas (15) and the outlet areas (16) are arranged in a common plane.

15. Use of a device (19) according to one of claims 1 to 14 for

Filling of food, especially for aseptic filling of food.