EP3368468B1 - Device for filling containers with a filling product - Google Patents

Description

technical field

The present invention relates to a device for filling a container with a filling product and in particular to a rotary filler for filling bottles or cans in a beverage bottling plant.

State of the art

It is known from the prior art to fill bottles and cans in beverage bottling plants using rotary fillers in which a plurality of filling elements are arranged on the circumference of a filler carousel, which are provided for introducing the filling product into the respective container to be filled. During the filling process, the containers to be filled are held below the respective filling element and rotate accordingly together with the filling elements on the filler carousel.

In order to transfer the filling product from a stationary part of the plant to the rotating part of the plant, i.e. the filler carousel, and also to transfer operating media, such as prestressing gas or pneumatic or hydraulic media to the filler carousel, it is known to provide a rotary distributor. It is known from the prior art to provide a stationary shaft on the stationary part of the plant, with the respective media and the filling product being introduced into the distributor shaft from below through bores or lines within this shaft. A distributor housing is provided on the rotating system part, ie the filler carousel, which is placed on the distributor shaft and which, together with the distributor shaft, forms ring channels. Connected to the ring channels of the distributor housing, pointing radially outwards, are feed lines which feed the filling product to a filling product tank arranged underneath, for example a ring tank or a central tank, of the filling product carousel. The filling elements then obtain the filling product from this ring bowl or central bowl. Also the other media control media or pressurized gas, for example, are transferred from below through the stationary distributor shaft to the distributor housing and then fed via corresponding supply lines to ring channels, from which the respective filling valves then remove the media. The distributor shaft is thus arranged in a stationary manner and the distributor housing with the supply lines to the respective ring tank or ring channel and the filling valves rotate accordingly relative to the stationary system parts and also relative to the distributor shaft.

In order to meet the respective hygiene requirements, devices for filling filling products into containers are regularly provided in isolator housings, in which an atmosphere that meets the respective hygiene requirements can be maintained. Depending on the filling product to be filled, either microbiological purity or low oxygen content can be the priority. Combined requirements of low oxygen content and an aseptic character of the atmosphere in the isolator housing can also be met in this way.

The sealing between the rotating part, for example the filler carousel, and the stationary part of the system takes place, for example, via so-called water seals. Here, a circumferential channel is provided on the stationary part, which can be filled with water. A revolving sword is provided on the rotating part, which is dimensioned in such a way that it dips into the water introduced into the channel. Correspondingly, an exchange of gas with the environment can be prevented and an interior space that is essentially sealed off from the environment can be provided, so that a reliable rotary seal is achieved.

the DE 10 2013 102 594 A1 describes a rotary media distributor for vessel filling machines, comprising, among other things, a stationary part of the system and a part of the system that rotates opposite this, on which at least one filling valve for filling a container to be filled with the filling product is arranged. The rotary distributor transfers a filling product from the stationary part of the plant to the rotating part of the plant. It has a distributor housing and a rotating distributor shaft accommodated in it with a bore for guiding the filling product. the JP 2000 255691A describes a rotary filling machine with a rotary media distributor. the DE 10 2012 109 884 A1 describes a device for filling at least one container with a filling product, which has a rotary media distributor.

Presentation of the invention

Proceeding from the known state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for filling containers with a filling product, which device enables a more compact construction.

Amended description pages on Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC communication

This object is achieved by a device for filling containers in a beverage bottling plant with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments result from the dependent claims.

Accordingly, a device for filling containers with a filling product is proposed, comprising a stationary part of the system and a part of the system that rotates relative to it, on which at least one filling valve for filling a container to be filled with the filling product is arranged. Also included is a rotary distributor for transferring the filling product and/or a medium from the stationary part of the system to the rotating part of the system, the rotary distributor having a distributor housing and a distributor shaft at least partially accommodated therein with at least one borehole for conducting the filling product and/or the medium. According to the invention, the distributor housing is arranged on the stationary part of the plant and the distributor shaft is arranged on the rotating part of the plant.

Because the distributor housing is arranged on the stationary part of the plant and the distributor shaft is arranged on the rotating part of the plant, it can be achieved that the rotating part of the plant can be made more compact. In particular, this feature makes it possible to enable the filling product to be fed in exactly the same way as media to be fed in from above the filler carousel. This means that the supply lines to the ring bowl, which are known from the prior art and extend radially outwards from the rotating distributor housing, can be dispensed with. Accordingly, a more compact structure results below the proposed, stationary distributor housing. In particular, the filling product boiler can then also be arranged in a position which enables easier access for maintenance purposes.

The filling product boiler for supplying and providing the filling product during the filling operation can thus also be provided in an advantageous position independently of the rotating system part, in particular also eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the filler carousel. By doing without a ring bowl for the filling product on the filler carousel, the rotating mass and thus also the moment of inertia are reduced, so that the bearings for supporting the filler carousel and the drive for driving the filler carousel have to be designed to be less powerful.

Furthermore, it is possible due to the design of the distributor shaft on the rotating part of the system, the filling product lines for supplying the filling product to the filling valves, as well as the media lines Changed description pages to be attached to the lower end of the distributor shaft on notification under Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC , which also allows a more compact structure of the rotating part to be achieved than was the case in the conventional designs of filler carousels, in which a radial connection the supply lines to the filling valves or to the ring bowl were provided. Accordingly, the entire rotating part in the area of transfer or supply of the filling products and other media can be made more compact.

Overall, in addition to a more compact design, there is also greater flexibility in the structure of the individual system components, so that the footprint of the entire device for filling filling products into containers can be reduced or adapted to the spatial conditions.

According to the invention, the filling valves are each individually connected to filling valve feed lines on the lower end face of the distributor shaft facing the rotating part. At least one filling valve is connected to the lower end face of the distributor shaft via a filling product line, with the connection of the filling product line being oriented in the direction of the axis of rotation of the distributor shaft. Due to the connection to the lower end face, a compact configuration of the connection of the filling valves can be achieved since the respective lines can be routed in the direction of the axis of rotation.

Furthermore, a distributor plate is arranged on the lower end face of the distributor shaft, in which at least one distribution chamber is defined, to which at least one filling product line, preferably also at least one media line, is connected. By providing the distribution channels in the distributor plate, a sufficient scope can be provided that enables all desired filling product and media lines to be connected in the direction of the axis of rotation.

In an advantageous embodiment, a connection for the filling product is provided in the end face of the distributor housing, which opens into a distribution chamber arranged between the upper end face of the distributor shaft and the distributor housing, which communicates with a bore in the distributor shaft. The distribution space provided on the end face makes it possible to provide an even more compact structure, since at least one further ring channel between the distributor housing and the distributor shaft does not need to be formed, since the transfer of the respective medium is achieved via the end face.

Amended description pages on Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC communication

Each filling valve is preferably connected to the distributor shaft via a separate filling product line. The individual connection of each filling valve to the distributor shaft makes it possible to dispense with the provision of a ring bowl in the rotating part, so that the rotating part and the use of the filling valves can also be made more compact overall and have a lower mass. It is also possible, for example, to install a flow meter or other sensors in each of the individual feed lines, which enables individual control of the filling product feed to each filling valve, and an improved system control can be achieved as a result.

Furthermore, the rotating mass and thus the moment of inertia of the entire rotating part is reduced, which means that the entire system structure can be designed more efficiently and, for example, the design of bearings and motors can be designed with smaller dimensions.

According to the invention, a distributor plate is attached to the end face of the distributor shaft, via which the respective filling valves are connected to the distributor shaft. Accordingly, the distributor plate rotates together with the rotating distributor shaft. Distribution channels are particularly preferably provided in the distributor plate, via which the medium discharged from the distributor shaft, for example the filling product or filling product components, can be transferred to the respective delivery points, in particular the delivery points provided by means of the individual line connections.

In addition to the annular channels defined by the distributor shaft and the distributor housing, a central supply of medium through the distributor housing to the distributor shaft is particularly preferred, which is introduced essentially axially to the distributor shaft through the distributor housing into a receiving area defined between the distributor shaft and the distributor housing, and is then passed through a corresponding bore provided in the distributor shaft to the end face of the distributor shaft or a distribution chamber in the distributor plate provided on the end face of the distributor shaft. In this case, the bore that is passed through the distributor shaft is preferably executed laterally radially out of the distributor shaft in order to then be introduced into the distribution chamber on the end face.

In a further development, a filling product boiler is provided, which is arranged above the rotary distributor and eccentrically to this on the stationary part of the plant, and the filling product is fed to a connection in the distributor housing via filling product piping. By a Changed description pages on notification according to Rules 161(1) and 162 EPC Any positioning of the filling product boiler can be flexibly reacted to the respective structural specifications.

To transfer the other media, for example the first medium or the second medium, it is preferred that at least one media line forms a fluid connection between a bore provided in the distributor shaft and a ring line provided in the rotating system part.

Brief description of the figures

Figur 1

eine schematische, teilgeschnittene perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Behältern mit einem Drehverteiler;

Figur 2

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch den Drehverteiler aus Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch den Drehverteiler der Figuren 1 und 2;

Figur 4

eine schematische, teilgeschnittene perspektivische Darstellung des Drehverteilers aus den vorstehenden Figuren;

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

figure 1

a schematic, partially sectioned perspective view of a device for filling containers with a rotary distributor;

figure 2

a schematic sectional view through the rotary distributor figure 1 ;

figure 3

a schematic sectional view through the rotary distributor figures 1 and 2 ;

figure 4

a schematic, partially sectioned perspective view of the rotary distributor from the preceding figures;

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Preferred exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Elements that are the same, similar or have the same effect are denoted by identical reference symbols. In order to avoid redundancies, a repeated description of these elements is partially dispensed with in the following description.

In figure 1 a device 1 for filling containers can be seen schematically in a partially sectioned, perspective view. The device 1 comprises a filler carousel 10, on the circumference of which a plurality of filling valves 12 are held on a filling valve carrier 120, by means of which the filling of containers to be filled, not shown here, is carried out.

During operation, the filler carousel 10 rotates relative to a stationary plant part 14 on which the filler carousel 10 is mounted. In the figure 1 For example, a torque support 140 is shown as part of the stationary system part 14, under which the filler carousel 10 rotates. The rotation of the filler carousel 10 in the filling operation causes the containers to be filled to be transported arranged under each filling valve 12, with the container interiors possibly being flushed with a flushing gas, the containers then being pressurized with a tensioning gas and then being filled with the filling product. The construction of a filling carousel 10 with filling valves 12 arranged thereon is known in principle.

A rotary distributor 3 is provided to transfer the filling product and other media such as a first medium in the form of a flushing or clamping gas or a second medium in the form of control air from the stationary part of the system 14 to the rotating part of the system in the form of the filler carousel 10.

The rotary distributor 3 has a distributor shaft 30 and a distributor housing 32 . The distributor housing 32 is firmly connected to the stationary part of the system 14 and does not rotate during the filling operation. The distributor shaft 30 is connected to the filler carousel 10, ie the rotating part of the system, and rotates accordingly during the filling operation together with the filler carousel 10. The rotary distributor 3 is also one of the Figures 2-4 described in detail.

The filling valves 12 of the filler carousel 10 are connected to the rotary distributor 3 via filling product lines 2 in order to be able to feed the filling product to the respective filling valves 12 . A flow meter 20 is provided in each of the filling product lines 2, which lead from the rotary distributor 3 to the filling valves 12, by means of which the flow of the filling product from the rotary distributor 3 to the filling valve 12 can be measured and monitored accordingly. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each filling valve 12 is connected to the rotary distributor 3 via a separate filling product line 2 and a flow meter 20 is arranged in each filling product line 2 . This enables the amount of filling product dispensed from each filling valve 12 to be precisely monitored and controlled. In alternative embodiments, only selected filling product lines 2 are provided with a flow meter 20 and the filling product flows of the filling product lines 2 not provided with a flow meter 20 are approximately determined therefrom.

In addition to the filling product lines 2, media lines 22 and 24 are provided in order to transfer additional media to the filler carousel 10. A first medium, for example the pressurized gas, is supplied to the filling valves 12 with the media line 22 and a second medium, for example control air/compressed air, is supplied with the media line 24 . The media lines 22, 24 each open into a ring line 220, 240. The ring lines 220, 240 are installed in the filling valve carrier 120 of the filler carousel 10 and have supply lines to the respective filling valves 12. Accordingly, the respective medium, for example Clamping gas as the first medium or control air as the second medium, are transferred via the ring lines 220, 240 to the respective filling valves 12 or to their control via valve blocks 122 shown schematically, with the transfer of the respective media to the filling valves 12 then by means of the ring lines 220, 240 takes place.

The construction of the rotary distributor 3 will now be described with reference to FIG Figures 1-4 described.

As already mentioned, the rotary distributor 3 comprises a distributor housing 32 which is firmly connected to the stationary plant part 14 and a distributor shaft 30 which is firmly connected to the rotating plant part, ie the filler carousel 10 . Accordingly, during operation, the distributor shaft 30 rotates together with the filler carousel 10 in the distributor housing 32. A distributor plate 4 is provided on the distributor shaft 30, to which the filling product lines 2 and media lines 22, 24 described above are connected. The distributor plate 4 rotates together with the distributor shaft 30.

The distributor shaft 30 is mounted on the distributor housing 32 by means of a bearing 38 which is supported on a sealing element 34 of the distributor shaft 30 and on a bearing ring 33 of the distributor housing 32 . The sealing element 34 is pressed onto the distributor shaft 30 in a ring shape and is connected to it in a material-locking manner. The bearing ring 33 is fastened to the distributor housing 32 via bolts.

Accordingly, the transition from the stationary part to the rotating part runs through the bearing 38, with the transition to the bearing ring 33 being formed on the stationary side and the transition to the sealing element 34 being formed on the rotating side.

In order to form a sealed storage space for accommodating the bearing 38 , a shaft sealing ring 36 is held on the sealing element 34 and seals the sealing element 34 with respect to the distributor housing 32 . Another shaft sealing ring 46 is held on the bearing ring 33 and seals the bearing ring 33 against the sealing element 34 . Between the two shaft sealing rings 36, 46 there is a sealed storage space which prevents grease from getting into the environment from the bearing 38 or cleaning media from attacking the bearing 38.

Between the distributor housing 32 and the components rotating together with the distributor shaft 30 there is a parting plane at reference number 44. At this parting plane, the distributor housing 32 can be pulled upwards for maintenance purposes, for example to replace the shaft seal 36.

Another separating plane results at reference number 48. At this separating plane 48, the distributor housing 32 together with the distributor shaft 30 and the sealing element 34 can also be lifted off for maintenance purposes, for example for replacing bearings or replacing seals.

Bores 302 , 304 , 306 extending essentially in the direction of the axis of rotation 100 of the distributor shaft 30 are provided in the distributor shaft 30 . The bores 302 and 304 are used to transfer the media mentioned above, ie in particular the first medium and the second medium, to the filler carousel 10 . The bore 306 is intended to transfer the filling product to the filling carousel 10 .

How out figure 2 As can be seen, the bore 306 is provided in the distributor shaft 30 in such a way that it extends downwards, starting from the upper end face 330 of the distributor shaft 30, and is then led out again radially to the side via a lateral outlet bore 307 from the distributor shaft 30. The filling product, which is conducted through the bore 306, enters the distributor housing 32 from the upper end face of the distributor housing 32 through a connection 326 for the filling product and flows into a distribution space 327 formed between the upper end face 330 of the distributor shaft 30 and the distributor housing 32 a. The filling product flows from this distribution space 327 via the bore 306 and the outlet bore 307 into a distribution chamber 308.

The distribution space 327 is designed geometrically in such a way that rising air bubbles cannot be trapped but can be discharged through the connection 326 . Accordingly, there are no undercuts behind which air bubbles could get trapped, and the upper part of the valve chamber is constructed so that it rises slightly towards connection 326 in such a way that air can escape accordingly.

Preferably there is only one bore in the distributor shaft 30 for each medium. As a result, there are defined paths for each medium and the respective bores 302, 304, 306 or paths can thus be cleaned in a targeted manner.

Also in the distributor housing 32 there is preferably only one connection hole for each medium and accordingly only one medium piping, which again reduces the effort for the connection and the commissioning of a device according to the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the distribution chamber 308 is formed between the distributor plate 4 , which is arranged on the lower end face 332 of the distributor shaft 30 , and a sealing element 40 of the distributor shaft 32 . In the distributor plate 4 there are holes 408 introduced, to which a connection of a filling product line 2 is possible. The bores 408 in the distributor plate 4 are formed in the direction of the axis of rotation 100 of the filler carousel 10 .

The bores 408 for connecting the individual filling product lines 2 are provided on the largest radius of all connections. The connections for the filling product lines are thus located radially on the outside and the connections for the media lines 22, 24 on the inside. In this way, a compact structure can be achieved, which at the same time allows each filling valve 12 to be connected individually via its own filling product line 2 .

The design of the distribution chamber 308 accordingly enables all filling valves 12 to be connected via individual filling product lines 2 by connecting them to the respective bores 408 in the distributor plate 4. The respective connection of the filling product lines 2, as in figure 1 at this time, takes place in a direction which is parallel to the axis direction of the transfer shaft 30 .

The media, which are guided, for example, through the bore 304 in the distributor shaft 3, come out, for example figure 3 as can be seen, on the lower end face 332 of the distributor shaft, into a distribution chamber 305 arranged in the distributor plate 4 . An axial bore 405 in the distributor plate 4 enables the media, and in particular the first medium, to be fed to the filling valves 12 or to the ring line 220 by means of the media line 22 .

An annular channel 324 is formed between the distributor housing 32 and the distributor shaft 30 , which is formed in the inner circumference of the distributor housing 32 and is sealed at the top and bottom by seals 5 arranged above and below the annular channel 324 . The annular channel 324 is in communication with the bore 304 via a radial opening 314 in the distributor shaft 3 . The ring channel 324 is preferably designed in such a way that air can be easily discharged in the upper part of the ring channel and no liquids can remain in the lower part.

The corresponding medium can then be introduced into the ring channel 324 from the outside via a connection 325 in the distributor housing 32 . Correspondingly, the medium introduced via connection 325 enters annular channel 324, then via radial opening 314 into bore 304, via which it is then introduced into distribution chamber 305, and then via bore 405 in the media line 22 to be introduced. The media line 22 then supplies the medium to the ring line 220 on the filler carousel 10.

The same principle also applies with regard to the bore 302, as can be seen, for example, from FIG figure 1 results. Here, too, an annular channel 322 is formed in the inner circumference of the distributor housing 32, is formed between the distributor housing 32 and the distributor shaft 30 and is sealed off at the top and bottom by means of seals 5. The annular channel 322 is connected to the bore 302 via a radial opening 312 in the distributor shaft 30 . The bore 302 opens out via the lower end face 332 of the distributor shaft 30 into a distribution chamber 303 which is connected to the media line 24 via a bore 403 . The media line 24 is connected to the ring line 240 and can then provide the individual filling valves 12 with the second medium.

Accordingly, the distributor housing 32 is arranged in the rotary distributor 3 in a stationary and non-rotatable manner with the stationary system part 14 of the device 1 and the distributor shaft 30 rotates together with the distributor plate 4 and the sealing element 34 together with the filler carousel 10 .

The respective filling product lines 2 are connected to the rotary distributor 3 by connecting the filling product lines 2 to the distributor plate 4 in the direction of the axis of rotation 100 of the distributor shaft 30 and then feeding them individually to the individual filling valves 12 . The supply of further media, for example pneumatic air or pressurized gas, is also achieved by connecting the respective media lines 22, 24 to the distributor plate 4, this connection also being achieved in the direction of the axis of rotation 100 of the distributor shaft 30.

The top part of the filler, which in the exemplary embodiments shown is formed, for example, by the standing system part 14 embodied as a platform, is preferably height-adjustable. The swivel joint connections required for the height adjustment are partially integrated into the vertical distributor housing 32.

The filling product is made available via a filling product tank 6, which can be positioned as desired, but is preferably arranged above the rotary distributor 3 and to the side of it. The filling product boiler 6 can then be connected to the connection 326 on the distributor housing 32 via a corresponding filling product piping 60 . The filling product is accordingly of the Filling product boiler 6 fed to the rotary distributor 3 from above via the filling product piping 60 .

Media piping 62 can also be fed to the rotary distributor 3 and then opens out radially into the distributor housing 32 at the position at which the connection 325 is provided.

This enables the filling product, the first medium and also the second medium to be fed in from above. A position for the filling product boiler 6 does not have to be specified and it can be arranged in any position that is advantageous for the respective structure. The filler carousel 10 does not include the filling product boiler 6, so that the filler carousel 10 has a reduced mass overall and therefore also a reduced moment of inertia. In this way, the drives and the mounting of the filler carousel 10 can be configured in a correspondingly simpler manner compared to the conventional ones.

reference list

1

Device for filling containers

10

filler carousel

12

filling valve

14

stationary part of the plant

100

axis of rotation

120

filling valve carrier

122

valve block

140

torque arm

2

fill product line

20

flow meter

22

Media line (first medium)

24

Media line (second medium)

220

Ring line (first medium)

240

Ring line (second medium)

3

rotary distributor

30

distributor shaft

32

distributor housing

33

bearing ring

34

sealing element

36

shaft seal

38

warehouse

302

bore (second medium)

304

bore (first medium)

306

bore (filling product)

303

distribution chamber

305

distribution chamber

308

distribution chamber

307

exit hole

312

radial opening

314

radial opening

322

ring canal

324

ring canal

325

Connection for second medium

326

Connection for filling product

327

distribution room

330

upper face

332

lower face

4

distributor plate

42

rotary seal

44

first parting line

46

shaft seal

48

second level of separation

403

drilling

405

drilling

408

drilling

5

poetry

6

fill product kettle

60

fill product piping

62

Media piping (first medium)

Claims (5)

1. Device (1) for filling containers with a filling product, comprising a standing system section (14) and, with respect thereto a rotating system section (10), on which is arranged at least one filling valve (12) for filling a container to be filled with the filling product,

   furthermore comprising a rotary distributor (3) for transferring the filling product and preferably a medium from the standing system section (14) onto the rotating system section (10), wherein the rotary distributor (3) has a distributor housing (32) and a distributor shaft (30), accommodated at least partially therein, having at least one bore (302, 304, 306) for conducting the filling product and preferably the medium, wherein

   the distributor housing (32) is arranged on the standing system section (14) and the distributor shaft (30) is arranged on the rotating system section (10), and

   on the lower end face (332) of the distributor shaft (30) is arranged a distributor plate (4) in which at least one distributor chamber (303, 305, 308) is defined to which at least one filling product line (2), preferably furthermore at least one medium line (22, 24), is attached, wherein

   on the distributor plate (4) a connection of at least one filling valve (12) is reached via respectively one filling product line (2), wherein the connection of the filling product line (2) is oriented in the direction of the rotational axis (100) of the distributor shaft (30).
2. Device (1) according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   in the end face of the distributor housing (32) is provided a connector (326) for the filling product which opens into a distributor space (327), arranged between the upper end face (332) of the distributor shaft (30) and the distributor housing (32), which communicates with a bore (306) of the distributor shaft (30).
3. Device (1) according to any of the following claims, characterised in that
   each filling valve (12) is connected to the distributor shaft (30) via a separate filling product line (2).
4. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that
   a filling product boiler (6) is provided which is arranged eccentrically to the rotary distributor (3) on the standing system section (14) and the filling product is supplied via a filling product pipe (60) to a connector (326) in the distributor housing (32).
5. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that
   at least one media line (22, 24) forms a fluid connection between a bore (302, 304) provided in the distributor shaft (30) and a closed circular line (220, 240) provided in the rotating system section (10).

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