EP3523201B1 - Filling device for a packaging machine for filling bulk material into containers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filling device with a housing and a filling channel extending therein and with a channel closure for use on a packing machine for the controlled and automatic filling of bulk goods into containers. The invention also relates to a packing machine equipped with such a filling device for filling bulk goods into containers. The filling device according to the invention can be used for filling all kinds of bulk goods. Such a filling device and a packing machine equipped with it are particularly preferably used for filling fine products, that is to say for filling fine and dusty products such as cement. However, the invention can also be used for filling other bulk goods, for example from the chemical sector or the food sector.

Various filling devices equipped with a channel closure have become known from the prior art.

From the DE 36 27 328 A1 a ball valve or ball valve with a throttle body has become known, which is mounted on one side in a housing with a control shaft. the throttle body has a recess into which a wear-resistant insert is spring-loaded.

With the GB 416,215 a packing machine with a valve in the filling channel has become known, the valve being received in a pivotable manner on a valve axis extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the filling channel. The valve comprises a round closure plate which can be pivoted about the valve axis provided centrally on it. The pivotable valve axis runs centrally through the filling channel. In a vertical position, the closure plate closes the circular filling channel. After pivoting through 90 ° into a horizontal position, the filling channel is largely released. Both the pivot axis and the closure plate are located in the open state in the middle of the product flow. When filling bulk goods, the frictional contact with the product to be filled therefore causes continuous and high wear on the pivot axis and the closure plate. Correspondingly frequent maintenance and regular replacement of the pivot axis and the closure plate are required. It is not only necessary to stop the packaging machine, but also the entire system. The service life can be increased with thicker walls, but this reduces the flow rate. The closure plate forms a disruptive body in the flow, which significantly increases the friction and flow resistance of the bulk material. If necessary, blockages or caking build-up form on the pivot axis and the closure plate, which impede the flow of flow even more. For this reason, the use of such a valve in the filling of bulk goods has not caught on.

With the DE 31 50 682 A1 a valve at the filling turbine outlet of a packing machine for bulk material has become known, in which the bulk material is discharged from the filling pot via a filling wheel with blades distributed around the circumference. A valve is provided for control. The valve is designed to be rotatable and is received inside the filling pot in a cylindrical insert which is arranged radially directly outside the filling wheel provided with the wings. The valve forms a 90 ° deflection for the crop flow. The valve or the channel in which the valve is arranged has for this purpose an arcuate inner surface in order to deflect the material flow from the largely tangential flow direction within the filling pot into a radial direction towards the filling nozzle. The disadvantage of this system is that a 90 ° deflection takes place over a very short section of the path. The abrasive bulk material also always hits the front edge of the valve and the wall of the cylindrical insert, where it leads to particularly severe wear.

A very considerable amount of wear is also caused by the tight deflection of the abrasive bulk material at the valve, in which the front valve edge is constantly exposed to the material flow and shears it. All edges must therefore be strongly hardened and yet wear out in a short time. Replacing the components is time-consuming, since the filling pot has to be separated from the product path and completely dismantled. That is why such a system has not established itself on the market.

For example, scissor valves are often used as channel closures, in which scissor-shaped grippers completely release an elastic part of the filling channel in the open state, while the scissor grippers partially close the filling channel in the fine flow position and completely in the closed position. Such a scissor valve works reliably and can bring about a tight closure of the filling channel, with a high flow rate being possible in the open state. The scissor grabs themselves are practically not subject to wear, as they do not come into frictional contact with the product to be filled. The disadvantage of this, however, is that the channel closure must engage in the elastic part of the filling channel, so that an axially larger filling device is created. In addition, the elastic hose wears out due to the scissor movements and has to be replaced regularly. The filling pot does not have to be completely dismantled, but increased downtimes result. In addition, the filling channel becomes longer due to the elastic hose and its compressible part, so that there is increased pipe friction.

In the case of rotating packaging machines which have a plurality of filling devices distributed over the circumference, this leads to a larger diameter of the packaging machine and thus to a larger structural volume.

A small overall volume and a smaller overall length are achieved using a slide valve. With such a canal closure a pivoting slide plate was added between 2 other steel plates. The filling channel extends through the 3 adjacent steel plates. The pivot axis of the central slide plate, which optionally releases the filling channel, extends parallel to the filling channel. Due to the eccentric pivoting movement, the filling channel is initially partially and finally completely closed, so that a defined control of the filling process is possible.

To seal the 3 steel plates, they are pressed against one another by spring preload, so that there is a sufficient seal to the outside. Such a channel closure works reliably and requires only a small amount of space in the direction of the filling channel. The steel plates sliding on each other are subject to continuous wear. The wall thickness of the slide plate can be increased accordingly in order to increase the service life. Nevertheless, the individual steel plates have to be replaced at maintenance intervals, which leads to downtimes. This also results in assembly costs. Another disadvantage is that the product is transported to the outside between the steel plates during operation. Even if these are only relatively small quantities, this leads to contamination of the packaging machine and the environment. A seal surrounding the slide valve would clog over time and hinder the movement of the slide plate.

With the WO 2013/079183 A1 a filling device for a packing machine for filling bulk goods such as cement into valve bags has become known, the filling device having a filling channel and a controllable channel closure in order to control the flow through the filling channel of a bulk material to be filled into a valve bag. The channel closure has a pivotable closure member which comprises 2 round sections arranged in opposite walls of the filling channel, which are connected to one another over a certain angular range by an eccentric closure wall. The drive shaft adjoins a round section at the side, the eccentric one through its rotary movement Closure wall can be pivoted to completely close or completely open the filling channel. The round sections are mounted in the opposite walls of the filling channel and allow a simple function and at the same time serve as a seal to prevent bulk material from escaping to the outside from the filling channel. On the drive side, the drive shaft is guided outwards and moved into the different pivoting positions by a cylinder. On the opposite side, a cover is screwed on to seal the filling channel even better, so that the escape of bulk material is completely prevented. The idea here was that any bulk material that might pass the round section into the space between the round section and the cover could collect there, but not interfere with operation. It has been found, however, that the bulk material that collects in the area between the cover and the round section in the course of operation may harden there and over time interfere with ongoing operation and may even lead to jamming of the channel closure. Likewise, this dead space means an increased cleaning effort when the device z. B. is used in the food sector (flour, cocoa, etc.). When the gap has become clogged, the packaging machine must be stopped and the lid removed in order to clear the gap between the round section and the lid. Such downtimes are undesirable and can lead to a standstill of the entire system with upstream and downstream machines. A simple solution would be to leave out the cover, but this option is ruled out, since nowadays the contamination from escaping bulk material should or must be reduced as far as possible.

Became acquainted with the U.S. 3,191,906 a hemispherical valve for liquids that may contain solids. This known valve is not suitable for filling abrasive bulk materials, since hemispherical surfaces are difficult to permanently seal against abrasive substances. In addition, the stub axles are always in the known valve Liquid flow, which in the case of bulk goods would cause a correspondingly heavy wear. Furthermore, the assembly and disassembly and also the production is very complex.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a filling device with a channel closure for an automatically operated packing machine for filling bulk goods in containers and a packing machine equipped therewith, with which a low wear and a high flow are possible and with a high level of cleanliness is attainable.

This object is achieved by a filling device with the features of claim 1 and by a packing machine with the features of claim 15. Preferred further developments are the subject of the subclaims. Further advantages and features of the present invention emerge from the general description and the description of an exemplary embodiment.

A filling device according to the invention is provided for a packing machine for the automatic filling of bulk goods into containers (in particular valve sacks or open sacks). The filling device comprises a housing and a filling channel formed therein and a controllable channel closure in order to control the filling of bulk goods into containers. The channel closure comprises a pivotable closure member. In the assembled state, the closure member is received in a closure receptacle in the housing. The closure receptacle extends in a transverse direction across the filling channel. This means that the cap holder crosses the product path defined by the filling channel. The closure member comprises a drive shaft which extends outward from the housing on a drive side of the housing and via which the closure member can be pivoted in a controlled manner in order to close the filling channel in a closed position and to fully release it in an open position at least in a central area. Intermediate positions are also possible if necessary. A wall (in particular outer wall or outer wall) of the housing has (on a Outside of the housing) has an insertion opening for the closure member in order to be able to introduce the closure member through the insertion opening (from the outside) into the closure receptacle and / or remove it therefrom during assembly or maintenance. The closure member is only supported on one side of the filling channel on the drive side and is sealed off from the housing on the drive side with a round member section. A seal is not necessary on the side opposite the drive side, since the closure element is not supported on the side and the bulk material cannot pass through to the outside or into an outer chamber. In a wall of the housing in the direction of flow in front of the closure member, a ventilation nozzle is arranged, with which the filling channel can be ventilated if necessary.

The filling device according to the invention has many advantages. A considerable advantage is that the closure member is only supported on one side of the filling channel, and specifically only on the drive side. A lead-through for the drive shaft to the outside must be provided on the drive side so that a drive moves the closure element into the desired positions. It has been found that it is not necessary to mount the closure member on the opposite side. This means that there is no need for a wall duct. An intermediate chamber between the cover and a round and full-surface organ section of the closure member is not provided, which could hinder the operation in the long term.

The invention also enables simple assembly and disassembly and maintenance-friendly operation. The filling device has a separate housing and can therefore also be used with existing packaging machines. The housing of the filling device is arranged outside the bulk material and is not received, for example, inside a filling pot. To replace a closure element, it is not necessary to remove the entire filling device or to dismantle a filling pot in order to insert the closure element inside. The filling device is therefore also suitable for retrofitting existing packaging machines. A considerable advantage in operation results from the fact that only a small amount of effort arises when the closure member is replaced. And that is it is possible with the filling device according to the invention to remove the closure member from the side of the housing (to the outside and not to the inside). It is not necessary to dismantle the filling device as a whole. It is also not necessary to separate the filling device from the product supply or the product discharge. For an exchange in the context of maintenance or during assembly or disassembly, the closure member can be inserted through an insertion opening on the side or from below, or it can also be removed again. If space is available, it can also be installed from above. In all of these cases, maintenance only requires very little downtime.

For assembly, the closure member can be inserted laterally into the closure receptacle in or along or parallel to the transverse direction. The closure member can also be removed again during assembly through the insertion opening.

The lock receptacle is accessible through the insertion opening during dismantling.

The insertion opening is preferably on the drive side. An opening in the housing on the opposite side is then not necessary. The insertion opening can, however, also be arranged on the side opposite the drive side and, in simple cases, can be sealed off by a cover. There is then no provision for the drive shaft to pass through there.

A drive is preferably provided which is designed in particular as a cylinder drive. The drive is preferably connected to the closure member via a lever.

In all of the refinements, the filling device is suitable and designed to be installed in a packing machine equipped with at least one filler neck, with which Packing machine can be filled in a controlled manner into a container hanging on the filler neck.

The housing of the filling device is a separate part. Such a housing can preferably be connected to a filling pot of the packaging machine. It is also possible that the filling device comprises a filling pot.

The filling device has the housing and a filling channel extending therein, preferably from a supply side to a discharge side. The feed side can be connected in particular to a product feed and the discharge side can be connected in particular to a discharge channel.

The closure receptacle is designed in particular cylindrical. The closure member preferably comprises a closure wall arranged eccentrically to the pivot axis. The closure wall is preferably connected axially to the round organ section. The closure member particularly preferably consists essentially of the drive shaft, a round member section and the closure wall. In all configurations, the closure wall is preferably designed as a cylinder section or semi-cylinder section and can have a cross section in the shape of a segment of a circle. The circle segment has a central angle in particular less than 210 ° and preferably less than 180 ° and a segment height that is less than 1.2 times the radius and in particular less than the radius of the circle segment. In particular, an outer contour of the closure wall is delimited by a semicircular cylinder. The exact outer contour of the closure wall can be designed differently. In any case, a round outer contour is preferred.

In a preferred development, the closure member is received in the housing in a contact-free manner on the side opposite the drive side. In particular, there is a small one Gap between the contour of the closure member and the wall of the housing on the side opposite the drive side.

In preferred configurations, the housing comprises a valve housing section and a bearing housing section connected to it. In particular, the bearing housing section is sealed off from the valve housing section. The valve housing section and the bearing housing section can be formed in one piece. However, it is possible and preferred for the valve housing section and the bearing housing section to be designed as separate parts which are connected to one another. For example, the bearing housing section can have a flange part and can be screwed to the flange with the valve housing section. The bearing housing section is preferably detachably connected to the valve housing section. It is preferred that the closure member is rotatably mounted on the bearing housing section.

In preferred embodiments, the bearing housing section is hollow and is connected to the valve housing section and, in particular, screwed. The valve housing section is particularly preferably sealed off from the outside (apart from the filling channel). The bearing housing section is particularly preferably sealed off from the outside. The bearing housing section is preferably sealed off from the valve housing section and / or the filling channel by means of the closure member and at least one seal. The bearing housing section is preferably sealed off towards the outside towards the drive by means of at least one seal. Such a seal allows a particularly tight design.

In preferred embodiments, the bearing housing section surrounds the drive shaft of the closure member. At least one seal for sealing the drive shaft from the filling channel is preferably arranged in the interior of the bearing housing section on the filling channel side. A bearing unit for supporting the drive shaft opposite the bearing housing section is preferably arranged closer to the outer end of the drive shaft. Between one The inner wall of the bearing housing section and the drive shaft preferably have an outwardly sealed cavity which is ventilated by means of at least one ventilation nozzle in order to reduce the entry of bulk material from the filling channel into the cavity through the seal, in particular as far as possible. The cavity can be placed under an overpressure through the ventilation nozzle, which leads to a (low) flow of rinsing air from the cavity through the seal into the filling channel, whereby the overflow of bulk material is greatly reduced or prevented. The flow of scavenging air is particularly preferably set such that the pressure in the cavity is at least approximately as great as in the filling channel or preferably greater than the pressure in the filling channel.

The housing preferably comprises two opposing walls or side walls, one of the two walls or side walls being arranged on the drive side. The housing preferably has two walls which are designed as outer walls and which are opposite one another. In particular, the wall opposite the drive side is designed as an outer wall (and delimits the housing from the surroundings).

It is preferred that the insertion opening is provided on the drive side. It is also possible, however, for the insertion opening or an insertion opening to be arranged on the wall opposite the drive side. If the closure member is oriented horizontally in the assembled state or if the transverse direction is oriented approximately horizontally, then the drive side is preferably located on a side wall of the housing. In these and other configurations, it is preferred that a through hole or through opening is formed during the manufacture of the housing, so that practically an insertion opening is formed on each of the opposite sides of the housing. It is then conceivable that the closure member can be introduced from both sides, or that the drive or the drive side can optionally be arranged on the right or left.

It is preferred that a through opening is formed on the wall opposite the drive side, which opening is closed by a cover device. This through opening can be used as an insertion opening if the dimensions are correspondingly large. In this respect, it is possible for the insertion opening to be formed on the side opposite the drive side. On the drive side, only the drive shaft then has to be passed through. In all of these configurations, the through opening on the wall opposite the drive side is closed by a cover device. The cover device preferably closes the through opening and dips into the through opening and forms part of the channel wall of the filling channel. The (inside of the) lid device is preferably at least partially in direct and immediate contact with the bulk material to be filled.

It is also possible that the drive side is formed on the bottom or the top of the housing. In particular, the insertion opening is arranged on the drive side if the insertion opening is formed on a lower side wall of the housing. The insertion opening is accessible in particular from the environment. The insertion opening is not formed in the interior of a filling pot. The transverse direction then extends approximately vertically during and especially after typical assembly.

At least one ventilation nozzle is preferably arranged on the cover device in order to ventilate the area of the closure receptacle and / or the area of the closure member as required. It has been found that there can be minor or major difficulties in guiding the fluid in the bulk material, especially in the area of the channel closure. This is especially true after longer downtimes and is also product-dependent. Reliable operation can be guaranteed by such a ventilation nozzle in the area of the closure member or the closure receptacle. With the invention it is possible to provide a filling device with such a ventilation nozzle can also be retrofitted to the cap holder on existing packaging machines. As a result, considerable difficulties in filling difficult products can be eliminated and, even when filling product that is inherently easy to fill, a constant state of the bulk material can be ensured by means of ventilation, if necessary.

According to the invention, a ventilation nozzle is arranged in a wall of the housing in the direction of flow in front of the closure member, with which the filling channel can be ventilated if necessary. In particular, such a ventilation nozzle is provided in a wall of the housing arranged at the bottom in the intended installation. Such a (lower) ventilation nozzle can be used to ventilate the area in front of the closure member in order to improve the flowability of the bulk material. Such a ventilation nozzle can be used when filling any container (e.g. valve sacks or open sacks) or, for example, after long periods of inactivity.

The use of a ventilation nozzle in the direction of flow in front of the closure element and a (further) ventilation nozzle on the cover device is particularly advantageous in order to be able to specifically ventilate the area in front of the closure element and immediately behind or on the closure element in order to set suitable fluidization properties.

The closure member preferably has the drive shaft and the organ section of round design and a closure wall arranged eccentrically to the drive shaft.

The closure wall is particularly preferably essentially formed by a hollow cylinder segment or a cylinder segment and is preferably delimited by a half cylinder with the outer diameter of the round organ section and preferably designed as a flat surface free of interfering edges towards the inside of the filling channel.

In preferred embodiments, the filling channel has an essentially rectangular cross section at least in the area of the closure member. It is possible that the corners are rounded.

In preferred embodiments, the filling channel has at least one recess in the area of the closure member, in which the closure wall is at least partially arranged when the closure wall is in a completely open position. In the area of the closure member, the filling channel preferably has at least one recess into which the closure wall at least partially dips when the closure wall is in the closed position. The closure wall preferably dips with a closure edge into a groove when the closure wall is moved into the closed position (closed position). The groove can be formed in the filling channel and formed by the recess or can be formed thereon. The closing edge tapers in particular towards the end. The closing edge of the closing wall or the closing wall itself provides, in particular, a wear reserve. When the front end is worn, the closure wall still dips into the groove to close the filling channel. Therefore, a low-maintenance operation is made possible. The closure wall is only screwed a little more into the groove when material is worn on the front edge in order to effect a tight closure.

An insert is preferably provided in the recess, which is, for example, screwed tight. The insert preferably almost completely (or completely) fills the recess. A (small) groove preferably remains, into which the tip or closure edge of the closure wall dips in the closed position in order to effect a tight closure of the filling channel. The groove remains in the recess, which is not filled by the insert.

Particularly preferably, the recess is designed so that the closure wall can immerse completely in it. In this open position, the closure wall preferably completely fills the recess, so that in the open state a (almost) interference-free filling channel is created, which corresponds to the cross-section in front of and behind it. The closure wall practically does not impede the flow of product.

In all of the configurations, the filling device can comprise a conveying element and / or a filling pot for receiving an intermediate supply of the bulk material to be filled. A conveyor element can be designed as a conveyor turbine. However, it is also possible to use other conveying elements, such as air conveyors or screw conveyors or pump conveyors. All such conveying elements produce pressure (within the filling pot and in particular) in the filling channel. The overpressure is brought about by the conveying element, but also by adding air to make the bulk material flowable or to set the desired flowability. Only when air is added can bulk goods such as cement or flour or cocoa and many others become more fluid. This "fluidizing" air also increases the prevailing internal pressure, which favors an undesired escape of the bulk material from the filling channel to the outside. This also increases the effort required for sealing.

In all configurations and developments, it is preferred that the closure member in the assembled state is at least partially within a rectangular area that surrounds the outer circumference and / or the inner cross-sectional area of the filling pot as closely as possible, with a side edge of the rectangular area parallel to the course of the filling channel through the housing is aligned.

Preferably, at least the area of the interior of the filling pot at which the filling channel exits is designed to be rounded. The conveying element is preferably accommodated in the filling pot.

In all of the configurations it is possible and preferred that the filling device comprises a filling nozzle which is connected to the filling channel. In particular, an elastic hose is provided between the filler neck and the filler channel. The elastic tube is preferably linear. The elastic tube preferably forms a linear continuation of the filling channel and / or the filling nozzle.

Furthermore, the invention is also geared towards a packing machine with at least one filling device and is used for the automatic filling of bulk goods into containers. The packaging machine comprises at least one filling pot and a housing with a filling channel formed therein and a controllable channel closure in order to control the filling of bulk goods into containers. The channel closure comprises a pivotable closure member which, in the assembled state, is received in a closure receptacle in the housing. The closure receptacle extends in a transverse direction through the filling channel. The closure member comprises a drive shaft which extends outward from the housing on a drive side of the housing and via which the closure member can be pivoted in a controlled manner in order to close the filling channel in a closed position and to fully release it in an open position at least in a central area. One wall (outer wall or outer wall) of the housing has an insertion opening for the closure member in order to be able to introduce the closure member through the insertion opening into the closure receptacle during assembly. In this case, the closure member is preferably mounted on only one side of the filling channel on the drive side and is sealed off from the housing on the drive side with a round member section. It is also possible that the closure member is on the opposite side to the drive side Side is supported or supported by a hollow support ring section on the side opposite the drive side.

The housing with the channel closure can be designed in one piece with the filling pot. It is preferred that the housing is a separate part which is connected to the filling pot. From the housing with the channel closure, the filling channel extends preferably linearly to the filling nozzle, to which containers (e.g. valve bags) for filling bulk goods are attached. In the case of open sacks, there is usually a gentle downward deflection of around 90 ° (around +/- 15 °) with a correspondingly large radius of curvature, which is usually not the case with valve sacks. In the area of the closure member, the filling channel is preferably (in particular regularly or even always) linear. In addition to an exactly straight course, a linear filling channel is also preferably understood to mean a course of the filling channel that has a slight angle of, for. B. up to 2.5 ° or 5 ° or up to 10 °.

In all configurations, the filled quantity or the filled filling volume can be controlled in a targeted manner with the channel closure. As a rule, at the beginning of a filling process, the closure member is brought into the open position in order to begin the filling process in the coarse flow. Towards the end of the filling process, the product flow is reduced and only filled in the fine flow. The product flow is preferably controlled essentially at least also by transferring the closure member from the fully open position to a partially open position. When the filled filling quantity or the desired filling volume is reached, the channel closure is completely closed so that the filling process is stopped. It is possible that the closure member can assume 2 or 3 or more intermediate positions.

With the invention, a channel closure is made available, which has a very small overall volume and a small Overall length required. The filling device and the sewer closure can be retrofitted. Very little wear is achieved.

The filling channel is preferably completely released in the open position. The fully releasable proportion of the cross-sectional area of the filling channel is preferably at least 50% and in particular at least 66% and preferably more than 75%. A releasable proportion of 80%, 90%, 95% and particularly preferably 98% and more is particularly preferably achieved. In all of the configurations, it is preferred that the round organ section is formed over the entire surface. On the circumference, a suitable sealing ring such. B. an O-ring, a labyrinth sealing ring, a radial shaft sealing ring, etc. may be provided in order to seal the round organ section against the wall of the housing.

In the case of the invention, the channel closure is only more exposed to the product flow or the flow of bulk material if the channel closure at least partially closes the channel. In the fully open state, the channel closure does not protrude into the channel and neither does it divert the flow of bulk material. This achieves particularly low-wear operation. When filling in the coarse flow (practically no substantial or) no deflection of the bulk material flow at the channel closure takes place.

In all configurations, the channel closure and in particular the round organ section of the channel closure can have a diameter that is greater than the height of the filling channel, so that it is possible for the closure wall to enter the recess on one side of the filling channel and the recess on the other at the same time Side of the channel is immersed and thus completely closes the filling channel. The round organ section and the closure organ as a whole can be arranged centrally to the filling channel or also eccentrically to the filling channel.

In all further developments and refinements, the filling device and / or the packing machine according to the invention are preferably used to fill containers in the form of sacks. In this preferred embodiment, the term “container” can be replaced by the specification “sack”. Although the following exemplary embodiment explains the filling of bulk goods into valve sacks, open sacks can also be filled in a corresponding manner with a suitably adapted packing machine. In principle, the invention can be used to fill bulk goods into open-mouth sacks or valve sacks.

Further advantages and features of the present invention emerge from the exemplary embodiment which is explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figur 1

eine stark schematische Draufsicht auf eine rotierende Packmaschine;

Figur 2

eine Fülleinrichtung für die Packmaschine nach Figur 1 von einer Antriebsseite des Kanalverschlusses aus;

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Fülleinrichtung nach Figur 2 von der gegenüberliegenden Seite;

Figur 4

einen schematischen Querschnitt durch die Fülleinrichtung nach Figur 3;

Figur 5

den Kanalverschluss der Fülleinrichtung nach Figur 2 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Figur 6

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch die Fülleinrichtung nach Figur 2 mit einem schematisch angezeichneten Gebinde mit verschlossenem Füllkanal;

Figur 7

eine Darstellung gemäß Figur 6 mit dem Verschlussorgan in einer teilweise geöffneten Stellung; und

Figur 8

die Fülleinrichtung nach Figur 6 mit dem Verschlussorgan in der vollständig geöffneten Stellung.

In the figures show:

Figure 1

a highly schematic plan view of a rotating packaging machine;

Figure 2

a filling device for the packing machine Figure 1 from a drive side of the channel closure;

Figure 3

a perspective view of the filling device according to FIG Figure 2 from the opposite side;

Figure 4

a schematic cross section through the filling device according to Figure 3 ;

Figure 5

the sewer closure of the filling device Figure 2 in a perspective view;

Figure 6

a schematic longitudinal section through the filling device according to Figure 2 with a schematically drawn container with a closed filling channel;

Figure 7

a representation according to Figure 6 with the closure member in a partially open position; and

Figure 8

the filling device after Figure 6 with the locking member in the fully open position.

In Figure 1 a top view of a packing machine 100 according to the invention is shown in a highly schematic representation, which is used to fill any bulk goods into containers 4, which are embodied here as valve sacks. For example, valve bags 4 are filled with cement with the packing machine 100. It is also possible to design the packing machine 100 as a row packer or a single-nozzle packing machine. All packing machines can be designed for filling valve sacks or open sacks.

The packing machine 100 rotates in the direction of the arrow 104 in a clockwise direction. In a suitable angular position, an automatic plug-on 101 is provided, which removes the container 4 from a supply of sacks 103 and automatically shoots a container 4 onto each of the filling spouts 30 rotating past.

As the rotation continues, the containers 4 are filled with the bulk material to be filled. In this case, filling is first carried out in the coarse flow until a predetermined weight threshold is reached. Then the filling takes place in fine flow until the final weight is reached. A calming phase can follow until the angular point is reached in which the discharge belt 102 is provided, onto which the filled containers are dropped. The weight of the container 4 can be checked again on the discharge belt 102. The filled containers 4 are transported away.

Figure 2 shows a filling device 1 for the packing machine 100 according to FIG Figure 1 in a perspective view. The filling device 1 here comprises a housing 40. The filling device 1 or the housing 40 of the filling device 1 can be formed in one piece or in one piece with the filling pot 25.

In this exemplary embodiment, the filling pot 25 is a separate part which is connected and preferably screwed to the filling device 1 and here in particular to the housing 40.

The filling pot 25 has a conveying element 24 in the interior 29 of the filling pot 25, which is designed here as a conveyor turbine 27 in the exemplary embodiment. However, the use of other funding bodies is also possible. An inlet 26 is formed at the upper end of the filling pot, through which the product to be filled reaches the filling pot 25. The filling channel 2, which continues in the housing 40 of the filling device 1, begins in a lower region 28 of the filling pot 25.

The filling device 1 comprises the housing 40 with the filling channel 2 and a channel seal 3. The channel seal 3 includes a here in the illustration Figure 2 Not visible closure member 6 with a drive shaft 7, which can be pivoted between different positions via the lever 9 and the drive 10, which is designed here as a cylinder drive 14, in order to selectively close, partially open or fully open the filling channel 2.

The housing 40 here comprises the valve housing section 41 and the bearing housing section 42 flanged to it.

On the drive side 45, the side wall or wall 15 adjoins the filling channel 2, while the side wall or wall 16 adjoins the filling channel 2 on the opposite side 46. A cover 55 can be seen on the opposite side 46 (opposite side 46 = side opposite the drive side 45).

Figure 3 FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the filling device 1 and the filling pot 25 from FIG Figure 2 from the other side. Here the roughly triangular cross-section of the housing 40 can be seen in the side view. Such a shape can advantageously be applied in the lower lateral edge area of the filling pot 25 and thus allows a particularly space-saving and space-saving arrangement of the channel closure 3. With the cover 55, a through opening 47 (cf. Fig. 4 ) closed in the wall 16.

A filler neck 30 can be connected to the end face 48 of the housing 40 via an elastic hose, for example, to which the attached containers can be filled. Can be seen in Figure 3 the ventilation nozzle 59 on the cover 55, via which, if necessary, the filling channel 2 in the area of the closure receptacle 32 (cf. Fig. 4 ) of the duct seal 3 can be ventilated. As a result, the bulk material located there can be ventilated directly in the area of the closure member 6 in order to provide suitable fluidization properties. If necessary, the filling channel 2 can also be blown freely through the ventilation 59.

Figure 4 shows a horizontal cross section through the representation according to FIG Figure 3 , whereby here by different hatching of the valve housing section 41, the bearing housing section 42 and the filling pot 25 it can be clearly seen that these parts are designed here as separate parts. However, it is also possible to design the filling pot 25 in one piece with the valve housing section 41.

The filling channel 2 extends from the interior 29 of the filling pot 25 into the housing 40. In the position shown, the closure member 6 with the closure wall 18 is in the closed position (both not shown in section here), in which the filling channel is completely closed by the closure wall 18. In the top view, the approximately L-shaped structure of the closure member 6 in the area of the filling channel 2 can be seen here. The closure member 6 here comprises the closure wall 18 which transversely passes through or crosses the filling channel 2 and the round organ section 8 on the wall 15 of the housing 40 causes. A seal 51 is connected downstream of the round organ section 8. The seal 51 largely prevents bulk material particles from entering the cavity 53 of the bearing housing section 42. As a result, the storage units 52 arranged only on the drive side 45 are reliably protected from the entry of bulk goods. For further sealing, at least one ventilation nozzle 54 is preferably provided, with which the cavity 53 between the drive shaft 7 and the wall of the bearing housing section 42 can be placed under a targeted overpressure, in order in particular to bring about a flow of scavenging air from the cavity 53 into the filling channel 2, which ensures even better sealing results.

Figure 4 it can be seen that the closure member 6 with the drive shaft 7, the round member section 8 and the closure wall 18 extends in the transverse direction 44 transversely to the alignment of the filling channel 2.

On the side 46 opposite the drive side 45, a through opening 47 is formed in the wall 16 of the housing 40, which is closed here by the cover 55. In the exemplary embodiment, the through opening 47 has the same diameter as the insertion opening 49 on the drive side 45 and is designed concentrically therewith. This means that there are basically 2 insertion openings available here. In principle, the closure member 6 can be inserted into the closure receptacle 32 both from the drive side 45 and from the opposite side 46.

The cover 55 fills the through opening 47 almost completely (or completely) in the axial direction and thus forms part of the filling channel 2 with no or only minimal interfering edges.

In the exemplary embodiment, it is advisable to introduce the closure member 6 from the drive side 45, since the closure member 6 can, for example, initially be mounted on the bearing housing section 42. Then the closure wall 18 and the round organ section 8 are inserted into the insertion opening 49 and the bearing housing section 42 is screwed to the valve housing section 41. The procedure allows simple and quick assembly, particularly during maintenance or replacement, since the channel closure 3 can be introduced from the side. It is not necessary to remove the housing 40 from the product path or to separate the product path itself. It is sufficient to open the housing 40 laterally and to remove the closure member 6.

It can be seen in the representation according to Figure 4 also the outlet end of the lower ventilation nozzle 35, which opens shortly before the closure wall 18 which is in the closed position, so that effective ventilation of the area directly in front of the closure wall 18 is possible when the next filling process is to be started.

Ventilation via the ventilation nozzle 59 on the cover 55 is also possible, so that air can be supplied via the ventilation nozzles 35 and 59 immediately in front of and behind the closure wall 18.

Figure 5 shows a schematic perspective representation of the channel closure 3 with the drive provided here as a cylinder drive 14, the lever 9 and the closure member 6, which has the drive shaft 7, the round member section 8 and the closure wall 18 extending in the lateral transverse direction. In the assembled state, the end face 38 of the closure wall 18 is located at a small distance from the channel wall 16 or from the inner wall of the cover 55, so that contact-free and permanently reliable operation can be guaranteed.

In the representation after Figure 5 the cylinder segment-like structure of the closure wall 18 can be seen. Such a configuration offers the advantage that in the completely In the open position, a trouble-free flow of the bulk material through a (almost) smooth-walled filling channel 2 is made possible.

With reference to the Figures 6 , 7 and 8 the function is briefly explained below.

In Figure 6 a filler neck 30 is shown schematically, which connects to a flexible hose section 31. By means of such a flexible hose 31, a weight-related decoupling of the filling device 1 of the filling pot 25 from the container or valve bag 4 is achieved. Schematically, bulk material 5 is shown in the valve bag 4, which is filled here according to the gross method. This means that the container 4 or the sack is weighed together with the bulk material during filling.

The channel closure 3 and the closure member 6 are located in the illustration according to FIG Figure 6 in the completely closed position 11, in which the filling channel 2 is completely closed. The cylindrical closure receptacle 32 can be seen in this side view. Above the filling channel 2 there is a recess 22 into which the closure wall 18 is completely immersed in the open position. Underneath the filling channel 2, a recess 23 is formed, which is essentially filled by an insert 56. The insert 56 is fixed by the screw shown. The insert 56 leaves a small edge or groove exposed (in Fig. 8 recognizable), into which the closure wall 18 dips from above in the closed position 11 shown here in order to reliably and completely close the filling channel 2.

In the conveying direction, the (lower) ventilation nozzle 35 can be seen in front of the closure member 6 in the housing 40, while the air outlet of the ventilation nozzle 59 can be seen within the closure receptacle 32. The ventilation nozzles 35 and 59 enable the bulk material 5 to be ventilated in front of and behind the closure wall 18.

While in Figure 6 the filling channel 2 is completely closed, the central area 34 of the filling channel 2 can be in the fully open position (cf. Figure 8 ) are fully released.

Figure 7 shows the partially open position 12, in which the closure wall 18 of the closure member 6 has been partially pivoted upwards, so that the lower region of the filling channel 2 is opened.

In Figure 7 a groove 23a can be seen, which here remains of the recess 23 after the insert 56 has been inserted. The groove 23a can also be worked directly into the corresponding wall of the filling channel if no insert is provided. When closed, as in Figure 6 shown, the locking edge 18a dips into the groove 23a and ensures a complete closure. When the closing edge 18a is worn at the front end, the closing wall is only rotated a little further for closing in order to close the filling channel tightly. In simple cases, this is done automatically by a drive (such as the cylinder drive 14). The material of the closure wall 18 serves as a wear reserve in such cases.

In Figure 7 the (lower) wall 43 of the housing 40, on which the ventilation nozzle 35 is arranged, is designated by reference numeral 43.

Figure 8 finally shows the fully open position 13, in which the filling channel 2 is completely and practically 100% released here. In this position 13, the closure wall 18 is located completely within the upper recess 22. By designing the closure wall 18 as a cylinder segment, the closure channel 2 can be released without interference in this position.

In Figure 8 the rectangular areas 57 and 58 are shown. The closure member 6 is cut by the rectangular delimiting surface 57, which is spanned by the inner surface of the filling pot 25. The closure member 6 is also cut by the narrowest outer surface 58 surrounding the filling pot 25, one side surface of each of the rectangles 57, 58 running at least approximately parallel to the alignment of the filling channel 2. This makes it clear that a very compact and space-saving structure is made possible, in which even old machines can be retrofitted with the filling device 1 according to the invention. Is also shown in Figure 8 Another alternative embodiment, in which the closure member 6 is supported or mounted on the side 46 opposite the drive side 45 by a support ring section 50. The support ring section 50 is designed to be hollow and, as in FIG Figure 8 shown be designed circumferentially. With such a configuration, the closure member is supported on both sides 45, 46 of the filling channel 2. The opposite side 46 can be closed with a cover 55. Because the support ring section 50 is hollow, material can be transported and exchanged freely. There is no closed cavity that can be completely filled with product and possibly block continued operation. The use of a ventilation nozzle to ventilate an intermediate space can also be dispensed with. Another ventilation nozzle 59 for fluidizing the bulk material in the filling channel can be attached to the cover 55.

Overall, the invention provides an advantageous filling device and an advantageous packing machine, with which bulk goods in containers and in particular valve bags or open bags can be controlled and automatically filled in an effective manner. The design of the channel closure allows reliable functioning and low wear. Furthermore, an advantageous ventilation option is made available.

The filling device works with little wear and tear and seals the filling channel from the outside more reliably, even under increased delivery pressure, and requires very little space. As a result, known filling devices can be exchanged, so that a longer service life can be achieved with reliable functioning. Furthermore, the connection dimensions of known filling devices can be adhered to, so that an exchange can take place without problems. <b> List of reference symbols: </b> 1 Filling device 31 elastic hose 2 Filling channel 32 Lock mount 3 Canal closure 34 central area 4th Container, valve bag 35 (lower) ventilation nozzle 5 Bulk material 38 Front side of 18 6th Closure organ 40 casing 7th drive shaft 41 Valve housing section 8th round organ section 42 Bearing housing section 9 lever 43 (lower) wall 10 drive 44 Transverse direction 11 Closed position, closed position 45 Drive side 46 opposite side 12th partially open position 47 Through opening 48 Face of 41 13th Open position, open position 49 Insertion opening 50 Support ring section 14th Cylinder drive 51 poetry 15th Wall (drive side) 52 Storage unit 16 Wall 53 cavity 18th Locking wall 54 Ventilation nozzle for 53 18a Locking edge 55 lid 22nd Recess 56 mission 23 deepening 57 Rectangular area 23a Groove 58 Rectangular area 24 Funding body 59 Ventilation nozzle in 55 25th Filling pot 100 Packing machine 26th enema 101 Attachments 27 Conveyor turbine 102 Discharge belt 28 Filling channel inlet 103 Sack supply 29 Interior of the filling pot 104 Direction of rotation 30th Filler neck

Claims (15)

1. Filling device (1) for a packaging machine for automatically filling bulk material (5) into packages (4), comprising a housing (40) and a filling channel (2) configured therein and a controlled channel shutter (3) for controlling the filling of bulk material (5) into packages (4),

   wherein the channel shutter (3) comprises a closing head (6) that is pivotable and when mounted is accommodated in a sealing socket (32) in the housing (40), wherein the sealing socket (32) extends in a transverse direction (44) transversely through the filling channel (2),

   the closing head (6) comprising a drive shaft (7) extending on the drive side (45) of the housing (40) outwardly from the housing (40), and via which the closing head (6) is controlled to be pivotable to close the filling channel (2) in a closed position (11), and to clear it completely in an open position (13) at least in a central region (34),

   wherein a wall (15) of the housing (40) shows a feeding mouth (49) for the closing head (6) to insert and/or remove the closing head (6) during assembly or maintenance through the feeding mouth (49) into and out of the sealing socket (32), wherein the closing head (6) is supported on one side of the filling channel (2) on the drive side (45) and is sealed on the drive side (45) relative to the housing (40) by means of a round head portion (8),

   characterized in that an aeration nozzle (35) is disposed in a wall (43) of the housing in the flow direction upstream of the closing head with which to aerate the filling channel.
2. The filling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closing head (6) is accommodated contactless in the housing (40) on the side (46) opposite the drive side (45).
3. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (40) comprises a valve housing portion (41) and a bearing housing portion (42) connected therewith, and wherein the closing head (6) is rotatably supported on the bearing housing portion (42), wherein in particular the bearing housing portion (42) is sealed against the valve housing portion (41) .
4. The filling device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bearing housing portion (42) is hollow and is connected with the valve housing portion (41).
5. The filling device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bearing housing portion (42) surrounds the drive shaft (7) of the closing head (6), and wherein at least one seal (51) is disposed in the interior of the bearing housing portion (42) on the filling channel side for sealing the drive shaft (7) against the filling channel (2), and closer to the outwardly end, a bearing unit (52) is disposed for supporting the drive shaft (7) relative to the bearing housing portion (42), and wherein between an inner wall of the bearing housing portion (42) and the drive shaft (7) a hollow space (53) extends that can be aerated by means of at least one aeration nozzle (54) to reduce the entry of bulk material from the filling channel into the hollow space through the sealing (51).
6. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (40) comprises two opposite walls (15, 16), one of the two walls being disposed on the drive side (45), and/or wherein the feeding mouth (49) is provided on the drive side (45), or wherein the feeding mouth (49) is disposed on the wall (16) opposite the drive side.
7. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wall (46) opposite the drive side (45) shows a through hole (47) that is closed by a cover device (60), and wherein the cover device immerses in particular into the through hole (47), forming part of the channel wall of the filling channel, and/or wherein in particular an aeration nozzle (59) is disposed in the cover device (60) for aerating the area of the sealing socket (32) as needed.
8. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closing head (6) protrudes into opposite walls (15, 16) of the filling channel (2).
9. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closing head includes the drive shaft (7) and the round head portion (8) and a closing wall disposed off-center relative to the drive shaft (7), and wherein the closing wall is in particular substantially formed by a hollow cylinder segment or a cylinder segment, or is in particular enclosed by a semicylinder showing the outer diameter of the round head portion.
10. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filling channel (2) is substantially rectangular in cross-section (21) in the region of the closing head (6).
11. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the filling channel (2) comprises, in the region of the closing head (6), at least one recess (22) in which at least part of the closing wall (18) is disposed when the closing wall (18) is in an entirely open position (13), and wherein the filling channel (2) comprises, in the region of the closing head (6), at least one depression (23) into which at least part of the closing wall (18) immerses when the closing wall (18) is in the closed position (11).
12. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one conveyor element (24) and a filling box (25) for receiving an intermediate supply of the bulk material (5) intended for filling.
13. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein when mounted, at least part of the closing head (6) is located within a rectangular surface, surrounding as narrowly as possible the outer periphery and/or the cross-sectional area of the filling box (25).
14. The filling device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a filling spout (30) is connected with the filling channel (2), and wherein an elastic hose (31) is provided between the filling spout (30) and the filling channel (2).
15. Packaging machine (50) having at least one filling device (1) according to at least one of the three preceding claims.

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