JP2010540365A - Apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The form-fill-seal packaging machine comprises a tank (20) for storing a fluid to be dispensed, a plurality of nozzles (26) for receiving and dispensing product from the tank (20), and each And a conveyor (22) moving along a transport path (30) containing a position under the nozzle (26). An adjustable tubular connection device (43) is provided in the fluid flow passage between the tank (20) and each nozzle (26) to deliver product from the tank (20) to the nozzle (26). The connecting device (43) has an inlet end portion with a vertical axis and an outlet end portion with a vertical axis parallel to the vertical axis of the inlet end portion, the vertical of the outlet end portion. The axis is movable so that the vertical axis of the outlet end portion of the connection device (43) remains parallel to the vertical axis of the inlet end portion everywhere in its range of movement.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method.

  In known aseptic form-fill-seal packaging machines used in beverage plants such as milk or juice, the fluid product to be packaged is stored in tanks spaced above the chain conveyor. . The chain conveyor includes two endless parallel chains, each chain having a drive sprocket having a vertical axis and an idling sprocket having a vertical axis. These two chains bound the pockets for receiving the respective carton sleeves, sealed at the bottom. The tank discharges the fluid product through the pump into the filler nozzle. Between the pump and the filler nozzle is a rigid stainless steel filler tube. The chain conveyor carries the carton sleeve, which is to be filled, sealed at the bottom, to the respective position under the filler nozzle. As the chain conveyor advances, the carton is indexed under the filler nozzle, filled, and then moved along the line. In some applications, the carton can be raised for filling before moving along the line and then lowered or filled and moved without raising.

  Over time, the conveyor chain stretches, which necessitates some repositioning of the filler nozzle along the chain conveyor path to align the filler nozzle with the parked carton. As a result, when the filler nozzle is moved, the pump and tank must also be moved, which is a cumbersome and undesirable operation. It is not possible to use a flexible corrugated filler tube between the tank and the pump. This is because such a tube forms an inner surface with ridges or fissures that make fluid products undesirably collected and difficult to clean. Such an inner surface also prevents smooth product flow and possibly stirs the fluid and causes the liquid product to produce bubbles when the product is a liquid product. Furthermore, in form-fill-seal packaging machines, the space available for the connection of flexible tubes is limited, and flexible tubes are undesirably bent or twisted.

  A known aseptic pipe connection device from Linneman GmbH, Halebak, Germany, includes two pieces that secure two adjacent pipe ends in a sterile and fluid tight manner. In this known connection device, a liner (first piece) is provided at one pipe end (for example by welding) and an externally threaded ferrule (second piece) is provided at the other pipe end. (For example, by welding). During assembly, an O-ring is placed on the end face of the end flange of the liner. The ferrule is placed adjacent to the liner so that the two pieces engage each other (the liner fits within the rim on the end face of the ferrule). The nut is then moved over the liner and screwed into the ferrule. This is done until these two pieces are in close engagement. The O-ring provides a seal between the liner and the ferrule and thereby between the two pipe ends. The pipes and fittings in this known pipe connection device are straight and are not designed to be adjustable.

  US-A-760,015 discloses a grain storage conveyor for gravity distribution of stored grain from the storage floor of the storage to the various grain bins below. The dispenser discharge end is then placed within the circle of the storage grain storage, and the individual parts of the dispenser are supported in place from any point of the radius of the circle from the dispenser receiving end. Like to do. A large hopper on the grain floor delivers the grain to a small hopper. Extending from this small hopper is a series of tri-articular tubes, each having a long intermediate section that is inclined with respect to a vertical plane and two short, vertical end sections. The upper end area of the lowermost tube, middle tube and uppermost tube are respectively connected to the lower end area of the intermediate tube, the lower end area of the uppermost tube and the bottom of the small hopper by flanges and half-shell connectors. The joint is connected. This connector allows a series of tubes to rotate around the vertical axis with respect to each other and allows the top tube to rotate about the vertical axis with respect to a small hopper.

  US-A-2004 / 0,037,657 discloses a particulate material transport device as described below. The particulate material transport apparatus includes an upper conduit having a material receiving inlet, a first intermediate conduit in communication with the upper conduit and pivotable about a first horizontal axis with respect to the upper conduit, and the first A second intermediate conduit communicating with the first intermediate conduit and pivotable about a second horizontal axis parallel to the first horizontal axis with respect to the first intermediate conduit; and a material discharge outlet; A lower conduit communicating with the second intermediate conduit and pivotable about a third horizontal axis parallel to the second horizontal axis with respect to the second intermediate conduit; and the first intermediate conduit A chain for transitioning the angular position of the second intermediate conduit about the second horizontal axis with respect to the first intermediate conduit about the first horizontal axis with respect to the upper conduit; and sprocket Including the structure.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 51-128717 is a joint for eccentric connection of pipes, which is composed of two tubular slabs, each slab having one end, and one end of which is eccentric with respect to the other end of the slab. Is disclosed. An external flange is formed at each end of the slab, and each flange is formed with a plurality of holes for nuts and bolt connectors at regular intervals around the flange. With these nut and bolt type connectors, the two slabs end to end with an annular seal interposed inwardly from the inner periphery of the adjacent slab ends of these slabs. Connected in contact. A plurality of nuts and bolt fittings at the other slab end that are inclined inwardly, clamp the flanges of these other slabs to the flanges of the associated pipes, and pipe the end inclined inwardly. Is used to bias against the annular seal surrounding the pipe, so that the joint can be used throughout the range of the spacing between the pipe ends. JP 51-128717 also discloses a similar joint, but certain holes in the connection between the two slabs have been replaced by arcuate slots to improve the circumferential direction of the slabs relative to each other. Provides the ability to adjust.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, an actuator, a support, and a linkage having two bars, one end of which is rotatably attached to the support and the other end is connected to the actuator. And a conveyor advancing along a transport path, wherein the actuating device rotates the two bars of the linkage around a substantially vertical axis with respect to each other and with respect to the support. With respect to the apparatus, an apparatus is provided that is substantially infinitely adjustable along the transport path.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, two stages are provided: the actuating device is provided at a position along the transport path, and one end is rotatably attached to the support and the other end is connected to the actuating device. A method is provided that includes providing a linkage having a bar and adjusting the position of the actuator along the transport path by rotating the two bars of the linkage relative to each other and the support. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily cope with dimensional changes in the longitudinal direction of the transport passage with a considerable degree of accuracy.

  A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is a dispensing machine as described below. The metering machine includes a dosing device for flowable material, a discharge device for the flowable material, and an adjustable tubular connection that interconnects the dosing device and the discharge device. Device. The connecting device includes an adjustable area, the adjustable area including a first offset connector, i.e., a first conduit, and a second offset connector, i.e., a second conduit; The first offset connector is in communication with the input device and is capable of selectively pivoting substantially horizontally with respect to the input device, and the second offset connector is in communication with the first offset connector. And can be pivoted selectively substantially horizontally with respect to the first offset connector. The second offset connector communicates with the discharge device and is capable of selectively pivoting substantially horizontally with respect to the discharge device. The dispensing machine further comprises a tank for storing the flowable material to be dispensed, a nozzle for receiving the flowable material from the tank and dispensing the liquid, and a position below the nozzle. And a conveyor moving along the containing path. The adjustable tubular connecting device is provided between the tank and the nozzle and serves to carry the flowable material from the tank to the nozzle.

1 is a schematic view of a portion of a form-fill-seal packaging machine according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a portion of the packaging machine of FIG. 1, showing a state where the part is in a first position. FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2A, but showing the part in the second position. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable tubular connection device forming part of the packaging machine of FIG. FIG. 4 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the connection device of FIG. 3. It is a side view of the connection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the adjustability of the connection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which similarly shows the adjustability of the connection apparatus of FIG.

  In order to clearly and completely disclose the present invention, embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a double-indexing form-fill-seal packaging machine 10 according to the present invention, which therefore comprises two filler tubes 12. The packaging machine 10 includes a tank 20 that holds fluid material to be dispensed into two cartons 28 at the same time. The tank 20 is installed above the chain conveyor 22. The tank 20 discharges fluid material through two metering and dispensing pumps 24 into two filler nozzles 26 installed in a sterile chamber 29. The chain conveyor 22 carries the cartons 28 to be filled to a position below the filler nozzle 26, and then these cartons 28 are lifted two by two into the nozzle box 25 by a pair of lifters 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the carton 28 is raised, then filled, then lowered, and then moved a substantial distance along the straight path 30. However, in an alternative embodiment not shown, the carton is filled without a rising or lowering step and then moved a considerable distance. The present invention is applicable to dispensing by one nozzle in addition to the dispensing by two nozzles illustrated. The present invention is also not limited to applications using one or two nozzles, and it is beneficial and can be practiced to use any number of nozzles that are beneficial or required for a particular application. Will be recognized.

  For each of the two nozzles 26, the tank 20 has an associated tank outlet tube 40 (FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3), each tank outlet tube 40 directing fluid from the tank. The tank outlet tube 40 (FIG. 3) has an outer flange 41 carrying an annular liner 42 at its lower (outlet) end. The nut 44 is captured by the outer flange 41 of the tank outlet tube 40.

  The pump 24 has a pump inlet tube 50 (FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3) for receiving fluid into the pump. The pump inlet tube 50 (FIG. 3) has a ferrule 52 at its upper (inlet) end with an external thread. An annular seal 54 is received in the ferrule 52. The seal 54 can be, for example, an O-ring.

  An adjustable tubular connection device 43 (FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3) suitable for aseptically filling the carton 28 includes each tank outlet tube 40 and a pump inlet associated with each tank outlet tube 40. It is installed between the tubes 50. The connection device 43 includes one or more adjustable connectors. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection device 43 (FIG. 3) includes two adjustable connectors: an upper connector 60 and a lower connector 80. In other embodiments, one or more adjustable connectors can be used.

  The upper connector 60 is an offset connector, which includes an ferrule 62 at its upper end, an outer flange 64 with an annular liner 63 at its lower end, a tube section 66 between the ferrule 62 and the outer flange 64, a seal. 68 and nut 70 are included. Tube section 66 is integrally coupled with ferrule 62 and external flange 64. Ferrule 62 and outer flange 64 are circular but not coaxial. More suitably, the tube section 66 extends at an oblique angle between the ferrule 62 and the outer flange 64 so that the ferrule 62 is parallel to the outer flange 64 but laterally away from the outer flange 64. It is displaced in the (radial direction).

  The ferrule 62 is externally threaded to engage the nut 42. The nut 70 is trapped in the tube section 66 on the flange 64. The seal 68 is received within the ferrule 62 and can be, for example, an O-ring.

  The lower connector 80 is an offset connector and can be the same as the upper connector 60 as in the case of the present embodiment. Accordingly, the lower connector 80 includes a ferrule 82, a flange 84, a liner 85, a tube section 86 and a nut 90 between the ferrule 82 and the flange 84.

  The ferrule 82 that is externally threaded engages with the nut 70. An internally threaded nut 90 engages the ferrule 52.

  When the parts of the packaging machine 10 are assembled, the tank outlet tube 40 is connected to the upper connector 60, the upper connector 60 is connected to the lower connector 80, and the lower connector 80 is connected to the pump inlet tube 50. .

  More specifically, the flange 41 and the liner 42 are inserted into the ferrule 62, and the seal 68 is interposed between the flange 41 and the ferrule 62. Then, the nut 44 is screwed to the ferrule 62. As a result, the tank outlet tube 40 is sealed and connected to the upper connector 60. This threaded connection can be loosened until all parts are assembled in their desired associated positions.

  The flange 64 and liner 63 of the upper connector 60 are inserted into the ferrule 82 and a seal 88 is interposed between the flange 64 and the ferrule 82. Then, the nut 70 is screwed to the ferrule 82. As a result, the upper connector 60 is hermetically coupled to the lower connector 80. This threaded connection can be left loose until all parts are assembled in their desired associated positions.

  As the position of each pump 24 is set with respect to the tank 20, the various threaded connections of the connection device 43 are tightened. As a result, aseptic fluid tight communication is established between the tank 20 and each pump 24 and components, providing that the communication is fixed in place. The communication described above is particularly suitable for aseptic filling. Because each of the seals 54, 68 and 88 and the surface portion of the tube 50 and connector 80 adjacent to the seal 54, the surface portion of the tube 40 and connector 60 adjacent to the seal 68 and the connector 60 adjacent to the seal 88. 4 and 80, these seals 54, 68 and 88 are of a cross-sectional flow through water flow from connector 80 to tube 50 to tube 40 to connector 60 and from connector 60 to connector 80. The boundary, in other words, these seals 54, 68 and 88 improve the substantially continuous internal surface from tube 40 to tube 50, for example, for CIP (clean in place). Nevertheless, there are virtually no cracks in which fluid traces are formed and remain.

  The connecting device 43 effectively forms a two-bar linkage between the tank outlet tube 40 and the pump inlet tube 50 that provides two degrees of freedom of movement. Due to the configuration of the connecting device 43, each pump inlet tube 50 can be repositioned with respect to the associated tank outlet tube 40 by the actuation of the upper connector 60 and the lower connector 80, respectively. This adjustment capability is schematically illustrated in FIGS.

  In FIG. 5, the center line or axis of the tank outlet tube 40 is indicated by line AA. The centerline of the nut 70 is indicated by line BB. The center line or axis of the nut 90, which is the same as the center line of the pump inlet tube 50, is indicated by line CC.

  Since the tube section 66 of the upper connector 60 extends obliquely between the tank outlet tube 40 and the lower connector 80, the nut 70 can swing in a circular motion about the axis A-A. Accordingly, the axis BB can swing to any point of the imaginary circle BB (FIG. 6) around the axis AA. The upper connector 60 effectively functions as a swivel joint between the tank outlet tube 40 and the lower connector 80. The center of the imaginary circle BB is the axis of the tank outlet tube 40, that is, the axis AA. The diameter of the imaginary circle BB is equal to the radial offset of the upper connector 60 provided by the tube section 66.

  Similarly, because the tube section 86 extends diagonally between the upper connector 60 and the pump inlet tube 50, the nut 90 swings about axis BB in a plane parallel to the nut 70 and nut 44. be able to. As a result, the axis C-C can swing around the axis BB to an arbitrary point of the imaginary circle CC (FIG. 6). The diameter of the imaginary circle CC is equal to the radial offset of the lower connector 80 provided by the tube section 86. Therefore, the lower connector 80 effectively works as a swivel joint between the upper connector 60 and the pump inlet tube 50.

  With such two degrees of freedom, the axis C-C is anywhere within the circular area 100 (indicated by the diagonal lines in FIGS. 6 and 7) centered on the axis A-A. This position includes any area around the circular area 100. The diameter of the imaginary circle CC is equal to the sum of the radii of the imaginary circles BB and CC, so (1) the amount of displacement of the upper connector 60 provided by the tube section 66 and (2) the tube section 86. Is equal to the sum of the amount of displacement of the lower connector 80 provided by Structurally, therefore, the lower end of the lower connector 80 (having the centerline C-C) has a tank outlet (having the centerline AA) in a plane parallel to the upper end of the upper connector 60. The tube 40 can be located anywhere within the same circular area 100. Thus, in operation, the axes of inlet AA and outlet C-C remain parallel to each other throughout the range of relative movement between these inlets and outlets.

  This degree of adjustment allows the pump inlet tube 50 to be set in a continuously variable manner along the passage 30 of the chain conveyor 22 associated with the tank outlet tube 40. As a result, in the case of chain elongation as described above, the filler tube along the length of the chain conveyor 22 in order for the connecting device 43 to align with the carton 28 at the carton index position set by the chain conveyor 22. 12. Allows repositioning of the nozzle box 25, nozzle 26 and pump 24. Tightening the nut at connection position 43 locks all joints and provides a secure sterile flow path between tank 20 and pump 24.

  2A and 2B also show the adjustment capability. In FIG. 2A, the two filler tubes 12, the tank 20, the two pumps 24, and the two nozzles 26 are all centered on the imaginary line 102 (in the left-right direction as viewed in FIG. 2A). In FIG. 2B, the two filler tubes 12, two nozzles 26 and two pumps 24 are separated from the phantom line 102 to accommodate the repositioning of the carton 28 by repositioning the carton index position set by the chain conveyor 22. To move. There is no need to move the tank 20 because the adjustable connecting device 43 accommodates the relative repositioning of the parts.

  From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, changes and variations can be made in the present invention. For example, the conveyor may be of a type that moves continuously rather than as an index. The adjustable connecting device 43 can also be used between each pump 24 and the nozzle 26 associated with this pump, or elsewhere in the packaging machine.

Claims (14)

  An actuating device, a support, a linkage having two bars, one end of which is rotatably attached to the support and the other end connected to the actuating device, and a conveyor that advances along a conveying path The actuator substantially rotates along the transport path with respect to the support by rotating the two bars of the linkage relative to each other and about a substantially vertical axis with respect to the support. A device that is infinitely adjustable.   2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the two bars is selectively lockable in place with respect to the support, and the two bars are selectively lockable in place with respect to each other. A device in which the other of the two bars can be selectively locked in place with respect to the actuating device.   3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a dosing device for flowable material provided on the support, wherein the two bars of the linkage are first for the flowable material. And a second conduit, wherein the actuating device is a discharge device for the flowable material.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the apparatus is in the form of a dispensing machine.   5. An apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein an annular compressible seal is provided between the dosing device and the first conduit, so that the boundary of the flow cross section from the dosing device to the first conduit. And another annular compressible seal is provided between the first conduit and the second conduit so that the boundary of the cross-flow flow from the first conduit to the second conduit is And yet another annular compressible seal is provided between the second conduit and the discharge device to delimit a flow cross-section from the second conduit to the discharge device. Equipment.   6. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the dosing device comprises a tank for storing the flowable material in the form of a fluid product to be dispensed and the discharge device is the tank. An apparatus comprising a nozzle for receiving the fluid product from and delivering a quantity of the fluid product.   7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the dispensing machine comprises a forming-fill-seal packaging machine, the dispensing machine further including a pump for discharging the fluid product from the tank, and the nozzle is the conveyor. The fluid product is dispensed into the container that has been advanced by the pump, the pump is adjustable infinitely together with the nozzle, and the linkage is provided between the tank and the pump. Equipment.   8. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein each of the first conduit and the second conduit comprises a tube element having parallel and oblique end portions.   9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor is a linear conveyor and the actuating device is movable linearly along the conveyor with respect to the support.   10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the two bars are the same.   The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein one of the two end portions of each of the two bars is externally threaded and combined with the external thread and tightened with an internal thread. A device having a nut.   Providing an actuating device at a position along the transport path, providing a linkage having two bars, one end of which is rotatably attached to a support and the other end connected to the actuating device; Adjusting the position of the actuator along the transport path by rotating two bars of the linkage relative to each other and relative to the support.   13. The method according to claim 12, wherein before and after the adjustment, a flowable material is passed through the two bars from a dosing device provided on the support to a discharge device constituting the actuating device.   14. The method of claim 13, wherein the flowable material is a food or beverage product.

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