JP4944385B2 - Bulk metering and filling equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for decanting bulk material comprises a dosing element having a closing head (22) with a closing region (23) and a filling pipe (1) having a hollow cylinder shape in an outlet region. Preferred Features: The dosing element is a dosing screw with a shaft (20) and a screw winding (21) running along the shaft. The closing head tapers on both sides of the closing region. The dosing element is able to rotate.

Description

The present invention relates to a bulking metering and filling device, the device comprising a filling tube and a metering screw arranged in the filling tube, the metering screw comprising a shaft, the shaft has at least one screw convolutions extending along, the metering screw is movable along the longitudinal axis of the filling tube, further, the metering screw the discharge area of the lower fill tube The present invention relates to a type having a closing head for closing.

  A device of this type has a filling tube extending in the vertical direction and a twinning screw that is movable and rotatable in the axial direction within the filling tube. A bulk load to be filled into a bag or another container is filled into the filling tube at the top, and a predetermined amount metered by the metering screw is conveyed into the bag at the lower end of the filling tube. In order to interrupt bulk flow and metering, the lower end of the filling tube can be closed by a closing means.

  Devices are known in which closing means independent of the metering screw are used. This is described, for example, in European Patent 0201777, Swiss Patent 690572, and German Patent Application Publication No. 19519682. These known devices have the disadvantage that the closing means requires a separate control device and further requires space in the outlet area of the filling tube.

  In another device, the closing means is a component incorporated in the metering screw. In the case of the device disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift 10221567, the metering screw has a frustoconical closure head with a sealing member. In a state where the metering screw is lifted, the seal member comes into contact with the lower end surface of the filling tube.

  A metering screw with a double cone-shaped closing head as described in EP 0 967 149 is supported in a lowered state on the conical inner surface of the filling tube, thereby closing the outlet opening.

  In the case of European Patent No. 0808895, the conical closure head is lowered and is supported on the inner surface of the filling tube in the outlet opening area of the filling tube. In the case of U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,664, the conical closing head contacts the inner surface of the filling tube while being raised upside down.

  In these known devices, the bulk load tends to accumulate and solidify on the inner wall of the filling tube in the outflow area. However, such coagulation also hinders subsequent flow and even accurate metering. Furthermore, the deposits prevent complete closure of the outflow opening.

EP 0 514 770 discloses a paste conveying device, which has a screw conveyor with a lower end supported on a conical bearing.
European Patent No. 0201777 Swiss Patent No. 690572 German Patent Application Publication No. 19519682 German Patent Application Publication No. 10221567 European Patent No. 0967149 European Patent No. 0808895 Specification US Pat. No. 3,486,664 European Patent No. 0514770

  The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which obviates the drawbacks mentioned above.

In order to solve this problem, according to the present invention, the closing head has at least one closing region having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and the filling tube is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape at least in the outflow region. The at least one closed region transitions upwardly into an upper region that is tapered relative to the closed region, and a cylindrical outer peripheral surface in the closed region of the closed head, and an outflow of the filling tube A hollow cylindrical region in the zone overlaps with each other in the closed position, and the closing head protrudes from the filling tube in the filling position .

  The device according to the invention comprises a filling tube and a metering member rotatable in the filling tube, the metering member being movable along the longitudinal axis of the filling tube, and further comprising a metering member Has a closing head for closing the outflow area below the filling tube. The closing head has at least one closing area with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface in the present invention. As a corresponding member, at least the outflow region of the filling tube is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.

  This configuration of the closure head and the outflow area allows for quick closure of the outflow opening without having to overcome large distances. Furthermore, the required space is significantly less.

  Furthermore, the arrangement allows self-cleaning of the filling tube outflow area. This removes deposits and keeps the closure characteristics, ensuring metering accuracy. Nevertheless, the means used for self-cleaning do not increase the required space of the device in the bag filling area. This is especially true when the metering member is formed as a metering screw with a shaft and at least one screw winding extending along this shaft.

  In an advantageous configuration, at least one closed area transitions upwardly into an upper area that is tapered relative to the closed area. Thereby, an even distribution of the bulk load is obtained when filling the bag. Furthermore, the upper taper facilitates entry of the closing head into the filling tube when the metering member is lifted to close the outflow opening.

  Advantageously, the at least one closed area formed in a cylindrical shape also transitions downwardly into a lower tapered area. Thereby, the closure head requires a minimum space in the bag to be filled, and the closure head can easily enter the bag.

  In another advantageous configuration, the device has an air conditioning unit for cooling or warming the bulk. This increases metering accuracy depending on the type of bulk load. This is because, for example, fluidity and adhesion characteristics change depending on the temperature.

  Further advantageous configurations are set forth in the dependent claims.

  In the following, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The device according to the invention is suitable for any bulk load, but in particular for bulk loads having a relatively small particle size of a few hundredths of a millimeter to a few millimeters in diameter. Advantageously, the device for filling bulk goods is used in the field of pharmaceuticals and daily necessities, for example for filling powdered medicine, sugar or seasonings. The bulk is advantageously packaged in a bag, in particular a hose bag or sealing edge bag formed in the vertical direction. However, other packaging types can be used.

  In FIG. 1a, the device V according to the invention is shown in a state in which the bag B1 is being filled. The device V has a filling tube 1 formed in a substantially hollow cylindrical shape. In this case, the entire filling tube 1 is configured as a hollow cylinder. Other shapes are possible, but in this case at least one lower outlet zone 14 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape.

  In the embodiment shown, the filling tube 1 is oriented to stand upright in the vertical direction. This corresponds to an advantageous arrangement. The filling tube 1 has an upper inflow opening 10 and a lower outflow opening 11. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the inflow opening 10 opens into the filling funnel 12. Via this filling funnel 12, a pourable material can be filled into the filling tube 1.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the bulk load is filled into hose bags B1, B2 formed in the vertical direction. The hose H is drawn out so as to surround the outflow opening 11 along the lower outflow opening 11. The desired length cut of the filled bag B2 is obtained by a sealing jaw S which is movable in the vertical direction in the illustrated embodiment and pulls out the individual bags after filling. The movement of the sealing jaw S is indicated by a double arrow in FIG.

  A metering member 2 (a metering screw in this embodiment) is arranged in the filling tube 1. The metering member 2 is movable along the longitudinal axis L of the filling tube 1 and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the metering member itself. However, metering members formed differently, in particular non-rotating metering members, can also be used.

  The longitudinal and rotational movement of the metering member 2 can be obtained in various ways. Means for this are well known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the backward / rotary unit 3 is only schematically shown in FIGS. 1a and 2. The return / rotation unit 3 includes a rotation drive device 32 such as a servo motor, first and second gears 30 and 31 coupled to the rotation drive device 32, and a return drive device 33 such as a servo motor. The backward drive device 33 acts on the turning lever 34 supported on one side.

  The metering member 2 has a closing head 22 at the lower end adjacent to the outflow opening. The closing head 22 protrudes from the filling tube 1 below the filling tube 1 in the filling position, that is, the position where the outflow opening 11 is opened. This position is shown in FIGS. 1a and 3a.

  The closing head 22 has at least one, in this case just one closing zone 23, having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, ie a cylindrical outer surface. This closed area is advantageously formed in a cylindrical shape and extends over a length of 0.2 to 10 mm when the diameter of the location of the closing head 22 is 5 to 60 mm. The closed area 23 is formed as a seal flange and may be further provided with a seal ring or another seal member. The seal flange may be in contact with the outflow region 14 of the filling tube 1 formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, but it is not always necessary to contact.

  Advantageously, the closing head 22 tapers to the neck 24 above the closing area 23, ie towards the inside of the filling tube 1. In the illustrated embodiment, this tapered region or neck 24 is formed in a truncated cone shape. However, the outer peripheral surface of the taper area | region 24 formed in another shape, such as a concave surface or a convex surface, is also possible. The upper tapered region 24 preferably has a diameter that is at most ½ the diameter of the cylindrical closed region 23.

  Advantageously, the closing head 22 also tapers below the closing area 23, ie towards the outside. Again, a conical shape, for example a head cone or a cone, is advantageous. However, other shapes such as a convex surface or a concave outer peripheral surface are not excluded.

  In an advantageous embodiment, the metering member 2 is a metering screw. The metering screw has a shaft 20 and at least one screw winding extending helically over at least approximately the entire length of the shaft 20. Advantageously, the screw 2 is measured at least in its lower region up to the outer edge of the screw winding, which is at least approximately the same size as the diameter of the closed region 23 or a few percent smaller than the diameter of the closed region 23. Have an outer diameter. The diameter of the shaft 20 is preferably equal to the minimum diameter of the upper tapered region 24 at least in the lower region.

  However, other shapes of the metering member can be used. That is, the metering member 2 may have, for example, a shaft, and a flange protruding from the shaft is disposed in a lower region facing the outflow opening 11 of the shaft. The distance between the inner walls is at least approximately bridged. However, the flange preferably extends only over a part of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 20. The flange may be arranged on the closing head 22 on the shaft 20 or above the closing area 23.

  In the position shown in FIGS. 1a and 3a, the metering member 2 rotates while the bulk goods are filled in the bag B1. Based on the upper tapered region 24, the bulk load is evenly distributed, in which case the bulk load is discharged into the corners of the bag (see FIGS. 1b and 3b).

  When the desired metering is achieved, the rotational movement is stopped and the metering member 2 is lifted. In this case, the upper tapered region 24 facilitates lifting. That is, the backward / rotary motion is intermittently performed. The raised position is shown in FIGS. The interruption of the bulk flow is ensured by the cylindrical closure region 23 contacting the cylindrical inner wall 13 of the filling tube 1 in the outflow region 14. The movement can be carried out relatively quickly on the basis of a short distance and simplicity, so that an intentional interruption and metering is possible and the filling operation is interrupted only for the shortest time. This optimizes device performance and productivity.

  When the metering member 2 is lowered into the hose bag B1 to be filled next time, the lower tapered region 25 facilitates insertion into the bag B1. Furthermore, from the lower outflow zone 14, any bulk deposits that may have adhered to the inner wall of the filling tube 1 are removed. This is obtained in particular by the lower region of the screw winding 21, or in the case of a flange by this flange. This self-cleaning can also be obtained by another self-cleaning means projecting from the shaft, for example by having two or more cylindrical areas arranged one above the other in the closing head.

  FIG. 5 shows another aspect of the device according to the invention which can be used without a cylindrical closure head 23. In this case, the filling pipe 1 is provided with at least one air conditioning passage 5, which cools or warms the bulk load located in the filling pipe 1. Cooling, in particular water cooling, is advantageous. The air conditioning passage 5 may be formed in various ways. The air conditioning passage 5 surrounds the filling pipe 1 in a spiral shape, or extends around the filling pipe 1 in a radial direction or an axial direction in a plurality of partial passages, or as shown in the figure, at least almost the entire length of the filling pipe 1. It may be formed as an extending annular gap. If the air conditioning passage is formed as an annular gap, an outer cooling pipe that is coaxial with respect to the filling pipe 1 can be used. The filling tube itself may be formed as a double wall as shown.

  The temperature of the bulk can be influenced advantageously by the water guided through the air conditioning passage 5. For this purpose, a supply passage 6 and a corresponding discharge passage 7 are provided in the region of the flange fastening means 4 on the upper side of the filling pipe 1, both of which are connected to the air conditioning passage 5.

  Thereby, the device according to the invention allows a well-defined and quick closure of the outflow opening and provides self-cleaning on opening.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the device according to the invention as seen from a first side with the metering member lowered; It is sectional drawing along BB shown to FIG. FIG. 1 b shows the device shown in FIG. 1 a with the metering member raised. FIG. 2 is a view from the second side of the device shown in FIG. 1a with the metering member lowered. FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view along AA shown in FIG. 3a. Fig. 3b shows the device shown in Fig. 3a with the metering member raised. FIG. 1 b is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Filling pipe, 2 Metering member, 3 Return / rotation unit, 5 Air-conditioning passage, 6 Supply passage, 7 Discharge passage, 10 Inflow opening, 11 Outflow opening, 13 Inner wall, 14 Outflow area of the lower side, 20 Axis, 21 Screw winding, 22 Closing head, 23 Closing region, 24 Upper taper region, 25 Lower taper region, 30 First gear, 31 Second gear, 32 Rotation drive device, 33 Return drive device, 34 Rotation Lever, V device, B1 bag to be filled, B2 filled bag, S seal jaw

Claims (8)

A bulk metering device comprising a filling tube (1) and a metering screw (2) arranged in the filling tube, the metering screw (2) being A shaft (20) and at least one screw winding (21) extending along the shaft, the metering screw (2) being along the longitudinal axis (A) of the filling tube (1) In addition, the metering screw (2) has a closing head (22) for closing the lower outlet area (14) of the filling pipe (1),
The closing head (22) has at least one closing region (23) with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and the filling tube (1) is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape at least in the outflow region (14). And
The at least one closed region (23) transitions upward into an upper region (24) that is tapered relative to the closed region ;
The cylindrical outer peripheral surface in the closed region (23) of the closing head (22) and the hollow cylindrical region in the outflow region (14) of the filling tube (1) overlap each other in the closed position. And
Bulk-fill metering device, characterized in that the closing head (22) protrudes from the filling tube (1) in the filling position . Or the upper tapered region (24) is frusto-conical, or have an outer peripheral surface formed in a conical or concave, apparatus according to claim 1. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one closed region (23) is formed as a sealing surface and is advantageously provided with a sealing member. Closing head (22) are tapered on both sides of at least one closing region (23), The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3. Axis (20) has at least approximately the same diameter as the upper end of the upper tapered region (24), The apparatus of claim 1, wherein. Metering screw (2) is rotatable, apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5. Filling tube (1), in particular has at least one air-conditioning channel for water cooling (5) A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. The device according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one air conditioning passageway (5) surrounds the metering screw (2) and extends at least approximately the entire length of the filling tube (1).

Images