US20180079536A1 - Filling apparatus - Google Patents
Filling apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US20180079536A1 US20180079536A1 US15/558,915 US201615558915A US2018079536A1 US 20180079536 A1 US20180079536 A1 US 20180079536A1 US 201615558915 A US201615558915 A US 201615558915A US 2018079536 A1 US2018079536 A1 US 2018079536A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- metering
- filling
- container
- packaging machine
- section
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/26—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled
- B65B3/30—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by volumetric measurement
- B65B3/32—Methods or devices for controlling the quantity of the material fed or filled by volumetric measurement by pistons co-operating with measuring chambers
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B3/10—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by application of pressure to material
- B65B3/12—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by application of pressure to material mechanically, e.g. by pistons or pumps
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
- B65B51/10—Applying or generating heat or pressure or combinations thereof
- B65B51/26—Devices specially adapted for producing transverse or longitudinal seams in webs or tubes
- B65B51/30—Devices, e.g. jaws, for applying pressure and heat, e.g. for subdividing filled tubes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B57/00—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices
- B65B57/02—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages
- B65B57/06—Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of binding or wrapping material, containers, or packages and operating to control, or to stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B9/00—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material, e.g. liquids or semiliquids, in flat, folded, or tubular webs of flexible sheet material; Subdividing filled flexible tubes to form packages
- B65B9/02—Enclosing successive articles, or quantities of material between opposed webs
- B65B9/023—Packaging fluent material
Definitions
- the metering apparatus comprises at least one changeover valve which is provided to selectively connect the at least one metering swept volume with at least one inlet cross section or at least one outlet cross section.
- One changeover valve can be provided for a plurality of metering pumps.
- each metering pump has a changeover valve.
- the switchover valve is embodied as a rotary valve. The changeover valve can be integrated particularly easily into the metering swept volume of a metering pump.
- the filling apparatuses 10 a, the longitudinal sealing units 64 a and the transverse sealing units 68 a of the packaging machine 14 a are driven synchronously.
- the filling apparatuses 10 a each have a reservoir 78 a, which is connected via tubing to the inlet cross section 42 a of the respective metering pump 16 a.
- the metering pumps 16 a each comprise a pump drive 80 a, which moves the metering piston 20 a of the metering pump 16 a. From the outlet cross section 32 a of the respective metering pump 16 a, further tubing leads to the respective metering tube 62 a with the filling cross section 32 a of the respective filling unit 34 a.
- FIG. 2 The control of the packaging machine 14 a and of the filling apparatuses 10 a by way of the control unit 46 a during a work cycle is presented in FIG. 2 :
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a filling apparatus for filling containers (12 a-d) with liquid and/or pasty materials, in particular for a packing machine (14 a; 14 d), having a metering apparatus (26 a-d) having at least one metering pump (16 a-d) having at least one metering stroke chamber (18 a-d) having a stroke volume (24 a-d) that can be varied by a metering piston (20 a-d) in a piston stroke. According to the invention an overall stroke chamber (28 a-d) of the metering apparatus (26 a-d), comprising all metering stroke chambers (18 a-d), corresponds at least to a multiple of a filling volume to be discharged to at least one container (12 a-d) in one metering operation.
Description
- A filling apparatus for filling containers with liquid and/or pasty materials, for a packaging machine, comprising a metering apparatus having at least one metering pump comprising at least one metering swept volume with a capacity that is changeable by a metering piston in one piston stroke has already been proposed.
- The invention proceeds from a filling apparatus for filling containers with liquid and/or pasty materials, in particular for a packaging machine, comprising a metering apparatus having at least one metering pump comprising at least one metering swept volume with a capacity that is changeable by a metering piston in one piston stroke.
- It is proposed that an overall swept volume of the metering apparatus comprising all metering swept volumes corresponds to at least a multiple of a fill volume to be dispensed to at least one container in a metering process. In this context, a “container” should be understood to mean, in particular, a packaging container such as a tin, a tub, a flask or a vial, but preferably a pouch such as, in particular, a three edge sealed pouch, such as e.g. a tube pouch or stick pack, or a four edge sealed pouch, such as e.g. a sachet. In this context, a “metering pump” should be understood to mean, in particular, a piston pump which is provided to dispense an adjustable amount of a substance. In this context, a “metering swept volume” should be understood to mean, in particular, the part of a space of the metering pump that is modifiable by the piston stroke, which is restricted by the metering piston and which is provided for receiving and/or dispensing the substance to be filled. In this context, a “capacity” should be understood to mean, in particular, the volume of the metering swept volume at the current piston stroke of the metering piston. The metering apparatus can comprise one or more metering pumps. The metering apparatus can be provided to fill one container or a plurality of containers simultaneously within the scope of a metering process. In this context, an “overall swept volume” should be understood to mean the sum of all metering swept volumes of the metering apparatus. Preferably, the metering swept volume of each metering pump of the metering apparatus corresponds to at least a multiple of a fill volume to be dispensed to at least one container within a metering process. Preferably, the metering apparatus dispenses a partial volume of the overall swept volume during each metering process for the purposes of filling the at least one container to be filled within this metering process. Preferably, each of the metering pumps dispenses a partial volume of the respective metering swept volume during each metering process for the purposes of filling the at least one container to be filled within this metering process. In this context, “a fill volume to be dispensed to a container” should be understood to mean, in particular, an intended fill volume of the substance, with which the container should be filled. The metering apparatus of the filling apparatus can preferably effectuate a plurality of metering processes in succession using the overall swept volume. A suction process, which is provided to fill the overall swept volume with the substance to be metered, can be dispensed with between metering processes which are effectuated using one filling of the overall swept volume. Once the overall swept volume has been depleted, a suction process can be carried out before the next metering process and the overall swept volume can be filled. If the metering apparatus comprises a multiplicity of metering pumps, these can be filled simultaneously during the suction process. It may likewise be possible for the suction process of the individual metering pumps to be effectuated at deviating times. Metering processes can be effectuated in a particularly fast sequence. A time window between two metering processes, which is required for a suction process, can be dispensed with in the case of successive metering processes which are effectuated with one filling of the overall swept volume. A suction process can be effectuated after respectively two, preferably after respectively three, particularly preferably after respectively four or more metering processes. Particularly many metering processes can be effectuated in a time interval. In particular, >50, preferably >80, particularly preferably >100 metering actions can be carried out each minute. The metering apparatus can be particularly efficient.
- Further, a filling unit that is connected to an outlet cross section of the metering apparatus and comprises a filling valve is proposed, said filling valve being provided to selectively open or close off a filling cross section of the filling unit. In this context, an “outlet cross section” should be understood, in particular, to be a cross section through which the substance to be metered leaves the metering apparatus. In this context, a filling unit should be understood to mean, in particular, an apparatus which is provided to fill the substance to be metered into a container. In particular, the filling unit may comprise a lancet and/or a cannula, which is preferably partly inserted into a filling opening of the container to be filled. Preferably, the filling cross section can be arranged at one end of the lancet and/or cannula and it can preferably be closed by valve cone of the filling valve that is preferably embodied as a needle valve. A dead space in which the substance to be filled can collect in an uncontrolled manner after passing through the filling cross section and/or from which the substance to be filled can continue to drip and which follows the filling valve can be avoided. Closing the filling valve between two metering processes renders it possible to prevent dripping and/or afterflow and/or the formation of a thread of the substance to be filled, in particular, between two metering processes. Alternatively, there may be a return stroke of the metering piston or the metering pistons of the metering apparatus, at least between successive metering processes without a suction process lying therebetween. A control unit may be provided for actuating the return stroke. In this context, a “return stroke” should be understood to mean a movement of the metering piston or the metering pistons which brings about an increase in the capacity. Preferably, the return stroke is less than 25%, particularly preferably less than 10%, of a filling volume of a metering process. The substance to be filled can be drawn back from the filling cross section and/or from a filling opening in the filling unit. Dripping or the formation of a thread of the substance to be filled can be prevented between two metering processes.
- In an extended variant of the invention, a plurality of filling units that are connected to at least one outlet cross section of the metering apparatus and provided for simultaneously filling a multiplicity of containers are proposed. A number of containers that can be filled within a time period can be increased. The metering apparatus can comprise a metering pump, the outlet cross section of which is connected to a plurality of filling units. Preferably, the metering apparatus can comprise a plurality of metering pumps, particularly preferably one metering pump per filling unit. Preferably, one filling unit is connected to each outlet cross section of the metering apparatus. A metering accuracy of the filling apparatus may be increased.
- Preferably, the metering apparatus comprises at least one changeover valve which is provided to selectively connect the at least one metering swept volume with at least one inlet cross section or at least one outlet cross section. One changeover valve can be provided for a plurality of metering pumps. Preferably, each metering pump has a changeover valve. Preferably, the switchover valve is embodied as a rotary valve. The changeover valve can be integrated particularly easily into the metering swept volume of a metering pump.
- It is proposed that the filling apparatus comprises a control unit which is provided to actuate a sequence of work cycles with, in each case, a suction process for filling the capacity and, in each case, a multiplicity of metering processes following the suction process. Preferably, the control unit is embodied, at least in part, as an electric and/or electronic control unit. In particular, the control unit is able to set the number of admissible metering processes after a suction process, depending on a ratio of the overall swept volume to the fill volume to be dispensed within a metering process.
- Further, a packaging machine for packaging liquid and/or pasty substances, in particular a pouch machine, comprising at least one filling apparatus according to the invention is proposed. The packaging machine may be provided for filling bottles, vials, cups, tins and/or similar containers. Preferably, the packaging machine is provided for producing and filling tube pouches or stick packs or sachets, such as e.g. three edge and/or four edge sealed pouches. In this context, a “tube pouch” should be understood to mean a pouch which is formed from a film web by forming a film tube by folding about a longitudinal axis and sealing a longitudinal seam, which is subsequently closed off and cut section by section in each case by transverse seals. In this context, a “stick pack” should be understood to mean, in particular, a tube pouch that has been elongated in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In this context, a “sachet” should be understood to mean, in particular, a pouch which is formed by placing two film webs on one another and subsequently applying four sealing seams along four edges, or a pouch which is formed by folding a film web along one edge and subsequently applying at least three sealing seams along at least three edges. Such tube pouches, stick packs and sachets are known to a person skilled in the art.
- Preferably, the packaging machine comprises a control unit which is provided to slow down a container advance, at least during a suction process that follows a metering process. In this context, a “container advance” should be understood to mean, in particular, a rate at which the container to be filled is transported in a filling region of the filling apparatus. The container advance may be effectuated in a clocked manner, i.e. containers are transported into the filling region, stopped, filled, and transported onward after the filling within the scope of the discontinuous operation. Preferably, the container advance can have a continuous embodiment. In this context, a “continuous container advance” should be understood to mean, in particular, that the container is transported to the filling region, moved further during the filling and transported away after the filling in a continuous movement. It may be possible for the movement to be slowed down intermittently, in particular during the filling, with changes in speed preferably being effectuated in a continuous manner. In particular, the container advance in the case of a pouch machine can be formed by a film advance speed, by means of which one or more material webs are transported in an advance direction along the filling region. In this context, slowing down of the container advance “during a suction process that follows a metering process” should be understood to mean, in particular, that a clock time of the discontinuous container advance is lengthened or an advance speed of a continuous container advance is reduced, at least following a metering process that is followed by a suction process. A period of time between two metering processes that has been lengthened in relation to directly successive metering processes by the suction process can advantageously be compensated. The containers can respectively be ready in the filling region at a metering time. The container advance can be operated at a higher speed in the case of directly following metering processes than in the case of metering processes with a subsequent suction process. The performance of the packaging machine may be increased.
- It is proposed that the control unit of the packaging machine is provided to initiate a start of a metering process depending on a closing-off process of at least one container base of the respective at least one container to be filled in the metering process. In this context, a “closing-off process” of a container base should be understood to mean, in particular, a process in which a lower end of the container in the direction of the gravitational force is closed in such a way that no more substance filled therein emerges through the container base. In particular, the closing-off process may consist of a transverse sealing seam being applied to a film tube in order to form a container. The container base may be closed as soon as the transverse sealing seam is pressed together by the transverse sealing jaws of the packaging machine. Advantageously, it is not necessary, in particular, to wait until the completion of the sealing process. Preferably, the metering process is started immediately after closing the container base. Particularly preferably, the metering process is started after a short time interval after closing the container base. The time interval is preferably selected in such a way that by the time at which filling material reaches the region of the container base, the latter is closed. The metering process can be started particularly early. The period of time between filling a container and filling the next container can be reduced further. The performance of the packaging machine can be increased further.
- Preferably, the control unit of the packaging machine is provided to adapt at least one metering piston speed to a container advance speed, at least during at least one metering process and/or a plurality of metering processes. In this context, “metering piston speed” should be understood to mean, in particular, a speed at which the at least one metering piston of the metering apparatus is moved during the metering in order to reduce the capacity. Preferably, the metering piston speed can be synchronized to the container advance speed and/or be proportional to the container advance speed. The filling process can advantageously be adapted to the container advance speed, for example a film speed. In particular, the metering piston speed can be slowed down when the container advance speed is slowed down. Likewise, the container advance speed can be slowed down if there is a reduction in the metering piston speed. In particular, the control unit of the packaging machine may be provided to set a metering piston speed that is as low as possible. In particular, the control unit can set the metering piston speed dependent on a filling volume and/or dependent on the container advance speed. Cavitation effects, which may arise on account of high flow speeds of the substance to be filled, can be reduced. The metering apparatus is able to use a time window for filling that exists depending on the container advance speed particularly well. Preferably, the packaging machine and/or the control unit comprises measuring devices for capturing the metering piston speed and/or the container advance speed. The control unit can advantageously match the container advance speed and/or the metering piston speed in a control loop with the aid of the measured values. Alternatively, the control unit can control the container advance speed and/or the metering piston speed. In this case, a movement in the advance direction and/or a movement of the at least one metering piston is advantageously driven with the aid of step motors such that a defined control of the speeds is possible.
- Further, a method for filling at least one container with a filling apparatus, is proposed, in which a plurality of metering processes for filling at least one container follow at least one suction process of a metering apparatus.
- The filling apparatus according to the invention and/or the packaging machine according to the invention should not, in this case, be restricted to the above-described application and embodiment. In particular, in order to fulfill a functionality described herein, the filling apparatus according to the invention and/or the packaging machine according to the invention can comprise a number of individual elements, components and units that deviates from the number specified herein.
- Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. The drawing presents four exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features on their own and combine these to form further meaningful combinations.
- In the drawing:
-
FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a section of a packaging machine comprising filling apparatuses according to the invention, -
FIGS. 2 .I through 2.V show a schematic illustration of a work cycle with a suction process and two metering processes following the suction process, -
FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a metering pump of one of the filling apparatuses fromFIG. 1 , -
FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a filling apparatus in a second exemplary embodiment, -
FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a filling apparatus in a third exemplary embodiment, and -
FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a packaging machine comprising filling apparatuses according to the invention in a fourth exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a section of apackaging machine 14 a with fillingapparatuses 10 a according to the invention for fillingcontainers 12 a with liquid and/or pasty substances, respectively comprising ametering apparatus 26 a having ametering pump 16 a comprising a respective metering sweptvolume 18 a with acapacity 24 a that is changeable by ametering piston 20 a in one piston stroke. Thepackaging machine 14 a has a multi-web embodiment, i.e. a plurality of webs ofcontainers 12 a are filled next to one another in a width direction that is perpendicular to the imaged plane of the drawing inFIG. 1 , with each web having one of the fillingapparatuses 10 a.FIG. 1 presents one of these webs with a fillingapparatus 10 a. An overall sweptvolume 28 a of ametering apparatus 26 a in each case corresponds to a multiple of a fill volume to be dispensed to acontainer 12 a in a metering process. In the shown example, in which eachmetering apparatus 26 a has ametering pump 16 a, the overall sweptvolume 28 a corresponds to the respective metering sweptvolume 18 a of the respective metering pump 16 a. In the shown example, the overall sweptvolume 28 a of ametering apparatus 26 a is more than twice as large as the fill volume to be dispensed to acontainer 12 a in a metering process in each case, and so two doses can be provided in each case before thecapacities 24 a of the metering pumps 16 a are filled again in a suction process. Further, themetering apparatuses 26 a each have a fillingunit 34 a with a fillingvalve 36 a, which alternatively opens or closes off a fillingcross section 38 a of the fillingunit 34 a. The fillingvalves 36 a are respectively embodied as needle valves having a valve cone, which is not depicted in any more detail here and which opens or closes the fillingcross sections 38 a that are respectively arranged at ends ofmetering tubes 62 a. Valve needles of the fillingvalves 36 a that are embodied as needle valves are driven by avalve drive 30 a in each case. The fillingvalves 36 a therefore open and close the fillingcross sections 38 a directly at the location of the emergence of the substance to be filed from the fillingunit 34 a into thecontainer 12 a to be filled. The metering pumps 16 a of themetering apparatuses 26 a moreover respectively comprise achangeover valve 40 a (FIG. 3 ), which is provided to selectively connect the metering sweptvolume 18 a with aninlet cross section 42 a or anoutlet cross section 32 a. Thechangeover valve 40 a is embodied as a rotary valve and driven by avalve drive 84 a. - The
packaging machine 14 a is embodied as a sachet machine, for producingcontainers 12 a embodied as four edge sealed pouches in this example. Twomaterial webs 56 a, which are only indicated here, are deflected around sealingrollers 66 a of alongitudinal sealing unit 64 a in the direction of gravity and transported downward in anadvance direction 58 a. Thelongitudinal sealing unit 64 a connects the twomaterial webs 56 a with two longitudinal sealing seams that are parallel to theadvance direction 58 a and are spaced apart by a pouch width in the width direction of thepackaging machine 14 a, said longitudinal sealing seams restricting a container volume of therespective container 12 a. To this end, thepackaging machine 14 a has a plurality of sealing rollers 66 in the width direction, said sealing rollers 66, respectively in pairs, being spaced apart by a pouch width and being driven synchronously. - The continuous, i.e. ongoing, movement in the
advance direction 58 a forms acontinuous container advance 48 a of thepackaging machine 14 a. In the region of thelongitudinal sealing unit 64 a, themetering tube 62 a, with the fillingcross section 38 a thereof, extends between thematerial webs 56 a that form therespective container 12 a. Atransverse sealing unit 68 a is situated below thelongitudinal sealing unit 64 a in theadvance direction 58 a. Thetransverse sealing unit 68 a comprises twotransverse sealing jaws 70 a that lie opposite one another in respect of thematerial webs 56 a and, in a direction perpendicular to theadvance direction 58 a, are mounted in a manner drivable in the direction of thematerial webs 56 a. If thetransverse sealing jaws 70 a are pressed against thematerial webs 56 a, atransverse sealing seam 72 a is formed under the action of pressure and heat, said transverse sealing seam forming acontainer base 50 a of therespective container 12 a. Thetransverse sealing unit 68 a is mounted in a movable manner in, and counter to, theadvance direction 58 a and synchronously moved with thecontainer 12 a in theadvance direction 58 a during the sealing, and it is moved back into an initial position between the sealing processes in a movement counter to theadvance direction 58 a. As a result, it is possible to avoid a relative speed of thetransverse sealing jaws 70 a in relation to thecontainer 12 a in theadvance direction 58 a and thecontainer advance 48 a can be continuous. Situated below thetransverse sealing unit 68 a in theadvance direction 58 a, there is a separatingunit 74 a with two rotatingtransverse blades 76 a, which cut theindividual containers 12 a that, up until this point, form a continuous container chain. Alternatively, it may also be possible for thetransverse blades 76 a only to produce perforation lines, at which thecontainers 12 a can easily be separated from the container chain by ripping when necessary. - The filling
apparatuses 10 a, thelongitudinal sealing units 64 a and thetransverse sealing units 68 a of thepackaging machine 14 a are driven synchronously. The fillingapparatuses 10 a each have areservoir 78 a, which is connected via tubing to theinlet cross section 42 a of the respective metering pump 16 a. The metering pumps 16 a each comprise apump drive 80 a, which moves themetering piston 20 a of themetering pump 16 a. From theoutlet cross section 32 a of the respective metering pump 16 a, further tubing leads to therespective metering tube 62 a with the fillingcross section 32 a of therespective filling unit 34 a. The fillingunits 34 a are mounted in a displaceable manner in, and counter to, thedisplacement direction 58 a by way of thedrive unit 82 a. This allows a position of the fillingunits 34 a in relation to the size of thecontainers 12 a to be filled to be set in an ideal fashion in theadvance direction 58 a. It may likewise be possible for the fillingunits 34 a to be driven during the metering process in theadvance direction 58 a by way of thedrive unit 82 a. In particular, this can ease the filling of the containers if these are not moving away from the filling unit in the advance direction during the filling, as is the case in the shown example. - The
packaging machine 14 a has acontrol unit 46 a, which is provided to slow down thecontainer advance 48 a during a suction process that follows a metering process. In the shown example, thecontrol unit 46 a of thepackaging machine 14 a likewise comprisescontrol units 44 a of the fillingapparatuses 10 a. Deviating from this, it is also possible for thecontrol units control units 44 a are provided to actuate a sequence of work cycles of the fillingapparatuses 10 a with, in each case, a suction process for filling the overall sweptvolume 28 a and, in each case, a plurality of metering processes that follow the suction process. Thecontrol unit 46 a is provided to initiate a start of a metering process depending on a closing process of the container bases 50 a of thecontainers 12 a respectively to be filled in the metering process. - The control of the
packaging machine 14 a and of the fillingapparatuses 10 a by way of thecontrol unit 46 a during a work cycle is presented inFIG. 2 : -
FIG. 2 .I plots thecapacity 24 a that is set by the piston stroke between the values of “0” (minimum capacity 24 a) and “1” (maximum capacity 24 a) along the time axis t.FIG. 2 .II plots the position of thechangeover valve 40 a between the positions of “E” (connection between the metering sweptvolume 18 a and theinlet cross section 42 a) and “A” (connection between the metering sweptvolume 18 a and theoutlet cross section 32 a) over the time axis t.FIG. 2 .III plots the position of the fillingvalve 36 a between the positions of “O” (open) and “G” (closed) over the time axis t.FIG. 2 .IV plots acontainer advance speed 54 a between the values of “S” (fast) and “R” (reduced) over the time axis t.FIG. 2 .V plots the position of thetransverse sealing jaws 70 a of thetransverse sealing unit 68 a between the positions of “O” (open) and “G” (closed) over the time axis t. - Initially, the
changeover valve 40 a is put into the position “E” (inlet cross section 42 a) (FIG. 2 .II). - At a time t1, at which the
changeover valve 40 a reaches the position “E”, the suction process starts by virtue of themetering piston 20 a being moved in a suction direction at ametering piston speed 52 a which is selected in such a way that thecapacity 24 a increases (FIG. 2 .I). At the same time, thecontainer advance speed 54 a is reduced to the value “R”. - At a time t2, at which the
capacity 24 a reaches the value “1” and the overall sweptvolume 28 a, or the metering sweptvolume 18 a, is filled completely, or alternatively with a set intended amount, the movement of themetering piston 20 a is stopped, thecontainer advance speed 54 a starts to accelerate toward the value “S”, and thechangeover valve 40 a is moved in the direction of the position “A” (outlet cross section 32 a). - The first metering process starts at a time t3. At this time, the filling
valve 36 a is in the position “O” (FIG. 2 .III) and thetransverse sealing unit 68 a is in the position “G” such that thecontainer base 50 a of thecontainer 12 a to be filled is closed, and themetering piston 20 a is moved in a discharge direction with themetering piston speed 52 a, said discharge direction being selected in such a way that thecapacity 24 a reduces. The movement of the fillingvalve 36 a into the position “O” and the movement of thetransverse sealing unit 68 a into the position “G” already starts at a time t3-, just before the time t3, in this case. The lead time with which these movements are started depends on a changeover time which is required to move the fillingvalve 36 a from the position “A” into the position “E” and to move thetransverse sealing unit 68 a from the position “O” into the position “G”. - At the time t4, at which the fill volume to be dispensed to the
container 12 a has been reached, the movement of themetering piston 20 a is stopped and the fillingvalve 36 a is closed in the position “G”. As an alternative to closing the fillingvalve 36 a, there may also be a return stroke of themetering piston 20 a in order to prevent dripping of the substance to be filled into the containers. Here, closing the fillingvalve 36 a is already started with a lead time before the time t4, said lead time depending on the changeover time of the fillingvalve 36 a. At the time t4, thetransverse sealing unit 68 a is already in the position “O” (open) again. The period of time during which thetransverse sealing unit 68 a remains in the position “G” between the time t3 and the time t4 depends on a sealing time which is required to form thetransverse sealing seam 72 a. - A further metering process, which corresponds to the metering process at the time t3, is carried out at the time t5. The period of time after which the further metering process is started after the completion of the preceding metering process depends on the period of time which is required to bring, with the
container advance speed 54 a, thenext container 12 a into a position in which the metering process can be started. - The further metering process is completed at a time t6.
- After a short period of time that depends on the
container advance speed 54 a, a suction cycle of the next work cycle starts at a time t1′. - The
control unit 46 a is further provided to adapt themetering piston speed 52 a to thecontainer advance speed 54 a during the metering processes. By way of example, if thecontainer advance speed 54 a is reduced by an external intervention during the metering process, themetering piston speed 52 a is likewise reduced in a correspondingly proportional manner. Likewise, thecontainer advance speed 54 a is reduced if themetering piston speed 52 a is reduced during the metering process. Advantageously, thepackaging machine 14 a may have an adjustable machine speed, with which a user, or else an upstream and/or downstream process, can set the number ofcontainers 12 a that should be filled within a time interval. A change in this machine speed brings about a change in thecontainer advance speed 54 a and hence in themetering piston speed 52 a. Moreover, themetering piston speed 52 a is set by thecontrol unit 46 a in such a way that a time window for filling therespective container 12 a can be used as completely as possible, said time window being set with thecontainer advance speed 54 a. In particular, this avoids unnecessarily high metering piston speeds 52 a. In order to regulate thecontainer advance speed 54 a and themetering piston speed 52 a, thecontrol unit 46 a comprises measuring devices for measuring thecontainer advance speed 54 a and themetering piston speed 52 a. -
FIGS. 4 to 6 show three further exemplary embodiments of the invention. The following description and the drawing are substantially restricted to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein, in principle, reference can also be made to the drawing and/or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular ofFIGS. 1 to 3 , in respect of components with identical designation, in particular in respect of components with the same reference sign. In order to differentiate between the exemplary embodiments, the letter a follows the reference sign of the exemplary embodiment inFIGS. 1 to 3 . In the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 4 to 6 , the letter a has been replaced by the letters b to d. -
FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a fillingapparatus 10 b in a second exemplary embodiment. The fillingapparatus 10 b differs from the fillingapparatus 10 a by virtue of, in particular, ametering apparatus 26 b comprising two metering pumps 16 b and two fillingunits 34 b for filling acontainer 12 b. An overall sweptvolume 28 b of the fillingapparatus 10 b is the sum of metering sweptvolumes 18 b of the metering pumps 16 b. Themetering pistons 20 b of the metering pumps 16 b, thechangeover valves 40 b of themetering apparatus 26 b, and fillingvalves 36 b of the fillingunits 34 b that are arranged at the fillingcross sections 38 b are respectively actuated in a synchronized manner. -
FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a fillingapparatus 10 c in a third exemplary embodiment. The fillingapparatus 10 c differs from the fillingapparatus 10 a by virtue of, in particular, ametering apparatus 26 c having ametering pump 16 c with an overall sweptvolume 28 c and a changeover valve 40 c and two fillingunits 34 c with fillingcross sections 38 c that are connected to anoutlet cross section 32 c of themetering apparatus 26 c of the fillingapparatus 10 c, for the purposes of simultaneously filling twocontainers 12 c. The fillingapparatus 10 c can be particularly cost-effective since only a small number of metering pumps 16 c are required. -
FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a packaging machine 14 d comprising four fillingapparatuses 10 d according to the invention for fillingcontainers 12 d with liquid and/or pasty materials, each comprising ametering apparatus 26 d in a fourth exemplary embodiment having ametering pump 16 d with respectively one metering sweptvolume 18 d that forms an overall sweptvolume 28 d with acapacity 24 d that is changeable by ametering piston 20 d in one piston stroke, and achangeover valve 40 d. The packaging machine 14 d differs from thepackaging machine 14 a in that, in particular, it is embodied as a four-web tube pouch machine, for producingcontainers 12 d embodied as so-called “stick packs” in this example. Amaterial web 56 d that is only indicated here is deflected into the direction of gravity, transported downward in anadvance direction 58 d and cut in theadvance direction 58 d by three separating blades that are not presented in any more detail here, such that thematerial web 56 d forms four partial webs of equal width, which are each supplied to one of the fillingapparatuses 10 d. A movement in theadvance direction 58 d forms acontainer advance 48 d of the packaging machine 14 d. Afilm tube 60 d is formed in each case from each partial web of thematerial web 56 d. To this end, the respective partial web of thematerial web 56 d is folded about a forming shoulder that is not presented here in any more detail and about ametering tube 62 d of therespective filling unit 34 d. Alongitudinal sealing unit 64 d seals the two material plies, which are lying on one another as a result of folding the partial web of thematerial web 56 d, under the application of pressure and heat in order to form thefilm tube 60 d. Atransverse sealing unit 68 d is situated below thelongitudinal sealing unit 64 d in theadvance direction 58 d. During a sealing process, thetransverse sealing unit 68 d respectively forms atransverse sealing seam 72 d, which forms acontainer base 50 d of therespective container 12 d. Thecontainer advance 48 d has a clocked embodiment, i.e. the movement in theadvance direction 58 d is briefly stopped in each case during the application of thetransverse sealing seam 72 d. Here, thetransverse sealing unit 68 d simultaneously forms atransverse sealing seam 72 d that forms thecontainer base 50 d of therespective container 12 d to be filled, and a further transverse sealing seam that seals the followingcontainer 12 d in theadvance direction 58 d. Thetransverse sealing unit 68 d comprises transverse blades that are not depicted in any more detail here and cause thecontainers 12 d respectively following in theadvance direction 58 d to be separated from thefilm tube 60 d when the transverse sealing seams 72 d are formed. The further functions of the packaging machine 14 d and of the fillingapparatus 10 d correspond to those of thepackaging machine 14 a and the fillingapparatus 10 a of the first exemplary embodiment.
Claims (10)
1. A filling apparatus for filling containers (12 a-d) with liquid and/or pasty materials, comprising a metering apparatus (26 a-d) having at least one metering pump (16 a-d) with at least one metering swept volume (18 a-d) with a capacity (24 a-d) that is changeable by a metering piston (20 a-d) in one piston stroke, characterized in that an overall swept volume (28 a-d) of the metering apparatus (26 a-d) comprising all metering swept volumes (18 a-d) corresponds to at least a multiple of a fill volume to be dispensed to at least one container (12 a-d) in a metering process.
2. The filling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising at least one filling unit (34 a-d) that is connected to an outlet cross section (32 a; 32 c) of the metering apparatus (26 a-d) and comprises a filling valve (36 a; 36 b), which is configured to selectively open or close off a filling cross section (38 a-c) of the filling unit (34 a-d).
3. The filling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of filling units (34 c) that are connected to at least one outlet cross section (32 c) of the metering apparatus (36) and that are configured for simultaneously filling a multiplicity of containers (12 c).
4. The filling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the metering apparatus (26 a-d) comprises at least one changeover valve (40 a-d) which is configured to selectively connect the at least one metering swept volume (18 a-d) with at least one inlet cross section (42 a) or at least one outlet cross section (32 a; 32 c).
5. The filling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a control unit (44 a) which is configured to actuate a sequence of work cycles with, in each case, a suction process for filling the overall swept volume (28 a-d) and, in each case, a multiplicity of metering processes following the suction process.
6. A packaging machine for packaging liquid and/or pasty substances, comprising at least one filling apparatus (10 a-d) as claimed in claim 1 .
7. The packaging machine as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising a control unit (46 a) which is configured to slow down a container advance (48 a; 48 d), at least during a suction process that follows a metering process.
8. The packaging machine at least as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising a control unit (46 a) is configured to initiate a start of a metering process depending on a closing-off process of at least one container base (50 a; 50 d) of the respective at least one container (12 a-d) to be filled in the metering process.
9. The packaging machine at least as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising a control unit (46 a) configured to adapt at least one metering piston speed (52 a) to a container advance speed (54 a), at least during at least one metering process and/or a plurality of metering processes.
10. A method for filling at least one container (12 a-d) with a filling apparatus (10 a-d) as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that a plurality of metering processes for filling at least one container (12 a-d) follow at least one suction process of a metering apparatus (26 a-d).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102015204951.5 | 2015-03-19 | ||
DE102015204951.5A DE102015204951A1 (en) | 2015-03-19 | 2015-03-19 | filling |
PCT/EP2016/054194 WO2016146366A1 (en) | 2015-03-19 | 2016-02-29 | Filling apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20180079536A1 true US20180079536A1 (en) | 2018-03-22 |
Family
ID=55442816
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/558,915 Abandoned US20180079536A1 (en) | 2015-03-19 | 2016-02-29 | Filling apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20180079536A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3271251B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE102015204951A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016146366A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN110228619A (en) * | 2019-06-18 | 2019-09-13 | 重庆周君记火锅食品有限公司 | The few oily sauce packet production line of health |
NL2025420B1 (en) * | 2020-04-24 | 2021-11-02 | Theodorus Lambertus Vanlier Peter | Method for introducing a quantity of liquid into a package, as well as a filling device therefor |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US4142561A (en) * | 1977-06-27 | 1979-03-06 | National Instrument Company, Inc. | Filling machine with environmental control |
US4410108A (en) * | 1980-02-11 | 1983-10-18 | Elmar Industries, Inc. | Pressure-actuated valve for use with positive displacement filling machine |
US5515962A (en) * | 1994-10-06 | 1996-05-14 | Interbake Foods, Inc. | Ice cream sandwich collator sub-assembly |
US5996652A (en) * | 1997-08-18 | 1999-12-07 | Benhil Gasti Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh | Filling fluent foodstuffs into containers |
US20110268854A1 (en) * | 2010-05-03 | 2011-11-03 | Jeffrey Jay | Food Portioning System |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH443115A (en) * | 1964-08-20 | 1967-08-31 | Michael Huber Kg | Method and device for filling viscous printing inks |
US5911252A (en) * | 1997-04-29 | 1999-06-15 | Cassel; Douglas | Automated syringe filling system for radiographic contrast agents and other injectable substances |
ES2157142B1 (en) * | 1998-06-04 | 2002-05-01 | Metalquimia Sa | VOLUMETRIC DOSING DEVICE OF PASTOSA MATTER FOR FILLING A PACKAGING LINE BY THERMOFORMATION. |
DE10348183B3 (en) * | 2003-10-16 | 2005-05-19 | Maier Packaging Gmbh | Dosing and container filling device for mixed product e.g. drinks mixture or fruit yoghurt, has filling jets coupled to product container via dosing devices |
US7610943B2 (en) * | 2004-06-10 | 2009-11-03 | Emerald Biosystems, Inc. | Systems and methods for dispensing portions of viscous material |
WO2005123162A1 (en) * | 2004-06-18 | 2005-12-29 | Synthes Gmbh | Device for the filling of a plurality of syringes |
DE102010060308A1 (en) * | 2010-11-02 | 2012-05-03 | Transcodent GmbH & Co. KG | Apparatus and method for multiple filling of highly viscous materials |
-
2015
- 2015-03-19 DE DE102015204951.5A patent/DE102015204951A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2016
- 2016-02-29 WO PCT/EP2016/054194 patent/WO2016146366A1/en active Application Filing
- 2016-02-29 EP EP16706660.4A patent/EP3271251B1/en active Active
- 2016-02-29 US US15/558,915 patent/US20180079536A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4142561A (en) * | 1977-06-27 | 1979-03-06 | National Instrument Company, Inc. | Filling machine with environmental control |
US4410108A (en) * | 1980-02-11 | 1983-10-18 | Elmar Industries, Inc. | Pressure-actuated valve for use with positive displacement filling machine |
US5515962A (en) * | 1994-10-06 | 1996-05-14 | Interbake Foods, Inc. | Ice cream sandwich collator sub-assembly |
US5996652A (en) * | 1997-08-18 | 1999-12-07 | Benhil Gasti Verpackungsmaschinen Gmbh | Filling fluent foodstuffs into containers |
US20110268854A1 (en) * | 2010-05-03 | 2011-11-03 | Jeffrey Jay | Food Portioning System |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3271251A1 (en) | 2018-01-24 |
DE102015204951A1 (en) | 2016-09-22 |
EP3271251B1 (en) | 2019-02-20 |
WO2016146366A1 (en) | 2016-09-22 |
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