WO2010003666A1

WO2010003666A1 - Filling element and filling machine for filling bottles or similar containers

Info

Publication number: WO2010003666A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/004962
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ludwig Clüsserath
Original assignee: Khs Ag
Priority date: 2008-07-10
Filing date: 2009-07-09
Publication date: 2010-01-14
Also published as: DE102008032370B4; DE102008032370A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling element for contactless filling or open jet filling of bottles or similar containers (2) with a fluid fill material, having at least one fluid channel (5) which has a release area (3) and which is at least partially constructed in a housing (4) of the filling element (1), the fluid fill material being introduced into the respective container (2) during filling via said channel, wherein the container and its opening (2.1) are distanced from the channel and release area, having a fluid valve (7) in the fluid channel for the controlled release of the fill material to the release area, and having an electrical probe (9) with at least one probe contact (15.1) constructed on the probe end, said contact determining the fill height in the respective container, wherein the probe is at least partially received in the fill material flowing to the bottle in an open jet.

Description

Filling element and filling machine for filling bottles or similar containers

The invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble of claim 1 and a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 14.

Known are so-called free-jet filling systems or free-jet filling machines, which have advantages from a hygienic and microbiological point of view and in which there is no contact between the respective container or its Behältermün- fertil and the filling element, i. the container to be filled with the liquid product is indeed arranged with its container mouth aligned under the dispensing area of the filling element, but with its container mouth of this dispensing area and the filling element as a whole, so that the liquid contents in filling the respective container in a free stream through the Behäl - teröffnung or -mündung flows.

In many cases, it is desirable to control the filling level even with such a free-jet filling system with low-cost electrical probes or with their probe contacts. In this case, it is necessary for the respective probe to reach through the container mouth into the container interior during filling with its end having at least one probe electrode or a probe contact, so that when the filling level rising in the container interior during filling reaches the at least one probe contact the probe is the completion of the filling, ie the closing of the liquid valve is caused. In order to avoid a response of the probe already by the Füllgutstrahl before reaching the required filling level, in a known free-jet filling system with electrical fill level determining probe (DE 10 2004 011 101 A1) absolutely necessary to arrange the probe so that they Filling at least with their reaching into the container interior and at least one probe contact having partial length with a sufficient distance laterally from the Füllgutstrahl. The disadvantage here is, inter alia, that this compelling arrangement of the probe requires an increased space requirement, which has a minimum throughput diameter of the container opening requires, for free jet filling of bottles or containers with narrow container mouths, this known free-jet filling system is therefore not suitable.

It is also known (DE 10 2004 011 101 A1) to design the probe in such a way that it is controlled between a raised initial position in which it does not protrude beyond the underside of the filling element or only with a partial length which is smaller than the distance between the filling element and the respective container during filling, and at least one lowered measuring position is movable, in which the probe extends with its at least one probe contact having probe end in the respective container.

The object of the invention is to show a filling element which allows controlled by an electric probe free jet filling of bottles or containers with narrow mouths. To solve this problem, a filling element according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A filling machine is the subject of patent claim 14.

In the case of the filling element according to the invention, the electrical level determining the filling level is also arranged, in particular, with its region or probe end having the at least one probe contact during filling in the filling material jet, so that there is no additional space requirement due to lateral spacing of the probe from the filling material jet. By accommodating the at least one probe contact in the shielded space of the probe, a response of the probe is avoided by the Füllgutstrahl, ie the Füllgutstrahl runs led, inter alia on the probe at the tip or at the probe end over, without causing a probe signal electrical connection between the at least one probe contact and another contact or potential on the medium comes. Only when the product or product level rising during filling in the container reaches the end of the probe, contents, in particular also conveyed by flow turbulence inevitably generated during filling, enter the shielded space and thus at least one probe contact there. that thereby the probe signal causing the completion of the filling is generated.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the probe is additionally movably controlled in the direction of its axis between a starting position and at least one measuring position, so that advantageously lifting and lowering of the containers before and after filling with the respective container carrier and the drive required for this purpose. and control means are avoided.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination in principle subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their Rückbe- draw. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figure, which shows a simplified schematic functional representation of a filling element 1 of a filling system of a filling machine, for example a filling machine of rotating design for filling bottles 2 with a liquid product.

The filling element 1 is particularly suitable for free jet filling of the bottles 2 with the liquid contents, i. for a filling method in which, while filling, the respective bottle 2 is aligned with its mouth of the bottle 2.1, but is arranged at a distance x below the filling element 1 and below the delivery area 3 of the filling element 1. The filling element 1 is fixed together with a plurality of similar filling element on the circumference of a rotatable about a vertical machine axis, not shown rotor.

The filling element 1 comprises inter alia a housing 4, in which a liquid space or channel 5 is formed, which is formed on the underside of the housing 4 at a side thereof. gene gas barrier 6 forms the dispensing area 3, controlled by the liquid product during filling the respective container 2 and flows in a free jet. The gas barrier 6 is formed, for example, by an insert which has a multiplicity of channels 6.1, which are open both on the liquid channel 5 and on the underside of the filling element 1 or on the local delivery region 3.

The liquid channel 5 is connected via a controllable liquid valve 7 with a reservoir, not shown, for example, ring the filling machine in connection, which is filled during the filling process with the liquid contents and are supplied from the entire filling elements 1 of the filling machine with the liquid product. The liquid valve 7 is part of the filling element 1 and pneumatically controllable in the illustrated embodiment, via a control valve 8, which is provided separately for each filling element 1.

Part of the filling element 1 is also an electrical, the filling height determining probe 9, which is substantially rod-shaped and arranged with its probe axis coaxially with a vertical Füllelementachse FA. The probe 9 is sealed at 4.1 through the wall of the housing 4 as well as through an opening 6.2 in the center of the gas barrier 6 and the dispensing area 3 formed by this gas barrier. Furthermore, the probe 9 is controlled in the Füllelementachse FA controlled up and down, between a raised starting position and at least one lower measuring position. In the initial position, the lower end of the probe 9.1 is received in the opening 6.2 and is not on the bottom of the gas barrier 6 and the filling element 1 before or at most with a partial length which is smaller than the distance x. In the initial position of the probe 9, the respective bottle 2 can thus be positioned below the filling element 1 or moved away from the filling element 1 after filling without raising or lowering the bottle 2 in the filling element axis by a correspondingly controlled bottle or container carrier 10 is required lent at which the respective bottle 2 is held suspended at a below the bottle mouth 2.1 formed mouth flange 2.2. This results a particularly simplified training for the individual, each formed by a filling element 1 and a container carrier 10 filling positions of the filling machine. In the lower measuring position, which occupies the probe 9 during the actual filling, the probe 9 projects with a partial length over the underside of the filling element 1, so that the probe end 9.1 is located within the respective bottle 2.

For the controlled up and down movement of the probe 9, a probe actuator or probe actuator 11 is provided on the filling element 1, which is formed in the illustrated embodiment of a pneumatic piston-cylinder assembly which consists essentially of the cylinder 12 and the piston 13. The piston rod led out of the cylinder 12 in this case is the upper portion of the probe 9 or a corresponding extension.

The probe actuator 11 is designed so that by a, in the cylinder chamber 12.1 below the piston 13, arranged compression spring 14, the probe 9 is biased to its upper starting position. By applying the cylinder space 12.2 formed above the piston 13 with compressed air, the probe 9 is moved to its lower measuring position. For this purpose, the cylinder chamber 12.2 is also connected to the output of the control valve 8, so that when opening the liquid valve 7 at the same time the probe 9 is moved from its initial position to the measuring position and thus for the control of the liquid valve 7 and for the controlled lifting movement of the probe 9 only in each case a single control valve 8 per filling element 1 is required.

The probe 9 consists in the illustrated embodiment of a rod-shaped probe element 15 made of an electrically conductive material and an insulating layer 16 which is applied to the outer surface of the probe element 15 at least the lower end of the probe 9.1 forming part length of the probe 9, with the (partial length) the probe 9 extends through the housing 4 and the gas barrier 6. A special feature is that the insulating layer 16 continues over the lower, for example, rounded or tapered end of the probe element 15.1 forming a probe contact 15.1, so that the probe contact 15.1 is received in the interior 17 of a formed by the extension of the insulating layer 16, at the lower end of the probe 9.1 open shield 16.1 is added.

The electrically conductive probe element which, at least at its surfaces in contact with the liquid medium, i. at least in the region of the probe contact 15.1 at least on the surface of a corrosion-resistant, as well as food-compatible electrically conductive material is connected to a control device 18.

At the beginning of the respective filling process, the control valve 8 is opened to open the liquid valve 7 and to lower the probe 9 with its probe end 9.1 in the arranged under the filling element 1 bottle 2. The probe 9 is then when filling with its over the underside of the filling element 1 projecting part length also within the bottle 2 in the free jet inflowing contents, with a response of the probe 9 and the probe contact 15.1 is prevented by the Füllgutstrahl that this Probe contact 15.1 is received in the shielded space 17 of the shield 16.1. Only when the level of contents in the bottle 2 has reached the predetermined filling level and in this case the probe end is immersed in 9.1 Füllgutspiegel 18, passes through the filling inevitable produced in the product flow turbulence filling also through the lower opening of the probe end 9.1 in the shielded space 17, so then via the probe contact 15.1 and the contents of an electrical connection between the probe element 15 and the potential of the filling machine and the control device 18 causes the closing of the control valve 8 and thus the closing of the liquid valve 7 and the return movement of the probe 9 to its original position. After closing the liquid valve 7, the liquid channel 5 remains due to the gas barrier 6 filled with the contents, without causing a dripping of the filling material at the delivery area 3.

The particular advantages of the filling element 1 are thus,

> that by the controlled lowering of the probe 9 from the starting position only during filling, the positioning of the bottles to be filled 2 at the respective filling element 1 and the removal of each filled bottle 2 can be done by the filling element 1 without a lifting movement of the bottles 2 or the container carrier 10 in the Füllelementachse FA, which avoids not usable for the actual filling process times and thus to an increase in the performance of respective filling machine (filled bottles 2 per unit time) contributes significantly simplifying the construction of the filling machine and

> that by placing the probe contact 15.1 in the shield 16.1 the probe 9 can be arranged with reliable control of the respective Füllelemen- tes in the delivery area and also within the respective bottle 1 inflowing Füllgutstrahles, so that with the filling element 1 and a filling of bottles or similar containers is possible, the container opening has a reduced opening cross-section.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that changes and modifications are possible. For example, it is possible to produce the probe 9 at least at its lower, the probe end 9.1 having partial length of an electrically insulating material, with the open at the probe end 9.1 shielded area 17 and in this area at least one probe contact formed by an electrically conductive electrode to be arranged, which is then connected via at least one extending within the probe body conductor to the control device 18 or other control device.

Furthermore, it is also possible to curve-control the movement of the probe 9 between the starting position and the measuring position, i. For example, to generate by an outer cam, with which a probe associated with the control roller cooperates.

Furthermore, it is also possible to move the probe 9 controlled between the starting position and a plurality of different measuring positions. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 filling element

2 bottle

2.1 bottle mouth

2.2 Mouth flange

3 delivery area of the filling element 2

4 filler housing

4.1 Probe feedthrough

5 fluid channel

6 gas lock

6.1 Gas barrier channels 6

6.2 Opening in the gas lock 6

7 fluid valve

8 control valve

9 probe

9.1 Probe end

10 container carriers

11 actuator

12 cylinders

12.1, 12.2 cylinder chamber

13 pistons

14 compression spring

15 probe element

15.1 Probe contact

16 insulating layer

16.1 Shielding

17 shielded interior

18 control device

FA filler element axis

X distance

Claims

claims

1. filling element for non-contact filling or free jet filling of bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid product, with a at least partially in a housing (4) of the filling element (1) formed liquid channel (5) with discharge area (3) via which the liquid contents during filling in the respective container (2) is introduced and of which the container (2) in this case with its container mouth (2.1) is arranged spaced, with a liquid valve (7) in the liquid channel (5) for controlled delivery of the filling material Dispensing area (3), and with a filling height in the respective container (2) determining the electrical probe (9) with at least one at a probe end (9.1) formed probe contact (15.1), characterized in that the probe (9) at least a partial length within the, the bottle (2) is received in the free jet inflowing medium.

2. Filling element according to claim 1, characterized in that the probe extends through the liquid channel (5) of the filling element (1).

3. Filling element, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one probe contact (15.1) in a at a probe end (9.1) open, opposite the Füllgutstrom shielded space (17) is housed.

4. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (9) between a starting position in which it is outside the respective container (2), and at least one measuring position is movable, in which they through the container opening (2.1 ) extends into the container (2), and that the probe (9), at least in the at least one measuring position the penetrating region (3) of the filling element (1) penetrating penetrating over the underside of the filling element.

5. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (9) is guided at least in the at least one measuring position centrally or substantially centrally through the delivery area (3).

6. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the delivery region (3) by a plurality of openings (6.1) is formed.

7. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a provided in the liquid channel of the filling element, for example, at the delivery area gas barrier (6).

8. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (9) passes through the liquid channel (5) of the filling element (1), preferably by a in the flow direction of the filling material on the liquid valve (7) following part of this liquid channel (5 ).

9. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (9) at its probe end (9.1) with a shielded space (17) radially limiting wall or shield (16.1) is provided.

10. Filling element according to claim 9, characterized in that the shielded space (17) forming the shield or wall (16.1) integral with at least a portion of the probe (9), for example in one piece with the outer surface of the probe (9) at least at the probe end (9.1) forming layer or coating (16), for example, made of an electrically insulating material.

11. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control valve arrangement (8), via which the liquid valve (7) of the Füllele- Mentes (1) and a probe actuator (11) for moving the probe (9) between the starting position and the at least one measuring position are controllable together, in such a way that when opening the liquid valve, the probe (9) from its initial position in the at least one Measuring position and when closing the liquid valve (7) is moved from the measuring position back to the starting position.

12. Filling element according to claim 11, characterized in that the liquid valve (7) and the probe actuator are each pneumatically actuated.

13. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (9) is biased by actuating means, for example by spring means (14) in the starting position and against the action of the actuating means (14) is movable into the measuring position, for example by the Probe actuator (11).

14. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (9) cam-controlled, for example by means of a curved path and a probe associated with the cam track and cooperating tactile or control role between the starting position and the at least one measuring position is movable.

15. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (9) from the initial position in measuring positions is movable, in which the probe end (9.1) protrudes differently far over the underside of the filling element (1).

16. A filling machine of continuous design for filling bottles or similar containers (2) with a liquid filling material, with a plurality provided on a rotatable around a vertical machine axis rotatable rotor filling elements (1), characterized in that the filling elements (1) according to one of the preceding Claims are formed.

17. Filling machine according to claim 16, characterized in that each filling element (1) is associated with a container carrier (10) on or on which the respective container (2) with its container mouth (2.1) from the filling element (1) spaced below the delivery area ( 3) is held.