WO2019096917A1

WO2019096917A1 - Filling machine with cooling devices for cooling different system parts, and method for this purpose

Info

Publication number: WO2019096917A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/081396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joachim KONZE; Christoph SCHRÖDER
Original assignee: Sig Technology Ag
Priority date: 2017-11-20
Filing date: 2018-11-15
Publication date: 2019-05-23
Also published as: DE102017127327A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling machine (1) for filling flowable products into packages (2), in particular cardboard composite packages, comprising a plurality of cooling devices (44-53) for cooling different system parts of the filling machine (1) using at least one cooling fluid. The aim of the invention is to allow compact high-power filling machines to be reliably cooled with a comparably low degree of control and equipment complexity. This is achieved in that at least one first cooling device (49-53) is paired with at least one first cooling circuit (43, 71) in order to supply the at least one first cooling device (44-53) with cooling fluid, and at least one second cooling device (44-48) is paired with a second cooling circuit (42, 74) in order to supply the at least one second cooling device (44-48) with cooling fluid. At least the first cooling circuit (43, 71) is designed as a mixing circuit (43, 71) comprising a mixer (55, 79) for at least partly recirculating cooling fluid from the return flow (57, 76) into the feed flow (59, 72) of the respective first cooling circuit (43, 71).

Description

FILLING MACHINE WITH COOLING DEVICES FOR COOLING DIFFERENT PLANT PARTS AND A METHOD THEREFOR

The invention relates to a filling machine for filling flowable products in packaging, in particular in cardboard composite packaging, with a plurality of cooling devices for cooling different parts of the filling machine with at least one cooling fluid. Furthermore, the invention relates to a

Production device comprising at least one filling machine for filling flowable products in packaging, in particular in

Cardboard composite packaging. In addition, the invention also relates to a method for cooling different plant parts of such a filling machine.

Filling machines for filling packages with flowable products,

especially in the form of food, are known in different configurations. The filling of the packages with, preferably flowable, food, such as in the form of drinks, juices, milk, yogurt and / or sauces, in a sterile or aseptic environment of a filling machine. Since the food should be durable for a long time after filling the packaging, a possible germ-free filling is desirable. For this purpose, the filling machines, for example, sterilization rooms or aseptic chambers, in which the packages are sterilized and then filled under sterile conditions as possible and closed.

As packaging, in particular those are used which are connected to a

Open top to provide an opening for filling. The packagings are, for example, cardboard composite packagings consisting of a laminate comprising a cardboard layer and outer, in particular thermoplastic,

Plastic layers, such as polyethylene (PE), are formed. The carton provides the packages with sufficient stability to allow the packages, Assemble packaging and the product bottled therein, easy to handle and, for example, can be stacked. The plastic layers protect the carton from moisture and the food from absorbing unwanted substances from the packaging. In addition, other layers, such as an aluminum layer, may be provided which, if necessary, prevent diffusion of oxygen and other gases through the package.

The packages can, preferably in the filling machine, from a

Packing precursors are manufactured. For example, packaging material blanks can be used as packaging precursors, which can be prefabricated as needed, for example by sealing longitudinal edges to form a

Packaging blank. Corresponding packaging blanks are typically mounted on mandrels of a so-called mandrel wheel, which has a plurality of spikes and is cyclically rotated in a transport direction about a central mandrel wheel shaft. The wrapped on the thorns packaging blanks are initially facing outward against the thorns. This previous section of the

Packaging blanks are then folded against the face of the mandrel and sealed there. In this way, the so-called bottom of the package is formed, which can if necessary also form the head of the pack. Whether the closed package for storage, transport and / or for sale is rotated or not, so where in the finished pack is up and down, can be chosen freely and therefore always stand by. In order for the packaging to result in a liquid-tight floor, the heated floor is pressed by a floor press against the face of the mandrel for a certain period of time. Alternatively, the packaging material used for the packaging precursors can be unwound from a roll almost indefinitely.

After forming the bottom of the packages, the packages, which are then open on one side, are introduced into a sterilization zone of the filling machine. This is usually done by the packages are successively transferred from the thorns of the mandrel wheel to cells of a transport device. The cells are located typically on a cell carrier and pick up the packages. The transport device, which may be a so-called cell chain, in which the cell carriers circulate in the form of an endless chain around deflection devices, of which at least one deflection device is driven by a motor. The packages are thus defined by the transport device

Speed transported at a defined distance from each other through the sterilization zone of the filling machine. In the sterilization zone, the packages are preheated as needed. For this, the packaging is blown with hot sterile air. Subsequently, at least the inner surfaces of the packages with a sterilizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, are applied and thereby sterilized. Subsequently, the sterilized packaging can be dried with sterile air. The

sterilized packages are transferred to the filling and sealing zone and there filled by at least one filler, preferably with a food. The food is especially flowable. In a large number of cases, the food is drinks. Subsequently, the filled package is still sealed by sealing the packaging head, whereby the package is formed as such from packaging and bottled product. The sealed package is then transported via the transport device from the filling and sealing zone and then removed from the corresponding cells of the cell carrier of the transport device. In some filling machines, the packages are transported by the conveyor in a straight line through the filling machine. Appropriate

Filling machines are also referred to as cross-country or longitudinal runners. In other filling machines, the so-called rotary machines, the packages describe a more or less arcuate movement, which may comprise one or more circular arc sections. In addition, the filling machines have a rather complex control and many electrical components. Since the filling machines are built very compact at the same time to take up little space for the installation of the filling machines, and at the same time heated various parts of the system, it is for a reliable

Continuous operation of the filling machines required to dissipate excess heat. In modern filling machines, this can only be achieved to a sufficient extent by active cooling. The cooling comprises different cooling devices for separate cooling of different mechanical and electrical system parts of the filling machine. Among other things, the task is to cool the corresponding mechanical and electrical system parts in each case to a sufficient extent and at the same time to avoid condensation, at least in certain system parts safely. This requires a complex control of the cooling and a correspondingly expensive equipment cooling in particular against the background that the performance, reliability, space requirements and functions of the filling machines continue to increase, the cooling problem of filling machines is not yet satisfactory Dimensions solved.

Therefore, the present invention has the object, the filling machine, the production facility and the method, each of the aforementioned and previously described type to design and refine that even with compact filling machines with high performance reliable cooling with a relatively low control engineering and apparatus expenditure

can be provided.

This object is achieved in a filling machine according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that at least one first cooling device a first

Cooling circuit for supplying the at least one first cooling device with cooling fluid and at least one second cooling device are associated with a second cooling circuit for supplying the at least one second cooling device with cooling fluid and that at least the first cooling circuit as a mixing circuit comprising a mixer for the at least partial recycling of cooling fluid from the return to the flow of the first cooling circuit is formed.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a production device according to the preamble of claim 10, characterized in that the at least one filling machine is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9, that the at least one first cooling device and the at least second cooling device in a, preferably air-conditioned hall are arranged and that a cooling device is located outside the hall.

In addition, the aforementioned object is achieved according to claim 12 by a method for cooling different plant parts of a filling machine according to one of claims 1 to 9,

wherein the different parts of the system over at least a first cooling circuit and a second cooling circuit of at least one

Cooling fluid supplied cooling devices are cooled and

wherein at least the cooling fluid of the return of the first cooling circuit to form a mixing circuit and raising the flow temperature in the mixing circuit at least partially in the flow of the cooling circuit

is returned.

According to the invention, therefore, the cooling devices of a filling machine are supplied with cooling fluid via different cooling circuits, specifically at least from a first cooling circuit and a second cooling circuit. At least one of these cooling circuits, so at least the first cooling circuit is designed so that the cooling fluid of the return of the cooling circuit can be at least partially returned to the flow and thus the cooling fluid of the flow can be mixed again. For this purpose, at least in the first cooling circuit, a mixer for connecting the return to the flow and for closing the cooling circuit in the form of a mixing circuit is provided. It is thus fed to the mixing circuit via a flow to the mixing circuit cooling fluid, which is then at least partially via a return from the mixing circuit again for re-cooling, ie for renewed cooling or heat dissipation, is passed. The non-discharged and recooled part of the cooling fluid from the return of the mixing circuit is returned to the flow and mixed there with the mixing circuit supplied cooling fluid to jointly form the cooling fluid of the flow of the first cooling circuit. That about the return from the

Cooling circuit withdrawn cooling fluid is replaced via the flow to the mixing circuit.

Finally, a part of the cooling fluid is circulated in the cooling circuit in the form of the mixing circuit and the cooling circuit at the same time fresh, ie cooler cooling fluid supplied and consumed, so warmer cooling fluid withdrawn. The return of the mixing circuit then forms, if necessary, the return to cool the cooling fluid, be it directly or indirectly, if necessary, together with the return of at least one further cooling circuit, such as the second cooling circuit. The flow to the cooling circuit then forms, directly or indirectly, the recooled flow and, if necessary, together with another flow to another cooling circuit, such as the second cooling circuit.

It thus follows that at least one cooling circuit, namely at least the first cooling circuit, is designed as a mixing circuit, which is not closed via a re-cooling, but via the mixer. The counting method is basically arbitrary. The first cooling circuit thus differs from the second

Cooling circuit, without a certain order to be maintained. Thus, for example, be arranged in the flow direction of the recooled cooling fluid, the second cooling circuit before the first cooling circuit. Since the cooling of the filling machine does not depend on it to a particular extent, the distinction between simplicity and simplicity is further made by the first and the second cooling circuit. As a rule, the mixing circuit is preferably designed as an open circuit in order to remove cooling fluid and to be able to cool it again. If necessary, the mixing circuit can also be designed as a closed circuit. Then, the entire cooling fluid of the return of the mixing circuit is returned to the flow of the mixing circuit in the classical sense then takes place in the mixer no mixing of cooling fluid more and the mixer then has the function of a return. However, since closed mixing circuits are less preferred in practice than open mixing circuits because they are easier to implement in terms of apparatus and easier to handle in terms of control technology, the term mixer and mixing circuit are used here for ease of understanding and to avoid unnecessary repetition.

The partial return of the cooling fluid of the return of the mixing circuit in the flow of the mixing circuit leads to an increase in the temperature of the cooling fluid in the flow, so the flow temperature. In this way, for example, in a cooling circuit, such as the first cooling circuit, cooling fluid with a lower

Flow temperature can be used without having to use the cooling fluid of this flow temperature in another cooling circuit, the mixing circuit. Due to the partial return of the cooling fluid from the return to the flow, the temperature of the flow in the mixing circuit can be raised. It is thus a state as in a cooling circuit with a per se higher flow temperature of the cooling fluid produced. Furthermore, the flow temperature of the cooling fluid in the mixing circuit can be set or regulated very precisely, via the fraction of the part of the cooling fluid of the return flow of the mixing circuit which is returned to the supply line. The more cooling fluid is returned from the return of the mixing circuit as cooling fluid in the flow, the more the flow temperature of the cooling fluid is raised in the mixing circuit.

This ultimately allows the individual cooling circuits to allocate certain cooling devices, which are preferably cooled with cooling fluid of a similar flow temperature. In other words, in the cooling system by different Cooling circuits different temperature levels are provided for the cooling of certain equipment parts. The cooling devices for cooling the

Plant parts of the filling machine can then, depending on the desired temperatures, in particular flow temperatures, the cooling fluid the corresponding

Cooling circuits and thus associated with the corresponding temperature levels.

With regard to the production device, it is further preferred if this has a hall in which the filling machine with the at least one first

Cooling device and the at least one second cooling device but not at least one cooling device is set up for cooling the cooling fluid. The waste heat of the refrigerator can then be delivered to the environment of the hall and not to the environment in the hall. This could lead to an additional impairment of the cooling of the filling machine. Due to the higher ambient temperature in the hall then not only a higher cooling capacity of the cooling would be required if necessary, but could also affect the control of the cooling. In addition, under certain circumstances, the need for additional air conditioning of the hall can be avoided. In addition, if the hall is air conditioned anyway, the overall efficiency of cooling and air conditioning is increased if the refrigerator is placed outside the hall or at least the waste heat exchanger of the refrigerator is located outside the hall and the waste heat to the

Environment outside the hall.

Cooling means in the present case quite generally that a first cooled and then heated during cooling cooling fluid is cooled again, if necessary, the original temperature of the cooling fluid can be achieved but not necessary. Upon cooling, the cooling fluid is thus removed from the heat that has absorbed the cooling fluid due to the cooling of the filling machine or certain parts of the filling machine. For ease of understanding and to avoid unnecessary repetition, the filling machine, the production equipment and the method are described together below, without distinguishing in detail between the filling machine, the production facility and the method. On the basis of the context, however, it results for the person skilled in the art which feature is particularly preferred for the filling machine, the production device and the method.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the filling machine, at least the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit is connected to a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling medium. The cooling fluid can be recooled via the heat exchanger or heat absorbed during the cooling of system components. It may be particularly preferred if this is a heat exchanger of a refrigerator. Thus, the filling machine can be operated refrigeration autonomously. It can also be a

Heat exchanger of a cooling fluid supply act when so for simplicity, an external cooling fluid supply or an external cooling device can be used to stand by the cooling capacity. However, the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit can also be connected directly to a cooling fluid supply, wherein then instead of a heat exchanger cooling fluid connections for supplying cooled cooling fluid of the cooling fluid supply in the filling machine, in particular the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit, and for discharging are provided by heated cooling fluid of the cooling fluid supply from the filling machine. In terms of operation and / or control, however, it will generally be preferred to resort to a heat exchanger instead of cooling fluid connections.

The equipment of the filling machine with its own cooling device is therefore unnecessary, if necessary, if at the installation of the filling machine, for example, already

Refrigerator or a cooling fluid supply is available. Then, for example, the filling machine may have a heat exchanger which is connected to the external cooling device or the external cooling fluid supply to the cooling fluid of the Recooling the filling machine, ie to cool the heat and re-cooling the filling machine to cool again. If an external cooling fluid supply is present, only two are needed in a particularly simple case

Cooling fluid connections, a cooling fluid connection for supplying cooling fluid in the filling machine, in particular the first cooling circuit and / or the second

Cooling circuit, and another cooling fluid port for discharging cooling fluid from the filling machine. The discharged cooling fluid is preferably recooled outside the filling machine and passed back to the filling machine for reuse. However, the discharged cooling fluid can basically be replaced by another, cooler cooling fluid. Cooling of the cooling fluid is thus unnecessary if necessary, although not particularly preferred.

Alternatively or additionally, at least the second cooling circuit as

Mixing circuit comprising a mixer for at least partially returning the cooling fluid from the return to be formed in the flow of each of the second cooling circuit. Thus, the first cooling circuit and at least the second cooling circuit are designed as mixed circuits. Ultimately, all cooling circuits or only a few cooling circuits can be designed as mixed cycles. The number of cooling circuits can be selected, for example, according to how many

different temperature levels for cooling the system parts of the filling machine are desired. If necessary, it should be noted that the complexity of the apparatus increases with the number of cooling circuits, which is why basically only two cooling circuits can be preferred, but need not. In addition, depending on the requirements, it can be selected how many of the cooling circuits are designed as mixed cycles. On the one hand to be able to provide many different temperature levels for cooling and on the other hand the apparatus and

limit control technical effort, it may be useful if at least one cooling circuit is designed as a mixed cycle.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one mixing circuit may have at least one circulating pump for circulating the cooling fluid. So can the corresponding Mixing circuit or the flow temperature of the cooling fluid in the flow of the mixing circuit are controlled very accurately. The regulation of the flow temperature is then carried out preferably via a metrological detection of

Flow temperature, a metrological detection of the recirculated cooling fluid and / or a throttle valve in the mixing circuit.

The at least one first cooling device is preferably at least one

Cooling device for a mechanical system part. In this case, the mechanical system part may further preferably be at least one filler cooling device, at least one cell drive cooling device, at least one bottom press cooling device and / or at least one mandrel wheel shaft cooling device. In the cooling of the mechanical parts of the filling machine, the temperature control is of particular importance, since it can come to these parts of the unit to condensation, if they are cooled down too far. Such condensation can present several disadvantages, such as non-sterile conditions and corrosion.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one second cooling device

be at least one cooling device for an electronic system part, in this regard, for example, a Kabelkanalkühleinrichtung and / or at least one switching cabinet cooling device in question. Due to the increasing number of electrical system components, control cabinets and lines, a

generates increasing amount of heat that must be safely dissipated in order to provide reliable operation of the filling machine can. Therefore, and because the electronic parts of the system to be cooled are generally lower

Humidities are provided, it may be appropriate to further down this and / or to cool with a colder cooling fluid.

In order to limit the apparatus required for the cooling, it may be expedient if at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit, a common return manifold for collecting in each case at least parts of the Have cooling fluids of the returns of the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit. Then, the return of at least two cooling circuits, whether it is mixed or not, are combined together for re-cooling of the corresponding cooling fluid and coupled indirectly or directly with the cooling device. In a particularly simple embodiment of apparatus, the return manifold with a heat exchanger for cooling the

Cooling medium to be connected, in which it is further preferred to one

appropriate heat exchanger of the refrigerator can act, but does not have to.

Thus, it may be preferred if at least the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit, in particular the return collection pipe, directly with the

Refrigerator, a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling medium or with a cooling fluid supply is connected. Then piping and heat exchangers can be saved. Alternatively or additionally, however, it may also be expedient if a cooling medium circuit of the cooling device, a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling medium or a cooling fluid supply via a heat exchanger is indirectly thermally coupled at least to the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit, in particular with the return collection pipe. Then, the thermal coupling of the cooling circuits with a cooling device or a

Cooling fluid supply, for example via a heat transfer medium, which in turn can be performed in a circuit. For example, longer paths can be bridged and / or several filling machines can be supplied with a cooling device. Consequently, at least the first cooling circuit and / or the second cooling circuit, in particular the return collection pipe, indirectly via a

Transfer cooling circuit to be connected to a refrigerator, a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling medium or a cooling fluid supply. But it can also be provided that a cooling medium circuit of a refrigerator or a

Cooling fluid supply via a heat exchanger indirectly at least with the

Transmission cooling circuit is thermally coupled. If at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit form a closed overall cooling circuit, further expenditure on equipment can be saved. Then at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are connected via the cooling fluid and at the same time form a plurality of separate cooling circuits which are taken together closed to the outside. For example, contamination of the cooling fluid and thus the

Filling machine to be avoided. If a transfer cooling circuit is provided, this can form a closed cooling circuit, for example in order to reduce the risk of a total failure of the cooling in the event of a malfunction, to reduce the effort and to avoid any contamination. Alternatively or additionally, for the same reasons, the cooling medium circuit a

form closed cooling circuit, especially in the cooling medium circuit a cost compared to the cooling fluid cooling medium is used. The cooling fluid may be, in a simple case, water, glycoal or other cooling fluid known per se.

For a reliable operation of the filling machine and the cooling, it is appropriate if at least one control device for providing a predetermined flow temperature at least in the first cooling circuit, the second

Cooling circuit and / or for providing different flow temperatures at least in the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit is provided. The control device can be used to control various

Temperature measuring, the mixers, about in the form of mixing valves, and / or operate the circulation pumps.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the production device, at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are arranged in the, preferably conditioned, hall. In addition, the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit are indirectly connected via the transfer cooling circuit to the cooling device outside the, preferably air-conditioned, hall. Thus, a cooling unit can easily supply several filling machines with cooling power. Also If a decoupling of the circuits takes place, it can be prevented that contaminated cooling fluid enters the cooling circuits of the filling machine.

In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the cooling fluid is at least in the first cooling circuit via at least a first

Cooling device, a mixer and a circulation pump circulated. Thus, the backmixing can be adjusted specifically, so that the desired

Flow temperature is achieved in the mixing circuit.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one first cooling device, in particular at least one filler, at least one cell drive, at least one bottom press and / or at least one mandrel wheel shaft can be cooled via the at least one first cooling device. In this way, through a targeted adaptation of the

Flow temperature of the cooling fluid in the mixing circuit to ensure that it does not lead to an undesirable condensation at least

mechanical plant parts comes.

Likewise, at least one second cooling device can at least one

electronic system part, in particular at least one cable duct and / or at least one control cabinet to be cooled. At the electronic system parts, the risk of unwanted condensation is lower, so that there can be provided effective cooling with a high temperature gradient.

When the cooling fluid from the return of at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit at least partially in a common

Return manifold is collected, this return can be recooled together, which is both control technology and equipment technically easier.

The cooling fluid of the return of at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit may be supplied to a heat exchanger, preferably via the return collection pipe, for cooling the cooling fluid. Thus, at least the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit to a closed circuit merge to achieve appropriate separation. This is

particularly preferred, if it is a heat exchanger of the

Cooling medium circuit of the refrigerator or to a heat exchanger of the

Transmission cooling circuit or is a heat exchanger of the cooling fluid supply, with the cooling medium circuit of the refrigerator, in particular the

Heat exchanger of the cooling medium circuit of the refrigerator, or the

Coolant fluid supply is thermally coupled.

An apparatus and control simplification can also be achieved if the cooling fluid of the flow is split at least on the first cooling circuit and the second cooling circuit.

For efficient cooling of the filling machine, it is also advisable if the flow temperature of at least the first cooling circuit, in particular

Mixed cycle, and / or the second cooling circuit, in particular mixing circuit is controlled. This way, enough heat can be dissipated from the corresponding system parts without cooling them too much.

If the flow temperatures of at least the first cooling circuit, in particular mixing circuit, and the second cooling circuit, in particular mixing circuit, independently, in particular different, set and / or regulated, the cooling of the corresponding equipment parts on the desired,

especially different, temperature levels.

For an efficient and unproblematic cooling of the filling machine, it makes sense if the flow temperature of the first cooling circuit between 15 ° C and 30 ° C, preferably between 22 ° C and 26 ° C, in particular between 23 ° C and 25 ° C. Alternatively or additionally, for the same reason, the flow temperature of the second cooling circuit between 15 ° C and 25 ° C, preferably between 17 ° C and 21 ° C, in particular between 18 ° C and 20 ° C, are set. Subsequently, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing merely exemplary embodiments in the drawing

Fig. 1 shows a filling machine according to the invention in a schematic

Side View,

Fig. 2 shows the cooling system of the filling machine of Fig. 1 in a schematic

Presentation and

Fig. 3 shows an alternative cooling system of a filling machine in a schematic

Presentation. 1 shows a filling machine 1 for filling packages 2 in the form of cardboard composite packaging, in particular with flowable foodstuffs, which comprises a shaping device 3 for forming the articles to be filled

Packaging 2 includes. Basically, it is also possible that the

Filling machine already to be filled unilaterally open packaging 2 are supplied. The illustrated and so far preferred paperboard composite packages are formed from a packaging laminate with at least one cardboard layer, preferably at least one barrier layer, consisting for example of aluminum, polyamide and / or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol, and outer layers of a thermoplastic plastic, in particular polyethylene (PE).

The illustrated and insofar preferred filling machine 1 also has a number of parallel processing lines, of which in Fig. 1, only one

Processing line is shown. Each processing line is a bundle 4 of

Assorted packaging blanks 5, the longitudinal edges are sealed to each other and so on both sides open packaging coats 6 form. By a feeder 7, the packaging shells 6 are unfolded and pushed onto a mandrel 8 of a mandrel wheel 9. The illustrated and so far preferred mandrel 9 has six mandrels 8 and rotates cyclically, so gradually, counterclockwise ln the first

Mandrel wheel position 1, a packaging blank 6 is pushed onto the mandrel 8. Unspecified spring clips thereby secure the position of the package blank 6 on the mandrel 8. In addition, the bottom portions of the packaging blank 6 is opposite to an end face of the mandrel 8 to the outside. Subsequently, the mandrel wheel 7 is further rotated in the next mandrel wheel position 11, in which the opposite to the mandrel outwardly projecting bottom portion of the packaging blank 6 is heated via a hot air blower unspecified with hot air ln the next mandrel wheel position 111, the heated bottom portion by a bottom folding device 10 against the Folded end face of the mandrel 8 and sealed in the subsequent Dornradstellung IV in the folded position by a soil press 12 to a liquid-tight bottom. It is obtained in this way a closed-sided closed packaging 2, which pushed in the following mandrel wheel position V from the mandrel and to a cell 13 of a guided in a circle endless

Transport device 14 is transferred. The packaging 2 is partially received in the cell 13 and held there, preferably form-fitting. In the illustrated and so far preferred transport device 14 is a so-called cell chain. However, other transport devices are conceivable. In the next mandrel wheel position VI, no work step is assigned. The number of mandrel wheel positions or spikes 8 and the processing steps provided there may, if necessary, from the illustration of FIG. 1 and the associated

Description differ.

Deducted from mandrel 9, the unilaterally open packaging 2 with the

Transport device 13 transported in the direction of the arrow through an aseptic chamber 15 of the filling machine 1, a sterilization zone 16 and a filling and

Sealing zone 17 includes. To avoid contamination of the sterile environment

To avoid aseptic chamber 15, a flow of sterile air is preferably maintained in the aseptic chamber 15 from top to bottom. These are

corresponding sterile air connections 18 along the aseptic chamber 15 for feeding provided by sterile air. The sterilization zone 16 and the filling and sealing zone 17 are in the illustrated device 1 by a lock or a bottleneck separated, although this is not mandatory.

After entering the sterilization zone 16, the packages 2 are preheated successively by preheating means 19 by blowing hot sterile air. Subsequently, the packages 2 by means of a

Sterilizer 20 with a sterilizing agent, in particular comprising

Hydrogen peroxide, applied to at least sterilize the inner sides of the packages 2. Thereafter, the packaging 2 by applying with

Sterilla air dried via a drying device 21 and brought after the transition from the sterilization zone 16 in the filling and sealing zone 17 in a filling position 24 below a filling device 22. There, the packages 2 are successively filled, in particular with a food. The filled

Packages 2 are then closed with a closing device 23 by folding the upper region or the head region of the packaging 2 and sealing. The sealed packages 2 are then using the

Transport device 13 from the aseptic chamber 15 and the filling machine 14 transported. Thus, the packages 24 formed from the packages 2 and the product filled therein are removed from the cells 13 of the conveyor 14. The now empty cells 13 are moved further with the transport device 14 in the direction of the mandrel wheel 9 in order to receive further packaging 2 there.

The filling machine 1 comprises, in addition to those described above, predominantly

mechanical system parts, which also includes a mandrel wheel shaft 25 arranged centrally in the mandrel wheel, a cell drive, and a number of other electronic and electrical system parts. Thus, different sensors are installed, which are connected to a control device. In addition, various drives are provided, which are connected via cables to a power supply. Furthermore, various actuators, such as shut-off valves or valves are provided, which can be electrically controlled. Also, further control means for Control of the plant and control cabinets for receiving electrical and

electronic system components or components provided. For a reliable operation of the filling machine, in which excess heat must be safely dissipated, various analgesic parts, both mechanical and electronic or electrical system parts are cooled by a cooling system, the sake of clarity not in Fig. 1, but separately and very schematically is shown in FIG. 2. The representation of all the previously described parts of the system in Fig. 1, the Fig. 1 would make very confusing. In addition, these parts of the system are just examples of many different potentially relevant parts of the system. Therefore, on the separate presentation of all this

Plant parts omitted, especially since the invention opens up for the expert even without such a separate representation.

The preferred cooling system 30 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a cooling device 31, which is preferably designed in the manner of a compression refrigeration machine. The cooling unit 31 has a closed circuit 32 for a

Cooling medium, which include a compressor 33, an evaporator 34, a condenser 35 and a throttle 36. The condenser 35 releases heat to the environment, preferably to an environment outside a hall in which the filling machine 1 is installed. For this purpose, the entire refrigerator 31 may be placed outside of this hall.

The evaporator 34 is connected via a heat exchanger 37 with a

Transfer Circuit 38 Thermally Coupled In the transfer cycle, driven by a recirculation pump 39, a cooling fluid circulates in one

closed circuit, which is withdrawn in the evaporator 34 of the refrigerator 31 heat. This heat withdraws the cooling fluid of the transmission circuit 38 in turn another circuit 40 of a cooling fluid, which via another

Heat exchanger 41 is thermally coupled to the transmission circuit 38. this circuit 40 comprises two separate cooling circuits 42,43 for supplying different cooling devices 44-53 with cooled cooling fluid in order to cool the associated system parts via the cooling devices 42,43.

The two cooling circuits 42,43 are designed as mixing circuits, as these

Cooling circuits 42,43 a mixer 54,55, in particular in the form of a mixing valve, for returning the cooling fluid of the returns 56,57 in the headers 58,59 the

Cooling circuits 42,43 include. In addition, the illustrated and insofar

preferred mixing circuits 42,43 each associated with a circulation pump 60,61 to maintain a circulation of the cooling fluid in the mixing circuits 42,43. However, at least one of these circulation pumps 60, 61 could, for this purpose, also be arranged outside of the mixing circuits 42, 43. In the illustrated and thus preferred mixing circuits 42,43, the cooling means 44-53 supplied by the cooling fluid are each arranged parallel to each other, which is preferred because the cooling means 44-53 are thus supplied with cooling fluid of at least about the same flow temperature. This simplifies the control of the cooling system 30, since the flow temperatures do not depend on the return temperatures of previous cooling devices 44-53, as would be the case with a serial arrangement of the cooling devices. For the targeted distribution of the cooling fluid to the different cooling devices 44-53 these valves 62,63 are assigned, via which the respective cooling fluid flow rate can be controlled. For this purpose, a not shown in detail but as such known control device is provided. In addition, corresponding sensors for detecting cooling fluid flow rates and Kühlfliudtemperaturen are provided, which can arrange the expert as needed. The return 56.57 the

Mixing circuits 42,43, which leaves the cooling devices 44-53 again, is collected in manifolds 64,65 of the mixing circuits 42,43 and then collected and combined together in one of the two mixing circuits 42,43 connecting manifold 66. This bus 66 then forms the common

Return and serves to feed the cooling fluid to the heat exchanger 41 and there for recooling via the transmission circuit 38. The recooled cooling fluid then forms the flow 67 of the circuit 40, which distributes the cooling fluid back to the two mixing circuits 42,43.

About the proportion of over the respective mixer 54,55 in the mixing circuit 42,43 recirculated cooling fluid, the flow temperature of the respective

Mixed circuit 42,43 targeted against the common flow 67 are raised in the circuit 40. By a suitable control, which can provide the expert in a suitable manner, the flow temperature in the two mixing circuits 42,43 can be set and controlled differently from each other.

In the illustrated and so far preferred cooling system 30 are the first

Mischkreislauf 43 a Füllkühleinrichtung 49, a cell drive cooling device 50, two Bodenpressenkühleinrichtungen 51,52 and a

Mandrel wheel shaft cooling device 53 associated with cooling a filler, the cell drive, the ground press, and the mandrel wheel shaft. The second mixing circuit 42, however, two Kabelkanalkühleinrichtungen 44,45, two

Cabinet cooling means 46,47 and a drive cooling means 48 assigned to cool cable ducts, control cabinets and, for example, an electric air-water heat exchanger. Referring now to Figure 3, an alternative cooling system 70 to the cooling system 30 of Figure 2 is shown. The cooling systems 30,70 are similar to each other in large parts. An essential difference of the cooling system 70 according to FIG. 3, however, is that only one

Mixed cycle 71 is provided, the supply 72 feeds from the supply line 73 of the other cooling circuit 74, which is not designed as a mixing circuit and thus has no mixer for direct recycling of cooling fluid from the return line 75 in the flow 73 of the cooling circuit 74. The cooling fluid of the return line 75 of the corresponding cooling circuit 74, in contrast, in its entirety with the cooling fluid withdrawn from the return 76 of the mixing circuit 71 above the associated cooling fluid

Heat exchanger 78 recooled. This is also not one Transmission circuit, but directly thermally coupled to the cooling unit 31. In the present case, an additional transmission cycle has therefore been dispensed with.

Thus, as with the cooling system 30 of FIG. 2, a first cooling circuit 71 is provided, which supplies cooling fluid via a feed 72 of a series of cooling devices 49-53 connected in parallel. The cooling fluid is after passing through the

Cooling 49-53 discharged via a return 76 and partially returned via a mixer 79 in the flow 72 of the cooling circuit 71 to be mixed there with the cooling fluid of the flow 72. The mixer 79, may be formed as a mixing valve to control the amount of the recirculated cooling fluid can. Due to the partial backmixing of cooling fluid via the mixer 79, the first cooling circuit 71 forms a mixing circuit 71. The mixing circuit 71 is supplied with cooling fluid through a second cooling circuit 74, which together with the first cooling circuit 71 forms a closed cooling circuit. In the second cooling circuit 74, a plurality of cooling devices 44-48 are also connected in parallel, which are supplied via a feed 73 with cooling fluid. The cooling fluid coming from the cooling devices 44-48 in the return 75 of the second

Cooling circuit 74, is combined with the non-recirculated portion of the cooling fluid of the first cooling circuit 71 in a return manifold 82 of the first cooling circuit 74 and a directly coupled to a cooling device 31

Heat exchanger 78 fed, in which the cooling fluid on the cooling medium of the

Refrigeration unit 31 is recooled. Then, the cooling fluid passes into the supply line 73 of the closed cooling circuit or second cooling circuit 74, from which a part of the cooling fluid is supplied to the first cooling circuit 71, before the cooling fluid is used for cooling of cooling devices 44-53. The first cooling circuit 71 and the second cooling circuit 74 are each designed as open circuits, but together form a closed cooling circuit. The flow of the cooling fluid in the second cooling circuit 74 is provided via a circulation pump 81. In the present case, the flow is understood to mean the part of a cooling circuit which conducts cooled cooling fluid to the cooling device or the cooling devices. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling fluid flowing through this part of the cooling circuit in the direction of the cooling device or of the cooling devices can also be understood as a flow, unless otherwise described.

Accordingly, the return flow is understood to mean the part of the refrigeration cycle which separates the cooling fluid from the refrigerating device or the cooling devices

Cooling the cooling fluid to a corresponding heat exchanger for

Cooling back or for remixing with the cooling fluid of the flow passes.

Alternatively or additionally, that of the cooling device or the

Cooling means are understood to the cooling fluid recooling heat exchanger and / or for returning to the flow flowing cooling fluid as reflux. Whether in a particular case the corresponding part of the cooling circuit and / or the

corresponding part of the cooling fluid is meant to be apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the appropriate context. Thus, a mixing circuit has a flow and a return. The microcirculation is, however, connected via at least one further circuit to the heat exchanger for cooling the cooling fluid, so that in addition there is a flow to the microcirculation as well as a return to the mixing circuit. The amount of cooling fluid in the flow to the mixing circuit relative to the fluid is lower by the amount of cooling fluid returned from the return via the mixer than the amount of cooling fluid in the flow of the

Mixing cycle. The amount of cooling fluid in the return from the mixing circuit, however, based on the fluid to the recycled from the return flow through the mixer amount of cooling fluid is less than the amount of cooling fluid in the return of the mixing circuit.

If at least one cooling circuit is not designed as a mixing circuit, the mixing circuit or the mixing circuits can be supplied with recooled cooling fluid from the at least one cooling circuit, which is not designed as a mixing circuit. If all cooling circuits are designed as mixed circuits, they can be combined together via a partial circuit with a heat exchanger for cooling the cooling fluid back. The mixing circuits and the partial circuit form then together a closed cooling circuit for circulating the cooling fluid.

5

Claims

claims

1. filling machine (1) for filling flowable products in packaging (2), in particular in cardboard composite packaging, with a plurality of

Cooling means (44-53) for cooling different parts of the filling machine (1) with at least one cooling fluid,

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at least a first cooling device (49-53) a first cooling circuit (43,71) for supplying the at least one first cooling device (44-53) with cooling fluid and at least one second cooling device (44-48) to a second cooling circuit (42,74) Supplying the at least one second

Cooling device (44-48) are associated with cooling fluid and that at least the first cooling circuit (43,71) as a mixing circuit (43,71) comprising a mixer (55,79) for at least partially returning cooling fluid from the return (57,76) in the flow (59,72) each of the first cooling circuit (43,71) is formed.

2. Filling machine according to claim 1,

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at least the first cooling circuit (71) and / or the second cooling circuit (74) with a heat exchanger (41,78) for cooling the cooling medium, in particular a cooling device (31) or a cooling fluid supply, or a

Cooling fluid supply is connected and / or that at least the second cooling circuit (42) as a mixing circuit (42) comprising a mixer (54) for at least partially returning cooling fluid from the return (56) in the flow (58) respectively of the second cooling circuit (42) is formed and / or that at least one mixing circuit (42,43,71) has at least one circulation pump (60,61,80) for circulating the cooling fluid.

3. Filling machine according to claim 1 or 2,

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the at least one first cooling device (49-53) at least one

Cooling device for a mechanical system part, in particular at least one Füllerkühleinrichtung (49), at least one cell drive cooling means (50), at least one bottom press cooling means (51,52) and / or at least one mandrel wheel shaft cooling means (53).

4. Filling machine according to one of claims 1 to 3,

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the at least one second cooling device (44-48) at least one

Cooling device for an electronic system component, in particular at least one cable duct cooling device (44, 45) and / or at least one

Control cabinet cooling device (46,47), is.

5. Filling machine according to one of claims 1 to 4,

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at least the first cooling circuit (43, 71) and the second cooling circuit (42, 74) comprise a common return collection pipe (66, 82) for collecting at least portions of the cooling fluid of the return (56, 57, 75, 76) of the first one

Cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) and that, preferably, the return collection pipe (66,82) is connected to a heat exchanger (41,78) for cooling the cooling medium.

6. Filling machine according to one of claims 1 to 5,

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at least the first cooling circuit (71) and / or the second cooling circuit (74), in particular the return collection pipe (82), is connected directly to a cooling device (31), a heat exchanger (41, 78) for cooling the cooling medium or to a cooling fluid supply, and / or that a cooling medium circuit (32) the cooling device (31) via a heat exchanger (41) is indirectly thermally coupled at least to the first cooling circuit (43) and / or the second cooling circuit (42), in particular with the return collection pipe (66).

7. Filling machine according to one of claims 1 to 5,

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at least the first cooling circuit (43) and / or the second cooling circuit (42), in particular the return collection pipe (66), indirectly via a

Transfer cooling circuit (38) to the cooling device (31), a heat exchanger (41,78) for cooling the cooling medium or with a cooling fluid supply is connected and / or that a cooling medium circuit (32) of the cooling device (31) via a heat exchanger (41,37) directly at least with the

Transmission cooling circuit (38) is thermally coupled.

8. Filling machine according to one of claims 1 to 7,

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at least the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) form a closed total cooling circuit and / or that the

Transmission cooling circuit (38) forms a closed cooling circuit and / or that the cooling medium circuit (32) forms a closed cooling circuit.

9. Filling machine according to one of claims 1 to 8,

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at least one control device for providing a predetermined flow temperature at least in the first cooling circuit (43,71) and / or for providing different flow temperatures at least in the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) is provided.

10. Production device comprising at least one filling machine (1) for filling flowable products in packaging (2), in particular in cardboard composite packaging,

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the at least one filling machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, that the at least one first cooling device (43,71) and the at least second cooling device (42,74) are arranged in a, preferably air-conditioned, hall and that a Refrigerator (31) is located outside the hall.

11. Production device according to claim 10,

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at least the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) are arranged in the air-conditioned hall and that, preferably the first cooling circuit (43) and the second cooling circuit (42) indirectly via the

Transmission cooling circuit (38) with the cooling device (31) are connected outside the air-conditioned hall.

12. A method for cooling different plant parts of a filling machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9,

- In which the different parts of the system over at least a first

Cooling circuit (43,71) and a second cooling circuit (42,74) are cooled by at least one cooling fluid supplied cooling means (44-53) and

- In which at least the cooling fluid of the return (57,7.76) of the first

Cooling circuit (43,71) with the formation of a mixing circuit (43,71) and at least partially in the flow (59,72) of the cooling circuit (43,71) is returned by raising the flow temperature in the mixing circuit (43,71).

13. The method according to claim 12, - In which the cooling fluid at least in the first cooling circuit (43,71) via at least one first cooling device (49,53), a mixer (55,79) and a circulation pump (61,80) is circulated and / or

- In which via the at least one first cooling device (43,71) a

mechanical system part, in particular at least one filler, at least one

Cell drive, at least one soil press and / or at least one

Mandrel wheel shaft is cooled and / or

- In which at least one electronic system part, in particular at least one cable channel and / or at least one control cabinet is cooled via the at least one second cooling device (42,74).

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13,

- Wherein the return (56,57,75,76) of at least the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) at least partially in one

common return collection pipe (66,82) are collected and / or

- Wherein the cooling fluid of the return (56,57,75,76) at least the first

Cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74), preferably via the return collection pipe (66,82), for cooling the cooling fluid one

Heat exchanger (41,78), in particular of the cooling medium circuit (32) of the cooling device (31) or one with a heat exchanger (34) of the

Cooling medium circuit (32) of the cooling device (31) thermally coupled

Transmission cooling circuit (38) or a cooling fluid supply, is supplied and / or

- In which the cooling fluid of the flow (67,73) at least on the first

Cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) is divided.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14,

- In which the flow temperature of at least the first cooling circuit (43,71) and / or the second cooling circuit (42,74) is regulated and / or - In which the flow temperatures of at least the first cooling circuit (43,71) and the second cooling circuit (42,74) independently, in particular different, set and / or regulated and / or

- In which the flow temperature of the first cooling circuit (43,71) between 15 ° C and 30 ° C, preferably between 22 ° C and 26 ° C, in particular between 23 ° C and 25 ° C, and / or the flow temperature of the second cooling circuit (42,74) between 15 ° C and 25 ° C, preferably between 17 ° C and 21 ° C, in particular between 18 ° C and 20 ° C, is set.