EP1122210A2 - Filling head - Google Patents

Abstract

In the case of a filling element (1) for a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid filling material, at least one gas path is partly formed by a gas channel in the housing and partly by a gas channel (6, 7), which is provided in an insert (5 ) is provided and which has at least one element (10, 11, 12) controlling the gas flow through the gas path. <IMAGE>

Description

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

Filling elements for filling containers with a liquid filling material, in particular for Filling drinks in bottles, cans or similar containers are in different designs known. It is also known for a filling under pressure (pressure filling) in the respective filling element or in its housing gas paths formed by gas channels, for example span and return gas paths or Gas paths for purging with inert gas, for vacuum or steam treatment, etc. to provide. The gas flow (possibly also steam flow) and thus functional elements controlling the course of the filling process provided, for example passive, i.e. not controlled from the outside Functional elements, such as nozzles, spring-loaded valves, too Check valves, or sensors, and possibly also active functional elements, i.e. functional elements controlled by external control signals, such as, for example Control valves.

Such a filling element is also used for filling a filling material with a high Solids content (e.g. pulp, fibers, etc.), for example to the usually unpressurized Filling fruit and / or vegetable juices used, such can Solid content in the event of malfunctions in the filling operation or in the event of handling errors Functional elements arrive, clog them and thereby interfere with the filling process.

The gas flow in a return gas path has already been proposed (DE 33 35 898) Controlling return gas nozzles to be provided on a slide, which in the housing of the Filler element can be inserted and removed again, so that by fast Accessibility a problem-free cleaning of these return gas nozzles is possible.

The invention has for its object a filling element of the generic type to improve that with him in addition to pressure filling with the controlled gas paths also a particularly easy filling of liquid Filling material is possible which contains a high proportion of solids.

To solve this problem, a filling element is in accordance with claim 1 or 3 trained.

A special feature of the filling element according to the invention is that in addition to an application of the first type, which is used for gas or steam flow control in the Pressure filling necessary functional elements and at least the necessary for this contains the necessary passive functional elements, a use of a second type can be provided, which in terms of its geometry and / or connections Use of the first type corresponds to the functional elements controlling the gas flow does not have and which for a problem-free filling of a high proportion Solids-containing liquid filling material is suitable.

Irrespective of this, the training according to the invention also allows a problem-free one and quick replacement or cleaning of the respective insert.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the insert is made of an insert or removal position in which this insert is inserted into the filling element in question or can be removed from the filling element, by pivoting into the Functional position movable, in which the insert then functionally with the Filler is connected. This type of training is quick and easy Safe coupling and uncoupling of the insert possible. This also results from this a very simplified construction, especially with regard to the necessary Leak tightness of the coupling of several gas channels designed in use to the associated gas channels of the filling element housing and their connections.

Developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1 und 2

jeweils in Rückansicht ein Füllelement einer Füllmaschine zum Füllen von Flaschen, Dosen oder dergleichen Behältern mit einem flüssigen Füllgut, und zwar bei am Gehäuse des Füllelementes verriegeltem Düsen- und/oder Ventil-Einsatz (Figur 1) bzw. bei in die Einlege- oder Entnahmestellung ausgeklapptem Einsatz;

Fig. 3 und 4

jeweils in Draufsicht das Füllelement der Figur 1 bzw. der Figur 2;

Fig. 5

das Füllelement der Figuren 1 - 4 in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 6 und 7

jeweils in vereinfachter Darstellung und im Schnitt zwei unterschiedliche Einsätze.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures using an exemplary embodiment. Show it:

1 and 2

in each case a rear view of a filling element of a filling machine for filling bottles, cans or the like containers with a liquid filling material, namely when the nozzle and / or valve insert is locked to the housing of the filling element (FIG. 1) or when in the insertion or removal position unfolded insert;

3 and 4

each in plan view of the filling element of Figure 1 or Figure 2;

Fig. 5

the filling element of Figures 1-4 in side view;

6 and 7

each in a simplified representation and on average two different inserts.

In the figures, 1 is a filling element of a filling machine, which is otherwise not shown all-round design for filling containers, for example bottles with a liquid filling material. The filling element 1 is in the manner known to those skilled in the art together with a large number of similar filling elements 1 on the circumference one by one vertical machine axis and generally in FIG. 5 with 2 designated rotor attached. This includes a ring channel or boiler for that liquid filling material and an annular channel for a pressurized inert gas, for example CO2 gas for a pressure filling of, for example, CO2-containing Beverages, a ring channel serving as a return gas channel, etc. At the rotor 2 assembled filler element 1, this lies with its filler element axis FA parallel to Axis of the rotor 3 and thus parallel to the vertical machine axis.

The filling element 1, which in the illustrated embodiment is a short tube filling element is formed, but can also be a filling element of another type, has the usual functional elements, such as liquid valve, in a housing 3 and gas paths controlled by control valves, not shown, which, among other things, of Gas channels are formed in the housing 3, of which a gas channel 4 in FIG. 1 is shown. The gas paths are used to control the individual in a known manner Phases of the filling process during pressure filling, for example preloading, slow Filling, quick filling, then slow filling, preliminary relief, calming, Relieve the rest.

For control purposes, there are various gas flow control or influencing elements are provided, for example throttles or nozzles, the one have precisely defined flow cross-section, but also check valves.

In the filling element 1 shown, these functional elements are on a nozzle and valve support or insert 5 is provided, which as an elongated cuboid or as Bar is executed and in which several gas channels are formed, namely in the illustrated embodiment, the gas channels 6 and 7 (Figure 6). Any gas channel 6 and 7 ends at both ends at a connection opening 8. All connection openings 8 are on a common side, namely on the plan bottom 5 'of the insert 5 provided. The elastic seals 9 are something about the bottom 5 '.

Furthermore, each connection opening has a seal 9, so that at the filling element 1 or on its housing 3 locked insert 5 channels 6 and 7 via the Port openings 8 and the seals 9 tight with the corresponding, in Housing 3 formed gas channels 4 are connected and with these the respective Form gas path.

A throttle or nozzle 10 is provided in channel 6. A choke or Nozzle 11 is provided in series with a check valve 12, which is known in the art Way gas flow in one direction only, i.e. from the one with the check valve 12 provided connection opening 8 to the connection opening 8 provided with the nozzle 11 allowed, but blocks in the opposite direction.

At one end the insert 5 is provided with a bore 13 with its axis perpendicular to the plane of the bottom 5 'and also perpendicular to the plane of the also flat top 5 "of the insert 5 is oriented. The bore 5 is the insert 5 can be placed on a pin 14 on the rotor 2 or the vertical Machine axis facing back of the housing 3 is provided. The cone 14 has its axis parallel to the machine axis or to the filling element axis FA oriented and with its lower end on a rear projection 3 'of Housing 3 attached, in such a way that this pin 14 via one of the Projection formed flat housing surface 15 protrudes in a plane perpendicular to Filler axis FA lies. The pin 14 is at its upper, free end with a tapered portion towards this end.

Above the surface 15 there is a hold-down device or slide bar 16 on the housing 3 attached, which forms a plane bottom 16 'which is parallel to the plane of the Housing surface 15 is located and is at a distance from the housing surface 15 which is equal to or only slightly larger than the distance between the bottom 5 'of the Top 5 ". The hold-down device 16 ends at a distance from the pin 14, in such a way that the insert 5 with its bore 13 can be placed on the pin 14, namely in an insertion and removal position, in which the insert 5 with its perpendicular to the axis of the bore 13 extending longitudinal axis L perpendicular or approximately protrudes vertically over the back of the housing 3, as shown in Figures 2 and 4 is shown.

After being placed on the pin 14, the insert 5 can then rotate about the axis thereof Pin on the back of the housing 3 in an operating or functional position be pivoted up (arrow A), so that the insert 5 then over the larger part its longitudinal extent between the housing surface 15 and the underside 16 'of the Hold-down device 16 is received and each connection opening 8 with an opening a gas channel 4 in the housing 3 is connected and the seals 9 sealing bear against the housing surface 15. The insert 5 is in this by a lock 17 Functional position between the surfaces 16 'and 15 against unwanted Swivel back (arrow B of the figure) lockable.

The lock 17 is formed in the embodiment shown as a fall lock, and with a lever 18 on the side facing away from the housing 3 Hold-down device 16 with one end by means of a hinge pin 19 about an axis is provided pivotably perpendicular to the filling element axis FA, and on its other End has a fork-shaped recess 20 which with a further pin 21st cooperates. The lever 18 can thereby only a limited pivoting movement execute, in such a way that he in his lowered position in which he is due to gravity normally located in the operating position located insert 5 overlaps and thereby locked in this operating position, like this is shown in Figures 1 and 5. In the locked state, the overlaps Lever 18 the insert 5 in question on its rear side facing away from the housing 3 5 "'. The pins 19 and 21 are formed by screws with which the sliding beam or hold-down 16 is attached to the housing 3.

By lifting or pivoting the lever 18 according to the arrow C in FIG. 2 the insert 5 is unlocked and can then be in the insertion and removal position pivoted from the pin 14 are withdrawn (arrow D) and by another Insert, for example, can also be replaced by an insert 5a.

This insert 5a, which is shown in FIG. 7, corresponds in terms of its outer geometry and the geometry of the gas channels 6 and 7 and their Connection openings 8 the insert 5, however, has in the gas channels 6 and 7 Nozzles 10 and 11 as well as check valve 12 and other gas channel controls not on.

By using either insert 5 or 5a it is possible to use one existing filling machine or its filling elements from a pressure filling under Using the ice sets 5 on a pressureless filling using the inserts 5a quick and easy to convert. The inserts 5a are also particularly suitable for an unpressurized filling of containers with a filling material which contains solid components contains, for example pulp or fibers, the nozzles 10 and 11 and that Check valve 12 and other compressed gas channel control elements, not shown contaminate and thus impair the filling process.

Furthermore, the inserts 5a are also used for cleaning a filling machine or its filling elements 1, for example for CIP cleaning.
The insert 5a can be placed in the same way as described above for insert 5 with its bore 13 on the pin 14 of the respective filling element 1a and then moved into the operating position by pivoting according to arrow A, so that it is between the two Surfaces 15 and 16 'are recorded and locked by the lock 17 and the gas channels 6 and 7 are connected to the associated gas channels 4 in the housing 3.

To facilitate the handling or the exchange of the inserts 5 / 5a, are these in the region of their end remote from the bore 13 each with a rod-shaped handle 22, which over the back 5 "'of the insert 5 or 5a stands out.

The housing 3 is made of metal, for example. The hold-down device 16 is made for example made of plastic. Is suitable for the production of the inserts 5, 5a for example metal or plastic.

Reference list

1

Filling element

2nd

rotor

3rd

casing

3 '

Housing protrusion

4th

Gas channel

5, 5a

Insert or nozzle and / or valve carrier

5 '

bottom

5 "

Top

5 "'

back

6, 7

Gas channel

8th

Connection opening

9

poetry

10, 11

jet

12th

check valve

13

drilling

14

Cones

15

Housing area

16

Sliding beam or hold-down

16 '

bottom

17th

Lock

18th

lever

19th

Hinge pin

20th

Recess

21

bolt

22

Handle

A, B, C, D

arrow

L

Longitudinal extension

FA

Filler element axis

Claims (15)

Filling element for a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid filling material, the filling element (1) having at least one gas path which is partially formed by a gas channel in the housing and a gas channel (6, 7) which is exchangeable on the housing (3 ) intended insert (5) of a first type is provided and has at least one control element (10, 11, 12) controlling the gas flow through the gas path, characterized in that in addition to the insert (5) of the first type an insert (5a) of a of the second type is provided, which does not have control elements (10, 11, 12) controlling the gas flow and can be used instead of the insert (5) of the first type on the filling element (1). Filling element according to claim 1, characterized in that the inserts (5, 5a) for connecting to the at least one gas channel of the filling element housing an insertion or removal position is pivotable into a functional position. Filling element for a filling machine for filling containers with a liquid filling material, the filling element (1) having at least one gas path which is partially formed by a gas channel in the housing and a gas channel (6, 7) which is exchangeable on the housing (3 ) provided insert (5) is provided and has at least one control element (10, 11, 12) controlling the gas flow through the gas path, characterized in that the insert (5) for connecting to the at least one gas channel of the filler element housing from an insertion or Removal position is pivotable into a functional position. Filling element according to claim 3, characterized in that in addition to a Insert (5) of the first type, which has at least one the gas flow through the gas path controlling control element (10, 11, 12), an insert (5a) of a second type The control elements (10, 11, 12) controlling the gas flow are not provided has and instead of the insert (5) of the first type on the filling element (1) is usable. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the one or more inserts (5, 5a) are cuboid or strip-like Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that on the filler housing (3) a hinge pin (14) is provided on the respective insert (5, 5a) with a joint opening (13) can be placed and around which Insert (5) from the insertion and removal position into the functional position is pivotable. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the insert (5) of the first type has at least all passive functional elements for controlling the gas flow of the gas paths of the filling element (1). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the at least one gas channel (6, 7) in use (5, 5a) of the first and second type forms at least at both ends a connection opening (8) through which this gas channel (6, 7) when transferring the insert (5, 5a) into the Functional position on the associated gas channel (4) in the filler element housing (3) is coupled. Filling element according to claim 8, characterized in that all Connection openings (8) on a common side (5 ') of the insert (5, 5a) are provided. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the respective insert (5, 5a) in the functional position between a first Surface (15) of the filling element housing (3) and a second surface (16 ') are arranged is, and that in the filling element housing (3) provided gas channels (4) on the the first surface (15) opens out opposite the connection openings (8) of the respective insert (5, 5a) in the functional position are provided. Filling element according to claim 10, characterized in that the second surface (16 ') is formed by a surface of a slide beam or hold-down device (16). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the connection openings (8) of the respective insert (5) on a surface (5 ') are provided, which is perpendicular to that axis around which the insert from the Insertion or removal position is pivotable into the functional position. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a lock, preferably a drop lock (17) for locking the insert (5, 5a) in the functional position. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the slider or the hold-down (16) are made of plastic. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the respective insert (5, 5a) is made of metal or plastic.

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