EP1739051A1 - Filling head and filling machine of the rotary type - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a filling tube (5) that has a liquid channel (8) for filling a container (3) with liquid material. A sealing portion (13) is provided to seal the filling tube in the container during the filling process. A valve (9) is formed at the end of the filling tube. The valve has a valve body (10) coupled to a return air duct (6). A control or operating unit is provided to move the valve body against a valve seat in the filling tube and to open and close the valve. A valve body section (10.2) is formed in the return air duct for opening and emptying liquid channel when the valve is open. The valve body has a valve surface that is fitted into the liquid channel. When the valve is in open position, liquid material flows through the liquid channel and is delivered into the container. The return air duct can be opened for influxes into the container during the filling process. When the valve is closed, the return air duct is locked at the end of the filling tube.

Description

The invention relates to a filling element according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a filling machine of rotating design, which has a plurality of such filling elements on a rotatable about a vertical axis rotatable rotor or kettle, and according to the preamble of claim 8.

Especially known is a filling machine of continuous design for filling bottles or the like. Containers with a liquid filling material (in particular drink, eg wine), in which (filling machine) are provided on a boiler of the rotors drivable around a vertical machine axis rotors filling elements. These have, inter alia, each a filling tube forming a liquid channel and a liquid valve formed by a valve body at the lower free tube end, which is opened at the beginning of the filling process when the filling tube is introduced into the container to be filled and closed at the end of the filling process. The actuation of the valve body via a concentrically and at a distance from the filling tube enclosed return air tube. This is open at a lower end of the filling tube of the valve body and axially movable for opening and closing of the liquid valve by a control device, in such a way that when the liquid valve is closed, the valve body with a valve surface forming a sealing ring against a valve seat forming an opening edge of the filling tube is applied. When the liquid valve is open, this valve surface is spaced from the valve seat to form an annular discharge opening, then flows through the liquid product in a screen-like beam formation in the interior of the container to be filled and in sealing position with the filling element. The case displaced from the container air passes through the return air duct in a gas or air space formed in the boiler. The flow of the liquid product into the respective container is automatically terminated when the liquid valve is still open when the liquid level of rising at the end of filling in the return air duct liquid or Füllgutsäule has reached the level or approximately the level of Füllgutspiegels in the boiler. After closing the valve, the filled container is removed from the filling element. To avoid that in this case the return air duct empties into the filled container, which would lead to overfilling of the container and / or tolerances and / or deviations, for example in the shape of the bottle neck in bottles to different filling heights, it is necessary in the known filling machine to retain the liquid or Füllgut column in the return air duct by negative pressure. This requires a relatively complicated construction.

The object of the invention is to show a filling element which avoids this disadvantage. To solve this problem, a filling element according to the patent claim 1 is formed. A filling machine is the subject of claim 8.

A special feature of the invention is that when the valve is closed, not only the liquid channel, but also the return air duct is closed, so that without the use of a vacuum or vacuum emptying the return air duct is avoided when removing the respective container from the filling element. Another special feature of the invention is that when opening the valve first the return air duct and then the discharge opening are opened so that at the beginning of each filling initially the return air duct or the filling material present in the return air duct completely or substantially completely emptied into the container to be filled is before then filling via the discharge opening takes place.

Fig. 1

in vereinfachter Teildarstellung den Rotor einer Füllmaschine umlaufender Bauart, zusammen mit einem Füllelement;

Fig. 2

das untere Ende des Füllelementes bei geschlossenem Flüssigkeitsventil und geschlossenem Rückluftkanal bzw. Rückluftrohr;

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung wie Figur 2, jedoch bei geöffnetem Flüssigkeitsventil und geöffnetem Rückluftkanal bzw. Rückluftrohr;

Fig. 4

in vergrößerter Einzeldarstellung den Ventilkörper des Füllelementes, zusammen mit einer Teillänge eines Rückluftrohres;

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung ähnlich Figur 3, jedoch bei einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

Further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of exemplary embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a simplified partial representation of the rotor of a filling machine of rotating design, together with a filling element;

Fig. 2

the lower end of the filling element with closed liquid valve and closed return air duct or return air pipe;

Fig. 3

a representation as Figure 2, but with the liquid valve open and open return air duct or return air pipe;

Fig. 4

in enlarged detail the valve body of the filling element, together with a partial length of a return air tube;

Fig. 5

a representation similar to Figure 3, but in a further embodiment.

In the figures, 1 is the serving for receiving a liquid filling boiler of a filling machine of rotating design. The boiler 1 is part of a rotatable about a vertical machine axis rotatable rotor. On the circumference of the boiler 1 2 filling elements 2 are provided on the underside at predetermined angular intervals, which together with a container or bottle carrier, not shown in filling machines known manner form filling stations to which the bottles to be filled 3 each individually fed to a container task and after the Fill to be taken from a container delivery.

During operation of the filling machine, the boiler 1 is partially, d. H. filled up to a predetermined level with the liquid contents, so then in the boiler 1, a liquid space occupied by the liquid liquid 1.1 and above a gas or air space 1.2 is formed.

Each of the underside of the boiler 1 removably attached filling element 2 has a tubular housing 4, at the lower end of which a filling tube 5 is connected. The housing 4 and the filling tube 5 are arranged with their axes coaxially and parallel to the vertical machine axis. Each filling element 2 further has a return air duct 6 forming return air pipe 7, which with its upper end in the air or gas space 1.2. opens and from there to the lower end of the respective filling tube 5 extends. The common axis of the housing 4, the filling tube 5 and the return air tube 7 is indicated in the figures as Füllelementachse FA.

Within the housing 4 and the filling tube 5, a return duct 7 annularly enclosing liquid channel 8 is formed, which communicates with its upper end with the liquid chamber 1.1 and at the lower end of the filling tube 5, a valve 9 with a valve body 10 which (valve ) controlled at the beginning of the respective filling operation for releasing or forming a liquid opening 11 can be opened and closed at the end of each filling, with simultaneous opening and closing of the return air duct 6, as will be described in more detail below.

The valve body 10 is provided at the lower end of the return air tube 7. This is used to open and close the valve 9 together with the valve body 10 by a provided on the upper side of the boiler 1 control device 12 in response to the rotational position of the rotor with a predetermined movement stroke (double arrow A) axially relative to that with the boiler 1 on the Housing 4 firmly connected filling tube 5 moves, namely for opening in the vertical direction downwards and for closing in a vertical upward direction. The control device 12 is in the illustrated embodiment, a mechanical control device which cooperates when revolving the rotor with non-rotating control cam or control rollers.

Figures 2 and 3 show the lower end of the filling tube 5 again in more detail. Shown in these figures is also an annular sealing element 13 which is provided adjustable height on each filling tube 5 at a radial distance from the lower Füllrohrende and against which rests during filling the respective bottle 3 with the edge 3.1 of its bottle mouth in sealing position, wherein the respective Fill tube 5 extends into the bottle 3 with a certain partial length.

The valve body 10 consists in the illustrated embodiment of a lower valve body portion 10.1, which tapers conically towards its lower end and has an outer cross-section which is equal to or greater than the outer cross section of the filling tube 5. Adjoining the valve body section 10.1 in the direction of the axis FA is a valve body section 10.2 whose cross section is equal to or approximately equal to the internal cross section of the filling tube 5. At the transition between the valve body sections 10. 1 and 10. 2, the valve body 10 is provided with a valve surface 14 annularly enclosing the axis FA, which in the illustrated embodiment is a sealing ring and one with the lower one Opening edge of the filling tube 5 formed valve seat 15 cooperates, that is sealed when valve 9 against this valve seat rests. In the valve body portion 10.2 a plurality of openings 16 are provided about the axis FA, which are each oriented radially or approximately radially to the axis FA with their axes, internally communicate with the return air duct 6 and are open on the peripheral surface of the valve body portion 10.2. In the illustrated embodiment, the openings 16 are slightly tapered in cross-section with the circumference of the valve body portion 10.2, such that each opening 16 extends obliquely downwardly to the valve face 14 with the lower portion of its wall starting from the axis FA , as indicated in Figures 2 and 3 at 16.1.

Since the openings 16 are located above the valve surface 14, not only the liquid channel 8, but also the return air channel 6 are closed when the valve 9 is closed (FIG. 2). When the valve 9 is open (FIG. 3), the liquid channel 8 is opened via the liquid or discharge opening 11 formed annularly between the valve seat 15 and the upper end of the valve body section 10.2, surrounding the axis FA, and also the return air channel 6 via the openings 16. It is essential in this embodiment that when opening the valve 9, ie when lowering the return air tube 7 from the upper stroke position in the lower stroke position first, the openings 16 are released and thus the return air duct 6 is opened, while the lower end of the filling tube 5 is still through the valve body portion 10.2 is at least largely closed, and that only when the lower stroke position of the return air tube 7 and the liquid channel 8 opens via the annular discharge opening 11.

In order to clearly guide the relatively long return air tube 7 in the filling tube 5 and to allow in particular a trouble-free opening and closing of the valve 9, three centering or guide webs 17 are provided on the outer surface of the return air tube 7, the sliding against the inner surface of the filling tube. 5 issue.

The operation of the filling element 2 can be described as follows:

When the valve 9 is closed, the respective bottle 3 to be filled with the edge 3.1 of its bottle mouth is brought into sealing position against the sealing element 13 by lifting with the container carrier (not shown). Thereafter, the valve 9 is opened, wherein initially from a previous filling operation in the return air duct 6 existing filling material is passed through the openings 16 and in particular on the inclined surfaces 16.1 in the bottle 3. In the further opening movement of the valve body 10 then opens the annular discharge opening 11, so that the liquid product from the boiler via the liquid channel 8 umbrella-like, d. H. flows in particular on the inner surface of the bottle wall in the relevant bottle 3.

The displaced from the liquid product from the bottle 3 air flows through the openings 16 and the return air duct 6 in the gas or air space 1.2, wherein at the end of the filling process, d. H. when the level of the liquid filling material in the bottle has reached the valve body 10, the filling material also reaches the return air channel 6 via the openings 16. The inflow of the filling material into the bottle 3 is terminated when the liquid level of the filling column in the return air duct 6 has reached the level or about the level of Füllgutspiegels in the boiler 1.

For the final termination of the filling operation, the valve 9 is closed by the lifting movement of the return air pipe 7 upwards, so that the state shown in Figure 2 is reached again. The filled bottle can then be removed from the filling element 2, without this filling material from the return air duct 6 can flow into the filled bottle, since the return air duct 6 is also closed when the valve 9 is closed.

In the next filling operation, the openings 16 are first released when opening the valve 9, so that in turn first the filling material remaining in the return air channel 6 flows into the bottle 6 to be filled, before the valve 9 opens the annular gap or the annular discharge opening 11.

FIG. 5 shows, as a further possible embodiment, a valve 18 which can be used with the filling element 2 and has a valve body 19. This in turn has a valve body section 19.1 which tapers conically towards the lower, free end and a valve body section 19.2 which reduces one opposite the valve body section 19.1 Has diameter and the upper, in the return air pipe 7 merges or connected to this end of the valve body 19 forms. The outer diameter of the valve body portion 19.1 is again equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the filling tube 5. The outer diameter of the valve body portion 19.2 is equal to or approximately equal to the inner diameter of the filling tube fifth

At the transition between the valve body portions 19.1 and 19.2, the valve surface 14 formed by a sealing ring is provided. Furthermore, an opening into the return air duct 6 opening 16 is introduced in the valve body portion 19.2. Notwithstanding the valve body 10, the valve body 19 on the valve body portion 19.2 a plurality of the liquid passage 8 in communication with discharge openings 20, in such a manner that when the valve 18 is closed, the discharge openings 20 are closed and with the valve 18 open, the liquid product through the discharge openings 20th jet-shaped flows into the interior of the bottle 3 and, although at one of the opening 16 facing away from the peripheral region of the valve body 19th

This embodiment also has the advantage that, when the valve 18 is closed, both the liquid channel 8 and the return air channel 6 are closed. Characterized in that the discharge openings 20 have a slightly larger axial distance from the valve surface 14 than the opening 16 takes place in this embodiment when opening the valve 18, first emptying the return air tube 6 before the discharge openings 20 are released.

As shown in FIG. 5, the valve body 19 is centered in the filling tube 5 even with the valve 18 open, with an upper region adjacent to the return air tube 7, so that the centering webs 17 can be dispensed with in this embodiment.

The invention has been described above by means of exemplary embodiments. It is understood that changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive idea underlying the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

boiler

1.1

liquid space

1.2

Gas or air space

2

filler

3

bottle

3.1

Edge of the bottle mouth

4

filling element

5

filling pipe

6

Return air duct

7

Vent tube

8th

liquid channel

9

Valve

10

valve body

10.1, 10.2

Valve body section

11

Liquid or discharge opening

12

actuator

13

sealing

14

valve surface

15

valve seat

16

opening

16.1

wall

17

centering

18

Valve

19

valve body

19.1, 19.2

Valve body section

FA

vertical filler axis

A

Lifting movement of the return air tube 7 for opening and closing the valve 10 and 18, respectively

Claims (9)

Filling element for use in a filling machine for filling bottles or the like. Container (3) with a liquid filling material, with a filling tube (5) forming a liquid channel (8) for the filling material, which is used to fill the respective container (3) with a filling pipe end in this up to the sealing position of a sealing element (13) on the container (3) is insertable, formed with a Füllrohrende valve (9, 18) with valve body (10, 19) on a return air duct (6) forming the return air tube (7) is provided, which via a control or actuating unit (12) axially to open and close the valve (9, 18) is movable, wherein when the valve (9, 18) of the valve body (10, 19) with a valve face (14) against a valve seat (15) of the filling tube (5) sealingly abuts the liquid channel (8) and in an open position the liquid channel (8) for discharging the liquid filling material in the container (3) at the filling pipe end also open return air duct (6) for the inflow into the container (3) free, and wherein the closed valve (9, 18) and the return air duct (6) closes at Füllrohrende (5),
characterized,
in that the return air duct (6) on the valve body section (10.2, 19.2) is open such that upon opening the valve (9, 18) with the control or actuating unit (12), first the return air duct (6) for its emptying and after this emptying open the liquid channel (8). Filling element according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve body (10, 19) has a valve body portion (10.2, 19.2), in the closed by the valve body (10, 19) filling tube (5) or closed valve (9, 18) Part of this filling tube (5) is received, and that the return air duct (6) on this valve body portion (10.2, 19.2) via at least one opening (16) is open. Filling element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the at least one opening (16) of the return air channel (6) having Valve body portion (10.2, 19.2) relative to the valve surface (14) on the valve body (10, 19) relative to the movement stroke (A) of the return air tube (7) axially offset such that when the valve (9, 18) is open, the open end of the return air tube (7) or the at least one opening (16) is closer to a valve seat (15) cooperating with the valve face (14) of the valve body (10, 19) than said valve face (14). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opened valve (9, 18) at least one discharge opening (11) of the liquid passage (8) releases, and that the at least one opening (16) of the return air duct (6) having valve body portion ( 10.2, 19.2) or the at least one opening (16) of the return air duct (6) is axially displaced relative to the discharge opening (11) with the valve (9, 18) open, the open end of the return air duct (6) having a valve seat ( 15) cooperating valve surface (14) on the valve body (10, 19) is closer than the at least one discharge opening (11). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opened valve (9, 18) at least one discharge opening (11) of the liquid channel (8) releases, and that the discharge opening (11) annular or partially annular, the Füllelementachse (FA) enclosing is trained. Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve (18) in the opened state releases a plurality of dispensing openings (20) in particular for a radial outlet of the filling material from the liquid channel (8). Filling element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing element (13) for the sealing position of the relevant container (3) during filling of the filling tube (5) is provided. Container (3) with a liquid product, with a provided on a rotatable about a vertical machine axis rotor rotors or container (1), the interior of a liquid space (1.1) for receiving the contents and above a gas or air space (1.2) forms, as well as with several on the rotor or on
the boiler (1) arranged filling elements (2),
characterized in that these filling elements are designed according to one of the preceding claims. Filling machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the return air duct (6) of the filling elements in each case with the gas or air space (1.2) of the boiler (1) is in communication.

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