Abstract:
A device for filling containers, comprising: an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper main element and the lower main element;
       support elements arranged at one another without a continuous drive device, which support elements are continuously run through the device along operating stations and along the main elements and whose interconnection with one another due to a support along at least one lateral element is disengaged, wherein the interconnection of the support elements with one another in the upper main element and/or in the lower main element is maintained over the entire movement path along the top main element and the bottom main element, and wherein the movement of the support elements in the upper main element and/or in the lower main element is acceleratable and deceleratable in a controlled manner with the interconnection of the support elements being maintained.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from and incorporates by reference German patent application DE 10 2011 103 152.2 filed on May 25, 2011 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for filling containers, in particular bottles or beakers with food products, in particular liquid to paste-like dairy and fat products, juices, waters and similar, including an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper and the lower main element, a plurality of support elements arranged at one another without a continuous drive device, which support elements are run in an endless manner through the device past operating stations and along the main elements and the lateral elements, wherein an interconnection of the support elements with one another is disengaged due to the support elements being supported along at least one lateral element. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Typically the containers to be filled according to the non related art are inserted into support elements which are connected with one another through a continuous feed device like a conveying chain and which are continuously run through the filling device. This drive mode is reliable and provides a permanent interconnection of the support elements with one another. The support elements can be accelerated and decelerated in a controlled manner, which is required in particular for high cyclic rates with which the support elements are moved through the filling device. 
     The non related art, however, also has substantial disadvantages which were so far accepted as necessary limitations when operating filling devices. One of the disadvantages is the chain which elongates during operation which makes positioning the containers below the particular operating stations difficult. Besides requiring frequent adaptation of the basic settings the chain elongation requires a separate positioning aide almost in every operating station in order to provide exact treatment for the containers. 
     Another essential disadvantage is caused by the required massive drive elements which have substantial weight and through which the masses to be accelerated of respectively configured drives require supports etc. Overall the machine itself is very heavy and a plurality of high quality and expensive components needs to be installed and disassembled and uninstalled or replaced during maintenance. This does not only cause substantial material and component expense during production and maintenance. Substantial production shortfalls have to be accepted when the equipment is maintained. 
     Therefore attempts were made again and again to design filling devices with a “chainless drive” since these at least in theory do not have many of the recited disadvantages. 
     The invention itself relates to a “chainless filling device” of this type wherein chainless means that the support elements are not arranged at one another through a continuously run drive member like e.g. a chain. 
     A device of this type is known from EP 1 495 997 A1 in various embodiments. 
     Besides embodiments in which the support elements are supported on rollers or wheels along the main elements, EP 1 495 997 B1 also discloses embodiments in which the support elements are moved on sliding rails along the main elements with the faces of the support elements contacting one another. In FIGS. 10 and 11 of EP 1 495 997 B1 lateral elements in the form of elevators are illustrated which move the support elements from the upper main element into the lower main element and back. Thus, a support element is a disengaged from a respective main element and an elevator receiver is coupled instead into the lateral element. The receiver includes a free space into which the subsequent support element is pressed during the next feed movement. 
     The lateral elements configured as an elevator have a significant advantage. With these lateral elements the support elements can be integrated into the lower main element without the topside of the support element provided for receiving the containers changing its orientation in the lower main element. 
     The solution sketched out in EP 1 495 997 B1, however, has a significant disadvantage. The interconnection between the cell plates is dissolved through the cell plate being disengaged at the end of the upper and/or lower main element. A controlled acceleration and a controlled deceleration of the cell plates arranged in the lower main element or upper main element is not provided anymore. The lower main element and the upper main element typically form the main elements of the device in which main elements operating stations can be arranged. 
     In the unpublished application PCT/DE2009/001752 of the applicant support elements are disclosed that are arranged on a frame wherein the frames are connected with one another through attachment elements associated with the frame, so that the interconnection of the support elements arranged in the main elements is maintained. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, it is the object of the invention to provide an alternative device for filling containers in which also support elements that are not connected with one another can be accelerated and decelerated in a controlled manner in the main elements. 
     The object of the invention is achieved through a device with the features of claim  1 , in particular with the characterizing features according to which the interconnection of the support elements with one another in the upper main element and/or in the lower main element is maintained over the entire movement path along the main element and wherein the movement of support elements in the upper main element and/or lower main element can be accelerated and decelerated in a controlled manner, wherein the interconnection of the support elements is maintained. 
     The advantage of the device configured according to the invention is that maintaining the closed interconnection of the support elements not coupled with one another maintains controlled acceleration and deceleration of the support elements in the respective main element. In particular in view of the high accelerations and decelerations occurring at up to 60 feed cycles per minute in current filling devices it becomes apparent that only a “chainless” filling device configured according to the invention can achieve an objective of to the invention. 
     In a particularly advantageous embodiment it is provided that the controlled acceleration of the support elements is provided through a drive and the controlled deceleration is provided through a brake device, wherein it is provided in particular that the drive operates against the brake device and the interconnection of the support elements with one another is maintained through forces of the drive and brake device wherein the forces act opposite to one another. 
     Through using a drive and a brake device it is provided that none of the support elements disengages from the interconnection in one of the main elements and moves in an uncontrolled manner in the main element. 
     It is feasible to control the brake device in an active manner and to configure it as an eddy current brake impacting the support elements or as a servo motor impacting the support elements. 
     It is particularly advantageous when the drive impacts the first support element in feed direction and the brake device impacts the last support element of the main element in feed direction. In this embodiment it suffices for maintaining the interconnection of the support elements in the main elements to have a single drive and a single brake device. 
     The overreaching idea is that the support elements are kept in a pressed interconnection through the forces of drive device and brake device acting against one another. 
     As a consequence of the arrangement of drive device and brake device the respective lateral element transitions in front of the drive or behind the brake device into the upper- and/or lower main element. Through this configuration of the invention it is furthermore provided that the support elements can be moved between the main elements and the lateral elements independently from the required connection condition in the main elements. 
     It is particularly advantageous in view of the high acceleration- and deceleration forces that the drive and the brake device include an operating element engaging the respective support element in a form locking manner. 
     Thus it is preferred when the operating element is a gear which engages a gear rack of the support element in a form locking manner for providing controlled acceleration or deceleration. It is furthermore provided that the upper main element or the lower main element include down holders which prevent an upsetting of the support elements under a controlled acceleration or deceleration. 
     This is particularly important when the weight of the support elements does not suffice to support the acceleration and deceleration forces of the drive and the brake device. 
     Eventually it is provided for friction minimization that the support elements are run through the device on rollers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An improved understanding of the invention and of additional advantages and features can be derived from the subsequent description of an embodiment, with reference to drawing figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a simplified overall view of the device according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a partial view of the device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a vertical sectional view of the device according to  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged detail of the view according to  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the FIGs. a device according to the invention is designated overall with the reference numeral  10 . The device  10  is a filling device for free flowing to pasty food products like e.g. margarine, milk products or juices. 
     The device  10  with respect to a placement surface includes a horizontal upper main element OT and a horizontal lower main element UT. The upper main element OT and the lower main element UT are subsequently also designated as main elements or main element. The upper main element OT and the lower main element UT are connected with one another through two lateral elements ST which are presently configured as elevators. 
     Along the elements OT, UT and ST particular carts  11  are continuously supported. These carts  11  are vertically moved from the upper main element OT into the lower main element UT and back by the elevators  12  forming the lateral elements ST. In particular it is implemented that each cart arranged in the upper main element OT is moved in the upper main element OT in feed direction W from the left elevator  12  in  FIG. 1  along the operating stations which are not illustrated like sterilization, filling and sealing to the right elevator  12 . Therein the elevator  12  moves the cart  11  in vertical direction X to the level of the lower main element UT where it is moved back in horizontal direction Y opposite to the direction W to the left elevator  12 . Herein the cart  11  is received and moved in vertical direction Z, which is an opposite direction to the direction X, back into the upper main element OT. 
     A drive  13  is an element of the left elevator  12 , a brake device  14  is an element of the right elevator. Each cart  11  is moved through the drive  13  in the direction W against the brake device  14  through the upper main element. As apparent from  FIG. 1  the carts  11  arranged in the upper main element OT between the drive  13  and the brake device  14  form a closed interconnection. The lower main element UT does not include an interconnection of this type for the carts  11 . The carts  11  are run in the lower main element UT without an interconnection. 
     The drive  13  and the brake device  14  define the upper main element OT. The upper main element OT starts in the direction W with the drive  13  and terminates in the direction W with the brake device  14 . The lateral elements ST are connected upstream of the drive  13  or connected downstream of the brake device  14  wherein the carts  11  are vertically moved in X-direction or Z-direction from the upper main element OT into the lower main element UT and vice versa. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a partial view of the device  10  according to  FIG. 1 . This is the left lateral element ST with the drive  13 . From this illustration the configuration of the particular carts  11  can be derived. These are plate shaped support elements  15  which are provided transversally to the feed direction with receivers  16  arranged in series adjacent to one another for particular containers  17 , herein beakers. Each support element  15  includes plural receivers  16  arranged behind one another in feed direction W, X, Y and Z and forming tracks. Gear racks  18  are arranged in the lateral portions of the support elements that extend parallel to the feed direction, wherein the gear racks are configured with rollers  19 . 
     The rollers  19  rest on running rails  20  of the upper main element OT and the lower main element UT and are pushed along the running rail  20  through the device  10  along the upper main element OT and the lower main element UT. 
     The drive  13  includes a motor  21  which drives two gears  23  connected with one another in rotation through an axis  22 . The gears  23  engage the gear racks  18  of the carts  11  in order to accelerate them through the drive  13 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a vertical sectional view through the device  10  according to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  consequently illustrates the left portion of the device  10  illustrated overall in  FIG. 1 . As can be derived from this figure, the rotation axis R of the axle  22  connecting the sprockets  23  is directly arranged in the vertical separation plane T between the lateral element ST and the lower main element UT. 
     A circumference of the gear  23  is sized so that it can engage the gear rack  18  of the first cart  11  of the upper main element OT in feed direction W and also the gear rack  18  of a cart  11  supported in the lateral element ST at a level of the upper main element OT. These features can be derived in particular from  FIG. 4  which is an enlarged detail of  FIG. 3  with a view of the gear  23 . 
     Initially a cart  11  is moved from the horizontal plane of the lower main element UT into the horizontal plane of the upper main element OT. Thus, in feed direction W, this cart  11  is arranged in front of the first cart  11  of the upper main element OT. The gear  23  engages the gear rack  18  of the first cart  11  joined in the upper main element OT and also engages the recited cart  11  in the lateral element ST. 
     Through rotation of the gear, the cart  11  of the lateral element ST arranged at the level of the upper main element OT and the first cart  11  of the upper main element OT are moved in feed direction W. Thus, the respective first cart arranged in feed direction W pushes all other carts of the upper main element OT in feed direction W. Thus, the drive  13  facilitates a controlled acceleration of the cart  11  in the upper main element OT. 
     With this respect, the form locking engagement of the gear  23  into the gear rack  18  of the carts  11  is advantageous as well as the arrangement of the gear rack with respect to the setup plane of the device  10  above the gear racks  18 . Thus, on the one hand side, there is the option to connect the cart  11  that is disposed in the lateral element ST from below in direction Z with the drive  13 . On the other hand side, the running rail  20  of the upper main element OT below the gear  23  is configured as a thrust bearing. Therefore there is no risk that the gear racks  18  dive under the gear  23 . 
     It is evident that the illustration of  FIG. 3  is mirrored at a vertical axis which extends parallel to the separation plane T so that the gear  23  is arranged in feed direction W in front of the elevator  12  of the right lateral element ST illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Thus, the gear  23  of the brake device  14  impacts the last cart  11  of the upper main element OT in feed direction W, in particular through engaging its gear rack  18 . The brake device  14  acts against the drive movement of the drive  13  in feed direction W. Thus it is provided that the carts  11  contact each other with their faces oriented towards each other in feed direction W or in feed direction Y. The brake device  14  can thus decelerate in a controlled manner against the feed movement of the drive  13 . 
     Through the opposing forces of the drive  13  and the brake device  14 , the carts  11  of the upper main element are kept in a compressed interconnection. Down holders  24  or supports receive the carts  11  between each other and the running rail  20  of the upper main element OT in order to prevent an upsetting of the carts through driving and braking forces oriented against one another. 
     The brake device  14  can be configured in an active manner and also in a passive manner. A passive brake device  14  includes a pre-defined deceleration force, wherein the deceleration force can have different strength over the feed movement of an operating stroke of the device  10 . However, it is also conceivable and advantageous to provide an actively controlled brake device  14  which can be adapted preferably as a function of particular operating parameters during operations through an automatic control. 
     Overall a filling device for food products is described whose carts  11  form a coherent interconnection configured as a compressed interconnection in the upper main element OT over their entire movement W, so that they can be accelerated and decelerated in a controlled manner. The compressed interconnection is facilitated through a drive defining the beginning of the upper main element OT which acts against a brake device forming an end of the upper main element OT. The drive  13  and the brake device  14  thus frame the upper main element OT. This configuration is based on the presumption that the operating stations are arranged in the upper main element. It can be an equivalent solution to additionally or alternatively provide the brake device  14  and the drive  13  in the lower main element UT when a respective interconnection is required therein. 
     The elevators  12  which move the carts  11  in a vertical direction between the upper main element OT and the lower main element UT represent a particularity of the device  10  which facilitates removing the carts  11  from the device  10  in feed direction W without obstruction. This significantly facilitates so-called format change, thus using carts  11  with support elements  15  for containers  17  with other shapes and sizes, since no components of the lateral element ST have to be disassembled. 
     Another particularity of the device  10  is that the carts  11  are run without interconnection in the lower main element UT not provided with operating stations. This can be provided e.g. through a timing belt engaging the carts  11 . 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS 
       10  Device 
       11  Cart 
       12  Elevator 
       13  Drive 
       14  Brake Device 
       15  Support element 
       16  Receiver 
       17  Container 
       18  Gear Rack 
       19  Roller 
       20  Running Rail 
       21  Motor 
       22  Axle 
       23  Gear 
       24  Down Holder 
     OT Upper Main Element 
     UT Lower Main Element 
     ST Lateral element 
     R Rotation Axes 
     T Separation plane 
     W Direction 
     X Direction 
     Y Direction 
     Z Direction