Patent Publication Number: US-11046565-B2

Title: Filling apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is the national stage of international application PCT/EP2018/081505, filed on Nov. 16, 2018, which claims the benefit of the Jan. 9, 2018 priority date of German application DE 102018100353.6, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The invention relates to container filling and in particular to filling glass bottles under pressure. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In container-filling machines that fill glass bottles under pressure, it is possible for a bottle to break by being filled. This causes shards of broken glass to be sprayed in all directions. To protect neighboring bottles from being broken and potentially initiating a catastrophic chain reaction, it is usual to have a shield around a filling position to intercept such shards before they can damage neighboring bottles. 
     The need for a shield is particularly important because the internal pressure in a bottle can be quite high. During hot filling of beverages having dissolved carbon dioxide, the pressure can reach beyond seven atmospheres. Should a bottle have a defect, it is quite likely to burst under such pressure. 
     A screening arrangement usually includes a partition plate that connects to a filling element. If the filling element is moved up or down to adjust to different bottle sizes, the partition plate will be either too long or too short. A disadvantage of this known technique, therefore, is that the shielding arrangement cannot effectively protect all bottle or container sizes. 
     SUMMARY 
     An object of the present invention is to shield the containers securely during filling, regardless of their size. 
     In one aspect, the invention features a filling machine for pressure-filling containers. The filling machine comprises a rotating transport element that comprises receiving stations, each of which includes a filling element, a first lift, a shield, an adjuster, and a container receptacle for a container, the container receptacle being arranged beneath the filling element. The first lift vertically adjusts the filling element in a vertical direction to accommodate different container sizes. The shield, which is formed at the receiving station, is adjustable relative to the filling element and comprises a single-piece partition that defines at least a portion of a cylinder. During filling of the containers, the shield is in a protection position in which it at least partially surrounds the container. The adjuster adjusts the shield and the container receptacle relative to one another between the protection position and a release position. It does so by changing a position of the container receptacle relative to the shield in a region of a feeding-and-discharge device. The feeding-and-discharge device is arranged in a conveying region of the transport element for feeding the container to the transport element and for receiving a container that has been discharged from the rotating transport element. The adjuster comprises either a second lift or a rotation mechanism, the latter being one that rotates the container about a container axis thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the shielding device is adjustable relative to the filling element. In this way, the shielding arrangement is decoupled from the filling element. Accordingly, if the filling element is adjusted at the beginning of the filling to a new type of bottle, namely to its size, by the first lift, the shielding arrangement is no longer coupled to it. 
     Accordingly, within the framework of the adjustment of the filling apparatus, the screening arrangement can be adjusted to a new container size relative to the filling element and, as appropriate, to the container receptacle, e.g. adjusted vertically and/or rotated, in such a way that the shielding arrangement surrounds the container in the filling position, at least partially circumferentially, preferably fully, but on the other hand does not collide with other parts of the filling apparatus. 
     Preferably, the container in the filling apparatus is covered towards the outside, such that, in the event of a bottle shattering during the filling process, the resulting shards, which are flung radially outwards, are trapped and cannot cause injury to personnel. With a circular filling machine. Preferably, the partition plate is formed as at least partially circular in such a way that it shields the container, in particular the bottle, laterally so that shards do not strike adjacent containers. 
     Accordingly, the shielding arrangement can, for example, be suspended from an upper carrying element of the filling apparatus, and the filling element is adjusted vertically in such a way that the shielding arrangement, in the filling position of the container, i.e. when the mouth of the bottle is in tight contact at the filling organ of the filling element, projects downwards as far as the container receptacle. The pressing of the container against the filling organ is then put into effect by a lower lift of the container receptacle within the framework of every filling procedure. 
     The invention has a number of advantages. The partition plate, for example, is no longer coupled to the filling element. In this way, independently of this element, it is possible, within the framework of the adjustment of the filling apparatus, for an adjustment to be made to the container size. As a result, no size-adjustable shielding arrangement is required for the shielding of containers of different sizes, but the shielding arrangement, for example a partition plate, can be selected in a size which completely shields the largest containers which are to be filled. 
     The screening arrangement preferably relies on a single-piece partition plate. This is more hygienic than a multi-part partition plate. The end result is reduced manufacturing costs, cleaning costs, and is overall hygiene. 
     The screening arrangement and the container receptacle or filling element can be adjusted relative to one another by an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism is configured such as to change the relative position of the container receptacle/filling element and of the shielding arrangement from a protective position into a release position. 
     A release of the containers from the transport element can be carried out in this situation in that, in the region of the feed/discharge device, the relative position of the shielding arrangement and container receptacle/filling element is changed by the adjustment mechanism in such a way that the containers are released. Such a movement can be a lifting movement between the shielding arrangement and the container receptacle or a rotation movement of the shielding arrangement relative to the container receptacle. 
     During the entire filling process, the shielding arrangement or the partition plate of a receiving station respectively is then in a protection position in which it surrounds the container at least in such a way that other containers are not damaged in the event of the container bursting during the pressure filling process. 
     According to the invention, the shielding arrangement contains or is a partition plate in the form of a semi-circle or full circle, which surrounds the container at least to outside, partially or in full circumference. In this way, a shielding arrangement can be realized which is space-saving but also provides optimum shielding for the container and also provides effective security for the space surrounding the circular filling machine as well as for the bottles in relation to one another. 
     The expressions “semi-circular” or “circular” relate to the cross-section profile of the cylindrical partition plate. Semi-circular/circular should also be understood to include a polygonal structure. 
     In a first advantageous embodiment of the invention, the adjustment mechanism is formed as at least one second lift that changes the vertical distance interval between the container receptacle and the shielding arrangement. It is possible in this embodiment either to lift the shielding arrangement and to hold the container receptacle at the same height level or to hold the shielding arrangement at the same height level and to lower the container receptacle. It is also possible for the upwards movement of the shielding arrangement to be combined with the downwards movement of the container receptacle, as a result of which the travel paths of both the elements can be kept shorter. 
     The vertical movement of the shielding arrangement and/or of the container receptacle in the region of the feeding or discharge device enables the containers to be released from the shielding arrangement, and therefore transferred into the transport element or removed from it respectively. 
     In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism is a rotation mechanism that rotates the shielding arrangement, especially when it is configured as a semi-circular partition plate, about a vertical axis above the center of the container receptacle. The partition plates rotate in the filling region into a protection position, while in the region of the feed/discharge device they are rotated into a release position. 
     In some embodiments, the adjustment mechanism includes a second lift that includes an actuating cylinder to change the relative position of the container receptacle and of the shielding arrangement. In other embodiments, the lift includes a linear drive. 
     It is preferable, if the adjustment mechanism is configured as a second lift and for the shielding arrangement and/or the container receptacle to be conveyed at a vertical guide such that they can be easily moved in relation to one another by the at least one second lift. 
     In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second lift is coupled to a return gas tube, which is adjustable independently of the filling element, in order to cause the simultaneous vertical movement of this element. In this way, fewer components are required in order to adjust the different elements of the filling apparatus, since the return gas tube and the shielding arrangement can be actuated by a common lift. 
     The lifts of the filling apparatus can in particular be configured as hydraulic or pneumatic actuating cylinders or as linear drives. Such drives are reliable and economical. 
     The invention likewise relates to a method for the filling of containers in a filling apparatus with a moved transport element, in particular a revolving transport element of a circular filling machine. It may also relate, however, to a linear transport element with a corresponding conveying mechanism, e.g. a circulating conveyor element. The transport element has receiving stations with container receptacles for the containers and arranged in the conveying region of the transport element is at least one feed/discharge device for the feed and discharge of the containers into/out of the transport element. Such a feed/device is formed preferably from a feed star and a discharge star. 
     Each container receptacle, e.g. a setting plate, is arranged in a receiving station beneath an associated filling element, wherein the filling element is adjustable vertically in order to adapt to containers of different sizes by a first lift. Each receiving station comprises at least one shielding arrangement, as a rule at least one partition plate, which during the filling at least partially surrounds the container in a protection position. According to the invention, in order to adapt the filling apparatus to a new container type of a different size the position of the shielding arrangement relative to the filling element. The relative position of the shielding arrangement to the filling element is therefore adjustable in such a way that, when the container is in contact at the filling organ of the filling element, the shielding arrangement completely covers the container, e.g. extends downwards as far as the container receptacle. 
     Preferably, the relative position between the shielding arrangement and container receptacle is moved by an adjustment mechanism, in particular in the region of the feed and discharge device, between the protection position and a release position. With regard to the advantages of this method, reference is made to the description of the filling apparatus according to the invention. 
     Advantageously, the shielding arrangement and the container receptacle are moved vertically and/or rotated relative to one another between the protection position and the release position by the adjustment mechanism. By both types of movement, a container can be brought from the protection position of the shielding arrangement or of the partition plate respectively into its release position, such that, in the region of the feed/discharge device, it can be transferred into the transport element or removed from it. The method is advantageously carried out in connection with a filling apparatus of the type referred to heretofore. 
     Embodiments further include combinations of the foregoing features. 
     The invention makes particularly practical sense for use with glass bottles which, in the context of pressure filling with CO2, could shatter due to material defects or thermal stresses, wherein the shards could potentially lead to a shattering or breaking of the adjacent bottles. Due to the configuration according to the invention of the filling apparatus this is effectively eliminated, and specifically for all sizes of bottles. 
     The following terms are used in the application as synonyms: Filling apparatus—filling machine—circular filling machine; adjustment mechanism—second lift—rotation mechanism; shielding arrangement—partition plate; container—bottle—glass bottle; transport element—circulating transport element; runner—guide roller; return gas tube—trinox tube. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described hereinafter by way of examples, on the basis of the schematic drawings. These show: 
         FIG. 1  shows a filling machine with fixed partition plates and a vertically removable container receptacle; 
         FIG. 2  is a section of the filling machine in  FIG. 1  showing the protection position and release position of the partition plates; 
         FIG. 3  shows the transport element of  FIGS. 1 and 2  interacting with a feed/discharge device for the containers; 
         FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of a filling machine having vertically moved partition plates in the feed/discharge region; 
         FIG. 5  shows a vertical section of the filling machine of  FIG. 4  the protection position and release position of the partition plates; 
         FIG. 6  shows an embodiment in which the partition plate couples to the lift for a return flow tube; 
         FIG. 7  shows another embodiment in which the partition plate couples to the lift for a return flow tube; and 
         FIG. 8  shows an embodiment with a rotationally-moved partially cylindrical partition plate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a side view and a section view, respectively, of a first embodiment a circular filling machine  10 . The left half of  FIG. 1  shows the operation of the filling machine  10  with small bottles  14 . The right half of  FIG. 1  shows the filling machine  10  in operation with large bottles  14   a.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the filling machine  10  has a fixed carrier frame  13  and a rotating frame  17  with an upper carrier element  19 . A rotary bearing  15 , also shown in  FIG. 2 , permits the rotating frame  17  to rotate. 
     The rotating frame  17  forms a transport element  11  that rotates about a central axis z. This transport element  11  comprises, at its circumference, receiving stations  12  for the glass bottles  14 . Each receiving station  12  has an associated filling element  16  and a container receptacle  18 , an example of which is a receptacle plate. Each receiving station  12  also has a partition  22  suspended on an upper carrier element  19  of the circular filling machine. The partition  22  is a plate that functions as an associated shielding arrangement. 
     Each filling element  16  has a filling organ through which filling material passes as it enters the bottle during the filling process. 
     The filling machine includes a lower lift  20  and an upper lift  24 . 
     The lower lift  20  raises or lowers the bottle  14  to press its mouth tightly against the filling organ during the filling process. It does so by adjusting the container receptacle  18 . This forms the adjustment mechanism for a protection and release position of the partition  22 . A suitable embodiment of the lower lift  20  is a hydraulic or pneumatic actuating cylinder or electrical spindle drive. 
     The upper lift  24  vertically adjusts the filling element  16  to accommodate different container sizes. A suitable example of an upper lift  24  is a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. This upper lift  24  presses the filling element  16 , and in particular, the filling organ, tightly against the bottle&#39;s mouth. 
     In its protecting position, the partition  22  completely surrounds the bottle  14  as far downwards as the container receptacle  18 , as shown in region “a.” Filling takes place while the partition  22  is in this position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the filling machine  10  also includes a feed-and-discharge device  23 . The feed-and-discharge device includes a feed star  60  and a discharge star  62  that are next to each other. The feed star  60  transfers empty bottles  14  into the transport element  11 . The discharge star  62  removes filled bottles from the transport element  11 . 
     To enable a bottle  14  to be loaded onto or removed from the transport device  11 , the container receptacle  18  is lowered into the released position so that the bottles can be released from the partition  22 . This takes place at region “b” in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , the upper lift  24  adjusts the filling element  16  vertically to accommodate bottles  14 ,  14   a , that have different heights. Vertical actuation of the lower lift  20  moves the filling element  16  so that the lower edge of the partition  22  lies at approximately the level of the container base when the container  16  contacts the filling element&#39;s filling organ. At this point, the actual filling begins. 
     As a result of the foregoing, the partition  22  protects neighboring bottles from damage that would result from a bursting bottle. It does so regardless of the bottle&#39;s size. All that is required is that the lifting action of the lower lift  20  be adjusted differently for two bottles types  14 ,  14   a  independently of the upper lift  24 , which is for the filling elements  16 . This permits the filling machine  10  to accommodate different bottle sizes  14 ,  14   a  without the partitions  22  having to be converted to accommodate those different bottle sizes. It also avoids the hygiene problems that arise when using multipart adjustable partition elements. 
     The right side of  FIG. 2  shows the bottle  14  in the filling position. The partition  22 , which is in its protecting position, fully surrounds the bottle. In the illustrated embodiments, the partition  22  is cylindrical or semicylindrical form. 
     The left side of  FIG. 2  shows the partition plate&#39;s release position. This would occur in the region of the transfer to the feed-and-discharge device  23 . Typical embodiments also include various other systems that are in operative engagement with the filling machine  10 . These include beverage-delivery systems, gas-delivery systems, and corresponding raw-material containers. 
       FIG. 3  shows a feed-and-discharge device  23  that interacts with the circulating transport element  11 . The feeding-and-discharge device  23  includes a delivery star  60 , a discharge star  62 , and a transport worm  64  that feeds bottles to the delivery star  60 . The delivery star  60  and the discharge star  62  cooperate to transfer a glass bottle  14  into the circulating transport element  11  and to remove the glass bottle  14  from the circulating transport element  11 . 
     The partitions  22  extend along an angular range between 240° and 360° on the filling machine  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the partitions  22  are semicircular in cross section. As such, they shield the portion of the container&#39;s wall that faces radially outward. 
     In the transfer sector “b” between the delivery star  60  and the discharge star  62 , the partitions  22  are completely in the release position. In the intermediate sectors “c,” the partitions  22  moved relative to one another between the protection position and the release position, as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The relative movement takes place by lifting the container, lifting the receptacle, and/or rotating the partition  22 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment. In this second embodiment, the lower lift  20  adjusts the container receptacle  18  between a raised position h 1  and a lowered position h 2 . This movement occurs in the region of the feed-and-discharge device  23 . 
     The filling machine  10  features an upper lift  31  that includes a fixed ramp  34 . In this embodiment, each partition  22  includes a runners or a guide roller  32  that rolls along the fixed ramp  34  in the region of the feed-and-discharge device  23 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the upper lift  31  raises the partitions  22  in the region of the feed-and-discharge device  23  by a height difference Δh. This permits delivery or removal of the bottles  14 ,  14   a . The height of a bottle guide curve between the delivery star and discharge star  60 ,  62  limits the downward extension of partitions  22 . During rotation of the filling circle  11 , it is preferable that the partition  22  be above the feed-and-discharge device  23 . 
     Like  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4  shows short bottles  14  on the left side and tall bottles  14   a  on the right side. This shows that different bottle sizes can be filled without having to carry out significant conversion work. Instead, all that needs to be done is for the lifting extent of the lower lift  20  or of the upper lift  31  to be adjusted accordingly. Such an adjustment can be carried out via software executing on the machine&#39;s control system. No hardware modification is required. 
       FIG. 5  shows the cross-section view of the apparatus from  FIG. 4 . In both  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lower and upper lifts  20 ,  31  form the adjustment mechanism for the protection position and release position of the partition  22 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  show further embodiments of receiving stations  12   a  such as those in the filling machine  10 . In these embodiments, a return gas tube  46  determines filling height. In such an embodiment, first and second actuating cylinders  40 ,  42  control movement of the return gas tube  46  through the bottle&#39;s mouth. 
     In  FIG. 6 , a lower lift  49  adjusts the container receptacle  18 . It does so by lifting the bottle  14  from below so that it presses against a sealing flange of the filling element  16 . Actuating the lower lift  49  ensures simultaneous pressing and sealing of the bottle&#39;s mouth at the filling element&#39;s filling organ. By moving a bottle  14  from below and into the space between the partitions  22   b , the lower lift  49  places the bottle  14  into a position in which it is optimally shielded. 
     The first actuating cylinder  40  lifts and lowers the second actuating cylinder  42 . This second actuating cylinder  42  is held at the actuating piston  43  and couples to the partition  22   b.    
     A helical spring  47  provides tension to hold a return gas tube&#39;s gas-tube holder  44  at the actuating piston  43 . An upper first stop  41  and a lower first stop  45  bear against corresponding upper and lower ends of the helical spring  47 . These limit its extension and compression. The partition  22  is secured to the lower end of the actuating piston  43 . 
     A lower second stop  51  at the first actuating cylinder  40  limits the holding element&#39;s downward travel. The lower second stop&#39;s height depends on the first actuating cylinder&#39;s actuating height. As a result of interaction between the gas-tube holder  44  and the lower second stop  51 , the lower second stop  51  also determines the maximum immersion depth of a return gas tube  46  into the bottle  14 . 
     Before the lower lift  49  presses the bottle  14  against the filling element  16 , the first and/or second actuating cylinder  40 ,  42  are actuated to avoid inserting the return gas tube  46  into the bottle  14  until after the bottle  14  has been sealed against the filling organ  59 . Once this seal has formed, the first and second cylinders  40 ,  42  insert the return gas tube  46  into the container  14  to a depth that is appropriate for the desired filling height. 
     As a result of the foregoing operation, the lower lift  49  does not have to lift the bottle  14  with a stroke that exceeds the return gas tube&#39;s immersion length. The lower lift  49  thus presses the container  14  at the filling element&#39;s filling organ  59  with only a short stroke. In some cases, the short stroke is between ten and twenty-five millimeters. The first and second actuating cylinders  40 ,  42  thus form an adjusting mechanism that moves the partition  22   b  vertically upwards and downwards, independently of the actuation of the lower lift  49 . 
     The first and second actuating cylinders  40 ,  42  move both the partition  22   b  and the return gas tube  46 . The lower first stop  45  and the lower second stop  51  at the lower end of the first actuating cylinder  40  cooperate to limit the immersion depth of the return gas pipe  46  into the bottle  14 . 
     The actuating piston  43  moves the partition  22   b  further downwards, against the force of the helical spring  47 , as far as the position shown in for the right-hand container  14  in  FIG. 6 . In this position of maximum downward travel, the helical spring  47  is fully compressed. This represents the lowest position setting of the partition  22   b.    
     The two left-hand containers  14  in  FIG. 6  show positions with greater insertion depth. The greater insertion depth arises from an actuation setting that is located further downwards of the first actuating cylinder  40  and that corresponds to the second stop  51 . 
     The two right-hand container  14  in  FIG. 6  show the position of the first actuating cylinder  40  raised so as to reduce the return gas tube&#39;s maximum insertion depth. This results from the second stop  51  being located higher relative to the bottle  14 . 
     In both the configurations shown on the left and right sides of  FIG. 6 , it remains possible to lower the partition  22   b  so that it almost reaches the container receptacle  18 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 . The left-hand portion of  FIG. 7  shows a partition  22   c  in its release position while the right-hand portion shows the partition  22   c  in its protection position. 
     As was the case in  FIG. 6 , the filling element  16 , is secured to a structural part  50  of the filling machine&#39;s rotation frame  17 . A product delivery line  53  extends through the structural part  50  to the filling element  16 . 
     The structural part  50  supports a first actuating cylinder  52  that moves a second actuating cylinder  52  up or down. A lower end of the second actuating cylinder  54  connects to an actuating piston  55 . The lower end of the actuating piston  56  forms a carrier  56 . 
     The carrier  56  holds the return gas tube  46 . It also holds a vertical brace  57  that connects it to the partition  22   c . Thus, unlike the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  couples the motion of the partition  22   c  and the return gas tube  46 . A plate-shaped bellows  58  extends between the carrier  56 , which in particular is plate-shaped and the upper side of the filling element  16 , thus forming a seal. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the first actuating cylinder  52  sets both the return gas tube&#39;s maximum insertion depth and the partition&#39;s lowest position. The second actuating cylinder  54  executes the strokes of the partition  22   c  and the return gas tube  46 . The first and second actuating cylinders  52 ,  54  thereby form a position adjustment mechanism for the relative movement of the partition  22   c  and container receptacle  18 . As was the case in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , a lower lift  49  presses the bottle  14  against the filling element&#39;s filling organ  49 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an embodiment in which a rotator  70  rotates a rotationally-movable partition  22   d . The rotator  70  features a fixed ramp  72  in the region of the feed-and-discharge device  23 . Interaction of the ramp  23  with a guide  74  at the receiving stations  12  causes a rotation drive  76 ,  78  to turn the partition  22   d  from a protection position into a release position. In  FIG. 8 , the middle partition is in the protection position and the right-hand partition is in the release position. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the partition  22   d  is a semi-circular cylinder that surrounds the bottle  14  to an extent sufficient to shield adjacent bottles from flying shards should that bottle  14  burst. Preferably, the partition  22   d  surrounds an angular extent of the container  14  that is between 180° and 240°.