Tube holder for a tube-filling machine

Abstract

A tube holder for a tube-filling machine has a cup-shaped housing, which has an upwardly opening tube mount, into which a tube can be inserted with an axial end area thereof. A clamping device, by which a clamping force can be applied to the tube, is arranged in the area of the tube wall of the tube mount. Provisions are made for the clamping device to have at least one inflatable clamping element with an inner chamber, into which a pressurized fluid can be filled through a feed line. The clamping element can be adjusted between a clamping position, in which a clamping force is applied to the tube, and a releasing position, in which no clamping force is preferably applied to the tube.

Claims

1. A tube holder for a tube-filling machine, the tube holder comprising: a cup-shaped housing, which has an upwardly opening tube mount with an inner wall, into which tube mount an axial end area of a tube can be inserted, the inner wall of the tube mount defines at least one recess configured as a circular ring groove; a clamping device by means of which a clamping force can be applied to the tube, the clamping device being arranged in an area of the inner wall of the tube mount, the clamping device comprising a feed line and at least one inflatable clamping element with an inner chamber, into which a fluid can be filled under pressure via the feed line, whereby the clamping element can be adjusted between a clamping position, in which a clamping force is applied to the tube, and a releasing position, the clamping element having a ring-shaped hollow configuration and the inner chamber being a ring chamber, the clamping element being arranged in the ring groove; a base part, wherein the housing is detachably connectable with the base part; and a coupling device arranged in the feed line between the housing and the base part for coupling a portion of the feed line associated with the housing to a portion of the feed line associated with the base part, the coupling being configured to automatically have the portion of the feed line in the base part communicate with the portion of the feed line in the housing when the housing is connected to the base part, wherein the coupling device includes a nonreturn valve configured to open automatically when the housing is placed on the base part.

2. The tube holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the feed line has a filling valve connected to the portion of the feed line in the base part, the coupling device being arranged between the filling valve and the inner chamber, the filling valve being spaced from the housing.

3. The tube holder in accordance with claim 2, wherein: the clamping element is configured to be deformed into a position in which the clamping element protrudes into the tube mount when fluid is introduced into the inner chamber of the clamping element through the feed line and filling valve.

4. The tube holder in accordance with claim 3, wherein the clamping element fills the recess completely.

5. The tube holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing is held magnetically on the base part.

6. The tube holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the inner chamber is surrounded by an elastic deformable material.

7. The tube holder in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the nonreturn valve is configured to maintain the clamping element in the clamping position when the housing is separated from the base part and the coupling device separates the portion of the feed line in the base part from the portion of the feed line in the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a tube holder in the releasing position; and

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the tube holder according to FIG. 1 in the clamped position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) Referring to the drawings, a tube holder 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a cup-shaped housing 11 with an outer, likewise cup-shaped housing base part 11a, into which a housing insert part 11b is inserted. A cylindrical, vertical through hole, which forms a tube mount 12 and has an inner wall 12a, is formed in the housing insert part 11b. A circular, ring groove-like recess 21, into which a clamping element 14 consisting of a soft elastic, easily deformable material is inserted such that the clamping element 14 fills the recess 21 completely and forms a section of the circumferential limitation of the tube mount 12, is formed in the lower area of the axial length of the tube mount 12 and the inner wall 12a thereof.

(5) The clamping element 14 has a ring-shaped configuration and has an inner chamber 15 in the form of a ring chamber. As shown in the drawings, the elastic deformable material of the clamping element 14 surrounds the inner chamber 15. The clamping element 14 is part of a clamping device 13, with which the tube T can be firmly clamped in the tube mount 12.

(6) The clamping device 13 comprises, furthermore, a feed line 16, which opens in the inner chamber 15 of the clamping element 14. A first coupling part 19 of the feed line 16, which coupling part can come into interaction with a second coupling part 20 of the feed line 16, which latter coupling part is formed in a base part 17, is formed in the bottom of the housing 11. The housing 11 can be placed on the base part 17 and is held on same by clamping, locking or preferably magnetically. When the housing 11 has been placed on the base part 17, a fluid-tight connection is present between the first coupling part 19 of the housing 11 and the second coupling part 20 of the base part 17.

(7) A filling valve 22, suggested only schematically, is provided in the feed line 16, the coupling device 18 being arranged between the filling valve 22 and the inner chamber 15 of the clamping element 14. As is suggested by arrow L, compressed air can be introduced into the inner chamber 15 of the clamping element 14 through the feed line 16. Since the clamping element 14 is seated with a close fit in the recess 21 of the housing 11, admission of pressure into the inner chamber 15 causes the wall of the clamping element 14, which wall faces the tube T, to become deformed inwardly, i.e., in the direction of the tube, and to become tensioned against the tube, as it is shown in FIG. 2.

(8) The clamping element 14 remains in its clamping position, in which it applies a clamping force to the tube T, because a nonreturn valve is integrated into the first coupling part 19 of the coupling device 18, even when the housing 11 with the tube T inserted is lifted off from the base part 17 and the connection between the first coupling part 19 and the second coupling part 20 is abolished, as it is shown in FIG. 2.

(9) When the pressure within the inner chamber 15 of the clamping element 14 shall be reduced when the housing 11 is placed on the base part 17, a corresponding projection or pin, which opens the nonreturn valve integrated into the first coupling part 19 when the housing 11 is placed on the base part 17, may be integrated into the second coupling part 20 of the base part 17, so that the pressure escapes from the inner chamber 15 of the clamping element 14 and the clamping element 14 returns again into its releasing position, as it is shown in FIG. 1.

(10) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.