Packaging machine and method for introducing bulk materials into containers

Abstract

A packaging machine and method for filling bulk materials into packages with a rotatable machine frame and a plurality of circumferentially arranged filling spouts. During frame rotation, bulk materials are filled into packages. A machine silo is configured at the machine frame which has a storage volume for storing a quantity of bulk materials for filling a plurality of packages. Bulk materials are filled into the attributed packages from the silo through the filling spout. The machine silo is connected with a material supply with a controllable closing member for feeding bulk materials to the machine silo. A controller controls the closing member of the material supply dependent on the fill level to reduce the height of fall of the bulk materials being fed into the silo, or to avoid a free fall of the bulk materials during the feeding of bulk materials into the machine silo.

Claims

1. A packaging machine for filling bulk materials into packages, comprising: a rotatable machine frame and a plurality of filling spouts distributed over the circumference so as to fill bulk materials into packages while the machine frame is rotating; wherein a machine silo is configured at the machine frame and has a storage volume for storing a quantity of bulk materials for filling a plurality of packages; wherein bulk materials can be filled into the associated packages from the machine silo through the filling spout; wherein the machine silo is connected with a material supply having a controllable closing member for feeding bulk materials to the machine silo; and a control device is provided with which to control the closing member of the material supply dependent on the fill level, so as to reduce the height of fall of the bulk materials while the bulk materials are being fed to the machine silo, or to avoid a free fall of the bulk materials during the feeding of bulk materials into the machine silo in continuous operation; wherein a free cross section of a feed opening of the material supply is inversely proportional to the fill level.

2. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured as a passive control device.

3. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the closing member is coupled with a pivoting lever.

4. The packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the pivoting lever is provided for detecting the fill level of the bulk materials by way of contact with the bulk materials in the machine silo.

5. The packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the pivot axis of the pivoting lever is oriented transverse to the rotation axis of the machine frame, and wherein the pivot axis of the pivoting lever is oriented in particular off-center to the rotation axis of the machine frame.

6. The packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the pivoting lever is preloaded by means of a spring device.

7. The packaging machine according to claim 6, wherein the spring device comprises at least one gas spring.

8. The packaging machine according to claim 6, wherein the spring device comprises a piston cylinder unit.

9. The packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the material supply comprises a filling pipe with a stationary pipe section and a pivotable pipe section, wherein the pivotable pipe section serves as a pivoting lever or is pivotable jointly with the pivoting lever.

10. The packaging machine according to claim 9, wherein the closing member is configured on the pivotable pipe section.

11. The packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the material supply is completely open at least when the pivoting lever is no longer immersed in the bulk materials.

12. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the closing member comprises a valve gate mechanism.

13. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein a pivoting lever rests on, or is immersed in, the bulk materials in the machine silo.

14. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the closing member closes the feed opening of the material supply when the fill level reaches a specified height.

15. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one contactless detector for sensing the fill level is provided.

16. The packaging machine according to claim 15, wherein the contactless detector is configured as a capacitive, inductive, optical, and/or ultrasonic, and/or radar sensor.

17. The packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein an actuator is provided for moving the closing member.

18. The packaging machine according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls the position of the closing member as a function of a sensor signal of a sensor device.

19. A method for filling bulk materials into packages by means of a packaging machine having a rotary machine frame and a plurality of filling spouts distributed over the circumference, so as to fill bulk materials into packages while the machine frame is rotating; wherein a machine silo is configured at the machine frame and has a storage volume for storing a quantity of bulk materials sufficient for filling a plurality of packages; wherein the machine silo fills bulk materials into the packages through the filling spout; wherein at least one material supply with a controlled closing member is attributed to the machine silo so as to feed bulk materials to the machine silo; and a control device controls a controller of the closing member of the material supply dependent on the fill level in the machine silo, to reduce the height of fall of the bulk materials while the bulk materials are being fed into the machine silo or to avoid a free fall of the bulk materials during the feeding of bulk materials into the machine silo in continuous operation; wherein a free cross section of a feed opening of the material supply is inversely proportional to the fill level.

20. A packaging machine for filling bulk materials into packages, comprising: a rotatable machine frame and a plurality of filling spouts distributed over the circumference so as to fill bulk materials into packages while the machine frame is rotating; wherein a machine silo is configured at the machine frame and has a storage volume for storing a quantity of bulk materials for filling a plurality of packages; wherein bulk materials can be filled into the associated packages from the machine silo through the filling spout; wherein the machine silo is connected with a material supply having a controllable closing member for feeding bulk materials to the machine silo; said machine silo is provided with at least one sensor for determining a fill level of bulk material in the silo; and a control device is provided with which to control at least one of the closing member of the material supply dependent on the fill level, reducing the height of fall of the bulk materials while the bulk materials are being fed to the machine silo, and avoiding a free fall of the bulk materials during the feeding of bulk materials into the machine silo in continuous operation; wherein the control device actively controls the position of the closing member as a function of a sensor signal of said at least one sensor, such that a varying amount of bulk material is supplied based on the position of the closing member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantages and features of the present invention can be taken from the exemplary embodiment which will be described below with reference to the enclosed figures.

(2) The figures show in:

(3) FIG. 1 a schematic sectional view of a packaging machine according to the invention during first filling with an intended fill of bulk materials;

(4) FIG. 2 the packaging machine according to FIG. 1 in a schematic sectional view in normal operation;

(5) FIG. 3 various positions of the material supply in ongoing operation;

(6) FIG. 4 various cross-sections of pipe sections of the material supply;

(7) FIG. 5 a simplistic top view of a machine silo with a different material supply; and

(8) FIG. 6 a simplistic schematic cross-sectional view of the machine silo according to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 illustrates a packaging machine 1 for filling bulk materials 2 into packages 3. The packaging machine 1 is rotary in configuration and is provided with a plurality of filling spouts 5 distributed over the circumference for filling bulk materials 2 into packages 3 during rotation.

(10) This FIG. 1 schematically shows a valve bag as the package 3. It is likewise possible that the packaging machine serves for filling bulk materials into open-mouth bags or other types of packages. As a rule, the packages are appended for filling with the bulk materials to the filling spout, where they are received tightly to prevent dust from escaping during the filling process.

(11) While the bulk materials 2 are being filled into the package 3, a small quantity of air is as a rule introduced into the bulk materials 2 in the product travel path, so as to maintain the bulk materials 2 flowable and to provide homogeneous and reproducible conditions during the filling process. The bulk materials 2 are as a rule transported into the packages 3 through a conveyor element 9. Such a conveyor element may for example be configured as a conveyor turbine. Alternately, augers may be used or conveying by way of gravity, or other conveyor elements may be used.

(12) A machine silo 6 is configured on the (rotatable) machine frame 4 above the filling spout 5 and the conveyor elements 9. The machine silo 6 provides a storage volume 7 for receiving a quantity of bulk materials 8. The storage volume 7 is larger than the volume of the largest possible package intended for filling by way of the packaging machine 1. In particular is the storage volume multiple times larger than the volume of one filled package 3.

(13) The quantity of bulk materials 8 serves as a temporary storage for bulk materials so as to provide continuous and homogeneous conditions inside the packaging machine 1. In this way, the filling conditions can be maintained even and consistent.

(14) Identical filling conditions are achieved in a considerably improved way in that the material supply 10 is controlled such that following the first filling shown in FIG. 1, subsequent heights of fall are small (or virtually or actually non-existent) or sub-level filling is provided in ongoing operation.

(15) The material supply 10 comprises a closing member 11 which is configured like a flap gate mechanism 17. The material supply 10 consists of a filling pipe 24 comprising a stationary pipe section 25 and a pivotable pipe section 26. The pivotable pipe section 26 is pivotable around the pivot axis 19. In relation to the rotational angle, the clear cross-sections of the stationary pipe section 25 and of the pivotable pipe section 26 are more or less flush to one another, thus clearing only part of the feasible cross section of the feed opening 28.

(16) Thus the product flowing out of the storage silo backs up in the stationary pipe section, resulting in settling and deaeration. When “depositing” the bulk materials on the filled level respectively when introducing it beneath the filled level, an aeration of the bulk materials (product) and dust formation in the machine silo are drastically reduced. Moreover, the bulk materials are ensured to show considerably increased homogeneity in the machine silo and during filling.

(17) The cross section of the stationary pipe section 25 and of the pivotable pipe section 26 may be round, triangular, square, polygonal, oval and/or rounded. The cross-sections may be adapted to the product. Intentional selection of the cross-sections of the pipe sections or interposing a valve gate or valve allow to take specific product characteristics into account.

(18) FIG. 1 illustrates the state during the first filling, wherein the fill level 13 is lower by far than is the maximum fill height 27.

(19) The pivoting lever 16 is part of a sensor device 18 respectively preferably forms the sensor device 18, which is part of the control device 12. The control device 12 controls the position of the closing member 11 of the material supply 10. Another part of the control device is the gas spring 22 of the piston cylinder unit 23, with which the pivotable pipe section 26 and the pivoting lever 16 are preloaded to the illustrated lower position. When the fill level in the machine silo 6 continues rising, the product level of the bulk materials 2 reaches the lower edge of the pivoting lever 16, which is then raised by the bulk materials 2 during rotation of the machine frame 4 by way of pivoting around the pivot axis 19. In this way, the clear cross-section of the feed opening 28 is reduced, whereby the supply of bulk materials 2 is reduced in turn.

(20) FIG. 1 shows in dotted lines, an alternative (or additional) control device 12 provided with a drive and controlled by detectors 29 of the sensor device 18. The detectors 29 or at least one of the detectors 29 capture(s) the fill level 13 contactless and derive(s) from the measurement results the corresponding position of the closing member 11 to permit subsequent supply of the bulk materials 2 into the machine silo 6 wherein the smallest feasible amount of air is introduced. This alternative configuration does not require a pivoting lever 16 respectively it provides a redundant emergency cutout function.

(21) FIG. 2 shows the packaging machine 1 in FIG. 1 in a normal operating state after the first filling. Then a fill level 13 has been achieved which lies just slightly beneath the maximum fill height 27. In the state shown the pivoting lever 16 partially rests on the surface of, respectively is immersed in, the bulk materials 2 in the machine silo 6, and during the rotation of the packaging machine 1 respectively the machine frame 4 has been pivoted so that the pivotable pipe section 26 and the stationary pipe section 25 are no longer oriented flush, but at angles to one another.

(22) Thus, the closing member 11 has partially closed the feed opening 28 so as to reduce the further supply of bulk materials 2.

(23) When the fill level 13 reduces again in the further operation, then the dead weight and the force of the piston cylinder unit 23 make the pivoting lever 16 pivot downwardly so that the closing member 11 once again clears a larger portion of the feed opening 28 for the material supply, such that more bulk materials 2 can now be filled into the machine silo 6.

(24) When no bulk materials is discharged for bagging, the fill level rises up to the maximum and, by way of the pivoting lever 16 pivoting, results in closing the feed opening 28 in the end position.

(25) In all the configurations, the free height of fall 14 of the newly supplied bulk materials 2 is always less in normal operation than is the diameter 15 of the pivotable pipe section 26. Preferably the free height of fall is nearly zero, or sub-level filling is realized. This considerably reduces the air intake when replenishing bulk materials in the machine silo 6. Any dust is considerably reduced as well.

(26) FIG. 3 simplistically shows various positions of the closing member 11 of the material supply 10 in a configuration where a stationary pipe section 25 and a pivotable pipe section 26 are pivoted against one another, resulting in different free surface portions of the feed opening 28 due to the closing member 11 performing different degrees of pivoting.

(27) The top portion of FIG. 3 illustrates the state according to FIG. 1. The fill level 13 in the machine silo 6 is still low enough so that the pivoting lever 16 is not yet resting on the surface of the bulk materials 2. Then the stationary pipe section and the pivotable pipe section are flush to one another, clearing the maximum cross section of the feed opening 28, thus enabling replenishing a maximum amount of bulk materials 2 into the machine silo 6.

(28) The center of FIG. 3 illustrates an intermediate state in which the fill level 13 has risen far enough for the pivoting lever 16 to rest on the surface of the quantity of bulk materials 8 in the machine silo 6. The pivoting lever 16 has been pivoted a certain distance so that now only part of the clear cross-sections of the two pipe sections 25 and 26 are flush to one another. The result is the free area of the feed opening 28 shown in hachure. This state will show in ongoing operation on a regular basis. Since the free surface of the feed opening 28 is smaller than in the top portion of FIG. 3, only a small amount of bulk materials can be filled in. However, this amount is sufficient for continuously replenishing what is filled into the packages through the filling spout on the other side, and can compensate for fluctuations of the discharge quantity.

(29) The lower part of FIG. 3 illustrates a state where, for example, the maximum fill height 27 of the bulk materials 2 in the machine silo 6 is reached. The pivoting lever 16 is pivoted far enough so that the two pipe sections 25 and 26 are not flush to one another, so that the closing member 11 of the material supply 10 prohibits any further supply of bulk materials 2. This closed state of the closing member 11 is maintained until the fill level 13 decreases again. Then the pivoting lever 16 automatically pivots back, and the feed opening 28 partially opens once again. By shaping or suitably configuring, the curved guide 30 of the pivotable pipe section is lifted in the end position, thus achieving secure closing. To this end the pivot axis 19 is supported resiliently.

(30) FIG. 4 shows further cross sectional shapes of the pipe sections 25, 26 of the material supply. Each (or only one) of the two pipe sections 25, 26 may show an e.g. triangular or square (or round) cross sectional shape. This allows adaptation of the product feed as required, to ensure optimal subsequent supply of bulk materials, as the hatched cross section of the feed opening 28 shows.

(31) FIGS. 5 and 6 show a simplistic top view and a simplistic cross sectional view of a machine silo 6 with another material supply, wherein the pivot axis 19 is oriented in parallel to the rotation axis of the machine silo 6. In this case, the pivot axis 19 is identical with the rotation axis of the machine silo 6. However, this is not required. The pivot axis 19 may be disposed (slightly) off-center, and its orientation need not be vertical. In this configuration a paddle 33 immersed in the bulk materials from above is provided, which generates a stagnation pressure corresponding to the fill level height so that it is pivoted (or linearly deflected) counter to the force of the return spring 34. This allows capturing of a measure of the fill level. The cross section of the feed opening 28 is directly influenced, so as to control the subsequent supply of bulk materials into the machine silo 6. Controlling may be performed by way of the cross-sections of the closing member. It is possible for a gate to be immersed, or for a pipe section to be displaced or pivoted for varying the cross section.

(32) While a particular embodiment of the present packaging machine and method for introducing bulk materials into containers has been described herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following claims.

(33) On the whole, the invention offers many advantages since in normal operation the quantity of dust generated is considerably reduced, so as to considerably reduce the required dust removal capacities. The energy requirements are reduced as well. Moreover, the conditions during filling are more consistent and homogeneous, so that the fill results also improve. Thus, the packages can be filled in a reproducible and further enhanced quality.

(34) TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals: 1 packaging machine 2 bulk material 3 package 4 machine frame 5 filling spout 6 machine silo 7 storage volume 8 bulk material quantity 9 conveyor element 10 material supply 11 closing member 12 control device 13 fill level 14 height of fall 15 diameter 16 pivoting lever 17 valve gate mechanism, flap gate mechanism 18 sensor device 19 pivot axis of 16 20 rotation axis of 4 21 suspension device 22 gas spring 23 piston cylinder unit 24 filling pipe 25 stationary pipe section 26 pivoting pipe section 27 maximum filling height 28 feed opening 29 detector 30 curved guide 31 cover 32 sealing 33 paddle 34 return device