Filling system

Abstract

A filling system includes a conveyance chamber that conveys vessels, a filling chamber provided with a filling head that fills content into the vessels, a pressure control means that controls the pressure conditions of each chamber, an intermediate chamber that is provided between the conveyance chamber and the filling chamber, and a shutter that can separate the conveyance chamber and the intermediate chamber. When the filling chamber is separated by the shutter, the pressure control means controls the pressure of the intermediate chamber to become lower than the pressure of the conveyance chamber and the filling chamber.

Claims

1. A filling system comprising: a conveyance chamber that conveys vessels; a plurality of filling chambers provided with filling heads for filling contents into the vessels; an intermediate chamber provided between the conveyance chamber and at least one of the plurality of filling chambers; a pressure controller that controls the pressure conditions of each of the: conveyance chamber, the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers, and the intermediate chamber; and an opening/closing door configured to separate the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers from the conveyance chamber by closing an opening provided between the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers and the conveyance chamber, wherein, in a state in which the opening is closed by the opening/closing door, the conveyance chamber is provided on one side of the door and both the intermediate chamber and the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers are provide on other side of the door such that the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers is capable of being washed while the opening is closed, and wherein, in the state in which the opening is closed by the opening/closing door, the pressure controller is configured to control the pressure of the intermediate chamber to become lower than the pressure of the conveyance chamber and the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers.

2. The filling system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure controller controls the pressure of the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers to become lower than the conveyance chamber.

3. The filling system according to claim 1, wherein, in the state in which the opening is closed by the opening/closing door, other of the plurality of filling chambers is configured to be operated while the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers is washed.

4. The filling system according to claim 3, wherein, in the state in which the opening is closed by the opening/closing door and the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers is washed, the pressure controller is configured to create a negative pressure environment such that an atmosphere inside the at least one of the plurality of filling chambers is prevented from leaking out from the opening and flowing into the conveyance chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an arrangement in the filling system of the present embodiment.

(2) FIG. 2 is side sectional view illustrating the relationship between the filling chamber, the intermediate zone and the conveyance chamber.

(3) FIG. 3A illustrates the intermediate zone provided with the inlet/outlet wheel from the point of view of the conveyance chamber as seen through the opening.

(4) FIG. 3B also illustrates the intermediate zone provided with the inlet/outlet wheel from the point of view of the conveyance chamber as seen through the opening.

(5) FIG. 4A is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of the filling chamber, the intermediate zone and the inlet/outlet wheel inside the conveyance chamber.

(6) FIG. 4B is a plan view illustrating an arrangement of the filling chamber, the intermediate zone and the inlet/outlet wheel inside the conveyance chamber.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(7) Hereafter, embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a filling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(8) The filling system 10 of the present embodiment includes, for example, three filling machines such as a first to third filler 12, 14 and 16. The first to third filler 12, 14 and 16 are arranged around a center wheel (a conveyance wheel) 18, which conveys vessels. The first to third filler 12, 14 and 16 and the center wheel 18 are arranged inside an integrated chamber. The interior of the chamber is partitioned by walls and divided into a first to third filling chamber 13, 15 and 17 where the first to third filler 12, 14 and 16 are disposed, respectively, and a conveyance chamber 19 where the center wheel 18 is disposed.

(9) Furthermore, in the present embodiment are rotary-type first to third inlet wheels 12A, 14A and 16A that receive empty vessels from the center wheel 18 and hand them over to the respective first to third fillers 12, 14 and 16 and rotary type first to third outlet wheels 12B, 14B and 16B that receive filled vessels from the respective first to third fillers 12, 14 and 16 and hand them over to the center wheel 18, all of which are provided, respectively, between the first to third fillers 12, 14, 16 and the center wheel 18. The areas between the first to third filling chambers 13, 15, 17 and conveyance chamber 19, are designated first to third intermediate zones (intermediate chambers) 13M, 15M and 17M, respectively. The first to third inlet wheels 12A, 14A, 16A and the first to third outlet wheels 12B, 14B, 16B are each arranged in the corresponding first to third intermediate zones 13M, 15M and 17M.

(10) Namely, vessels can be supplied from the center wheel 18 to the first filler 12 via the first inlet wheel 12A and the vessels filled by the first filler 12 are returned to the center wheel 18 via the outlet wheel 12B. Likewise, vessels can be supplied from the center wheel 18 to the second and third fillers 14 and 16 via the respective inlet wheels 14A and 16A and the filled vessels are returned from the second and third fillers 14 and 16 to the center wheel 18 via the outlet wheels 14B and 16B.

(11) In the present embodiment, the first, second and third fillers 12, 14 and 16 are arranged around the center wheel 18 in this order, which is also the upstream to downstream order with respect to the vessel conveyance direction. The first filler 12 may be a filler for a solid substance and the second filler 14 may be a weight filler (for non-carbonated beverage). Furthermore, the third filler 16 may be a gas filler (for carbonated and non-carbonated beverage). Empty vessels are supplied to the center wheel 18 from the upstream side of the first filler 12 via conveyance wheels 20, 22 and 24. The conveyance wheels 20, 22 and 24 are, for example, arranged inside a vessel sterilization chamber 21 and sterilized empty vessels are supplied from the vessel sterilization chamber 21 to the center wheel 18 inside a conveyance chamber 19.

(12) In the filling system 10 of the present embodiment, either solid, liquid or gas content or a combination thereof is filled into a vessel by at least one of the first to third fillers 12, 14 and 16. The vessel, which was subjected to a filing operation at each filler, is handed over to the center wheel 18.

(13) Further around the center wheel 18 on the downstream side of the third filler 16, a capper for capping a filled vessel may be arranged. In the present embodiment, for example, a plurality of cappers corresponding to caps having different calibers are arranged. An example shown in the figure is provided with two cappers: a first capper 26 and a second capper 28. The first and the second capper 26 and 28 are, for example, provided inside a capper chamber 27. The vessels that have been filled in the filling system 10 are delivered to either of the first or the second capper 26, 28 and further transported to a downstream processing system after is capping completed.

(14) Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the relationship between the first to third filling chambers 13, 15, 17; the first to third intermediate zones 13M, 15M, 17M; the conveyance chamber 19; the first to third fillers 12, 14, 16; the inlet wheels 12A, 14A, 16A; the outlet wheels 12B, 14B, 16B; and the center wheel 18 of the present embodiment will be explained in detail. Note that, since the configurations are common among the first to third filling chambers 13, 15 and 17, representative examples for each of the components will be explained below.

(15) FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the relationship between the conveyance chamber, intermediate zones (intermediate chambers) and filling chambers. In FIG. 2, the first to third filling chambers 13, 15 and 17 are represented by a filling chamber 30 and the first to third fillers 12, 14 and 16 are represented by a filler (filling machine) 32. Likewise, the inlet wheels 12A, 14A and 16A and outlet wheels 12B, 14B and 16B are represented by an inlet/outlet wheel 34, while the first to third intermediate zones (intermediate chambers) 13M, 15M and 17M are represented by an intermediate zone (intermediate chamber) 36.

(16) As described in the figure, between the conveyance chamber 19 and the intermediate zone 36 is partitioned by a partition wall 36A and between the intermediate zone 36 and the filling chamber 30 is partitioned by a partition wall 30A. The center wheel 18 is arranged inside the conveyance chamber 19, the inlet/outlet wheel 34 inside the intermediate zone 36 and the filler 32 inside the filling chamber 30.

(17) The center wheel 18, inlet/outlet wheel 34 and the filler 32, for example, perform neck-handle conveyance, while on the circumference of the wheel of each device multiple grippers for holding a lip or a neck of a vessel V are provided along the periphery. For example, the center wheel 18 is provided with grippers 18G and the inlet/outlet wheel 34 is provided with grippers (vessel grasping means/vessel holding means) 34G. Likewise, the filler 32 is provided with grippers 32G.

(18) An opening 30B is provided in the partition wall 30A, which separates the space between the intermediate zone 36 and the filling chamber 30. The grippers 34G of the inlet/outlet wheel 34 installed inside the intermediate zone 36 extend outward from inside the filling chamber 30 through the opening 30B with a rotating wheel 34H supporting the grippers 34G. Namely, the grippers 34G of the inlet/outlet wheel 34 hand over the vessels V to the grippers 32G of the filler 32 inside the filling chamber 30. Note that, the size and the shape of the opening 30B are preferably as small as possible unless it obstructs the passage of the grippers 34G, the rotary wheel 34H and the vessels V between the intermediate zone 36 and the filling chamber 30.

(19) Inside the filling chamber 30, above the grippers 32G of the filler 32, filling heads (filling means) 38 are respectively provided along the periphery of the wheel of the filler 32 at positions corresponding to each of the grippers 32G. While the wheel is being rotated, predetermined content is supplied from the filling heads 38 to the empty vessels V, which are held by the grippers 32G.

(20) Furthermore, an opening 36B is provided in the partition wall 36A, which separates between the intermediate zone 36 and the conveyance chamber 19. The grippers 34G of the inlet/outlet wheel 34 extend outward from inside the conveyance chamber 19 through the opening 36B with the rotating wheel 34H supporting the grippers 34G. Namely, the grippers 34G of the inlet/outlet wheel 34 hand over the vessels V to the grippers 18G of the center wheel 18 inside the conveyance chamber 19. Note that, the opening 36B has a rectangular shape and its size is determined so that it does not obstruct the passage of the grippers 34G, the rotary wheel 34H and the vessels V between the intermediate zone 36 and the conveyance chamber 19.

(21) Near the opening 36B, a shutter (opening/closing door, open/close means) 40 is provided that can close the opening 36B. The shutter 40, for example, is driven by a rack and pinion mechanism, as explained later, and the mechanism is driven by a motor 40M provided outside the chamber. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the opening 38B of the partition wall 36A cannot be completely closed by the shutter 40 so that a small gap remains.

(22) Further, in order to close the opening 36B with the shutter 40, the rotary wheel 34H of the inlet/outlet wheel 34, which extends out through the opening 36B, and the grippers 34G attached thereto should be removed from the opening 36B.

(23) In the present embodiment, as described later, a movable section 341 corresponding to a part of the arcuate section of the rotary wheel 34H together with the grippers 34G attached thereto can be raised and lowered either above or below the vertical position of a fixed section 340 configuring an arcuate section of the rotary wheel 34H not part of the movable section 341. Inside the intermediate zone 36, the movable section 341 is shifted is relatively higher or lower than the fixed section 340 to be rotatable about the rotational axis of the rotary wheel 34H, thereby making the movable section 341 rotationally movable to a retracted position located above or below the fixed section 340.

(24) In the present embodiment, the movable section 341 is raised or lowered by a lift cylinder 42C provided on the inlet/outlet wheel 34 and rotated about the rotational axis of the inlet/outlet wheel 34 via a rotary mechanism 42R. Note that, in FIG. 2, an example in which the movable section 341 is lifted upward with respect to the fixed section 340 is illustrated.

(25) When the opening 36B by shutter 40 is closed, the movable section 341 is moved to the retracted position and then the rotary wheel 34H is rotated so that the portion where the retracted movable section 341 was disposed before the retraction is positioned at the opening 36B. Thereby, the rotary wheel 34H is retracted from the opening 36B so that the shutter 40, which closes the opening 36B, and the rotary wheel 34H do not interfere with one another.

(26) Furthermore, the filling system 10 includes a pressure control system (pressure control means) 44. The pressure control system 44 controls the air supply whereby the pressure increases in order from the conveyance chamber 19 to the intermediate zone 36 to the filling chamber 30 (air pressure in conveyance chamber 19<intermediate zone 36<filling chamber 30) when the filler 32 is in operation, in other words, when the vessels are transferred among the center wheel 18, the inlet/outlet wheel 34 and the filler 32. On the other hand, when other fillers instead of the filler 32 are in operation and when the filler 32 is being washed (a second operation mode), i.e., when the movable section 341 is moved to the retracted position and the opening is closed by the shutter 40, the air supply for each of the sections 36, 30 and 19 is controlled so that the pressure increases in order from the intermediate zone 36 to the filling chamber 30 to the conveyance chamber 19 (air pressure in intermediate zone 36<filling chamber 30<conveyance chamber 19). With this control, a relatively low pressure inside the intermediate zone 36 can be maintained to create a negative pressure environment with respect to the inside of the filling chamber 30 and the conveyance chamber 19. Accordingly, the atmosphere inside the filling chamber 30 is prevented from leaking out from the opening 36B and flowing into the conveyance chamber.

(27) FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the intermediate zone 36, where the inlet/outlet wheel 34 is installed, from the point of view of the conveyance chamber 19 through the opening 36B. FIG. 3A illustrates a state of the first operation mode, in which the shutter 40 is opened, the movable section 341 forms part of the rotary wheel 34H at the position before the retraction is performed, and the vessels are transferred between the grippers 34 and the center wheel 18. FIG. 3B illustrates a state of the second operation mode, in other words when the movable section 341 is moved to the retracted position, the grippers 34G are not in operation (the vessels are not received from the center wheel 18) and the shutter 40 is closed. Note that, switching between the first operation mode and the second operation mode in the filling system 10 is controlled by a controller that is not shown.

(28) As described in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the upper side of the shutter 40 is, for example, held by the support member 40S, which is supported by a rack 40R. The rack 40R engages with a pinion driven by a motor 40M, inside a gearbox 40G, so that it is raised and lowered by the rotation of the motor 40M. Thereby, the shutter 40 can be raised and lowered to open and close the opening 36B.

(29) FIGS. 4A and 4B are plan views illustrating an arrangement of the filling chamber 30, the intermediate zone and the inlet/outlet wheel 34 inside the conveyance chamber 19. FIG. 4A illustrates when the system is operated in the first operation mode in which the filler 32 of the filling chamber 30 is used. FIG. 4B illustrates when the system is operated in the second operation mode, in which the filler 32 of the filling chamber 30 is inactive and the center wheel 18 and the other fillers are active while the movable section 341 of the inlet/outlet wheel 34 is retracted, the shutter 40 is closed, and further, the filler 32 is being washed.

(30) As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the movable section 341 together with the fixed section 340 forms the circular rotary wheel 34H of the inlet/outlet wheel 34, when the filler 32 is being used, a part of the rotary wheel 34H extends out to the conveyance chamber 19 through the opening 36B, and the gripper 34G provided on the periphery of the rotary wheel 34H protrudes out to a position where it can hand over a vessel to the gripper of the conveyance wheel 18 in the conveyance chamber 19. Note that, in this state, the rotations of the conveyance wheel 18, the inlet/outlet wheel 34 and the filler 32 are obviously synchronized to enable the hand over between each of the grippers.

(31) In the conditions of FIG. 4B, the operation of the filler 32 and the inlet/outlet wheel 34 is suspended and the conveyance wheel 18 conveys vessels to inlet/outlet wheels of the other fillers. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the movable section 341 is moved to the retracted position, which overlaps above the fixed section 340, an arcuate portion of the rotary wheel 34, in which the movable section 341 is displaced, faces the opening 36B and the shutter 40 is closed via the motor 40M drive.

(32) In the above-mentioned configuration, the filling system 10 of the present embodiment is, for example, operated as described below. For example, a solid substance is filled into the vessel V from the first filler 12. When liquid is filled from the second filler 14, the first and second fillers 12 and 14 are operated and the first and second inlet wheels 12A, 14A and the first and second outlet wheels 12B, 14B are operated in the state shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 4A with the shutter 40 opened. Note that, the third filler 16 is not driven in this situation.

(33) On the other hand, when only the second filler 14 for filling liquid and the third filler 16 for filling gas are used and the first filler 12 for filling a solid substance is not used, the operation of the first filler 12, the first inlet wheel 12A and the first outlet wheel 12B is suspended. The movable sections 341 of the inlet wheel 12A and the outlet wheel 12B are moved to the retracted positions, and then, two openings 36B provided in the partition walls 36A of the first intermediate zone 13M corresponding to the first inlet wheel 12A and the first outlet wheel 12B are closed. Thereby, the filling chamber 13 provided with the first filler 12 and the first intermediate zone 13M are separated from the conveyance chamber 19 provided with the center wheel 18, so that the first filler 12 can be washed while the vessels are conveyed to the second and third fillers 14, 16 by the operation of the center wheel 18.

(34) As described above, according to the present embodiment, the filling system can wash an inactive filling machine while performing filling operations in other filling machines with the atmosphere inside the chamber provided with a filling machine undergoing a cleaning process prevented from flowing into the other chambers.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

(35) 10 filling system 12 first filler 12A first inlet wheel 12B first outlet wheel 13 first filling chamber 13M first intermediate zone 14 second filler 14A second inlet wheel 14B second outlet wheel 15 second filling chamber 15M second intermediate zone 16 third filler 16A third inlet wheel 16B third outlet wheel 17 third filling chamber 17M third intermediate zone 18 center wheel (conveyance wheel) 18G gripper 19 conveyance chamber. 30 filling chamber 32 filler 32G gripper 34 inlet/outlet wheel 34G gripper 34H rotary wheel 36 intermediate zone 36A partition wall 36B opening 40 shutter 42C lift cylinder 42R rotary mechanism 44 presser control system 340 fixed section 341 movable section V vessel