DISTRIBUTION MACHINE FOR DISTRIBUTING FLOWABLE MEDIA

Abstract

Machine (1) for distributing flowable media to containers with a housing (2), with a transport device (12) for transporting the containers (10) which is arranged at least partially inside the housing (2), wherein this transport device has a rotatable carrier (14) with a distributor device (4) which is arranged inside this housing (2) an accommodates at least one inlet (42) for the flowable medium and a plurality of outlets (44) to which the flowable medium can be distributed, and with a supply conduit (6) which is suitable and intended for supplying the flowable medium to the inlet (42). According to the invention the distributor device (4) is non-rotatably connected to the carrier (14).

Claims

1. Machine (1) for distributing flowable media to containers with a housing (2), with a transport device (12) for transporting the containers (10) which is arranged at least partially inside the housing (2), wherein this transport device has a rotatable carrier (14) with a distributor device (4) which is arranged inside this housing (2) which accommodates at least one inlet (42) for the flowable medium and a plurality of outlets (44) to which the flowable medium can be distributed, and with a supply conduit (6) which is suitable and intended for supplying the flowable medium to the inlet (42), characterised in that the distributor device (4) is connected non-rotatably to the carrier (14).

2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the feed conduit (6) is arranged, at least partially, non-rotatably and the distributor device (4) is rotatable relative to the feed conduit (6).

3. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the transport device is a component of a processing device, in particular a device for sterilising preforms.

4. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the flowable medium is gaseous H.sub.2O.sub.2.

5. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least the machine in its entirety is arranged in a clean room.

6. Machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a sealing device (20) is arranged between the feed conduit (6) and the distributor device (4).

7. Machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the inlet (42) has an inlet conduit (46) which is arranged non-rotatably on the distributor device (4) and can be fluidically connected to the feed conduit (6).

8. Machine (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that a sealing device (20) is arranged between the inlet conduit (46) and the feed conduit.

9. Machine (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sealing device (20) has a resilient element (22) along the axis of rotation (D) and preferably a bellows.

10. Machine (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the resilient element connects the feed conduit (6) to the inlet (42) of the distributor device (4) and in particular to an inlet conduit (46) of the inlet.

11. Machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sealing device (20) has a bearing device for rotatable support of at least one element of the inlet (42) or of the feed conduit.

12. Machine according to claim 8, characterised in that the bearing device (20) and/or the sealing device (20) is configured as a shaft sealing ring.

13. Machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the feed conduit (6) and the distributor device (4) are constructed without contact.

14. Machine according to claim 13, characterised in that sealing between the feed conduit (6) and the distributor device (4) takes place by a contactless labyrinth seal (65).

15. Method for processing and in particular sterilizing containers, wherein the containers are transported by means of a transport device (12) and being acted upon during this transport by a flowable medium, and wherein the transport device (12) has a rotatable carrier (14), by means of which the containers (10) are transported along a substantially circular path and this carrier (14) is located inside a housing (2), wherein the flowable medium is fed by means of a feed conduit (6) to a distributor device (4) likewise located inside this housing (2) via an inlet (42) and the distributor device (4) distributes the flowable medium to a plurality of outlets (46), characterised in that the distributor device (4) is non-rotatably connected to the rotatable carrier (14).

Description

[0046] In the drawings:

[0047] FIGS. 1a to 1c show three representations of a machine according to the prior art;

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a representation of a machine according to the invention;

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a further more detailed representation of a machine according to the invention;

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a detailed representation of the machine shown in FIG. 3;

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a machine according to the invention in which a bellows is used;

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a detailed representation shown in FIG. 5;

[0053] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of a machine according to the invention in which a labyrinth seal is used; and

[0054] FIG. 8 shows a detailed representation shown in FIG. 7.

[0055] FIG. 1a shows a representation of a machine according to the prior art. In this case a feed conduit 42 is provided, by means of which a flowable medium is fed to a distributor device 4. The reference numeral 12 relates to a transport device which has a rotatable carrier on which the individual containers can also be held. The reference numeral 2 designates a housing, inside which the containers can be sterilised.

[0056] FIG. 1b shows a detailed representation of the machine shown in FIG. 1a. It will be recognised here that the distributor device 4 is supported by means of a rolling bearing 120 with bearing elements 122 on the cover of the machine. In this case this support is relatively complex.

[0057] FIG. 1c shows a further representation of a machine according to the internal prior art of the applicant. It also shows the bearing device 120 which serves for supporting the distributor device 4. A feed conduit 6 is also provided, which is also arranged in a stationary manner here.

[0058] The reference numeral 44 relates to a conduit connection by means of which the flowable medium can ultimately be fed to the containers. The reference numeral 46 relates to an inlet conduit which forms a component of the inlet 42.

[0059] For sealing, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1b both gap seals and also hybrid bearings or both can be used.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a machine according to the invention. Here too the feed conduit 6 is again provided, which is arranged stationary on a cover 62 of the machine. The reference numeral 42 again designates the inlet, which rotates here with the distributor device 4. The reference numeral 44 designates an outlet. Starting from the inlet 42, the flowable medium is distributed via a distribution compartment to this plurality of outlets 44. The reference numeral 43 designates a collecting compartment or a collecting chamber, which receives the flowable medium coming from the inlet 42 and distributes it to the individual outlets 44.

[0061] The reference numeral 12 again designates the transport device, and the reference numeral 14 designates the carrier on which the containers are held. The reference numeral 16 designates a drive shaft, by means of which the carrier 14 can be set in rotation.

[0062] Here the distributor device 4 is arranged by means of supporting rods 8 directly and also non-rotatably on the carrier 14. In this way the distributor device is also supported by this carrier 14. The H.sub.2O.sub.2 distributor chamber 4 is firmly connected in this way to the rotating processing wheel or transport wheel. As a result no more mounting is necessary. The connection between the stationary top and the rotating distributor chamber takes place by means of a bellows 22 with a shaft sealing ring. The bellows 22 is responsible for compensation for tolerances and the shaft sealing ring is responsible for the sealing. A co-rotation of the shaft sealing ring is avoided by means of a torque support.

[0063] Correspondingly the reference numeral 20 designates a connection point, in order to mount the inlet 42 rotatably relative to the feed conduit 6. More precisely, the reference numeral 22 here relates to a bellows which is a component of this sealing device. The reference numeral D designates an axis of rotation, with respect to which the distributor device 4 and also the carrier 14 are rotatable. However, instead of a bellows 22 with shaft sealing ring/sliding bearing bushing a lip seal application can be used.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a more detailed representation of a machine according to the invention. Here too the stationary feed conduit 6 and the supporting arrangement 20 are again provided. Here again the reference numeral 47 also designates feed conduits which convey the sterilising medium to the containers (not shown). The containers are preferably fastened to the carrier 14 here by means of retaining devices 32. The reference numerals 38 designate nozzles, by means of which a sterilising agent can be discharged and can sterilise the outer face of the preforms. The reference numeral 36 designates an annular channel which can be acted upon by the sterilising agent and/or which feeds and/carries the sterilising agent.

[0065] The reference numeral 34 designates further application devices, which acts upon at least the inner side of the containers with a sterilising agent. In this case such an application device 34 can advantageously be associated with each retaining device for a container. The reference numerals 49 designate further feed conduits, which convey the flowable medium to further application devices 36. The application devices 36 serve for the external sterilisation of the parisons and are supplied from the same H.sub.2O.sub.2 distributor chamber. Thus at least two feed conduits are preferably provided, which convey the flowable medium to different regions of containers. The reference numeral 61 designates further conduits which here convey the flowable medium in a vertical direction. In this case the distributor device 4 can have switching means (not shown), which enable selective supply of the feed conduits 49 or the feed conduits 47 with the flowable medium. However, these feed conduits 49 and 47 are preferably in use simultaneously and are preferably also supplied from the same distribution chamber.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 a lip seal is used as the sealing device 20. In this case this lip seal has a fastening ring 28, on which the actual sealing means 26 is fastened. In this case this lip seal 26 has a sealing lip which preferably also allows a displacement of the components relative to one another (which can occur for example due to thermal expansion or concentricity errors). This sealing lip is designated by the reference numeral 26a. The main function of the sealing device is to seal off the transmission of the flowable medium. In addition, however, it is also conceivable that this sealing device also performs a certain interface function, in order to support the rotation of the inlet 42 relative to the feed device. However, the sealing device is preferably not capable of absorbing sufficient forces along the axis of rotation D, in order to hold only the distributor device 4.

[0067] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of a machine according to the invention, wherein here the sealing device is configured as a bellows with a sliding bearing bushing. The bellows 22 here is suitable for compensating for a relative movement of the distributor device or the distributor disc 45 relative to the upper flange 52. Such relative movements can occur for example due to a thermal expansion of the housing. The reference numeral 54 relates to a clip which fastens a lower end 22a of the bellows 22 to a mounting 53. The reference numeral 58 designates a sliding bearing bushing, which is stationary here. Thus the entire sliding bearing functions as a gap seal and guides the bellows 22 in its lower region. The clips 54 and 55 (FIG. 5) preferably also serve here as quick-acting closures. In this way the entire sliding bearing bushing can be replaced in a short time. It has also been shown that a leakage loss is not greater than in the case of machines according to the internal prior art of the applicant. Openings 48 for discharging the flowable medium can also be provided in the above-mentioned distributor disc 45. Starting from these openings, the flowable medium enters the feed conduits 49 and thus the annular channel 36.

[0068] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a further embodiment of a machine according to the invention, wherein here a labyrinth seal 65 is provided as a seal between the feed conduit 6 and the distributor device 4. As can be seen in particular from FIG. 8, the labyrinth seal 65 is preferably constructed in two parts, wherein a first part 66 of the labyrinth seal is arranged on the stationary feed conduit 6 and a second part 67 of the labyrinth seal on the rotating distributor device 4. In this case the reference numeral 8 relates to supporting rods, so that also in this embodiment the distributor device 4 is arranged on the carrier. In this way, here too, the distributor chamber 4 is connected to the rotating processing wheel or transport wheel, so that there is no need for a mounting.

[0069] The applicant reserves the right to claim all the features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention in so far as they are individually or in combination novel over the prior art. Furthermore it is pointed out that features which may be advantageous per se have also been described in the individual drawings. The person skilled in the art recognises immediately that a specific feature described in a drawing may also be advantageous without the incorporation of further features from this drawing. Furthermore the person skilled in the art recognises that advantages may also result from a combination of several features shown in individual drawings or in different drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0070] 1 machine

[0071] 2 housing

[0072] 4 distributor device

[0073] 6 feed conduit

[0074] 8 supporting rods

[0075] 12 transport device with rotatable carrier

[0076] 14 support

[0077] 16 drive shaft

[0078] 20 bearing device/sealing device

[0079] 22 bellows

[0080] 22a lower end of the bellows

[0081] 26 sealing means

[0082] 26a sealing lip

[0083] 28 fastening ring

[0084] 32 holding devices

[0085] 34 further application devices

[0086] 36 annular channel

[0087] 38 nozzles

[0088] 42 inlet

[0089] 44 outlets

[0090] 45 distributor disc

[0091] 47 feed conduits

[0092] 48 openings

[0093] 49 feed conduits

[0094] 52 upper flange

[0095] 53 holder

[0096] 54 clip 1

[0097] 55 clip 2

[0098] 58 sliding bearing bushing

[0099] 61 conduits

[0100] 65 labyrinth seal

[0101] 66 first part of the labyrinth seal 65

[0102] 67 second part of the labyrinth seal 65

[0103] 120 rolling bearing, bearing device

[0104] 122 bearing element

[0105] D axis of rotation