Device and method for filling containers with a fill product

Abstract

A device and method for filling at least one container with fill product are described. The device includes a product reservoir for accommodating the fill product and a stirring element (for stirring the fill product accommodated in the product reservoir. The depth of immersion of the stirring element in the product reservoir can be varied.

Claims

1. A device for filling at least one container with a fill product, comprising: a product reservoir that accommodates the fill product; a stirring element that stirs the fill product accommodated in the product reservoir, wherein the stirring element is displaceable at least between a stirring position, in which the stirring element is immersed in the fill product, and an idle position, in which the stirring element is fully or partly outside the fill product; means for varying a depth of immersion of the stirring element in the product reservoir; and a controller operatively associated with the stirring element and configured to dispose the stirring element at least partially outside the fill product during a filling operation and immerse the stirring element in the fill product during an interruption of the filling operation.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the stirring element is mounted on a non-rotating part of the device, and is stationary relative to the non-rotating part in a direction of rotation of the product reservoir.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising means for controlling a temperature of at least a section of the stirring element.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising means for causing the at least a section of the stirring element to be heated and/or cooled.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the stirring element comprises at least one vane.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein an angle of the at least one vane with respect to a vertical axis of rotation of a vane mount is adjustable.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a level sensor that measures a fill product level in the product reservoir.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the fill product in the product reservoir.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one filling element in the form of a piston filler that fills at least one container connected to the product reservoir, wherein the filling element rotates with the product reservoir about an axis of rotation of the product reservoir.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a temperature controller configured to control a temperature of an interior of the stirring element.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a product feed valve configured to add the fill product to the product reservoir.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the stirring element comprises a vane mount and two vanes.

13. A method for filling the at least one container with the fill product by using the device of claim 1, comprising: varying the depth of immersion of the stirring element in the product reservoir depending on an operating state of the device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the depth of immersion is varied automatically between the stirring position and the idle position.

15. A method for filling the at least one container with the fill product by using the device of claim 1, comprising: lowering the stirring element to a lower end position from an upper end position into the fill product in the product reservoir during the interruption of the filling operation; determining whether the fill product covers the stirring element; adjusting the stirring element to a predetermined desired temperature; agitating the fill product; withdrawing the stirring element from the fill product once the filling operation resumes; and returning the stirring element to the upper end position.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising adding the fill product until the fill product covers the stirring element.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the stirring element is electrically heatable or coolable.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein a pneumatic and/or an electrical drive lowers the stirring element, withdraws the stirring element, and returns the stirring element.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the upper end position comprises a position that is at least partially outside the fill product.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Further embodiments and aspects of the present invention are more fully explained by the description below of the figures.

(2) FIGS. 1a and 1b are a schematic representation of a rotatable product reservoir for a device for filling containers, in each case with a stirring element, which is disposed outside the fill product in FIG. 1a and immersed in the fill product in FIG. 1b; and

(3) FIGS. 2a to 2f show different implementations of the stirring element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) Examples of embodiments are described below with the aid of the figures. In the figures, elements which are identical or similar, or have identical effects, are designated with identical reference signs, and repeated description of these elements is in part dispensed with in the description below, in order to avoid redundancy.

(5) FIGS. 1a and 1b show schematically a product reservoir 1 of a rotational filling machine, for example a piston filler, which is partially filled with a fill product 11. The fill height of the fill product 11 in the product reservoir 1 is termed the fill product level 12. The product reservoir 1 is rotatable about an axis of rotation M, as indicated by an arrow around the axis of rotation M. In the example embodiment shown, the product reservoir 1 is closed by a lid 2, which is stationary, and thus does not rotate with the product reservoir 1.

(6) A stirring element 13 is immersed in the product reservoir 1, serving to stir the fill product 11 accommodated in the product reservoir 1. The stirring element 13 can be varied in respect of the depth to which it is immersed in the product reservoir 1, so that the depth of immersion of the stirring element 13 can correspondingly also be varied with respect to the fill product level 12 of the fill product 11 in the product reservoir 1.

(7) By this means, it is possible to obtain differing depths of immersion of the stirring element 13 in the fill product 11; the stirring element 13 at a first depth of immersion in the product reservoir 1 is disposed fully or partially in contact with the fill product 11, and at a second depth of immersion in the product reservoir 1 is disposed fully outside the fill product 11. For this purpose, the depth of immersion is generally variable between an upper and a lower end position of the stirring element 13.

(8) The depth of immersion derives from the displacement of the stirring element 13 into the product reservoir 1, and can be defined objectively in terms of the distance of the stirring element 13 from fixed parts of the product reservoir 1, for example from the base of the product reservoir 1. If the stirring element 13 is deeply immersed in the product reservoir 1, the distance of the stirring element 13 from the base of the product reservoir 1 is smaller than when the stirring element 13 is less deeply immersed. The depth of immersion can also be defined with respect to an upper edge of the product reservoir 1.

(9) Accordingly, by variation of the depth of immersion of the stirring element 13 in the product reservoir 1, it is possible also to achieve a variation in the depth of immersion of the stirring element 13 in the fill product 11 that is currently accommodated in the product reservoir 1, and the depth of immersion can also be adjusted relative to the fill product level 12. To achieve this, the depth of immersion of the stirring element 13 is generally continuously or almost continuously variable between an upper and a lower end position.

(10) Because the stirring element 13 in its upper end position is raised fully out of the fill product 11, filling of the fill product can be performed undisturbed by the stirring element 13, with the rotational filling machine operated at its intended filling speed and the product reservoir 1 correspondingly rotating at the intended speed. During this time, due to the continuous extraction of the fill product from the product reservoir 1, in combination with the rotation of the product reservoir 1, a flow of the fill product 11 in the product reservoir 1 is achieved, which counteracts the separation of the individual components of the fill product 11. Furthermore, the dwell time of the fill product 11 in the product reservoir 1 is relatively short, since usually the same volume of fill product 11 flows in via the inlet as flows out simultaneously via the filling elements into the containers that are to be filled. Hence it is possible to dispense with the immersion of the stirring element 13 in the fill product 11 during normal filling operation, since separation of the components or a change in other physical propertiesfor example a change in temperatureis not to be feared. Because the stirring element 13 is not immersed in the fill product 11, the filling process is not influenced, since the flow conditions in the product reservoir 1 are not disturbed by the stirring element 13.

(11) In the present embodiment, the stirring element 13 has a vane mount 4 and two vanes 5. A drive in the form of a pneumatic cylinder 6 is further provided, connected to the vane mount 4, whose height, together with that of the vanes 5, can thereby be adjusted, so that the depth of immersion of the stirring element 13 in the product reservoir 1 can be correspondingly varied. To achieve this, either the vane mount 4 can be displaced only to the upper and lower end positions, or the vane mount 4 can be displaced to any desired position between the upper and lower end positions, in order that variable adjustment of the depth of immersion-which can also be independent of the current product fill level 12-can be achieved.

(12) The vanes 5 can further be set in rotation around the axis formed by the vane mount 4, in order to stir the fill product 11.

(13) FIG. 1a shows a state in which the vanes 5 are outside the fill product 11, e.g., the stirring element 13 is not immersed in the fill product 11 and accordingly also cannot interact with the fill product 11. In the state that is shown in FIG. 1b, the vanes 5 and a portion of the vane mount 4 are immersed in the fill product 11.

(14) The vane mount 4 is displaceable in an upwards and downwards direction through the non-rotating lid 2, through which it passes if necessary. The pneumatic cylinder 6 and/or the vane mount 4 are attached to the rotary filling machine at a suitable point on the non-rotating part of the device, such that the stirring element 13 is displaceable at least between an upper and a lower end position.

(15) The temperature of the vanes 5 can be controlled, e.g., they can be heated and/or cooled. In the example embodiment shown, the vanes 5 are electrically heatable. The power supply to the electrically heatable vanes 5 is via a cable that passes through the interior of the vane mount 4, and is implemented such that it is controllable by means of a temperature controller 7. Accordingly, heat can be transferred to the fill product 11.

(16) In a further embodiment, the vanes 5 are implemented such that they can be cooled, in order to cool the fill product 11.

(17) Depending on the requirements, and the characteristics of the fill product 11, it is possible to increase or decrease the number of vanes 5 whose temperature can be controlled and/or whose surface area can be enlarged, reduced, or adjusted in its geometry in another manner, in order to enable the optimization of a transfer of heat or cold to the fill product 11.

(18) Examples of geometrical embodiments of the vanes 5 are shown in FIGS. 2a to 2f. The angle of attack of the vanes 5 can, where appropriate, be adjustable to adapt to particular applications, in order to achieve an optimum mixing outcome and/or an optimum heating or cooling output.

(19) In the embodiment that is shown, a level sensor 9 is provided for measuring the fill product level 12 of the fill product 11 in the product reservoir 1. The level sensor 9 communicates with a controller, which can for example be designed as a programmable logic controller PLC. A temperature sensor 8 is also provided; this too can communicate with the controller PLC. It should be noted that the level sensor 9 and the temperature sensor 8 do not necessarily have to be provided in the product reservoir 1 itself. Stated in general terms, the level sensor 9 and the temperature sensor 8 can also be dispensed with in certain embodiments, or generally embodied as devices for determining the applicable parameters. The product level 12, for example, can also be determined from measurement of the inflow and outflow of fill product 11 into and out of the product reservoir 1.

(20) In order to fill the product reservoir 1, a product feed valve 10 is provided. The pneumatic cylinder 6, the temperature controller 7, the temperature sensor 8, the level sensor 9 and the product feed valve 10 are connected to the programmable logic controller PLC. By means of the programmable logic controller PLC, the values from the sensors are captured and the applicable components are controlled.

(21) In the lower area of the product reservoir 1, filling elements 3 are shown schematically. In FIGS. 1a and 1b, these are shown simply as valves.

(22) In the following part of this description, a special possibility for operating the device shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b is disclosed. When the plant is at a standstill and the supply of containers to the filling machine is suspended, the vane mount 4 is lowered by means of the actuator device 6 into the fill product 11 in the product reservoir 1 (see FIG. 1b), by which means the electrically heatable vanes 5 are immersed in the fill product 11 in order to reduce separation of the product components while minimizing bubble formation, and in order to maximize the transfer of heat from the vanes 5 to the fill product.

(23) Depending on the fill product level 12 of the fill product 11 in the product reservoir 1, it is possible that the vanes 5 are not covered. Because of this possibility, the level sensor 9 in the product reservoir 1, which communicates with the controller PLC, is used to check whether there is sufficient fill product 11 to cover the vanes 5, and if necessary fill product 11 is added via the product feed valve 10 until the product reservoir 1 contains sufficient fill product 11. Alternatively, or in addition, the actuator device 6 can again be operated, in order to immerse the vanes 5 further in the fill product 11.

(24) By means of the temperature controller 7, if necessary in communication with the controller PLC and the associated temperature sensor 8, the vanes 5, which are in this case electrically heatable, are adjusted to a predetermined desired temperature. While the filling device is stopped, the product reservoir 1 rotates at a reduced speed, in order to cause the fill product 11 to flow past the heatable vanes 5 and thereby supply thermal energy, as well as mix the fill product to provide a homogenous temperature distribution and reduce separation. When the filling device is stopped, the product reservoir 1 can also come to a complete stop, and accordingly no longer rotate about the axis of rotation M. The agitation of the fill product 11 is then effected by means of the rotation of the vanes 5 of the stirring element 13 in the fill product 11, in order to prevent the separation of different components.

(25) When the plant restarts, the stirring element 13 can be returned to its upper end position and withdrawn from the fill product 11 in the product reservoir 1.

(26) FIGS. 2a to 2f show example embodiments of the stirring element 13. In FIG. 2a, two electrically heatable vanes 5 are provided, which are attached to the vane mount 4. In FIG. 2b, the stirring element 13 has a stirring rod 5, whose inclination may be adjustable. The adjustability of the position of the stirring rod 5 is indicated in FIG. 2e in that a highly tilted orientation is indicated by broken lines. In FIG. 2c, two intersecting stirring rods are shown. FIG. 2f shows two stirring rods 5, oriented parallel to each other and spaced apart. An example embodiment with only a single vane 5 is shown in FIG. 2d.

(27) The vanes or stirring rods 5 can be suitably coated, for example with a product-compatible and/or heat-resistant material, for example Teflon brand coatings or ceramic. Electrically heated platens sheathed in stainless steel can also be envisaged, as are vanes whose interior contains tubes, pass partition plates and/or hoses to convey a heating or cooling medium.

(28) To the extent applicable, all individual features described in the example embodiments can be combined with each other and/or exchanged, without departing from the field of the invention.