Rotary filling machine

Abstract

Rotary filling machine comprising a rotating infeed starwheel, configured to supply packages, a rotating filling carrousel, upon which a plurality of filling stations are located and; a rotating outfeed starwheel, configured to remove the packages. Each filling station comprises dosage devices; vertical displacement devices configured to vary the relative distance between the package and the dosage devices in the direction of a vertical axis; rotation devices configured to provide relative rotation movement between the package and the dosage devices, around the vertical axis and; horizontal displacement devices configured to vary the relative distance between the package and the dosage devices on a horizontal plane, perpendicular to the vertical axis.

Claims

1. A rotary filling machine, comprising: a rotating infeed starwheel configured to supply packages; a rotating filling carrousel upon which a plurality of filling stations are arranged diametrically to the same, each one of which is configured to receive a package coming from the infeed starwheel, wherein each filling station comprises: a dosage device, configured to administer the dosage of a product inside the package and; a vertical displacement device configured to vary the relative distance between the package and the dosage device in the direction of a vertical axis; a rotating outfeed starwheel, configured to remove the packages from the filling carrousel, wherein both infeed and outfeed starwheels are configured to rotate in synchronization with the filling carrousel; wherein each of the plurality of the filling stations further comprises: a rotation device, configured to provide a relative rotation movement between the package and the dosage device, around the vertical axis, wherein the rotation device is configured to rotate the package in relation to the carrousel, and wherein the rotation device comprises: a vertical bar joined to the carrousel, which is coaxial to the vertical axis and has freedom of axial rotation, wherein the vertical bar is arranged perpendicularly between a first disc and a second disc, joined via a first lower tread element and a first upper tread element, respectively; a rotation base arranged on an upper end of the vertical bar, configured to receive a package coming from the infeed starwheel and; a rotation mechanism, configured to rotate the vertical bar, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises: a rotation drive which is joined to the first disc; a first motor wheel driven by the rotation drive and; a first driven wheel concentric to the vertical bar and joined to the same, which engages with the first motor wheel via a first transmission belt, wherein the first motor wheel and the first driven wheel are arranged below said first disc and; a horizontal displacement device, configured to vary the relative distance between the package and the dosage device on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical axis.

2. The rotary filling machine according to claim 1, wherein the dosage device is configured to administer the dosage of a product formed by a plurality of compositions which are supplied separately.

3. The rotary filling machine according to claim 2, wherein the dosage device comprises: a measuring unit for each composition, configured to regulate the flow of the same; a filling head piece, which has an output mouthpiece, configured to administer the dosage of each composition and which is orientated towards the mouth of the package and; a distribution channel for each composition, configured to distribute the flow to the measuring unit.

4. The rotary filling machine according to claim 3, wherein the dosage device comprises a final flexible channel for each composition, configured to facilitate the displacement of the filling head piece on the horizontal plane.

5. A rotary filling machine, comprising: a rotating infeed starwheel configured to supply packages; a rotating filling carrousel, wherein the carrousel comprises: a central rotating column; a first and second disc, concentric to the central column and joined to the same, arranged in such a way that they are parallel in a lower portion of said column; and wherein a plurality of filling stations are arranged diametrically to the same, each one of which is configured to receive a package coming from the infeed starwheel, wherein each filling station further comprises: a rotation device, configured to provide a relative rotation movement between the package and the dosage device, around the vertical axis and; a horizontal displacement device, configured to vary the relative distance between the package and the dosage device on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical axis; a dosage device, configured to administer the dosage of a product inside the package and; a vertical displacement device configured to vary the relative distance between the package and the dosage device in the direction of a vertical axis, wherein each of the vertical displacement devices comprises: an elevator spindle joined to the carrousel, which is parallel to the vertical axis and has freedom of axial rotation, wherein the elevator spindle is arranged perpendicularly between the first disc and the second disc, joined to the same via a second lower tread element and a second upper tread element respectively; a vertical transfer cart, crossed by the elevator spindle, which can be displaced along the length of the same, the displacement of which is transmitted to the package, wherein the vertical transfer cart is joined to the vertical bar and; an elevation mechanism configured to rotate the elevator spindle and give rise to the controlled displacement of the vertical transfer cart along the length of said elevator spindle; and a rotating outfeed starwheel, configured to remove the packages from the filling carrousel, wherein both infeed and outfeed starwheels are configured to rotate in synchronisation with the filling carrousel.

6. The rotary filling machine according to claim 5, wherein the elevator mechanism comprises: an elevator drive, which is joined to the first disc; a second motor wheel, driven by the elevator drive; a second driven wheel, concentric to the elevator spindle and joined to the same, which engages with the first motor wheel, via a second transmission belt, wherein the second motor wheel and the second driven wheel are arranged below said first disc and; a guide bar, which is arranged perpendicularly between the first disc and the second disk, in such a way that it is joined to the same, crossed by the vertical transfer cart, in order to guide the displacement of the same.

7. A rotary filling machine, comprising: a rotating infeed starwheel configured to supply packages; a rotating filling carrousel upon which a plurality of filling stations are arranged diametrically to the same, each one of which is configured to receive a package coming from the infeed starwheel, wherein each filling station comprises: a dosage device, configured to administer the dosage of a product inside the package and; a vertical displacement device configured to vary the relative distance between the package and the dosage device in the direction of a vertical axis and; a rotating outfeed starwheel, configured to remove the packages from the filling carrousel, wherein both infeed and outfeed starwheels are configured to rotate in synchronization with the filling carrousel; wherein each of the plurality of filling stations further comprises: a rotation device, configured to provide a relative rotation movement between the package and the dosage device, around the vertical axis and; a horizontal displacement device, configured to vary the relative distance between the package and the dosage device on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the vertical axis, wherein the horizontal displacement device comprises: a lateral spindle parallel to the Y axis of the horizontal plane; a lateral transfer cart, crossed by the lateral spindle, which may be displaced along the length of the same and the displacement of which is transferred to the dosage device and; a lateral displacement mechanism, configured to rotate the lateral spindle and give rise to the controlled displacement of the lateral transfer cart along the length of said lateral spindle, a front spindle parallel to the X axis of the horizontal plane; a front transfer cart, crossed by the lateral spindle which may be displaced along the length of the same, the displacement of which is transferred to the dosage device and; a front displacement mechanism, configured to rotate the front spindle and give rise to the controlled displacement of the front transfer cart along the length of said front spindle.

8. The rotary filling machine according to claim 7, wherein the lateral transfer cart is joined to the carrousel and to the front transfer cart and wherein said front transfer cart is joined to a filling head piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Below is a brief description of a series of drawings which facilitate a better understanding of the invention, relating specifically to a preferred embodiment of said invention and providing a non-limiting example thereof.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the machine, object of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a profile view of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotation means and vertical displacement of a filling station.

(6) FIG. 5 is a profile view of the rotation means of a filling station.

(7) FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the rotation means of a filling station.

(8) FIG. 7 is a sectioned view of FIG. 3, according to the cut line A-A.

(9) FIG. 8 is a front view of a filling station.

(10) FIG. 9 is a profile view of a filling station,

(11) FIG. 10 is a sectioned view of FIG. 9, according to the cut line B-B.

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a detail of the horizontal displacement means.

(13) FIG. 12A is a front schematic view of the generation of a first example of a filling pattern.

(14) FIG. 12B is a sectioned view of FIG. 12A, according to the cut line C-C.

(15) FIG. 12C is a side view of a package, which shows the result of applying the first example of a filling pattern.

(16) FIG. 13A is a front schematic view of the generation of a second example of a filling pattern.

(17) FIG. 13B is a sectioned view of FIG. 13A, according to the cut-line D-D.

(18) FIG. 13C is a side view of a package which shows the result of applying the second example of a filling pattern.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(19) FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are a perspective, plan and profile view, respectively of the machine (1), object of the present invention. As can be seen, the rotary filling machine object of the present invention, is of the variety comprising: a rotating infeed starwheel (3), configured to supply packages (2); a rotating filling carrousel (6), upon which a plurality of filling stations (5) are located diametrically to the same, each one of which is configured to receive a package (2) coming from the infeed starwheel (3), wherein each filling station (5) comprises: dosage means (60) configured to administer the dosage of a product (100) inside the package (2) (sec FIGS. 12C and 13C) and; vertical displacement means (20) configured to vary the relative distance between the package (2) and the dosage means (60) in the direction of a vertical axis (Z) and; a rotating outfeed starwheel (4) configured to remove the packages (2) from the filling carrousel (6), wherein both infeed (3) and outfeed (4) starwheels are configured to rotate in synchronisation with the filling carrousel (6).

(20) In addition, each filling station (5) comprises: rotation means (40) configured to provide a relative rotation movement (R) between the package (2) and the dosage means (60), around the vertical axis (Z) and; horizontal displacement means (70) (see FIGS. 7 to 11) configured to vary the relative distance between the package (2) and the dosage means (60) on a horizontal plane (XY) perpendicular to the vertical axis (Z).

(21) A lower portion of the filling station (5) is arranged on a lower portion of the carrousel (6), which in accordance with the present example, comprises: a central rotating column (7) and; a first (8) and second disk (9), concentric to the central column (7) and joined to the same, arranged in such a way that they are parallel in a lower portion (7L) of said column (7).

(22) An upper portion of the filling station (5) is arranged on an upper portion of the carrousel (6), which in accordance with the present example, comprises: a third (10) and fourth (11) disc concentric to the central column (7) and joined to the same, arranged in such a way that they are parallel in an upper portion (715) of said column (7).

(23) FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the rotation means (40) and vertical displacement means (60) of a filling station (5) in more detail. As can be seen, the rotation means (40) are configured to rotate the package (2) on the carrousel (6), comprising: a vertical bar (41) joined to the carrousel (6), coaxial to the vertical axis (Z) with freedom of axial movement; a rotation base (43) arranged on an upper end (42) of the vertical bar (41), configured to receive a package (2) coming from the infeed starwheel (3) and; a rotation mechanism (44), configured to rotate the vertical bar (41).

(24) The vertical bar (41) is arranged perpendicularly between the first disc (8) and the second disc (9), joined to the same via a first lower tread element (51) and a first upper tread element (52), respectively, whilst the rotation mechanism (44), comprises: a rotation drive (45), which is joined to the first disc (8); a first motor wheel (46) driven by the rotation drive (45) and; a first driven wheel (47), concentric to the vertical bar (41) and joined to the same, which engages with the first motor wheel (46) via a first transmission belt (48), wherein the first motor wheel (46) and the first driven wheel (47) are arranged below said first disc (8).

(25) In turn, the vertical displacement means (20) comprise: an elevator spindle (21) joined to the carrousel (6), parallel to the vertical axis (Z) and with freedom of axial rotation; a vertical transfer cart (23), crossed by the elevator spindle (21) and which may be displaced along the length of the same, the displacement of which is transmitted to the package (2) and; an elevator mechanism (24) configured to rotate the elevator spindle (21) and give rise to the controlled displacement of the vertical transfer cart (23) along the length of said elevator spindle (21).

(26) The elevator spindle (21) is arranged perpendicularly between the first disc (8) and the second disc (9), joined to the same via a second lower tread element (31) and a second upper tread element (32) respectively, whilst the vertical transfer cart (23) is joined to the vertical bar (41).

(27) In turn, the elevator mechanism (24) comprises: an elevator drive (25), which is joined to the first disc (8); a second motor wheel (26) driven by the elevator drive (25); a second driven wheel (27), concentric to the elevator spindle (21) and joined to the same, which engages with the second motor wheel (26) via a second transmission belt (28), wherein the second motor wheel (26) and the second driven wheel (27) are arranged below said first disc (8) and; a guide bar (29) which is arranged perpendicularly between the first disc (8) and the second disc (9) in such a way that it is joined to the same, crossed by the vertical transfer cart (23), in order to guide the displacement of the same.

(28) FIG. 7 shows how the filling stations (5) are arranged in relation to the carrousel (6), wherein the dosage means (60) and horizontal displacement means (70) can be observed.

(29) FIGS. 8 and 9 are more detailed representations of the dosage means (60). As can be seen, they are configured to administer the dosage of a product (100), formed by a plurality of compositions (100A, 100B), which are supplied separately (see FIGS. 12A and 13A). The dosage means (60) comprise: a measuring unit (61A, 61B) for each composition (100A, 100B), configured to regulate the flow of the same; a filling head piece (62) which has an output mouthpiece (63), configured to administer the dosage of each composition (100A, 100B), which, is orientated towards the mouth of the package (2) and; a distribution channel (64A, 64B) for each composition (100A, 100B), configured to distribute the flow to the measuring unit (61A, 61B).

(30) In turn, the dosage means (60) comprise a final flexible channel (65A, 65B) for each composition (100A, 100B), configured to facilitate the displacement of the filling head piece (62) on the horizontal plane (XY).

(31) FIGS. 10 and 11 represent the horizontal displacement (70) in greater detail. As can be seen, in accordance with the present example, they are based on the movement of the dosage means (60) on the horizontal plane (XY), the package (2) remaining fixed on said plane. In this sense, the horizontal displacement means (70) comprise: a lateral spindle (71), parallel to the Y axis of the horizontal plane (XY); a lateral transfer cart (72), crossed by the lateral spindle (71), which may be displaced along the length of the same, the displacement of which is transmitted to the dosage means (60) and; a lateral displacement mechanism (73), configured to rotate the lateral spindle (71) and give rise to the controlled displacement of the lateral transfer cart (72) along the length of said lateral spindle (71).

(32) In turn, the horizontal displacement means (70) comprise: a front spindle (75) parallel to the X axis of the horizontal plane (XY); a front transfer cart (76) crossed by the lateral spindle (75), which may be displaced along the length of the same, the displacement of which is transmitted to the dosage means (60) and; a front displacement mechanism (77), configured to rotate the front spindle (75) and give rise to the controlled displacement of the front transfer cart (76) along the length of said front spindle (75).

(33) Of the various possible fixation options for the horizontal displacement means (70), the lateral transfer cart (72) is preferably joined to the carrousel (6) and to the front transfer cart (76), whilst said front transfer cart (76) is joined to the filling head piece (62).

(34) FIG. 12A is a front schematic view of the generation of a first example of a filling pattern. Arrows have been used in this figure to indicate the direction of all of the movements involved in generating it. According to this first example, the filling pattern has a first composition (100A) with a helical form variable diameter, along the length of the package (2), absorbed in a second composition (100B).

(35) The relative vertical distance (dZ) between the package (2) and the output mouthpiece (63) in the direction of the vertical axis (Z) varies from the bottom of the package (2) to beyond its mouth, according to the level represented in said figure.

(36) In FIG. 12B, it is possible to observe that the relative horizontal distance (dX, dY) between the package (2) and the output mouthpiece (63) varies from the internal contour of the package (2) to the external contour of the mouthpiece (63). In the mouthpiece (63) section, it is possible to observe the openings through which the dosage of each composition (100A, 100B) is administered.

(37) FIG. 12C is a lateral view of the result obtained using this first example of a filling pattern.

(38) FIG. 13A is a front schematic view of the generation of a second example of a filling pattern (100). Arrows are contained therein in order to represent the direction of all the movements involved in generating it. According to this second example, the filling pattern has a first composition (100B), divided into at least two parts absorbed in a second composition (100A).

(39) The relative vertical distance (dZ) between the package (2) and the output mouthpiece (63) in the direction of the vertical axis (Z) varies from the bottom of the package (2) to beyond its mouth, according to the level shown in said figure.

(40) In FIG. 13B, it is possible to observe that the relative horizontal distance (dX, dY) between the package (2) and the output mouthpiece (63) varies from the internal contour of the package (2) to the external contour of the mouthpiece (63). In the mouthpiece (63) section, it is possible to observe the openings through which the dosage of each composition (100A, 100B) is administered. The dosage of the first composition (100A) is administered through the two lateral openings.

(41) FIG. 13 C is a side view of the result obtained using this second example of a filling pattern.