DE102013009284A1 - Packing machine and process - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging machine and method for filling bulk materials into containers, the packaging machine comprising a product supply, a conveyor, a filler neck, a ventilation device with a vent valve and a vent nozzle on the product path between the product supply and a product outlet. The venting valve is controllably controlled by a control unit, and the control unit and the venting valve are adapted to set the amount of air effectively passing through the venting nozzle in a period of time at the beginning of a filling operation than in a period at the end of the filling operation.

Description

The present invention relates to a packing machine for filling bulk goods in containers and a method. Here, bulk goods are filled in particular in valve bags.

When filling valve sacks, the valve sacks are pushed onto a usually approximately horizontally oriented filler neck and then filled through the interior of the filler neck. After removal, the valve bag valve closes the opening in a self-sealing manner, or an additional weld is made to close the valve.

In the present packaging machine, a supply of bulk materials to be filled is stored in a product supply. One or more filling nozzles each have a conveyor assigned. The conveyor may comprise a Fülltopf and a conveyor turbine. A conveyor turbine, which is constructed similarly to a rotary valve, promotes by turning the turbine blades, the bulk material from the Fülltopf in the filling channel connected thereto, at the end of the product outlet is provided. The product outlet is located at the filler neck.

When filling bulk materials in containers such as valve sacks or open sacks, it is important when filling z. As building materials such as cement usually required to add compressed air for fluidizing the bulk material to be filled. By adding compressed air, the bulk material is held or made flowable, so that an effective filling is possible. However, the addition of air causes the internal pressure in the container to rise during filling. This internal pressure must be largely reduced before acceptance of the container so that not a significant part of the filled bulk material escapes during the removal of the filler neck by the pressure reduction and thus contaminates the environment of the packing machine. This applies all the more to the filling of bulk materials in containers made of, for example, polyethylene films or the like, since the film wall is impermeable to air.

Ensuring the cleanliness of a bottling plant is becoming increasingly important. With the DE 41 00 658 C2 For this reason, a method and a filling machine for filling flowable filling material into valve sacks have become known in which compressed air is blown into the interior of the filling turbine or the filling tube by throttle valves when the weight increase during the filling process falls below a standard value. This procedure avoids the constant addition of air during the filling process so less air is introduced into the bag. Thereby, the waiting time for venting after the end of the filling process can be reduced. The disadvantage of this, however, is that the filling conditions change significantly from one bag to another and even during a filling process, since sometimes air is added and sometimes not. Another disadvantage is that even with such a filling process even at the end of the filling process still a relatively high internal pressure prevail in the valve bag, which can lead to a considerable ejection of bulk material when the bag is removed and the internal pressure when the air escapes abruptly degrades. This can only be prevented by an increased waiting time at the end of the filling process, to provide more time for the pressure reduction from the bag interior. However, this reduces the cost-effectiveness of the system. In addition, however, can not be guaranteed that the inner bag pressure degrades quickly enough.

It is therefore with the EP 1 860 027 B1 a plant and a method for filling of sacks has become known, wherein during the filling process, a measure of the pressure prevailing in the bag internal pressure is measured, and wherein during the filling of the bag a filling parameters such. B. the air supply is controlled in response to the pressure prevailing in the bag internal pressure to accelerate the processing of the bag. This prior art system works satisfactorily and allows rapid filling of bulk materials in valve bags while optimizing the cleanliness of the system. The disadvantage of this, however, is the significantly increased apparatus complexity, since each filler neck must be equipped with a separate pressure sensor to detect a measure of the prevailing in the valve bag pressure level. Particularly in the filling of abrasive materials and building materials such as cement very high demands are placed on the materials used and measuring systems, since they must work reliably 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Since packaging machines are often equipped as rotating packing systems with 8, 12 or 16 filler neck, even a defect of a single filler neck can lead to significant downtime of such a packing machine.

A filling plant according to EP 1 860 027 B1 Therefore, it is mainly used in the filling of particularly lightweight materials such as soot particles or TiO 2 particles or the like, in which a particularly high amount of air is contained. For other applications, the system is too expensive.

Prior to the described prior art, it is therefore the object of the present invention, a packing machine and a method for filling bulk materials in containers available provide, so that a high degree of cleanliness of the system can be guaranteed and in which the equipment cost is lower.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 18. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the general description and the description of the embodiment.

The packing machine according to the invention is used to fill bulk goods in containers and comprises at least one product supply, at least one conveyor, at least one filling nozzle, at least one ventilation device with at least one venting valve and at least one venting nozzle on the product path between the product supply and at least one product outlet. The product outlet is preferably provided on the filler neck. The venting valve is controllably controlled by a control unit, and the control unit and the venting valve are adapted to set the amount of air passing through the venting nozzle and / or the effective amount of air passing in a period of time at the beginning of a filling operation greater than a period of time at the end of the filling operation ,

The packing machine according to the invention has many advantages. A significant advantage of the packing machine according to the invention is that no additional pressure sensor is needed at each filler neck to ensure effective cleanliness of the packing machine. The fact that the control unit sets the amount of air passing through at the beginning of the filling process, as at the end of the filling can be effectively ensured that the pressure prevailing in the container internal pressure is considerably lower than in the prior art, as the total amount of air reduced and especially to the filling end, if As the product fills the container more and more, less air is added. As a result, the discharge of bottled bulk material can be reliably prevented during the removal of the container from the filler neck. Thus, the invention allows a cheap way a particularly reliable packaging machine, in which a particularly high reliability can be achieved by reducing the number of components.

It has surprisingly been found that the total amount of air supplied to a container during a filling process can be considerably reduced if initially a higher quantity of air is adjusted and this is subsequently considerably reduced. A continuously constant amount of air from the beginning of the filling process to the end leads to similar flow properties of the bulk material to be filled to a significantly larger amount of air that enters the container, whereby the internal pressure in the container at the end of the filling is correspondingly higher. This results in greater pollution and / or a significantly longer waiting time at the end of the filling process.

If the amount of air supplied during the entire filling process is reduced, it can happen that some containers can be reliably filled first and that then the filling speed is significantly reduced or no more material is introduced because the material blocks and / or forms bridges.

The ventilation device comprises at least one valve device and at least one ventilation nozzle. The valve device may be connected to the ventilation nozzle via a compressed air connection. The valve device may be provided directly on the ventilation nozzle or also spaced therefrom. For example, the valve device may be arranged in or on a control cabinet, while the ventilation nozzle is arranged on the product path, for example on the conveyor and / or on the filler neck.

An important advantage of the invention is also that the degree of filling of the containers can be improved. The fact that a lower proportion of air enters the container, the volume of the container can be reduced. If, for example, the container is reduced by 5% or only 2% or even only 0.5%, the costs for the containers can be correspondingly reduced. When operating with sixteen fillers and operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the cost of the packaging material can be reduced accordingly. Also, the storage space and the transport volume can be reduced slightly.

An additional advantage is that also the weight accuracy can be improved. Due to the fact that practically no material escapes when the container is removed from the filler neck, not only is the cleanliness increased, but the accuracy is also improved. The weight accuracy is also increased by the improved control of the filling process, since the coarse and fine flow phases are better controlled by the optimized air supply of the filling material and so the weight increase in the fine flow phase can be made smaller. This results in an even more accurate shut-off point with less system-related caster.

Preferably, during at least a part of the filling operations, a characteristic of the course of the filling weight over the filling time is determined and stored in a storage device as historical Data stored. The characteristic of the course of the filling weight over the filling time may include all recorded filling weight data. It is also possible and preferred to derive at least one characteristic value from the course of the filling weight over the filling time and to take it into account in the control of a subsequent filling operation. Then, the addition of air to the course of the filling weight over the filling time of at least one previous filling operation can be adjusted. The amount of air can be reduced if the fill curve shows that too much air has been added. The amount of air can be increased in a subsequent filling process, if it follows from the course of the filling weight over the filling time that too little air was added.

Preferably, the control unit is designed and configured to change the control of the ventilation valve in a subsequent filling operation in dependence on stored historical data.

The control unit is preferably designed and set up to take into account the historical data of several past filling operations. This can be done by forming averages over several fillings.

In all embodiments, it is possible for the amount of air supplied by the at least one ventilation valve to be adjusted via a variation of the ventilation cross-section of the ventilation valve. But it is also possible that the air pressure used is varied to adjust different amounts of air.

Particularly preferably, the ventilation valve is designed as a proportional valve or comprises at least one such proportional valve. The vent valve may be formed as a solenoid valve and then in particular comprises at least one electrical coil and at least one preferably designed as a spring preload unit to bias the vent valve in a preferred position. The preferred position may be, for example, the closed position. The vent valve may include a control cone, a pole tube, and an armature to adjust a corresponding vent area in response to the applied current. Preferably, the ventilation cross section of the ventilation valve is adjustable at least in a plurality of stages. Preferably, the ventilation cross-section is quasi-continuously or continuously adjustable. This allows a particularly accurate control of the passing air flow.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that a characteristic curve of the ventilation valve is stored in the control unit. In this case, the characteristic can also take into account in particular hysteresis effects. This allows a particularly accurate control of the ventilation valve.

The control unit is preferably designed and configured to set the effective ventilation cross section of the ventilation valve via at least one pulse width modulation method. A pulse width modulation method allows simple and effective control of the amount of air passing through the vent valve. In a pulse width modulation method, an interval duration of less than 1 second and in particular less than 100 milliseconds is preferably set.

In particularly preferred embodiments, an interval duration is less than 50 milliseconds and in particular less than 25 milliseconds. In a specific embodiment, 20 milliseconds were set as the interval duration. In a pulse width modulation method, the time portion of an interval duration is set in which the ventilation valve is energized, for example. If, for example, a power supply is applied over a period of 10 milliseconds for an interval duration of 20 milliseconds, the coil is energized for 50% of the entire interval duration.

After an interval has elapsed, each interval repeats until the pulse width is modulated differently.

Preferably, the filling nozzle is associated with a weighing unit to detect a measure of a weight of the associated container.

It is possible that a gross weight is recorded. It is also possible to detect a differential weight, in which, for example, the conveyor is weighed separately and is deduced in the from the weight loss of the product stock on the filled into the container weight. It is also possible that the container is weighed separately, for example, with an associated sack chair and is deduced from the weight determined on the filled in the container weight.

It is particularly preferred that at least one ventilation nozzle is provided on the filling channel between the conveyor and the product outlet of the filling nozzle. It is also preferred that at least one ventilation nozzle is provided on the conveyor. It is possible that only individual Ventilation nozzles are provided controllable in terms of their amount of air. It is also possible and preferred for all or substantially all of the ventilation nozzles to be controllably provided with regard to their air quantity.

In preferred embodiments, a shut-off device is provided in the filling channel. The shut-off device can also be referred to as a metering device, since the shut-off device is provided on a regular basis not only for completely closing or releasing the filling channel, but also for adjusting the coarse flow and the fine flow. In this case, a part of the filling channel is closed to adjust the fine flow with the shut-off device, so that no longer the entire filling cross-section is available. As a result, the conveyor effectively delivers less bulk material through the filling channel into the container. In preferred embodiments, it is also possible to set two or more different coarse flows and two or more different fine flows.

Preferably, at least one ventilation nozzle is provided in front of and / or behind the shut-off device.

In preferred embodiments, the ventilation device or at least one ventilation device comprises an annular body with an inner passage cross-section and at least one ventilation channel at least partially surrounding the passage cross-section. In this case, the ventilation valve preferably comprises at least one annular ventilation channel which at least partially and in particular substantially completely surrounds the inner cross section of the filling channel.

In all embodiments, it is preferable for a filling channel to extend from the conveying device. The filling channel ends at the product outlet of the filling nozzle. The filling channel is thus at least partially formed by the filler neck. In preferred developments, the annular body of the ventilation device forms with its inner passage cross section a portion of the filling channel. Preferably, the annular ventilation channel surrounds the inner cross section of the filling channel. As a result, a particularly effective and uniform air supply of the filling channel is achieved.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that at least two ventilation devices are provided. It is possible that two different ventilation devices are provided on the filling channel. It is also preferable that two ventilation nozzles are provided on the filling channel. The two ventilation nozzles can open separately to the filling channel and / or open into the annular ventilation channel of the annular body.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that the control unit is designed and configured to control the amount of air through the ventilation nozzle in dependence on at least one parameter. The parameter is taken in particular from a group of parameters which the current filling weight of the container, the past filling time, a measured or estimated filling level in the container, the bulk material temperature, the ambient temperature, the bulk moisture, the ambient humidity, the previous service life of the packing machine, the Art of the bulk material to be filled and other measured values of the bulk material to be filled and the environment of the bulk material and the packaging machine.

Such a development enables a particularly effective design. If, for example, the service life of the packing machine is taken into account, an increased amount of air can initially be supplied for a longer service life of, for example, two or more hours until some bags have been filled. The ambient temperature and the bulk material temperature in the product reservoir also have a considerable influence on the flow properties of the bulk material, so that taking these parameters into account leads to a significant improvement in the filling behavior. As a result, the cleanliness of the packing machine and its environment can be increased, since these measures normally allow the amount of air supplied can be reduced.

Depending on the product, the ventilation devices can also be operated differently.

It is possible and preferred that the control unit is designed and arranged to start the ventilation through the ventilation valve before the start of filling. The beginning of the filling is understood here to mean the start of the conveying element and / or the opening of the shut-off device. If, for example, some air is already supplied to the bulk material before opening the shut-off device or z. B. after a standstill, so improve the flow properties of the bulk material to be filled, which subsequently the amount of air supplied can be reduced accordingly. The supply can also only from the conveyor z. B. done as a compressed air pulse.

In all embodiments, it is preferred that the filling process comprises at least one coarse stream and at least one fine stream. In this case, the control device is designed and set up to reduce the effective air volume of the ventilation valve already during the coarse flow or during the fine flow. In particularly preferred embodiments, the effective air quantity of the ventilation valve is reduced during the coarse flow. A filling process comprises at least one Coarse flow and a subsequent fine flow. In the transition from coarse flow to fine flow, for example, the shut-off valve can be partially closed in order to reduce the inlet cross section into the filling channel or a passage cross section in the filling channel. It is also possible that the delivery rate of the conveyor is reduced in order to promote a smaller amount of bulk material.

Preferably, the control unit is adapted and arranged to cause an adjustment of a control profile when the filling time changes by a predetermined amount. For example, if it is found that the filling time has been extended or shortened, the amount of air can be increased or decreased in a corresponding manner, for example, to achieve an adaptation to changing environmental conditions.

In all embodiments, it is possible and preferred that a plurality of ventilation valves are connected in parallel and / or in series.

By a parallel connection of several ventilation valves can be done in a simple manner, a stepwise variation of the amount of air, even if the individual ventilation valves do not allow proportional control of a ventilation cross-section, but only on and off.

The control unit is preferably designed and configured to control a subsequent filling operation as a function of historical data stored in a storage device. The historical data has preferably been recorded during at least one previous fill operation. The historical data may be direct measurements or at least one derived measure. In particular, the dead time or a characteristic number derived therefrom of a preceding filling operation is suitable for controlling. Effective control has also been achieved with measures characterizing the weight increase in the coarse flow and / or the weight increase in the fine flow. Good results were achieved with a figure that characterizes the ratio of the weight increases in coarse and fine flow.

The inventive method is used for filling bulk materials in containers by means of a filling operation on a packaging machine. The bulk materials are removed from at least one product supply of a packaging machine. The packing machine comprises at least one conveying device, at least one filling nozzle, at least one ventilation device with at least one ventilation valve and at least one ventilation nozzle on the product path between the product supply and at least one product outlet. The product outlet is provided in particular at the filler neck. By means of the conveyor bulk material is conveyed through at least one filler in the container. By means of a control unit, the venting valve is controlled so that the amount of air effectively passing through the venting nozzle in a period of time at the beginning of a filling operation is greater than in a period of time at the end of the filling process.

The method according to the invention also has many advantages, since it enables effective and clean filling of bulk goods in containers.

Preferably, the amount of air in the time period at the beginning of a filling operation is at least 50% greater, and in particular at least twice as large as in the time period at the end of the filling process. In particular embodiments, the amount of air at the beginning of a filling process is at least four times as large as at the end of a filling operation. In preferred embodiments, the air is added through the vent valve during the entire filling process, at least as long as the shut-off valve is open. In the calming phase after the shutdown of the conveyor and / or after closing the shut-off device no air is supplied. The air volume can be changed steplessly or continuously. The first period at the beginning does not have to start directly at the beginning of the filling process. The above-defined period of time at the end of the filling process may, but need not, end with the end of the filling. In particularly advantageous embodiments, the filling process comprises at least one coarse stream at the beginning and at least one fine stream at the end of the filling process. At the end of the fine flow, a waiting period may follow to reduce the overpressure present in containers.

In all embodiments, it is possible and preferred that at least one index for a ratio of a weight increase within the coarse flow to an increase in weight within the fine flow is determined. In simple embodiments, the index corresponds to the ratio of the weight gradients in the coarse flow and in the fine flow. It is possible that the weight increase over a certain proportion of time of the coarse flow and over a certain proportion of time of the fine flow is determined. Within the respective time periods, an average or typical slope in the coarse flow and an average or typical slope in the fine flow are preferably determined.

The weight increases in the coarse flow and in the fine flow can be set alone and / or in relation to one another in order to determine a ratio or the characteristic number. The ratio or the key figure is saved. The following Filling operation is preferably controlled in response to the stored data.

In preferred embodiments, the amount of air supplied in the time period at the beginning of the filling process is reduced when the weight increase within the coarse flow in the previous filling falls below a predetermined level. It has been found that with the supply of too much air, the inner bag pressure rises so fast that the material supply is reduced in the container. If too much air is supplied, the volume ratio of product to air in the filling channel also changes unfavorably.

Preferably, the amount of air in the period at the beginning of a subsequent filling operation is increased when the dead time at the beginning of the current filling operation exceeds a predetermined level. The dead time indicates the period of time until a weight increase of the container can be registered after the start of filling. This happens z. B. if the product is poorly ventilated or stale and thus flows poorly.

Furthermore, preferably in a subsequent filling operation, the supplied air quantity in a period of time at the beginning and the amount of air supplied in a period of time adjusted at the end, if the ratio of the weight increases within the coarse flow and within the fine flow in the current filling process falls below a predetermined level. For a concrete cement, a value of four has been found to be suitable. This value may be different for other products. If too much air is supplied, no pronounced coarse flow and no pronounced fine flow interval can be determined in the course of the weight and the addition of air is subsequently reduced.

If the characteristic value exceeds a further predetermined value, it is preferable to increase the amount of air supplied in at least one time interval in order to avoid a blockage. If too little air is supplied, there is a threat of blockage due to bridging, for example.

The conveyor may comprise a Fülltopf and a conveyor turbine. Alternatively, as a conveying member, a pump, a screw or a gravity feed can be used. In all embodiments, at least one ventilation nozzle is provided, in which the amount of air is set more constant and / or even set constant and / or controlled differently. In such a case, a ventilation valve regulates the amount of air and a valve is used for constant basic ventilation.

For another aspect, it is the object of the invention to provide a packing machine and a method which enables improved filling.

This object is achieved by a packaging machine with the features of claim 15 and by a method having the features of claim 25. Preferred developments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages, advantageous features and properties have been previously described.

Such a packaging machine according to the invention is used for filling bulk goods in containers. The packaging machine comprises at least one product supply, at least one delivery device, at least one filler neck, at least one weighing unit, at least one control unit and at least one storage device. The control unit is designed and set up to store at least one characteristic of the course of the filling weight over the filling time in the storage device as historical data during a filling process. The control unit is designed and configured to control a subsequent filling operation as a function of the historical data stored in the storage device.

In particular, the historical data has been stored at least partially during a directly preceding filling process in the storage device. It is also possible for every second or every nth (n = 1, 2, 3...) Filling process to store the characteristic of the course of the filling weight over the filling time in the storage device. The characteristic of the course of the filling weight can comprise all weight data determined. It is also possible that only individual data are stored in the memory device, which are characteristic and in particular representative of the filling process. For example, typical gradients, weight data, dead times and other time intervals or other data derived from the course of the weight can be stored in the memory device.

Preferably, at least one ventilation device is provided. The ventilation device comprises at least one ventilation valve and at least one ventilation nozzle. The venting nozzle is preferably provided on the product path between the product supply and at least one product outlet. Preferably, the ventilation valve is designed to be controllable via a control unit. The control unit and the ventilation valve are in particular adapted and designed to effectively pass through the ventilation nozzle through the amount of air depending on the in the Storage device stored historical data to control.

The control unit is preferably designed and configured to control the conveyor in dependence on the historical data stored in the memory device.

The inventive method according to this aspect of the object is used for filling bulk goods in containers with a packing machine. The packaging machine has at least one product supply, at least one delivery device, at least one filler neck, at least one weighing unit, at least one control unit and at least one storage device. A filling process is controlled by the control unit. The control unit stores characteristic data obtained in the filling operation as historical data in the storage device. A subsequent filling operation is controlled by the control unit in dependence on the historical data stored in the storage device.

Such a packaging machine according to the invention and such a method according to the invention has many advantages. In a simple way, a self-adapting operating conditions adapting packing machine is provided. By determining the data and storage during operation, it is possible to respond quickly even with high and highest performance figures. Even if the fluidity decreases or increases, each reacts reliably. Downtimes can also be taken into account. Also on a material change is automatically reacted.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments, which are explained with reference to the accompanying figures in the following: In the figures:

1 a perspective view of a packing machine according to the invention for filling valve bags;

2 a schematic plan view of the packing machine after 1 ;

3 a highly schematic plan view of the packing machine after 1 ;

4 a highly schematic cross section through a part of the packing machine after 1 ;

5 a highly schematic perspective view of a vent valve;

6 a schematic representation of the weight profile during a filling process; and

7 a schematic representation of a weight course during a subsequent filling process.

In the 1 to 3 is a packing machine 1 pictured, which is used to fill bulk goods in containers 3 serves. At the packing machine 1 Valve bags are filled.

The packing machine 1 is rotatable and has several filling units 40 , The number of filling nozzles 7 can depending on the design of the packing machine 1 and the intended use and the material to be filled vary and here be between about four and sixteen or more. A packing machine according to the invention 1 but can also be used as a fixed single-pipe packing machine or as a row packer with several filling nozzles 7 be executed. All filling nozzles here is a total of a silo or a product supply 4 assigned.

2 shows a plan view and 3 a schematic plan view of the packing machine 1 ,

Every filling unit 40 of the rotatable packing machine 1 takes a slice of cake accordingly. The available space requirement of a segment 45 results from the angle 44 , With 12 filling nozzles this is 30 °. Every filling unit 40 has a filling pot 5 , a filler neck 7 , a sack chair 48 and here each one control unit 12 on. The packing machine 1 Here is a slip-on device 43 with a bag magazine 46 assigned. After attaching the containers 3 filled during continuous rotation. The packing machine 1 is about a motor 47 in the direction of rotation 52 driven. After filling the filled valve bags 3 from a discharge device 41 removed. Every filling unit 40 can be a single closing device 42 be assigned or it is at the discharge device 41 a common closure device 42 provided to additionally weld the bag valves.

4 shows a highly schematic cross section of a part of a packaging machine 1 according to the 1 to 3 , Above the filling pot 5 is the product stock 4 located. The product route 9 is by arrows schematically from the product stock 4 into the valve bag or the container 3 located. The bulk material 2 occurs at the end of the filler neck 7 through the product outlet 11 in the at the filler neck 7 hanging containers 3 out. During the filling process, the container is 3 with the bulk material in it 2 in the gross procedure via a weighing unit 21 weighed.

In the filling pots 5 is here as a conveyor 6 one conveyor turbine each 6 provided that Here also rotates about a substantially horizontal axis, so that the turbine blades of the conveyor turbine 6 that in the respective filling pot 5 provided bulk material in the filling channel 18 transport. In other embodiments, the axis of rotation of the conveyor turbine 6 inclined or vertically aligned. In the filling channel 18 is a shut-off device 22 arranged. The shut-off device 22 is designed here as a metering device and can via the actuating cylinder 22a placed in the shut-off position and in a fully open position for the coarse flow and in a partially open position for the fine flow. Also possible are even more positions to allow multiple coarse flows and / or fine streams.

In the upper area of the filling pot 5 Here is a schematic diagram of a ventilation nozzle 26 drawn, by which a controllable amount of air to the bulk material 2 in the filling pot 5 is supplied. The air nozzle 26 is for control with a vent valve 8th connected. The ventilation valve 8th is via a control unit 12 controlled, in turn, with a storage device 50 connected is.

In the storage device 50 become data during operation 51 stored. Can be stored z. B. Measurement data recorded via various sensors during a filling process. Preferably, at least one characteristic or characteristic value is also stored in the memory device 50 stored. In particular, several key figures are stored, which are characteristic of the filling process.

Particularly suitable are measured values or derived key figures resulting from the course of weight during a filling process. Thus, the dead time determined from the course of the weight at the beginning of a filling process and the characteristic gradients of the course of weight in the coarse stream and in the fine stream are particularly suitable for controlling subsequent filling operations.

In the filling channel 18 are here in front of the shut-off device 22 and then ventilation nozzles 26 arranged, which also has the ventilation valve 8th and the control unit 12 controlled to receive air supplied. It is also possible that each separate ventilation valves 8th are provided. The ventilation valve (s) 8th can directly on the ventilation nozzle 26 be arranged. But it is also possible a central arrangement for each filling unit z. B. on the control unit associated with a filling unit. The ventilation nozzle 26 is then via a line with the vent valve 8th connected. Time delays due to the volume of the line can be neglected.

Every filling pot 5 or each filler neck 7 is a ventilation device 20 assigned. Every ventilation device 20 has at least one ventilation valve 8th , in each case at least one ventilation nozzle 26 assigned. The control of the ventilation valve 8th via a control unit 12 which can also control the filling process. In the control unit 12 is a characteristic 19 for the connected ventilation valves 8th deposited to allow proportional control. The from the weighing unit 21 detected weight data are stored in the memory device 50 stored. All measurement data and / or the key figures derived from it 31 be in the storage device 50 saved. The measured data are evaluated with regard to the course of the filling weight in order to be able to adapt in particular the following filling process to the knowledge gained. Optionally, the control of the current filling process, for example, with respect to the waiting time at the end of the filling process is adjusted.

In addition to the shut-off device 22 guides the ventilation nozzle 26 via an annular ventilation channel 25 (see. 4 ) Air the bulk material 2 to.

The at the filler neck 7 hanging containers 3 is through the product outlet 11 at the end of the filler neck 7 filled. In the middle area of the filling channel 18 is on the filler neck 7 a sack tester 49 provided, which tests the presence of a bag before the start of filling.

5 shows a schematic perspective view of a ventilation device 20 that one from the control unit 12 controlled ventilation valve 8th , an annular body 23 with a ventilation duct 25 and a ventilation nozzle 26 includes. The annular body 23 has a passage cross-section 24 on, at the inner cross section of the filling channel 18 is adjusted. The passage cross section 24 is from the ventilation duct 25 surround. Over the entire circumference of the annular ventilation duct 25 Air becomes the bulk material 2 fed. As a result, in particular, the wall friction is reduced.

6 and 7 show two successive filling operations 15a and 15b for the respective filling of cement as bulk material 2 , In each case, the filling weight 36a . 36b applied over the filling time.

In both cases, the internal pressure is punctured 37a . 37b in the container 3 with applied, although the internal pressure is not regular with the packing machine 1 is recorded or must be recorded. The pressure curves 37a and 37b serve here to explain the principle and show that a control based solely on the weight curves 36a . 36b possible and in the course of the filling operations leads to excellent results. A pressure-dependent control during a filling process is not necessary. A pressure sensor on each filler neck is not required and can be saved.

First is in 6 a non-optimal filling process 15a pictured here, which has a deliberately unfavorable filling curve to explain the principle.

At the beginning of the filling process 15a becomes the conveyor turbine 6 operated at the intended operating speed. At the same time the shut-off device 22 over the actuating cylinder 22a in the position for the coarse flow 27a brought in here the complete filling channel 18 is released. At the end of the coarse flow 27a becomes the shut-off device 22a in the position for the fine flow 28a brought in, for example, half of the filling channel 18 is closed. The time for switching from the coarse flow 27a on the fine flow 28a can be, for example, by the weight filled, for example, at 70%, 80% or 90% of the intended target weight.

Additionally marked is the air volume 13a that stays here continuously for a full time period 14a at the beginning of the filling process 15a is added. After the end of the period 14a is for the period 16a at the end of the filling process 15a a reduced amount of air 17a fed continuously.

As can be seen from the relatively small dead time 34a at the beginning of the filling process, the amount of air supplied is sufficient 13a at the beginning of the filling process 15a in any case to a sufficient fluidization of the bulk material 2 out. The dead time 34a Specifies the time span until a weight increase of the container 3 can be registered.

At the in 6 illustrated curve of the filling weight 36a over time is the amount of air supplied 13a here in the period 14a too big, so the increase in the filling weight 36a during the coarse flow 27a is relatively low. That's because there's too much air in the container 3 has arrived so that the conveyor turbine 6 against the filling pressure in the container 3 work on and in the filling channel 18 too little material is promoted. That's why the average weight gradient 32a in the coarse flow 27a or characteristic weight increase 32a in the coarse flow 27a relatively low, which increases the filling time. In addition, the example here increases with drawn internal pressure 37a in the container 3 strong and remains at a high level.

At the end of the period 14a is the amount of air supplied 13a reduces, so that a quantity of air 17a in the time period 16a is supplied. The reduction of the amount of air 13a on 17a but is relatively low, so continue to be a significant proportion of air in the container 3 is introduced. This causes the slope of the filled filling weight to increase 36a over time in fine flow 28a does not change significantly. A difference in gradient gradients 32a and 33a is not clear. That means the ratio of the weight slope 32a in the coarse flow 27a and the weight gradient 33a in fine flow 28a is relatively small.

Also in fine flow 28a the internal pressure measured here by way of example remains 37a at a high level and decreases relatively little. At the end of the fine flow 28a there is still a considerable internal bag pressure 37a before, leaving a considerable wait after the end of the time period 16a must be provided until the container can be removed. Also at the normally scheduled acceptance time 10a is still a relatively high internal pressure 37a before, which still causes pollution to the environment of the packing machine 1 could lead. Therefore, when measuring a weight history 36a as he is in 6 is shown, the waiting time after the end of the fine flow 28a until a sack 3 is removed, still dynamically enlarged, to avoid contamination of the environment safely. Here is the sack 3 only at the time 10a ' instead of the time 10a decreased. The waiting time until the acceptance is z. B. increased by a certain percentage when a in 6 illustrated weight curve 36a is determined.

The course of the filling weight 36a over time is already during the filling process 15a or even further evaluated afterwards. In particular, the dead time 34a and other characteristic slope values for the weight gradient 32a in coarse flow and the weight gradient 33a in fine flow from the determined course of the filling weight 36a as key figures 31 derived. At least these are the key figures 31 ( 34a . 23a . 33a ) as data 51 in the storage device 50 stored. It is also possible to store all measurement data or a part of it.

That in the case of the filling process 15a low ratio of slopes 32a to 33a Here is a clear sign that too much air was added to fill the cement. An ideal curve depends on the bulk material to be filled.

Because the ratio of the slopes 32a to 33a smaller than desired, will be used for the following filling process 15b a modified control profile 29b intended. In any case, one of the air quantities 13b . 17b changed to optimize the filling curve. Here is the time duration for the first time interval 14b reduced and the second time interval 16b customized. Furthermore, here are both amounts of air 13b and 17b reduced. In particular, the ratio of the amount of air 13b to the amount of air 17b considerably enlarged. The total amount of air supplied (area below the air volume curve) is thereby significantly reduced.

7 shows a representation of the filling process 15b over time, as well as the fill weight 36b is applied over time. Again, for information purposes, the internal pressure 37b in the container 3 with applied. The knowledge of the internal pressure is used to control the amount of air 13b . 17b but not necessary.

It is clear that the weight gradient 32b in the coarse flow 27b is significantly stronger than the weight gradient 33b in fine flow 28b , The area of the coarse flow 27b and the range of fine flow 28b are visually distinct. Due to the shallower gradient in fine flow 28b also the weight accuracy is improved. Furthermore, the entire filling time 30b considerably less than the filling time 30a during the filling process 15a according to 6 ,

It is essential, above all, that at the time of acceptance 10b already a very low internal pressure 37b prevails in the container, so pollution of the environment is significantly reduced. At the same time, however, the filling time 30b not enlarged, but may be compared to the filling time 30a be significantly reduced.

This is due to various factors. The amount of air 13b in the time period 14b at the beginning of the filling process 15b is opposite to the amount of air 13a out 6 slightly reduced. In addition, the length of the time interval 14b significantly reduced, so that within the time interval 14b added total amount of air is considerably smaller than that within the time interval 14a Total added amount of air in the filling process 15a to 6 , Furthermore, in the in 7 illustrated filling process 15b the amount of air 13b in the time period 16b at the end of the filling process 15b considerably more reduced than in the filling process 15a according to 6 , In the filling process 15b is the amount of air 17b to a third or a quarter of the amount of air 13b in the time period 14b set. The transition from the amount of air 13b on the amount of air 17b can also be done continuously. By these measures much less air is introduced into the bag than in the filling process 15a according to 6 , This leads to a considerably flatter pressure curve of the internal pressure 37b in the container 3 , In the filling process 15b is even at the end of the fine flow 28b the internal pressure 37b in the container 3 less than the scheduled acceptance date 10a during the filling process 15a to 6 , This leads to a shorter waiting time at the time of acceptance 10b the internal pressure 37b has dropped further. At the time of acceptance 10b can be the discharge of bulk material 2 from the inside of the container 3 safely prevented to the outside.

This can improve the cleanliness of the packing machine 1 and their environment are significantly increased. A use of pressure sensors is not necessary because of the weight profile of the filling weight 36a . 36b can be deduced over time to the existing internal pressure, without having to measure the internal pressures this.

In the 6 and 7 illustrated courses of the internal pressures 37a . 37b therefore serve the illustration. The pressure sensors are not necessary part of the packing machine 1 ,

It has been found that a ratio of weight gain 32 in the coarse flow 27 to the weight increase 33 in fine flow 28 of more than three and in particular more than four leads to advantageous filling operations. Therefore, depending on the actual weight gradients 36a . 36b the air volumes 13 . 17 and optionally the durations of the respective intervals 14 . 16 adapted to receive subsequently better adapted fill curves. When adjusting not only the directly preceding each filling process can be considered, but it can also be several previous filling operations z. B. be considered equal or differently weighted.

Overall, the cleanliness of the system can be greatly increased. At the same time even the filling time can be reduced.

Another advantage is that even under unfavorable starting conditions or even ambient conditions, it is automatically possible to react to the changing bulk material conditions and to the changing flow behavior and to react. Has the packing machine 1 or one of the filler neck 7 For example, stood for several hours or days until a further filling takes place, and are, for example, low outside temperatures, so by the addition of more air at the beginning of a filling, the flow behavior of this filler neck 7 improved. After filling a few containers 3 The addition of air is automatically reduced as the fill weight is automatically adjusted over time.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

packing machine

2

bulk goods

3

container

4

Product supply, silo

5

Fülltopf

6

conveyor turbine

7

filling

8th

vent valve

9

product path

10a, 10b

Time of collection

11

product output

12

control unit

13a, 13b

air flow

14a, 14b

period

15a, 15b

filling

16a, 16b

period

17a, 17b

air flow

18

filling channel

19

curve

20

aerator

21

weighing unit

22

shut-off

22a

actuating cylinder

23

body

24

Passage cross-section

25

ventilation duct

26

ventilation nozzle

27a, 27b

coarse flow

28a, 28b

fine flow

29a, 29b

control profile

30a, 30b

filling

31

Ratio, ratio

32a, 32b

weight slope

33a, 33b

weight slope

34a, 34b

dead

36a, 36b

Filling

37a, 37b

internal pressure

40

filling unit

41

discharging device

42

closing

43

Aufsteckeinrichtung

44

angle

45

segment

46

bag magazine

47

drive

48

bag chair

49

sack tester

50

memory device

51

dates

52

direction of rotation

60

Conveyor

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 4100658 C2 [0005]
• EP 1860027 B1 [0006, 0008]

Claims (25)

Packing machine ( 1 ) for filling bulk goods ( 2 ) in containers ( 3 ), with at least one product stock ( 4 ), at least one conveyor ( 60 ), at least one filler neck ( 7 ), at least one ventilation device ( 20 ) with at least one ventilation valve ( 8th ) and at least one ventilation nozzle ( 26 ) on the product route ( 9 ) between the product stock ( 4 ) and at least one product outlet ( 11 ), characterized in that the ventilation valve ( 8th ) via a control unit ( 12 ) is controllable and that the control unit ( 12 ) and the ventilation valve ( 8th ) are designed and constructed to effectively pass through the venting nozzle ( 26 ) passing amount of air ( 13 ) in a period of time ( 14 ) at the beginning of a filling process ( 15 ) greater than in a period of time ( 16 ) at the end of the filling process ( 15 ). Packing machine ( 1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one characteristic of the course of the filling weight ( 36 ) over the fill time in a memory device ( 50 ) as historical data ( 51 ) and the control unit ( 12 ) is designed and set up to control the ventilation valve ( 8th ) in a subsequent filling operation depending on the historical data ( 51 ) to change. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to claim 2 and / or 4, wherein the ventilation valve ( 8th ) is designed as a proportional valve and / or wherein a ventilation cross-section of the ventilation valve ( 8th ) is adjustable in a plurality of stages. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a characteristic curve ( 19 ) of the ventilation valve ( 8th ) in the control unit ( 12 ) is deposited. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit ( 12 ) is adapted and designed to provide the effective ventilation cross section of the ventilation valve ( 8th ) via at least one pulse width modulation method. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filler neck ( 7 ) a weighing unit ( 21 ) is assigned to a measure of a weight of the associated container ( 3 ) capture. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation nozzle ( 8th ) at the filling channel ( 18 ) between the conveyor ( 60 ) and the product output ( 11 ) of the filler neck ( 7 ) is provided. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation nozzle ( 8th ) an annular body ( 23 ) with an internal passage cross-section ( 24 ) and at least one of the passage cross-section ( 24 ) at least partially surrounding ventilation duct ( 25 ) having. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two ventilation devices ( 20 ) are provided and / or at least one ventilation device ( 20 ) with at least two ventilation nozzles ( 8th ) is provided. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit ( 12 ) is designed and constructed to control the amount of air ( 13 ) through the ventilation valve ( 8th ) depending on at least one parameter, which parameter is taken from a group of parameters which determine the filling weight ( 36 ), the past filling time, a measured or estimated filling level in the container, the bulk material temperature, the ambient temperature, the bulk moisture content, the ambient humidity, the previous service life of the packaging machine, the type of bulk material to be filled ( 2 ) and other measured values of the bulk material to be filled ( 2 ) and historical data ( 51 ) comprises at least one past filling operation. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit ( 12 ) is designed and set up to start the ventilation before filling. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling process comprises at least one coarse flow ( 27 ) and at least one fine flow ( 28 ) and wherein the control unit ( 12 ) is designed and set up to monitor the effective air volume ( 13 ) of the ventilation valve ( 8th ) during the coarse flow ( 27 ) and / or during the fine flow ( 28 ) to reduce. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit ( 12 ) is designed and set up to adapt a control profile ( 29 ) for a subsequent filling, when the filling time ( 30 ) of a previous filling operation changed by a predetermined amount. Packing machine ( 30 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which a plurality of ventilation valves ( 8th ) are connected in parallel and / or in series. Packing machine ( 1 ) for filling bulk goods ( 2 ) in containers ( 3 ), with at least one product stock ( 4 ), at least one conveyor ( 60 ), at least one filler neck ( 7 ), at least one weighing unit, at least one control unit ( 12 ) and at least one memory device ( 50 ), where the Control unit ( 12 ) is designed and set up, during a filling process, at least one characteristic of the course of the filling weight ( 36 ) over the fill time in the memory device ( 50 ) as historical data ( 51 ), characterized in that the control unit ( 12 ) is designed and set up, a subsequent filling process depending on the historical data ( 51 ) to control. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one ventilation device ( 20 ) with at least one ventilation valve ( 8th ) and at least one ventilation nozzle ( 26 ) on the product route ( 9 ) between the product stock ( 4 ) and at least one product outlet ( 11 ) and wherein the ventilation valve ( 8th ) via a control unit ( 12 ) is controllable and wherein the control unit ( 12 ) and the ventilation valve ( 8th ) are designed and constructed to effectively pass through the venting nozzle ( 26 ) passing amount of air ( 13 ) depending on the historical data ( 51 ) to control. Packing machine ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding two claims, wherein the control unit ( 12 ) is designed and constructed to support the conveyor ( 60 ) depending on the historical data ( 51 ) to control. Method for filling bulk goods ( 2 ) in containers ( 3 ) with a filling process ( 15 ) on a packing machine ( 1 ), the at least one product stock ( 4 ), at least one conveyor ( 60 ), at least one filler neck ( 7 ), at least one ventilation device ( 20 ) with at least one ventilation valve ( 8th ) and at least one ventilation nozzle ( 26 ) on the product route ( 9 ) between the product stock ( 4 ) and at least one product outlet ( 11 ), characterized in that a control unit ( 12 ) the ventilation valve ( 8th ), so that they are effectively controlled by the ventilation nozzle ( 8th ) passing amount of air ( 13 ) in a period of time ( 14 ) at the beginning of a filling process ( 15 ) is greater than in a period of time ( 16 ) at the end of the filling process ( 15 ) Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the amount of air ( 13 ) in the period ( 14 ) at the beginning of a filling process ( 15 ) is at least 50% larger and in particular at least twice as large as in the period ( 16 ) at the end of the filling process ( 15 ). Method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the filling process ( 15 ) at least one coarse flow ( 27 ) at the beginning and at least one fine flow ( 28 ) at the end of the filling process ( 15 ). Method according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein a key figure ( 31 ) for a ratio of a weight gradient ( 32 ) within the coarse flow ( 27 ) to a weight gradient ( 33 ) within the fine flow ( 28 ) is determined. Method according to one of the four preceding claims, wherein a dead time ( 34 ) is determined at the beginning of a filling process. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the amount of air ( 13 ) of a subsequent filling process ( 15 ) in at least one period of time ( 14 . 16 ) is increased if, during at least one previous filling operation, the code ( 31 ) has fallen below a predetermined level and / or if the dead time ( 34 ) has exceeded a predetermined period of time. Method according to one of the six preceding claims, wherein the control unit ( 12 ) the ventilation valve ( 8th ) in response to at least one previous filling operation. Method for filling bulk goods ( 2 ) in containers ( 3 ) with a filling process ( 15 ) on a packing machine ( 1 ), the packing machine ( 1 ) at least one product stock ( 4 ), at least one conveyor ( 60 ), at least one filler neck ( 7 ), at least one weighing unit ( 21 ), at least one control unit ( 12 ) and at least one memory device ( 50 ), characterized in that the control unit ( 12 ) in the filling process ( 15a ) determined characteristic data as historical data ( 51 ) in the storage device ( 50 ) and a subsequent filling process ( 15b ) depending on the historical data ( 51 ) controls.

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