DE102022122803A1 - Device for distributing fluid into containers, system comprising the device and method for adjusting the device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for distributing fluid into containers (34), comprising a stator (1), a rotor (7) and a fluid limiting element (27), the stator (1) extending along an axis (38) and at least has a fluid line (26), the rotor (7) being rotatably mounted about the axis (38) and about the fluid limiting element (27) and having at least one chamber (25) with at least one wall (24), the wall (24 ) extends in the circumferential direction around the axis (38) and has a plurality of fluid outlet openings (28) for distributing fluid into a container (34), the fluid line (26) being designed to supply fluid into the chamber (25) and the fluid limiting element (27) is arranged in the chamber (25), the fluid outlet openings (28) being fluidly connected to the chamber (25) within an output region (20) which extends partially around the axis (38) in the circumferential direction and the Fluid outlet openings (28) outside the output region (20) in a boundary region (21) are at least partially covered by the fluid limiting element (27), the fluid limiting element (27) being used to adjust an extension length of the output region (20) in the circumferential direction around the axis (38). is trained. The invention thus provides a device (30) for distributing fluid into containers (34), which can be adjusted without great effort and without changing the throughput rate.

Description

The invention relates to a device for distributing fluid into containers, a system comprising the device and a method for adjusting the device.

To distribute fluid in containers, the containers can be moved through a fluid distribution device by means of one or more rotating transport stars. For this purpose, the containers are held on one circumference of the transport star. As the device passes through, fluid is introduced into the containers.

Out of DE 10 2007 041 685 A1 Generic devices are known in which liquid or gas is distributed from a non-rotating tank via a rotary distributor to a plurality of filling lines arranged on a rotor to a plurality of outlets distributed around the circumference of the rotating star. The liquids can e.g. B. be liquid or gaseous sterilizing agents. A fixed valve body covers the entrances to the filling lines at a certain angle. Fluid can therefore only flow into the filling lines through the inlets that are arranged outside this angular range. Due to the rotation of the filling lines around the rotary distributor, the inputs pass through the specific angular range with each rotation and are closed in this angular range and only opened outside this angular range. The duration for which the liquids or gases flow into the containers can be adjusted by the rotation speed of the star and/or by the flow rate of the liquid or gas. If the container properties change, e.g. B. the size, geometry, material or other properties, the rotation speed and/or the flow rate must therefore be adjusted. Changing the rotation speed changes the container throughput rate of the device. Changing the flow rate is relatively complex.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for distributing fluid into containers, which can be adjusted without great effort and in particular without changing the rotation speed and/or the flow rate.

This task is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

The device according to the invention for distributing fluid into containers comprises a stator, a rotor and a fluid limiting element, the stator extending along an axis and having at least one fluid line, the rotor being rotatably mounted about the axis and about the fluid limiting element and at least one chamber with at least one wall, the wall extending circumferentially about the axis and having a plurality of fluid outlet openings for distributing fluid into a container, the fluid line being designed to supply fluid into the chamber and the fluid limiting element being arranged in the chamber , wherein the fluid outlet openings are fluidly connected to the chamber within an output region that extends partially around the axis in the circumferential direction, and the fluid outlet openings outside the output region are at least partially covered by the fluid limiting element in a boundary region. The device according to the invention is characterized in that the fluid limiting element is designed to adjust an extension length of the output region in the circumferential direction around the axis.

The invention thus provides an adjustable fluid limiting element. The extension length of the output area can thus be adjusted. i.e. the limiting region, which represents the angular range in which the fluid outlet openings are covered by the fluid limiting element, is designed to be variable. Fluid flows through the fluid line into the chamber and only in the exit area from the chamber into the fluid outlet openings. The fluid outlet openings can be connected to lines rotating around the axis, which can lead the fluid to the containers. For this purpose, the wall can have a connector on the outside of the fluid outlet openings for connecting the lines. The larger the output area, the longer fluid can flow through the fluid outlet openings at a constant rotational speed before the fluid limiting element covers the fluid outlet openings again. Conversely, if the output area is reduced by means of the fluid limiting element, the duration in which fluid flows through the fluid outlet openings can be shortened. The rotor and thus the wall, which can be part of the rotor, rotates with the fluid outlet openings around the axis and around the fluid limiting element, wherein the fluid limiting element can preferably be arranged on the wall at a radial distance from the axis. The fluid limiting element does not rotate with the rotor or the wall and can be arranged stationary with respect to the stator. When the rotor rotates about the axis, the fluid outlet openings, which are arranged on the wall of the chamber in the rotor, repeatedly move past the fluid limiting element and are alternately in the limiting region and out during the rotation of the rotor arranged in the aisle area. This means that the fluid outlet openings are alternately covered by the fluid limiting element and exposed again as the rotor rotates. When a fluid outlet opening is covered by the fluid restriction element, no or almost no fluid flows from the chamber through that fluid outlet opening. The covering of the fluid outlet opening by the fluid limiting element does not necessarily have to be designed to be sealing. Compared to the exit area, the flow rate of fluid through the fluid outlet openings is reduced. Once this fluid outlet opening has been moved past the fluid limiting element, it is exposed again so that fluid can flow from the chamber through the fluid outlet opening. This provides a device for distributing fluid into containers, which can be adjusted by means of the adjustable fluid limiting element without much effort and in particular without changing the rotational speed and/or the flow rate.

Preferably, the device can be a rotary distributor for preferably gaseous or vaporous sterilization media, e.g. B. H2O2, or container fillings, e.g. B. liquid food or drinks.

In one embodiment, the wall can be circular in a sectional plane perpendicular to the axis. The rotor can, for example, have a sleeve that can be rotatably mounted on the stator. The sleeve can include the wall. The bearing of the rotor can be arranged on the outside or inside of the stator.

According to one embodiment, the fluid limiting element can be designed to be telescopic. The fluid limiting element can be telescopic in particular in the circumferential direction around the axis. This means that the extension length of the boundary area or the exit area can be changed by the telescopic function of the fluid limitation element.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the fluid limiting element can have a position-fixed part and at least one part that is movable in the circumferential direction about the axis relative to the position-fixed part.

Both parts can preferably be curved around the axis and rest against the wall. Furthermore, both parts can z. B. be made of a plastic or a metal. A movement of the movable part with respect to the fixed part can produce a telescopic movement of the fluid limiting element.

Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, the rotor can have a guide for the movable part. The guide may be provided by the wall or by a rail in another wall extending transversely to the axis. Furthermore, the guide can be designed, for example, as a groove in which a spring section of the movable part is movably mounted along the groove. The groove can extend parallel to a section of the wall and z. B. be formed at the bottom of the chamber.

Furthermore, the movable part can be slidably mounted, for example, on the fixed-position part. The fixed-position part can therefore alternatively or additionally function as a guide for the movable part. When the movable part moves in the circumferential direction around the axis, the movable part can slide along the fixed part.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the fluid limiting element can be firmly connected to the stator. The fluid limiting element in this exemplary embodiment is therefore arranged in a fixed position with respect to the stator. An additional fastening of the fluid limiting element is therefore not necessary.

Furthermore, the device can, for example, have an adjusting device for the fluid limiting element. With the adjusting device, the fluid limiting element can z. B. can be adjusted from outside the device.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the adjusting device can extend through the fluid line to the fluid limiting element. An additional opening on the device in order to connect the adjusting device to the fluid limiting element is therefore not required. The opening can, for example, be arranged at a position spaced from the device. Part of the adjusting device can be arranged in the chamber.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the adjusting device can have a pinion rod that engages with teeth on the fluid limiting element. The movable part may have teeth, which are preferably arranged on a uniaxially concavely curved inner surface which extends parallel to a part of the wall. The adjusting device can have a pinion rod, which can be arranged, for example, parallel but offset to the axis.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the adjusting device can have a drive for driving the Have adjusting device, which can be arranged, for example, above the stator.

Furthermore, the fluid outlet openings can be arranged distributed around the axis, for example. The distance between two fluid outlet openings in the circumferential direction can, for example, be the same for all fluid outlet openings. Furthermore, the fluid outlet openings can z. B. be arranged in one or more levels evenly distributed around the axis.

It is conceivable that the output area can be adjustable by means of the fluid limiting element in an angular range of 10° to 350°, preferably 45° to 315°, more preferably 90° to 180°.

The invention further relates to a system or a system part for treating containers with a fluid, comprising at least one device according to the previous description and at least one housing that surrounds an interior, the fluid line extending from the outside through the housing into the interior and the Rotor is arranged in the interior.

Advantages and effects as well as further developments of the system result from the advantages and effects and further developments of the device described above. In order to avoid repetition, reference is therefore made to the previous description in this regard.

Treating with fluid can be, for example, applying sterilization medium in order to sterilize the containers or the interior of the containers.

Furthermore, the stator can be attached, for example, hanging from the ceiling above the housing. The system or a part of the system can be, for example, a sterilizer, wherein the sterilizer can preferably be designed as a rotary machine.

It is conceivable that the fluid outlet openings can each be fluidly connected, for example via a line arranged outside the rotor, to at least one pressurization device for introducing the fluid into a container.

The loading devices can be arranged distributed around the circumference of a wheel on which the containers are transported through at least part of the system.

The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the device according to the previous description, wherein the fluid limiting element is adjusted to a desired extension length in the circumferential direction around the axis.

Advantages and effects as well as further developments of the method result from the advantages and effects and further developments of the device described above. In this regard, reference is therefore made to the previous description.

According to one embodiment, the fluid limiting element can have at least one position-fixed part and a part movable relative to the position-fixed part in the circumferential direction about the axis, the desired extension length being adjusted in the circumferential direction by means of a movement of the movable part of the fluid limiting element relative to the position-fixed part of the fluid limiting element.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Anlage zum Behandeln von Behältern mit einem Fluid;
• 2a-c eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zum Verteilen von Fluid in Behälter;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines positionsfesten Teils eines Fluidbegrenzungselements;
• 4a, b eine schematische Darstellung eines beweglichen Teils eines Fluidbegrenzungselements; und
• 5a, b eine schematische Darstellung der Kammer mit verschiedenen Einstellungen des Fluidbegrenzungselements.

The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment using the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a system for treating containers with a fluid;
• 2a -c a schematic representation of a device for distributing fluid into containers;
• 3 a schematic representation of a position-fixed part of a fluid limiting element;
• 4a , b a schematic representation of a movable part of a fluid limiting element; and
• 5a , b a schematic representation of the chamber with different settings of the fluid limiting element.

The device for distributing fluid into containers is hereinafter denoted in its entirety by reference number 30, as in 1 shown.

In this exemplary embodiment, the device 30 is designed as a rotary distributor of a system 50 for treating containers 34. The system 50 is preferably a sterilizer for containers, the fluid being a sterilant. However, this does not exclude the possibility that the system could be used for other fluids, e.g. B. liquids to be filled into the container, in particular drinks, can be formed.

The device 30 has a stator 1 and a rotor 7. The rotor 7 is mounted on the stator 1 so that it can rotate about an axis of rotation 38.

The stator 1 has a fluid line 26, wherein the stator 1 can be designed as a tube through which the fluid line 26 extends. The fluid line 26 can extend through a housing 33 of the system 50 or a part of the system into an interior 40 of the housing 33.

The rotor 7 has a wall 24 which extends in the circumferential direction around the axis 38. The wall 24 also has a large number of connectors 12 on the outside. Each nozzle 12 can be connected to a line 35, which connects the nozzle 12 to an admission device 39 in a fluid-communicating manner. The system 50 can have a corresponding pressurization device 39 for each nozzle 12. The loading devices 39 can be arranged on the circumference of a transport star 36, which is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 37. Furthermore, the loading devices 39 can be designed to hold containers 34 and to introduce fluid into the containers 34. The fluid can be passed through the nozzle 12 into the pressurization devices 39.

A chamber 25 is arranged in the rotor 7 and is delimited by the wall 24 in the radial direction with respect to the axis 38. In the axial direction with respect to the axis 38, the chamber 25 can be delimited by a bottom disk 8. The bottom disk 8 can be firmly connected to the rotor 7. A first seal 9 and a second seal 10 can be arranged between the base disk 8 and the rotor 7. The fluid line 26 can open into the chamber 25, so that the fluid line 26 is designed to supply fluid into the chamber 25.

The wall 24 further has a plurality of fluid outlet openings 28, which connect the chamber 25 to the nozzle 12 in fluid communication. Fluid from the chamber 25 can thus flow through the fluid outlet openings 28 and the connectors 12 into the lines 35.

A fluid limiting element 27, which does not rotate with the rotor 7, is also arranged in the chamber 25. The fluid outlet openings 28 are therefore moved past the fluid limiting element 27 when the rotor 7 rotates. The fluid limiting element 27 can be arranged coaxially to the axis 38 in a limiting region which represents an angular range about the axis 38, with fluid outlet openings 28 passing through the limiting region being covered by the fluid limiting element 27. Outside the fluid limiting element 27, in the exit area, the fluid outlet openings 28 are exposed. In the exit area, more fluid can flow from the chamber 25 through the fluid outlet openings 28 than in the boundary area.

In the 2a to 2c the exemplary embodiment of the device 30 is shown.

2a shows a view of the outside of the device 30. To attach the stator 1 to the housing 33, the stator 1 can, for example, have a clamping ring 2 and connecting elements 3 on the housing 33. Arrow 22 marks the outside of the housing 33 and arrow 23 marks the side pointing into the interior of the housing 33. According to this example, the clamping ring 2 can be mounted on the outside of the housing 33 and carry the device 30.

On the inside, a third seal 4 can seal the opening through which the stator 1 extends into the housing 33.

Within the housing 33, the rotor 7 can be mounted on the outside of the stator 1. The rotor 7 can be connected to the transport star 36, for example, via a torque connection 11. A rotation of the transport star 36 then causes the rotor 7 to rotate around the stator 1.

In this exemplary embodiment, the fluid outlet openings 12 are arranged one above the other in two planes and are regularly distributed around the axis 38 in the corresponding plane in the circumferential direction.

2 B shows a sectional view through the device 30. Between the stator 1 and the rotor 7, a plain bearing 5 can be arranged, on which the rotor 7 is rotatably mounted on the stator 1. Instead of a plain bearing 5, another type of storage can also be provided.

The stator 1 can have at least one projection 6 in the radial direction, on which the rotor 7 or the bearing 5 can be supported in the axial direction.

This illustration shows the output area 20, in which there is a fluid-communicating connection between the fluid line 26, the chamber 25 and the fluid outlet openings 28.

In 2c a further sectional view through the device 30 is shown. The device 30 is shown rotated by approximately 180 ° about the axis 38.

In this illustration, the limiting area 21 is visible, in which the fluid limiting element 27 blocks the fluid outlet openings 28 from the chamber mer 25 outgoing hidden. A fluid flow through the covered fluid outlet openings 28 is less than in the exit area and can also be completely blocked.

The fluid limiting element 27 is designed to adjust the extension length of the limiting region 21 or the output region 20 in the circumferential direction about the axis 38. For this purpose, the fluid limiting element 27 can have a variable length in the circumferential direction around the axis 38.

The length of the fluid limiting element 27 in the circumferential direction can be adjusted by an adjusting device 14. For this purpose, the fluid limiting element 27 can be designed to be telescopic, with the fluid limiting element 27 z. B. can have a positionally fixed part 16 and at least one movable part 17. The fluid limiting element 27 can be arranged on the wall 24.

The movable part 17 can be moved relative to the fixed part 16. The adjusting device 14 can have a pinion rod 15 in order to move the movable part 17 relative to the fixed part 16 along the wall 24 in the circumferential direction. For this purpose, the movable part 17 can have a surface facing the pinion rod 15 with a toothing 19, with a pinion of the pinion rod 15 engaging in the toothing 19. This allows the extension length of the fluid limiting element 27 to be changed in the circumferential direction.

The adjusting device 14 can z. B. be attached to the stator 1 and does not rotate with the rotor 7. The pinion rod 15 can extend through the fluid line 26 and is not attached to the rotor 7. A drive of the adjusting device 14 can be arranged above the stator 1.

The bottom disk 8 may have a guide 29 with a groove to guide the movable part 17 during adjustment. A spring 28 arranged on the movable part 17 can be connected to the groove and slide along the groove.

In 3 the position-fixed part 16 of the fluid limiting element 27 is shown in more detail. The position-fixed part 16 can have a base 41 with an opening 42. The opening 42 can accommodate a connecting element in order to mount the position-fixed part 16 on the stator 1.

A first curved wall 31 may extend from the base 41 and may be applied to the inside of the wall 24 via the fluid outlet openings 28. The curved wall 31 may have an inner surface 43. The movable part 17 can slide along the inner surface 43.

In the 4a and 4b the movable part 17 is shown in more detail. The movable part 17 can have a second curved wall 32 with a receptacle 44. The receptacle 44 can be designed to fit the first curved wall 31 in order to accommodate the first curved wall 44. Furthermore, the receptacle 44 can be arranged on a convexly curved side of the second curved wall 32, as in 4a is shown.

According to 4b The toothing 19 can be arranged on the opposite concavely curved side of the second curved wall 32. Since the pinion of the pinion rod 15 engages in the toothing 19, the movable part 17 can be displaced by rotating the pinion rod 15, the movement being able to be guided via the spring 28 in the groove of the guide 29.

In the 5a and 5b Various settings of the fluid limiting element 27 are shown.

According to 5a the movable part 17 of the fluid limiting element 27 is almost retracted, so that the fluid limiting element 27 has almost a minimum extension length in the circumferential direction. In this illustration, the limiting region 21 extends in an angular range of approximately 90° around the axis 38. As soon as the fluid outlet openings 28 are moved into the limiting region 21 by the rotation of the rotor 7, they are covered by the fluid limiting element 27.

The exit region 20 in this illustration extends over an angle of approximately 270° about the axis 38. When the fluid outlet openings 28 are moved through the exit region 20 by the rotation of the rotor 7, the fluid outlet openings 28 are exposed.

In 5b a different setting of the fluid limiting element 27 is shown. By means of the pinion rod 15, the movable part 17 of the fluid limiting element 27 was displaced along the wall 24 relative to the fixed part 16 in order to increase the extension length of the fluid limiting element 27 in the circumferential direction around the axis 38.

In the representation 5b The boundary area 21 is therefore larger than in the illustration 5a . It extends over an angle of approximately 180° around the axis 38. Accordingly, the output area 20 is smaller in this illustration than in the illustration 5a . The out In this illustration, aisle area 20 extends over an angle of approximately 180°.

Depending on the design of the fluid limiting element 27, the adjustable extension length of the output region 20 can be, for example, between 10° and 350°, with an adjustment in the range between 270° and 180° being preferred.

The example described above does not serve to limit the invention in any way. Rather, the invention can be modified in many ways. All of the features of the invention described above may be essential to the invention alone or in combination with one another.

Reference symbol list

1

stator

2

Clamping ring

3

connecting element

4

third seal

5

bearings

6

head Start

7

rotor

8th

floor disk

9

first seal

10

second seal

11

Torque connection

12

Fluid outlet opening

14

Adjustment device

15

Pinion rod

16

fixed position part

17

moving part

19

gearing

20

Exit area

21

Boundary area

22

Arrow

23

Arrow

24

Wall

25

chamber

26

Fluid line

27

Fluid limiting element

28

Feather

29

guide

30

Device for distributing fluid into containers

31

first curved wall

32

second curved wall

33

Housing

34

container

35

Line

36

Transport star

37

Axis of rotation

38

axis

39

loading device

40

inner space

41

Base

42

opening

43

Inner surface

44

Recording

50

Attachment

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 102007041685 A1 [0003]

Claims (16)

Device for distributing fluid into containers (34), comprising a stator (1), a rotor (7) and a fluid limiting element (27), the stator (1) extending along an axis (38) and at least one fluid line (26 ), wherein the rotor (7) is rotatably mounted about the axis (38) and about the fluid limiting element (27) and has at least one chamber (25) with at least one wall (24), the wall (24) extending in the circumferential direction extends around the axis (38) and has a plurality of fluid outlet openings (28) for distributing fluid into a container (34), the fluid line (26) being designed to supply fluid into the chamber (25) and the fluid limiting element (27 ) is arranged in the chamber (25), the fluid outlet openings (28) being fluidly connected to the chamber (25) within an output region (20) which extends partially around the axis (38) in the circumferential direction and the fluid outlet openings (28) outside the output region (20) in a boundary region (21) are at least partially covered by the fluid limiting element (27), characterized in that the fluid limiting element (27) is designed to adjust an extension length of the output region (20) in the circumferential direction around the axis (38). is. Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the fluid limiting element (27) is designed to be telescopic. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the fluid limiting element (27) has a position-fixed part (16) and at least one part (17) movable relative to the position-fixed part (16) in the circumferential direction about the axis (38). Device according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the rotor (7) has a guide (29) for the movable part (17). Device according to Claim 3 or 4 , characterized in that the movable part (17) is slidably mounted on the fixed position part (16). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid limiting element (27) is firmly connected to the stator (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (30) further has an adjusting device (14) for the fluid limiting element (27). Device according to Claim 7 , characterized in that the adjusting device (14) extends through the fluid line (26) to the fluid limiting element (27). Device according to Claim 7 or 8th , characterized in that the adjusting device (14) has a pinion rod which engages in a toothing (19) on the fluid limiting element (27). Device according to one of the Claims 7 until 9 , characterized in that the adjusting device (14) has a drive for driving the adjusting device (14), which is arranged above the stator (1). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid outlet openings (28) are arranged distributed around the axis (38). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output region (20) can be adjusted by means of the fluid limiting element (27) in an angular range of 10° to 350°, preferably 45° to 315°, more preferably 180° to 270°. System or system part (50) for treating containers (34) with a fluid, comprising at least one device (30) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one housing (33) which surrounds an interior (40), the fluid line ( 26) extends from the outside through the housing (33) into the interior (40) and the rotor (7) is arranged in the interior (40). System or system part (50). Claim 13 , characterized in that the fluid outlet openings (28) are each fluidly connected to at least one pressurization device (39) for introducing the fluid into a container (34) via a line (35) arranged outside the rotor (7). Method for adjusting the device (30) according to one of Claims 1 until 12 , characterized in that the fluid limiting element (27) is adjusted to a desired extension length in the circumferential direction around the axis (38). Procedure according to Claim 15 , wherein the device (30) at least according to one of Claims 3 until 5 is designed, characterized in that the desired extension length is adjusted in the circumferential direction by means of a movement of the movable part (17) of the fluid limitation lement (27) takes place relative to the position-fixed part (16) of the fluid limiting element (27).

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