DE102022122819A1 - Treatment station and device for treating containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates, among other things, to a treatment station (10) for a device (64) for treating containers (12). The treatment station (10) has a filling element (18) for filling a container (12) positioned in the treatment station (10) and a closing element (22) for closing the container (12) positioned in the treatment station (10). The treatment station (10) also has a lifting device (40) which has a hydraulic actuator (26) for moving the container (12) and a directional control valve (28) for controlling an inlet to the hydraulic actuator (26) and a return from the hydraulic actuator ( 26).

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a treatment station and a device for treating containers.

Technical background

Methods and devices for carrying out a filling process are known, in which a container to be filled is sealed with a treatment chamber, a filling valve is connected to the mouth of the container to be filled and the interior of the container to be filled is flushed with a flushing gas to reduce the oxygen content. After flushing the interior of the container with the flushing gas, the interior of the container is then filled with the filling product. Before filling - depending on the filling process selected and the filling product to be filled - the container to be filled can also be pre-stressed or evacuated.

Simultaneously with the filling of the interior of the container with the filling product, either before or after, the treatment chamber is brought to an overpressure and the filling valve is then removed from the mouth of the container that has already been filled with the filling product. Due to the excess pressure present in the treatment chamber, when the filling valve is removed from the mouth of the container filled with the filling product, overflowing, splashing out or foaming, in particular from a carbonized filling product, is reduced or completely avoided. In this phase, the treatment chamber, which is under excess pressure, communicates accordingly with the interior of the container filled with the filling product.

In a next treatment step, a container closure is then applied to the container in the treatment chamber, which is still under excess pressure, and the container is closed accordingly. Subsequently, the excess pressure present in the treatment chamber is essentially reduced to ambient pressure and the filled and closed container is then removed from the treatment chamber. Such a device and such a method are, for example, from EP 2 937 310 A2 known.

The WO 2019/048661 A1 relates to a positioning device for the relative positioning of a container to be treated and a treatment element in a container treatment system, comprising a positioning cylinder and a piston accommodated in the positioning cylinder, which is connected to a piston rod. A pressure chamber is formed between the piston and the positioning cylinder, which can be acted upon by a working medium. A locking mechanism for locking the position of the positioning cylinder relative to the piston rod is received in the piston rod.

Disadvantageous to the state of the art WO 2019/048661 A1 It may be that a first control cam is required for the controlled movement of the lifting cylinder, a second control cam for unlocking the system and a complex lifting cylinder and bottle suspension, in which the lifting cylinder can also be mounted in a distorted manner, which in turn can lead to a deteriorated lifting movement. In addition, assembling the lifting cylinder can be comparatively complex

The invention is based on the object of creating an improved technology for a lifting device of a treatment station for filling and closing containers. The technology should preferably be low-wear and enable high acceleration rates with a comparatively small installation space and comparatively low costs.

Summary of the invention

The task is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a treatment station for an apparatus (e.g., filler-sealer) for treating containers. The treatment station has a filling element for filling a container positioned in the treatment station, a closing element for closing the container positioned in the treatment station and a lifting device. The lifting device has a hydraulic actuator (e.g. hydraulic cylinder) for raising and lowering the container and a directional valve, preferably a 4/3-way valve, for controlling an inlet to the hydraulic actuator and a return from the hydraulic actuator.

Advantageously, the hydraulic actuator for raising and lowering the containers can enable very high acceleration rates in a small installation space, which, for example, makes a particularly compact overall system possible. The use of the directional control valve enables the hydraulic actuator to be operated without mechanical control curves. The hydraulic actuator can also be particularly low-wear due to integrated lubrication, e.g. B. in comparison to mechanical roller controls. Fast control of the path can be advantageous The vertical movement of the container can be positioned very precisely (e.g. ± 0.2 mm) and very quickly anywhere using the lifting device. Due to the flexibility of the adjustability of the hydraulic actuator using the directional control valve, the number of variants can be advantageously reduced for different formats and machines.

Preferably, the directional control valve can be integrated in the hydraulic actuator.

Preferably, the lifting device can be free of a mechanical control cam and/or a roller or can have no operative connection to a mechanical control cam and/or a roller.

Optionally, the lifting device can have a support plate for supporting the container on the bottom, the support plate being able to be raised and lowered by the hydraulic actuator.

The hydraulic actuator can preferably be arranged below the support plate.

For example, the hydraulic actuator can have a hydraulic piston that supports the support plate, preferably directly at an upper end of the hydraulic piston.

In one exemplary embodiment, the treatment station has a treatment chamber (e.g. which can be pressurized) in which an upper section of the container with a container mouth can be received for filling by means of the filling element and for closing by means of the closing element. The container can be inserted into the treatment chamber and moved out of the treatment chamber by means of the lifting device.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the treatment chamber with the upper section of the container positioned therein can be sealed, preferably on the top side by means of a sealing head of the closing element and/or on the bottom side by means of a seal to the container, preferably the container neck.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a position sensor, preferably an absolute position sensor, is assigned to the hydraulic actuator. Advantageously, the absolute position sensor can be ready for operation immediately after switching on the filler, since no referencing is required. The absolute position sensor can advantageously enable reliable querying of the position even in the event of a previous power failure.

Preferably, the position sensor can be integrated in the hydraulic actuator.

• - der Behälter von dem Hydraulikaktor in eine Grundposition bewegt wird, in der der Behälter außerhalb von der Behandlungskammer positioniert ist, vorzugsweise vor und nach einer Behälterbehandlung; und/oder
• - der Behälter von dem Hydraulikaktor in eine Behandlungsposition bewegt wird, in der der Behälter in die Behandlungskammer eingeführt ist, vorzugsweise zum Behandeln des Behälters mittels des Füllorgans und des Verschließorgans.

In one embodiment, the treatment station further comprises a control device which is configured to operate the directional control valve depending on a measurement of the position sensor such that:

• - the container is moved by the hydraulic actuator into a basic position in which the container is positioned outside of the treatment chamber, preferably before and after a container treatment; and or
• - the container is moved by the hydraulic actuator into a treatment position in which the container is introduced into the treatment chamber, preferably for treating the container by means of the filling element and the closing element.

Preferably, the term “control device” can refer to electronics (e.g. designed as a driver circuit or with microprocessor(s) and data memory) and/or a mechanical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic control, which, depending on the training, carries out control tasks and/or or can take on control tasks and/or processing tasks. Even if the term “controls” is used here, it can also appropriately include or mean “rules” or “controls with feedback” and/or “processing”.

• - eine Ausfahrstellung, die ein Ausfahren des Hydraulikaktors bewirkt;
• - eine Einfahrstellung, die ein Einfahren des Hydraulikaktors bewirkt; und
• - eine Haltestellung, die ein Halten einer Stellung des Hydraulikaktors bewirkt.

In a further embodiment, the directional control valve has at least one of:

• - an extended position, which causes the hydraulic actuator to be extended;
• - a retraction position that causes the hydraulic actuator to retract; and
• - a holding position, which causes a position of the hydraulic actuator to be held.

Advantageously, the hydraulic actuator and thus the container can be moved very flexibly and quickly into any position using the directional control valve.

In a further embodiment, a leakage sensor for detecting a leak is assigned to the hydraulic actuator. Advantageously, the hydraulic actuator can be monitored at any time for an internal leak using the leakage sensor, e.g. B. from the control device.

Preferably, the leakage sensor can be integrated in the hydraulic actuator.

In one embodiment variant, the closing element can be actuated hydraulically, with the hydraulic actuator and the closing element preferably being connected or verified to the same hydraulic system are bindable. The hydraulic system can therefore advantageously be used for two different applications, which further saves costs and installation space.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device (e.g. filler-sealer), preferably a rotary device, for treating containers. The apparatus includes a plurality of treatment stations as disclosed herein and a hydraulic system in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuators of the lifting devices of the plurality of treatment stations. Advantageously, the same advantages can be achieved with the device that have already been described with reference to the treatment station.

In one exemplary embodiment, the hydraulic system has an annular pressure line to which the hydraulic actuators of the lifting devices of the multiple treatment stations are connected, preferably distributed around a circumference of the annular pressure line. This can advantageously reduce the length of the line system of the hydraulic system, provide an intermediate storage facility and ensure the same working pressure in all connected hydraulic actuators.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the hydraulic system has an annular return line to which the hydraulic actuators of the lifting devices of the several treatment stations are connected, preferably distributed around a circumference of the annular return line. This can advantageously reduce the length of the line system of the hydraulic system and provide an intermediate storage facility.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the annular return line has a larger, preferably at least twice or at least three times larger, volume than the annular pressure line. Advantageously, a comparatively large volume can be provided for the annular return line, which means, for example, that a volume for a hydraulic fluid tank can be significantly reduced.

In one embodiment, the hydraulic system has a hydraulic fluid filter, preferably in a pressure line of the hydraulic system (e.g. upstream of the annular pressure line), and / or a hydraulic fluid cooler, preferably in a return line of the hydraulic system (e.g. downstream of the annular return line), and /or a pressure accumulator (e.g. storage bladder) for temporarily storing pressurized hydraulic fluid (e.g. upstream of the annular pressure line).

In a further embodiment, the hydraulic system has a pressure control valve or pressure regulating valve and/or a hydraulic fluid pump and/or an unpressurized hydraulic fluid tank.

In one embodiment variant, the hydraulic system is arranged in or on an upper and/or rotatable part of the device. This advantageously enables a particularly safe and space-saving arrangement of the hydraulic system.

Preferably, the device can be included in a container treatment system for producing, cleaning, coating, testing, filling, closing, labeling, printing and/or packaging containers for liquid media, preferably beverages or liquid food.

For example, the containers can be designed as bottles (e.g. glass bottles), cans, canisters, cartons, bottles, etc.

The previously described preferred embodiments and features of the invention can be combined with one another in any way.

Short description of the characters

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer Behandlungsstation und eines Hydrauliksystems gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung; und
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Abschnitts einer Vorrichtung zum Behandeln von Behältern gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der vorliegenden Offenbarung.

Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of a treatment station and a hydraulic system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
• 2 a schematic representation of a portion of an apparatus for treating containers according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The embodiments shown in the figures are at least partially the same, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and for their explanation reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures in order to avoid repetitions.

Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

The 1 shows a treatment station 10 and a hydraulic system 42.

In the treatment station 10, containers 12 can be filled and closed one after the other without leaving the treatment station 10.

The treatment station 10 has a filling element 18, a closing element 22 and a lifting device 40. The treatment station 10 particularly preferably also has a treatment chamber 14. The treatment station 10 can also have a control device 36.

At least an upper section of the container 12 with its container mouth can be accommodated in the treatment chamber 14 for treatment by means of the filling element 18 and the closing element 22. For example, the container 12 may be moved into the treatment chamber 14 by means of the lifting device 40 for positioning the upper portion of the container 12.

For the treatment, the section of the container 12 received in the treatment chamber 14 can be sealed in the treatment chamber 14. For example, the treatment chamber 14 can be sealed on the top side by a closing head 24 of the closing member 22 when the closing head 24 is lowered onto the treatment chamber 14 (not in 1 shown). For example, the treatment chamber 14 can be sealed on the underside to a container neck of the container 12 by means of a seal 16. The seal 16 can be designed, for example, as an inflatable ring body which can be placed around a container neck of the container 12.

The treatment chamber 14 can, for example, be evacuated, rinsed and/or prestressed, preferably while the container 12 is pressed against the filling element 18. Particularly preferably, simultaneously with the treatment (e.g. evacuation, rinsing, pre-stressing and/or filling) of the container 12 by means of the filling element 18, also before or after, the treatment chamber 14 can be evacuated, rinsed and/or pre-stressed. The filling element 18 can subsequently be removed from the container mouth of the container 12 already filled with the filling product, preferably at a time when essentially the same conditions prevail in the treatment chamber 14 and in the container 12. In this phase, the treatment chamber 14, for example under excess pressure, can communicate with the container interior of the container 12 filled with the filling product.

In a next treatment step, a container closure can then be applied to the container 12 by means of the closure member 22 in the treatment chamber 14, which is still under excess pressure. Subsequently, the excess pressure present in the treatment chamber 14 can be reduced essentially to ambient pressure and then the filled and closed container 12 can be removed from the treatment chamber 14 by means of the lifting device 40.

The filling element 18 is designed to fill the container 12 positioned in the treatment station 10. The filling element 18 can fill the container 12 with a liquid or pasty filling material. For example, the filling element 18 can have a filling valve for selectively releasing or blocking the filling element 18. The filling element 18 can be connected to a filling material tank (not shown). Preferably, the filling element 18 can also evacuate, pre-stress and/or rinse the container 12.

The filling element 18 can preferably be pressed against a container mouth of the container 12 for treating the container 12. An adjusting device 20 can preferably be assigned to the filling element 18. The adjusting device 20 can move the filling element 18 to press it onto the container mouth and to release the container mouth. The adjusting device 20 can preferably move the filling element 18 along an axis that is inclined to a vertical axis of the treatment station 10 or the container 12.

The adjusting device 20 can be operated, for example, electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically, e.g. B. from the control device 36. It is possible that the adjusting device 20 is connected to the hydraulic system 42.

Preferably, the adjusting device 20 can move an outlet of the filling element 18 within the treatment chamber 14. The adjusting device 20 can move the outlet of the filling element 18 within the treatment chamber 14 to press it onto the container mouth, e.g. B. if treatment, such as evacuation, rinsing, prestressing and / or filling, by the filling element 18 is desired. The adjusting device 20 can move the outlet of the filling element 18 within the treatment chamber 14 away from the container mouth, for example. B. to enable treatment of the container 12 by the closure member 22.

The closing member 22 can have a closing head 24. The closing member 22 is designed to close the container 12 positioned in the treatment station 10. In detail, the container 12 can be closed by means of the sealing head 24, e.g. B. with a crown cork. For closing, the closing head 24 can be lowered onto the container mouth of the container 12 and raised again after closing.

The closing head 24 can be operated, for example, electrically, electromagnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically, e.g. B. from the control device 36. The closer head 24 can preferably be moved by a hydraulic actuator which is connected to the hydraulic system 42.

Preferably, the closing head 24 can be moved to the treatment chamber 14, out of the treatment chamber 14 and/or within the treatment chamber 14. For example, the closing head 24 can be in a basic position (in 1 shown), into a sealing position (not in 1 shown) and/or in a closing position (not in 1 shown).

In the basic position, the closing head 24 can be positioned outside, preferably above, of the treatment chamber 14. The basic position can be assumed, for example, at the beginning of a container treatment in the treatment station 10, when the container 12 is introduced into the treatment chamber 14 by the lifting device 40.

In the sealing position, the sealing head 24 can be lowered by the hydraulic actuator 26 to seal the treatment chamber 14 on the top side. Preferably, the container 12 can be treated by the filling member 18, e.g. B. evacuated, rinsed, prestressed and / or filled, while the capper head 24 is moved into the sealing position. Before or during movement, the closing head 24 can also have a container closure, e.g. B. adopt a crown cork. At the end of the treatment of the container 12 by the filling element 18, the closing head can be in the sealing position. The treatment chamber 14 can then preferably also be sealed on the underside to the container 12 by means of the seal 16. While the sealing head 24 is in the sealing position, as already mentioned, the treatment chamber 14 can, for example, be evacuated, flushed and/or prestressed.

In the closing position, the closing head 24 can be lowered in the treatment chamber 14 to close the container mouth of the container 12. For example, the container closure can be pressed onto a container mouth of the container 12. During movement of the capper head 24 from the sealing position to the capping position, the treatment chamber 14 may continue to be sealed by the capper head 24.

The lifting device 40 can raise and lower the container 12. The lifting device 40 has a hydraulic actuator 26 and a directional control valve 28. The lifting device 40 can also have, for example, a vertically movable support plate 41 for supporting the container 12 on the bottom and/or another container holder for holding the container 12. The lifting device 40 can introduce the container 12 into the treatment chamber 14 and move it out of the treatment chamber 14.

The hydraulic actuator 26 can be, for example, a single-acting or double-acting hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic actuator 26 can preferably have a movable hydraulic piston. The hydraulic piston can extend, for example, when a pressure chamber of the hydraulic actuator is pressurized with hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic actuator 26 can, for example, retract when another pressure chamber of the hydraulic actuator 26 is pressurized with hydraulic fluid and/or when the pressure chamber is connected to a return line.

The support plate 41 can preferably be moved by means of the hydraulic actuator 26. For example, the support plate 41 or the container 12 can be moved into a basic position (not in 1 shown) and into a treatment position (in 1 shown).

In the basic position, the container 12 or the support plate 41 can be further away from the treatment chamber 14 than in the treatment position. In the basic position, the container 12 can be positioned outside of the treatment chamber 14. The basic position can preferably be assumed before and after container treatment. In the basic position, the container 12 can be taken over by an inlet conveyor (e.g. inlet star) and/or transferred to an outlet conveyor (e.g. outlet star).

In the treatment position, the container 12 or the support plate 41 can be positioned by the hydraulic actuator 26 in such a way that the container 12 is introduced into the treatment chamber 14 for treatment by means of the filling element 18 and the closing element 22.

To position the container 12, a position sensor 30 can be assigned to the hydraulic actuator 26, for example. The directional control valve 28 and/or the position sensor 30 can preferably be integrated directly in the hydraulic actuator 26.

The directional valve 28 is preferably a 4/3-way valve. By means of the directional control valve 28, an inlet to the hydraulic actuator 26 and a return from the hydraulic actuator 26 are adjusted.

For example, the directional control valve 28 can cause the hydraulic piston to extend in an extended position, depending on the arrangement Container 12 or the support plate 41 is raised or lowered. For this purpose, the directional valve 28 in the extended position can, for example, connect a pressure line 32 to a first pressure chamber of the hydraulic actuator 26 and a return line 34 to a second pressure chamber of the hydraulic actuator 26.

In a retracted position, the directional control valve 28 can cause the hydraulic piston to retract, with the container 12 or the support plate 41 being lowered or raised depending on the arrangement.

For this purpose, the directional valve 28 in the retracted position can, for example, connect a pressure line 32 to a second pressure chamber of the hydraulic actuator 26 and a return line 34 to a first pressure chamber of the hydraulic actuator 26.

In the holding position of the directional control valve 28, a position of the hydraulic piston and thus the support plate 41 can be maintained, e.g. B. to hold the container 12 in the basic position or in the treatment position. For this purpose, the directional control valve 28 can, for example, block a first and second pressure chamber of the hydraulic actuator 26 in the holding position.

It is also possible for the basic position and/or the treatment position to be set by a stop, e.g. B. for a hydraulic piston of the hydraulic actuator 26, is limited or defined.

The position sensor 30 is preferably an absolute position sensor, e.g. B. an absolute position sensor. The position sensor 30 can, for example, indicate a position of the hydraulic piston of the hydraulic actuator 26 or directly a position of the support plate 41 or the container 12.

The control device 36 can adjust the directional valve 28 to retract, extend or hold depending on a position signal from the position sensor 30 and a desired position of the support plate 41 or the container 12 (e.g. basic position or treatment position), e.g. B. depending on a desired treatment of the container 12.

It is also possible for the hydraulic actuator 26 to be assigned a leakage sensor 38 for detecting a leak. The leakage sensor 38 can preferably be integrated directly into the hydraulic actuator 26.

The hydraulic system 42 can, for example, have a hydraulic fluid tank 44, a hydraulic fluid pump 46, a pressure accumulator 48, a pressure control or pressure regulating valve 50, a hydraulic fluid filter 52, a hydraulic fluid cooler 54, an annular pressure line 56 and/or an annular return line 58.

The hydraulic system 42 may be in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator 26. The hydraulic system 42 can supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator 26 via a pressure line 60 and receive it from the hydraulic actuator 26 via a return line 62. The hydraulic system 42 is preferably connected to several hydraulic actuators 26 of several treatment stations 10. It is possible that the hydraulic system 42 can supply hydraulic fluid to and receive it from the adjusting device 20 and/or the closing member 22.

The hydraulic fluid tank 44 can preferably store hydraulic fluid without pressure. An inlet of the pressure line 60 can open into the hydraulic fluid tank 44. An outlet of the return line 62 can open into the hydraulic fluid tank 44.

The hydraulic fluid pump 46 can suck hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid tank 44. The hydraulic fluid pump 46 can pressurize the hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid pump 46 can be arranged in the pressure line 60, e.g. B. upstream of the pressure accumulator 48.

Hydraulic fluid can be temporarily stored under pressure in the pressure accumulator 48. For example, the pressure accumulator 48 can be designed as a so-called storage bubble. The pressure accumulator 48 can be arranged in the pressure line 60, e.g. B. downstream from the hydraulic fluid pump 46 and/or upstream from the pressure control or pressure regulating valve 50.

By means of the pressure control or pressure regulating valve 50, a desired working pressure of the hydraulic system 42 can be set and preferably adjusted. The pressure control or pressure regulating valve 50 can be arranged in the pressure line 60, e.g. B. downstream from the pressure accumulator 48 and/or upstream from the hydraulic fluid filter 52.

The hydraulic fluid filter 52 may be designed to filter the hydraulic fluid. Preferably, the hydraulic fluid filter 52 can filter out particles from the hydraulic fluid. Preferably, the hydraulic fluid filter 52 can be arranged in the pressure line 60. For example, the hydraulic fluid filter 52 may be arranged upstream of the annular pressure line 56 and/or downstream of the pressure control or pressure regulating valve 50. For example, the hydraulic fluid filter 52 can be designed to be replaceable.

The hydraulic fluid cooler 54 can cool hydraulic fluid. Preferably, the hydraulic fluid cooler 54 can be arranged in the return line 62. For example, the hydraulic fluid cooler 54 may be upstream of the outlet of the return line device 62 and/or downstream of the annular return line 58.

The annular pressure line 56 can be connected to the hydraulic actuator 26 for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid. The annular pressure line 56 can, for example, connect the pressure lines 32 and 60 to one another. Hydraulic fluid can be temporarily stored under pressure in the annular pressure line 56. Hydraulic actuators 26 of the lifting devices 40 of several treatment stations 10 can preferably be connected to the annular pressure line 56 distributed around a circumference of the annular pressure line 56.

The annular return line 58 may be connected to the hydraulic actuator 26 for receiving hydraulic fluid. The ring return line 58 can, for example, connect the return lines 34 and 62 to one another. Unpressurized or no longer pressurized hydraulic fluid can be temporarily stored in the annular return line 58. Hydraulic actuators 26 of the lifting devices 40 of several treatment stations 10 can preferably be connected to the ring return line 58 distributed around a circumference of the ring return line 58.

The annular return line 58 can preferably have a larger, preferably at least twice or at least three times larger, volume than the annular pressure line 56.

The 2 shows a section of a device 64 for treating containers 12, with several treatment stations 10 for simultaneous or overlapping treatment of several containers 12 (not in 2 shown). For the sake of clarity, in 2 For example, not all lines are shown.

The device 64 is preferably designed as a rotary device in which the treatment stations 10 can rotate about a central vertical axis of the device 64. The treatment stations 10 can be arranged distributed around a circumference of the device 64.

The hydraulic actuators 26 of the lifting devices 40 can be connected to the same hydraulic system 42. The hydraulic system 42 may be arranged in or on an upper and/or rotatable part of the device 64, e.g. B. in or on an upper portion of the upper and rotatable part, as in 2 shown, or in or on a lower portion of the upper and rotating part (not in 2 shown).

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive idea and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the subclaims, regardless of the claims referred to. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the subclaims are also disclosed independently of all the features of independent claim 1 and, for example, independently of the features relating to the presence and / or configuration of the filling element, the closing element, the lifting device, the hydraulic actuator and / or the directional control valve of independent claim 1 .

Reference symbol list

10

Treatment station

12

container

14

Treatment chamber

16

seal

18

Filling organ

20

Adjustment device

22

Closing organ

24

capper head

26

Hydraulic actuator

28

Directional valve

30

Position sensor

32

pressure line

34

return line

36

Control device

38

Leak sensor

40

Lifting device

41

Support plate

42

Hydraulic system

44

Hydraulic fluid tank

46

Hydraulic fluid pump

48

Pressure accumulator

50

Pressure control or pressure regulating valve

52

Hydraulic fluid filter

54

Hydraulic fluid cooler

56

Ring pressure line

58

Ring return line

60

pressure line

62

return line

64

contraption

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

• EP 2937310 A2 [0004]
• WO 2019/048661 A1 [0005, 0006]

Claims (15)

Treatment station (10) for a device (64) for treating containers (12), comprising: a filling member (18) for filling a container (12) positioned in the treatment station (10); a closing member (22) for closing the container (12) positioned in the treatment station (10); and a lifting device (40) which has a hydraulic actuator (26) for raising and lowering the container (12) and a directional valve (28), preferably a 4/3-way valve, for controlling an inlet to the hydraulic actuator (26) and a return the hydraulic actuator (26). Treatment station (10). Claim 1 , wherein: the treatment station (10) has a treatment chamber (14) in which an upper portion of the container (12) with a container mouth for filling by means of the filling member (18) and for closing by means of the closing member (22) can be received; and the container (12) can be inserted into the treatment chamber (14) and moved out of the treatment chamber (14) by means of the lifting device (40). Treatment station (10). Claim 2 , wherein: the treatment chamber (14) can be sealed with the upper section of the container (12) positioned therein, preferably on the top side by means of a sealing head (24) of the closing element (22) and/or on the bottom side by means of a seal (16) to the container (12) , preferably container neck. Treatment station (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: A position sensor (30), preferably an absolute position sensor, is assigned to the hydraulic actuator (26). Treatment station (10) according to one of the Claims 2 or 3 and Claim 4 , further comprising: a control device (36) which is configured to operate the directional valve (28) depending on a measurement of the position sensor (30) in such a way that: - the container (12) from the hydraulic actuator (26) into a Basic position is moved in which the container (12) is positioned outside of the treatment chamber (14), preferably before and after a container treatment; and/or - the container (12) is moved by the hydraulic actuator (26) into a treatment position in which the container (12) is inserted into the treatment chamber (14), preferably for treating the container (12) by means of the filling element (18 ) and the closing element (22). Treatment station (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the directional control valve (28) has at least one of: - an extended position, which causes the hydraulic actuator (26) to be extended; - a retraction position which causes the hydraulic actuator (26) to retract; and - A holding position, which causes a position of the hydraulic actuator (26) to be held. Treatment station (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: A leakage sensor (38) for detecting a leak is assigned to the hydraulic actuator (26). Treatment station (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the closing element (22) can be actuated hydraulically, wherein preferably the hydraulic actuator (26) and the closing member (22) are connected or connectable to the same hydraulic system (42). Device (64), preferably rotary device, for treating containers (12), comprising: a plurality of treatment stations (10) according to one of the preceding claims; and a hydraulic system (42) which is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuators (26) of the lifting devices (40) of the plurality of treatment stations (10). Device (64) after Claim 9 , wherein: the hydraulic system (42) has an annular pressure line (56) to which the hydraulic actuators (26) of the lifting devices (40) of the plurality of treatment stations (10) are connected, preferably distributed around a circumference of the annular pressure line (56). Device (64) after Claim 9 or Claim 10 , wherein: the hydraulic system (42) has an annular return line (58) to which the hydraulic actuators (26) of the lifting devices (40) of the plurality of treatment stations (10) are connected, preferably distributed around a circumference of the annular return line (58). Device (64) after Claim 10 and Claim 11 , wherein: the annular return line (58) has a larger, preferably at least twice or at least three times larger, volume than the annular pressure line (56). Device (64) according to one of Claims 9 until 12 , whereby the hydraulic system (42) at least at least one of: a hydraulic fluid filter (52), preferably in a pressure line (60) of the hydraulic system (42); a hydraulic fluid cooler (54), preferably in a return line (62) of the hydraulic system (42); and a pressure accumulator (48) for temporarily storing pressurized hydraulic fluid. Device (64) according to one of Claims 9 until 13 , wherein the hydraulic system (42) comprises at least one of: a pressure control valve or pressure regulating valve (50); a hydraulic fluid pump (46); and an unpressurized hydraulic fluid tank (44). Device (64) according to one of Claims 9 until 14 , wherein: the hydraulic system (42) is arranged in or on an upper and / or rotatable part of the device (64).

Images