EP4573012A1 - Device for metering a liquid into a plurality of containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10.5) for metering a liquid (12) into a plurality of containers. The device (10.5) has a liquid reservoir (20) and a common pump (26). According to the invention, a distributor (30.5) is provided which is arranged between the common pump (26) and the plurality of containers. A plurality of metering needles (40) are connected to the distributor (30.5). The liquid reservoir (20) is connected to the common pump (26) by means of a line, in particular by means of a hose (24) and the common pump (26) is connected to the distributor (30.5) by means of a line, in particular by means of a hose (28). The distributor (30.5) is connected to the liquid reservoir (20) by means of a line, in particular by means of a hose (32.5).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Device for dosing a liquid into several containers

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for dosing a liquid into several containers. Such dosing systems are required, for example, for filling liquids or emulsions into ampoules.

STATE OF THE ART

Known devices for dosing a liquid into several containers usually have a liquid reservoir in which the liquid to be dosed is kept in stock. Depending on the number of containers to be filled, a separate dosing pump is required for each container. This limits the number of containers that can be filled at the same time. In addition, the devices have a large number of pumps, so that the number of parts and thus the number of possible malfunctions is correspondingly high.

US 9,278,769 discloses a device for dosing a liquid into several containers, in which there is a common pump, via which the liquid to be dosed is first pumped into a distributor. Several containers can then be filled simultaneously from the distributor. After the dosing process, excess liquid is drained from the distributor into a waste container.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Based on this previously known prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing an improved device for dosing a liquid into several containers, the maintenance requirements of which are reduced.

The device according to the invention for dosing a liquid into several containers is given by the features of the main claim 1. Useful Further developments of the invention are the subject of further claims subsequent to this claim.

The device according to the invention for dosing a liquid into several containers has a liquid reservoir in which the liquid to be dosed is kept in stock. A common pump is provided for several containers. A distributor is provided between the common pump and the several containers. Several dosing needles are connected to this distributor, via which the liquid to be dosed is then dispensed to the individual containers.

In order to keep the liquid as homogeneous as possible, the liquid is continuously pumped in the circuit. For this purpose, the distributor is connected to the liquid reservoir by means of a line, in particular a hose. In this way, the pump can initially pump the liquid from the liquid reservoir into the distributor via a line, in particular a hose. From there, the liquid can be pumped back into the liquid reservoir so that the liquid can be constantly pumped in the circuit. This prevents components of the liquid from settling in the liquid reservoir and in the distributor. This also prevents the lines used for the pump circuit between the liquid reservoir and the distributor from having to be cleaned when the machine is at a standstill. With the device according to the invention, the liquid can continue to be pumped in the circuit even when the dosing unit is at a standstill, so that no liquid components can settle in the lines. The lines therefore cannot become clogged, which would require cleaning of the lines. This means that only the relatively short areas between the dispensing needles and the distributor need to be cleaned.

The device according to the invention enables dosing to be carried out using only a single pump. Such a device represents a particularly simple dosing system that requires significantly fewer parts and pumps than in This reduces downtime when starting production and when cleaning the device. When using multiple pumps, the entire hose between the liquid reservoir and each individual pump must be flushed when the machine is stopped. By using just a single pump, significantly less hose needs to be cleaned.

Preferably, the dosing needles can each be connected to the distributor by means of a hose. Preferably, the dosing needles can each be connected to the distributor via a dosing valve. The dosing valves can preferably each be controlled individually. In this way, only those dosing valves can be opened that actually lead to a container to be filled. In addition, an individual dosing time can be set for each dosing needle, within which liquid is dispensed via this dosing needle. This allows the amount of liquid dispensed by the dosing needles to be adjusted to one another.

The liquid to be dosed can be a homogeneous liquid, but also a suspension or emulsion. A suspension can in particular be a mixture of a homogeneous liquid and beads, in particular plastic beads. Such beads (also called "beads") can also be coated with an active ingredient, for example. In order to keep the beads evenly distributed in the liquid, the suspension in the liquid reservoir should be stirred as continuously as possible. In an advantageous embodiment, at least one stirring tool can therefore be present in the liquid reservoir.

The line between the liquid reservoir and the common pump can preferably be connected to the lower area of the liquid reservoir. Such a bottom suction can reduce the residual volume remaining in the liquid reservoir so that the liquid present in the liquid reservoir can be dosed as completely as possible into the containers. The hose between the common pump and the distributor can in particular be designed as a pressure-resistant hose.

The line, in particular the hose, between the common pump and the distributor can preferably be straight in the area immediately before the distributor. This straight area can serve as a calming section for the liquid to be dosed, so that the active ingredient components are distributed particularly evenly and precise dosing can be achieved even with coarser suspensions.

In order to dose the liquid into the individual containers, a valve can be installed in the hose between the distributor and the liquid reservoir. If this shut-off valve is closed, the liquid can be prevented from flowing back from the distributor into the liquid reservoir, so that the liquid can be dosed. At the same time, the dosing valves on the distributor can be opened to dose the required amount of liquid and fill it into the containers.

The common pump can in particular be a piston pump.

In a first embodiment, the distributor can have a line branch. In this case, one of the two lines can lead to the liquid reservoir so that the liquid to be dosed can be pumped in the circuit. The other of the two lines can in this case be designed as a dosing line. In this case, the dosing line forms a kind of dead end from which the dosing into the individual containers takes place.

Preferably, the dosing line can be aligned vertically. In this case, a dosing unit with several dosing needles can be arranged at the end of the dosing line. The dosing needles can be arranged in one plane and distributed circumferentially around the dosing line. The dosing unit can be present at the vertically upper or the vertically lower end of the dosing line, depending on the orientation of the distributor.

The line branch and the metering line can be arranged in a common distributor housing. In this case, the distributor housing can be made up of one or more parts. Alternatively, it would also be possible to place only the metering line in a housing, while the line branch is located outside the housing. In addition, it would also be possible to not provide any distributor housing at all.

In a second embodiment, the distributor can be vertically aligned. In this case, the inlet for the hose coming from the pump can be arranged at the lower area of the distributor. As a result, the liquid to be dosed flows through the distributor from below, so that deposits in the distributor can be prevented. Preferably, the outlet for the hose leading back to the liquid reservoir can also be arranged at the lower area of the distributor.

The distributor can have an input line, a diversion line and an output line. The input line, the diversion line and the output line are connected to one another so that the liquid coming from the pump first flows through the input line, then through the diversion line and then through the output line. The output line is then connected to the hose leading back to the liquid reservoir. In this case, the output line and the input line can be arranged roughly parallel to one another, with the dosing needles only connected to the output line.

Preferably, the dosing needles can be connected to the outlet line at a constant mutual distance. This leads to an even distribution of liquid between the individual dosing needles, so that precise dosing of the liquid is possible. Alternatively, the distributor can also be aligned horizontally. In this case, the inlet for the hose coming from the pump can be located on either of the two side edges of the distributor.

In a third embodiment, the distributor can have a riser, with a dosing unit with several dosing needles being present in the area of the riser. The dosing needles are arranged in one plane and distributed circumferentially around the riser. In this case, the individual dosing needles are preferably aligned radially symmetrically so that a uniform liquid distribution is possible.

Further advantages and features of the invention can be taken from the features further specified in the claims and the following embodiments.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is described and explained in more detail below using the embodiment shown in the drawing.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention for dosing a liquid into several containers,

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the distributor of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the distributor of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the dosing unit of the distributor according to Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention for dosing a liquid into several containers, Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the distributor of the device according to

Fig. 5 and

Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the dosing unit of the distributor according to Fig. 6.

WAYS OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the device 10 according to the invention for dosing a liquid 12 into several containers 14 is shown schematically in Fig. 1. In the present example, a total of six containers 14 are present. In principle, the number of containers 14 to be filled is freely selectable and can be adapted to the respective existing conditions.

The device 10 has a liquid reservoir 20 with an agitator 22. The agitator 22 can keep the liquid 12 present in the liquid reservoir 20 in constant motion. This is particularly important in the case of emulsions or suspensions as liquid 12 in order to prevent individual components of the liquid 12 from settling. If the liquids 12 are homogeneous, the agitator 22 could also be dispensed with.

The liquid reservoir 20 is connected to a common pump 26 via a hose 24. The pump 26 is connected to a distributor 30 via another hose 28. The hose 28 is designed as a pressure-resistant hose 28. The distributor 30 is connected to the liquid reservoir 20 via a hose 32. In this way, the liquid in the liquid reservoir 20 can be pumped by the pump 26 in a continuous circuit through the hose 24, the hose 28, the distributor 30, the hose 32 and the liquid reservoir 20. This prevents individual components of the liquid 12 from settling in the hoses 24, 28, 32 or the distributor 30, provided that the liquid 12 is not removed into the individual containers 14. In the present example, there are a total of six dosing needles 40 on the distributor 30, each of which is connected to the distributor 30 via a hose 42. There is a dosing valve 44 in each of the hoses 42. The dosing valves 44 can each be controlled individually, so that it can be determined separately for each container 14 whether or not it should be filled with the liquid 12. In addition, an individual dosing time can be set for each dosing needle 40, within which liquid 12 is dispensed via this dosing needle 40. This allows the amount of liquid dispensed by the dosing needles 40 to be adjusted to one another.

In order to dose the liquid 12 into the containers 14, a valve 46 in the hose 32 between the distributor 30 and the liquid reservoir 20 is closed so that the liquid 12 can no longer be pumped in the circuit. At the same time, the dosing valves 44 on the distributor 30 are opened in order to dose the required amount of liquid 12. The dosed amount of liquid 12 is then dispensed into the respective containers 14 via the dosing needles 40. The dosing needles 40 are raised in accordance with the rising liquid level in the containers 14. The dosing process is therefore not static, rather the dosing needles 40 move relative to the surface of the liquid 12. The dosing valves 44 are then closed again and the shut-off valve 46 is opened again so that the liquid 12 can be pumped back into the circuit. The filled containers 14 can be removed and replaced with new, empty containers 14. As soon as the new containers 14 have been presented, a new dosing process can be started.

In order to ensure that the metering valves 44 are opened at the right time and the shut-off valve 46 is closed at the right time, the pressure curve in the distributor 30 is recorded in the present example using a pressure sensor 48. In contrast to the embodiment shown in the drawing, the pressure sensor 48 could also be dispensed with. A first embodiment of the distributor 30 is shown schematically in Fig. 2. In the present example, the distributor 30 is aligned vertically, with both the inlet 50 and the outlet 52 being arranged at the lower edge of the distributor 30. The distributor 30 can thus be flowed through from below, so that deposits within the distributor 30 can be minimized. Within the distributor 30 there is an inlet line 54 which is connected to the inlet 50. The inlet line 54 opens into a diversion line 56. The diversion line 56 opens into an outlet line 58 which is connected to the outlet 52. The inlet line 54 and the outlet line 58 are therefore arranged approximately parallel to one another in the present example.

The individual hoses 42 to the dosing needles 40 are arranged on the outlet line 58. The hoses 42 and thus also the dosing needles 40 each have a constant mutual distance 60. This ensures a uniform liquid distribution in the distributor 30 and thus an exact dosing of the liquid 12.

In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the distributor 30 could also be aligned horizontally. In this case, the inlet 50 and the outlet 52 could optionally be connected to one of the two lateral ends of the distributor 30. In principle, it would also be possible in this case to connect the inlet 50 to one of the two lateral ends of the distributor 30 and to connect the outlet 52 to the opposite end of the distributor 30.

An alternative embodiment of the distributor 30.3 is shown schematically in Fig. 3 and 4. In the present example, the distributor 30.3 is vertically aligned. The inlet 50.3 is arranged in the lower area of the distributor 30.3, while the outlet 52.3 is arranged in the upper area of the distributor 30.3. The distributor 30.3 can thus be flowed through from below. In the present example, the inlet 50.3 is followed by a curved diversion line 70, which opens into a vertical riser 72. The riser 72 ends in the outlet 52.3. The diversion line 70 has a larger radius in order to minimize a possible separation of the liquid 12 by centrifugal forces.

A dosing unit 74 is arranged in the area of the riser 72. In the present example, the dosing unit 74 has a total of eight connection pieces 76 for dosing needles 40. A total of eight hoses 74 can thus be attached to the dosing unit 74 in order to connect a dosing needle 40 to the dosing unit 74. The connection pieces 76 and thus also the dosing needles 40 are arranged in one plane and are distributed circumferentially around the riser 72. The connection pieces 76 each have an identical radial distance of 45 degrees from the adjacent connection pieces 76 in the present example. This ensures an even distribution of liquid in the area of the distributor 30.3 and in particular in the area of the dosing unit 74, so that particularly high levels of accuracy with regard to the dosing result are possible.

Depending on the desired number of containers 14 to be filled and the liquid to be dosed, more or fewer dosing needles 40 can in principle be provided on the distributor 30, 30.3.

A second embodiment of the device 10.5 according to the invention for dosing a liquid 12 into several containers 14 is shown schematically in Fig. 5. In the present example, there are a total of eight containers 14, which are not shown in Fig. 5. In principle, the number of containers 14 to be filled is freely selectable and can be adapted to the respective existing conditions.

The device 10.5 has a liquid reservoir 20 with an agitator 22. The agitator 22 can keep the liquid 12 in the liquid reservoir 20 in constant motion. If the liquids 12 are homogeneous, the agitator 22 could also be dispensed with. The liquid reservoir 20 is connected to the lower region 34 of the The hose 24 arranged between the liquid reservoir 20 is connected to a common pump 26. The pump 26 is connected to a distributor 30.5 via a further hose 28. The hose 28 is designed as a pressure-resistant hose 28. The hose 28 is straight in the area immediately in front of the distributor 30.5, so that a calming section is created for the liquid 12 to be dosed.

The distributor 30.5 has a line branch 80. A hose 32.5 runs from the line branch 80 back to the liquid reservoir 20. In this way, the liquid in the liquid reservoir 20 can be pumped by the pump 26 in a continuous circuit through the hose 24, the hose 28, the hose 32.5 and the liquid reservoir 20. This prevents individual components of the liquid 12 from settling in the hoses 24, 28, 32.5, unless the liquid 12 is removed into the individual containers 14.

In addition, a metering line 82 is connected to the line branch 80, which is designed as a dead end. In the present example, the metering line 82 is aligned vertically and ends in a metering unit 74. In the present example, a total of eight metering needles 40 are present on the metering unit 74, each of which is connected to the distributor 30 via a hose 42 (see also Fig. 7). A metering valve 44 is present in each of the hoses 42. The metering valves 44 can each be controlled individually, so that an individual metering time can be set for each metering needle 40, within which liquid 12 is dispensed via this metering needle 40. This allows the amount of liquid dispensed by the metering needles 40 to be adjusted to one another.

In the present example, the dosing unit 74 is located at the lower end of the dosing line 82. The dosing line 82 is thus flowed through from top to bottom. In contrast, the dosing line 82 could also be bottom to top. In this case, the dosing unit 74 would be arranged at the upper end of the dosing line 82.

In order to dose the liquid 12 into the containers 14, a valve 46 in the hose 32.5 between the line branch 80 and the liquid reservoir 20 is closed so that the liquid 12 can no longer be pumped in the circuit. At the same time, the dosing valves 44 of the dosing unit 74 are opened in order to dose the required amount of liquid 12. The dosed amount of liquid 12 is then dispensed into the respective containers 14 via the dosing needles 40. The dosing needles 40 are raised in accordance with the rising liquid level in the containers 14. The dosing process is therefore not static, rather the dosing needles 40 move relative to the surface of the liquid 12. The dosing valves 44 are then closed again and the shut-off valve 46 is opened again so that the liquid 12 can be pumped back into the circuit. The filled containers 14 can be removed and replaced with new, empty containers 14. As soon as the new containers 14 have been presented, a new dosing process can be started.

The line branch 80 is part of the distributor 30.5, regardless of whether the line branch 80 and the metering line 82 with the metering unit 74 are present in a common distributor housing 84 or not. According to the embodiment in Fig. 6, the metering line 80, the metering unit 74 and the line branch 80 are arranged in a common distributor housing 84. In the present example, the distributor housing 84 is designed as a single piece. In contrast, the distributor housing 84 could also be designed as multiple pieces.

In addition, it would also be possible to provide only the dosing unit 74 and part of the dosing line 82 in a distributor housing 84. The line branch 80 would then be located outside the distributor housing 84, but would still be part of the distributor 30.5.

Claims

01. Device (10, 10.5) for dosing a liquid (12) into several containers (14) - with a liquid reservoir (20), - with a common pump (26), - with a distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) arranged between the common pump (26) and the plurality of containers (14), - with several dosing needles (40) connected to the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5), - wherein the liquid reservoir (20) is connected to the common pump (26) by means of a line, in particular by means of a hose (24), - wherein the common pump (26) is connected to the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) by means of a line, in particular by means of a hose (28), - characterized in that - the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) is connected to the liquid reservoir (20) by means of a line, in particular by means of a hose (32, 32.5). 02. Device according to claim 1, - characterized in that - the dosing needles (40) are each connected to the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) by means of a hose (42). 03. Device according to claim 1 or 2, - characterized in that - the dosing needles (40) are each connected to the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) via a dosing valve (44). 04. Device according to claim 3, - characterized in that - the dosing valves (44) can each be controlled individually. 05. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - the hose (28) between the common pump (26) and the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) is designed as a pressure-resistant hose (28). 06. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - the line (28) between the common pump (26) and the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) is straight in the area immediately upstream of the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5). 07. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - a valve (46) is present in the line (32, 32.5) between the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) and the liquid reservoir (20). 08. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - at least one stirring tool (22) is present in the liquid reservoir (20). 09. Device according to one of the preceding claims - characterized in that - the line (24) between the liquid reservoir (20) and the common pump (26) is connected to the lower part (34) of the liquid reservoir (20). 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - the common pump (26) is designed as a piston pump. 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - Distributor (30.5) has a line branch (80), wherein one of the two lines (32.5) leads to the liquid reservoir (20) and the other of the two lines is designed as a dosing line (82). 12. Device according to claim 11, - characterized in that - the dosing line (82) is aligned vertically, - at the end of the dosing line (82) there is a dosing unit (74) with several dosing needles (40), - the dosing needles (40) are arranged in one plane and distributed circumferentially around the dosing line (82). 13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, - characterized in that - the line branch (80) and the dosing line (82) are arranged in a common distributor housing (84). 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, - characterized in that - the distributor (30) is aligned vertically, - the inlet (50) for the line (28) is arranged at the lower part of the distributor (30). - an input line (54) is present in the distributor (30), - within the distributor (30) a diversion line (56) is connected to the input line (54), - within the distributor (30) an output line (58) is connected to the diversion line (56) so that the output line (58) and the input line (54) are arranged approximately parallel to each other, - the dosing needles (40) are connected to the output line (58). 15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, - characterized in that - the distributor (30.3) is aligned vertically, - the inlet (50.3) for the line (28) is arranged at the lower part of the distributor (30.3), - the distributor (30.3) has a riser (72), - a dosing unit (74) with several dosing needles (40) is present in the area of the riser (72), - the dosing needles (40) are arranged in one plane and distributed circumferentially around the riser pipe (72).