Filling system and filling method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a filling system, including a liquid storage container, an air intake component and a liquid intake component with adjustable flow, multiple groups of filling components, an exhaust valve, a first pressure detection component for measuring the gas pressure in the liquid storage container, and a second pressure detection component for measuring the total pressure in the liquid storage container. The air intake component, the liquid intake component and the exhaust valve are all connected to the liquid storage container. The multiple groups of filling components are arranged at intervals around the liquid storage container. The filling component includes a filling pipeline, a pneumatic diaphragm valve and a filling needle. The filling pipeline is connected to the liquid storage container, and the pneumatic diaphragm valve is connected between the filling pipeline and the filling needle. Each pneumatic diaphragm valve is respectively equipped with a compressed air pipeline for providing compressed air, and an electromagnetic switch valve is provided on the compressed air pipeline. The filling method thereof includes the steps of: S1, air and liquid intake of the liquid storage container; S2, constant pressure filling; S3, exhaust and liquid replenishment of the liquid storage container. The present invention has the advantages of simple structure, reliability, and is conducive to ensuring filling accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to food and medicine packaging machinery and a packaging method thereof, and in particular to a filling system and a filling method. Background Art

[0002] For most liquid packaging products, the main packaging methods include plunger pumps, peristaltic pumps, and some other positive displacement pumps and gravity-flowing pumps. Plunger pumps are widely used but are also expensive, especially those that can be CIP / SIP (cleaning / disinfection) online. Peristaltic pumps are also expensive, and their accuracy is slightly inferior to that of plunger pumps. They have great advantages for some products with high viscosity, but their operating costs are high due to the frequent replacement of silicone tubes. Positive displacement pumps are inconvenient to clean and change specifications due to structural reasons, so their scope of use is limited. The accuracy of gravity-flowing filling methods is difficult to effectively control, and is not suitable for products with high filling volume accuracy requirements. After comprehensive consideration of many factors such as accuracy, production capacity, and ease of use, a new time pressure method for packaging is proposed. In theory, it has higher accuracy, adjustable production capacity, convenient cleaning and sterilization, and low requirements for liquid characteristics, and is widely applicable. However, in fact, there are not many applications in the market, and there is a problem of low production capacity with high accuracy, which cannot achieve the desired effect. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide a filling system which has a simple and reliable structure and is conducive to ensuring filling accuracy.

[0004] The present invention further provides a filling method for the filling system.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A filling system comprises a liquid storage container, an air intake assembly with adjustable flow rate, a liquid intake assembly with adjustable flow rate, a plurality of filling assemblies, an exhaust valve, a first pressure detection component for measuring the gas pressure in the liquid storage container, and a second pressure detection component for measuring the total pressure of gas and liquid in the liquid storage container, the air intake assembly, the liquid intake assembly and the exhaust valve are all connected to the liquid storage container, a plurality of filling assemblies are arranged at intervals around the liquid storage container, the filling assembly comprises a filling pipeline, a pneumatic diaphragm valve and a filling needle, the filling pipeline is connected to the liquid storage container, the pneumatic diaphragm valve is connected between the filling pipeline and the filling needle, each of the pneumatic diaphragm valves is respectively equipped with a compressed air pipeline for providing compressed air, and an electromagnetic switch valve is provided on the compressed air pipeline.

[0007] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: the air intake component includes an air intake pipeline, a filter, a first proportional regulating valve and an air storage container, and the filter, the first proportional regulating valve and the air storage container are arranged in sequence along the air intake direction of the air intake pipeline.

[0008] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: the filling system also includes a compressed air container, each of the compressed air pipelines is connected to the compressed air container, and each of the electromagnetic switch valves is arranged at intervals around the compressed air container.

[0009] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: the liquid inlet component includes a liquid inlet pipeline and a second proportional regulating valve arranged on the liquid inlet pipeline.

[0010] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: a liquid level detection component is also provided on the liquid storage container.

[0011] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: the air inlet assembly, the liquid inlet assembly and the exhaust valve are all connected to the top of the liquid storage container, and the filling assembly is connected to the bottom of the liquid storage container.

[0012] A filling method of the above filling system comprises the following steps:

[0013] S1, air and liquid inlet into the liquid storage container: the air inlet component inputs dry gas into the liquid storage container at a flow rate Q1, and the liquid inlet component inputs filling liquid into the liquid storage container at a flow rate q1, until the detection values ​​of the first pressure detection component and the second pressure detection component reach the set range;

[0014] S2, constant pressure filling: the filling component is opened for filling, and at the same time, the air inlet component replenishes dry gas into the liquid storage container at a flow rate of Q2, and the liquid inlet component replenishes filling liquid into the liquid storage container at a flow rate of q2 to keep the detection value of the second pressure detection component within the set range, until the filling time reaches the set value, and the filling component is closed;

[0015] S3, exhaust and liquid replenishment of the liquid storage container: the air inlet component replenishes dry gas into the liquid storage container at a flow rate of Q3, and the liquid inlet component replenishes the filling liquid into the liquid storage container at a flow rate of q3, and at the same time the exhaust valve is opened to exhaust until the detection values ​​of the first pressure detection component and the second pressure detection component reach the set range.

[0016] As a further improvement of the above technical solution: in step S2, Q2>Q1, q2﹤q1; in step S3, Q3﹤Q2, q3﹥q2.

[0017] A filling method of the above filling system comprises the following steps:

[0018] S1, air and liquid intake into the liquid storage container: the air intake component inputs dry gas into the liquid storage container at a flow rate of Q1, and the liquid intake component inputs filling liquid into the liquid storage container at a flow rate of q1, until the detection values ​​of the first pressure detection component and the second pressure detection component reach the set range, and then the air intake component and the liquid intake component are closed;

[0019] S2, filling: the filling component opens to fill until the filling time reaches the set value, and then the filling component closes;

[0020] S3, replenishing the liquid storage container: the liquid inlet component is opened to replenish the liquid storage container with liquid at a flow rate of q3 until the detection values ​​of the first pressure detection component and the second pressure detection component reach the set range.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: the filling system disclosed in the present invention has a flow-adjustable air intake component, a flow-adjustable liquid intake component, and an exhaust valve connected to the liquid storage container, which can be used to adjust the pressure in the liquid storage container so that the pressure in the liquid storage container is always maintained stable during the filling process, which is beneficial to improving the filling accuracy. The air intake, exhaust and liquid intake are controlled by the pressure values ​​detected by the first pressure detection component and the second pressure detection component. Compared with the liquid level control, no conversion is required, and in the mode of filling and replenishing liquid at the same time, since the liquid outlet speed is greater than the liquid inlet speed, the liquid level will drop, and it is necessary to increase the air pressure to supplement the drop in the liquid level. The pressure loss caused can be more accurately detected through pressure feedback, especially for small-volume filling. The liquid level change is not obvious, and the liquid level detection component cannot effectively detect the liquid level change. Multiple groups of filling components are arranged at intervals around the liquid storage container, and the filling pipeline of each group of filling components is directly connected to the liquid storage container. The pressure fluctuation in the liquid storage container is small when filling and discharging liquid. At the same time, the mutual influence between the filling components is avoided, which is conducive to maintaining the consistent filling volume of each group of filling components. The opening and closing of the pneumatic diaphragm valve of each group of filling components is controlled by their corresponding solenoid valves, with fast response speed and avoiding mutual influence, which is conducive to improving the filling accuracy.

[0022] The first filling method disclosed in the present invention adjusts the flow rates of the air inlet component and the liquid inlet component according to the pressure values ​​detected by the first pressure detection component and the second pressure detection component to maintain a stable pressure in the liquid storage container. Compared with liquid level control, no conversion is required, and in the mode of filling and replenishing liquid at the same time, since the liquid outlet speed is greater than the liquid inlet speed, the liquid level will drop, and it is necessary to increase the air pressure to compensate for the pressure loss caused by the drop in liquid level. Pressure feedback is more accurate, especially for small-volume filling, when the liquid level change is not obvious and the liquid level detection component cannot effectively detect the liquid level change.

[0023] The second filling method of the present invention can simplify the process for filling small volumes (for example, 2 ml) due to the small pressure change. During the filling process, the pressure values ​​detected by the first pressure detection component and the second pressure detection component are only used to replenish the filling liquid, and the gas is no longer replenished or discharged, so the operation is simpler. Experiments show that the filling accuracy for 2 ml volume can reach within ±0.8%, which is still a very high accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the filling system of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a schematic flow chart of the first embodiment of the filling method of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a schematic flow chart of the second embodiment of the filling method of the present invention.

[0027] The numbers in the figure represent: 1. liquid storage container; 2. air intake assembly; 21. air intake pipeline; 22. filter; 23. first proportional regulating valve; 24. air storage container; 3. liquid inlet assembly; 31. liquid inlet pipeline; 32. second proportional regulating valve; 4. filling assembly; 41. filling pipeline; 42. pneumatic diaphragm valve; 43. filling needle; 51. compressed air container; 52. solenoid switch valve; 53. compressed air pipeline; 61. first pressure detection component; 62. second pressure detection component; 7. liquid level detection component; 8. exhaust valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Embodiment 1

[0030] Figure 1An embodiment of the filling system of the present invention is shown. The filling system of this embodiment includes a liquid storage container 1, an air intake component 2 with adjustable flow, a liquid intake component 3 with adjustable flow, multiple filling components 4, an exhaust valve 8, a first pressure detection component 61 for measuring the gas pressure in the liquid storage container 1, and a second pressure detection component 62 for measuring the total pressure of gas and liquid in the liquid storage container 1. The air intake component 2, the liquid intake component 3 and the exhaust valve 8 are all connected to the liquid storage container 1, and the multiple filling components 4 are arranged at intervals around the liquid storage container 1. The filling component 4 includes a filling pipeline 41, a pneumatic diaphragm valve 42 and a filling needle 43. The filling pipeline 41 is connected to the liquid storage container 1, and the pneumatic diaphragm valve 42 is connected between the filling pipeline 41 and the filling needle 43. Each pneumatic diaphragm valve 42 is respectively equipped with a compressed air pipeline 53 for providing compressed air, and an electromagnetic switch valve 52 is provided on the compressed air pipeline 53. Among them, the liquid storage container 1 can be, for example, a commonly used tank body, etc.; the medium of the air intake component 2 can be, for example, common nitrogen, etc., to avoid reaction with the filling liquid, and it is low-cost and easy to prepare; the first pressure detection component 61 and the second pressure detection component 62 can be, for example, commonly used pressure sensors, pressure transmitters, etc.; the solenoid switch valve 52 preferably uses a fast solenoid valve to improve the response speed.

[0031] In the filling system, the liquid storage container 1 is connected with an air intake component 2 with adjustable flow rate, a liquid intake component 3 with adjustable flow rate, and an exhaust valve 8, which can be used to adjust the pressure in the liquid storage container 1, so that the pressure in the liquid storage container 1 is always kept stable during the filling process, which is beneficial to improving the filling accuracy. The air intake, exhaust and liquid intake are controlled by the pressure values ​​detected by the first pressure detection component 61 and the second pressure detection component 62. Compared with the liquid level control, no conversion is required. In the mode of filling and replenishing liquid at the same time, since the liquid outlet speed is greater than the liquid inlet speed, the liquid level will drop, and it is necessary to increase the air pressure to compensate for the pressure loss caused by the drop in the liquid level. It is more accurate, especially for filling of small quantities. The liquid level change is not obvious, and the liquid level detection component 7 cannot effectively detect the liquid level change. Multiple groups of filling components 4 are arranged at intervals around the liquid storage container 1, and the filling pipeline 41 of each group of filling components 4 is directly connected to the liquid storage container 1. The pressure fluctuation in the liquid storage container 1 is small when filling the liquid, and the mutual influence between the filling components 4 is avoided, which is conducive to maintaining the consistent filling volume of each group of filling components 4. The opening and closing of the pneumatic diaphragm valve 42 of each group of filling components 4 is controlled by the corresponding electromagnetic switch valve 52, with fast response speed and avoiding mutual influence, which is conducive to improving the filling accuracy.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the air intake assembly 2 includes an air intake pipeline 21, a filter 22, a first proportional regulating valve 23 and an air storage container 24, and the filter 22, the first proportional regulating valve 23 and the air storage container 24 are arranged in sequence along the air intake direction of the air intake pipeline 21. The gas medium enters from the air intake pipeline 21, is filtered by the filter 22, has its flow rate adjusted by the first proportional regulating valve 23, and then enters the air storage container 34, which is used for buffering. When replenishing air after filling, the fluctuation of air pressure can be reduced, and the detection components can be prevented from making erroneous judgments. The structure is simple and reliable. Among them, the air storage container 34 can be a commonly used tank, etc.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the filling system further includes a compressed air container 51, and each compressed air pipeline 53 is connected to the compressed air container 51, that is, the compressed air container 51 provides compressed air to each compressed air pipeline 53, and each electromagnetic switch valve 52 is arranged at intervals around the compressed air container 51, which is conducive to avoiding the influence of each electromagnetic switch valve 52 on each other and maintaining the same filling amount. Among them, the compressed air container 51 can be, for example, a commonly used tank.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid inlet assembly 3 includes a liquid inlet pipeline 31 and a second proportional regulating valve 32 disposed on the liquid inlet pipeline 31. The filling medium enters through the liquid inlet pipeline 31, and the flow rate is regulated by the second proportional regulating valve 32, which has a simple and reliable structure.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid storage container 1 is further provided with a liquid level detection component 7. The liquid level change in the liquid storage container 1 can be detected by the liquid level detection component 7.

[0036] As a preferred technical solution, in this embodiment, the air inlet assembly 2, the liquid inlet assembly 3 and the exhaust valve 5 are all connected to the top of the liquid storage container 1, and the filling assembly 4 is connected to the bottom of the liquid storage container 1. This arrangement structure can make full use of the gravity of the liquid to enter and exit the liquid storage container 1, reduce friction and extrusion components (such as various pumps), and effectively reduce the risk of particle contamination.

[0037] Embodiment 2

[0038] The filling method of the filling system of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0039] S1, gas and liquid intake into the liquid storage container 1: the gas intake component 2 inputs dry gas into the liquid storage container 1 at a flow rate Q1, and the liquid intake component 3 inputs filling liquid into the liquid storage container 1 at a flow rate q1, until the detection values ​​of the first pressure detection component 61 and the second pressure detection component 62 reach the set range;

[0040] S2, constant pressure filling: the filling component 4 is opened for filling, and at the same time, the air inlet component 2 replenishes the dry gas into the liquid storage container 1 at a flow rate Q2, and the liquid inlet component 3 replenishes the filling liquid into the liquid storage container 1 at a flow rate q2 to keep the detection value of the second pressure detection component 62 within the set range, until the filling time reaches the set value, and the filling component 4 is closed;

[0041] S3, exhaust and replenishment of liquid in the liquid storage container 1: the air inlet component 2 replenishes dry gas into the liquid storage container 1 at a flow rate Q3, and the liquid inlet component 3 replenishes the filling liquid into the liquid storage container 1 at a flow rate q3, and at the same time the exhaust valve 8 is opened to exhaust until the detection values ​​of the first pressure detection component 61 and the second pressure detection component 62 reach the set range.

[0042] In this filling method, the pressure values ​​detected by the first pressure detection component 61 and the second pressure detection component 62 are used to adjust the flow rates of the air inlet component 2 and the liquid inlet component 3 to maintain a stable pressure in the liquid storage container 1. Compared with liquid level control, no conversion is required, and in the mode of filling and replenishing liquid at the same time, since the liquid outlet speed is greater than the liquid inlet speed, the liquid level will drop, and it is necessary to increase the air pressure to compensate for the pressure loss caused by the drop in liquid level. Pressure feedback is more accurate, especially for small-volume filling, when the liquid level change is not obvious and the liquid level detection component 7 cannot effectively detect the liquid level change.

[0043] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in step S2, Q2>Q1, q2﹤q1; in step S3, Q3﹤Q2, q3﹥q2, that is, during filling, the filling medium is supplemented with a small flow rate and the gas is supplemented with a large flow rate, and after the filling is completed, the filling medium is supplemented with a large flow rate and the gas is discharged. This can effectively ensure a constant pressure during filling, avoid large disturbances to the liquid state in the liquid storage container 1 caused by large-flow liquid replenishment during filling, and is beneficial to maintaining the filling accuracy, while effectively shortening the liquid replenishment time and the balance time, taking into account production efficiency.

[0044] Embodiment 3

[0045] The filling method of the filling system of this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0046] S1, air and liquid intake into liquid storage container 1: air intake component 2 inputs dry gas into liquid storage container 1 at flow rate Q1, and liquid intake component 3 inputs filling liquid into liquid storage container 1 at flow rate q1, until the detection values ​​of first pressure detection component 61 and second pressure detection component 62 reach set range, and then air intake component 2 and liquid intake component 3 are closed;

[0047] S2, filling: the filling component 4 opens the filling until the filling time reaches the set value, and then the filling component 4 closes;

[0048] S3, replenishing the liquid storage container 1: the liquid inlet component 3 is opened to replenish the liquid storage container 1 with liquid at a flow rate q3 until the detection values ​​of the first pressure detection component 61 and the second pressure detection component 62 reach the set range.

[0049] For filling of small amounts (for example 2 ml), the process can be simplified due to the small pressure change. During the filling process, the pressure values ​​detected by the first pressure detection component 61 and the second pressure detection component 62 are only used to replenish the filling liquid, and the gas is no longer replenished or discharged, so the operation is simpler. Tests show that the filling accuracy for 2 ml volume can reach within ±0.8%, that is, although the filling method is simplified, it still has very high accuracy and higher production efficiency.

[0050] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any technician familiar with the art can make many possible changes and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention by using the technical content disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, or modify it into an equivalent embodiment of equivalent changes. Therefore, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention should fall within the scope of protection of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A filling system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a liquid storage container (1), an air intake component (2) with adjustable flow rate, a liquid intake component (3) with adjustable flow rate, a plurality of filling components (4), an exhaust valve (8), a first pressure detection component (61) for measuring the gas pressure in the liquid storage container (1), and a second pressure detection component (62) for measuring the total pressure of the gas and liquid in the liquid storage container (1), wherein the air intake component (2), the liquid intake component (3) and the exhaust valve (8) are all connected to the liquid storage container (1), the plurality of filling components (4) are arranged at intervals around the liquid storage container (1), and the filling components (4) include a filling pipeline (41), a pneumatic diaphragm The filling pipeline (41) is connected to the liquid storage container (1), and the pneumatic diaphragm valve (42) is connected between the filling pipeline (41) and the filling needle (43). Each of the pneumatic diaphragm valves (42) is respectively provided with a compressed air pipeline (53) for providing compressed air. The compressed air pipeline (53) is provided with an electromagnetic switch valve (52). The first pressure detection component (61) and the second pressure detection component (62) are pressure sensors or pressure transmitters. The detection value of the second pressure detection component (62) is maintained within a set range to achieve constant pressure filling.

2. The filling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air intake assembly (2) comprises an air intake pipeline (21), a filter (22), a first proportional regulating valve (23) and an air storage container (24); the filter (22), the first proportional regulating valve (23) and the air storage container (24) are arranged in sequence along the air intake direction of the air intake pipeline (21).

3. The filling system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a compressed air container (51), each of the compressed air pipelines (53) is connected to the compressed air container (51), and each of the electromagnetic switch valves (52) is arranged at intervals around the compressed air container (51).

4. The filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The liquid inlet assembly (3) comprises a liquid inlet pipeline (31) and a second proportional regulating valve (32) arranged on the liquid inlet pipeline (31).

5. The filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The liquid storage container (1) is also provided with a liquid level detection component (7).

6. The filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The air inlet assembly (2), the liquid inlet assembly (3) and the exhaust valve (8) are all connected to the top of the liquid storage container (1), and the filling assembly (4) is connected to the bottom of the liquid storage container (1).

7. A filling method of a filling system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1, air and liquid intake into the liquid storage container (1): the air intake component (2) inputs dry gas into the liquid storage container (1) at a flow rate Q1, and the liquid intake component (3) inputs filling liquid into the liquid storage container (1) at a flow rate q1, until the detection values ​​of the first pressure detection component (61) and the second pressure detection component (62) reach a set range; S2, constant pressure filling: the filling component (4) is opened for filling, and at the same time, the air inlet component (2) replenishes dry gas into the liquid storage container (1) at a flow rate Q2, and the liquid inlet component (3) replenishes filling liquid into the liquid storage container (1) at a flow rate q2 to keep the detection value of the second pressure detection component (62) within a set range, until the filling time reaches the set value, and the filling component (4) is closed; S3, exhaust and liquid replenishment of the liquid storage container (1): the air inlet component (2) replenishes dry gas into the liquid storage container (1) at a flow rate of Q3, and the liquid inlet component (3) replenishes the filling liquid into the liquid storage container (1) at a flow rate of q3, and at the same time, the exhaust valve (8) is opened to exhaust until the detection values ​​of the first pressure detection component (61) and the second pressure detection component (62) reach the set range.

8. The filling method of the filling system according to claim 7, characterized in that: In step S2, Q2>Q1, q2﹤q1; in step S3, Q3﹤Q2, q3﹥q2.

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