A feeding device for a packaging machine and its usage method

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of liquid filling technology, specifically disclosing a feeding device for a packaging machine. The device includes a feeding hopper and two feeding heads connected to the discharge end of the feeding hopper. Each feeding hopper has a discharge pipe connected to one feeding head, and each feeding head is equipped with a feeding pump. The two discharge pipes are connected via an auxiliary pipe, and a three-way switching valve is installed at the intersection of the auxiliary pipe and the discharge pipe. The feeding device for a packaging machine is also disclosed in several operating modes: a single feeding head operating mode; a dual feeding head operating mode; and a fine control mode where the two feeding heads work alternately, one as a coarse feeding head and the other as a fine feeding head. This solution provides a feeding device and method that reduces switching time, minimizes the discharge of cleaning water and wastewater, improves feeding accuracy, and meets the needs of multiple application scenarios.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of liquid filling technology, specifically to a feeding device for a packaging machine and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] In the feeding device of a packaging machine, there is a step that requires adding materials into the packaging bag. For the addition of a liquid material, there is usually only one feeding head, which is specifically designed to add that particular material.

[0003] When raw material switching is required but the feeding head does not switch, it is often necessary to flush the pipeline through which the original raw material flows with a large amount of clean water. This cleaning is not only time-consuming but also wastes a lot of water resources and generates a lot of wastewater, which is not in line with the modern society's concept of efficient production and environmental protection.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, existing technologies include the use of backup silos, where each silo supplies material to the same feeding head via its own independent pipeline. In this way, when raw materials need to be replaced, only the section where the feeding head is installed needs to be cleaned, reducing rinsing time, water usage, and wastewater discharge. However, this method is only suitable for switching between uses and its practicality is still relatively low.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, a separate feeding hopper and feeding head are used. This allows for quick switching using backup pipelines and feeding heads, eliminating the production downtime caused by cleaning. However, this approach results in low efficiency of the backup pipelines and feeding heads, increasing the company's idle costs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a feeding device for a packaging machine, which can reduce switching time, reduce the discharge of cleaning water and wastewater required for cleaning, improve feeding accuracy, and meet the needs of multiple usage scenarios.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A feeding device for a packaging machine includes a feeding bin and a feeding head connected to the discharge end of the feeding bin. There are two feeding bins and two feeding heads. The discharge pipe of each feeding bin is connected to one feeding head. Each feeding head is equipped with a feeding pump. The two discharge pipes are connected by an auxiliary pipe. A three-way switching valve is installed at the intersection of the auxiliary pipe and the discharge pipe.

[0009] The principle and advantages of this solution are as follows: When only one feeding head is needed to complete the feeding of the packaging machine, the raw material in one feeding bin only needs to flow through the discharge pipe and out of the feeding head. However, when a raw material switch is required, because this solution includes another feeding head connected to another discharge pipe and another feeding bin, a switch can be made to immediately put the other raw material into production, improving production efficiency.

[0010] If two different raw materials are to be injected, the three-way switching valve can be controlled to allow the raw materials added by the two feeding heads to have their own paths, such as one feeding head corresponding to one feeding bin, thereby improving the utilization rate.

[0011] When precise control of feeding is required, both feeding heads can be connected to the same feeding hopper, with one feeding head acting as a coarse feeding head and the other as a fine feeding head. By selecting different precision of the feeding pumps on the feeding heads, both feeding speed and feeding accuracy can be ensured.

[0012] When both feeding heads are injecting the same raw material, the switching valve can be controlled to allow the two feeding heads to work alternately, with the raw material flowing out of both feeding heads coming from the same feeding hopper. When switching raw materials, only the discharge pipeline, the switching valve connected to the discharge pipeline, and the feeding head need to be flushed. There is no need to flush the feeding hopper used for the previous raw material, which helps to reduce the amount of flushing water used and the amount of wastewater generated, and helps to shorten the flushing time compared to flushing from the feeding hopper.

[0013] In summary, the feeding device of this packaging machine can be used in a variety of application scenarios. It can not only meet the requirements for rapid switching of raw materials, but also reduce the amount of water required for rinsing and the amount of wastewater during switching, and also help improve accuracy, thus greatly improving practicality.

[0014] Preferably, as an improvement, it also includes liquid production cylinders, with at least two liquid production cylinders, all of which are connected to a main feeding pipe, each liquid production cylinder having a discharge valve at its discharge end, the inlet ends of the two feeding bins being connected to the main feeding pipe via feeding branch pipes, and a shut-off valve being installed on a section of the main feeding pipe between adjacent feeding branch pipes.

[0015] Beneficial effects: By setting up more than one liquid production cylinder, it is convenient to supply materials to different feeding bins through the liquid production cylinder.

[0016] Preferably, as an improvement, the feed inlet of the feeding hopper is equipped with a 90° bend, the horizontal section of the bend is connected to the feeding branch pipe, and the downward-bent end of the bend opens towards the feeding hopper.

[0017] Beneficial effects: In actual production, in order to load more raw materials of the same size, the feed inlet of the feeding silo is often set at a high position. In order to facilitate cleaning and discharge, the top of the feeding silo is usually open and covered by a cover plate. However, the capacity of the liquid material production cylinder is much larger than that of the feeding silo, and the position of the liquid material production cylinder is also higher than that of the feeding silo. When the feeding silo and the liquid material production cylinder are connected, the liquid raw materials in the liquid material production cylinder will be sprayed into the feeding silo at high speed and high pressure. The raw materials will splash at the feeding inlet, and some raw materials will splash onto the cover plate and drip down the cover plate, resulting in waste of raw materials.

[0018] When using this solution, the 90-degree bend in the pipe affects the flow rate of the raw material as it enters the feeding hopper. Furthermore, the spray direction changes 90 degrees towards the bottom of the hopper, completely preventing the raw material from splashing onto the cover plate. Additionally, the material sprayed towards the bottom of the feeding hopper impacts the existing material, effectively agitating it and preventing sedimentation.

[0019] Preferably, as an improvement, the feed end and discharge end of the feeding hopper are located on both sides of the feeding hopper, so that the raw material impacting downward after the curved pipe feed will not splash into the feeding hopper, and can form a certain stirring effect, but the distance between the feed end and the discharge end can avoid the raw material flowing out of the curved pipe from directly impacting the discharge end, thereby affecting the accuracy of subsequent feeding.

[0020] Preferably, as an improvement, a filter screen is provided in the feeding bin, and the discharge end of the feeding bin is lower than the position of the filter screen, so as to achieve filtration of the raw materials in the feeding bin.

[0021] Preferably, as an improvement, the cross-sectional area of ​​the main feeding pipe is larger than that of the branch feeding pipe. The main feeding pipe and the branch feeding pipe are connected by a flared eccentric connecting pipe. The larger end of the eccentric connecting pipe is connected to the main feeding pipe, and the smaller end of the eccentric connecting pipe is connected to the branch feeding pipe. The bottom of the eccentric connecting pipe is directly connected to the bottom of the main feeding pipe or inclined downward toward the branch feeding pipe, so as to reduce or even avoid the presence of raw material residue in the main feeding pipe.

[0022] Preferably, as an improvement, a metal braided hose is connected between the eccentric connecting pipe and the feeding branch pipe.

[0023] Beneficial effects: Compared to plastic hoses, metal braided hoses offer improved compressive strength, preventing leakage due to excessive pressure. They also balance the different frequency vibrations between the main feeding pipe and the feeding hopper (the feeding hopper is often installed on top of the packaging machine; vibrations from the machine are transmitted to it. If the feeding hopper is rigidly connected to the main feeding pipe, the connection strength will be affected by long-term vibration), ensuring long-term reliability of the pipe connection. Furthermore, since the output ends of the feeding branch pipe and the eccentric connecting pipe are not necessarily at the same height and directly opposite each other, existing rigid pipes require very strict dimensional design for connecting these two ends. This solution uses metal braided hoses, whose relative flexibility greatly reduces the positional requirements of the eccentric connecting pipe and the feeding branch pipe. As long as the hose is long enough, the two can be connected, significantly reducing the processing and connection difficulties of the eccentric connecting pipe and the feeding branch pipe.

[0024] Preferably, as an improvement, both ends of the metal braided hose are connected to the eccentric connecting pipe and the feeding branch pipe through quick connectors, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the metal braided hose and allows for separate inspection of the feeding main pipe or feeding branch pipe after the metal braided hose is assembled or disassembled.

[0025] This invention also provides a method for using a feeding device of a packaging machine, which requires the feeding device of the packaging machine and includes the following usage modes:

[0026] Single feeding head working mode: Only one feeding head is working, the auxiliary pipeline is not connected, and the raw material is fed from one of the feeding bins along the discharge pipeline and from the corresponding feeding head;

[0027] Dual feeding head separate working mode: each of the two feeding heads corresponds to a feeding bin, the auxiliary pipelines are not connected, and the two feeding bins feed independently without interfering with each other;

[0028] Fine control mode: Two feeding heads work in turn, one as a coarse feeding head and the other as a fine feeding head. The weight of raw materials added to the packaging bag by the coarse feeding head is much greater than the weight added by the fine feeding head. When switching from the coarse feeding head to the fine feeding head, the auxiliary pipeline and the discharge pipeline are connected by switching the three-way switching valve.

[0029] Preferably, as an improvement, both the coarse feeding head and the fine feeding head extend into the packaging bag and are kept at a certain distance from the liquid surface after each feeding is completed, in order to prevent splashing during the feeding process.

[0030] Preferably, as an improvement, after the coarse feeding head finishes feeding, the packaging bag is weighed, and the weighing data is transmitted to the control module. The control module calculates the difference based on the weighing data and the preset weight, and controls the feeding pump installed on the fine feeding head to fill the difference portion. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding device of the packaging machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the feeding bin, the feeding branch pipe, and the feeding main pipe, as shown in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding device of the packaging machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:

[0035] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: liquid production cylinder 10, feeding bin 20, feeding bin cover 200, bend 201, filter screen 202, float switch 203, overflow port 204, feeding head 30, feeding pump 301, main feeding pipe 1, discharge valve 11, shut-off valve 12, drain pipe 2, drain valve 21, feeding branch pipe 3, feed valve 31, discharge pipeline 4, auxiliary pipeline 5, three-way switching valve 41, eccentric connecting pipe 6, metal braided hose 7, cleaning pipeline 8, and cleaning valve 81.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] Combination Figure 1 A feeding device for a packaging machine includes a liquid production cylinder 10, a feeding bin 20, and a feeding head 30. There are at least two liquid production cylinders 10, and two feeding bins 20 and two feeding heads 30. In this embodiment, it is taken that there are two liquid production cylinders 10, two feeding bins 20, and two feeding heads 30. The discharge end of all liquid production cylinders 10 is connected to a fixedly installed feeding main pipe 1. Each liquid production cylinder 10 is provided with a discharge valve 11 at its discharge end. The discharge valve 11 is connected to the feeding main pipe 1. Each liquid production cylinder 10 is also connected to a drain pipe 2. A drain valve 21 is installed on the drain pipe 2. The drain valve 21 and the drain pipe 2 facilitate the cleaning and drainage of the liquid production cylinders 10.

[0038] The feeding bin 20 is connected to the main feeding pipe 1 via the feeding branch pipe 3. Each feeding branch pipe 3 is equipped with an inlet valve 31. A shut-off valve 12 is installed on a section of the main feeding pipe 1 between adjacent feeding branch pipes 3. The discharge end of each feeding bin 20 is connected to the corresponding feeding head 30 via the discharge pipe 4. Each feeding head 30 is equipped with a feeding pump 301. The two discharge pipes 4 are connected by an auxiliary pipe 5. A three-way switching valve 41 is installed at the intersection of the auxiliary pipe 5 and the discharge pipe 4. The three-way switching valve 41 is used to connect any two pipes that can be connected.

[0039] Combination Figure 2 A 90° bend 201 is installed at the feed inlet of the feeding hopper 20. The horizontal section of the bend 201 is connected to the feeding branch pipe 3. The downward-bent end of the bend 201 opens towards the bottom of the feeding hopper 20. The feed inlet and outlet of the feeding hopper 20 are located on both sides of the feeding hopper 20.

[0040] A filter screen 202 is fixed inside the feeding hopper 20, and the discharge end of the feeding hopper 20 is lower than the position of the filter screen 202. The feeding hopper 20 is also equipped with a float switch 203 for liquid level control. The float switch 203 is electrically connected to the control module. When the liquid level reaches the design requirements, the control module controls the feed valve 31 on the feed branch pipe 3 to close. The feeding hopper 20 is also equipped with an overflow port 204. A liquid level switch is installed on the overflow port 204. The overflow port 204 is connected to an overflow pipe. An automatic overflow valve is installed on the overflow pipe. The automatic overflow valve and the liquid level switch are both connected to the control module. The output end of the overflow pipe is connected to a receiving container. The receiving container is lower than the feeding hopper 20 (the overflow pipe and receiving container are not shown in the figure). If the float switch 203 fails or gets stuck, and the liquid level reaches the liquid level height sensed by the liquid level switch, the control module controls the feed valve 31 to close the corresponding discharge valve 11 on the feed main pipe 1 of the feeding hopper 20, which is in an overflow state. The float switch 203 and the control module control the feed valve 31 to achieve primary protection of the liquid level in the feeding hopper 20, avoiding raw material waste caused by overflow. The overflow port, liquid level switch, automatic overflow valve and control module settings achieve secondary protection after the primary protection fails. After the secondary protection is opened, the receiving container ensures that the overflowed raw material is received in time to avoid raw material waste.

[0041] The bottom of the feed inlet of the feeding hopper 20 is parallel to or lower than the bottom of the main feed pipe 1. The cross-sectional area of ​​the main feed pipe 1 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the feed branch pipe 3.

[0042] The feeding main pipe 1 and the feeding branch pipe 3 are connected by a flared eccentric connecting pipe 6. The larger end of the eccentric connecting pipe 6 is welded to the feeding main pipe 1, and the smaller end of the eccentric connecting pipe 6 has a flange. A metal braided flexible hose 7 connects the smaller end of the eccentric connecting pipe 6 and the feeding branch pipe 3. The metal braided flexible hose 7 is a uniform diameter hose, and both ends of the metal braided flexible hose 7 are equipped with quick connectors. The metal braided flexible hose 7 is connected to both the eccentric connecting pipe 6 and the feeding branch pipe 3 through the quick connectors.

[0043] The bottom of the eccentric connecting pipe 6 is directly connected to the bottom of the feeding main pipe 1 or tilted downward toward the metal braided hose 7, so that raw materials are not easily left inside the feeding main pipe 1.

[0044] This embodiment also provides a method for using the feeding device of a packaging machine, including the following three modes:

[0045] Mode 1, Single feeding head 30 working mode: Only one feeding head 30 is working, the auxiliary pipeline 5 is not connected, and the raw material is fed from one of the feeding bins 20 along the discharge pipeline 4 and from the corresponding feeding head 30.

[0046] In mode one, with Figure 1 Taking the left feeding bin 20 and feeding head 30 as an example, the right feeding bin 20 and feeding head 30 are equivalent to backup pipelines, used for quick switching of raw materials when switching is required.

[0047] Mode 2, Dual feeding head 30 working mode: Each of the two feeding heads 30 corresponds to a feeding bin 20, the auxiliary pipeline 5 is not connected, and the two feeding bins 20 feed each other without interfering with each other.

[0048] In this second mode, the three-way switching valve 41 ensures that the discharge end of the feeding bin 20 is directly connected to the corresponding feeding head 30 through the discharge pipe 4, and the two feeding paths can be controlled independently.

[0049] Mode 3, Fine Control Mode: The two feeding heads 30 work in turn, one as the coarse feeding head 30 and the other as the fine feeding head 30. The weight of the raw material added to the packaging bag by the coarse feeding head 30 is much greater than the weight added by the fine feeding head 30. When switching from the coarse feeding head 30 to the fine feeding head 30, the auxiliary pipeline 5 is connected to the discharge pipeline 4 by switching the three-way switching valve 41.

[0050] In Mode 3, both the coarse feed head 30 and the fine feed head 30 extend into the packaging bag, maintaining a certain distance from the liquid surface after each feed is completed to prevent splashing during the feeding process. After the coarse feed head 30 completes feeding, the packaging bag is weighed, and the weighing data is transmitted to a control module. The control module calculates the difference based on the weighing data and the preset weight, and then controls the feed pump 301 installed on the fine feed head 30 to fill the difference portion.

[0051] The method of this embodiment enables the feeding device of the packaging machine to be applied to a variety of usage scenarios. It can not only meet the requirements of rapid material switching, but also reduce the amount of water required for rinsing and the amount of wastewater during switching, and also help improve accuracy, thus greatly improving practicality.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the eccentric connecting pipe 6 can prevent the residue of raw materials on the main feeding pipe 1, while the metal braided hose 7 can not only easily connect the main feeding pipe 1 and the feeding branch pipe 3, but also reduce the position requirements of the main feeding pipe 1 and the main feeding branch pipe 3, and meet the high pressure requirements when the liquid raw materials flow through. In addition, the metal braided hose 7 can also form a flexible connection between the pipeline of the feeding bin 20 and the liquid production cylinder 10, so as to avoid the vibration of the feeding bin 20 being affected by the vibration generated when it is installed on the packaging machine, which affects the strength of the pipeline connection. In addition, the design of the 90° bend 201 can prevent the raw materials from flowing out along the cover plate 200 after being sprayed into the feeding bin 20, and can also use the raw materials sprayed downward by the bend 201 to stir the original raw materials in the feeding bin 20 to a certain extent, so as to avoid the precipitation of some components in the raw materials.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] Combination Figure 2 This second embodiment is an improvement on the first embodiment as follows: it also includes a cleaning pipeline connected to the main feeding pipe. The cleaning pipeline is connected to the discharge end of the liquid production cylinder. Each liquid production cylinder has a corresponding cleaning pipeline, and a cleaning valve is installed on the cleaning pipeline.

[0055] By injecting cleaning fluid into the cleaning pipeline, the cleaning fluid flows through the opened cleaning valve into the main feed pipe, thus facilitating a comprehensive cleaning of the raw material flow path after the liquid material production cylinder outputs. This cleaning does not need to flow through the liquid material production cylinder, thus facilitating rapid cleaning. Furthermore, during the cleaning process, segmented cleaning can be achieved by controlling the opening and closing of valves on the main feed pipe and the feed branch pipe. For example, the feed valve can be closed, using part of the cleaning pipeline as the flushing inlet and part as the flushing outlet, quickly achieving cleaning of the main feed pipe. After the main feed pipe is cleaned, the feed branch pipe, discharge pipe, etc., are cleaned, improving the flexibility of the cleaning process.

[0056] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention, and common knowledge such as specific technical solutions and / or characteristics are not described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the technical solutions of the present invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of the present invention or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of using a feeding device for a packaging machine, characterized in that, The packaging machine requires a feeding device, which includes a feeding hopper and two feeding heads connected to the discharge end of the feeding hopper. Each feeding hopper's discharge pipe is connected to one feeding head, and each feeding head is equipped with a feeding pump. The two discharge pipes are connected via an auxiliary pipe, and a three-way switching valve is installed at the intersection of the auxiliary pipe and the discharge pipe. The machine also includes at least two liquid material production cylinders, all connected to a main feeding pipe. Each liquid material production cylinder has a discharge valve at its discharge end, and the inlet ends of the two feeding hoppers are connected via branch pipes. The main feeding pipe is connected, and a shut-off valve is installed on a section of the main feeding pipe between adjacent feeding branches; a 90° bend is installed at the inlet of the feeding hopper, the horizontal section of the bend is connected to the feeding branch, and the downward-bent end of the bend opens towards the feeding hopper; the inlet and outlet of the feeding hopper are located on both sides of the feeding hopper; the cross-sectional area of ​​the main feeding pipe is larger than that of the feeding branch; the connection between the main feeding pipe and the feeding branch is through a flared eccentric connecting pipe, the larger end of the eccentric connecting pipe is connected to the main feeding pipe, the smaller end of the eccentric connecting pipe is connected to the feeding branch, and the bottom of the eccentric connecting pipe is directly connected to the bottom of the main feeding pipe or inclined downward towards the feeding branch; When using it, the following usage modes are included: Single feeding head working mode: Only one feeding head is working, the auxiliary pipeline is not connected, and the raw material is fed from one of the feeding bins along the discharge pipeline and from the corresponding feeding head; Dual feeding head separate working mode: each of the two feeding heads corresponds to a feeding bin, the auxiliary pipelines are not connected, and the two feeding bins feed independently without interfering with each other; Fine control mode: Two feeding heads work in turn, one as a coarse feeding head and the other as a fine feeding head. The weight of raw materials added to the packaging bag by the coarse feeding head is much greater than the weight added by the fine feeding head. When switching from the coarse feeding head to the fine feeding head, the auxiliary pipeline and the discharge pipeline are connected by switching the three-way switching valve.

2. The method of using the feeding device of a packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the coarse feed head and the fine feed head extend into the packaging bag, and are at a certain distance from the liquid surface after each feed is completed.

3. The method of using the feeding device of a packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the coarse feeding head finishes feeding, the packaging bag is weighed. The weighing data is transmitted to the control module. The control module calculates the difference based on the weighing data and the preset weight, and then controls the feeding pump installed on the fine feeding head to fill the difference portion.

4. The method of using the feeding device of a packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding hopper is equipped with a filter screen, and the discharge end of the feeding hopper is lower than the position of the filter screen.

5. The method of using the feeding device of a packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A metal braided hose connects the eccentric connecting pipe and the feeding branch pipe.

Images