Device and filling machine

Abstract

A device (100) for lifting a package (402) is disclosed. The device comprises: a housing (110) having upper and lower guide rails (221, 231) for supporting a rod (202) movable to lift a package (402); a gap (204) formed between the rod and the housing and extending between the rails for accommodating a lubricant providing lubrication between the rod and the rails; a first blade (222) for scraping the rod to remove lubricant that has passed through the upper rail; a second blade (223) for scraping the rod to remove lubricant that has passed through the first blade; first and second spaces (224, 225) for receiving lubricant that has been scraped by the first blade and the second blade, respectively; and a common lubricant outlet (126), the first space and the second space being in fluid connection with the common lubricant outlet. The invention further discloses a filling machine (400) comprising the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a device for lifting packages. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device including a housing, a first scraper, and a second scraper. The present invention also relates to a filling machine for filling food into food packages. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, in the food processing industry, different types of filling machines are used to fill food into food packages. Such filling machines typically include a device for lifting the food package to, for example, a filling nozzle so that the food can be easily and safely filled into the food package. Equipment used in the food processing industry must be designed to meet hygiene requirements.

[0003] Although food processing equipment, especially devices for lifting food packages in filling machines, has been used in the food processing industry for decades, there is still room for improvement in enhancing the hygiene level of filling machines.

[0004] For these reasons, there is a need for an improved device for lifting packages to meet requirements related to the food processing industry, such as hygienic design and food safety. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome one or more of the above limitations in the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that can lift packages while still effectively meeting the hygiene requirements of the food processing industry.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device with higher durability.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device with higher cost - effectiveness.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a device for lifting a package, the device comprising: a housing having an upper guide rail and a lower guide rail, and a support rod for the upper and lower guide rails, the rod extending through the housing and being arranged to move in a longitudinal direction to lift the package, wherein a gap is formed between the rod and the housing, the gap extending from the upper guide rail to the lower guide rail for receiving a lubricant, the lubricant providing lubrication between the rod and the upper and lower guide rails; a first scraper arranged above the upper guide rail and surrounding the rod for scraping the outer surface of the rod to remove the lubricant that has passed through the upper guide rail from the gap; a second scraper arranged above the first scraper and surrounding the rod for scraping the outer surface of the rod to remove the lubricant that has passed through the first scraper; a first space formed between the upper guide rail and the first scraper and surrounding the rod for receiving the lubricant that has been scraped by the first scraper; a second space formed between the first scraper and the second scraper and surrounding the rod for receiving the lubricant that has been scraped by the second scraper; and a common lubricant discharge port to which the first space and the second space are both fluidly connected.

[0009] The device is preferably arranged to lift the package, preferably towards a filling nozzle so that the package can be filled with food. This is achieved by the rod of the device being movable in a longitudinal direction. It should be noted that the rod of the device can be moved in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction so that the package can be lowered after being lifted. Therefore, the rod is preferably arranged to provide vertical movement, whether in the longitudinal direction or in the direction opposite to the longitudinal direction. In other words, in practice, the rod is usually arranged to provide vertical movement in the opposite direction of its longitudinal direction.

[0010] An advantage of the device is that it can maintain a good level of hygiene because once the rod moves in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the rod moves upward to lift the package, excessive oil (including lubricant leakage, such as oil leakage) above the second scraper can be avoided or at least significantly reduced compared to conventional solutions. The upper and lower guide rails preferably use leak-proof gaskets to provide a lubricant-free gasket solution to avoid or at least reduce lubricant leakage within the device.

[0011] The rod usually moves at a high speed in the longitudinal direction (e.g., when lifting the package), so that the lubricant providing lubrication between the rod and the upper and lower guide rails can move along the longitudinal direction following the rod due to the high speed. Herein, high speed can be understood as a speed of at least 4 m / s. Operating the device at a high speed may have disadvantages because this can cause the lubricant to follow the rod into the hygienic area of the device. Therefore, when the rod moves at a high speed in the longitudinal direction, the device is particularly advantageous, wherein the device is arranged to remove the lubricant from the outer surface of the rod to avoid or at least reduce the amount of lubricant entering the hygienic area of the device.

[0012] The gap should be understood as a geometrical void with a specific shape that defines its surrounding environment, i.e., it is a technical design parameter that imparts specific technical characteristics to the device. Thus, the gap is created such that its geometrical shape defines the shape of the device components surrounding the gap, or the shape of the device components surrounded by the gap. The gap can extend in the lateral direction, i.e., between the rod and the housing, for example, between 2 - 15 mm. Its advantage is that it allows a sufficient amount of lubricant to be introduced into the gap, thereby enabling effective lubrication of the components within the device.

[0013] The first space should be understood as a geometrical void with a specific shape that defines its surrounding environment, i.e., it is a technical design parameter that imparts specific technical characteristics to the device. Thus, the first space is created such that its geometrical shape defines the shape of the device components surrounding the first space, or the shape of the device components surrounded by the first space.

[0014] The second space should be understood as a geometrical void with a specific shape that defines its surrounding environment, i.e., it is a technical design parameter that imparts specific technical characteristics to the device. Thus, the second space is created in order that its geometrical shape defines the shape of the device components surrounding the second space, or the shape of the device components surrounded by the second space.

[0015] In this context, the term "fluid connection" should be understood such that both the first space and the second space are connected to a common lubricant discharge port, so that the lubricant can be discharged from each of the first space and the second space to the common lubricant discharge port.

[0016] The upper and lower guide rails can be referred to as upper and lower wear rings. When the rod moves in the vertical direction, the upper and lower guide rails are typically lubricated by the lubricant in the gap. Its advantage is that it can reduce the wear of the upper and lower guide rails, thereby improving the durability of the device.

[0017] The first scraper is preferably configured to surround the rod, i.e., it is arranged to be annular around the rod, and is configured to scrape the outer surface of the rod. Thus, the first scraper is configured to remove the lubricant remaining on the outer surface of the rod after passing through the upper guide rail from the gap. When the first scraper removes the lubricant remaining on the outer surface of the rod, the lubricant is preferably scraped into the first space, where the first space is fluidly connected to the common lubricant discharge port, so that the lubricant can be discharged from the device through the common lubricant discharge port.

[0018] The second scraper is preferably configured to surround the rod, i.e., to be annular around the rod, and scrape the outer surface of the rod. Thus, the second scraper is configured to remove the lubricant remaining on the outer surface of the rod after passing through the first scraper. Once the second scraper removes the lubricant remaining on the outer surface of the rod, the lubricant is scraped into the second space so that the lubricant can be discharged from the device, wherein the second space is fluidly connected to the common lubricant discharge port. Therefore, the lubricant removed from the outside of the rod by the first scraper or the second scraper is guided to the common lubricant discharge port to discharge the lubricant from the device. The advantage is that it can avoid or at least reduce the entry of lubricant into the sanitary area of the device. A further advantage is that it can improve the controllability of the position of the lubricant in the device so that the lubricant does not enter the sanitary area of the device. The advantage is that it can meet the sanitary requirements of the food processing industry.

[0019] Another advantage of the device is that it allows the common lubricant discharge port to be connected to a single discharge point. Thus, both the first space and the second space can be discharged to a single discharge point, the advantage being that although lubricant is discharged from two different spaces, only a single discharge port is required.

[0020] The second space can be fluidly connected to the first space through a fluid channel such that the lubricant can be discharged from the second space into the first space through the fluid channel and further into the common lubricant discharge port. The second space is fluidly connected to the first space through a fluid channel. The advantage is that it allows the lubricant to be discharged from the first space or the second space into the common lubricant discharge port in a simple and efficient manner. Another advantage is that only a single discharge is required.

[0021] The first space can be defined by the housing, the upper guide rail, the rod, and the first scraper. In other words, the first space can be defined by the surface portions of the housing, the upper guide rail, the rod, and the first scraper. These surface portions can thus form the first space while defining its shape and physical extent. The advantage is that it allows the lubricant removed from the outside of the rod by the first scraper to be received by the first space before being discharged from the first space into the common lubricant discharge port.

[0022] The housing can include an upper main body portion and a top member provided on the upper main body portion, wherein the second scraper is located in a groove formed in the top member. The advantage is that it allows the second scraper to be introduced into the device in a simple manner while reducing the risk of damaging the second scraper. Another advantage is that it allows the second scraper to be removed from the device in a simple manner.

[0023] The second space can be defined by a top member, an upper body portion, a first wiper, a rod, and a second wiper. In other words, the second space can be defined by the surface portions of the top member, the upper body portion, the first wiper, the rod, and the second wiper. These surface portions can thus form the second space while defining its shape and physical extent. The advantage is that it allows the lubricant removed by the second wiper from the outside of the rod to be received by the second space before being drained from the second space to the common lubricant drain outlet.

[0024] The housing can include a disk located between the upper body portion and the top member, and the disk can be connected to the upper body portion such that the upper body portion and the disk form a groove, and the first wiper can be located in the groove formed by the upper body portion and the disk. The advantage is that it allows the first wiper to be introduced into the device in a simple and efficient manner while reducing the risk of damaging the first wiper. The first wiper can be introduced by removing the top member and the disk, setting the first wiper in the groove formed by the upper body portion and the disk, and then setting the disk and the top member on the upper body portion. Another advantage is that it allows the first wiper to be fixed in place by the disk. It also has the advantage of removing the first wiper in a simple and efficient manner.

[0025] The first wiper is preferably surrounded by one or more O-rings, which are used to provide uniform pressure around the wiper.

[0026] The disk can include a through-hole, which forms part of the fluid passage connecting the second space and the first space. The advantage is that the lubricant removed by the second wiper from the outside of the rod can be drained from the second space to the first space in a simple manner, where a fluid passage is formed to facilitate the drainage. Another advantage is that it allows the fluid passage to be designed as efficiently as possible without introducing unnecessary passages between the first and second spaces.

[0027] The first wiper can include an upper projection and a lower projection, which contact the rod and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal extension direction of the rod such that an intermediate space is formed between the projections, and the lower projection is provided with a recess, which forms a passage between the intermediate space and the first space. The advantage is that it allows the first wiper to scrape the lubricant from the rod more effectively through the upper projection and the lower projection. Another advantage is that the lubricant drained from the outside of the rod and entering the intermediate space can be drained into the first space through the recess in a simple and effective manner, thus preventing the lubricant from entering the sanitary area of the device. The recess can also prevent the lubricant from accumulating in the intermediate space and prevent the formation of pressure in the intermediate space, otherwise the pressure may cause the lubricant to be pushed into the sanitary area of the device.

[0028] The device may include: a third scraper, which is arranged below the lower guide rail and around the rod, for scraping the outer surface of the rod to remove the lubricant that has passed through the lower guide rail from the gap; a fourth scraper, which is arranged below the third scraper and around the rod, for scraping the outer surface of the rod to remove the lubricant that has passed through the third scraper; a third space, which is formed between the third scraper and the fourth scraper and around the rod, for receiving the lubricant that has been scraped by the fourth scraper; and another lubricant discharge port, to which the third space is fluidly connected.

[0029] Its advantage is that it can maintain a good hygiene level of the device, because compared with traditional solutions, oil leakage below the fourth scraper can be avoided or at least reduced. This is especially advantageous when the rod moves in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the downward direction when lowering food packaging, for example.

[0030] The third scraper is preferably configured to surround (encircle) the rod, i.e., is arranged to be annular around the rod, and is configured to scrape the outer surface of the rod. Thus, the third scraper is configured to remove the lubricant that has passed through the lower guide rail from the gap. When the third scraper removes the lubricant remaining on the outer surface of the rod, the lubricant is preferably directed to the gap. The fourth scraper is preferably configured to surround (encircle) the rod, i.e., is annular around the rod, and is configured to scrape the outer surface of the rod. Thus, the fourth scraper is configured to remove the lubricant that has passed through the third scraper. When the fourth scraper removes the lubricant remaining on the outer surface of the rod, the lubricant is directed to the third space, where the third space is fluidly connected to another lubricant discharge port.

[0031] The third space should be understood as a geometric void with a specific shape that defines its surrounding environment, i.e., it is a technical design parameter that gives the device certain technical characteristics. Thus, the third space is created so that its geometry defines the shape of the device components surrounding the third space, or defines the shape of the device components surrounded by the third space.

[0032] The housing may include a lower body portion and a bottom member arranged on the lower body portion, wherein the fourth scraper may be located in a groove formed in the bottom member. Its advantage is that it can introduce the fourth scraper into the device in a simple manner and reduce the risk of damaging the fourth scraper. Another of its advantages is that it can remove the fourth scraper from the device in a simple manner.

[0033] The third space may be defined by the third scraper, the bottom member, the fourth scraper, and the rod. In other words, the third space may be defined by the third scraper, the bottom member, the fourth scraper, and the surface portions of the rod. These surface portions can thus form the third space while defining its shape and physical extent. Its advantage is that it allows the lubricant removed from the outside of the rod by the third scraper to be received by the gap instead of being directed to the hygienic area of the device.

[0034] The bottom member can be connected to the lower main body such that the lower main body and the bottom member form a recess, and the third scraper is located within the recess formed by the lower main body and the bottom member.

[0035] The advantage is that it allows the third scraper to be introduced into the device in a simple and efficient manner and reduces the risk of damaging the third scraper. Another advantage is that it allows the third scraper to be fixed in place via the bottom member. Still another advantage is that it allows the third scraper to be removed in a simple and efficient manner. The third scraper may preferably be arranged in a recess surrounded by one or more O-rings, which are arranged to provide uniform pressure around the scraper.

[0036] The rod can be configured to move in the longitudinal direction at a speed of at least 4 m / s. The advantage is that it allows the device to lift food packages at high speed, enabling efficient and economical packaging filling. The rod can be configured to move in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction at a speed equal to the speed at which food is filled into the package.

[0037] According to a second aspect, there is provided a filling machine for filling food into packages, the filling machine comprising the device according to the first aspect.

[0038] The effects and features of the second aspect are substantially similar to those of the first aspect described above in combination.

[0039] Other objects, features, aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0040] Embodiments will now be described by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a filling machine comprising a device for lifting packages;

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a device for lifting packages;

[0043] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the upper part of a device for lifting packages;

[0044] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the lower part of a device for lifting packages. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0045] Reference Figure 1, by way of example, a filling machine 400 is shown. The filling machine 400 is shown in a highly simplified manner, where only the components relevant to understanding how the device 100 for lifting the package 402 is integrated into the filling machine 400 are shown. Therefore, it should be understood that the filling machine 400 generally includes other conventional components commonly used in filling machines, even if these components are not shown or described in the following disclosure. The filling machine 400 is used to fill food into the package 402. Preferably, the food is filled into the package 402 through a filling nozzle 404. The filling machine 400 includes a device 100 for lifting the package 402. More specifically, the shown filling machine 400 includes two devices 100 for lifting the respective packages 402 arranged side by side. Figure 1 The respective devices 100 for lifting the package 402 shown in are the same, and will be described below in connection with one, the other, or both of the devices 100. The respective devices 100 for lifting the package 402 may be the same or different. The filling nozzle 404 is arranged above the device 100, as seen along its longitudinal direction L (which is generally the same as the vertical direction), such that the device 100 can lift the respective package 402 to the filling nozzle 404 before filling food into the respective package 402. Each device 100 includes a housing 110 having a top member 111 and a bottom member 112. Each device 100 also includes a clamping device 140 arranged above the top member 111 of the housing 110. The clamping device 140 is used to clamp the package 402 before lifting the package 402. As Figure 1 Further shown, each device 100 includes a common lubricant discharge port 126 and another lubricant discharge port 136, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0046] See also Figure 2 , where the device 100 for lifting the package 402 introduced in is shown in more detail by way of example. Similar to Figure 1 , two similar devices 100 are shown side by side in, each device 100 being used to lift the respective package 402. The two devices 100 have similar features and are arranged in a similar manner. To avoid repetition, only the device 100 on the right side will be discussed in connection with Figure 1 . However, it should be noted that the following disclosure is equally applicable to Figure 2 the device on the left side and Figure 2 the device on the right side. Figure 2 the left side device and Figure 2 the right side device.

[0047] As described above, the device 100 includes a housing 110. The housing 110 has a rod 202, an inner rod 208, an upper guide rail 221 and a lower guide rail 231, where the rod 202 passes through the housing 110, between the upper and lower guide rails 221, 231. The rod 202 is movable along the longitudinal direction L, and the upper and lower guide rails 221, 231 are arranged to support the rod 202. The rod 202 is movable along the longitudinal direction L to lift the package 402. Preferably, the rod 202 can move along the longitudinal direction L at a speed of at least 4 m / s. In addition, the rod 202 can also move in the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L to lower the package 402. The rod 202 is configured to move in the direction opposite to the longitudinal direction L, preferably at a speed less than the speed at which the rod 202 moves along the longitudinal direction L. However, the rod 202 can move along the longitudinal direction L and the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L at the same speed. The moving speed of the rod 202 in the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L can be higher than the moving speed along the longitudinal direction L. The inner rod 208 extends through the rod 202 and is arranged to drive or move Figure 1 the clamping device 140 described in, so that it moves between different states (such as the clamping state for clamping the package 402 and the release state for releasing the package 402).

[0048] As Figure 2 shown, a gap 204 is formed between the rod 202 and the housing 110, and the gap 204 extends between the upper and lower guide rails 221, 231. The gap 204 is used to accommodate any suitable lubricant to provide lubrication between the rod 202 and the upper and lower guide rails 221, 231. The housing 110 includes an inlet 113, which is arranged to be fluidly connected to the gap 204 to provide lubricant for the gap 204. The inlet 113 can be referred to as an oil inlet. The housing 110 may include an overflow discharge port 114, which is arranged to be fluidly connected to the gap 204. The overflow discharge port 114 is arranged to discharge the lubricant from the gap 204 when the lubricant level is higher than the level of the overflow discharge port 114 (i.e., when the lubricant is higher than the highest level of the gap 204). The overflow discharge port 114 can be referred to as the first oil outlet, which is arranged to discharge the lubricant from the device 100. The lubricant is used to lubricate the rod 202, and when the outer surface of the rod 202 has lubricant, and when the rod 202 moves along the longitudinal direction L or the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L, the upper and lower guide rails 221, 231 are also lubricated. The advantage is that it allows to increase the service life of the rod 202 and the upper and lower guide rails 221, 231, and when the rod 202 moves along the longitudinal direction L or the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L, these components can be lubricated in a simple and effective manner.

[0049] Now refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4, the device 100 includes an upper main body portion 213 and a lower main body portion 214. The device 100 also includes a disk 217. The top member 111 described in Figure 1 is disposed on the upper main body portion 213. The disk 217 is located between the upper main body portion 213 and the top member 111. The disk 217 is preferably connected to the upper main body portion 213 such that the upper main body portion 213 and the disk 217 form a groove 219. The disk 217 includes a through hole 217a. The bottom member 112 described in Figure 1 is disposed on the lower main body portion 214. The bottom member 112 is connected to the lower main body portion 214 such that the lower main body portion 214 and the bottom member 112 form a groove 218.

[0050] As Figure 3 shown, the figure shows the upper part 100a of the device 100, and the device 100 includes a first scraper 222 and a second scraper 223. The first scraper 222 is disposed above the upper guide rail 221 and is located in the groove 219 formed by the upper main body portion 213 and the disk 217. The first scraper 222 is disposed in the groove 219 and is surrounded by two O-rings 229, and the two O-rings are arranged to provide uniform pressure around the first scraper 222. Thus, the two O-rings 229 support the first scraper 222. The first scraper 222 surrounds the rod 202 for scraping the outer surface of the rod 202. When the rod moves in the longitudinal direction L, the first scraper 222 is arranged to scrape the outer surface of the rod 202. Accordingly, when the rod 202 moves in the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L, the first scraper 222 is arranged to scrape the outer surface of the rod 202. Preferably, the first scraper 222 is closely attached to the outer surface of the rod 202 such that the rod 202 can move in the longitudinal direction L and the first scraper 222 scrapes the outer surface of the rod 202. In other words, the first scraper 222 is preferably in a tight fit around the rod 202. When the rod 202 moves in the longitudinal direction L, the first scraper 222 is arranged to remove the lubricant remaining on the outer surface of the rod 202 after passing through the upper guide rail 221 from the gap 204.

[0051] The first scraper 222 includes an upper protrusion 222a and a lower protrusion 222b. The upper protrusion 222a and the lower protrusion 222b are in contact with the rod 202 and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a distance D along the longitudinal extension direction of the rod 202. Thus, an intermediate space 227 is formed between the upper and lower protrusions 222a, 222b. The lower protrusion 222b includes a recess (not shown), and the recess forms a channel (not shown) between the intermediate space and the first space 224 (described in more detail below) such that the lubricant scraped off by the first scraper 222 can enter the first space 224 through the recess. The recess can be a cut on the lower protrusion 222b.

[0052] The second scraper 223 is disposed above the first scraper 222. The second scraper 223 is disposed in the groove 215 in the top member 111. The second scraper 223 preferably surrounds the rod 202 for scraping the outer surface of the rod 202. When the rod moves in the longitudinal direction L, the second scraper 223 is arranged to scrape the outer surface of the rod 202. Accordingly, when the rod moves in the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L, the second scraper 223 is arranged to scrape the outer surface of the rod 202. Preferably, the second scraper 223 is in close contact with the outer surface of the rod 202 such that the rod 202 can move in the longitudinal direction L, causing the second scraper 223 to scrape the outer surface of the rod 202. In other words, the second scraper 223 is preferably press-fitted around the rod 202. When the rod 202 moves in the longitudinal direction L, the second scraper 223 is arranged to remove the lubricant on the outer surface of the rod 202 that has passed through the first scraper 222.

[0053] The device 100 includes a first space 224 and a second space 225. The first space 224 is formed between the upper guide rail 221 and the first scraper 222 and surrounds the rod 202. The first space 224 is for receiving the lubricant that has been scraped by the first scraper 222. The first space 224 is defined by the housing 110, the upper guide rail 221, the rod 202, and the first scraper 222. Thus, the first space 224 extends laterally between the housing 110 and the rod 202 and longitudinally between the upper guide rail 221 and the first scraper 222.

[0054] The second space 225 is formed between the first scraper 222 and the second scraper 223 and surrounds the rod 202. The second space 225 is arranged to receive the lubricant that has been scraped by the second scraper 223. When the rod 202 moves downward in the vertical direction, the second space 225 is arranged to receive the lubricant that has been scraped by the first scraper 222. The second space 225 is defined by the top member 111 of the housing 110, the upper main body portion 213 of the housing 110, the first scraper 222, the rod 202, and the second scraper 223. Thus, the second space 225 extends laterally between the top member 111 and the rod 202 and between the upper main body portion 213 and the rod 202, and extends longitudinally between the first scraper 222 and the second scraper 223.

[0055] The apparatus 100 further includes a common lubricant discharge port 126, to which both the first space 224 and the second space 225 are fluidly connected. Since the first and second spaces 224, 225 are fluidly connected to the common lubricant discharge port 126, the lubricant received by the first and second spaces 224, 225 is discharged by the common lubricant discharge port 126. The common lubricant discharge port 126 is used to discharge the lubricant that is scraped by the first or second blade 222, 223 and received by the first or second space 224, 225. As shown in the figure, the second space 225 is fluidly connected to the first space 224 through a fluid passage 228. Therefore, the lubricant received by the second space 225 can be discharged from the second space 225 through the fluid passage 228 into the first space 224 and further discharged to the common lubricant discharge port 126. As described above, the through-hole 217a of the disk 217 preferably forms part of the fluid passage 228 that connects the first and second spaces 224, 225.

[0056] The common lubricant discharge port 126 may be referred to as the second oil outlet and is used to discharge the lubricant in the apparatus 100.

[0057] As Figure 4 shown, the figure shows the lower part 100b of the apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 further includes a third blade 232, which is located below the lower guide rail 231 and surrounds the rod 202. The third blade 232 is arranged to scrape the outer surface of the rod 202 to remove the lubricant that has passed through the lower guide rail 231 from the gap 204. The third blade 232 is designed and characterized in a similar manner to the above-mentioned first blade 222. As described above, the third blade 232 is located in the groove 218 formed by the lower main body portion 214 and the bottom member 112.

[0058] The apparatus 100 further includes a fourth blade 233, which is arranged below the third blade 232 and surrounds the rod 202. The fourth blade 233 is used to scrape the outer surface of the rod 202 to remove the lubricant that has passed through the third blade 232. The fourth blade 233 may be designed and characterized in a similar manner to the above-mentioned second blade 223. As described above, the fourth blade 233 is located in the groove 216 formed in the bottom member 112.

[0059] The apparatus 100 further includes a third space 235, which is formed between the third and fourth blades 232, 233 and surrounds the rod 202. The third space 235 is arranged to receive the lubricant scraped by the fourth blade 222. The third space 235 is defined by the third blade 232, the bottom member 112, the fourth blade 233 and the rod 202. Therefore, the third space 235 extends laterally between the bottom member 112 and the rod 202 and extends longitudinally between the third and fourth blades 232, 233.

[0060] The apparatus 100 further includes another lubricant discharge port 136, and the third space 235 is in fluid connection with this discharge port. The another lubricant discharge port 136 may be referred to as the third oil outlet, which is used to discharge the lubricant from the apparatus 100.

[0061] Accordingly, the scrapers 222 and 223 of the upper part 100a of the apparatus 100 are mainly arranged to scrape the outer surface of the rod 202 when the rod 202 moves in the longitudinal direction L (usually upward in the vertical direction). The scrapers 232 and 233 of the lower part 1110b of the apparatus 110 are mainly arranged to scrape the outer surface of the rod 202 when the rod 202 moves in the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L (usually downward in the vertical direction). However, it should be noted that when the rod 202 moves in the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L, the scrapers 222 and 223 of the upper part 100a of the apparatus 100 may scrape the outer surface of the rod 202. It should also be noted that when the rod 202 moves in the longitudinal direction L, the scrapers 232 and 233 of the lower part 100b of the apparatus 100 may scrape the outer surface of the rod 202. In addition, when the rod 202 moves in the longitudinal direction L and in the direction L' opposite to the longitudinal direction L, the upper guide rail 221 and the lower guide rail 231 scrape the lubricant from the outer surface of the rod 202.

[0062] In addition to scraping the lubricant, the scrapers can also be used to scrape dust and other particles on the rod, which may get stuck on the rod section outside the apparatus during the movement of the rod.

[0063] From the above description, it can be seen that although various embodiments of the present invention have been described and shown, the present invention is not limited thereto and can also be implemented in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus (100) for lifting a package (402), the apparatus (100) comprises: a housing (110) having an upper guide rail (221) and a lower guide rail (231), and a support rod (202) for the upper and lower guide rails, the rod extending through the housing (110) and being arranged to move in a longitudinal direction (L) to lift the package (402), wherein a gap (204) is formed between the rod (202) and the housing (110), the gap (204) extending from the upper guide rail (221) to the lower guide rail (231) for receiving a lubricant which provides lubrication between the rod (202) and the upper and lower guide rails (221, 231); a first scraper (222) disposed above the upper guide rail (221) and surrounding the rod (202) for scraping an outer surface of the rod (202) to remove the lubricant that has passed through the upper guide rail (221) from the gap (204); a second scraper (223) disposed above the first scraper (222) and surrounding the rod (202) for scraping the outer surface of the rod (202) to remove the lubricant that has passed through the first scraper (222); a first space (224) formed between the upper guide rail (221) and the first scraper (222) and surrounding the rod (202) for receiving the lubricant that has been scraped by the first scraper (222); a second space (225) formed between the first scraper (222) and the second scraper (223) and surrounding the rod (222) for receiving the lubricant that has been scraped by the second scraper (223); and a common lubricant discharge port (126) to which both the first space (224) and the second space (225) are fluidly connected.

2. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the second space (225) is fluidly connected to the first space (224) through a fluid channel (228) such that the lubricant can be discharged from the second space (225), pass through the fluid channel (228), enter the first space (224), and further reach the common lubricant discharge port (126).

3. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first space (224) is defined by the housing (110), the upper guide rail (221), the rod (202), and the first scraper (222).

4. The apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (110) includes an upper main body portion (213) and a top member (111) disposed on the upper main body portion (213), wherein the second scraper (225) is located within a groove (215) formed in the top member (111).

5. The apparatus (100) according to claim 4, wherein, The second space (225) is defined by the top member (111), the upper main body portion (213), the first scraper (222), the rod (202), and the second scraper (223).

6. The device (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the housing (110) includes a disk (217) located between the upper main body portion (213) and the top member (111), the disk (217) is connected to the upper main body portion (213) such that a groove (219) is formed by the upper main body portion (213) and the disk (217), and the first scraper (222) is located within the groove (219) formed by the upper main body portion (213) and the disk (217).

7. The device (100) according to claims 2 and 6, wherein the disk (217) includes a through hole (217a) that forms part of the fluid passage (228) connecting the second space (225) and the first space (224).

8. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first scraper (222) includes an upper protrusion (222a) and a lower protrusion (222b) that contact the rod (202) and are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance (D) along the longitudinal extension direction of the rod (202), such that an intermediate space (227) is formed between the protrusions (222a, 222b), and the lower protrusion (222b) is provided with a recess that forms a passage between the intermediate space (227) and the first space (224).

9. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises: a third scraper (232) disposed below the lower guide rail (231) and surrounding the rod (202) for scraping the outer surface of the rod (202) to remove lubricant that has passed through the gap (204) via the lower guide rail (231); a fourth scraper (233) disposed below the third scraper (232) and surrounding the rod (202) for scraping the outer surface of the rod (202) to remove lubricant that has passed through the third scraper (232); a third space (235) formed between the third scraper (232) and the fourth scraper (233) and surrounding the rod (222) for receiving lubricant that has been scraped by the fourth scraper (222); and another lubricant discharge port (136) in fluid connection with the third space (235).

10. The device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the housing (110) includes a lower main body portion (214) and a bottom member (112) disposed on the lower main body portion (214), and the fourth scraper (233) is located within a groove (216) formed in the bottom member (112).

11. The device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the third space (235) is defined by the third blade (232), the bottom member (112), the fourth blade (233) and the rod (202).

12. The device (100) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, the bottom member (112) is connected to the lower body portion (214) such that a groove (218) is formed by the lower body portion (214) and the bottom member (112), and the third blade (232) is located within the groove (218) formed by the lower body portion (214) and the bottom member (112).

13. The device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod (202) is configured to move along the longitudinal direction (L) at a speed of at least 4 m / s.

14. A filling machine (400) for filling food into a package (402), the filling machine (400) comprising the device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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