Filling device, filling station and method for filling liquid food product containing particles
By designing a filling device with disc-shaped components, the problem of particles stuck when the granular liquid food is filled with packaging is solved, and the full closure of the pipeline and the safe and efficient filling of the food is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411625702.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-12-18
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-20
AI Technical Summary
When filling the packaging, liquid food with particles is prone to inability to fully close the filling pipe due to particles being stuck, which increases the spillage and the risk of particles in the sealed area, affecting the safety of the food and product performance.
A filling device is designed, including a pipe having a lower section and an upper section, and a rod movable along the central axis, with a disc-shaped member provided at the lower end of the rod. Cutting and pushing the particles into place by pushing the disc-shaped member toward the edge of the pipe opening is achieved, thereby ensuring sufficient closure of the pipe.
It effectively reduces the risk of particles stuck, reduces wear of the filling device, and improves the controllability of the filling process and product sealing.
Smart Images
Figure CN120171824A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention generally relates to packaging technology. More specifically, it relates to a filling device for filling liquid food into a package, a filling station including such a filling device, and related methods. Background Art
[0002] Today, it is becoming increasingly popular to include particles in liquid foods. For example, in the past few years, in many parts of the world, yogurt products containing berries or berry parts have been the first choice as an alternative to ordinary yogurt products. Another example of a liquid food containing particles is a juice containing pulp and / or seeds.
[0003] Processing liquid foods containing particles presents many challenges that food producers generally do not face when processing ordinary products (i.e., products without particles). One of these challenges is heat treatment. Since the particles and the liquid product itself are constituted in different ways, there is a risk that the food as a whole (i.e., the liquid product and the particles) is not properly heat-treated if there is no equipment and process suitable for handling products with particles. One effect of this may be that the food is not safe for consumption. Another effect may be that the product performance is negatively affected, resulting in taste, texture, etc. not meeting the expectations of consumers.
[0004] An example of a liquid food with particles is a particulate sterile high-viscosity yogurt, sometimes referred to as drinking yogurt. Sterile yogurt should be understood here as having been heat-treated using so-called ultra-high temperature (UHT) treatment or any other equivalent technique to reduce the number of unwanted microorganisms. By doing so, and using a package that can effectively protect the food from the surrounding environment once packaged, the food can be stored at room temperature, or in some cases refrigerated, but with an extended shelf life.
[0005] An example processing line for producing drinking yogurt with particles (sometimes called microparticles) can include: a high-shear mixer for providing product texture and stability, a mixing tank, a pasteurizer, an inoculation unit for adding a starter culture, a fermenter, a cooler for minimizing viscosity breakdown, an indirect UHT system for heat-treating the product while protecting the viscosity, a sterile buffer tank, a mixing tank configured to mix the particles into the yogurt, and a packaging machine, TT / 3AD, which is an example of a cardboard bottle packaging machine.
[0006] Although it is currently possible to reliably produce and package particulate drinking yogurts with viscosities typically in the range of 50 - 400 cP, there are still challenges associated with the particulates. One such challenge is that during the filling operation of a packaging machine, there is a risk that the particulates can become stuck in the valve mechanism of the filling machine. If this occurs, the filling pipe cannot close fully, resulting in an increased spillage volume as the packaging machine moves from one package to the next. Another effect of the spillage is that the particulates can eventually enter the sealing area of the package being filled. If there are particulates in the sealing area, there is an increased risk that the package cannot be sealed (sometimes referred to as joined) adequately at the sealing station located downstream of the filling station in the packaging machine. Summary of the Invention
[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome at least in part one or more of the above limitations of the prior art. In particular, an object is to provide a filling mechanism that is capable of handling particulates such that sufficient closure can be achieved, thereby reducing dripping when moving from one package to the next.
[0008] According to a first aspect, there is provided a filling device for filling a packaging with a liquid food containing particulates, the device may comprise: A pipe having a lower section and an upper section, the lower section being arranged to be fed into the body of the package during the filling operation and the upper section being arranged to be positioned above the body during this filling operation, wherein the lower section has an internal width, wherein the lower end of the lower section may be provided with an opening having an opening width, wherein the opening width may be less than the internal width, A rod arranged to be movable along the central axis of the pipe, the rod being provided with a disc-shaped member at its lower end, wherein the width of the disc-shaped member may be less than the internal width of the lower section of the pipe and greater than the opening width, wherein the device may be configured to be in the following states: A closed state, in which the disc-shaped member of the rod is pushed towards the opening of the pipe, thereby preventing the product from passing through the opening, and An open state, in which the disc-shaped member is placed at a distance from the opening such that the product can be released through the opening, wherein the edge of the opening may be arranged such that as the filling device transfers from the open state to the closed state, when the disc-shaped member is pushed towards the opening, the particulates of the product are cut and / or pushed aside.
[0009] During the closing process, i.e., when changing from the open state to the closed state, arranging the edge of the opening to cut and / or push aside the particulates has the advantage that the risk of the particulates becoming stuck between the disc-shaped member and the edge of the opening is reduced, thereby reducing dripping, but also reducing wear of the filling device.
[0010] The lower section of the pipe may have a rectangular cross-section.
[0011] The advantage of this is that a package with a rectangular cross-section enables a tight fit. The effect of such a tight fit is that during the filling process, less space will be provided between the package and the pipe, enabling a more controllable filling to be achieved.
[0012] The rod can be provided with radially protruding and longitudinally extending guiding members, enabling the reduction of the horizontal movement amplitude between the pipe and the rod during the filling process.
[0013] Having the guiding members reduces the risk of misalignment of the disc-shaped member relative to the pipe opening. This in turn reduces the risk introduced by the offset of the disc-shaped member relative to the opening.
[0014] The lower section of the pipe can have a substantially rectangular cross-section, and the rod can be provided with four guiding members, each of which extends into a corresponding corner of the rectangular cross-section of the lower section of the pipe during the filling process.
[0015] By making the pipe have a rectangular cross-section, a tight fit with the package can be achieved, and by arranging the guiding members such that each guiding member is introduced into a corresponding corner, reliable guiding can be obtained.
[0016] The pipe can have a substantially rectangular cross-section, and the opening can be a circular opening.
[0017] As described above, having a rectangular cross-section or a substantially rectangular cross-section enables a tight fit with the package. Making the opening circular, even if the pipe is provided with a substantially rectangular cross-section, enables the reduction of the risk that food (such as particles) gets stuck or pinched in the opening.
[0018] The disc-shaped member can have a longitudinally circular side surface, and the edge of the opening can be inclined downward.
[0019] The advantage of arranging the disc-shaped member and the edge in this way is that due to the flow formed in the food when the disc-shaped member moves towards the edge, the possibility of particles finally appearing between the edge and the disc-shaped member can be reduced. In addition, if particles finally appear between the edge and the disc-shaped member, these particles can be effectively cut.
[0020] The edge of the opening can be tapered.
[0021] The advantage of making the edge tapered is that particles can be cut into pieces more effectively.
[0022] The bottom surface of the disc-shaped member can be provided with protrusions and / or indentations to reduce dripping in the closed state.
[0023] By having a non-flat surface, the surface area can be increased, which can reduce the occurrence of dripping.
[0024] According to a second aspect, there is provided a filling station, comprising: a filling device according to the first aspect, a product pipe arranged to supply liquid food into the pipe of the filling device, a first motor device for providing a first relative vertical movement between the filling device and the package, a second motor device for providing a second relative vertical movement between the rod of the filling device and the pipe, a control unit for controlling the first and second motor devices, wherein, during the filling process, the control unit may be configured to: move the package relative to the filling device such that the filling device in the closed state is transferred into the package via the open end, move the rod relative to the pipe by using the second motor device such that the filling device is transferred from the closed state to the open state, move the package relative to the filling device by using the first motor device such that the filling device in the open state is removed from the package, and move the rod relative to the pipe by using the second motor such that the filling device is transferred from the open state to the closed state.
[0025] As described above, the control unit may be configured to move the package relative to the filling device such that the filling device in the closed state is transferred into the package via the open end. The control unit may be arranged to provide such movement until the lower end position is reached. Further, as described above, the control unit may be configured to move the package in the open state out of the package. The first device may be arranged to provide such movement until the lower end of the filling device pipe is at a point outside the package.
[0026] It is possible to control the movement between the package and the filling device and the movement between the rod and the pipe such that the filling process can adapt to various different foods with different particles, thereby achieving efficient filling.
[0027] The filling station may further comprise: a conveying device arranged to convey at least one package holder holding the package, wherein the conveying device may be configured to intermittently move the package holder such that the package remains stationary horizontally during the filling process.
[0028] The first motor device is arranged to vertically move the package holder during the filling process.
[0029] The first motor device may be arranged to move only the package holder.
[0030] The second motor device is arranged to move only the rod.
[0031] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of filling a liquid food containing particles into a package by using a filling station according to the second aspect, the method comprising: moving the package relative to the filling device by using a first motor device such that the filling device in a closed state is transferred into the package via an open end, moving a rod relative to a pipe by using a second motor device such that the filling device is transferred from the closed state to an open state, moving the package relative to the filling device by using the first motor device such that the filling device in the open state is removed from the package, and moving the rod relative to the pipe by using a second motor such that the filling device is transferred from the open state to the closed state.
[0032] The same features and advantages as described above also apply to this aspect.
[0033] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a control unit, cause the control unit to perform the method according to the third aspect.
[0034] The same features and advantages as described above also apply to this aspect.
[0035] Other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
[0037] Figures 1 to 5 cross-sectional views and perspective views of the filling device and the package at different steps of the filling process are shown respectively.
[0038] Figure 6 The lower end of the filling station is shown in more detail.
[0039] Figure 7 Generally shows including Figures 1 to 5 the filling station shown with the filling device.
[0040] Figure 8 is a flow chart showing a method of filling a liquid food containing particles into a package by using a filling device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] Figure 1The filling device 100 is shown by way of example and includes a pipe 102 having a lower section 104 and an upper section 106. The lower end 108 of the pipe 102 is provided with an opening 110. A rod 112 is disposed inside the pipe 102. A disk-shaped member 116 is provided at the lower end 114 of the rod 112. The disk-shaped member 116 is arranged to have a width W-D. This width W-D is less than the inner width W-I of the pipe 102 but greater than the opening width W-O, i.e., the width of the opening 110. By arranging the rod 112 in this way, the opening 110 of the pipe 102 can be closed by pushing the disk-shaped member 116 against the edge 118 of the opening 110. As will be further described below, the edge 118 of the opening 110 can be arranged such that any particles of food FP (such as yogurt) are pushed away from the edge 118 before the disk-shaped member 116 meets the edge, thereby closing the pipe 102, or in other words, entering the closed state CLOSE. Additionally or alternatively, the edge 118 of the opening 110 and the disk-shaped member 116 can be arranged such that in the case where particles finally reach between the edge 118 and the disk-shaped member 116, these particles are chopped, thereby providing sufficient closure.
[0042] As shown, the pipe 102 and the rod 112 can extend along a central axis C-A. A guiding member 120 can be provided on the rod 112 such that the rod 112 can move vertically relative to the pipe 102 while substantially not deviating from the central axis C-A.
[0043] The bottom surface 122 of the disk-shaped member 116 can be provided with pits, sometimes also referred to as indentations or recesses. By having these pits, dripping that may occur after the filling device 100 is closed (i.e., transferred from the open state OPEN to the closed state CLOSE) can be reduced. One of the reasons is that the area of the bottom surface 122 is enlarged due to the presence of pits.
[0044] During the filling process at the filling station, the filling device 100 can be placed above the package 200 as shown. As shown, the package 200 can include a body 202 and a top 204. The package 200 exemplified herein has a downward-facing top 204 and an upward-facing bottom during filling, and the bottom is provided with an open end such that the food FP can be provided into the package 200 through the bottom of the package 200. The package 200 can be embodied in various ways. For example, as shown, the top 204 can be made of a plastic material and is also provided with a threaded neck, so that a cap can be applied. An example of such a package is (Tetra ) sold (Tetra ).
[0045] Figures 1 to 5Shown by way of example is the filling process that takes place at a filling station, sometimes referred to as a filling sequence. In a first step, as Figure 1 shown, the filling device is in the closed state CLOSE, i.e., the disc-shaped member 116 of the rod 112 is pushed against the opening 110 of the pipe 102, thereby preventing the food FP from being released through the opening 110 of the pipe 102.
[0046] In a second step, as Figure 2 shown, the filling device 100, which is still in the closed state CLOSE, is introduced into the package 200. The introduction of the filling device 100 into the package 200 can be achieved by moving the filling device 100 downward, by moving the package 200 upward, or a combination of both.
[0047] In Figure 3 the third step shown, the filling device 100 is fully inserted into the package 200. Even when fully inserted, there may be a distance between the filling device 100 and the interior of the package 200 such that there is no risk of the package 200 being damaged by the filling device 100. When fully inserted, the rod 112 can be moved upward relative to the pipe 102 such that the disc-shaped member 116 is placed at a distance D-OS from the opening 110, thereby allowing the food FP to be released from the pipe 102 into the package 200.
[0048] In Figure 4 the fourth step shown, the filling device 100 is moved away from the package 200 by moving the filling device 100, by moving the package 200, or a combination thereof. When the filling device 100 is moved away from the package 200, the filling device 100 can be in the open state OPEN. The advantage of moving the filling device 100 relative to the package 200 when the filling device 100 is in the open state OPEN is that effective filling can be achieved. For example, splashing and / or foaming can be reduced.
[0049] In a fifth step, as Figure 5 shown, the filling device 100 is moved away from the package 200, and the filling device 100 has entered the closed state CLOSE, i.e., the disc-shaped member 116 is pushed towards the edge 118 of the opening 110. By moving the filling device 100 away from the package 200, the package 200, which is now filled with the food FP, can be moved horizontally and replaced by a new package that has not yet been filled.
[0050] Figure 6The filling device 100 is shown in more detail. As shown, the edge 118 of the opening 110 can be sharpened and / or tapered to ensure that when moving from the open state OPEN to the closed state CLOSE, the particles that finally reach between the disc-shaped member 116 and the edge 118 can be cut into fine pieces, so that a sufficient closure of the filling device 100 can be achieved. Additionally or alternatively, the edge 110 can be inclined downward. The advantage of inclining the edge 110 in this way is that the particles can be pushed away from the interface between the disc-shaped member 116 and the edge 118 before the disc-shaped member 116 closes the opening 110.
[0051] Figure 7 The filling station 700 is shown by way of example. As shown, the filling station 700 can include the above-described filling device 100. In addition, the filling station 700 can include a product pipe 702, which is arranged to supply the food FP into the pipe 102 of the filling device 100. A first motor device 704 can be provided for moving the package 200 relative to the filling device 100. A second device 706 can be provided for moving the rod 112 and the disc-shaped member 116 relative to the pipe 102 and the opening 110. A control unit 708 can be provided, which is communicatively connected to the first and second motor devices 704, 706, so that control data can be provided to the motor devices. As shown, a conveying device 710, such as a conveyor belt, can be provided for transporting the package 200. As shown, the package 200 can be placed in a package holder 712. The package holder 712 holding the package 200 can be horizontally moved to the gripper 714. Once the package holder 712 reaches the gripper 714, the gripper 714 can grip the package holder 712. Once gripped, the package holder 712 with the package 200 can be lifted towards the filling device 100 by using the first motor device 704 connected to the gripper 714, so that the package 200 can be filled with the food FP according to Figures 1 to 5 the filling process shown.
[0052] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a method 800 for filling a package 200 with a liquid food FP containing particles by using the above-described filling station 700. The method can include: moving 802 the package 200 relative to the filling device 100 by using the first motor device 704, so that the filling device 100 in the closed state CLOSE is transferred into the package 200 via the open end, moving 804 the rod 112 relative to the pipe 102 by using the second motor device 706, so that the filling device 100 is transferred from the closed state CLOSE to the open state OPEN, By using the first motor device 704 to move the package 200 relative to the filling device 100 by 806, the filling device 100 in the open state OPEN is moved away from the package 200, and By using the second motor 706 to move the rod 112 relative to the pipe 102 by 808, the filling device 100 is transferred from the open state OPEN to the closed state CLOSE.
[0053] As can be seen from the above description, although various embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, the present invention is not limited thereto and can also be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A filling device (100) for filling a liquid food (FP) containing particles into a package (200), the device comprising: a conduit (102) having a lower section (104) and an upper section (106), wherein the lower section (104) is arranged to be fed into a body (202) of the package (200) during a filling process, and the upper section (106) is arranged to be placed above the body (202) during the filling process, wherein the lower section (104) has an inner width (WI), wherein a lower end (108) of the lower section (104) is provided with an opening (110), wherein the opening (110) has an opening width (WO), wherein the opening width (WO) is smaller than the inner width (WI), a rod (112) arranged to be movable along a central axis (CA) of the pipe (102), the rod (112) being provided with a disc-shaped member (116) in a lower end (114), wherein a width (WD) of the disc-shaped member (116) is smaller than the inner width (WI) of the lower section (104) of the pipe (102) and larger than the opening width (WO), The device (110) is configured to be in the following state: a closed state (CLOSE), pushing the disc-shaped member (116) of the rod (112) toward the opening (110) of the conduit (102), thereby preventing the product (FP) from passing through the opening (110), and an open state (OPEN), wherein the disc-shaped member (116) is placed at a certain distance (D-OS) from the opening (110), so that the product (FP) is released through the opening (110), Wherein, the edge (118) of the opening (110) is arranged so that as the filling device (100) is transferred from the open state (OPEN) to the closed state (CLOSE), when the disc-shaped member (116) is pushed toward the opening (110), the particles of the product (FP) are cut and / or pushed away.
2. The filling device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The lower end (108) of the duct (102) has a rectangular cross-section.
3. The filling device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The rod (112) is provided with radially protruding and longitudinally extending guide members (120) so that the amplitude of horizontal movement between the pipe (102) and the rod (112) can be reduced during the filling process.
4. The filling device (100) according to claim 3, wherein: The lower end (108) of the pipe (102) has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and wherein the rod (112) is provided with four guide members (120), each of which extends into a respective corner of the rectangular cross-section of the lower end (108) of the pipe (102) during the filling process.
5. The filling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The duct (102) has a substantially rectangular cross-section, and the opening (110) is a circular opening.
6. The filling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The disk-shaped member (116) has a longitudinally rounded side surface, and the edge (118) of the opening (110) is inclined downward.
7. The filling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edge (118) of the opening (110) is tapered.
8. The filling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The bottom surface (122) of the disc-shaped member (116) is provided with protrusions and / or indentations for reducing dripping in the closed state (CLOSE).
9. A filling station (700), comprising: The filling device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a product pipe (702) arranged to provide said liquid food (FP) into said conduit (102) of said filling device (100), first motor means (704) for providing a first relative vertical movement between the filling device (100) and the package (200), second motor means (706) for providing a second relative vertical movement between the rod (112) of the filling device (100) and the pipe (102), a control unit (708) for controlling the first motor arrangement (704) and the second motor arrangement (706), Wherein, during the filling process, the control unit (708) is configured to: moving the package (200) relative to the filling device (100) so that the filling device (100) in the closed state (CLOSE) is transferred into the package (200) via the open end, by moving the rod (112) relative to the pipe (102) using the second motor device (706) so that the filling device (100) is transferred from the closed state (CLOSE) to the open state (OPEN), by moving the package (200) relative to the filling device (100) using the first motor device (706) so that the filling device (100) in the open state (OPEN) is moved away from the package (200), and The filling device (100) is transferred from the open state (OPEN) to the closed state (CLOSE) by moving the rod (112) relative to the pipe (102) using the second motor (708).
10. The filling station (700) according to claim 9, further comprising: a conveying device (710) arranged to convey at least one package holder (712) holding the package (200), Wherein, the conveying device (710) is configured to intermittently move the package holder (712) so that the package (200) remains stationary horizontally during the filling process.
11. The filling station (700) according to claim 10, wherein: The first motor arrangement (704) is arranged to vertically move the package holder (712) during the filling process.
12. The filling station (700) according to claim 11, wherein The first motor arrangement (704) is arranged to move only the package holder (712).
13. The filling station (700) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: The second motor arrangement (708) is arranged to move only the rod (112).
14. A method (800) for filling a liquid food (FP) containing particles into a package (200) by using a filling station (700) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, the method comprising: by moving (802) the package (200) relative to the filling device (100) using the first motor device (704) so that the filling device (100) in the closed state (CLOSE) is transferred into the package (200) via the open end, by moving (804) the rod (112) relative to the pipe (102) using the second motor means (706) so that the filling device (100) is transferred from the closed state (CLOSE) to the open state (OPEN), by moving (806) the package (200) relative to the filling device (100) using the first motor device (704) so that the filling device (100) in the open state (OPEN) moves away from the package (200), and The filling device (100) is transferred from the open state (OPEN) to the closed state (CLOSE) by moving (808) the rod (112) relative to the pipe (102) using the second motor (706).
15. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a control unit (708), cause the control unit (708) to perform the method according to claim 14.