Rapid cleaning device and method for food filling equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a quick cleaning device and method for food filling equipment, the quick cleaning device comprises a butt joint fixedly arranged at the edge of the food filling equipment, the lower end of the butt joint is communicated with a water outlet pipe, and the upper end of the butt joint is provided with a butt joint opening corresponding to a filling head of a filling device; the filling head and the butt joint are arranged independently, and the filling head of the filling device is in butt joint with the butt joint. The independent butt joint is adopted, and butt joint can be achieved when the filling head moves to the butt joint. During cleaning, cleaning liquid is input into the first injection nozzle through the first conveying pipeline, enters the filling head through the middle cavity, then is input into the butt joint from the filling head and is finally discharged through the water outlet pipe, and operation is easy and convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of food filling equipment, and in particular to a rapid cleaning device and method for food filling equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Food filling machines are among the most crucial and frequently used pieces of equipment in beverage production. Their core component is the filling device, which is responsible for accurately and efficiently filling the prepared beverage liquid into bottles. During production, to strictly ensure the hygiene, safety, and quality of the beverages and prevent microbial growth due to beverage residue, the filling units of the food filling equipment must be cleaned regularly and thoroughly. Currently, the industry standard for cleaning is as follows: First, multiple filling heads located at the bottom of the filling unit need to be disassembled. Then, a dedicated water outlet pipe is connected to the bottom of the unit. During cleaning, cleaning agent or disinfectant flows through the filling unit and is ultimately discharged through this water outlet pipe, thus achieving the cleaning purpose.

[0003] However, this conventional cleaning method faces significant difficulties in practice. Due to the compact internal structure and densely packed components of food filling machines, the space available for personnel to operate is often extremely limited. In such a confined environment, disassembling the filling machine is inherently cumbersome, making it difficult for operators to apply force and increasing the risk of injuring surrounding delicate components. After disassembly, accurately connecting the water outlet pipe to the bottom of the device is also exceptionally difficult due to the limited space, potentially leading to misalignment and inadequate sealing. The entire pre-cleaning preparation process is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also increases the risk of equipment damage, causing significant inconvenience to daily maintenance and directly impacting production efficiency and the timeliness of cleaning.

[0004] Chinese invention patent CN112125272B discloses an automatic nozzle switching filling machine capable of simultaneous filling and cleaning. It includes a frame and a filling conveyor line, a filling mechanism, and a cleaning mechanism mounted on the frame. This technical solution uses a feeding head drive mechanism to drive the nozzle rotation, achieving automatic nozzle switching and seamless connection without manual disassembly. However, the design is structurally complex, requiring a corresponding feeding head drive mechanism for each filling nozzle, and the spacing between nozzles must be sufficiently large to accommodate these mechanisms. Therefore, this design is unsuitable for filling equipment with cramped internal spaces and tightly packed filling nozzles. To address this, we propose a rapid cleaning device and method for food filling equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a rapid cleaning device and method for food filling equipment.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a rapid cleaning device for food filling equipment, comprising a connector fixedly disposed on the edge of the food filling equipment, the lower end of the connector being connected to a water outlet pipe, and the upper end of the connector being provided with a connector corresponding to the filling head of the filling device, wherein the filling head and the connector are disposed relatively independently. The filling device is provided with a translation mechanism and a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is used to drive the filling head to move up and down. The lifting mechanism is provided with a lifting body, and the filling head is installed below the lifting body. The translation mechanism is used to drive the filling head to move horizontally. The translation mechanism is provided with a translation seat, and the lifting mechanism is installed at the translation seat. The filling device includes a first conveying pipe for injecting cleaning fluid and a second conveying pipe for injecting filling fluid. The first injection nozzle of the first conveying pipe is located above the second injection nozzle of the second conveying pipe. The lifting body is provided with a pumping mechanism for squeezing the filling fluid out of the filling head. The pumping mechanism includes a pump cylinder, an inner lifting seat, and a piston rod. The upper end of the inner lifting seat is connected to the telescopic rod of the pump cylinder. The first injection nozzle is installed at the inner lifting seat. The lower end of the inner lifting seat is connected to the piston rod. The piston rod is slidably disposed in the inner cavity of the filling head. The second injection nozzle is laterally disposed at the filling head.

[0007] To elaborate further, the displacement D1 of the translation seat driving the filling device to translate is greater than 5mm.

[0008] To further elaborate, an intermediate cavity is provided between the inner lifting seat and the filling head. The upper part of the intermediate cavity is connected to the first injection nozzle of the inner lifting seat, and the lower part of the intermediate cavity is connected to the inner cavity of the filling head.

[0009] To elaborate further, the connector is located at the edge of the food filling equipment. The conveying mechanism of the food filling equipment drives several bags to be filled to pass under the filling device in sequence for filling operations. The conveying mechanism can be a turntable or a conveyor belt.

[0010] To elaborate further, the turntable is equipped with several locking slots for securing the nozzles of the filling bags.

[0011] A rapid cleaning method for food filling equipment, based on the aforementioned rapid cleaning device, includes the following steps: S1. Before filling with fluid, the lifting mechanism first moves the lifting body downward, and the lifting body moves the filling head to connect with the mouth of the filling bag to be filled. S2. When filling fluid, the second delivery pipe injects fluid into the inner cavity of the filling head. The pump cylinder of the pump mechanism pushes the inner lifting seat downward. The inner lifting seat drives the piston rod to move down. The piston rod squeezes the fluid out of the filling head and fills the fluid into the filling bag. S3. After filling is completed, the lifting mechanism moves the lifting body upward, and the lifting body separates the filling head from the filling bag to be filled. Then the filling head is quickly cleaned. S4. Based on the relative position of the connector and the filling head of the filling device, the filling head performs a first degree of freedom movement; then the filling head performs a second degree of freedom movement, and the filling head aligns with the connector. S5. The cleaning fluid is fed into the first injection nozzle through the first delivery pipe. The cleaning fluid passes through the intermediate cavity into the filling head, then enters the connector from the filling head, and finally exits through the outlet pipe.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: 1. The present invention uses an independently set connector. When the filling head moves to the connector, the connection can be achieved. During cleaning, the cleaning fluid is input into the first injection nozzle through the first delivery pipe. The cleaning fluid enters the filling head through the intermediate cavity, then enters the connector from the filling head, and finally is discharged through the outlet pipe. The operation is simple and convenient. II. This invention employs a unique structural design for its pump-pressing mechanism. The first injection nozzle, connected to the first conveying pipe, is installed at the inner lifting seat of the pump-pressing mechanism. The second injection nozzle, connected to the second conveying pipe, is laterally positioned at the filling head. The lower end of the inner lifting seat is connected to a piston rod, which slides within the inner cavity of the filling head. An intermediate cavity is provided between the inner lifting seat and the filling head. The upper part of the intermediate cavity communicates with the first injection nozzle 311 of the inner lifting seat, and the lower part communicates with the inner cavity of the filling head. Compared to existing technologies, this invention optimizes and omits the material feeding drive mechanism, eliminating the need for such a mechanism. This allows for free switching between filling and cleaning operations, and effectively reduces the manufacturing cost of the filling equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention before the filling head and the connector are connected.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention when the filling head and the connector are connected.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the filling device.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a top view of food filling equipment.

[0017] Figure 5 A top view of a food filling and storage device.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the filling bag at the turntable during the filling process of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 For the present invention in Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure during the cleaning of the filling head after filling is completed.

[0020] Reference numerals: 10. Connector; 11. Interface; 20. Filling device; 21. Filling head; 22. Translation mechanism; 221. Translation seat; 23. Lifting mechanism; 231. Lifting body; 31. First conveying pipe; 311. First injection nozzle; 32. Second conveying pipe; 321. Second injection nozzle; 40. Pumping mechanism; 41. Pump cylinder; 42. Inner lifting seat; 43. Piston rod; 44. Intermediate cavity; 50. Turntable; 51. Bayonet; 60. Filling bag; 61. Suction nozzle. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Combined with appendix Figure 1 To be continued Figure 5 As shown, a rapid cleaning device for food filling equipment includes a connector 10 fixedly disposed on the edge of the food filling equipment. The lower end of the connector 10 is connected to a water outlet pipe (Note: not shown in the attached figure), and the upper end of the connector 10 is provided with a connector 11 corresponding to the filling head 21 of the filling device 20. The filling head 21 and the connector 10 are disposed relatively independently. The filling device 20 is provided with a translation mechanism 22 and a lifting mechanism 23. The lifting mechanism 23 is used to drive the filling head 21 to move up and down. The lifting mechanism 23 is provided with a lifting body 231, and the filling head 21 is installed below the lifting body 231. The filling device 20 includes a first conveying pipe 31 for injecting cleaning fluid and a second conveying pipe 32 for injecting filling fluid. The first injection nozzle 311 of the first conveying pipe 31 is located above the second injection nozzle 321 of the second conveying pipe 32. The lifting body 231 is provided with a pumping mechanism 40 for squeezing the filling fluid out of the filling head 21.

[0023] Both the translation mechanism 22 and the lifting mechanism 23 are specifically driven by cylinders, but are not limited to cylinders. Using electric cylinders, lead screws combined with motors, gear racks combined with motors, etc., are all within the protection scope of our invention patent.

[0024] The translation mechanism 22 is used to drive the filling head 21 to move horizontally. The translation mechanism 22 is equipped with a translation seat 221, and the lifting mechanism 23 is installed at the translation seat 221. The displacement D1 of the translation of the filling device 20 driven by the translation seat 221 is greater than 5mm. (See attached...) Figure 1 As shown, before cleaning, the filling head 21 of the filling device 20 and the connector 10 are located in different spatial positions. (See attached diagram) Figure 2 As shown, under the combined action of translation mechanism 22 and lifting mechanism 23, the filling head 21 of filling device 20 moves to the docking head 10, and the filling head 21 is connected to the docking head 10.

[0025] The pumping mechanism 40 includes a pump cylinder 41, an inner lifting seat 42, and a piston rod 43. The upper end of the inner lifting seat 42 is connected to the telescopic rod of the pump cylinder 41. A first injection nozzle 311 is installed at the inner lifting seat 42, and the lower end of the inner lifting seat 42 is connected to the piston rod 43. The piston rod 43 is slidably disposed in the inner cavity of the filling head 21. A second injection nozzle 321 is laterally disposed at the filling head 21. An intermediate cavity 44 is provided between the inner lifting seat 42 and the filling head 21. The upper part of the intermediate cavity 44 is connected to the first injection nozzle 311 of the inner lifting seat 42, and the lower part of the intermediate cavity 44 is connected to the inner cavity of the filling head 21.

[0026] During the filling operation, no cleaning fluid is injected into the first conveying pipe 31. The inner lifting seat 42 drives the piston rod 43 to move in the inner cavity of the filling head 21. The second conveying pipe 32 introduces filling fluid laterally into the filling head 21, and the piston rod 43 fills the fluid into the filling bag 60.

[0027] During the cleaning operation, the filling head 21 first connects with the connector 10. No filling fluid is injected into the second delivery pipe 32. At the same time, the inner lifting seat 42 pulls the piston rod 43 up to the highest position and keeps it stationary. The cleaning fluid is injected into the first delivery pipe 31. The cleaning fluid flows sequentially through the first injection nozzle 311, the inner lifting seat 42, and the intermediate cavity 44, and then enters the inner cavity of the filling head 21 from the intermediate cavity 44, and then is discharged from the filling head 21 to the connector 10.

[0028] The connector 10 is located at the edge of the food filling equipment. The conveying mechanism of the food filling equipment drives several bags 60 to be filled to pass sequentially under the filling device 20 for filling operations. The conveying mechanism can be a turntable 50 or a conveyor belt. (See attached diagram) Figure 6 and attached Figure 7 As shown, the turntable 50 is provided with several slots 51 for holding the nozzles 61 of the filling bag 60.

[0029] Combined with appendix Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 As shown, a rapid cleaning method for food filling equipment, based on the aforementioned rapid cleaning device, includes the following steps: S1. Before filling with fluid, the lifting mechanism 23 first drives the lifting body 231 to move down, and the lifting body 231 drives the filling head 21 to connect with the mouth of the filling bag 60 to be filled. S2. When filling fluid, the second conveying pipe 32 injects fluid into the inner cavity of the filling head 21. The pump cylinder 41 of the pumping mechanism 40 pushes the inner lifting seat 42 downward. The inner lifting seat 42 drives the piston rod 43 to move downward. The piston rod 43 squeezes the fluid out from the filling head 21 and fills the fluid into the filling bag 60. S3. After filling is completed, the lifting mechanism 23 drives the lifting body 231 to move upward, and the lifting body 231 drives the filling head 21 to separate from the filling bag 60 to be filled. Then the filling head 21 is quickly cleaned. S4. Based on the relative position of the connector 10 and the filling head 21 of the filling device 20, the filling head 21 performs a first degree of freedom movement; then the filling head 21 performs a second degree of freedom movement, and the filling head 21 aligns with the connector 10. S5. The cleaning fluid is fed into the first injection nozzle 311 through the first delivery pipe 31. The cleaning fluid passes through the intermediate cavity into the filling head 21, then enters the connector 10 from the filling head 21, and finally exits through the outlet pipe.

[0030] Compared to the current cleaning method that involves disassembling the filling head and connecting it to a dedicated water outlet pipe, this invention uses an independently designed connector. The filling head can be moved to the connector for connection. During cleaning, the cleaning fluid enters the first injection nozzle through the first delivery pipe, passes through the intermediate chamber into the filling head, then flows from the filling head into the connector, and finally exits through the water outlet pipe. The operation is simple and convenient.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0032] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used in this invention to describe various types of information, but these terms are not limited to them; they are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of this invention, "first" information may also be referred to as "second" information, and similarly, "second" information may also be referred to as "first" information.

[0033] The above does not limit the technical scope of the present invention in any way. Any modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rapid cleaning device for food filling equipment, characterized in that: It includes a connector (10) fixedly installed on the edge of the food filling equipment. The lower end of the connector (10) is connected to the water outlet pipe. The upper end of the connector (10) is provided with a connector (11) corresponding to the filling head (21) of the filling device (20). The filling head (21) and the connector (10) are set relatively independently. The filling device (20) is provided with a translation mechanism (22) and a lifting mechanism (23). The lifting mechanism (23) is used to drive the filling head (21) to move up and down. The lifting mechanism (23) is provided with a lifting body (231). The filling head (21) is installed below the lifting body (231). The translation mechanism (22) is used to drive the filling head (21) to move horizontally. The translation mechanism (22) is provided with a translation seat (221). The lifting mechanism (23) is installed at the translation seat (221). The filling device (20) includes a first conveying pipe (31) for injecting cleaning fluid and a second conveying pipe (32) for injecting filling fluid. The first injection nozzle (311) of the first conveying pipe (31) is located above the second injection nozzle (321) of the second conveying pipe (32). The lifting body (231) is provided with a pumping mechanism (40) for squeezing the filling fluid out of the filling head (21). The pumping mechanism (40) includes a pump cylinder (41), an inner lifting seat (42), and a piston rod (43). The upper end of the inner lifting seat (42) is connected to the telescopic rod of the pump cylinder (41). The first injection nozzle (311) is installed at the inner lifting seat (42). The lower end of the inner lifting seat (42) is connected to the piston rod (43). The piston rod (43) is slidably disposed in the inner cavity of the filling head (21). The second injection nozzle (321) is laterally disposed at the filling head (21).

2. The rapid cleaning device for food filling equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The displacement D1 of the translation seat (221) driving the filling device (20) to translate is greater than 5mm.

3. The rapid cleaning device for food filling equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: An intermediate cavity (44) is provided between the inner lifting seat (42) and the filling head (21). The upper part of the intermediate cavity (44) is connected to the first injection nozzle (311) of the inner lifting seat (42), and the lower part of the intermediate cavity (44) is connected to the inner cavity of the filling head (21).

4. The rapid cleaning device for food filling equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector (10) is located at the edge of the food filling equipment. The conveying mechanism of the food filling equipment drives several filling bags (60) to be filled to pass under the filling device (20) in sequence for filling operations. The conveying mechanism can be a turntable (50) or a conveyor belt.

5. The rapid cleaning device for food filling equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The turntable (50) is provided with several slots (51) for holding the nozzles (61) of the filling bag (60).

6. A rapid cleaning method for food filling equipment, characterized in that: The rapid cleaning device according to claim 1 includes the following steps: S1. Before filling with fluid, the lifting mechanism (23) first drives the lifting body (231) to move down, and the lifting body (231) drives the filling head (21) to connect with the mouth of the filling bag (60) to be filled. S2. When filling fluid, the second delivery pipe (32) injects fluid into the inner cavity of the filling head (21), and the pump cylinder (41) of the pump mechanism (40) pushes the inner lifting seat (42) downward. The inner lifting seat (42) drives the piston rod (43) to move down, and the piston rod (43) squeezes the fluid out from the filling head (21) and fills the fluid into the filling bag (60). S3. After filling is completed, the lifting mechanism (23) drives the lifting body (231) to move upward, and the lifting body (231) drives the filling head (21) to separate from the filling bag (60) to be filled. Then the filling head (21) is quickly cleaned. S4. Based on the relative position of the connector (10) and the filling head (21) of the filling device (20), the filling head (21) performs a first degree of freedom movement; then the filling head (21) performs a second degree of freedom movement, and the filling head (21) aligns with the connector (10); S5. The cleaning fluid is fed into the first injection nozzle (311) through the first delivery pipe (31). The cleaning fluid passes through the intermediate cavity and enters the filling head (21). It is then fed into the connector (10) from the filling head (21) and finally discharged through the outlet pipe.

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