Device for metering a liquid into a plurality of containers
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024751993
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-07
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-25
Smart Images
Figure EP2024071379_13022025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] Device for dosing a liquid into several containers
[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The invention relates to a device for dosing a liquid into multiple containers. Such dosing systems are required, for example, for filling liquids or emulsions into ampoules.
[0005] STATE OF THE ART
[0006] Known devices for dosing a liquid into multiple containers typically have a fluid reservoir in which the liquid to be dosed is stored. Depending on the number of containers to be filled, a separate dosing pump is required for each container. This limits the number of containers that can be filled simultaneously. Furthermore, the devices have a large number of pumps, so the number of parts and thus the number of potential malfunctions is correspondingly high.
[0007] US Pat. No. 9,278,769 discloses a device for dosing a liquid into multiple containers. This device uses a common pump to first pump the liquid to be dosed into a distributor. The distributor can then fill multiple containers simultaneously. Excess liquid is drained from the distributor into a waste container after the dosing process.
[0008] PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to provide an improved device for dosing a liquid into several containers, the maintenance requirements of which are reduced.
[0010] The device according to the invention for dosing a liquid into several containers is defined by the features of main claim 1. Useful developments of the invention are the subject of further claims following this claim.
[0011] The device according to the invention for dosing a liquid into multiple containers has a liquid reservoir in which the liquid to be dosed is stored. A common pump for multiple containers is provided. A distributor is located between the common pump and the multiple containers. Several dosing needles are connected to this distributor, through which the liquid to be dosed is then dispensed into the individual containers.
[0012] To keep the liquid as homogeneous as possible, the liquid is continuously pumped through the circuit. For this purpose, the distributor is connected to the liquid reservoir by means of a line, in particular a hose. In this way, the pump can first pump the liquid from the liquid reservoir via a line, in particular a hose, into the distributor. From there, the liquid can be pumped back into the liquid reservoir so that the liquid can be continuously pumped through the circuit. This prevents liquid components from settling in the liquid reservoir and in the distributor. This also prevents the lines used for the pump circuit between the liquid reservoir and the distributor from having to be cleaned during a machine shutdown.With the device according to the invention, the liquid can continue to be pumped through the circuit even when the dosing unit is at a standstill, preventing any liquid components from settling in the lines. The lines therefore also cannot become clogged, which would otherwise require cleaning. Thus, only the relatively short sections between the dosing needles and the distributor need to be cleaned.
[0013] The device according to the invention allows dosing to be performed using only a single pump. Such a device represents a particularly simple dosing system that requires significantly fewer parts and pumps than the prior art. This reduces downtime during production start-up and during cleaning of the device. When using multiple pumps, the entire hose between the liquid reservoir and each individual pump must be flushed during a machine shutdown. Using only a single pump therefore significantly reduces the amount of hose that needs to be cleaned.
[0014] Preferably, the dispensing needles can each be connected to the distributor via a hose. Preferably, the dispensing needles can each be connected to the distributor via a dispensing valve. The dispensing valves can preferably each be controlled individually. In this way, only those dispensing valves that actually lead to a container to be filled can be opened. Furthermore, an individual dispensing time can be set for each dispensing needle, within which liquid is dispensed via this dispensing needle. This allows the dispensed liquid quantities of the dispensing needles to be adjusted to each other.
[0015] The liquid to be dosed can be a homogeneous liquid, but also a suspension or emulsion. A suspension can, in particular, be a mixture of a homogeneous liquid and beads, especially plastic beads. Such beads (also called "beads") can, for example, also be coated with an active ingredient. To keep the beads evenly distributed in the liquid, the suspension in the liquid reservoir should be stirred as continuously as possible. Thus, in an advantageous embodiment, at least one stirring tool can be present in the liquid reservoir.
[0016] The line between the fluid reservoir and the shared pump can preferably be connected to the lower portion of the fluid reservoir. Such a bottom suction can reduce the residual volume remaining in the fluid reservoir, allowing the fluid present in the reservoir to be metered into the containers as completely as possible. The hose between the shared pump and the distributor can, in particular, be designed as a pressure-resistant hose.
[0017] The line, especially the hose, between the common pump and the distributor can preferably be straight in the area immediately before the distributor. This straight section can serve as a settling section for the liquid to be dosed, ensuring the active ingredients are distributed particularly evenly and enabling precise dosing even with coarser suspensions.
[0018] To meter the fluid into the individual containers, a valve can be installed in the hose between the distributor and the fluid reservoir. Closing this shut-off valve prevents the fluid from flowing back from the distributor into the fluid reservoir, allowing fluid metering. At the same time, the metering valves on the distributor can be opened to meter the required amount of fluid into the containers.
[0019] The common pump can in particular be a piston pump.
[0020] In a first embodiment, the distributor can have a branch line. In this case, one of the two lines can lead to the liquid reservoir, so that the liquid to be dosed can be pumped in a circuit. The other of the two lines can be designed as a dosing line. In this case, the dosing line forms a kind of dead end from which the dosing into the individual containers takes place.
[0021] Preferably, the dosing line can be oriented vertically. In this case, a dosing unit with multiple dosing needles can be arranged at the end of the dosing line. The dosing needles can be arranged in a single plane and distributed circumferentially around the dosing line. The dosing unit can be located at the vertically upper or lower end of the dosing line, depending on the orientation of the distributor.
[0022] The line branch and the metering line can be arranged in a common distributor housing. In this case, the distributor housing can be a single-piece or multi-piece design. Alternatively, it would also be possible to place only the metering line in a housing, while the line branch is located outside the housing. Furthermore, it would also be possible to provide no distributor housing at all.
[0023] In a second embodiment, the distributor can be oriented vertically. In this case, the inlet for the hose coming from the pump can be located at the bottom of the distributor. This allows the liquid to be metered to flow through the distributor from below, preventing deposits in the distributor. Preferably, the outlet for the hose leading back to the liquid reservoir can also be located at the bottom of the distributor.
[0024] The distributor can contain an inlet line, a diverter line, and an outlet line. The inlet line, the diverter line, and the outlet line are connected to each other so that the fluid coming from the pump flows first through the inlet line, then through the diverter line, and finally through the outlet line. The outlet line is then connected to the hose leading back to the fluid reservoir. In this case, the outlet line and the inlet line can be arranged approximately parallel to each other, with the dispensing needles connected exclusively to the outlet line.
[0025] Preferably, the dispensing needles can be connected to the outlet line at a constant distance from each other. This results in even fluid distribution between the individual dispensing needles, allowing for precise fluid dosing. Alternatively, the distributor can also be aligned horizontally. In this case, the inlet for the hose coming from the pump can be located optionally on either side of the distributor.
[0026] In a third embodiment, the distributor can have a riser, with a dosing unit with multiple dosing needles located in the area of the riser. The dosing needles are arranged in a plane and distributed circumferentially around the riser. In this case, the individual dosing needles are preferably aligned radially symmetrically, allowing for even fluid distribution.
[0027] Further advantages and features of the invention can be found in the features further specified in the claims and in the following exemplary embodiments.
[0028] SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0029] The invention will be described and explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawings:
[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention for dosing a liquid into several containers,
[0031] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the distributor of the device according to the invention,
[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the distributor of the device according to the invention,
[0033] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the dosing unit of the distributor according to Fig. 3,
[0034] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention for dosing a liquid into several containers, Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the distributor of the device according to
[0035] Fig. 5 and
[0036] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the dosing unit of the distributor according to Fig. 6.
[0037] WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION
[0038] A first embodiment of the device 10 according to the invention for dosing a liquid 12 into a plurality of containers 14 is schematically illustrated in Fig. 1. In the present example, a total of six containers 14 are present. In principle, the number of containers 14 to be filled is freely selectable and can be adapted to the respective existing conditions.
[0039] The device 10 has a liquid reservoir 20 with an agitator 22. The agitator 22 can keep the liquid 12 present in the liquid reservoir 20 in constant motion. This is particularly important for emulsions or suspensions as the liquid 12 to prevent individual components of the liquid 12 from settling. If the liquids 12 are homogeneous, the agitator 22 could also be omitted.
[0040] The liquid reservoir 20 is connected to a common pump 26 via a hose 24. The pump 26 is connected to a distributor 30 via another hose 28. The hose 28 is designed as a pressure-resistant hose 28. The distributor 30 is connected to the liquid reservoir 20 via a hose 32. In this way, the liquid in the liquid reservoir 20 can be continuously pumped by the pump 26 in a circuit through the hose 24, the hose 28, the distributor 30, the hose 32, and the liquid reservoir 20. This prevents individual components of the liquid 12 from settling in the hoses 24, 28, 32, or the distributor 30, unless the liquid 12 is drawn into the individual containers 14. In the present example, a total of six dosing needles 40 are present on the distributor 30, each of which is connected to the distributor 30 via a hose 42.A dosing valve 44 is provided in each of the hoses 42. The dosing valves 44 can each be controlled individually, so that for each container 14, it can be determined separately whether or not to fill it with the liquid 12. Furthermore, an individual dosing time can be set for each dosing needle 40, within which liquid 12 is dispensed via this dosing needle 40. This allows the dispensed liquid quantities of the dosing needles 40 to be equalized.
[0041] To meter the liquid 12 into the containers 14, a valve 46 in the hose 32 between the distributor 30 and the liquid reservoir 20 is closed, preventing the liquid 12 from being pumped into the circuit. At the same time, the metering valves 44 on the distributor 30 are opened to meter the required amount of liquid 12. The metered amount of liquid 12 is then dispensed into the respective containers 14 via the metering needles 40. The metering needles 40 are raised in accordance with the rising liquid level in the containers 14. The dosing process is therefore not static, but rather the dosing needles 40 move relative to the surface of the liquid 12. Subsequently, the dosing valves 44 are closed again and the shut-off valve 46 is opened again so that the liquid 12 can be pumped into the circuit again.The filled containers 14 can be removed and replaced with new, empty containers 14. Once the new containers 14 have been presented, a new dosing process can be started.
[0042] To ensure that the metering valves 44 are opened at the correct time and the shut-off valve 46 is closed at the correct time, the pressure curve in the distributor 30 is recorded in the present example using a pressure sensor 48. In contrast to the embodiment shown in the drawing, the pressure sensor 48 could also be omitted. A first embodiment of the distributor 30 is shown schematically in Fig. 2. In the present example, the distributor 30 is oriented vertically, with both the inlet 50 and the outlet 52 located at the lower edge of the distributor 30. The distributor 30 can thus be flowed through from below, so that deposits within the distributor 30 can be minimized. Within the distributor 30, there is an inlet line 54 that is connected to the inlet 50. The inlet line 54 opens into a diversion line 56.The diversion line 56 opens into an output line 58, which is connected to the outlet 52. Therefore, in the present example, the input line 54 and the output line 58 are arranged approximately parallel to each other.
[0043] The individual hoses 42 leading to the dispensing needles 40 are arranged on the outlet line 58. The hoses 42, and thus also the dispensing needles 40, are each spaced at a constant distance 60 from one another. This ensures a uniform distribution of the fluid in the distributor 30 and thus a precise dosing of the fluid 12.
[0044] In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the distributor 30 could also be oriented horizontally. In this case, the inlet 50 and the outlet 52 could optionally be connected to one of the two lateral ends of the distributor 30. In principle, it would also be possible in this case to connect the inlet 50 to one of the two lateral ends of the distributor 30 and the outlet 52 to the opposite end of the distributor 30.
[0045] An alternative embodiment of the distributor 30.3 is shown schematically in Figs. 3 and 4. In the present example, the distributor 30.3 is oriented vertically. The inlet 50.3 is located in the lower region of the distributor 30.3, while the outlet 52.3 is located in the upper region of the distributor 30.3. The distributor 30.3 can thus be flowed through from below. In the present example, the inlet 50.3 is followed by a curved diversion line 70, which opens into a vertical riser line 72. The riser line 72 ends at the outlet 52.3. The diversion line 70 has a larger radius to minimize possible separation of the liquid 12 due to centrifugal forces.
[0046] A dosing unit 74 is arranged in the area of the riser 72. In the present example, the dosing unit 74 has a total of eight connection pieces 76 for dosing needles 40. Thus, a total of eight hoses 74 can be attached to the dosing unit 74, each connecting a dosing needle 40 to the dosing unit 74. The connection pieces 76 and thus also the dosing needles 40 are arranged in a plane and distributed circumferentially around the riser 72. The connection pieces 76 each have an identical radial distance of 45 degrees from the adjacent connection pieces 76 in the present example. This ensures a uniform liquid distribution in the area of the distributor 30.3 and in particular in the area of the dosing unit 74, so that particularly high levels of accuracy with regard to the dosing result are possible.
[0047] Depending on the desired number of containers 14 to be filled and the liquid to be dosed, more or fewer dosing needles 40 can in principle be provided on the distributor 30, 30.3.
[0048] A second embodiment of the device 10.5 according to the invention for dosing a liquid 12 into a plurality of containers 14 is schematically illustrated in Fig. 5. In the present example, a total of eight containers 14 are present, which are not illustrated in Fig. 5. In principle, the number of containers 14 to be filled is freely selectable and can be adapted to the respective existing conditions.
[0049] The device 10.5 has a liquid reservoir 20 with an agitator 22. The agitator 22 can keep the liquid 12 present in the liquid reservoir 20 in constant motion. If the liquids 12 are homogeneous, the agitator 22 could also be omitted. The liquid reservoir 20 is connected to a common pump 26 via a hose 24 arranged at the lower region 34 of the liquid reservoir 20. The pump 26 is connected to a distributor 30.5 via another hose 28. The hose 28 is designed as a pressure-resistant hose 28. The hose 28 is straight in the region immediately upstream of the distributor 30.5, thus creating a calming section for the liquid 12 to be dosed.
[0050] The distributor 30.5 has a line branch 80. A hose 32.5 runs from the line branch 80 back to the liquid reservoir 20. In this way, the liquid in the liquid reservoir 20 can be continuously pumped by the pump 26 in a circuit through the hose 24, the hose 28, the hose 32.5, and the liquid reservoir 20. This prevents individual components of the liquid 12 from settling in the hoses 24, 28, and 32.5 unless the liquid 12 is drawn into the individual containers 14.
[0051] In addition, a dosing line 82, which is designed as a dead-end, is connected to the line branch 80. In the present example, the dosing line 82 is aligned vertically and ends in a dosing unit 74. In the present example, a total of eight dosing needles 40 are present on the dosing unit 74, each of which is connected to the distributor 30 via a hose 42 (see also Fig. 7). A dosing valve 44 is present in each of the hoses 42. The dosing valves 44 can each be controlled individually, so that an individual dosing time can be set for each dosing needle 40, within which liquid 12 is dispensed via this dosing needle 40. This allows the dispensed liquid quantities of the dosing needles 40 to be equalized.
[0052] In the present example, the dosing unit 74 is located at the lower end of the dosing line 82. The flow through the dosing line 82 is thus from top to bottom. Conversely, the flow through the dosing line 82 could also be from bottom to top. In this case, the dosing unit 74 would be located at the upper end of the dosing line 82.
[0053] To meter the liquid 12 into the containers 14, a valve 46 in the hose 32.5 between the line branch 80 and the liquid reservoir 20 is closed, so that the liquid 12 can no longer be pumped into the circuit. At the same time, the metering valves 44 of the metering unit 74 are opened to meter the required amount of liquid 12. The metered amount of liquid 12 is then dispensed into the respective containers 14 via the metering needles 40. The metering needles 40 are raised in accordance with the rising liquid level in the containers 14. The dosing process is therefore not static, but rather the dosing needles 40 move relative to the surface of the liquid 12. Subsequently, the dosing valves 44 are closed again and the shut-off valve 46 is opened again so that the liquid 12 can be pumped into the circuit again.The filled containers 14 can be removed and replaced with new, empty containers 14. Once the new containers 14 have been presented, a new dosing process can be started.
[0054] The line branch 80 is part of the distributor 30.5, regardless of whether the line branch 80 and the metering line 82 with the metering unit 74 are present in a common distributor housing 84 or not. According to the embodiment in Fig. 6, the metering line 80, the metering unit 74, and the line branch 80 are arranged in a common distributor housing 84. In the present example, the distributor housing 84 is formed as a single piece. In contrast, the distributor housing 84 could also be formed as multiple pieces.
[0055] Furthermore, it would also be possible to provide only the dosing unit 74 and part of the dosing line 82 in a distributor housing 84. The line branch 80 would then be located outside the distributor housing 84, but would still be part of the distributor 30.5.
Claims
CLAIMS 01. Device (10, 10.5) for dosing a liquid (12) into several containers (14) - with a liquid reservoir (20), - with a common pump (26), - with a distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) arranged between the common pump (26) and the plurality of containers (14), - with several dosing needles (40) connected to the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5), - wherein the liquid reservoir (20) is connected to the common pump (26) by means of a line, in particular by means of a hose (24), - wherein the common pump (26) is connected to the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) by means of a line, in particular by means of a hose (28), - characterized in that - the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) is connected to the liquid reservoir (20) by means of a line, in particular by means of a hose (32, 32.5).
02. Device according to claim 1, - characterized in that - the dosing needles (40) are each connected to the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) by means of a hose (42).
03. Device according to claim 1 or 2, - characterized in that - the dosing needles (40) are each connected to the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) via a dosing valve (44).
04. Device according to claim 3, - characterized in that - the dosing valves (44) can each be controlled individually.
05. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - the hose (28) between the common pump (26) and the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) is designed as a pressure-resistant hose (28).
06. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - the line (28) between the common pump (26) and the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) is straight in the area immediately in front of the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5).
07. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - a valve (46) is provided in the line (32, 32.5) between the distributor (30, 30.3, 30.5) and the liquid reservoir (20).
08. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - at least one stirring tool (22) is present in the liquid reservoir (20).
09. Device according to one of the preceding claims - characterized in that - the line (24) between the liquid reservoir (20) and the common pump (26) is connected to the lower part (34) of the liquid reservoir (20).
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - the common pump (26) is designed as a piston pump.
11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, - characterized in that - distributor (30.5) has a line branch (80), wherein one of the two lines (32.5) leads to the liquid reservoir (20) and the other of the two lines is designed as a dosing line (82).
12. Device according to claim 11, - characterized in that - the dosing line (82) is aligned vertically, - at the end of the dosing line (82) there is a dosing unit (74) with several dosing needles (40), - the dosing needles (40) are arranged in one plane and distributed circumferentially around the dosing line (82).
13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, - characterized in that - the line branch (80) and the dosing line (82) are arranged in a common distributor housing (84).
14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, - characterized in that - the distributor (30) is aligned vertically, - the inlet (50) for the line (28) is arranged at the lower part of the distributor (30). - an input line (54) is present in the distributor (30), - within the distributor (30) a diversion line (56) is connected to the input line (54), - within the distributor (30) an output line (58) is connected to the diverting line (56) so that the output line (58) and the input line (54) are arranged approximately parallel to each other, - the dosing needles (40) are connected to the output line (58).
15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, - characterized in that - the distributor (30.3) is aligned vertically, - the inlet (50.3) for the line (28) is arranged at the lower part of the distributor (30.3), - the distributor (30.3) has a riser (72), - a dosing unit (74) with several dosing needles (40) is provided in the area of the riser (72), - the dosing needles (40) are arranged in one plane and distributed circumferentially around the riser (72).