Dosing machine for filling a fluid medium into a cavity

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dosing machine for filling a cavity (28) of a mould (26) to be filled with a free-flowing medium. According to the invention, the dosing machine (10) comprises at least one independent dosing unit (12). The dosing unit (12) comprises two dispensers (2) each with its own drive (18) and a nozzle unit (16).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a dosing machine for filling a cavity with a fluid medium according to the general term of claim 1. [Background technology]

[0002] Current dosing machines (Dosiermaschinen) are configured with dosing lines and distribution plates with filling nozzles. Current solutions control all dosing lines for each medium simultaneously with a common power unit. This does not allow flexibility in terms of the delivery volume and the delivery action. The distance between the dosing lines is fixed by the common power unit, in particular by a common power train. The distances between the different cavities of the mould to be filled are realised via the respective manifold plates. The simultaneous control by a common drive means that the channel lengths in the manifold plates have to be the same for each cavity. This makes the manifold plates expensive and complicated.

[0003] Due to the common drive system and design of current dosing machines, the number of dosing lines is predefined, which does not allow for flexible expansion of the dosing machines with respect to the number of mould cavities that can be filled simultaneously.

[0004] In existing dosing machines, each complete dosing unit with container is moved. Due to the large weight of the whole unit, complex linear axis solutions are required. This means that 3-axis solutions are only suitable for expensive high-end machines. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] DE 102005004785 A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Patent document 1 shows a dosing machine for filling a fluid medium with a dosing line, the combined dosing line being configured with a first and a second dispenser (liquid constant volume dispensing device) with a piston drive. The two dispensers are connected to a common distribution plate. The distribution plate is configured with two separate nozzle units with identical flow paths to connect the first and second dispensers to the first and second nozzle units, respectively. The two nozzle units are designed to fill separate cavities, and the fluid mass is supplied from the first dispenser, from the first container, through the first nozzle unit to the first cavity. The second cavity is thus filled by a separate second nozzle unit. A common manifold plate has the disadvantage that the distance between the nozzle units must be adapted to the distance between the two cavities. It is not possible to flexibly accommodate different molds. It is also not possible to extend the mold or the dosing line by designing the manifold plate and the piston-like drive system.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a dosing machine which is particularly cost-effective to manufacture and / or operate and which is designed to be flexibly expandable, whilst avoiding the problems known from the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This object is achieved by a dosing machine (metering machine, discharge device, throwing device, pouring machine) having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the subclaims.

[0009] According to the invention, a dosing machine for filling a cavity of a mold to be filled with a fluid medium, in particular for application in the food or pharmaceutical industry, is claimed, which comprises two dispensers, each having its own power unit, and at least one independent dosing unit comprising a nozzle unit.

[0010] In other words, the dosing machine comprises at least one independent dosing unit with a first and a second dispenser, each of which is assigned a power unit, in particular a first and a second individual power unit, and the first and second dispensers are connected to a common nozzle unit.

[0011] Preferably, the dosing machine is used to fill a fluid medium into a counter mould, a container or other cavity. Moreover, the dosing machine comprises a number of dosing units and a handling system for positioning the moulds whose cavities are to be filled. Each dosing unit preferably comprises a nozzle unit for filling a single cavity.

[0012] Thus, the present invention surprisingly recognizes that different cavity spacings can be quickly and easily implemented, particularly by using multiple independent dosing units with adjustable spacing, such that the dosing machine can be adapted for use with molds that are filled with different cavity spacings.

[0013] Another advantage is that the dispensers are configured so that they can be individually controlled via a single power unit. This flexibility means that each dispenser can be configured to be used to dispense unique masses having different flow characteristics and / or can be configured to be combined with each other depending on individual control needs.

[0014] Preferably, the power unit of the dispenser is designed as an eccentric screw pump, since the individual power units, in particular, allow a continuous flow of the fluid medium. A further advantage of such a cavity pump, in particular in comparison with a piston actuator system, is that not only is no valve required, but also that there is no limit to the amount of delivery. In particular, the power units are designed to be individually adjustable, in order to increase the reproducibility of the injected end product. Furthermore, the individual adjustment of the power units also allows the use of nozzle units with nozzle ducts of different dimensions, so that uneven flow resistances in the nozzle ducts can be compensated for by the individual power units.

[0015] Another advantage is that the number of dosing units can be increased as required. In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one dispensing unit is configured with a common nozzle unit having two coaxially arranged nozzle ducts for filling two fluid media, in particular two different fluid media, into a mould by two dispensers in a co-extrusion process. Preferably, a first fluid medium is filled in a first dispenser and a second fluid medium is filled in a second dispenser, each assigned to one of the nozzle ducts. Advantageously, such a dosing machine is configured to be used for filling two fluid media, one of them into the other, into a cavity. The first fluid medium flowing through the outer nozzle duct preferably fills the inner wall of the cavity, while the second fluid medium flowing through the inner nozzle duct preferably forms a core or a filling in the first fluid medium. In particular, such a dosing machine is configured to be used for producing multi-layer products, for example filled pralines. In particular in co-extrusion processes, the power unit of the dispenser is preferably designed as an eccentric screw pump in order to also convey different fluid media. Advantageously, the conveying and / or throughput can be easily adjusted by such a power unit so that the product layers, in particular the very thin outer layers, can be precisely adjusted. Furthermore, as already mentioned above, different flow resistances of the nozzle ducts can be compensated by individual control of the cavity pumps. Very preferably, the dosing machine is equipped with a corresponding control unit for controlling the power unit depending on the flow path and / or fluid medium used.

[0016] Particularly preferably, the common nozzle unit of the two dispensers is configured with a casing having two separable casing elements, in particular along the vertical direction of the nozzle unit, to allow access to the nozzle duct. Very preferably, the two casing elements are separable along a plane of symmetry. Advantageously, when the casing is open, the nozzle duct is configured in such a way that it can be particularly easily cleaned and the nozzle insert is configured in such a way that it can be inserted or replaced in the nozzle duct.

[0017] The nozzle ducts in the nozzle unit are preferably designed such that the angle between the individual duct sections is less than 90°, particularly preferably less than 60°. This arrangement of the flow paths allows fluid media with different viscosity properties to be conveyed in the nozzle unit. In other words, advantageously, the use of fluid media with different viscosities does not require a change to the nozzle unit with a suitable flow path geometry.

[0018] Preferably, in the co-extrusion process, two insert elements are formed in the nozzle unit and, in the assembled state, they interlock coaxially. Particularly preferably, the nozzle duct of the nozzle unit is provided with an annular groove at the transition to the insert element in order to fix and / or seal the insert element in the flow direction. The insert element preferably has a reinforced wall thickness at one end, in particular to engage with the casing of the nozzle unit. At the other end, the insert element is preferably tapered, preferably with a thinner wall thickness, in particular to allow a coaxial engagement. Preferably, the inner insert element is provided with an end support projection on the outside of the inner insert element in order to allow guiding and alignment of the inner insert element in the outer insert element.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment, the dosing units are configured to be self-contained and can be added depending on the size of the machine. This is made possible in particular by the fact that the dosing units with dispensers are not connected to a common distribution plate. The dosing units, each having a nozzle unit, are configured to be arranged adjacent to one another. Preferably, the distance between the dosing units is also configured to be easily adjustable in this way.

[0020] A particularly preferred number of dosing units arranged adjacent to one another is between 1 and 7 or between 1 and 9. Particularly preferably, the nozzle unit comprises two lateral inlets for receiving the dispensers. The outlets of the nozzle unit are preferably formed along a vertical direction, in particular along the direction of gravity. The inlets are preferably aligned such that the dispensers can be arranged on the nozzle unit having an extension axis at an angle of preferably between 15° and 30° from the horizontal plane. This results in particular in a spread or V-shaped arrangement of the dispensers on the nozzle unit. Preferably, in this way, the mass flow in the dosing unit is favored by gravity in the direction of the outlets.

[0021] Furthermore, the dosing unit with two dispensers is preferably arranged and / or designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry. In particular, the dispensers are preferably designed identically in order to simplify exchange and / or expansion. The dosing machine is preferably thus designed as a modular system, so that it is easily adapted to different moulds.

[0022] Furthermore, in this context, the inlet parts are preferably arranged such that the extension axes of the dispensers are aligned parallel to the vertical plane of the nozzle unit. Advantageously, the dosing unit can be designed in a particularly space-saving manner in this way. Furthermore, a number of dosing units can be arranged adjacent to one another, in particular directly adjacent, along the longitudinal direction of the dosing machine, in particular along a direction normal to the vertical plane, in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0023] Furthermore, it is conceivable that adjacent dosing units arranged in pairs have at least partial overlap along the longitudinal direction and that the dispensers are arranged differently, in particular at different angles in the horizontal plane of the nozzle units, in order to allow a more space-saving arrangement of the dosing units relative to one another. Advantageously, a dosing machine having such an arrangement can accommodate more dosing units while maintaining the same installation space.

[0024] More preferably, the dispensers are configured to be connected to a common fluid container so that the dispensers of the different dosing units can be supplied with a fluid medium simultaneously in a simple manner. Particularly preferably, the dosing machine comprises at least one container that is connected to the dispensers of at least two dosing units that are not only aligned along the longitudinal direction of the dosing machine but are also arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction. Very preferably, a first container is connected to the first dispensers. Meanwhile, a second container is preferably connected to the second dispensers of the different dosing units so that the dosing units can carry out a parallel co-extrusion with two fluid media, in particular with two different fluid media.

[0025] Particularly preferably, the dispenser is configured such that it can be removed from the dosing machine without tools by means of a tension lock and disassembled for cleaning. Advantageously, the number of dosing units in the dosing machine can also be adapted particularly easily and quickly, in order to flexibly adapt the dosing machine to different moulds, in particular those which differ from one another in the number and / or distance of cavities.

[0026] Preferably, the distance between the dosing units can be easily adapted to the cavity spacing. Particularly preferably, the dosing units each have a clamp which is arranged together with the nozzle unit on an assembly element corresponding to the cavity spacing, thereby fixing the dosing units together in the assembled state. The assembly element can preferably be designed as an assembly plate and / or at least one guide rod, which guide rod arranges the nozzle units of the dosing units at a distance from each other in the assembled state. Particularly preferably, the above-mentioned assembly element is configured with a predetermined positioning recess for form-fittingly receiving the dosing units. Alternatively or additionally, the nozzle units are preferably arranged slidably on at least one guide rod. By being moved along the longitudinal direction, the distance between the dosing units can be changed and adapted to the cavity spacing of the mold to be filled.

[0027] It is also preferred that the connection between the dispenser and the container can accommodate changes in the distance of the dosing unit, for which purpose it is particularly preferred that the dosing unit is provided with a connecting element, in particular a connecting hose, to bridge the offset between the filling port of the dosing unit and the filling port of the container.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment, the mould in which the cavities are filled can be moved in three axes, in particular by the aforementioned handling system, particularly preferably by a three-axis gantry, which in combination with individually controllable dispensers allows any number of possible combinations.

[0029] Preferably, the mould or container to be filled is arranged to be loaded within the machine and placed in a deposit position as well as removed from a removal position, the deposit or removal position being arranged to be flexibly positioned by a 3-axis gantry.

[0030] Preferably, different counter moulds, containers or other cavities of different sizes are processed by automatically adjustable stops.Preferably, the deposition or removal station comprises two deposition units having stops arranged to be horizontally adjustable relative to each other in order to fix in particular laterally the moulds resting on the deposition units by means of the stops.

[0031] Advantageously, at least one of the deposition and / or removal stations is equipped with a vibration unit and / or a heating station. It is particularly preferred that all three of the above-mentioned axes are also configured to be covered by a compact basic machine. In other words, the stationary dosing machine is advantageously configured to be used with a three-axis gantry for positioning the deposition station and / or the removal station. Thus, no complex and costly movement devices are required for the dosing machine itself, in particular for the dosing head of the dosing machine.

[0032] Advantageously, the combination of the aforementioned embodiments allows for high flexibility and thus allows for new application possibilities of the dosing machine. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for operating a dosing machine, in particular such a dosing machine. The dosing machine comprises at least one independent dosing unit. The dosing unit comprises two dispensers, each with its own power unit, and a nozzle unit. A fluid medium is filled in the two dispensers and is extruded by the power unit through the nozzle unit into a cavity in a mould. In a preferred embodiment of the method, the common nozzle unit of the two dispensers comprises two coaxially arranged nozzle ducts. The two fluid media are filled into the mould by means of a co-extrusion process.

[0033] Preferably, the above-mentioned dosing machine is adapted for use in filling processes in the food or pharmaceutical industry. Especially for small batch products, the dosing machine is a cost-effective and at the same time precise filling option. It is also easy to clean, replaceable and flexibly expandable, especially compared to larger systems.

[0034] Further advantages and details of the invention can be seen from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and the merely schematic drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the complete dosing system. [Figure 2a] A perspective view of a self-contained dosing unit. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a mold having a cavity to be filled. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the dosing units when spread apart. [Figure 4] A perspective view of spread dosing units arranged at an angle to each other. [Figure 5a] FIG. 1 shows the casing of the nozzle unit in the open position. [Figure 5b] FIG. 1 shows the casing of the nozzle unit in the open position. [Figure 5c] FIG. 1 shows the casing of the nozzle unit in the open position. [Figure 5d] FIG. 1 shows the casing of the nozzle unit in the open position. [Figure 6a] Perspective view of the gantry with 3 axes and universal gripper. [Figure 6b] A detailed view of the cavity shown in Figure 6a. [Figure 7a] Mold grippers for different mold formats. [Figure 7b] Mold grippers for different mold formats. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] In the figures, identical elements or elements having the same function are provided with the same reference numbers. FIG. 1 shows a complete dosing system. The complete dosing system comprises a container 11 and a dosing unit 12. The dosing unit 12 comprises a dispenser 14 with a dispenser power unit (18) and a nozzle unit 16. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a dosing machine (metering, dispensing, dosing, pouring) 10, which comprises a number of, in particular four, dosing units 12 aligned parallel to one another along a longitudinal direction L. The dosing machine 10 shown is merely an exemplary embodiment, whereby the number of dosing units 12 and / or the distance d between the dosing units 12 along the longitudinal direction L can be varied as desired. In particular, the dosing units 12 can thus be adapted to a mould 26 having a cavity 28 to be filled, as for example shown in FIG. 6a. In particular, the distance d can be adapted to the cavity spacing f shown in FIG. 6b.

[0037] Such a variation of the dosing machine 10 is made possible in particular by the fact that the dosing units 12 with the dispensers 14 are not connected to a common distribution plate for simultaneously filling a plurality of cavities 28. Preferably, a dosing unit 12 with two dispensers 14 is configured with a nozzle unit 16 for filling a single cavity 28. Thereby, a plurality of dosing units 12 are configured to be connected to one another according to a modular principle as shown in FIG. 1 for simultaneously filling a plurality of cavities 28.

[0038] The dosing unit 12 in Fig. 2a shows a self-sufficient unit comprising a dispenser 14 with a dispenser power unit (18) and a tension lock 20 for easy assembly and disassembly, and a nozzle unit 16. Preferably, the dosing unit 12 comprises two dispensers 14, in particular a first dispenser 15a and a second dispenser 15b, each with an independent power unit 18. The two dispensers 14 are connected to a common nozzle unit 16.

[0039] Particularly preferably, the nozzle unit 16 according to Fig. 2a comprises two lateral inlets (30) for receiving the dispensers 14. Preferably, the outlets 32 of the nozzle unit 16 are formed along a vertical direction V, in particular along the direction of gravity g. The inlets 30 are preferably aligned in such a way that the dispensers 14 can be arranged with their extension axis E upwards, in particular at an angle a between 15° and 30°, to the horizontal plane HL on the nozzle unit 16. As a result, in particular the dispensers 14 on the nozzle unit 16 are arranged in a spray or V-shape. Preferably, in this way the mass flow in the dosing unit 12 is favored by gravity (g) in the direction of the outlets 32.

[0040] In this context, the dosing unit 12 having two dispensers 14 can preferably be arranged and / or designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry LV of the dosing unit 12. Preferably, the two dispensers 14 are designed as identical components, as shown in Fig. 1, to simplify exchanges and / or expansions. Furthermore, in this context, the inlet part 30 is preferably arranged such that the extension axis E of the dispensers 14 is aligned parallel to the vertical plane VH of the nozzle unit 16. Advantageously, the dosing unit 12 can be designed in a particularly space-saving manner in this way.

[0041] As FIG. 1 further shows, the dosing units 12 are configured to be arranged adjacent to one another along the longitudinal direction L, in particular along a direction normal to the vertical plane VH, at a distance d in a particularly space-saving manner, in particular directly adjacent to one another.

[0042] Particularly preferably, the dosing units 12 are arranged together with the nozzle units 16 on an assembly element 34, in particular so that they correspond to the distance (f) between the cavities 28 of the moulds 26 to be filled, as shown, for example, in Fig. 6b, so that a clamp 36 preferably fixes the dosing units 12 in the assembled state. In Fig. 1, the assembly element 34 is designed as an assembly plate 38, which preferably spaces the nozzle units 16 of the dosing units 12 from one another in the assembled state.

[0043] Advantageously, by means of the tension lock 20, the number of dosing units 12 of the dosing machine 10 and / or the distance d between the dosing units 12 can be adjusted particularly easily and quickly, in order to flexibly adapt the dosing machine 10 to various moulds 26, in particular having mutually different numbers and / or distances (f) of cavities.

[0044] According to Fig. 1, the dosing machine 10 further comprises preferably two containers 11 as fluid medium containers, which are connected along the longitudinal direction L to the dosing units 12 in order to supply the fluid medium to the dispensers 14 of the dosing units 12. Preferably, one container 11 is connected to each of the first dispensers (14, 15a), while another container 11 is connected to each of the second dispensers (14, 15b) of the dosing units 12. Preferably, the medium can be supplied simultaneously to the dispensers 14 in a particularly simple manner in this way.

[0045] In Fig. 2b, a particularly preferred embodiment of a nozzle unit 16 is shown having two coaxially arranged nozzle ducts (22a, 22b) for filling a cavity 28 in a die 26 with two fluid media (24a, 24b) by means of two dispensers 14, in particular two different fluid media (24a, 24b), in a co-extrusion process. Preferably, the first fluid medium 24a is filled in the first dispenser (14, 15a), while the second fluid medium 24b is filled in the second dispenser (14, 15b). The first dispenser 15a and the second dispenser 15b are each associated with one of the nozzle ducts (22a, 22b). The second fluid medium 24b flowing through the outer nozzle duct 22b fills the inner wall of the cavity 28. The first fluid medium 24a flowing through the inner nozzle duct 22a preferably forms a core or filling in the second fluid medium 24b. In particular, such a dosing unit 12 is adapted to be used to produce a multi-layer product, for example a filled praline. In this context, the two fluid media (24a, 24b) are also preferably each supplied to two dispensers (14, 15a, 15b) via two containers 11, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0046] The spray dosing unit 12 in Fig. 3 shows a flexible connection or connection element 40 between the container 11 and the dispenser 14 as well as a variably adjustable nozzle unit 16. Particularly preferably, the offset between the filling port 42 of the dosing unit 12 and the filling port 44 of the container 11 can be bridged by the connection element 40, in particular by means of a connecting hose. A flexible connection element 40 is particularly advantageous for varying the distance d between the dosing units 12.

[0047] As an alternative or in addition to the assembly element 34 shown in Fig. 1 for fastening several dosing units 12, according to Fig. 3 it may be preferred that the nozzle units 16 of the dosing units 12 each have at least one guide hole 46, preferably three as shown. Preferably at least one guide rod 47 is arranged to be arranged through this at least one guide hole 46 in order to align the dosing units 12 with one another. By displacing along the longitudinal direction L, the distance d between the dosing units 12 can be changed along the at least one guide rod 47, in particular according to Fig. 6b, to be adapted to the cavity distance (f) of the mould 26 to be filled.

[0048] A particularly compact embodiment of the dosing machine 10 is shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the dosing units 12 arranged adjacent to one another in pairs are allowed to at least partially overlap along the longitudinal direction L. In order to allow a more space-saving arrangement of several dosing units 12 relative to one another, the dosing units 12 are provided with differently arranged dispensers 14, in particular at different angles a above the horizontal plane HL of the nozzle unit 16.

[0049] In Figures 5a to 5d a preferred embodiment of the general nozzle unit 16 is shown in detail. Particularly preferably, the nozzle unit 16 comprises a casing 70 with two separable casing elements 71a, 71b for allowing access to the nozzle ducts (22a, 22b) of the nozzle unit 16. Most preferably, the two casing elements 71a, 71b are designed to be separable along or parallel to the vertical plane VH of the dosing unit 12, thereby separating the nozzle ducts (22a, 22b), preferably along the duct axis T.

[0050] In particular in Figure 5a and partially in Figure 5b, the two casing elements 71a, 71b are shown in an open state. It can be seen that in the open state of the casing 70, the nozzle ducts (22a, 22b) are exposed and can be particularly easily cleaned. Shown in more detail are the inlet part 30 for receiving the dispenser 14, as shown in Figure 2a, and the outlet part 32 for discharging the fluid medium (24a, 24b), as shown in particular in Figure 2b.

[0051] The nozzle ducts 21a, 21b shown in Fig. 5b, in particular the two inlet ducts 74a, 74b in the nozzle unit 16, are preferably designed such that the angle between the individual duct sections, in particular the angle of curvature along the duct axis T, is less than 90°. Such an arrangement of the nozzle ducts (22a, 22b) also allows the fluid media (24a, 24b) shown in Fig. 2b to be transported in the nozzle unit 16, possibly with different viscosity characteristics, in particular without the viscosity characteristics having a significant influence on the extrusion behavior.

[0052] As shown in Figures 5c and 5d, two insert elements (72a, 72b) are used in the nozzle unit 16 to ensure co-extrusion through the two nozzle ducts (22a, 22b). In particular, thanks to the possibility of a separable casing 70, the insert elements (72a, 72b) can be inserted or replaced in the two inlet ducts 74a, 74b of the nozzle ducts (22a, 22b). To form the two coaxially arranged nozzle ducts (22a, 22b), the inner insert element 72a engages with the outer insert element 72b along the duct axis T. To accommodate the insert elements (72a, 72b), the nozzle ducts (22a, 22b) of the nozzle units, in particular the inlet ducts 74a, 74b, preferably define an annular groove 76 at the transition to the insert elements (72a, 72b) to fix and / or seal the insert elements (72a, 72b) along the flow direction or duct axis T. At the other end, the insert elements (72a, 72b) are preferably tapered with a thinner wall thickness, in particular to allow a coaxial engagement. The inner insert element 72a preferably comprises an end support projection 78 outwardly relative to the inner insert element 72a to allow guiding and alignment of the inner insert element 72a in the outer insert element 72b.

[0053] The detailed view of Figure 2b shows the nozzle duct enlarged according to Figures 5c and 2a, in particular the outlet section 32. It should hereby also be emphasized that a comparison of Figures 2b and 5c makes it clear that the outer nozzle duct 22b is formed between the inner insert element 72a and the outer insert element 72b, whereas the inner nozzle duct 22a is directly formed by the inner insert element 72a.

[0054] Moreover, in particular from FIG. 5c, the nozzle ducts (22a, 22b), in particular the inlet ducts 74a, 74b, can be designed differently in length and flow cross section. It can be seen that these ducts can also differ with respect to the flow resistance for carrying out the co-extrusion. Preferably, in order to compensate for such flow resistances, the dispenser 14 is used together with different power units 18, in particular with a cavity pump. Advantageously, such power units 18 can individually convey the fluid media in the dispenser 14, thus compensating for different flow resistances and / or viscosities and / or setting desired outlet volumes for the extruded layers.

[0055] In Fig. 6a, an exemplary mold 26 having multiple cavities 28 is shown. In Fig. 6b, the cavity spacing f is shown in an expanded manner. The gantry 48 shown in Fig. 6a is configured with an X-axis 50 for moving left and right, particularly along a longitudinal direction L, a Y-axis 52 for moving in depth, particularly in a horizontal direction H, and a Z-axis 54 for moving in height, particularly in a vertical direction V. A universal gripper 56 is attached to the Z-axis 54 to grip the moving mold 26, container, or other cavity. The cavity spacing f, shown in detail in Fig. 6b, may vary from one mold 26 or container to another.

[0056] Universal gripper 56 in Figures 7a and 7b shows a more complex embodiment, allowing removal and depositing of containers / molds 26. Adjustable stops 60 allow gripping of containers / molds 26 of different sizes.

[0057] Preferably, the deposition or removal station 62 comprises two deposition units with stops 60 arranged to be horizontally adjusted relative to one another. One of the deposition units is preferably designed as a universal gripper 56 for adjusting the stop 60 in order to fix the mould 26 resting on the deposition or removal station 62, in particular laterally, relative to the side stop 61. As shown in FIG. 7a, the support surface 66 of the deposition or removal station 62 can preferably be formed by a plurality of rods, so that the rods of the two deposition units interlock. The stop 60 is preferably formed as a clamping piece of a rod body. In order to fix different moulds 26, the stop 60, in particular the side stop 61, is preferably arranged to be adjustable along the extension axis of the rods.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7b, the deposition or removal station 62 may be provided with a vibration unit 64. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10...Dosing machine. 11...Container. 12...Dosing unit. 14...Dispenser. 15a, 15b...first and second dispensers. 16...Nozzle unit. 18...Power unit. 20...Tension lock. 22a, 22b…Two coaxial nozzle ducts. 24a, 24b…two fluid media. 26...Mold. 28...Cavity. 30...Entrance area. 32...Exit section. 34...Assembly element. 36...Clamp. 38...Assembly plate. 40…Connection element. 42...Filling port of dosing unit. 44...Container filling port. 46...Guide hole. 47...Guide rod. 48...Gantry. 50...Gantry X-axis. 52...Gantry Y axis. 54...Gantry Z axis. 56...Universal gripper. 60...Stopper. 61...Side stopper. 62...Entry / exit station. 64...Vibration unit. 66...Support surface. 70...Nozzle unit casing. 71a, 72b...Casing elements. 72a, 72b...inner and outer insert elements. 74a, 74b...Inlet duct. 76...Annular groove. d…Distance between dosing units. E...Extension axis of the dispenser. f…distance between cavities. g...Gravity direction. L...Longitudinal direction. V…Vertical direction. H...Horizontal direction. VH…Vertical plane. HL…Horizontal plane. LV…Symmetry plane of the dosing unit. a...Angle of the dispenser relative to the horizontal plane of the nozzle unit. T...Duct axis of nozzle duct.

Claims

1. A dousing machine for filling a cavity (28) of a mold (26) to be filled with a fluid medium, wherein the dousing machine (10) comprises at least one independent dousing unit (12), the dousing unit (12) comprises two dispensers (2) and a nozzle unit (16), each of the dispensers (2) has its own power unit (18), Dousing machine.

2. At least one of the dousing units (12) comprises a common nozzle unit (16) having two coaxially arranged nozzle ducts (22a, 22b) for filling two fluid media (24a, 24b) into the cavity (28) of the mold (26) by the two dispensers (14) in a coextrusion process, the power unit (18) of the dispenser (2) is preferably designed as an eccentric screw pump, The dousing machine according to claim 1.

3. The common nozzle unit (16) of the two dispensers (2) comprises a casing having two separable casing elements, particularly along a vertical plane (V-H) of the dousing unit (12), to enable access to the nozzle duct (22), The dousing machine according to claim 1.

4. At least one of the dousing units (12) is designed as a self-sufficient dousing unit, the dousing machine (10) is configured to comprise several, particularly at least two or three, self-sufficient dousing units (12), The dousing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The dousing machine (10) is designed such that a plurality of dispensers (14), particularly the first or second dispensers (14, 15a, 15b) of a plurality of dousing units (12), are connected to a common container (11), The dousing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The dispenser (14) is designed to be removable from the dousing machine (10) and / or decomposable for cleaning, preferably without using tools, by means of a provided tension lock (20), The dousing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The dousing machine (10) and / or a plurality of the dousing units (14) are designed such that the distance (d) between the dousing units (14) can be adapted to the cavity distance (f) between the cavities (28) of the mold (26) to be filled. Claims 1 to 3 The dousing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. The dousing machine (10) and / or a plurality of dousing units (12) are designed such that the connection (40) between the dispensers (14) to the container (11) can be adapted to various distances (d) from each other in the dousing unit (12). The dousing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The dousing machine (10) and / or at least one of the dousing units (12) are designed such that the mold (26) in which the cavity (28) is filled is movable in three axes. The dousing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The dousing machine (10) and / or at least one of the dousing units (12) are designed such that the mold (26) or container to be filled is configured to be taken out from a take-out position, particularly a take-out station (62), filled within the dousing machine (10), or placed on a placement position, particularly a placement station (62). The dousing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. The dousing machine (10) and / or at least one of the dousing units (12) are designed such that different counter molds, containers, or other cavities (26) are configured to be processed in different sizes by an automatically adjustable stopper (60). The dousing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. The provided placement station and / or carry-out station (62) are provided with a vibration unit (64) and / or a heating station. The dousing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. A method of operating a dousing machine, particularly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dousing machine (10) comprises at least one independent dousing unit (12). The dosing unit (12) comprises two dispensers (14), each having its own power unit (18), and the nozzle unit (16). The fluid medium is filled into the two dispensers (14) and is extruded by the power unit (18) through the nozzle unit (16) into the cavity (28) in the mold (26). Method.

14. The common nozzle unit (16) of the two dispensers (14) comprises two coaxially arranged nozzle ducts (22a, 22b). The two fluid media (24a, 24b) are filled into the cavity (28) in the mold (26) by using a co-extrusion process. The method according to claim 13.

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