Packing system and method for operating same

Abstract

The invention relates to a packing system (100) comprising a rotating packing machine (1) having two filling modules (2) distributed over the periphery, each filling module having a filling nozzle (3) for filling bags (50). The packing machine (1) is accommodated in a substantially air-tight housing (4). The housing (5) has an outlet (6), and a fan device (7) by means of which air can be extracted from the housing (4) is associated with the outlet (6). The housing (4) also has, at a lower portion (8), an inlet (9) for air, via which air can enter the housing (4). In the method for operating a packing system (100) of this type, the packing machine (1) is rotated in order to fill bags. In addition, air is extracted from the housing (4) out of the outlet (6) by means of the fan device (7), and as a result air is drawn in through the inlet (9) at a lower portion (8) by the negative pressure produced in the housing. The rotation of the packing machine in conjunction with the extraction of air causes a directed air flow towards the housing (4), said air flow guiding particles (600) contained in the housing (4) against the housing.

Description

[0001] Packing plant and method for operating

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a packing system comprising at least one rotating packing machine with at least two filling modules distributed around the circumference, each with at least one filling nozzle for filling bags. In particular, bulk material or pourable or flowable products are filled into bags. The present invention also relates to a method for operating such a packing system.

[0004] In the prior art, so-called rotating packing machines have become known, particularly for filling bulk goods or the like into bags with particularly high performance.

[0005] Such rotating packing machines comprise several filling modules distributed around the circumference, each with at least one filling spout. Typically, product is fed from a silo above the packing machine into a central area of ​​the packing system, where product is then fed to the individual filling modules and filled into attached bags via the filling spout.

[0006] Typically, at a specific station or at a specific angle of rotation of a filling spout, an empty bag is placed onto the filling spout or, depending on the system, shot onto it, and filled with bulk material during one rotation of the packing machine. Shortly before reaching the transfer position or shot position for an empty bag, the filled bag is then removed from the product filling process or ejected.

[0007] A problem with existing systems, however, is that, especially at high filling capacities, a significant amount of dust can be generated by the product. This results in particular from the fact that bulk materials are usually enriched with significant amounts of air during filling to make the bulk material flowable.

[0008] This means that, in particular, when the filled bag is removed or discarded, product may trickle out of the filling spout or dust may return from the bag.

[0009] In order to avoid excessive contamination of the packaging machine and the surrounding area, the packaging machines known in the state of the art are generally provided with suction lines on each filling module or for each filling nozzle, which are intended to immediately suck away any escaping product or bulk material.

[0010] These lines are usually connected to a common fan, which usually extracts air, whereby enormous amounts of air must sometimes be used to provide sufficient extraction.

[0011] At the same time, the extracted product must also be removed from the air stream, preferably before it reaches the blower, or separated from it, in particular by filter technology, whereby the separated product is then usually fed into a product return line in order to feed it back into the filling process.

[0012] A particular disadvantage of the current technology is that it requires enormous airflow and thus particularly large fans to achieve sufficient extraction. At the same time, enormously large filters must be used to separate the product present in the air stream. This leads to considerable costs for the acquisition of the system and also to high costs for maintenance and filter replacement.

[0013] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a packaging machine in which released product can be removed more efficiently.

[0014] This object is achieved by a packing system having the features of claim 1 and by a method for operating a packing system having the features of claim 15. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the general description and the description of the exemplary embodiment.

[0015] The packaging system according to the invention comprises at least one rotating packaging machine with at least two filling modules, in particular distributed over the circumference, each with at least one filling nozzle for filling bags, in particular with bulk material or free-flowing or pourable products. At least the packaging machines are accommodated in a substantially airtight housing, the housing having at least one outlet to which at least one blower device is assigned, by means of which air can be sucked out of the housing. Furthermore, the housing has at least one inlet for air in a lower section, via which air can enter the housing.

[0016] The fact that at least the packaging machine is accommodated in the essentially airtight housing means in particular that at least the rotating part of the packaging machine with the filling modules and the filling nozzles is accommodated in the housing, so that in principle contamination with escaping product is limited to the interior of the housing.

[0017] Essentially airtight means, in particular, that a certain negative pressure can be created in the enclosure when air is extracted from the enclosure by means of the fan device. In this case, a volume of air corresponding to the negative pressure created in the enclosure is drawn in (passively by the negative pressure in the enclosure) through the inlet in the lower section of the enclosure.

[0018] An air duct can be connected to the blower unit, for example, formed by hoses and / or pipes that direct the extracted air to a specific location. Depending on the design, the air can also be discharged directly or filtered from the blower unit into the environment.

[0019] The packaging system according to the invention offers many advantages. A significant advantage is that the filling modules of the packaging machine, like rotor blades or carriers, set the air in the enclosure into a rotating flow when the packaging machine rotates during the filling process. In particular, when the blower device in an upper section of the enclosure sucks air out of the enclosure and air is drawn in through the inlet in the lower section, an ascending helical air flow is generated in conjunction with the rotation of the packaging machine, which carries free product outwards towards the enclosure.

[0020] As soon as the product hits the enclosure, it trickles down and is thus removed from the air stream. Its functionality is similar to, or analogous to, a cyclone separator, which separates particles from an air stream. The product trickles down along the enclosure and can either be collected and later disposed of, manually returned, or directly fed into an (automatic) product return system.

[0021] A significant advantage of such a design is that, due to the previously described mode of operation and the separation of particles or product at the housing, significantly lower air volume flows are required, which means that smaller fans and, if necessary, much smaller filters can be used. This saves costs and, depending on the design, maintenance intervals can be significantly extended and maintenance time can preferably also be shortened, which can drastically reduce the downtime of the packing system or packing machine. In addition, there is no longer any need for air ducting installations within the packing machine to extract air at particularly dust-intensive points such as the area of ​​the filling nozzles and the bag discharge point.

[0022] The enclosure around the packing machine according to the invention can preferably also be retrofitted to existing systems. The then superfluous technology can then preferably simply be shut down or even dismantled.

[0023] The outlet is preferably located at an upper section of the housing. This allows, in particular, the air flow generated by the rotation of the packaging machine to be converted into a helical, upward air flow.

[0024] Preferably, the inlet is provided in the lower half of the housing, preferably in the lower third and in particular in the lower quarter. Furthermore, it is preferred that the outlet is provided in the upper half of the housing, preferably in the upper third and in particular in the upper quarter. Depending on the design, the inlet and the outlet can also be provided, for example, at the very top or at the very bottom, or at other positions, so that a substantially upwardly directed rotating air flow is generated within the housing.

[0025] Particularly preferably, at least the inside of the housing is substantially smooth. "Substantially smooth" means, in particular, that the surface of the housing is designed in such a way that the product can easily trickle down it.

[0026] Preferably, the enclosure is made of glass, metal, and / or plastic, at least in sections, or the enclosure is made of these materials, at least in sections and preferably entirely. Sheet metal, in particular, can be used to provide a relatively cost-effective enclosure. The use of tarpaulins, such as truck tarpaulins, is also preferred.

[0027] In order that the filling modules can set the air in a rotating movement during the rotation of the packaging machine, in expedient developments they protrude radially outwards at least in sections over an inner circumference of the packaging machine. The inner circumference is in particular the rotating area of ​​the packaging machine to which the filling modules are attached. As already explained, the filling modules act like rotor blades or drivers which take the air with them as the packaging machine rotates and thus cause the air to rotate through the housing. The rotation of the filling modules creates an air flow directed radially outwards in the direction of the housing, which is converted into an upward flow or helical flow by the negative pressure generated by the blower device. In advantageous developments, at least one filter device is assigned to at least the outlet.The filter device is arranged in particular in front of the blower device and / or is expediently integrated into the filter device.

[0028] Preferably, at least one bag placement device for placing empty bags onto the filling nozzles of the packaging machine and at least one discharge device are included, wherein the housing for the bag placement device and the discharge device has at least one passage opening in the housing, which at least partially provides the inlet for air. Preferably, the housing has separate passage openings for the bag placement device and the discharge device. In particular, no further openings are provided in the housing. Furthermore, it is preferred that the smallest possible free flow cross-section is provided as an inlet, whereby the passage openings for the bag placement device and the discharge device are designed to be as small as possible.

[0029] A bag insertion device can be provided, in particular, as a so-called bag insertion device with at least one discharge channel. The discharge device comprises, in particular, at least one conveyor device for transporting filled bags away.

[0030] The bag attachment device and / or the discharge device can preferably also be provided at least partially within the housing.

[0031] Preferably, at least one transfer device is provided, which in particular is provided at least in sections within the housing, which is suitable and designed to feed filled bags from a filling nozzle to the discharge device. Particularly preferably, the inlet is dimensioned depending on the blower device such that during operation a negative pressure difference of the order of magnitude of -1 hPa to -100 hPa occurs between the interior of the housing and the ambient air of the packaging system, preferably from -1 hPa to -50 hPa and particularly preferably from -1 hPa to -20 hPa. In particular, the passage opening or the passage openings are dimensioned as described above if they provide the inlet predominantly or even completely.

[0032] Preferably, at least one sensor device is assigned to at least the inlet. By means of such a sensor device, it is to be ensured in particular that air is always drawn into the housing during filling. For example, the flow at the inlet can preferably be checked with a flow sensor and / or a negative pressure with a negative pressure sensor. The blower device can preferably be regulated depending on this. In expedient developments, at least one air guide element is arranged on an inner circumference of the packaging machine and / or on at least one filling module. In this case, an air guide element is shaped in particular such that the rotation of the packaging machine in conjunction with the air guide element achieves a directed air flow, preferably radially outwards and in particular upwards.Preferably, several air guiding elements can also be arranged on the rotating part of the packaging machine, in particular at different heights.

[0033] Preferably, at least one product return is provided. Such a product return is, in particular, also connected to the packaging machine in a substantially airtight manner or is designed in such a way that not too much, or preferably no, false air is drawn in. Such a product return can, for example, comprise a hopper into which product trickling from the housing enters. This product can then, for example, be fed to a conveyor device to be returned to the filling process or discarded.

[0034] In preferred embodiments, at least one product silo is associated with the packaging machine. Such a product silo is preferably provided above the packaging machine, and the product silo is preferably not arranged within the housing.

[0035] In advantageous further developments, the housing comprises at least one viewing window and / or at least one door. The viewing window can, in particular, also be integrated into a door. Furthermore, viewing windows are distributed evenly around the circumference, particularly if multiple viewing windows are provided, in order to ensure optimal visual inspection of the filling process and the functionality of the packaging machine.

[0036] The method according to the invention is suitable for operating a packing system as described above. The packing machine is rotated to fill bags. The packing machine is provided in a housing, wherein air is sucked out of the housing by means of the blower device from the outlet s, whereby air flows in through the inlet s in a lower section due to the negative pressure created in the housing. Thus, the rotation of the packing machine in conjunction with the suction of air creates a directed air flow in the direction of the housing, which directs particles or product located in the housing against the housing.

[0037] Preferably, particles or product slide or fall or glide or trickle (by gravity) down the housing and can preferably be fed into a product return system. The method according to the invention also offers the advantages already described above for the packaging system according to the invention.

[0038] Preferably, the outlet is located at an upper portion of the enclosure, whereby the rotation of the packaging machine, in conjunction with the extraction of air, creates a directed, helical, upward airflow toward the enclosure, which directs particles in the enclosure toward the enclosure. This further increases the efficiency of particle separation.

[0039] Preferably, the free flow cross-section of the inlet and / or the power of the blower device is adjusted to the rotation speed of the packaging machine and / or a property of the product to be filled and / or depending on the currently prevailing negative pressure in the enclosure. For example, a different flow strength of the helical air stream may be useful depending on the type of product and / or rotation speed. Optionally, the rotation speed can theoretically also be adjusted to the other parameters. However, the rotation speed is usually predetermined by certain power specifications. In addition, it can preferably be ensured that, for example, the cross-section of the inlet is enlarged and / or the blower power is increased even if insufficient negative pressure is detected or if there is too little air flowing in.For this purpose, at least one sensor device can preferably be used.

[0040] Particularly preferably, the helical air flow is amplified by at least one air guiding element on the packaging machine. This can be particularly useful if the radially outwardly projecting filling modules do not achieve sufficient air entrainment. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiment, which is explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0041] The figures show:

[0042] Fig. 1 is a purely schematic representation of a packing system with a rotatable packing machine according to the prior art;

[0043] Fig. 2 is a purely schematic sectional view through the section plane AA in Figure 1;

[0044] Fig. 3 is a purely schematic representation of a packing system according to the invention with a rotatable packing machine;

[0045] Fig. 4 is a purely schematic sectional view through the section plane AA in Figure 3;

[0046] Fig. 5 is a purely schematic enlarged view of the packing machine according to Figure 4; and

[0047] Fig. 6 is a purely schematic sectional view through the section plane BB in Figure 3.

[0048] In Figures 1 and 2, a packing system 1 according to the prior art is shown in a purely schematic side view in brackets (Figure 1) and in a view cut along the section plane AA in Figure 1 (Figure 2).

[0049] The packing system 100 comprises a rotating packing machine 1, which has a plurality of filling modules 2 distributed around the circumference, each with a filling nozzle 3. Furthermore, it can be seen that a bag-loading device 200 is provided, via which empty bags are placed or shot onto free filling nozzles 3 as they rotate past them.

[0050] Furthermore, it is shown that a discharge device 300 is provided in order to remove filled bags from the filling process.

[0051] Above the rotating packing machine 1, a product silo 500 is indicated, through which the product to be filled can be fed to the individual filling modules 2.

[0052] Figure 2 shows purely schematically that each filling module

[0053] 2 or each filler neck, especially in the area of ​​the filler neck

[0054] 3 is connected to a suction line 18, wherein in order to achieve the considerable air flow required here, a correspondingly large fan 7 must be provided in order to achieve sufficient suction power at the individual suction lines 18.

[0055] In addition, it is shown that a large air collector 20 is provided to collect the air flows from the individual suction lines 18 and to feed them to a filter, some of which is very large and not shown here.

[0056] In order to ensure sufficient occupational safety in the area of ​​the rotating packaging machines, in the prior art at least the rotating area of ​​the packaging machine is enclosed by a housing structure 19 so that persons cannot easily come into contact with the packaging machine 1 and in particular not with the rotating filling nozzles 3.

[0057] Figure 3 shows a purely schematic representation of a packing system 100 according to the invention with a rotating packing machine 1, wherein a bag placing device 200 and a discharge device 300 are also provided here, as also described for the system 100 according to the prior art.

[0058] In contrast to the previously shown packaging system 100 according to the prior art, the rotating packaging machine 1 of the packaging system according to the invention in the exemplary embodiment shown here is arranged in a substantially airtight housing 4. The housing 4 is designed to be airtight in such a way that a certain or predetermined negative pressure can be generated within the housing 4 by sucking air out of the outlet 6 in the upper section 5 of the housing 4.

[0059] The flow at the inlet 9 can be monitored here with a sensor device 17. Such a sensor device 17 can, for example, comprise a flow sensor for determining the flow velocity and / or a vacuum sensor for determining the vacuum. The blower device 7 could be controlled depending on this.

[0060] At least one inlet 9 is provided on the lower section 8 of the housing 4, through which an air flow dimensioned according to the negative pressure prevailing in the housing 4 can flow or is drawn in. The lower section 8 essentially corresponds to the otherwise conventional housing structure 19, which is generally common in known systems.

[0061] In this case, the inlet 9 is provided through passage openings 12 in the housing 4 for the bag insertion device 200 and the discharge device 300 and an unwanted discharge of dust is reliably prevented.

[0062] In the embodiment shown, a door 15 is provided in the housing 4, which in the embodiment shown comprises a viewing window 14. Through this door 15

[0063] Operating personnel can access enclosure 4 when maintenance work or other interventions are necessary.

[0064] Furthermore, it is shown purely schematically that further viewing windows 14 are provided in the housing 4 in order to be able to subject the filling process to a visual inspection.

[0065] Figure 4 shows a purely schematic sectional view of the packing system 100 according to Figure 3 along the section plane AA.

[0066] In the embodiment shown, the filling modules 2, each with a filling nozzle 3, can be seen distributed over the circumference of the packaging machine 1.

[0067] When the packaging machine rotates to fill products such as bulk goods into bags, the air is entrained by the radially outwardly projecting filling modules 2, like a rotor or propeller, and conveyed outwards towards the housing 4. As a result, any product or particles escaping during the filling process are transported towards the housing 4.

[0068] As a result of the air being sucked out of the housing 4 by the blower device 7 via the outlet s 6 on the upper section 5 of the housing 4, a certain predetermined negative pressure is created in the latter. The air flowing through the inlet s or through the inlets 9 or the passage openings 12 for the bag applicator 200 and the discharge device 300, in conjunction with the rotation of the air through the rotating packaging machine, creates an upwardly directed helical air flow (16, indicated by the arrows). As already explained, this upwardly directed helical air flow carries the particles outwards in the direction of the housing, where the particles 600 or product escaping during the filling process then slides down the housing 4 or trickles off or falls down so that the majority of the product is not guided through the blower device 7. For this purpose, the inside of the housing or.The surface in the illustrated embodiment is designed to be as smooth as possible. A suitable material has been selected, and as few disruptive protrusions and / or the like as possible are provided.

[0069] Accordingly, a filter device 11, if provided, only needs to be correspondingly small. The blower device 7 can also be significantly smaller, since a significantly smaller or lower air flow rate must be provided.

[0070] In the embodiment shown, the particles 600 slide down the inside of the housing 4 and are fed directly to a product return 400, which are then fed, for example, via the line 401 to a conveyor device not shown in detail, in order to be either disposed of or fed to the filling process or the product silo 500.

[0071] In Figure 5, the area of ​​the rotating packaging machine 1 from Figure 4 is shown again in an enlarged view in order to better illustrate the air flow between inlet 9 and outlet 6 and the helical air flow (16, indicated by the arrows) additionally caused by the rotation of the packaging machine 1.

[0072] The upwardly directed screw-shaped air flow, analogous to the principle of a cyclone separator, ensures that the particles 600 are conveyed radially outwards towards the inside of the housing, where they trickle down or slide down the housing and can thus be removed from the housing.

[0073] Figure 6 shows a purely schematic sectional view through the section plane BB in Figure 3.

[0074] Here too, it can be seen that the rotation of the rotating packing machine 1, which is provided here in an anti-clockwise direction, moves the filling modules 2, which project radially outwards over an inner circumference 10 of the packing machine 1, in the direction of the dotted arrows.

[0075] This ensures that the product or particles 600 produced during the filling process are carried radially outwards in the direction of the housing by the rotation or the air flow generated thereby. Since an air flow from bottom to top is also generated by the blower device 7 at the outlet 6, a helical, upward flow is generated which carries particles 600 outwards, as in a cyclone separator.

[0076] Furthermore, it is shown that air guide elements 13 can be provided on the inner circumference 10 and / or on the filling modules 2, which can further increase the rotating air flow.

[0077] The air guide elements 13 can be arranged, in particular, at different heights on the packaging machine 1 in order to achieve particularly advantageous air flows. The air guide elements 13 can also be bent, designed, and / or arranged in a manner that is advantageous for flow. List of reference symbols

[0078] 1 packing machine

[0079] 2 filling module

[0080] 3 filling nozzles

[0081] 4 Enclosure

[0082] 5 upper section

[0083] 6 From las s

[0084] 7 Blower device

[0085] 8 lower section

[0086] 9 entrances

[0087] 10 inner circumference

[0088] 11 Filter device

[0089] 12 Passage opening

[0090] 13 Air guide element

[0091] 14 viewing windows

[0092] 15 Door

[0093] 16 helical airflow

[0094] 17 Sensor device

[0095] 18 Suction line (state of the art only)

[0096] 19 Housing structure (state of the art only)

[0097] 20 air collectors

[0098] 100 packing machines

[0099] 200 bag attachment device

[0100] 300 discharge device

[0101] 400 product returns

[0102] 401 line

[0103] 500 product silo

[0104] 600 particles

[0105] 700 bags

Claims

Claims:

1. A packing system (100) comprising at least one rotating packing machine (1) with at least two filling modules (2) distributed around the circumference, each having at least one filling nozzle (3) for filling bags (50), characterized in that at least the packing machine (1) is accommodated in a substantially airtight housing (4), and that the housing has at least one outlet (6), wherein at least one blower device (7) is assigned to the outlet (6), by means of which air can be sucked out of the housing (4), and that the housing (4) has an inlet (9) for air, via which air can enter the housing (4).

2. Packaging system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the outlet (6) is arranged at an upper portion (5) of the housing (4).

3. Packing system (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the inlet (9) is provided in the lower half of the housing (4), preferably in the lower third and in particular in the lower quarter and / or that the outlet (6) is provided in the upper half of the housing (4), preferably in the upper third and in particular in the upper quarter.

4. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inside of the housing (4) is substantially smooth.

5. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein glass, metal and / or plastic is used as the material for the housing (4) at least in sections.

6. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling modules (2) protrude radially outwards at least in sections over an inner circumference (10) of the packaging machine (1).

7. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one filter device (11) is associated with the outlet (6).

8. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one bag attachment device (200) for attaching empty bags to the filling nozzles (3) of the packaging machine (1) and at least one discharge device (300) are included, wherein in the housing (4) for the bag attachment device (200) and the discharge device (300) at least one passage opening (12) is provided in the housing (4), which at least partially provides the inlet (9) for air.

9. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet (9) is dimensioned depending on the blower device (7) such that during operation a negative pressure difference between the interior of the housing (4) and the ambient air of the packaging system (100) in the order of magnitude of -1 hPa to -100 hPa, preferably from -1 hPa to -50 hPa and particularly preferably from -1 hPa to -20 hPa is established.

10. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one sensor device (17) is assigned to at least the inlet (9).

11. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one air guiding element (13) is arranged on an inner circumference (10) of the packaging machine (1) and / or on at least one filling module (2).

12. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one product return (400) is provided.

13. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one product silo (500) is assigned to the packaging machine (1).

14. Packaging system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (4) comprises at least one viewing window (14) and / or at least one door (15).

15. A method for operating a packing system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps: - Rotating the packing machine (1) and filling bags - Suction of air from the housing (4) by means of the blower device (7) from the outlet (6), whereby air flows through the inlet (9) at a lower section (8) of the housing (4) due to the negative pressure created in the housing, wherein the rotation of the packaging machine (1) in conjunction with the suction of air creates a directed air flow in the direction of the housing (4), which directs particles (600) located in the housing (4) against the housing.

16. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the outlet (6) is arranged on an upper section (5) of the housing (4), and wherein the rotation of the packaging machine in conjunction with the suction of air creates a directed, helical, upward air flow (16) in the direction of the housing (4), which directs particles (600) located in the housing (4) towards the housing.

17. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the free flow cross-section of the inlet (9) and / or the power of the blower device (7) is / are adapted to the Rotation speed of the packaging machine (1) and / or a property of the product to be filled and / or depending on the currently prevailing negative pressure in the housing (4).

18. Method according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the helical air flow is amplified by at least one air guiding element (13) on the packaging machine (1).

Images