EP3909866A1 - Filling device, in particular food dispensing device, for dosing a predetermined weight and / or volume of a material to be dosed, system with the device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention, a filling device, in particular a food filling device, is used for dosing a predetermined weight and / or volume of a filling material (14) to be dosed, with a collecting container (20) which is provided so that the filling material (14) to be dosed is collected therein, with a metering element (24, 28), which is designed in particular as a metering spoon, which is provided for metering the filling material (14) to remove a defined volume of the filling material (14) from the collecting container (20), and with a storage module ( 26), which movably supports the metering element (24, 28), is proposed.

Description

State of the art

A filling device, in particular a food filling device, has already been proposed for metering a predetermined weight and / or volume of a product to be metered.

Disclosure of the invention

According to the invention, a filling device, in particular a food filling device, for dosing a predetermined weight and / or volume of a filling material to be dosed, with a collecting container, which is provided so that the filling material to be dosed is collected therein, with a dosing element, which in particular acts as a dosing spoon is designed, which is provided for metering the filling material to remove a defined volume of the filling material from the collecting container, and is proposed with a storage module that movably supports the metering element. A "filling device" should preferably be understood to mean a device which is provided to fill a product, preferably a filling product, metered into at least one container to be filled, preferably into several containers to be filled. The filling device is preferably provided to fill a plurality of containers with a defined weight and / or volume of a product at the same time. A "food filling device" should preferably be understood to mean a filling device which is provided to serve as a food Dosed filling material to be filled into containers to be filled. A “filling material to be dosed” should preferably be understood to mean a bulk material, that is to say preferably a powdery, granular and / or lumpy mixture that is present in a pourable form. The filling material to be dosed can preferably have a moisture content. A “collecting container” should preferably be understood to mean a container in which the filling material to be dosed can be caught, preferably collected. In the collecting container, the filling material is preferably arranged for metered removal, that is to say collected. The collecting container has a concave inner contour which forms a receiving volume of the collecting container in which the filling material is arranged for metered removal. A “metering element” should preferably be understood to mean an element that spans a metering volume that is provided for metering a filling material to be filled with the filling material. The metering element preferably has a convex metering area which limits the metering volume. The convex metering area is designed as a recess. The metering element is preferably designed as a metering spoon. A “dosing spoon” should preferably be understood to mean an element which has a connecting web and a spoon shell which is arranged at one end of the connecting web and which preferably forms the convex dosing area. A “storage module” should preferably be understood to mean a module which is provided for the movable storage of at least one element, preferably the metering element. The storage module is preferably provided to store an element to be stored, such as preferably the metering element, in a rotationally and / or linearly displaceable manner. In this way, a particularly simple metering of a product to be metered can be achieved by means of the filling device.

It is further proposed that the metering element for removing the defined volume of the filling material from the collecting container is provided to be moved through a receiving volume of the collecting container by means of the storage module. A “receiving volume” should preferably be understood to mean a volume that is spanned by the collecting container, in particular a concave inner contour of the receiving container. The receiving volume preferably defines a space in which the filling material can be collected. "To be moved through the receiving volume" is intended to be preferred be understood that at least one convex dosing area of the dosing element is guided through the collecting container in such a way that the filling material collected in the collecting container can be picked up by the dosing area. The dosing element is preferably guided in a linear and / or rotational movement through the receiving volume of the collecting container. The convex metering area of the metering element is preferably guided through the receiving volume of the collecting container in a linear and / or rotational movement. The dosing element is particularly preferably moved in a pivoting movement through the receiving volume of the collecting container. In principle, it is also conceivable that the metering element is guided through the receiving volume of the collecting container in a linear movement or in a combined linear and rotational movement. As a result, the filling material can be removed from the collecting container in a particularly simple manner and the metering device can be designed in a particularly simple manner.

It is also proposed that the storage module forms an axis of rotation and is provided to rotate the metering element around the axis of rotation in order to remove the defined volume of the filling material from the collecting container. As a result, the metering element can be particularly advantageously stored by means of the storage device for removing the filling material.

It is also proposed that the storage module is provided to rotate the metering element around the axis of rotation for transferring the removed filling material to a container to be filled. As a result, the filling material can be transferred from the metering element in a particularly simple manner.

It is further proposed that the storage module has at least one linear bearing, by means of which the metering element can be adjusted between a removal position and a transfer position. A “linear bearing” should preferably be understood to mean a bearing which comprises at least two bearing elements which can be linearly displaced relative to one another along a bearing axis. A first bearing element of the linear bearing is preferably designed as a linear bearing rail. A “linear bearing rail” is to be understood in particular as a linear guide element which is provided to form a bearing track, preferably a straight bearing axis, along which another Element is linearly displaceable on the linear bearing rail. A linear bearing rail is provided so that a guide element is positively and / or non-positively connected to it, the guide element having a degree of freedom relative to the linear bearing rail at least along a path, in particular along the bearing axis. A second bearing element of the linear bearing can preferably be designed as a guide element. The second bearing element is designed to correspond to the first bearing element and is provided to be movably mounted in relation to the first bearing element. The second bearing element is preferably mounted movably along the bearing track relative to the first bearing element. The second bearing element is preferably designed as a bearing slide, which is mounted movably in relation to the first bearing element designed as a linear bearing rail. The second bearing element preferably has a base body and at least one guide element connected to the base body, which guide element is provided to be connected to the first bearing element for movably mounting the second bearing element. A "removal position" should preferably be understood to mean an axial positioning of the dosing element on the linear bearing, in which the dosing element is axially positioned so that it can be guided through the collecting container in order to remove the filling material from the collecting container. A "transfer position" should preferably be understood to mean an axial positioning of the dosing element on the linear bearing, in which the dosing element is axially positioned so that it can move the filled product through a defined movement, preferably a rotation, to a container to be filled. As a result, the dosing element can be adjusted particularly easily between the removal position and the transfer position.

It is also proposed that the filling device have a stripping element which, before the filling material is transferred, is provided to reduce the filling material arranged in the metering element to the specified volume. A "stripping element" should preferably be understood to mean an element which is intended to scrape off excess filling material, ie, to remove it from the dosing element and preferably to bring it back into the collecting container. As a result of the stripping element, the filling material taken up by the metering element is always reduced to the same defined volume by driving past the stripping element will. As a result, precise and constant removal of a defined volume of filling material can be achieved particularly advantageously by means of the metering element.

It is further proposed that the storage device is provided to move the dosing element past the stripping element when it is moved from the removal position to the transfer position in order to scrape off and / or compress the filling material arranged in the dosing element. "To move past the stripping element" should preferably be understood to mean that the dosing element is guided along the stripping element at least with its dosing area, the stripping element preferably resting against an upper edge of the dosing area. The dosing element is preferably guided past the stripping element in such a way that the stripping element is arranged precisely at an upper end of the dosing volume and thus limits the dosing volume. “To be stripped off and / or to be compacted” should preferably be understood as meaning that the stripping element wipes off at least part of the filling material which protrudes beyond the dosing volume, i.e. an upper edge of the dosing area, that is, away from the dosing element and / or also in part pushes in the dosing volume of the dosing area in order to compress the filling material arranged in the dosing volume of the dosing area. As a result, the filling material arranged in the metering element can be set to a desired volume and / or weight in a particularly simple and precise manner.

Furthermore, it is proposed that the filling device has at least one transfer element via which the filling material to be dosed can be guided from the dosing element directly to a container to be filled in a transfer position of the dosing element. A “transfer element” should preferably be understood to mean an element through or via which a filling material can be passed from a first end to a second end. The filling material is preferably moved through the transfer element by gravity. The transfer element is preferably designed as a tubular element through which the filling material can fall. The transfer element is preferably designed as a downpipe. The transfer element designed as a transfer tube is preferably aligned vertically so that a product inlet and a product outlet are arranged one above the other. In principle, it is also conceivable that the transfer element is designed as an inclined channel or an inclined sliding plate over which a product can slide from a first end to a second end. A “container to be filled” should preferably be understood to mean a container which is provided for the safe storage and freshness of the contents. A container to be filled can be, for example, a plastic cup, a tin can, a paper cup, or another container that appears useful to a person skilled in the art for storing a product, in particular a foodstuff. As a result, the metered filling material can be guided completely from the metering element to the container to be filled in a particularly reliable manner. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the transfer element, the filling material can be guided to the container to be filled as a vertically oriented downpipe.

It is further proposed that the collecting container is designed as a trough, the inner contour of which has a uniform curvature at least in a partial area. The fact that the inner contour "has a uniform curvature at least in a partial area" should preferably be understood to mean that at least 50%, preferably 75% and, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, over 90% of the inner contour has a uniform curvature. Particularly preferably, the inner contour of the collecting container, which is designed as a trough, has a semicircular shape. In principle, it is also conceivable that only a central partial area of the inner contour of the collecting container designed as a trough has a uniform curvature and outer areas form a smaller curvature or a straight line. As a result, the collecting container can be designed in a particularly advantageous manner for removing the filling material by means of the metering element.

It is further proposed that the filling device has a drainage device which is provided to transport a liquid away from the collecting container, an outlet opening being arranged below a minimum scoop height of the dosing element. A "drainage device" should preferably be understood to mean a device through which a liquid can flow out of the collecting container by gravity or can be actively sucked out of the collecting container. Below a "minimum scoop height" should preferably be understood as a minimum height in the collecting container up to which the metering element can extend with its metering area. "Below the minimum scoop height" is preferably to be understood as being arranged closer to a floor, that is to say a plane on which the filling device is set up. As a result, liquid can advantageously be removed from the collecting container, thereby preventing the dosing element and / or other parts of the filling device from sticking together with liquid that can escape from the product, for example. As a result, in particular the cleanliness and the accuracy of the filling device can be improved.

It is also proposed that the filling device have at least one further metering element which is movably mounted parallel to the one metering element via the storage module and is provided for metering the filling material to remove a defined volume of the filling material from the collecting container. A “further metering element” should preferably be understood to mean an identically designed metering element which is connected via the same storage module and is preferably designed in exactly the same way as the first metering element. In principle, it would also be conceivable for a further metering element to form a larger metering volume, as a result of which containers of different sizes could be filled next to one another by means of the filling device. As a result, the filling device can be designed particularly advantageously for filling into several containers.

It is further proposed that the filling device has at least one liquid metering module which is provided to fill the container with a liquid after filling a container to be filled with filling material by means of the metering element until a desired total filling volume and / or total filling weight is reached. A “liquid metering module” should preferably be understood to mean a module which can add a liquid to the metered filling material in the container to be filled. A liquid is preferably injected into the container. The liquid metering module is preferably arranged at a distance, that is to say spatially separated from the metering elements and the collecting container. In this way, the filling device can advantageously be used in a dry area, namely the dosing by means of the dosing elements, and a wet area, namely the filling of liquid by means of the liquid metering module, can be divided. As a result, a total weight of the filling material arranged in the container and of the liquid can be set particularly well. Furthermore, by separating the dosing of the dry filling material and the filling of the liquid, an advantageous separation of a dry area and a liquid area of the filling device can be achieved, whereby liquid-sensitive components, such as load cells, can advantageously be arranged outside the liquid area.

In addition, a system with at least one filling device for filling containers to be filled with a predetermined weight and / or volume of a product to be dosed is proposed. The system preferably has a control and / or regulating unit which is provided to control the filling device. A “control and / or regulating unit” is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a unit with at least one control electronics. “Control electronics” should be understood to mean, in particular, a unit with a processor unit and with a memory unit and with an operating program stored in the memory unit. “Set up” is to be understood in particular as specifically programmed and / or specially equipped. The fact that an object, in particular the control and / or regulating unit, is set up for a specific function, in particular an adaptation of the transfer parameter, is to be understood in particular to mean that the object fulfills this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state and / or executes. The configuration of the system according to the invention makes it possible to achieve advantageous, metered filling of a product into one or more containers.

In addition, a method for dosing a product by means of a filling device is proposed.

The device according to the invention, the system according to the invention and / or the method according to the invention should / should not be restricted to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the device according to the invention, the system according to the invention and / or the method according to the invention can fulfill a mode of operation described herein have a number that differs from a number of individual elements, components and units as well as method steps mentioned herein. In addition, in the value ranges specified in this disclosure, values lying within the stated limits should also be deemed disclosed and can be used in any way.

drawings

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawings. In the drawings, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht eines Systems mit einer Abfüllvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine weitere Ansicht der Abfüllvorrichtung mit einer Fördervorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht durch die Abfüllvorrichtung mit der Fördervorrichtung und einem Flüssigkeitsdosierungsmodul,

Fig. 4

eine Detailseitenansicht eines Abfüllmoduls der Abfüllvorrichtung mit einem Dosierelement in einer Entnahmeposition,

Fig. 5

eine weitere Detailseitenansicht mit dem Dosierelement während einer Entnahme von Füllgut aus einem Sammelbehälter,

Fig. 6

eine weitere Detailseitenansicht mit dem Dosierelement nach der Entnahme des Stückguts,

Fig. 7

eine weitere Detailseitenansicht mit dem Dosierelement nach einem linearen Verfahren in eine Übergabestellung und

Fig. 8

eine weitere Detailseitenansicht mit dem Dosierelement nach einer Rotation in eine Übergabeposition.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a system with a filling device,

Fig. 2

another view of the filling device with a conveyor device,

Fig. 3

a side view through the filling device with the conveying device and a liquid metering module,

Fig. 4

a detail side view of a filling module of the filling device with a metering element in a removal position,

Fig. 5

a further detailed side view with the dosing element during a removal of filling material from a collecting container,

Fig. 6

Another detailed view of the side with the dosing element after the piece goods have been removed,

Fig. 7

a further detail side view with the dosing element according to a linear process in a transfer position and

Fig. 8

Another detailed side view with the dosing element after a rotation into a transfer position.

Description of the embodiment

the Figures 1 to 8 show a system according to the invention with a filling device 10. The system with the filling device 10 is provided for filling containers 12, 12 'to be filled with a predetermined weight and / or volume of a filling material 14 to be dosed. The filling device 10 is designed as a food filling device. The filling device 10 is provided for the metered filling of a filling material 14 in the form of a food. The filling device 10 is provided for metering a predetermined weight and / or volume of the filling material 14 to be metered. The filling material 14 are, for example, pieces of fruit. The filling material 14 is preferably formed from pieces of fruit which can have a liquid content. In principle, it is also conceivable that the filling material 14 is designed as a powder or some other lumpy bulk material. The system includes a product supply. The product supply is designed here, for example, as a conveyor belt. In principle, it is also conceivable for the product supply to be designed in a different manner that appears sensible to a person skilled in the art.

The filling device 10 comprises two filling modules 16, 18. The two filling modules 16, 18 are designed essentially the same, which is why only the first filling module 16 will be described in more detail below. The description of the first filling module 16 can be used to explain the second filling module 18. The two filling modules 16, 18 are connected in series.

The filling module 16 of the filling device 10 comprises a collecting container 20. The collecting container 20 is designed as a collecting trough. The collecting container 20 is designed as an elongated trough. The collecting container 20 has an inner contour which has a uniform curvature. The collecting container 20 has a semicircular inner contour. The collecting container 20 forms a receiving volume 22. The inner contour of the collecting container 20 delimits the receiving volume 22. The collecting container 20 is provided so that the filling material 14 to be dosed is collected therein. The collecting container 20 is raised on a stand unit, not shown in detail. The stand unit could, for example, be formed by a frame that stands on feet.

The filling module 16 of the filling device 10 has a metering element 24. The metering element 24 is provided for metering the filling material 14 to remove a defined volume of the filling material 14 from the collecting container 20. The filling device 10 comprises a storage module 26 which is provided for storing the metering element 24. The metering element 24 is movably supported by means of the bearing module 26. The metering element 24 is movably mounted relative to the collecting container 20 via the bearing module 26. The filling module 16 of the filling device 10 has further metering elements 28. The metering elements 28 are arranged parallel to the metering element 24. The further metering elements 28 are also movably supported via the storage module 26. The further metering elements 28 are provided for metering the filling material 14 to remove a defined volume of the filling material 14 from the collecting container 20. By means of the further metering elements 28 and the metering element 24, a defined volume of the filling material 14 can be withdrawn from the collecting container 20 at the same time. In the embodiment shown, the first filling module 16 of the filling device 10 has ten metering elements 24, 28, which are movably mounted by means of the storage module 26 and are provided for removing a defined volume of the filling material 14 from the collecting container 20. In principle, it would also be conceivable for the first filling module 16 to have a different number of metering elements 24, 28, for example four or twenty. The metering elements 24, 28 are designed in the same way. For this reason, only the one metering element 24 will be described in more detail below. To explain all the other metering elements 28, the following description of one metering element 24 can be used.

The metering element 24 is designed as a metering spoon. The metering element 24, which is designed as a metering spoon, has a convex metering area 30 at a first end. The convex metering area 30 spans a metering volume 32. The convex metering area 30 has a cylindrical inner contour. In principle, it is also conceivable that the metering area 30 is designed as a hemispherical inner contour, or the inner contour has another shape that appears sensible to a person skilled in the art. The dosing volume 32, the is spanned by the convex metering region 30 of the metering element 24, corresponds to the volume of the filling material 14 to be metered. The metering element 24 has a connecting web 34. The metering area 30 is connected to a first end of the connecting web 34. The metering area 30 can be formed in one piece with the connecting web 34. In principle, it is also conceivable that the metering area 30 is incorporated in an element which is formed separately from the connecting web 34 and is connected to the connecting web 34 in an assembled state. In this way, metering areas 30 of different sizes could be connected to the connecting web 34 in a particularly simple manner, and metering elements 24 with different volumes for metering the filling material 14 could simply be provided. At a second end, the connecting web 34 of the metering element 24 is connected to the storage module 26. The metering element 24 is provided for removing a defined volume of the filling material 14 from the collecting container 20. For the dosed removal of the filling material 14 from the collecting container 20, the dosing element 24 is moved at least with its dosing volume 32 through the receiving volume 22 of the collecting container 20.

The bearing module 26 forms an axis of rotation 36. The bearing module 26 has a bearing shaft 38 which forms the axis of rotation 36. The bearing shaft 38 is provided for connecting the metering element 24, 28. The bearing shaft 38 runs in a transverse direction to the collecting container 20. In an assembled state, the bearing shaft 38 runs parallel to a transverse axis of the storage container. The bearing shaft 38 is rotatably mounted about its central axis, which corresponds to the axis of rotation 36. The bearing module 26 has two bearing blocks 40, 42 on which the bearing shaft 38 is rotatably mounted. The bearing blocks 40, 42 are each arranged on opposite longitudinal sides of the collecting container 20. The bearing blocks 40, 42 each have a bearing receptacle in which the bearing shaft 38 is rotatably mounted. The two bearing blocks 40, 42 are arranged with their bearing receptacles coaxially to one another. The storage module 26 comprises a first drive unit 44. The first drive unit 44 is designed as an electric motor. In principle, it would also be conceivable for the first drive unit 44 to be designed as another drive unit, for example as a pneumatic or hydraulic motor. The drive unit 44 is provided for driving the bearing shaft 38. As a result, the drive unit 44 is used to move the Dosing element 24 is provided. The first drive unit 44 is connected to the one bearing block 40.

The bearing module 26 has two linear bearings 46. The linear bearings 46 are provided to each support a bearing block 40, 42 relative to the collecting container 20. The linear bearings 46 each form a bearing axis along which the bearing blocks 40, 42 are linearly displaceable. The bearing axes of the two linear bearings 46 run parallel to one another. The linear bearings 46 each have a bearing rail 48. The bearing rail 48 is attached to an outer side of a side wall of the collecting container 20. In principle, it is also conceivable that the storage module 26 has its own frame on which the bearing rails 48 of the linear bearings 46 are each arranged in a fixed position next to the side wall of the collecting container 20. The linear bearings 46 each have a guide element 50. The guide elements 50 are each positively connected to the corresponding bearing rail 48 of the linear bearing 46. The guide elements 50 are each coupled to the bearing rail 48 in an axially displaceable manner. The guide elements 50 are axially displaceable to the bearing rails 48 along the bearing axis. The guide elements 50 are each firmly connected to one of the bearing blocks 40, 42. In principle, it is also conceivable that the guide elements 50 are formed in one piece with the respective bearing block 40, 42. The bearing module 26 comprises a second drive unit 52, which is provided for the axial displacement of the guide element 50 in the bearing rail 48. The second drive unit 52 is designed as an electric motor. The bearing module 26 comprises a gear unit (not shown in more detail) which is provided to convert a rotational movement of the second drive unit 52 into an axial movement of the guide element 50 in relation to the bearing rail 48. The gear unit could, for example, comprise a toothed wheel which is connected to the guide element 50 and which can be rotationally driven by means of the drive unit 52 and which engages in a toothed rack coupled to the bearing rail 48.

The metering element 24 is connected to the bearing shaft 38. The metering element 24 is firmly connected to the bearing shaft 38 by a second end opposite the metering area 30. The metering element 24 is preferably connected to the bearing shaft 38 by means of a screw connection. In principle, it is also conceivable for the metering element 24 to be positively and / or cohesively, for example is firmly connected to the bearing shaft 38 by a welded or adhesive connection. By means of the bearing module 26, the metering element 24 is axially displaceable along the bearing axis of the linear bearings 46 and is mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis of rotation 36 of the bearing shaft 38 relative to the collecting container 20. All of the metering elements 24, 28 are connected to the bearing shaft 38. By means of the bearing module 26, all of the metering elements 24, 28 of the filling module 16 of the filling device can be axially displaced along the bearing axis of the linear bearings 46 and can be rotated relative to the collecting container 20 about the axis of rotation 36 of the bearing shaft 38. All metering elements 24, 28 of the filling module 16 of the filling device 10 can be axially displaced and rotated simultaneously and in the same way by means of the bearing module 38.

The filling module 16 of the filling device 10 has a stripping element 54. The stripping element 54 is provided to reduce the filling material 14 arranged in the dosing element 24 to the specified volume before the filling material 14 is transferred. The stripping element 54 is provided to scrape off filling material 14 protruding beyond the dosing volume 32 of the dosing element 24. Furthermore, the stripping element 54 is provided to compress the filling material 14 arranged in the dosing volume 32 of the dosing element 24. By stripping off excess filling material 14 which protrudes from the metering volume 32, the filling material 14 received by the metering element 24 can be reduced to an always the same volume by means of the stripping element 54. By compressing the filling material 14 arranged in the dosing area 30 of the dosing element 24, a uniform filling of the dosing area 30 with the filling material 14 can be achieved. For stripping and compacting, the metering element 24 is guided along the stripping element 54. In principle, a movement of the stripping element 54 is also conceivable, so that it is moved along the dosing element 24. When the dosing element 24 moves along the stripping element 54, the filling material 14 arranged in the dosing area 30 is compressed in the dosing volume 32 and the filling material 14, which cannot be pressed into the dosing volume 32 and therefore protrudes beyond the dosing volume 32, is stripped off at the same time. The stripped off filling material 14 falls back into the collecting container 20. The stripping element 54 lies while the dosing element 24 is guided past, preferably on an upper edge of the dosing area 30. In principle, it is also conceivable that a small gap between the metering element 24 and the stripping element 54 remains. The stripping element 54 is designed as a rod. The stripping element 54, designed as a rod, extends over the entire width of the collecting container 20. The stripping element 54, designed as a rod, extends over all of the metering elements 24, 28 and is provided for stripping off all of the metering elements 24, 28. The stripping element 54 has a circular cross section. In principle, it is also conceivable that the stripping element 54 has a different cross section, for example a cross section which has a flattened or pointed region on a side facing the metering element 24, 28. The stripping element 54 is preferably formed from a rigid material. In principle, it is preferably conceivable that the stripping element 54 has an elastic lip on the side facing the metering elements 24, 28, which compresses and wipes off the filling material 14.

The filling module 16 of the filling device 10 has a transfer element 60 for each metering element 26, 28. The transfer element 60 is provided to guide the filling material to be dosed from the corresponding dosing element 26, 28 directly to the container 12 to be filled. The transfer element 60 is designed as a transfer tube. The transfer element 60, designed as a transfer tube, is arranged at a first axial end of the collecting container 20. The transfer element 60 is arranged in a transfer area of the corresponding metering element 24, 28. The transfer element 60 is preferably attached to the collecting container 20. In principle, it is also conceivable that the transfer elements 60 have their own frame by means of which they are firmly fixed in the transfer area. The transfer element 60, which is designed as a transfer tube, is oriented vertically. An upper end of the transfer element 60, which forms a product inlet, is formed at the same level as the upper edge of the collecting container 20. A lower end of the transfer element 60 is arranged below a lower end of the collecting container 20. The lower end of the transfer element 60 forms a filling material outlet from which the filling material 14 can fall directly into a container 12 to be filled. The container 12 to be filled preferably rests against the filling material outlet during filling, so that the metered filling material 14 can completely fall into the container 12.

The first filling module 16 of the filling device 10 has a drainage device 56. The drainage device 56 is provided so that a liquid that collects in the collecting container 20 can flow out of the collecting container 20. The drainage device 56 is provided so that a liquid that collects in the receiving volume 22 of the collecting container 20 can be transported away. The liquid can be, for example, a liquid that is separated from the filling material 14, or which represents part of the filling material 14 to be filled. The drainage device 56 is provided to drain a liquid below the minimum scoop height of the metering elements 24, 28. The drainage device 56 has an outlet opening 58. The outlet opening 58 is introduced into a side wall of the collecting container 20 at a lower lateral edge of the collecting container 20. The outlet opening 58 is arranged below the minimum scoop height of the metering elements 24, 28. By attaching the outlet opening 58 in a side wall of the collecting container 20, clogging of the outlet opening 58 with filling material 14 can advantageously be avoided. The drainage device 56 preferably has a discharge line through which the liquid can flow out of the collecting container 20 via the outlet opening 58. The discharge line can be designed as a downpipe, in which the liquid can flow away purely by gravity. In principle, it is also conceivable that the drainage device 56 comprises a suction device with which the liquid can be actively sucked out of the receiving volume 22 of the collecting container.

By means of the linear bearings 46 of the bearing module 26, the metering element 24, 28 can be axially displaced between a removal position and a transfer position. In a removal position that is in the Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the dosing element 24, 26 is aligned by means of the bearing module 24 in such a way that it can be pivoted through the receiving volume 22 of the collecting container 20 with its dosing area 30 by rotating about the axis of rotation 36 of the bearing shaft 26. Figure 4 shows the dosing element 24, 28 in its removal position. In the removal position, the dosing element 24, 28 is placed in such a way that it can be pivoted through the receiving area 22 of the collecting container 20 by rotating it through 180 degrees about the axis of rotation 36. In the removal position, the metering element 24, 28 is not filled. The dosing element 24, 28 is in the dosing position aligned with an opening of its metering area 30 in the direction of the receiving volume 22 of the collecting container 20.

To remove a metered volume of filling material 14 from the collecting container 20, the metering element 24, 28 is pivoted through the receiving volume 22 of the collecting container 20 by rotating the bearing shaft 28 through 180 degrees. The rotation of the metering element 24, 28 through 180 degrees is driven by the operation of the first drive unit 44. As a result of the rotation through 180 degrees, the dosing element 24, 28 is moved from its removal position with its dosing volume ahead through the receiving volume 22 of the collecting container 20 and thus through the filling material 14 collected therein. The metering element 24, 28 receives a corresponding volume of filling material 14 in its metering area 30. Figure 5 shows an example of a position of the dosing element 24, 28 during the pivoting about the axis of rotation 36. After the rotation through 180 degrees, the dosing element 24, 28 is arranged in its filling position. In the filling position, the metering area 30 of the metering element 24, 28 is filled with filling material 14. The filling material 14 preferably protrudes beyond the metering volume 32 of the metering area 30. The metering element 24 is overfilled. In the filling position, the dosing element 24, 28 with the opening of its dosing area 30 is directed away from the collecting container 20.

If the dosing element 24, 28 is arranged in its filling position, the dosing element 24, 28 is displaced linearly from the removal position into a transfer position by means of the linear bearings 46 of the storage module 26. The metering element 24, 28 is moved along the stripping element 54. The stripping element 54 compresses the filling material 14 arranged in the metering area 30 of the metering element 24, 28 and strips the filling material 14 protruding beyond the metering volume 32. The stripped filling material 14 falls back into the collecting container 20. Between a representation Figure 5 and Figure 6 the metering element 24, 26 is moved along the stripping element 54.

Once the dosing element 24, 28 has been stripped off and in its transfer position ( Figure 7 ), the metering element 24, 28 is pivoted by rotating the bearing shaft 38 through 180 degrees via the transfer element 60 into the transfer area. By pivoting the dosing element 24, 28 by 180 degrees, the dosing element 24, 28 pivoted into its transfer position, which is shown in Figure 8 is shown. In the transfer position, the dosing element 24, 28 with the opening of its dosing area 30 is arranged directly above the transfer element 60. The metered filling material 14 arranged in the metering area 30 falls through the transfer element 60 into the container 12 to be filled arranged below it. The rotation of the metering element 24, 28 through 180 degrees is driven by the operation of the first drive unit 44. After the filling material 14 has been transferred from the dosing element 24, 28 via the transfer element 60 into the container 12 to be filled, the dosing element 24, 28 is emptied and is returned to its removal position for the next removal of filling material 14. For this purpose, the dosing element 24, 28 is axially displaced from the transfer position into the removal position by means of the linear bearings 46 of the bearing module 26.

The system comprises a conveying device 62. The conveying device 62 is provided for transporting the containers 12 to be filled. The conveyor device 62 comprises a conveyor belt 64. The conveyor belt 64 is provided to transport the containers 12 to be filled in a transport direction 74. The conveyor belt 64 is made so wide that the containers 12 to be filled at the same time can be arranged next to one another.

The second filling module 18 is designed in the same way as the first filling module 16. The second filling module 18 is preferably designed as a mirror image of the first filling module 16. The second filling module 18 also has a collecting container 20 'and metering elements 24', 28 ', and transfer elements 60', which are movably mounted via a storage module 26 '. The second filling module 18 will therefore not be described in more detail. The filling device 10 has a product feed 66. The filling material feed 66 is provided for feeding the filling material 14 into the collecting container 20, 20 ′ of the filling device 10. The product feed 66 is arranged between the filling modules 16, 18. The product feed 66 comprises two chutes 68, 68 ', via which the product 14 can slide into the collecting container 20, 20'. The system comprises a conveyor belt 70, via which the filling material 14 is fed to the filling material feed 66 of the filling device 10.

The first filling module 16 of the filling device 10 has a lifting module 76 for each container 12 to be filled. The lifting modules 76 are each provided to to lift the corresponding container 12 to be filled for filling with the filling material 14 from the conveyor belt 64 of the conveyor device 62. The lifting modules 76 are provided in particular to lift the containers 12 to be filled to the filling agent outlet of the corresponding transfer element 60 for filling with the filling material 14. The lifting modules 76 each include a weight measuring module 78 which is provided to measure the weight of the container 12 filled with the filling material 14. The weight measuring module 78 has, for example, a load cell by means of which the weight of the filled container 12 can be measured. As a result of this arrangement of the weight measuring module 78, the load cells for measuring the weight of the containers 12 can advantageously be arranged in a dry area of the filling device 10.

The filling device 10 comprises a control and regulating unit 80. The control and regulating unit 80 is provided for controlling the filling device 10. The control and regulation unit 80 controls the corresponding drive units 44, 52 of the bearing module 26 in order to move the metering elements 24, 28 according to the method. The control and regulation unit 80 is also provided to control the lifting modules 76. Furthermore, the control and regulation unit 80 is provided to control the weight measuring modules 78 of the lifting modules 76 and to store the measured weights of the containers 12 filled with the filling material 14.

The filling device 10 comprises a liquid metering module 72. The liquid metering module 72 is arranged after the filling modules 16, 18 of the filling device 10, viewed in the transport direction 74 of the conveying device 62. The liquid metering module 72 comprises a spray nozzle for each container 12 to be filled, through which the liquid can be dispensed into the container 12. The liquid metering module 72 is provided to fill the containers 12 to be filled with an adapted amount of liquid depending on the weight measured by the weight measuring modules 78 in order to exactly achieve a required total weight of the container 12 from the filling material 14 and the liquid. The control and regulating unit 80 is provided to control the liquid metering module 72. The open-loop and closed-loop control unit 80 calculates, for each container 12 to be filled, on the basis of the fill weight measured by means of the corresponding weight measuring module 78, a required amount of liquid that is required to achieve a desired total fill weight of the filling material 14 arranged in the container 12. The control and regulation unit 80 controls the liquid metering module 72 in such a way that each container 12 is filled with the required amount of liquid.

Claims (14)

Filling device, in particular food filling device, for dosing a predetermined weight and / or volume of a filling material (14) to be dosed, with a collecting container (20), which is provided so that the filling material (14) to be dosed is collected therein, with a dosing element (24, 28), which is designed in particular as a dosing spoon which is provided for dosing the filling material (14) to remove a defined volume of the filling material (14) from the collecting container (20), and with a storage module (26), which movably supports the dosing element (24, 28). Filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the dosing element (24, 28) for removing the defined volume of the filling material from the collecting container is provided to be moved by means of the storage module (26) through a receiving volume (22) of the collecting container (20) . Filling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the storage module (26) forms an axis of rotation (36) and is provided for this purpose, the metering element (24, 28) for removing the defined volume of the filling material (14) from the collecting container (20) to rotate about the axis of rotation (36). Filling device according to claim 3, characterized in that the storage module (26) is provided to rotate the dosing element around the axis of rotation (36) for transferring the removed filling material (14) to a container (12) to be filled. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage module (26) has at least one linear bearing (46), by means of which the metering element (24, 28) can be adjusted between a removal position and a transfer position. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a stripping element (54) which, before the filling material (14) is transferred, is provided to reduce the filling material (14) arranged in the metering element (24, 28) to the specified volume. Filling device according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the storage module (26) is provided to guide the dosing element (24, 28) past the stripping element (54) when it is moved from the removal position to the transfer position, in order to prevent the in the dosing element ( 24, 28) to strip and / or compress the filling material (14) arranged. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one transfer element (60) via which the filling material (14) to be dosed in a transfer position of the dosing element (24, 28) from the dosing element (24, 28) directly to a container to be filled ( 12) can be directed. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting container (20) is designed as a trough, the inner contour of which has a uniform curvature at least in a partial area. Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drainage device (56) which is provided to transport a liquid away from the collecting container (20), an outlet opening (58) being arranged below a minimum scoop height of the dosing element (24, 28). Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one further metering element (28) which is movably mounted parallel to the one metering element (24) via the storage module (26) and is provided for metering the filling material to remove a defined volume of the filling material (14) from the collecting container (20). Filling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one liquid metering module (72) which is provided after filling a container (12) to be filled with filling material (14) by means of the metering element (24, 28) with the container (12) to fill a liquid until a desired total filling volume and / or total filling weight is reached. System with at least one filling device according to one of the preceding claims for filling containers (12) to be filled with a predetermined weight and / or volume of a product to be dosed. Method for dosing a filling material by means of a filling device according to one of Claims 1 to 12.

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